Easter Crafting - Gifts

I made up a few Easter gift bags for some of our little friends. I didn't take pictures of all unfortunately as I ended up packing and making late into the night (or early into the morning, gahhh) and completely forgot.

I did however take pics of the cute felt flower hair band I made for Princess S.

I put it into the sweet little chick egg. I will definitely be making some more felt hair bands I forgot how fun they are to make and how cute they turn out.

I also put some goody bags together for the boys and a bucket for the youngest:

I didn't want to buy big eggs as we limit the amount of sweeties and sugary goods the boys eat but I found little kinder treats in Poundland that I thought would be a treat.

I really enjoyed putting the bags together for all the kiddies. 

Easter Crafting - Treats

Can you believe I crafted?! I can't, it's been so long. 

The first Easter craft was some class treats.

The boys like me to make little class gifts when the various holidays come around and as this is Kuppies first nursery holiday I wanted to make him some for his class. The middle two will no doubt be slightly jealous but I didn't have the time to make 73 treats this time round!!

I wanted to give the little ones something to eat but not candy so I went for little boxes of raisins.

I went for really simple decoration as the kiddies are very young.

- card from Poundland, stickers from Hobbycraft and raisins from Aldi. (I also used my scallop punch from Stampinup)

Very simply but so cute. I put them in a paper bag and stuck a big puffy egg sticker on the front. Kuppie saw the bag as soon as he came to greet me after nursery (I was sick in bed) he was so happy when I showed him what was in the bag. He can't wait to take them in tomorrow.

The second Easter craft was some yarn eggs.

I have been watching a few (ok many lol) videos with Easter decor tours, hauls diys  and crafts and I kept seeing string/yarn eggs. I remembered that last year I saw the eggs after Easter and wished I saw it sooner so I could try it out, well this Easter is here and I decided to give it a go.

I wanted to use the eggs in the boys' treat bags and also as part of our home decor.

I wanted to fill the eggs as I really like the look and I know the boys will love the effect. I tried to fit the toys I am adding to the bags but they were too big so I ended up putting the rocket balloons in. For the decor eggs I put three mini polystyrene eggs inside.

- Yarn, birthday balloons, rocket balloons and pva glue from Poundland, mini polystyrene eggs from Hobbycraft.

The eggs are drying out overnight. I made a makeshift drying box with a washing line and pegs to catch to glue as I didn't have anywhere to hang them up where the glue wouldn't make a mess and I also want to hide them from the boys.

When they're dry I will pop the balloons.

Tomorrow I will pack the boys' treat bags and craft some more decor items.

I hope you enjoyed this post, I really want to get back into crafting. I used to craft all the time and enjoyed being part of design teams and taking part in challenges, swaps and virtual crops.

I'd love to see the decor pieces you've made or bought for Easter.

Transition Over!!! Now Officially natural.

Whhhhooooopppppp!!!! As you can see from the title I am officially natural Whooop Whooopp.

Trimmed Hair {I trimmed in twists}

Oh wow!! My transition from relaxed hair is over. I started transitioning around December 2013 when I decided that I wanted to "go natural". I was trying to get my hair healthy and stretched my relaxer, thinking it was best to give my hair a break from the chemicals while it recovered and grew back. The stretch got longer and as my new-growth/regrowth grew I didn't want to relax and then I just realised I didn't want to use the chemicals on my hair at all. My scalp is so sensitive that I would get burns and I couldn't actually keep the relaxer on for processing, it was literally applying the relaxer, combing through and rinsing it off... sometimes I couldn't even get to comb it through too well as the burning was so bad.
It didn't matter if I used a 'gentle' relaxer or a 'children's' one. It was the same.

I was tired of it, the pain, the mess, the smell.... Even when relaxed, my hair would choose to do it's own thing when it wanted, how it wanted. I would style it and it would frizz or curl or wave.... I would have to straighten/flat iron it or tong it for it to act how I wanted but that wouldn't even last for more than a few hours so it really wasn't worth going through all the hastle of relaxing.

I made the decision not to use relaxers any more and chose to transition rather than big chop. I wasn't brave enough to cut all my hair off, so transitioning was the way to go. To be honest, I didn't even know what I was doing or have any plan.... I didn't actually know what I was doing had a name lol, I just wasn't relaxing my hair any more. Looking back, things really would have gone better if I had a plan or knew where to look for information when I started out. Along the way I found the info I needed and a lot was trial and error.

During my transition, my hair went through many stages, some easy but some very frustrating and down right annoying lol.

I used protective styles and low manipulation styles to help me along the way and learned to "listen to my hair" it sounds all airy fairy but truly... I have come to realise that if I want things to go well with my hair then I have to follow my hair - if it's dry? add moisture, too soft or 'acting' up? add protein, not styling a certain way? just style it differently lol, and that's just a few examples.

I trimmed my hair when I felt ready to at each stage and only trimmed as much as I was comfortable with. Sometimes it would be a very small trim and other times I would get brave and cut longer bits. This last trim I had quite a bit of split and frizzy ends so I knew I would be trimming quite a bit off and knew it would make sense to just trim off all the relaxed ends that were left at the same time. I twisted my hair and trimmed it that way, you can see THIS post (opens in new window) to see the style and trim video.

From the above picture, you can see the trimmings that still had relaxed ends (circled in pink). The bit at the top was quite long!!

It's a great feeling to be done with the transitioning and now I have started a new chapter in my Healthy Hair Journey - Growing my Natural Hair.
I know that seems odd to say considering I've been growing my hair all along, but for every inch of growth I achieved, it had to be trimmed off to get rid of the relaxed ends. So now the growth I get is all mine *queue cartoon villain laugh*


I just want to encourage you fellow transitioners, it does get easier and you will get there xxx

Product Junkie Rehab {Used item} - Giovani Direct Leave-In Conditioner.

I used up another item from my current "Use Up List". You can see THIS post for more info
(opens in new window).

I realise it's hard to see the item amongst the rest as the bottle is very modestly designed.

The item is Direct Leave-In Weightless Conditioner by Giovani.
I have to confess (It's good for the soul after all ;>  ) I finished the item and bought another one because my scalp was giving me issues and I wanted a very natural item that would be not only effective but also wouldn't aggravate my scalp.


Definition from official site;

• Pump up your style: this leave-in treatment repairs to help plump up each strand for undeniable thickness that lasts
• Restores strength, luster and nourishment to abused hair
• Moisturizes and builds body
• Detangles for easy comb-out, easy styling

Ingredients and Information from Shopping Sites (amazon uk and House of Nutrition);
Aqua (Purified Water), **Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, *Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, *Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, *Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Leaf Extract, *Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, *Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, *Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Cetyl Alcohol (plant derived), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Citric Acid (corn), Phenoxyethanol, Grapefruit Seed (citrus derived), Fragrance (Includes Essential Oil). *Certified Organic by Guaranteed Organic Certification Agency. **Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International


Directions: Apply to freshly shampooed, towel-dried, damp hair and comb through to distribute evenly. Do not rinse. Air dry or blow dry for body

• A weightless, stay-in hair conditioner
• Imparts shine, body & compatibility
• Excellent for swimmers & sunbathers
• Prevents and repairs split ends
• Not tested on animals

My Experience/Review;
This is an item that I have purchased many times. I love that the ingredients are natural and many are organic. There's no parabens, sulphates or dyes added which is great.

Texture:
This leave in has a light lotion like consistency that melts quickly when poured and rubbed in the hand. Although it is light it is feels quite creamy. My hair has a good amount of slip when this is applied to it.

Fragrance:
Fresh and fruity. The fragrance is very subtle and reminds me of natural/organic baby products. It doesn't linger on the hair.

Value for Money:
Approx £7.99 for 250ml/8.5fl oz - I think the price is quite good considering the ingredients are full of organic items.


Pros:
Full of natural and many organic ingredients.
No parabens.
Pleasant fragrance
Fulfils purpose/claims - detangles, moisturises.
Light so doesn't weigh down.
No buildup.
Very gentle on scalp.


Cons:
Hair didn't feel as moisturised the next day when used as a Leave-In after washing.
Not always thick enough.
Not easily accessible - found in specialised shops.
Bottle doesn't last as long as heavier products.


Would I repurchase?
I would and have repurchased again (as I confessed lol) I would and have recommended this product to others.

Giovani Direct Leave-In Weightless Conditioner  can be found in Whole Foods, My Hair and Beauty ,Holland and Barret and other health food/ organic shops.

90 Day Hair Growth Challenge - Starting Length Check

Hi!! Here is the video of my starting hair length for the challenge.
I plan to do length checks probably monthly. I will do general updates more often though.
I am happy on the whole with my trim although I am missing the length. My ends look and feel much healthier and my twists stay in better too.

90 Day Hair Growth Challenge - Wash day

Hiya!! I completely forgot to post the wash day videos I recorded for the 90 Day Hair Growth Challenge. I have had a few questions about my wash day process so thought I'd do a video. It was quite odd doing wash day in front of the camera so please excuse me lol.

This wash day was specifically aimed at the challenge so I hope it helps.

Part 1 - Cleanse, Coffee Rinse, Protein Conditioning Treatment.




Part 2 - Moisturising Deep Conditioning Treatment




Part 3 - Style and Trim

90 Day Hair Growth Challenge!!

I have mentioned before (a trillion times lol) that I love challenges to keep me motivated and inspired and stop boredom setting in. I started a new growth challenge on 1st March. I have done growth challenges in the past but this one is for a longer time and I will be adding vitamins into the mix.

I normally just take a multivitamin and some added vitamins but I thought I'd give some Hair, Skin and Nail ones a try along with MSM.

This challenge is also different from my others as I will be doing it with others whoooopppp!! I am soooo excited that people have joined up.

Here's a video with info, it's a little long as many who joined up are new to Healthy Hair Journey stuff:








If you'd like to join in I'd be so pleased to have you.

Couponing - Monthly savings {February}

Picture Borrowed From Internet

Hiya!! I have been getting back into couponing in the last month. I watched an old re-run of Extreme Couponers and it just gave me the buzz lol.
It will never be like it is over in the US but I thought why not give it a go? If I can save a few pounds then that's what matters.

I found a few coupon sites (I am soooo jealous that there a kerzillion US sites) and printed the coupons that I actually needed products for... It's very tempting for an ex shopaholic to get an item just because I can get money off but that isn't money saving in the long run. I then looked around for deals for the products while shopping and on compare sites etc. I waited for a good offer on the product and made my purchase then.

During February I made the following savings with coupons:

Aveeno Moisturising Body Cream 100ml
                        - Coupon value £2 -Offer price £2 - price paid £0 (whooop)
Johnsons Make Up Be Gone Extra Sensitive Wipes 25s
                        -Coupon value £0.50p - Offer Price £1.45 - price paid £0.95p
Johnsons Bedtime Baby Lotion 300ml
                        - Coupon Value £1 - Offer Price £1.47 - price paid 0.47 (whoop)

Only three items but really great savings. The Aveeno was especially good as my eldest had an eczema flare up so I was able to purchase it for him, it normally retails at £6 so the offer price was great anyway. But paying zero pence for it was great.

I'm hoping to get better at this couponing. If you are a "couponer" or know some tips and/or sites please let me know.