Chocolate Hair / Vanilla Care : Natural hair care for kids, adoption, and family life.

December 31, 2011

Our Top 10 Most Popular Hair Styles of 2011

Today is our third and final installment of counting down the top 10 posts of the year in these three categories: Hair-Related, Family-Related, and Hair Styles. Today's list includes the top 10 most-viewed hairstyles on our blog, as determined by unique pageviews from January 1, 2011 to December 29, 2011. Basically, they are what all of you thought were the most interesting. Click on the link for each style to see more photos and full instructions for how to do them.

Our Top 10 Family Posts of 2011

Today is our second installment of counting down the top 10 posts of the year in these three categories: Hair-Related, Family-Related, and Hair Styles. Today's list includes the top 10 most-read articles about family, as determined by unique pageviews from January 1, 2011 to December 29, 2011. Basically, they are what all of you thought were the most interesting.

Our Top 10 Natural Hair Opinion/Information Posts of 2011

With only three days left until we starting a new year, I'm counting down the top 10 posts of the year in these three categories: Hair-Related, Family-Related, and Hair Styles. Today's list includes top 10 most-read articles containing opinions, information, and/or instructions, as determined by unique pageviews from January 1, 2011 to December 29, 2011. Basically, they are what all of you thought were the most interesting. Thanks for reading!

Wordless Wednesday: Go Bears!

In honour of today's Holiday Bowl game between my Cal Bears of Berkeley and that other team whom they happen to be playing, we had to post a few photos from our little bear cub. The photo above was taken about a month ago. The photo below was when she was just six months old.

Transitioning Christmas Hair to Helmet Hair

We spent almost no time putting together Boo's "Curled Up-Do with Side Bang Curls," and that was a good thing. Actually, it was planned that way for a couple of reasons. First of all, we didn't have too much time to do hair on the morning of Christmas Eve. But secondly, we knew what Boo was getting for Christmas and needed to plan hair accordingly.

Christmas Hair 2011: Curled Up-Do with Side Bang Curls

Our Christmas style this year is our no-heat "press and curl." No heat "press" (i.e., banding to lengthen the curl pattern) and curled using Curlformers instead of a curling iron. It was my intention to do something "fancy" without being fussy, and certainly without taking a whole lot of time, especially since we didn't actually set this until the morning of Christmas Eve.

Banding Hair for Christmas Style

Okay, I'm just going to put this out there and let everyone know that I have no idea what hairstyle we're doing for Christmas this year. None. I've been mulling over some ideas however, when it comes right down to it, it's all going to depend on how much time we have Saturday before Christmas Eve service. And if I don't get myself more organized between now and then, we'll probably end up with just two puffs!

Launching a New Style Gallery

I know the holiday's are super busy, so what better time ~~to overcommit myself~~ to add a bit more to my plate than by updating the usability of our site. It is still a work in progress, but I couldn't wait to share one of our new features: The updated Style Gallery. It's sorta my Christmas gift to all of you. Thank you for all of your support this past year!

Yarn Twist-Out

We're just about done with our "Yarn Extensions with Front Yarn Flat Rope Twists" and I have to say that I'm really sorry to see them go. They've proven to be such a wonderful style, and were the front flat twists not so loose, I probably would have gotten more time out of them. So as we transition out of these and work our way into Boo's Christmas hairstyle, we're going to be sporting some yarn twist-outs, with the yarn still in the hair. Your success with these will vary, of course, mainly based upon how well the yarn is still anchored in the hair, how well-formed the ropes were to begin with, the activity level of your child (including sleeping and/or playing her hair), and whether or not yarn is already prone to slipping out.

Family Friday: Christmas Lights 2011

There's nothing like the holidays to inspire family traditions. Visiting Christmas lights is probably the longest running tradition we have in our home. It began back when I was a child and has stuck with me ever since. When I met my husband I dragged him along, and when Boo came home she, too, joined our annual trek.

Book Review: "Chocolate Me!"

The story of Chocolate Me!, written by Taye Diggs and illustrated by Shane W. Evans, is about the bullying of a young boy. He is teased for looking different, yet with the guidance of a loving and nurturing mother, finds his way toward self-acceptance.

Wordless Wednesday: The Day We Met You

Yesterday marked the four years from the day we met Boo and brought her home from the adoption agency. It was a whirlwind day, finding out in the same day that we were chosen to be her forever family and getting to take her home. Not a year goes by that we don't take the time to remember what a blessed day that was, and to share the story with our daughter.

Yarn Extensions: Our Tips & Tricks

We're heading into week four of Boo's Yarn Extensions with Front Yarn Flat Rope Twists and they are looking pretty well, all things considered. Since we haven't really done anything new with her hair except for regular maintenance, this would be a great time to share my tips for keeping her yarn extensions from drying out and looking good for weeks at a time. These tips work just as well for box braids/twists, as well as cornrows and flat twists.

Family Friday: How to Make Marshmallow Fondant

Funny, this was the last thing that I think I would ever be writing on a hair blog, but I've received numerous email requests regarding the marshmallow fondant that I made for Boo's Hello Kitty birthday party that I felt I would be remiss if I didn't give photos and instructions as to how I made it. Because, yes, I photographed the whole thing. Because, as a blogger, that's what I do now. I take pictures of everything that I do "just in case."

Wordless Wednesday: Birthday Party Pics 2011

Okay, it might not be a quite so "wordless" Wednesday post, but I did want to share the photos from Boo's Hello Kitty birthday party today, the actual date of her 4th birthday. I've already posted how I pulled this whole party together for less than $50, and the hilariously funny video of the party game "Clean Your Room," but this is the first time I've had a chance to share photos of the cookie pops, finished homemade cake (one of them anyway, I actually made two), and a few shots of the kids actually enjoying themselves at the party. I hope these photos convey how much fun she had at her party, and how much we are truly blessed to call her our daughter.

Best Kids Birthday Party Game Ever: Clean Your Room! (VIDEO)

I have to give hats-off to Daddy for researching this party game. It was awesome! We had more than 20 kids ranging in ages from a few weeks to teenagers at Boo's 4th birthday party this past Saturday. Coming up with games to entertain such a wide age-range was a little difficult. However, "Clean Your Room" proved to be such a huge success that we just had to share, for any of you looking for a great way to entertain a lot of kids (and tire them out at the same time)....without renting an expensive bouncy house!

Family Friday: Hello Kitty Birthday Party (on a Budget)

I received an email from a reader a while back who kindly requested that I do a post on how I put together Boo's Hello Kitty birthday party. As most of you know, I'm a DIY sorta girl who likes to do things on the cheap, thanks to being whipped into frugal submission by my husband. This year's birthday party was no small feat, considering how popular Hello Kitty is, and how expensive all of the merchandise can be. Those party favours add up! However, I managed to do everything below for less than $50.