1st Annual Sisterlocks Explosion

I attended the 1st Annual Sisterlocks Explosion that was in Atlanta GA at the Atlanta Marriott Downtown on Sat, Dec 4, 2010. I arrived a little bit late so I wasn't able to visit all tables/vendors, etc. However, I was able to purchase two pairs of some lovely earrings and stack up on some sisterlock hair products. Overall, the event seemed to be a hit and I will definitely be attending the Explosion next year. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joanne Cornwell and she is such a beautiful, pleasant person. Dr. Cornwell's locks are sooooooo long...my goodness. I have no idea how she even manages.

I met some other beautiful Sisterlocked ladies as well...

I also met another NATALIE:) I love her name!! :) Her sisterlocks are gorgeous...she is 7 years into her journey and has cut them several times.

Women with Sisterlocks ROCK;)

Retightening My Own Hair!!

Okay, last week Sunday, I realized that I had to yet again reschedule a retightening appt that I had and I began to get frustrated and missed being able to do my hair myself. My having to depend on someone else to do my hair is a bit troubling, so I decided to give it a shot.

The first thing I did was go to Walmart and purchased yarn sewing needles (4 in a pack..about $1.50). I contemplated purchasing the "nappyloc tool" for $19.99 but didn't want to spend that money if the retightening seemed too difficult for me to do on my own. Not to mention, several people were complaining about dropping their nappyloc tool down the drain only to have to order another one!! I decided to research online what other ladies were saying about retightening their own hair, and come to find out, a lot of people do their own re-ties!! I viewed several youtube videos (sshhhh, a no no....I know...). Learning through some youtube videos is usually frowned upon and the proper way to learn how to retighten SL is by registering for the SL retightening class for a fee of $250. Maybe I'll do that in the future..but not right now.

Here are some pics of what my hair looked like right after attempting my first lock...

I was able to complete about 4 locks in 15 minutes!! Now that was a little scary, considering I have about 400 in total at the least! So on Sunday night, I completed the perimeter of the front and sides...had to look presentable for Monday:) I was pleasantly surprised at how nice my hair looked. I finally completed my whole head by Friday evening, 12/3/10. Yes, that is almost a full week, but keep in mind I didn't work on my hair until late in the evening, which was about 10 pm. I have learned my lesson though, my next attempt at retightening myself, will be on a WEEKEND!

Lookin Good

Now this pic doesn't really have anything to do with my hair...but I was feelin kinda cute...so I posted! Byyyeee..

Taking Forever to Lock!!

So, my last re-tight was Thurs, Sept 23. Not that was 6 weeks since my re-tight before!! I don't know if I can wait that long again! My hair is doing great, just seems to be taking forever to actually start "locking". Wanda was a bit surprised at my ends..they aren't in the least bit in any rush to lock, but my hair is all natural, which is a little puzzling that they're taking so long. So, as a result of my ends, I am still using the Sisterlock Starter Shampoo. I have a trick to my hair so my ends don't appear frizzy since the hair is loose hair. Each night, I have been going to sleep with my hair braided and curled with rods at the ends. Now, this look is soooo not attractive for bedtime, lol, but if I want my hair to look the way I want it to the following day, hey, I gotta do what I gotta do. Here are some pics of my hair the following day after my re-tight and some pics of what my hair looked like before my appointment as well. Wow, I must say...my hair was looking RoUgH, lol. But I'm sure I was the only one who really noticed. Silly me, I was worried that my grid was gone, but Wanda assured me not to worry. She said as long as the re-tights are always done correctly and the locks are not combined, my grid won't go anywhere:) My next re-tight is this Thurs, Oct 28!

Okay...here are the pics after my appointment...do you see a difference?? I do!! lol

19th Annual For Sisters Only Expo

Over the weekend I attended the 19th Annual For Sisters Only Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is a two day event featuring live performances by A-list performers, unique shopping, family friendly activities, and last but not least, top name vendors offering free samples, giveaways and valuable information. While there, I got the courage (LOL) to ask some like minded random people for pics of their locks. In Atlanta, you can't help but run into so many different styles for natural hair. I was hoping to run into sisters sportin some Sisterlocks, but unfortunately, I did not. Traditional locks were representing this day, but you know what, we're all pretty much in the same family:-) Check it out...

Hair Update- 3rd Re-tight Rescheduled

Well, my third re-tight has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept 20. I was initially scheduled for tomorrow, Sept 14, but had to reschedule due to another appointment that I completely forgot that I had. Here are some shots of what my hair looked like on Sept 7. I really want my hair to grow...I'm being real impatient. :( I need the 20th to hurry up and come because I feel like my hair is looking pretty rough... Will post more pics of what my hair looks like after my re-tight, maybe I'll see some length too :-)

My Mom and my Sisters

Had a great day at my parent's house for Labor Day weekend. We had some great food, jerk chicken, brats, burgers, ribs, rum punch was amazing and some hilarious stories were told. It's always great times when spent with family and I absolutely love spending time with mine. My mom is newly natural..she did the BIG CHOP and she's lovin her hair. She keeps tellin me, "Natalie...my hair is so easy..I love it." My mom is Jamaican and she initially did not like Sisterlocks. She would tell me, "I think Dreads are ugly." I'm like (SMH), "Mom, these are not dreads, they're locks." I don't think my family believed I would really get them, but once I did, she has been giving me compliments and says I wear them nice. Let's see how she like them once they "lock". My sister, Kaydene on the other hand, has loved Sisterlocks from the moment she and I were browsing Sisterlock hairstyles online. Anywho..mom and sis are both natural now. Welcome to the club ladies!! :)

Here's Kaydene and my adorable nephews Kaden and Kai. Kaden will be four this month and Kai will be two in Dec. (she's got her HANDS FULL with those two...and that's an understatement!). Check out her natural hair:) Thumbs up!

I also have a younger sister, Simone, who I'm still trying to convert.

She's still addicted to the weaves, so she may take some time. Wish me luck with that, lol. :)