Wrap-A-Lock IV

Pic of my three week old Wrap-a-Lock style and I have to wash now because cleaning my scalp with astringent can only do so much for me. Otherwise, my curls would last a lot longer.

Included is my recent Wrap-A-Lock install. When she saw my wrapped locs she immediately ordered her packages of Wrap-A-Locks because she knew she wanted to wear hers for a while before taking them down.

Talk about confidence, she is a Director working in Corporate America and would be attending a meeting the next morning, with her Wrap-A-Lock tools. How cool is that?

I forgot to take her before pic (I know) but here's what we did with her five year old Sisterlocks:

1. She has 10-11 inches
2. We used 6 packages (120) of Medium length Wrap-A-Lock tools on her 360 Sisterlocks
3. I wrapped 2 -3 locks on each Wrap-A-Lock Tool using foam mousse

It took her a couple of days getting used to the short length but other than that, she was very pleased with the finished product.

I hope to see her soon so I can get a pic of her take down. It's a process and because she chose to keep the wraps in I had to show her how to take them out so her curl would be the way it was designed by Sis Nandi. More to come on her take down results...

Remember Thomasa?

Many ask about Thomasa, she being the dedicated teacher she is, does not have enough time to update her blog and hold down her motherly duties to their 2 1/2 children. Yep, she is pregnant and her family is soooo excited!

Anywho, here she is 1.8 years later sporting her Braidlocks. I told her she will need a grooming soon, she can hardly keep up with her retightenings because of the hair growth resulting from the pregnancy.

Her hair is really spongy so it appears to be shorter than it actually is will pulled downard. So there you are

For those of who do not remember Thomasa, here is the pic of the braidlocks from our install day.

Wrap A Loc Takedown

I know what you are thinkning, "what took so long?" Well, I can't explain it all but long story short, I was ill last week and did not take pics of the first day of my takedown. Here are pics of day three though. Yes, these pics were taken three days after my first take down!!!!

The first day, curls were tighter and funky looking. Not that I look for compliments, but they sure did come like I've never had them before. My hair was a conversation piece for the day, and I took full advantage of educating all who inquired.

I plan on setting them again soon and I will be sure to post pics of the first day takedown. I LOVE WRAP A LOCS!!!

Wrap a Lock Question & Answer

I left out some details on my install wrap post so lets's begin the question and answer post:

Brenda asked:

In your opinion, is it easy to do with just written instructions or would the dvd be necessary? Also I see the site recommends one look per tool. With Sisterlocks that could be quite impractical. Were you satisified with your results? And how many wrap-a-loc tools do you think would be necessary for a full set? Lastly, from the description it seemed like I'd need medium length tools. My hair falls just beneath my collarbone, not quite to my bra strap in back. Is medium the right size? Would you recommend all one size or the variety pack?

Creyole:

1. Yes, the tools are easy to use and the instructions are quite technical so taking the class was better for me because I am a visual person. If you order the CD you should not have any problems.
2. Depends on the size of your lock, I used three on each tool to achieve my look. If your locks are smaller than mine you could easily use 4 -5 locks per tool.
3. I used medium size tools with my lenght and I was very satisfied with the results. See my latest post.
4. The number of locks you have will depend on the number of tools so you have to do the math. Count your locks and divide by 4 or 5 depending how many locks you will use and that will give the number to tools you will need and you can then better determine which pack will best suit you.
5. Also, I used the foam setting lotion by Krinkles & Kurls but any foam lotion will suffice.

TRA: Do you think you will add this to your services if a person has there on tools with them (hint hint hint)?

Creyole: Most Definately, already got them lined up!

GovGirl: Did you dampen your hair before wrapping? If so, I'll bet you have a head full of cute curls!

Creyole: Yes, I used Krinkles & Kurls, but any foam mousse will work

Brunsli: How long did it take, and how many locks did you use for each one?

Creyole: It took approx two hours to install using three to four locks on each tool

Naturalist1:

Is it easy to use? Do you use any setting lotion, etc. I might just have to purchase the DVD and tools. I will decide once I see how your hair will come out.

Creyole: I sure hope you like my reuslts cause I sure do! Yes, its very easy to use and purchasing the DVD and instruction kit will probably be all you need!

Wrap A Locks III

I enjoyed my wrapped locks so much I wore them for fours days and attended a company function with them wrapped towards my face for a little bang look.

Wrap-A-Lock II

So here are my pics of my wrapped locks and they feel very comfortable. Usually, when anything tight is in/on my head I get instant headaches. Not this time and when I arrived home, Ms. Praline asked me to do her hair just like mine!!! I love it and so happy she wanted to be my first experiment

It's hair styles like this that makes a Sistah want to really put on a pair a Afrocentric earrings!!

I'll post on my take out look.. who knows how long that will be I'm loving this look?

Thanks Sistah Nandi for you beautiful invention!!!!

Wrap-A-Loc Class I

I had the awesome opportunity of taking the Wrap A Loc class given by inventor and instructor Sistah Nandi. Sistah Nandi has the most humble, pleasant, professional and spiritual personality and it was a pleasure to work with her as she shared and motivated each of on how to use her tool.

She began the class by introducing her special model Zandi, (spelling), Zandi's locks are actual locks that Sistah Nandi cut from her own head. Yes, she is not much into length so when she cut her locks she decided to use them to help with instruction in her classes. Cool huh?

During the class, Sistah Nandi allowed us to put the tools in our own hair and due to the several lengths throughout my head I had to use multiple sizes of the wrap tool. The four locks in the front are locks I put in myself...I think I did a ok job.

I was totaly impressed with such a wrap tool and I plan to wear mine for a couple of days before removing. These are my sample Wrap-A-Loc pics, more to follow....

Nappy Hair Affair

After the Wrap-A-Loc class, Linda a.k.a. Mosetta, held a Nappy Hair Affair session and many people came to get their hair done...for free. Some came as far as Killeen, TX. We did each others hair as we ate snacks and shopped for cute Nappy items.


Sistah Nandi proceeded to complete my whole head and I somewhat assisted. What a real "jewel" she is, I totally enjoyed fellowshipping with she and all the ladies today.

The up close pic of the completed head appeared to me as curly traditional locks. I love the look and will sport it to work tomorrow. Below is amy new buddy who has Sisterlocks turned Traditional locks..... but she uses a tool to retighten.

Newly Locked Client

Here she is Mrs. RJQueen10
our locking session was delightful and I can't wait to see what those babies will look like in a year.

Check out her post Here

Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

"A Tribute to Jena 6"

*****Don't forget to wear your Black*****We so dearly want to participate in the March for Jena, LA six on September 20th but can't due to prior engagements. We will however be there in spirit because our family members will be representing! So, we decided to share this video as a tribute to the young men from Creyole's family!

It's so Good going Home!

We went home (down in the bayou) recently and I had the privilege of being the "Matron of Honor" in my cousin wedding. I was the oldest thing in the wedding and realized how old I really am after hanging with them youngsters. Whew, they can go!

During the reception I was able to meet up with some of my relatives and friends that I had not seen in a while. Everyone knows everyone in my little town and I am related to over 80% of the people because both of my parents are from there so this was really like a family reunion.

This picture is especially near and dear to my heart because Mrs. Lee was my High School Coach. We share so many memories and seeing her makes me proud to say she is 62 years old and still looking good as ever. Besides being the best coach a girl could ever have, Coach Lee will never know the impact she had on my life by helping to guide me to make good decisions. Like never accepting any of my boyfriends except for Beignet. She would point out every wrong thing about a guy that she even remotely thought I was interested in and would make me think twice until it just faded away. One in particular, I was totally in love with and he is now a crackhead. She always reminds me "remember when you dated him..... (lol) Oh please, I know everyone one of ya'll know at least one crackhead.

On a hair note, all of my family members that teased me about my locks were very complimentary about my updo for the wedding. I could tell many were wondering what in the world I was going to do with my hair because I was free styling the day before not knowing how I would make any style work for the wedding until I got in the mirror and started working my babies.

For all of my SDA sisters, yes I'm wearing earrings and a necklace....I compromised for my cousin! My ears are still stinging from them forcing the earrings through my virgin ears of 17 years. It was the worse thing trying to get those earrings in until another cousin suggested that I put them in from the back then go through the front. I could not beleive it, it worked!





The only thing I hated about this trip home were the "Love bugs," the dreadful, annoying bugs that come out in the fall and fly all around you, land on you, get stuck on cars and when you try to clean them off, some of the paint comes off your car too! Do you guys know what love bugs are? If not, be thankful cause I don't know how I did it growin up there.

Snippet of Mahalia Jackson Song by Praline

Ms Praline performed in our church play recently and everyone had a phenomenal time! Big thanks to our Youth Leader, Mrs. "R" for putting all of her efforts in keeping church our youth excited about attending church.

Guess Where This Is??

It's a small corner in my place of refuge! Yep, since I am certified to do natural hair, love maintaining locks and starting new heads I decided to get a little spot so that I can keep my home private. The two pics on my wall of "Lock Fame" are the two people I started with Nappy Locs. More wall of fame pics to come as I venture off into lockdom.

There is also a pic close to the TV that shows ladies wearing Sisterlocks TM, which I do maintain. It's so crazy because I am actually turning people away since this is a semi hobby and I only do it maybe twice a week in my spare time.

Here's what my last locked sistah wrote: "Creyole I did not want to bother you telephonically, I know you have a busy life with your family. I must let you know when I finally took the hair down I thought it was as gorgeous as I have ever saw my locks. I can't wait to get it done again. The braids were so nice and cool, I wore those a few days,and you helped me in more than one way, since the surgeries in the last 6 months. After my hair I got my nails and toes done. But thank you so much. I will be contacting you right before the first."

We met in a store admiring each others locks and after I became certified she asked if would maintain hers. Now, I am very selective because I do not like drama but she had a very sweet spirit and we had a blast hanging together. Her email to me alone does my heart some good knowing I actually made someone feel beautiful in their locks. I must admit I did an awesome job on her 7 year old locks...shooow did! Maybe, she will let me take a picture of her next time.

Anyway, just wanted you all to know I am having fun in my spare time maintaining locks!!!! Not sure how long my excitement will last but for the most part I am in it for a minute!

More to come ~a dedication to Brunsli for her awesome support throughout the process!

My Nice Dell Inspiron 1100 is Dead!!!!!!

Look at it, it's so pretty I bought it because of the nice pretty color and demo I saw in the mall. My beautiful blue Dell Inspiron 1100 is DEAD!! It died on me after 2 1/2 years and I can't even power the thing up... Sigh!

After taking it to Geek Squad (notice the pink sticker) for an evaluation it was determined that it would be less expensive to buy a new laptop than invest in rebuilding this dead Dell.....I can't believe my Dell Inspiron is dead!!!! Lost all of my stuff too!!!

What??? A new laptop just when we have to shop for school uniforms, school supplies, gym shoes etc....??? We now have a 7th grader and 9th grader who would have been taking over my Dell Inspiron 1100 for school assignments anyway and now we have to invest in a new Dell!!! Wrong, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

No sense in complaining, I ran out and purchased a Gateway, it's really fast and I got it on sale for $595.00! Not a bad deal for homework, blogging and personal business huh? The only thing I do not like about the Gateway is that the keyboard mouse makes a semi-loud clicking sound. Oh well, this time Best Buy recommended Trend Micro Antivirus and I like it already. No more pop ups like I always got with the Norton and McAfee Antivirus....also Trend appears to be compatible with Picasa so I can use my "blog this" feature.

Thanks Dell! Why don't you build a laptop that will last longer than 2 1/2 to 3 years? I really thought it would last much longer, my Dell Inspiron 1100 is Dead!!!! So sad...sniff, sniff!

Here's what Dell said:

Dell's mainstream Inspiron 1100 is the cheapest notebook in the newly redesigned Inspiron family, but it's by no means the runt. In CNET Labs' tests, the system displayed the fastest performance and the longest battery life among its Celeron-based competitors. The sub-$800 price is also impressive. Of course, you can't expect everything from a laptop this cheap. The Inspiron 1100 lacks perks, such as integrated wireless. But all things considered, the Inspiron 1100 is one of the best mainstream notebooks on the market.

Ugh! Does anyone know of a place where I can donate a dead Dell Inspiron 1100???

About Mac: Mac has come highly recommended by other freinds of mine and I'm afraid of the price and OSS. Maybe one day I'll venture out.....

Guess What We're Eating?

If you guessed Beignet, you are correct! We went back home to Louisiana this summer and had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorites indulgences ....Cafe Du Monde ! The French Quarters and Canal Street is in tact and we were surprised to see that Kenner is doing much better as well. As for the 9th ward we didn't venture off to see what it was like because I was not mentally ready to "no progress." Many of our family members shared enough about it and I'm just not ready yet.

We visited a couple of friends in other areas and found that their homes had been rebuilt and they are in good health as well. I almost felt a little selfish going down there to indulge in the good eats and treats but then Beignet (below left) reminded me that we are helping by visiting as tourist and business owners were very happy to receive all patrons.

One thing I was not ready for was many of the businesses only accepted CASH. I'm not a cash kind of girl so I was slightly inconvenienced...but how could I complain when two years prior some people lost everything they had? Needless to say, I got it together real quick.

Here's Roux (below left) standing next to he and Pralines favorite candy shop, which was closed! After Katrina, many stores close early now and that took some getting used to during the visit.

On a hair note, someone asked me and Praline and I quote, "how long have you all been wearing Reggae hair?" We were not offended, it was actually funny and then I proceeded to educate.

Mrs Dee Update

Remember my Nappy Lock install I did on my sister in January? (((Scroll down)))

Well look who's locks are coming along beautifully if I must say so myself!! I'm so proud of her because since the initial install she has been maintaining her own locks using the Nappy tool. I only have to put new locks in where the new growth is filling in from the perm damage on her sides.

I'll give her the chance to blog on her own blog here I just could not help posting about her 7 month old locks since she is visiting this summer.
Doesn't she look happy with the patch of grey too!

Praline's Eyes

I've had the question asked at least a thousand times.."do you arch her eye brows?" I'm never offended, even when I got the question as an infant rolling in her stroller.

I actually find it quite comical when people look at me in amazement when I say "oh no, never would I do such a thing?" Some believe me and some walk away with the look to say..."you know you are fibbing."

What's really funny is that she gets so much public attention about her eyes that she now recognizes everyone elses eyebrows while it never crosses most 11 year olds mind.

So, just for the record to all that are wondering, no, Ms. Praline's eyebrows have never been groomed in any form or fashion. She is the way God made her....I just wish mine didn't need grooming. Who knew the gene pool worked that way?? (lol)

I Want Muscle!

From the famous words of Diana Ross...I Want Muscle and my goal this summer is to get toned! I've been sticking to my exercise two sometimes three times a week and diet (well slightly cheating every once and a while) regimen to get the flap under control. You know the fat that continues to wave under your arm after you have stopped? Yeah, well after posting on my certification and seeing a little muscle I thought ok, this is working.

So to those of you wondering how I got results??? I will share a bit of a secret for you who need the extra "umpf" like me to kick out the extra fat. Some can do by completely controlling their eating habits but I must admit I really enjoy food and especially indulging in sweets. I know, that's the problem but I needed the help because I'm in a wedding in two months and we have two others to attend and I've got to be right.

Here's what I use to help me, ready? Drum roll......... Hydroxycut "Hardcore" Please don't run out and buy a bottle and start downing them without doing your research. Google hydroxycut and check out the pros and cons for yourself. This is a temporary fix for me and I plan to only take them for another two weeks and I'll be on my way.

Additionally, since hydroxycut is a fat burner it is most effective when using it while working out and cutting back, it does however decrease your appetite. The recommended dosage is about six a day and I'm way too paranoid to take that many so I take two a day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon before my workout.

Oh, I'm loving my locks too!

TRA"s Bantu Knots

Ms TRA installed her wonderful bantu knots for me and she really has a nice little technique for my hair type. I love the results and almost wore the knots to work but thought I'd better wait for the weekend instead. Got a little too excited!

Even after taking them down I didn't want to pull them a part. They were just lovely and I still have lots of curls after all the rain and humidity today. She was so funny because she really got to see just how thick my wild hair is.

To get this style TRA spritzed my hair with water and used about five to six locks for each bantu knot. And there you go...much better than my attempt.

A funny thing happened while she was putting in my knots, I was just sharing how some of my locks had snapped off mostly due to the change in pattern a year ago and that I had lost one the night before. I had it in my little pink bag that I carry with me and showed her the damaged lock. As soon as she grabbed another patch of locks one of my locks that was hanging on for dear life fell off and it was located in a different area in which she was working. She freaked out and I assured her it was not her fault but I would have loved for you all to have seen the look on her face when she watched it fall on the floor. (LOL)

TRA...thanks so much for assisting me with my bantu knots and a special thank you for the laughter you almost seem to bring me!

At any rate, I could lose about 10 locks and you would never be able to tell with the forest on my head, that 's the blessing of having thick and double dense hair.

I Did It!

The 35 hour class is over and I now hold my Braiders certification. What did I learn?? Sterilization, sterilization and sterilize even more. I was able to practice twisting locks, cornrolls and adding hair to braids. Much of which confirms what I already know how to do, but a nice refresher.

I don't really like adding hair to braids that but if I did it I'd be real careful not to put too much tension at the base of the braids which can cause hair loss. Then, one locking pattern made from twists and twisting to maintain locks.

After taking the class I'm sure that the state only really wants to make a little change off of us folks to do what we know how to do with our own hair and most importantly the prevention of spreading infectious diseases.


I'm happy and now I can feel good about maintaining locks and also starting new heads. My goal is only four to five people a month. What a nice hobby to do something I like. I'm now well on my way to officially and state certified maintaining and installing tool assisted locks and braids.

Thanks again everyone for your support and encouragement!

Crinkle Wave Locks

I saw the most beautiful locks on Natacha Here and quickly asked her to share the styling tips. She graciously shared Kina's Fotki Album and I went for it. While my locks are much shorter than Kina's I think the turned out ok!

I assume when my locks are a bit longer I'll get more body with a wavier curl pattern as Kina's.
Thanks so much for sharing Kina's link Ms. Natacha!