Hair straighteners, and dyes are probably NOT so good for 'ya long term

Hello!

For years I relaxed, + dyed my hair. It was one process right after the other; not to mention, bookoodles of dollars. One morning I woke up and thought to myself, "Enough already!" Twelve (12) years ago this month, my kinky curly hair & I went cold turkey from them there chemicals, and we haven't looked back. 

It's no secret. Women of color have some of "the most versatile hair" on the planet, seemingly. If it can be done, we can get it done or we can do it. But at what cost?

BREASTCANCER. org released a report in December stating that there is enough plausible evidence to suggest that the use of hair straighteners + dyes on Black women's hair may be related to breast cancer. Ladies I don't know about you, but this gave me pause.

Classic Blue 4

Even a decade ago, ladies I know who were treated for breast cancer were told by their physicians to reduce their 'chemical imprint.' Well; of course, they did!

There are chemicals in the air, land, and water ; chemicals in the food, and in health care and beauty products. It is starting to take it's toll on folks, wouldn't you agree? There are more incidents of men, women, and children dying prematurely of cancer than we care to mention.

I do know this. I do not need lyes and dyes to make my hair look nice, and neither do you! There are products on the market which; after all, require only a blow dryer and a reasonable amount of heat to get to styling and filing if that. My suggestion is that we all do whatever we can to live the way nature intended. Without all of the toxins.   

Soar, in 2020!

Shalom!

Angela
#HairChemicalsNotSoGood
#IAdornedYu
#IAdornedYou

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

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Layer up ... for warmth

Hello!

Vogue, and I agree. If you want to stay warm this winter ... layer up!

I clock in at five plus (5+) miles on foot nearly every day of the week. Although the temperatures  here in the Sandhills can vary quite a bit even during the winter months, the mornings can be cold. I have learned how to stay warm.

I do NOT like bulky items; therefore, my outerwear is usually a blazer. A blazer with room to spare! I haven't purchased or worn 'a real coat' in years, and I am not about to start now! Mobility means everything to me!

From there I tend to work with at least three to four different fabrics and pieces to stay warm, no matter what the temperature is outside. I can count on my trusty cotton, lycra, polyester, and wool.  Usually, in that order. One or two pieces is not going to be enough to keep the body temperature steady, even under a coat. It amazes me how little people will wear when they know it is going to be cold outside. Fluctuating body temperatures can lead to a cold, or worse.   

I always start with a tank top! It is often a cotton, or polyester knit. Sometimes it is just cotton. Sometimes it is just polyester.

I then put on long sleeve, lycra t-shirt. Every once in a while, it will be a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. Lycra stretches, and molds to the body. And because it is made of tightly woven polyester fibers, it seals in the body heat. Spandex works just as well. For all intents and purposes, they are one and the same. One may be a little bit thicker than the other, but that is about all. Both are what you would wear while working out. 

From there I add another blouse; preferably, polyester. It too seals in the heat.

Classic Blue 4

A sweater or light jacket goes over the polyester blouse. It is usually wool, but it can sometimes be  cotton. Preferably, thick.

I do not wear socks as often as I used to, not even in the winter. If I do, it is mostly during the summer months. The feet can sweat like I don't know what! That sweating is not a pleasantry when it is hot and muggy outside, believe you - me.

If I want to hit the great outdoors when it is below 20 degrees, I will  ---

Wear a hat! That's a given for me, irregardless.

Don a scarf! I adore 'em! I don't like to leave home without one.

Opt for an outer fur vest or coat, faux or not!

Put on tights, or pantyhose + socks.

Wear gloves!

Does it sound like quite the production? It isn't, really. There is always the alternative; which is of course, being cold. I prefer being warm, and toasty myself.

Soar, in 2020!

Shalom!

Angela
#LayerUpForWarmth
#IAdornedYu
#IAdornedYou

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

Like this? Gifts are accepted at GPay! Thaaaaank you!

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It still is the best sweet potato pie ever

Hello!

If you live here in the Sandhills of North Carolina as I do, I am willing to wager that you have had a many a sweet potato pies. All are not created equally! Some are; gulp, barely there!

Most of the not so good, or even the so so ones, are bland. There, I've said it! Meaning, having little to no natural taste. It doesn't seem to matter if the potatoes came from around the way, or a grocer. And it doesn't seem to matter if the pies were made from scratch, or came from the 'sto either. Adding extra sugar to the mix, or an additional sweeter on top after baking, such as marshmallows or whipped cream, does nary a thing for it [in addition] other than, upping your calorie count!

Where there is a will, there is a way! Call it impatience, or the mother of necessity! Actually, I just wanted extraordinary tasting pies.

Give the gift of shoes...The Christmas Shoes

Do. Not. Boil. The. Sweet. Potatoes. Ever!!!

Wash. Peel. Grate, or puree.

Add to other ingredients. Bake. 

It...worked! It...works!

Best sweet potato pie ever

And the same applies to pumpkin.

You think? I think!

As of today, Friday, November 22, there are 34 more days left until:  Christmas, Wednesday, December 25, 2019!

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

Shalom!

Angela

P.S. What is the difference between sweet potato pudding and sweet potato pie? The thickness of the filling! And, nothing but!

#StillBestSweetPotatoPieEver
#RedVelvet4
#IAdornedYuFootwear
#ShoeConnoisseur

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

Like this? Gifts are accepted at GPay! Thaaaaank you!

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Vanilla + butter moisturizer

Hello!

I do like me some vanilla extract! Oh, the smell! It is just marvelous!

In all of my curiosity about ways to use vanilla extract, I figured out at some point that spritzing it directly onto moist almost wet face, hands, and feet help the skin cells to turn over more quickly. Translation:  it gives me a more smooth, and even skin tone! Heaven knows I need it! Yeah; like, wow!

I also like butter! I learned that applying butter onto moist almost wet face, hands, and feet leave it incredibly soft! And, I do mean soft! Who doesn't want soft; not to mention, a nice [healthy] glow? I know! Another; like, wow!

You know where I'm going with this, right?

Seeing that I like vanilla extract + butter so much, I decided to combine the two to see what I would get. I got the smell of freshly baked cookies, that's what! Yeah!

I soften one stick of butter in the microwave. It is O.K. if it becomes liquid. I add 1 (one) teaspoon to 1 (one) tablespoon of vanilla extract into the container, stir, cool a tad, and put into a glass jar. So far, I have not placed it in the refrigerator. I just leave it out. It is easier to spread that way.

Joy of all joys, I found a vanilla extract recipe today! I gotta give it a try! And don't you just know it?!!

I struggled with eczema on and off as a teenager. I still do once in a blue moon, but not nearly as much as I did then. I have a tendency to look for natural items to create something that I would like, or as close to organic as one can get products for personal care use. I never get much farther than the kitchen. How cool is that?

If I come up with any other personal care ideas using vanilla extract, I will be sure and share them with you. Once I get the vanilla extract recipe under my belt, you can be sure there will be more.

As of today, Wednesday, November 13, 2019, there are 42 more days left until:  Christmas, Wednesday, December 25, 2019!

Got your red, and white? Get your red, and white!

"Happy Today!"

Shalom!

Angela

#VanillaPlusButterMoisturizer
#RedVelvet4Sneakers
#IAdornedYuFootwear
#ShoeConnoisseur

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

Like this? Gifts are accepted at GPay! Thaaaaank 'ya!

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Indeed Lady Santa, indeed

Hello!

He said, without missing a beat! 

Well, I do declare!

And here he is, donning 'the red and white' too!

1.  A pair of sunglasses.

2. A deep, leather or suede jacket. A white leather jacket proved to be a bit of a challenge to find. 

3.  A white turtleneck.

 

4.  A pair of red slacks; which I might add, were harder to find than they ought to be! Bah humbug!  Men like red, too!

5.  A pair, the pair of red, and white Red Velvet 4 sneakers. 

What else is there to add? Not much; I have to tell you, not much!

As of today, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, there are 49 more days left until: Christmas, Wednesday, December 25, 2019!

Got your red, and white? Get your red, and white!

"Happy Today!"

Shalom!

Angela

#IndeedLadySantaIndeed
#RedVelvet4Sneakers
#IAdornedYuFootwear
#ShoeConnoisseur

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

Like this?  Gifts are accepted at GPay!  Thaaaaank 'ya!

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It is Ms Santa, to you

Hello!

I'm in the mood for red and white; translation, Christmas - and have been for some time!

I've been looking at Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas Deluxe Anniversary Edition cover one too many times, I think!

"The Santa Suit" is; oh so cute, but just not for me!

Let's reinvent it, shall we? But, for you and I!

Picture this; if you would, please...

A black beret.

A white jacket.

A red pair of shorts, a skirt, dress, or jumpsuit.

A pair of red, and white Red Velvet 4 sneakers.

A black handbag.

Add jewelry; if desired, and we are off!

You think? I think! Work it; sister-friends, work it!

As of today, Wednesday, October 30, 2019, there are 56 more days left until:  Christmas, Wednesday, December 25, 2019!

Got your red, and white? Get your red, and white!

"Happy Today!"

Shalom!

Angela

#MsSantaToYou
#RedVelvet4Sneakers
#IAdornedYuFootwear
#ShoeConnoisseur

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu

Like this? Gifts are accepted at GPay!  Thaaaaank 'ya!

Privacy Regarded

Colorful tights, please

Hello!

Colorful tights, pantyhose, and socks are baaaaack! They have been easing their way back into our consciousness for about there years now.

Remember when we wore them? I wore them to work during the mid 1980's to the early 1990's. I adored them then, and I adore them now! I couldn't wait until Belk had a Hanes sale. I couldn't get there fast enough! I would pick up royal blue most of the time. The red would sell out quickly. I wonder why.

I liked matching the pantyhose color to the shoe for maximum impact (with knee length shorts, and  skirts). I liked matching the pantyhose color to the hem of the knee length shorts and skirts, for maximum impact too. A lot depended on what colors I could find.  Either way, I felt taller than my 5'6 frame! What fun!

I ADORNED YU FOOTWEAR

I don't wear tights, pantyhose, or socks nearly as much as I used to anymore. I have gotten so used  to not wearing them. Who hasn't? Besides, the bare, natural skin tone + the same color shoe phenomenon can NOT be beat! The next best thing? The bare, natural skin tone + any color shoe!  Just don't forget to use a good body scrub regularly.

I did something this morning that I had never thought of doing before. I took an old towel, cut it, and placed it into my sneakers. Presto! A shoe liner that I can live with. 

"Happy Today!"

Shalom!

Angela

#ColorfulTightsPlease

#IAdornedYu

#IAdornedYuFootwear 

#ShoeConnoisseur

ALV & Co., "The Gold Standard!"

Angela L Vann, Ms  |  Even Greater Things  |  Far Above Rubies  |  I Style Yu  

Like this? Gifts are accepted at GPay! Thaaaaank 'ya! 

Privacy Regarded