Where Have You Been?

"All my liyeeiiiffee!!" *Rihanna voice*

Just kidding. My sincerest apologies for the hiatus. Ironically considering that I didn't "work" for almost four months, I have been ridiculously busy! How about a quick recap of what Kimi's been dealing with lately? 

1. The Vadge Site:

I want to thank everyone for going so hard for me these past few months - VForVadge.com is currently at 10,976 views and counting! My little fledgling has turned into a full-blown sexual health and wellness site, just like I hoped for. I am pretty sure my readers are to blame for this - you guys are awesome. On January 1, I'll be revealing my celebration giveaways - stay tuned! 

2. School's Almost Done!! 

They tried to sneak me with the electives - but I see the light at the tunnel - 2013 means graduation for Kimi! Yes, I'll be going on to grad school at last, but  this progress makes me so happy. I'm taking one semester off to pursue my business ventures - but then it's back at it! 



3. Moving!! 

Undisclosed locations, lol :) 

4. LeVadge Shop is Up and Running

My online store has been doing well, and I'm adding new products for 2013. Be sure to check it out, we've got sales running until January 1. Then the new products hit the "shelf." I can't wait for you guys to see what's up! 
http://shopvforvadge.com 

5. Chris Wynter Music!! 

I am proud to say that I've been working closely with this dope artist - which you've seen featured on my blog before. Mr. Wynter's got some real fire coming out this year, and it's an honor to say I have a hand in this. I'm currently building his website and assisting in the promotional process. We've got a great talent coming up in Hip Hop. Keep your eye out for ChrisWynterMusic.com! 

So, as you can see my plate has been super full. I've got so many pics and thoughts to share with you guys - I can't even keep them all in my brain. Expect a lot of posts, as soon as the cable guy comes to hook up my internet. Love you guys lots! 

Team Natural, the Journey Continues

High School 2004 - peep the OG 11's 

I have gone natural so many times I can't count. My first time was in high school, I started braiding up my hair and wearing it in buns and puffs. I received a little flack for my hair over that year, so I felt pressured into getting a perm again. I permed all through the rest of high school and a little bit into moving to Florida. 

I had the fresh wrap, lol

High School - 2004

First year in Florida

Perming just seemed easier. My hair grew quickly, but if I ever neglected it? It would break like a twig. Nothing worse than dry permed hair. Yuck.

2005/2006 - peep the breakage beginning

My hair was growing even faster in Florida; I think it was the fresh air and my constant walking everywhere. I colored my hair for the first time, and the breakage began.

SO, I started cutting. Started with trims, then an inch or two. The shorter cut was new to me, but I could still make a baby ponytail. 

Then I decided to start going natural one day. Transitioning consisted of washing my hair, leaving in a conditioner and going about my business. 

In a random moment, I came home, grabbed scissors and cut my hair off. Didn't even think twice. 

This was the shortest my hair's ever been and I loved it! It was manageable and simple, and the weather had it growing back quickly. 

I look like a baby here! 

I started styling my hair as it grew longer, but I couldn't find moisture. That was my ultimate struggle. 

I gave up and texturized my hair, thinking that was a better option. Wrong. 

I started rocking protective styles so I wouldn't have to comb my hair. This is when I learned the art of weaves, lol 

Fast forward, I cut it off and started natural again. For some reason, my hair wasn't growing as fast with a perm as it used to. Lol - I had no patience back then! 

I think my hair was at its best at that time in 2008. If I could go back in time, I'd stop processing my hair right there. Look at it! Soft and thick, great curl pattern. What was I thinking? 

*sigh* 

Anyway - fast forward to 2012, because everything in between is me cutting and re-growing. I got a pixie cut last year, and I've been growing it out ever since. Once CousinJin put me on to CurlBox, I had found my saving grace. Not only have I discovered products that keep my hair soft, save my curl pattern on humid days and grow my hair much stronger -  I have sheen to my hair!! I have fallen back in love with my locs, so much that I haven't had a weave since my birthday. I rock protective styles to death, but there's nothing better than being able to rock a natural fro on a sunny day. 

When I wake up with bedhead and shrinkage

Growth and sheen

I can't thank my CurlBox enough each month, because I know I'm going to find goodies that my hair will enjoy. Right now I'm in love with Design Essentials Twist and Set Lotion. CousinJin didn't enjoy it as much and gave me her bottle as well. My hair feels so nourished and bouncy, the twist out even lasts an extra day or two if I do big bantu knots before bed. I can't recall too many products that do that for me.

I've created a whole new regimen with the products I've adopted from each CurlBox - this is my sixth month and I'm super excited. I sing Myleik's praises everywhere I go, because not only is she my business idol - she single handedly saved my natural hair. Bless you, My!

Snatched back, lol

The Weeknd feat. Drake - "The Zone" ((Video))

I stalked him all night for this video, and ironically the Starbucks Frapp I drank to stay awake wore off half hour before. It doesn't lose any importance based off that. In his directoral debut as a mainstream artist, Abel did an awesome job on this video. Clearly, die hard fans will know the references in the song; House of Balloons, the hairstyle from the Thursday artwork, etc.  I noticed a few changes in the song arrangement, but I'll continue to play the original versions until Trilogy comes out this week. Despite his up and coming mainstream success, I am still a hardcore Weeknd fan. He already told us the industry may try to change him, but I believe he'll stay true to what we know - for now. In the meantime, we'll stay by his side. We'll love him, until they all love him...


The Weeknd feat. Drake - "The Zone"

Miguel - "Pssy is Mine" ((Video))

I walk around the house slowly as this song plays. Just a t-shirt and socks. Feels so, sexy. The lyrics come from such a genuine place that many of us can relate to. I digress tho...








"So lie to me 
lie to me lie to me so sweet
cause I don’t ever want to imagine
all the other ni—s like me, ever had a chance to get in your pants 
so tell me that, that p—sy is mine, yeah
tell me tell me baby that its all mine
tell me that that —sy is mine ooh cause I don’t wanna believe that anyone is just like me”

Kendrick Lamar Breaks Down His Favorite Cartoons and Cereals (Video)

Via ComplexMag.com

"Whether the subject is hip-hop, superheroes, or sugary breakfast treats, Kendrick Lamar always keeps it real. So we asked the Compton MC to elaborate on the real-life experiences that inspired his song "Cartoon and Cereal." Please be clear: he's got this down to a science. And don't even talk to him about some old healthy, no-sugar-having, Raisin Bran type cereal. You might just get punched in the face. Nor should you even crack open the milk unless you fully comprehend the 60/40 rule. We'd better let him explain. Check this exclusive Complex video for the full scoop."

Mid-day study break :) 

As I sit and enjoy a nice, cold bowl of Cap'n Crunch (with Crunch Berries, of course), I can totally relate to Kendrick's science. Personally, I hate soggy cereal so I forego the fruity pebbles unless I can eat them rather quickly. My preference is slightly-moist cereal with a crunch, therefore I gently cascade the milk over all my cereal but only fill the bowl about a quater of the way with milk. It allows me to select the wet cereal from the bottom, and rotate the dry cereal into the milk at the same time. I've got my own strategies, lol. I enjoyed some of those healthy cereals growing up, like Honey Nut Cheerios. I DID sprinkle sugar on plain Corn Flakes though. My mom wouldn't dare bring Wheeties into our home, hahaha. 

Cartoon wise, I would love to be Valerie from Josie and the Pussycats. Her body was incredible, plus she had brains and musical talent. Black cartoon characters were still few and far in between, so to find one who possessed all those great traits - why wouldn't I want to be her? 

Anyway, back to studying I go. Just a random thought with a great artist. Shoutout to Kendrick for bringing me back to my childhood today :) 

ThrowBack Thursday - This Time Last Year...

This time last year, I was in Orlando getting some much needed alone time. Going along this journey I call life, I've realized that sometimes being with yourself leads to a great deal of clarity. I enjoyed the sun, the pool and the eats for a few days before meeting up with my LittleOne, Kendra at her new home in Kissimmee... 

"Undisclosed Locations" 

TaKillHer...

Road Trippin... 

Even this creeped me out. Lol, I've gotta do better.

Funny all the places life takes you, lol. I have to look back and chuckle... 

October Giveaways - They're Back!!

I asked you guys for 254,000 hits two days ago - and you gave me far more than what I needed, lol. We've gotta celebrate a quarter million page views with something, right? What better than some all-natural goodies? 











Allaffia Sustainable Skin Care has blessed us with a Shea Butter facial kit, as well as Baobab Oil Facial Serum. 

We all know the benefits of Shea butter; it's ultra moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-stretch mark, anti-blemish, skin plumping goodness. Keeps your hands soft during the winter, and your skin nice and bronzed during the summer. I could go on - but do I need to? 

What is Baobab Oil, though? Let's find out...

Baobab oil is extracted from the seeds of the fruit that bloom on baobab trees. These extremely old trees (some species live up to a thousand years or more) are native to Africa and feature thick trunks and thin branches. Often called “upside down trees” because of their spindly branches that resemble roots, the flowers of baobab trees bloom once a year and interestingly open at night. Once pollinated by hungry bats, bees and wasps, the flowers produce fruit, or pods, which house the seeds used to create the prized baobab oil.

Most organic beauty products use unrefined baobab oil, which is extracted by cold-pressing the seeds, leaving the oil completely raw with no additives. As a fixed oil, it’s safe to use directly on the skin and won’t evaporate like essential oils.

This enriching oil nourishes and improves skin elasticity and soothes dry skin. Baobab oil contains moisturizing Vitamins A, D, E and F, which help to rejuvenate damaged skin cells. Also rich in omega fatty acids, baobab oil does anti-aging wonders for skin by fighting free radicals. It's also a favorite in beauty products because it absorbs into skin and hair seamlessly, without leaving any greasy residue.

Baobab oil is often only used in small quantities in beauty products. However, you can purchase pure USDA-certified organic baobab oil by the bottle—although you may want to consider the sustainability of doing so as baobab trees only grow in Africa.

So, today - because you guys are awesome - I'm giving away this super badd (like badd as in goodd) prize pack. It's got Rooibos (Tea) and She Antioxidant Facial Toner, Shea Butter Daily Toning Face Cream and Baobab Oil Facial Serum. Here's how you win:

Email sn3akrfr3akr@gmail.com - telling me where you live and how the fall weather treats your skin. Then, Tweet me @sn3akrfr3akr with the drop: "Sn3akrfr3akr's Giveaways are the best!" with a link to the blog. The first person to email me will win the prize pack. Second place will get a travel facial kit courtesy of Whole Foods Market. 

Ready? Set? Get your butt up and go! 

The Weeknd - "Wicked Games" ((Official Video))

One of my favorite Weeknd songs, it gets me slow dancing with my chair no matter where I am. The beat is so strong, yet seductive and filled with pain. Abel's voice floats over it so eloquently, don't you just wanna touch yourself? You don't have to admit it, it's cool...

Anyway, it's only at 118 views so far - consider yourself one of the first people to see it. Enjoy the great use of shadows and simple symmetry. Makes it all the more Weeknd. 



The Weeknd - "Wicked Games..."

Going Raw - my Two Week Journey...

So we decided to "go raw" for two weeks, and I tell you the last three days of it have been the most trying. The bright side of it all has definitely been the results; down over six pounds with two days remaining on the diet. Three days of moderate ab-work per week. Let's talk about how it all went down... 


It all starts with the meals; nothing cooked is allowed. Raw trail mix and dried fruit are a catalyst throughout the day in order to maintain energy. I usually start the day off with a few fruit; an apple, a banana and a fruit shake. Odwalla has awesome drink options that are all natural, and give you a list of how many fruit and other goodies are in each bottle. Since I'm allergic to oranges, I stick to Original Superfood. It's green but yummy, don't let the appearance fool you. 

The key is creativity when going raw; since your options of what to eat may be limited. We stocked up on a few staple items to base our salads on; spinach, lettuce, frozen edamame, kelp noodles, apples. It's based upon what fruit and veggies you like, so grab a basket and go H.A.M. in the supermarket. No meat, though. :) 

Fruit saved me. I got so tired of eating trail mix, that all I really wanted was fresh fruit. I diced up a whole cantaloupe and put it in a tupperware container to eat throughout the week, boy did it come in handy. Threw some flax seeds on top for fiber - but make sure you chew the seeds or you won't get any of the nutrients. It's all inside. 

I found that if I chomped on trail mix throughout the day, I was less hungry when my usual feeding times came around. I've been sipping this Superfood drink since 11am - it's 2:51pm right now and it's not finished. The protein will keep you alive!! I even fought the temptation of my mom's barbecue turkey wings this weekend - and that takes a lot of will power!  

I haven't lost any energy, I think I can attribute that to the soybeans (edamame) and the nuts. I keep a ziploc back of it by my side, in case I feel the urge to eat. There are quite a few raw trail mixes to choose from, so you can add variety and fight boredom. I don't dig shaved coconut that much or mushy dried apples, so I went for one with premium nuts (cashews, pecans, almonds, pistachios) or one with premium nuts and dried berries (cranberries, raisins, etc.). I tend to eat around the Brazil nuts, because I think they're kind of bitter. If they were salted, I'd go in!  

30 minutes of moderate exercise helps speed up the process. We usually get up and do ab-work in the morning with some GOOD music playing (pun intended). I haven't been working out as much as I usually do, so I don't even want to show you too many ab shots, lol. I'll do it for support's sake, though.

Mother Nature allowed me to keep my butt, although according to my measurements I lost half an inch in that area. I lost the same amount in my midsection, but the measurements are flawed since I ate before I took them. More squats should remedy the loss in the hip and buttocks, though. 


Anyway, today makes the second to last day - I'm already planning my first meal. Nothing like the sweet victory of health and fitness, it allows you to indulge sometimes. Dragon roll, here I come! 

P.S. - If you can find friends to do this challenge with you I recommend it. Having good support systems will definitely get you through. If you need more than two weeks, kick it up a notch and go for three. Two months, even? Sky's the limit!