Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care

CN: How long have you been natural?
TD: 5 years

CN: What is your current regimen?
TD: I cowash every 7-10 days and use shampoo as needed.

CN: How do you maintain length?
TD: I use single braids or twists as a protective style

CN: Moisture?
TD: Shea Butter and Natural Oils

CN: How do you protect your curls a night?
TD: A satin Bonnet...its not pretty but it works

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
TD: Hang in there!

CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
TD: You can walk into any room and know that No one else looks like you

CN: Anything else you want to add?
TD: Being natural is like being in a relationship...You have to spice things up to keep it interesting and the longer it goes on the better you get to know each other.

Toni Daley
www.youtube.com/tonidaley80

Later Gators,
Nik

p.s. If you notice, my hair is still in those two tired side buns, lol! I do it once a week and it lasts and lasts (as long as I tie it down at night). Plus, believe it or not, I get tons of compliments (unfortunately in the OBGYN office today with hubby, mom, and dad, the nurse mistook me for a Teen Mom...I love that show! ). I was thinking of taking it down today after my workout... maybe :) If I do, I'll take pics!

CN: How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural for 17 months, so I’m still fairly new to this.

CN: What is your current regimen?
I try to keep my regimen simple. I wash my hair either once a week or once every two weeks. I shampoo with Dr. Bronner’s 18 in 1 Castile Soap, and condition with Aussie Moist or Hello Hydration. I use Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in, and then apply my unrefined shea butter and twist my hair while wet.

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
I maintain length by manipulating my hair as little as possible. I try to keep my hands out of my hair during the week. This has proven to work for me to retain length. I keep my hair moisturized with shea butter year round, and in the warmer months I use my glycerin spritz mix.

CN: How do you protect your curls a night?
I protect my hair at night by sleeping in a bonnet or a satin scarf. If I’m wearing a twist out, I will put my hair in big random twists at night to make it last longer.

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
I would tell a diva who is transitioning or newly natural to embrace and LOVE her hair as God made it for her. Don’t get caught up into comparing your hair’s texture, density, shape, etc. to what the next natural diva has.

CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
I love walking into a room and NOT looking like every other woman with their Doobie wraps. I also love it that they're in AWE of my hair.

CN: Anything else you want to add?
I’m sooooo glad I made the decision to embrace my hair naturally. It has brought about an inner confidence I didn’t know I had. I know that I’m beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. I’m glad I decided to stop being UN-natural!!!

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a long term transitioner.......not as long as I wanted, but I couldn't take it anymore, lol! I wanted to go for 1 year but ended up cutting it off myself after 9 months. I was in the shower one day trying to detangle that stuff when I saw something black fly by me....it freaked me out until I realized it was my hair. After I calmed down some, I hopped out of the shower and grabbed the scissors, and got to cutting!

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
My last relaxer was on January 1, 2009. I BC'd October 1st through October 5th of 2009. I kept seeing more pieces that needed to be cut everyday so I was in the mirror clipping away over the course of a few days. At first I didn't really like it. It was extremely dry and very kinky and I didn't know what to do with it, so I kept it covered under a head wrap and wigs and only wore it out occasionally. Now, I'm loving my hair!



CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Well, both my sisters were excited that I went natural. My oldest sister lives in another state so I sent her pictures of my hair. She loved it and actually decided to go natural as well. My middle sister also liked my hair......more than me. She told me how cute it was and how I should go ahead and wear it out. My Dad asked me what I had done to my hair. He lives out of town and every time I'd see him he would ask me that question so I would just explain to him that I went natural and cut off my relaxer. One day I was rocking a twist-out that I thought was cute and I saw my Dad and he asked me the same question and after I gave him my standard answer he said, "Oh, you have to get it done"? lol! I said, "No, Daddy. It IS done". He is hilarious. My cousins and aunt have all given me positive feedback. I think it's gonna have to grow on my Granny though.....she said it looked nappy. I told her that's because it is nappy! I try not to think of that word as negative.

CN: What was your transition routine?
I would co-wash and condition my hair once or twice a week (depending on how long my style lasted) and I would make sure to deep condition once a week. My hair is very dry so I put something moisturizing on it at least twice a day....maybe coconut oil, shea butter or a water based moisturizer.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
While transitioning I would cornrow my hair to the back and then wear a braid-out. I would co-wash once a week and do this style. When that didn't work for me anymore (I guess because of all the new growth) I started roller setting my hair and letting it air dry. The bantu knots never did do right by me......:-(

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
Going natural was something I had tried to do 3 times over the past 6 year, but was never successful at until now. I've always loved natural hair but just didn't know how to do it. In December of 2008 I ended up in the hospital and I got out on Christmas day. At that time I had already decided I was going natural but didn't know how to care for my hair and just getting out of the hospital, I didn't have the energy to figure it out. So I relaxed on January 1st knowing that was going to be my very last relaxer.....and I'm happy to say it has been!
I have a 6 year old daughter who would constantly tell me she wanted long, straight hair like mine and I felt like a fraud. I would tell her I want hair like hers. So my baby is another reason for me to go natural and stick with it this time. I want her to know that the hair God blessed her with is beautiful.

The point of my illustration was to show a conflict one might struggle with. I chose to make it about hair. I've been natural for about 14 months now, it's a lengthy amount of time to get comfortable with the new 'do but sometimes I find myself shying away from doing elaborate or wild styles because of what others will think of it. I wanted to capture that feeling in the piece by showing the female straightening her strands, it shows that she is submitting to society just to be accepted by any and everyone. Most naturals hang posters of other naturals or keep magazine clippings of beautiful curly, coily hair, but instead she chooses to believe that straight hair is the way to be.

Yep, you read that right. This week’s super food is actually of the red meat variety. Many liver lovers hold calf liver in very high regards for its abundance of nutrients and it’s very delicate taste and texture. This particular type of liver is less likely to have toxins, such as pesticides, hormones and antibiotics typically found in older animals. It’s also more flavorful and tender than beef liver. Calf’s liver is an exceptionally nutrient dense food. Just four ounces of calf’s liver serves as an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin A, copper, foliate, riboflavin and selenium. A single serving is also a very good source of zinc, vitamin C, protein, niacin and phosphorus. You’ll also find that this little powerhouse of meat is also a good source of vitamin B5, B6 and iron. Calf’s liver is high in cholesterol and saturated fat, but its concentration of so many nutrients makes it an extremely healthful food. Calf’s liver yields cardiovascular benefits helping to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke with the rich source of vitamins B12, B6, riboflavin and foliate to convert potentially dangerous chemicals in the body to benign molecules. Calf’s liver has a unique combination of B vitamins, which helps to support energy metabolism throughout the body. The complex B vitamins also serve as a protector against certain types of cancer and along with vitamin A, also help to protect against emphysema. And for hair health, calf’s liver is an excellent choice because it contains all the major vitamins and minerals (with the exception of MSM) necessary for happy healthy growing hair. So try giving calf liver a shot. All you need is four ounces to reap all the amazing benefits of this super food. Try braising calf’s liver with mushrooms in red wine, or sauté in olive oil with onion with a side of mashed sweet potatoes for a tender and tasty meal your body and hair will love.



We all know that a little exercise is good for you. So the next logical statement should be the more the better, right? Well, not so much. There does come a point of diminishing returns, or a point where your body simply says “ENOUGH!”. Every individual reaches that point at different times. In the quest for better health and fitness it’s often difficult to quell one’s enthusiasm and take a break from exercise. Some may be afraid that if they take a break they might “relapse” and become sedentary again. If exercise is leaving you more exhausted than energized, it is possible you might be suffering from an acute case of over training. How is this caused? For some the basis for over training may have to do with emotional or psychological reasons. Some people are just simply addicted to exercise and will exercise past the point of exhaustion, while injured, or to the exclusion of other aspects of one’s life. For some athletes it is getting ready for that major competition, but for the general population its just taking on too much too soon in the excitement of becoming a healthier person. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms before they come chronic. Remember not all of the sings of over training are physical and may manifest itself though depression and sometimes irritability, especially when performance is decreased during a workout. However, some of the physical signs and symptoms include:

· Decrease performance

· Lack of coordination

· Extended recovery periods

· Elevated morning heart rate

· Headaches

· Loss of appetite

· Muscle soreness/tenderness

· Increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries

· Disturbed sleep patterns

So how can one prevent over training? The key is moderation, which is best viewed as something relative to someone’s own fitness level and goals. Don’t expect to exercise an hour because someone else who is really fit does. Remember the body needs time to adjust, adapt and recuperate. Exercising to the point of over training is like taking one step forward and two steps backwards.


Until next week...

KinkySheaPT

Nikki!

I'm finally going to sit on the couch after stalking you for a year and a half. Lol; I'm so creepy. I've been completely natural since August 1, 2008 when I did my BC. My last relaxer was sometime in May 08'. Why the short transition? Check out my short relaxed hair style. Not much to hang on to; lol.

My Journey I would say started the day I had my first relaxer after giving birth to my son August 7, 2007 (by the way congratulations soon to be mommy!). I don't know if it was hormones or the fact I had washed my hair the day before I had the relaxer (which I had done before and this didn't happen!) My hair immediately burned! I mean tears and all. It felt like hot fire pins in my scalp I bared through it though wanting my hair to be silky smooth. CRAZY GIRL! Afterward my entire scalp was scabbed with burns and the next day my scalp starting seeping, bleeding or pus I DON'T KNOW. All I know is my scalp would leak throughout the day and my hair was stuck to my scalp! Besides this chaos do you know my crazy butt got another relaxer in 6-8 weeks! This time same side effects and my hair fell OUT!!! When I say falling out I mean running my hands through my hair and big chunks of 8 to 12 inches of hair just coming out. Here's the result of cutting off the parts that didn't fall out. (3-4 months later when I decided to let go of my hair and get the short hair style above.)

Alas I loved my short hair cut...FLY! But to maintain this do equals frequent salon visits equals money; lol. Which I've never done. Even when my hair was long I only went to get a relaxer and my ends clipped every 8 to sometimes 14 weeks. I went to the salon twice for that Halle Berry hair cut and that was it! As I remember my wait in between visits to get the creamy crack I remember loving my new growth. It gave my thin, limp hair volume I could never achieve. Rollers sets and anything you can think of relaxed girls get just didn't work for me.

Finally, after just wetting my hair and letting it do what it do for about two months, I went in the bathroom and just cut my hair off. DRAMATIC! Everybody was looking at me like I had a Brittney Spears moment; lol. But I was so liberated. I felt free! I got it touched up by the family barber whom I could slap for giving me a line up and taper! But it was all good. I did wash and gos for an entire year and two months. Finally I hennaed and did your famous Twist&Curl. I've been doing twist outs since! I'm about to start adding the rollers now that my hair is longer. I felt it was a little difficult with the shorter hair.

I think banding looks adorable on children, especially with different colored ponytail holders and accessories. I have been on a banding kick for a while now. I decided to try something a little different and do a three strand twist banded style.

A's hair was banded for several days before I did this style. I prefer to style her hair on stretched, dry hair (twists, banding, braids) for us, this means less tangles, and less tangles mean less breakage. Although I usually style her hair dry, I make sure I use a product with good slip while combing and parting her hair. I usually use Giovanni Direct Leave-in or just plain virgin coconut oil.

This is A's hair banded (she did not go out of the house with this messed up part, lol) and then there's a picture of her hair after I took the ponytail holders out. I use Goody cloth covered ponytail holders. They come in a pack of several different colors and cost $2-$3, they are very easy on her hair and have great hold.

For this style, you must first know how to do a three strand twist. I made a very quick video tutorial on how to do so. To put it simply, you just take three pieces of hair, split them up evenly, and keep crossing your right section over your left section. It's kind of like the middle section is not even there. Right over left, right over left, right over left....easy, right?

Next I got to styling her hair. All I did was put two ponytails on top, and one in the back. I did two three strand twisted banded ponytails in each ponytail.

I used shea butter mixed with coconut oil for this style, and a little ORS Lock & Twist Gel for her edges. Begin doing a three strand twist, go 1.5-2 inches down, stop, and add your Goody ouchless ponytail holder. Repeat until you get about 1-2 inches to the end, then add your beads or barrettes. This style took between 20-30 minutes.

We are currently hosting a Curlformers Extra Long & Wide Styling Kit Giveaway for the followers of our blog. If you are interested or would like to know more about Curlformers, check out our (3) reviews and enter. Thanks! :)

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a short term transitioner because I knew if I waited any longer I would be tempted to relax my hair and I hated the difference between the two textures. I wanted to go natural and had gotten my last relaxer August of 2008 and the BC came shortly after that.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I BC'd January 2009 and at first, when I peeked at the floor of the salon, and the hair at my feet, I couldn't believe that it was all gone, I was like OMG I did it! My mom was there and she was like yep you did...lol. It took some getting use to at first but then I started to like my 4b/4c hair.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I've been blessed with a very supportive family, they all pretty much accepted it and told me it looked nice...they couldn't believe I did it at first because I was such a girly girl that loved my hair. My youngest niece who was 5 at the time told me I looked like a boy and that my hair was nappy, so I just took the opportunity to teach her that natural hair was beautiful as long as you take care of it and everyone doesn't have to have long flowing straight hair. It's crazy how young it starts..but now she loves her hair as well.

CN: What was your transition routine?
I used the Curls transitioning diva kit for a while and then switched to using Kinky Curly after my BC. I co-washed like twice a week and would style with the Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I would deep condition when I remembered...I really didn't do much with my twa.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
For the short time I did transition, I wore half wigs and headbands...lol. I was in my last semester of college before I BC'd so I didn't have time to do much else.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I chose to go natural because I was spending way too much money on my hair, and would be in the hair dresser for HOURS. And I always noticed that my hair would grow to a certain length, and then break and I would have to cut it. I saw other girls going natural and I loved their hair so I figured why don't I. Honestly it's the best thing I decided to do for myself! Going natural has helped me take better care of my hair and my body, I use all natural products for my hair, my body, and I eat better...so I guess I'm Happy to be Nappy! :-)

PICS
1st Pic..My last Relaxer in August 2008
2nd Pic..A couple of months after my BC
3rd Pic...My 1 year anniversary of being natural
Last Pic...My niece and I, who now thinks her natural hair is beautiful (above)

Submit your CurlyNikki.com Spotlight in order to be entered in a drawing to win your choice of DevaCurl Set it Free or 200g of Jamila Henna.

The contest begins today, and runs through April 24th at 5pm EST. I'd love to see some new how-to styling videos, On the Couch pieces, Journey to Natural (ALL hair types) stories, and Work Hair ideas!

Send your submission to nikki@curlynikki.com, and use "Set it Free!" as the subject line.

Later Gators,
Nik


*No purchase necessary. In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that CurlyNikki.com may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize(s). This contest is subject to all federal, provincial and municipal laws. Contest open to Continental U.S. and Canadian residents only. One entry per person. Claiming of prizes requires an email response to CurlyNikki from the winning sender email address within 15 days of being notified of winning. Failure to respond shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize.

Hey Ladies,

She will choose either free shea butter or henna!

To join the challenge, check out the links below:

Contest Rules and Forum
Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010

Remember, you must post everyday, Mon-Fri, to qualify for the weekly henna/shea butter giveaway!!! It's never too late to join!

Later Gators,
Nik

CN: Do you plan to be a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Currently, I plan to be a long term transitioner (at least 12 months). I am almost 5 months in transition right now and I still consider myself brand new. I want to make sure I do as much research as possible, try as many styling products as I can (in order to find the products my hair loves), and have enough hair to slick back in a pony tail (pony puff) on those "my hair is doing its own thing" days!

CN: How have your family and friends reacted to you deciding to go natural?
My family has been extremely supportive, I think everyone is just anxious to see my natural texture! The majority of my friends are natural, so they are definitely on board with my decision! Most importantly, my husband (my #1 fan), has been my rock! As my hair grows, we are both in the mirror (after I wash and deep condition) trying to see if we can make out the natural texture of my hair...is it curly (nope!), is it wavy (nope!), is it kinky (yup!) and we just bust out laughing...It is pretty cute!!!

CN: What is your transition routine?
I am shampooing with the products I have left from my relaxed days (KeraCare, Mizani, etc...). I'm just trying to clear up some space under my sink...I am truly a product junkie! My conditioner of choice has been the Jessie Curl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment (thank you so much for the recommendation CurlyNikki). I absolutely love the way it makes my hair feel...so soft and manageable!

CN: What is your staple hair style during your transition?
Right now, I am all about the flexi-rod set! I use about 20-30 rods and pretty much keep them in all night! The dryer and I don't get along, so I have mastered a way to sleep in flexi-rods and by the morning they are all dry and ready to take out! If by chance the roots are still wet in the morning, I will sit under the dryer for 30 minutes max, then I am out...I just can't take it any longer than that!

CN:How do you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I have fallen completely in love with shea butter!!! I use a combination of shea butter and coconut oil and my hair is soft, shiny and best of all it smells so good!

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I relaxed my own hair every 4 weeks...faithfully! If I saw any new growth anywhere, I was slapping a relaxer on my entire head!!! I'm sure many of you are reading this with your mouth wide open...Yes, I said every 4 weeks!!!! I loved my sleek tresses!!! I wore my hair bone straight with hardly any curl for many years. I would wrap it at night with a silk scarf and never put heat on it at home. I didn't have to, the more I wore it wrapped the straighter it fell and I LOVED it!!!

So, now you are probably wondering what in the world could have this woman, who obviously loves her straight hair, going natural! Well, I was diagnosed with a rare medical condition, Intercranial Hypertension , in 2004 and I was married in 2009. My husband and I really want to have children, but because of my medical condition we are going to be a high risk pregnancy and there are no guarantees for successful childbirth. In preparation, I have already lost 40 pounds, taken off my acrylic nails and now...no more relaxers! This was a personal decision and I just wanted to eliminate any of the self-inflicted chemical influences to my body. I have no idea if acrylic fumes or relaxers will cause any harm to your baby in utero, I just figured it can't hurt to eliminate them...right?!?!

Hair We Grow...Here's To Natural Hair and Successful Pregnancies!!!

blog: www.robynsnestblog.com

PICTURES
Pic 1 - Press-n-curl (4 months in transition)
Pic 2 - Pony Puff
Pic 3 - Flexi-rod Set w/ Flat Twists In Front

Most of us know that we can use pureed avocados combined with other foods (such as yogurt, coconut milk, etc) to get a great conditioning treatment for our hair. But what happens when you actually eat what is commonly called the alligator pear? Just as avocados greatly benefit the hair it also benefits the rest of the body. Avocados promote heart health by lowering cholesterol with its monounsaturated fatty acid properties and lowers blood pressure with its potassium content. Among it's high monounsaturated fat acids (which is actually good for you), oleic acid can be found. Oleic acid has recently been proven to lower the risk of breast cancer. Avocados, when added to salads or other dishes, help with the absorption of other nutrients such as beta-carotene. Avocados are a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and copper. Avocados are also a good source of potassium containing more potassium than a medium banana. Avocados do have a high fat content of between 71% and 88% of their total calories. A typical avocado contains about 30 grams of fat, however 20 of these fat grams are health promoting. If you're at a loss on how to use avocados (for something other than a conditioner) try mixing chopped avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, limejuice, and seasonings for a twist on traditional guacamole. You can also try spreading a ripe avocado on bread as a healthy replacement for mayo when making a sandwich, a personal favorite of mine. Try ingesting this super food as well as a topical treatment for your hair and I'm sure you'll be amazed at the results, inside and out.

This week is part two of last week's diet myth debunking. These are some of the most common myths I come into contact with everyday in my work as a personal trainer. Sometimes it's hard to remember to practice good old fashion common sense when there is so much misinformation floating around or when you're really desperate to drop that last five pounds, or even the first five. Fact is if it's sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t. So let's take a look at more of these mistruths.

Myth 4: Skipping meals are a great way to loose the weight.
Truth: This is one of my favorites. This one is just simply not true. In THEORY, skipping one meal while keeping everything else in your diet the same will help you lose weight. BUT, when you skip a meal your eating pattern changes and you tend to overeat and over compensate later. Over eating and overcompensating equals higher calorie intake which will likely lead to weight gain. Most registered dietitians recommend eating smaller meals throughout the day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack) of nutrient dense foods. This not only keeps you from over eating but also helps to regulate your blood sugar and help keep your energy levels up.

Myth 5: You have to stop eating your favorite foods to lose weight.
Truth: Another personal favorite of mine. The proven most successful approach to weight lost and keeping the weight off is to make permanent lifestyle changes that include a healthy eating plan and ample physical activity. With that said by adopting a healthy lifestyle the common meaning of the word "diet" (such as, "Oh I'm on a diet.") doesn't really exist. A healthy lifestyle allows for all foods in moderation, even sweets. Its ok to have a small slice of chocolate cake every now and again or the occasional slice of pizza, just don't make it an everyday occurrence and make sure you're getting plenty of physical activity. And yes you will still drop the pounds. Remember, all foods in moderation.

Myth 6: Rapid weight loss can be maintained.
Truth: This one came to mind after watching a commercial for a workout and diet plan that promised a weight loss of 10 lbs in a week and to keep it off. Although, I won't go into the details of the commercial (which got me very upset) I will say that my ultimate take home point of this is simply isn't true. Even though a diet or workout may promise a rapid weight loss (some as much as 20 lbs in a week) and even produce the said results, this process is just not healthy. This amount of weight loss is possible but the diets are extremely restrictive and the workouts are incredibly intense (to the point where it's unsafe). Unfortunately the large potion of the weight lost with this method is water and lean tissue (which leads to dehydration and other issues), so the minute you get off the diet or ditch the workout and eat normally all the weight comes right back and maybe a little more. Remember, lifestyle changes, not "diets", produce real maintainable results.

Until next week...

KinkySheaPT

You can find KinkyShea on the CurlFriends section of the forum.

Hola Chicas!

I'm baaack :-) And I definitely missed you guys!

Our USVI Saint Thomas/Saint John Babymoon adventure proved to be even more beautiful and enjoyable then I ever could've imagined.

Let's start with the hair:

We arrived in St. Thomas on Wednesday night (March 10th). My hair was in a braid-n-curl (done on dry hair) and I was feeling divalicious as I kicked through the airport. Shiny, defined, bouncy...perfect!

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, that perfectly defined braid-n-curl turned into a frizzy, poofy mess within minutes of my feet hitting the tar mat in Saint Thomas. It was at this point that I realized I was going to have to draw on my more creative styles. I hate wash and gos because of the maintenance factor. So, after I unpacked and settled into our condo, I completed a set of microtwists on my dry hair, using a little Deva Set it Free and Deva Mister Right. I ended up wearing the twists for half of the vacation! It allowed for versatility (up, down, half up/half down, under my floppy hat), efficiency (it took me no time to get ready for the day), and kept me from yanking my hair out! The humidity in Saint Thomas was no joke, but my twists handled it like a pro. The dry twists also reduced the scalpiness, and added the much needed volume I was seeking from the wet mini twists.

After several days of twist updos adorned with flowers, my halo became increasingly frizzy. I took down my beloved hairstyle, co-washed, and found my self at a lost. I definitely didn't want to re-twist... a bun would be too ho hum... and if I did a wash and go, I'd find myself back in the bathroom the next day (pissed) doing it all over again. So, I decided to learn to flat twist on the fly! I thought back to a pic I found last year, and your recommendations, and decided to try two low buns, with a twist (on sopping wet hair)! Here is the result:



The Wildlife:

Ummm... yeah... so there were countless roosters on the island, and they crowed morning, noon, and night! I mean it was literally incessant... I heard from a few that the roosters are inbred, and are easily confused, lol. They're not so good at discerning sunrise from noon!


Our condo was surrounded by a family of about 8 iguanas. It was neat when we saw one... pretty cool and picture worthy when we saw two...but got kinda freaky and weird when we saw seven at once! The guys in the apt below ours named them!


The Beach:

OMG. The water was crystal clear, and the views STUNNING! We visited Megans Bay and Coki's Point on Saint Thomas and Cinnamon Bay on Saint John. Simply gorgeous!



The Proposal:

We shared our babymoon with my husband's childhood friend and fellow Kappa Alpha Psi brother Eric 'Nookie' Young! He decided that Saint Thomas was the perfect back drop for him to propose to his sweetheart. I helped him pick out the ring ;-)



Views:






The Bling:

The hubs caught me on the phone while at Cuzzins (an excellent restaurant downtown Saint Thomas).
Notice that it looks bedazzled? Well it is, but those aren't rhinestones... they're 100% genuine swarovski crystals and they sparkle like diamonds!
My iphone was graciously blinged out by Tori of Posh. Life Bling! She has adorned phones belonging to Mo'Nique, Keri Hilson, and Paris Hilton! She definitely hooked me up, and I'm glad to join the ranks :-) If you're liking it, you can get the look too!



Later Gators,
Nik