Still here...

Smoking and drinking. Such a cool kid.

10 months ago...

I can't believe 10 months ago... at 12:10pm, I was laid out in the recovery room at Washington Hospital Center, looking at my new little baby. Its almost surreal how fast one year can go. I remember his birth like it was literally yesterday.
Its amazing all the things he has learned in 10 months. Just a few months ago, he was a helpless little person who needed me to do everything for him. Now, of course he still needs me, but his independence is amazing to watch. How he is learning to manipulate his environment, how he's learning to communicate with the world around him. Its been a blessing to have this little boy in my life.

Tunes Tuesday

My new favorite song... Mercy.

Swerve

A Journey To Natural: THE HUMIDITY!!!!!

As I sit here, admiring this lovely Memorial Day weekend. The sun and heat that I love has returned to the DMV and I'm beyond ready to step out to barbeques and pool parties. And who doesn't love happy hour bar hopping when its 80 degrees as the sunsets? I'm all about that life. Unfortunately, my un-relaxed hair is feeling some type of way about my lifestyle choices. I'm stuck. I really hate how I have to spend so much time to get my natural leave out nice, just to step outside and poof up. From my house to my job, I'll clock in looking as if I have a little poodle sitting on my head. Its annoying. However, I will not let a little humidity make me stray from my goals. While I write this, I'm researching different products for us natural girlies that can control some of the "poof". I've experimented with different edge control products to see if I can keep the hair laying down, but after some time I always get some poof. I'm considering doing a full weave or closure but I didn't necessarily want to pay the price, so over the next couple of hot weeks, I'll be reviewing several products to see which ones work best for me.
Mizani's Spradiance
Chi Silk Infusion
Sabino Block (maybe called Loc & Bloc)
Garnier Frutis Anti Frizz Serum
Mane N Tail Hair Dressing.
I'm praying I find the best one first, I refuse to have to suffer the poof all summer. I failed to mention that I re-installed my Brazilian hair last week. I'm actually very pissed off about the quality of this hair. I have TONS of shedding and its barely holding curls. I guess this was a lesson learned. I will never purchase hair from the girl that supplied these bundles. However, this was a great hair to experiment with. I was able to go on a crash course, if you will, on how to care for "higher quality" hair before I went on a big splurge. I do plan on purchasing 3 bundles (praying for 2 18' and 20' ) of Malaysian in the near future. I'm currently looking for a RELIABLE vendor. There are so many different hair vendors in this hair market, who can you trust?
Any recommendations???
Look out in the near future for a Vlog entry on the products.

U-try-it Recipe: Jerk Chicken

Who gets tired of chicken? Me. I absolutely despise chicken sometimes. I've been searching for recipes to make chicken less... boring. Here's a spin of Jerk Chicken. Not too spicy with a little sweet twist. I love this chicken!

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
10-20 pieces of chicken
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions

Make the jerk rub by combining the salt, allspice, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and thyme. Toss the chicken pieces with the spice mixture, then cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 2 to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour the vegetable oil into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the chicken pieces skin-side up into the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 20 minutes, until no longer pink near the bone. Turn the oven on to broil, and cook until the skin crisps, 2 to 5 minutes.

Here is the chicken after I marinated it for 4 hours... this is the most important part!!!

yummmmmmmmmyyyy!! It smells sooo good coming out of the oven

I served the chicken with cabbage ( Click here for my recipe for the cabbage ), rice (box brand) and cornbread. Dinner was a delicious and it was great to take to work.

Recipe was found at Allrecipes.Com

Prom 2012

My little cousin Qishawn went to her prom Friday, May 11. I had the pleasure of testing my "makeup artist" skills on her. She took me through the MOTIONS preparing for this prom, but what high school senior isn't excited about their prom. I think I almost committed suicide because my dress wasn't finished being sewn until three days before. Qishawn looked beautiful and I was proud to be apart of her night.

First I used my MAC "spiked" eyebrown pencil to fill in her brows. She had her brows waxed earlier that day but didn't like the look. I actually had to persuade her to let me do them. After much back and forth, she finally let me. I used MAC concealer to make the brow pop and she supplied her own foundation. For her eyes, I placed MAC "Aquadisiac" about 3/4 of her lid. I applied MAC "Sketch" in the outer V of her lid. I used a 252 large shader brush to apply both shadows. I used a 224 tapered blending brush to blend the Sketch into the Aquadisiac. I used MAC "Dazzlelight" to highlight the brow. For her lip I used NYX "Gold Pink" megashine lip gloss. She loved her look... my family almost lost it when they laid eyes on her. I am NO WAY a makeup artist... but I enjoy the transformation process. Seeing her face after she saw how I worked made me feel good inside. Makeup has become a hobby and I hope to continue to make others feel as good as she did on her night.

Thursday Tunes (lol)

I know.. I know.. Its not Tuesday but I had two finals since Tuesday and now I finally have time to catch my breath. Here's what I'm listening to...

As I stated last week... I'm a Meek Mill fan. I first heard Meek on Rick Ross' Pandemonium with Wale and asked myself "Who the hell is this yelling at me on the track?" But, I begin to listen to his lyrics and started to admire his delivery and flow. His first Dreamchaser mixtape still gets major play in my car. Dreamchasers 2 still has the same grit and hunger that he brought us with the first mixtape. My favorite tracks are Burn, Amen, and The Ride.

Also in rotation is Jadakiss' Consignment. It has the same street rap I was looking for Young Jeezy to bring with TM103 (but was sadly disappointed). I love drug/numbers rap and Jada takes it there. I'm not a huge Jadakiss fan but this mixtape GOES. I'll probably have it in rotation for a while. My favorite tracks are Paper Tags, By The Bar, Respect It, Traffickin, and Count It... By the way, did you everything you'd hear Jadakiss and Gucci Mane on a track together... I didn't lol. Jada put EVERYBODY on this mixtape.

And I'm still listening to Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Allderdice. For some strange reason, I've been blasting O.N.I.F.C repeatedly. Good top open-riding music. Enjoy!

Foodie Review: Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar and Grill

On Sunday night, we ventured east on route 50 and ended up in Crofton, MD. We ended up at The Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar and Grill. The Blue Dolphin sits off MD- Route 3 in a small strip mall. When we pulled up, I didn't really know what to expect. On the ride there, I was thinking fine cuisine so the strip mall threw me off for a little. I would be shocked and amazed at how good the food and drinks were. When we walked in, we noticed the posted hours were until 2am! We decided to sit at the bar. I took a good look around, it was a cozy atmosphere. This spot is perfect for a dinner date, family dinner or even dinner and cocktails. I ordered my favorite Patron Margarita, Tyree ordered a Long Island and Jay ordered Kettle One and pineapple. Our bartender nailed the drinks. My margarita was THE BOMB.

The menu is pretty extensive. This normally annoys me but everything on the menu sounded great. The long list of tasty appetizers features crab balls, crab dip, carpaccio, oysters, clams, Thai spring rolls, mussels and the king of all appetizers, The Blue Dolphin Sampler- Shrimp, Scallops, Crab Balls, Sirloin Beef Tips served with various veggies. Tyree ordered that. I browsed the soups and salad menu and picked a cream of crab soup. My soup was pretty tasty- lump crab meat with a creamy white sauce. My only complaint would be that the sauce was a little too creamy for me.

The entree menu featured seafood (of course), steaks, veal, chicken, pastas, sandwiches, maki rolls, and various combo platters. Tyree ordered Stuffed Lobster tail, Jay ordered Crab Imperial (which he had NO idea what a crab imperial was!!! We ended up taking that to my Aunt and he ordered crab cakes.) I ordered the Surf and Turf, Filet Mignon and a lobster tail. A few drinks later, our food came. Everything was extremely good. My steak, which I ordered medium well was cooked well done. I thought about ordering another steak, but I shrugged it off. I was pleased with our meal. I tasted Jay's crabcakes.. and geezus they were good. No fillers, all JUMBO LUMP CRAB MEAT. I would consider the Maryland Crab Cake to be my all-time favorite food. These crabcakes would probably come in 2nd place of my best tasting cakes.

All and all, I would definitely go back. I've done a little research and read that there is a happy hour Monday- Friday, 3-7pm which features domestic and imported drafts, $1.00 off all cocktails, 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2 price bottle of wine (offered all day and night Monday to Friday). They also have weekly specials Monday- Thursday.

Check out The Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar and Grill. Great food, great drinks.

Tuesday Tunes

So... *clears throat* If you didn't know. I'm a huge Meek Mill fan. I know I'm late to this freestyle he did on Hot 97, but so what. You probably didn't see it either lol

This Rick Ross feat. Chrisette Michelle track is pretty old but I love Ross' lyrical expertise and Chrisette's ablility to ride the beat with her voice is amazing!!

Another not-so-new... Frank Ocean's Thinking About You.. I actually first heard this song on Bridget Kelly's mixtape "Every Girl". Hearing a male sing it makes the lyrics feel different to me..

Future Blogs...

While finals are nearing, I know focusing on this blog will prove itself a little daunting. Yet, I'm researching topics to bring to my readers. Tyson will be 9 months in a few weeks and sometimes I find myself still trying to reclaim my body. When will I feel like TIMIKA and not the mothering vessle I was a few months ago. I need my stomach and my breast back. My stomach still does this weird pooch thing that embarrases the hell out of me. My breast can't be kissed or touched without my "mommy-senses" tingling. Its not sexy (-_-) I'm sure my boyfriend is turned off by my lack of sexiness. As I go through this post-pregnancy/post-breastfeeding journey, I'm sure I'm not the only young mother to feel unsexy. I just KNOW you all aren't talking about it.

So... I'm gonna talk about it.

Anticipate more recipes (accompanied with video!) and hair updates as I'm getting ready to remove and re-install my hair. As I rambled on and on in the previous post, expect more health conscious posts.

Thanks for coming back to check on my progress! I appreciate all those who read this!!

Day One...

How many times have you started something and ended up pushing it to the backburner? I'm famous for having amazing goals and starting out strong but somehow, I end up dropping them off. My laid-back attitude doesn't help this situation either. I always tell myself "there's always tomorrow". This is true, but TODAY I want to begin Day one of STICKING TO MY PLANS.

I've blogged about going to the gym and trying to eat a healthier diet. Well... I must report I haven't been running in weeks. I can blame it on my focus with school but I'm not going to make excuses this time.

How do I plan on overcoming this issue? I'm going to write out a schedule each night- no matter how tired I am, how much homework/studying I need to do... that lays out what I need to get done each day. I will not go to sleep until each item is crossed off my "to-do" list. I'm hoping my list will get me in the habit of maintaining and keeping in order everything I need to do while holding me accountable if I fail to do something that day. I'm a work in progress.

One of my good girlfriends, Cherish, has committed herself to being my "get healthy" partner. My boyfriend is too much of a couch potato to commit to this. I'm hoping that he sees my efforts and want to get in on it.

I can say that I haven't gone to far off the healthier eating plan. However, I'm doing more research to get the most out of my diet versus just cutting fats out.

holding myself accountable... sticking to my goals.. It another day one to my journey to better.....

Hair Inspiration: Reniece

Renice's hair is ALLLLL OF IT! Its healthy, full of body, LONG and beautiful! most importantly, ITS RELAXER FREE!!

Tuesday Tunes..

DFG Music

Dear lovers of music...

check out DFG Music Group. They offer a variety of sounds and artists. My bestfriend Charisse is part owner/founder of this music group. Along side Meech Gold and Kelly Mac, DFG promotes positivity through music while attempting to set the bar of today's music HIGHER.

The website was relaunched today and in celebration of my friend's accomplishment, I ask you all to go be blessed by some GOOD MUSIC!!!! I suggest Ryan Notes (who can be found on itunes)

Foodie Review: Smith Commons

On Sunday, I had brunch with a girlfriend at a spot I've never been to, Smith Commons. This dapper bistro in the middle of the newly booming H St corridor was quite a pleasant surprise. There was a small wait, but the host was very accommodating. I arrived before Ashley and was unable to sit but when she arrived we didn't have to wait the 30-45 minutes for our table. Right away, our server offered us the $15 bottomless mimosa. What's brunch with girlfriends without Mimosas? They were very tasty... had a kinda peachy taste. Ashley frequently dines there and was familiar with the menu. She ordered the Shrimp and Grits, I played it safe and ordered Waffles, home fries and bacon.

When my waffles arrived, I enjoyed the basic, yet warming presentation. Fresh fruit and powdered sugar atop the 4 cut pieces of waffles. It was very tasty. The homefries had tons of flavor. The bacon... a little too crispy for my liking. We ended up sitting for 2 hours enjoying mimosas and conversation. In the background, they played a variety of different music genres... we noticed the 90s jams (lol)

Smith Commons offers an assorted, yet approachable menu. They even offer "bar food" for the less adventurous. If you love beer, you would definitely want to stop in. They have a extensive list of beers, some from breweries in the area. According to their website they have CommonMondays, which is their version of Happy Hour. The H st corridor is becoming an happening place and this is definitely one spot to check out. Check out Smith Commons.. you'll probably catch me there a few more times!

Raising a black man...

A month after the murder of Trayvon Martin, I found myself close to tears. I've paid close attention to every detail surrounding this case. This is one of those stories that make me realize how society effects my personal life. Two years ago, I would have paid attention to the news, I would have probably shared my opinions and not much more after that. I wouldn't have done more because I didn't believe things effected ME. I was aware of the world and how people thought, especially about racial issues, but they were "outta sight, outta mind" for me. When I found out I was carrying a BLACK MAN in my womb, I begun to view society in a different light.

As I sit on my couch, watching CNN or the evening news, I find myself sick to my stomach. A month after this senseless, racially motivated murder.. George Zimmerman is still in "hiding" and now the authorities are beginning to seek justification into this hate-filled crime. The Stanford police have stated Trayvon was accused of having marijuana residue in his bookbag, that he has been suspended from school a few times and even looked at his twitter feed. The authorities have also stated that Trayvon "attacked" Zimmerman. If Trayvon did punch Zimmerman, when is it okay for a stranger to stalk you and for your to protect yourself and get SHOT for defending yourself? I look down at my son and begin to realize that HE might be "mistaken" for a "hoodlum", a "criminal", a "delinquent" just because of his brown skin. How do I protect him? Oh, I am to teach him how to "act" and "conduct" himself in the presence of white folk? Am I to teach him to move slow? To keep his hands out of his pockets and in view at all times? Am I to teach him to keep his voice low? To never look in the eye of a white man? To forbid him of wearing certain clothes? Am I to teach him to be SCARED of authority?

I'm afraid I could NEVER do these things. I've already decided to teach him right from wrong. Isn't that enough?

My whole life I've seen all the black men in my life be treated unfairly. My boyfriend has a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. I've witnessed with my own eyes the police sit at a stop light, make an illegal u-turn to purposely get behind him to pull him over. I've watched the police pull him over and search his car while sarcastically "hoping" to find drugs or a gun. Tyree is college educated, he was raised in a christian household and is free of criminal record. Yet, he's been targeted for profiling because he "fits the description". Fits the description of who? A 20-something black guy?

Trayvon Martin or James Byrd, the black Texas man who was maliciously dragged behind a pick up truck in 1998. Lets not forget Anthony Hill who was shot in the head then dragged behind a truck in South Carolina in 2010 or James Anderson, the Mississippian who was killed the night some kids wanted to "fuck with some niggers" just last summer. These black men are prime examples of the how some Americans still view black men. Black life is less valuable than any other life. As I begin to examine the crimes against the species I love the most, I begin to reflect on all of the black men that I know who have been killed by OTHER black men. Our society has hated black men so much since my ancestors crossed the Atlantic that they hate themselves. Niggas killing niggas is the outcome of society placing such little value on black men.

How do we stop black men from, first, hating each other? How do we get black men to stand together to end injustice against their own species? How do we as a group begin to change the 400 year old stigma of our black men? How do I keep my son out of a body bag and out of jail? I believe Black men have to educate the generations that come up behind them. If a man teaches a young black boy the importance of family, he won't walk out on the family that will one day be his. If a man teaches a young black boy that other black men are his brothers NOT his enemy, he won't think another boy's life is less than his. If a man teaches a young black boy that the acquisition of knowledge, be it a trade or degree- is POWER, not drugs or violence, that boy will excel at his academics.

Black men, I pray that we ALL grow tired of this injustice. I pray that we ALL try to turn to tables. Lets do it for Trayvon, and if not for him, do it for yourself. Let America know you're TIRED of society thinking you are heartless and criminal.

Tyson

Here's Tyson... affectionately known to me as Tinky or Bean. He's literally the best baby I've ever met, and I don't just say that because I'm his mother. He's such an easy going little guy. He loves blowing razzberries and playing with anyone he meets. He's a little social butterfly. He brings so much joy to my life. Learning how to be a mom to this little guy has been such a blessing. He's makes me want to try to be BETTER in the physical, mental and spiritual. On certain days, when its the two of us, he's my best friend. He listens attentively and I always feel like he's telling me "its okay mommy". He makes me laugh. He has taught me that love is unconditional.

VIDEO: Week two with brazilian wavy 20'

I loveeeeeee this weave.

BFF Weekend

Risse, one of my best friends celebrated her 25th birthday this weekend. This was the perfect opportunity for me to let my hair down (literally) and enjoy her celebration. Friday, I fried chicken and made pasta salad for a small gathering at her house. Had a few drinks and headed out to Ibiza. Ibiza was fun. More drinks and dancing with the girlfriends.

Had a blast. I love this girl to pieces. We became friends right before her 20th birthday and we've been BFF's pretty much ever since. Saturday, I went to Stadium with my other BFF Chaunny. It was okay I guess. The girls were sexy as hell but it was stupid crowded and the drinks were over priced. I couldn't move around a lot and I couldn't get tipsy. But we were cute lol

Back to the grind... I have two mid-terms this week. I'm thinking I'll make a few videos after I finish these test. Enjoy your week folks! Be Blessed

Tattoo inspiration

I have a tattoo cover up consultation with tattoo artist Liaa Walter on Friday that I'm looking forward to. Her artwork on her webpage is nice. I found her by searching for tattoo artist that specialize in cover ups. She was highly recommended. I'm planning on having flowers going up my side, originating on my stomach (where the tattoo I want covered is located).

NO MORE RELAXERS...

While I was surfing Youtube, I found this... adooorreee this video. some afternoon inspiration.

Purchase.

Good morning! Nothing like waiting on a pair of shoes to knock on your door!!

I wanted to purchase these when we went to Miami but ended up buying something else. So I went to Nordstrom to get them, sadly they didn't have my size. (whomp) I ordered them in the store and hopfully they'll be here by Friday. I hope to wear them this weekend... I love the pattern and the colors.. So fun and youthful! If they're here by Friday, I need to find a dress to wear out with it.

Healthy Eating

My boyfriend recently received news that he has high cholesterol. SUPER SAD FACE, right? Wrong. In my Anatomy and Physiology class, my professor is very anti-drug for everything and over the semester I have adapted this same ideology. When my boyfriend's doctor diagnosed him, the doctor wanted to prescribe him meds to lower his triglycerides (in short- a BAD cholesterol. Saturated animal fats. Used in the human body to store unused calories. I will discuss this in depth in a future entry.) . I, under the teachings of Dr. Watts (lol) tell him we could resolve this by eating a healthier diet and working out. We started simply by cutting red meat and pork out of diets and eating foods with no trans fats. I've been going to the gym doing 30-45 minutes of cardio twice a week (a few missed days but tried to maintain some form of exercise at home.. he's started to walk more around the property he works for.) Not much yet in the way true dedication but we're working on it. (ha) Tonight for Dinner I made Baked chicken breast, cabbage and mashed potatoes Here's the recipe for some Very moist and flavorful chicken breast and tasty cabbage. (oh those potatoes happen to be instant so, uh... read a box.)

Cabbage: -1 whole cabbage -1/2 stick of butter -1/2 cup of chicken stock/broth -1/2 bag of shredded carrots -Salt, pepper and onion powder, to your preference. 1. Pour 1/2 c. chicken stock/broth into pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer. 2. Clean cabbage, cut in half to remove core. 3. Pull cabbage apart and place into pot. Fill halfway with cabbage and shredded carrots and season. Add remaining cabbage and carrots and add season. Place top on. 4. Cook for low heat for one hour. Cook longer if you desire a softer texture. Baked Chicken Breast

-1lb skinless,boneless chicken breast. -Olive Oil -Onion Powder -Old Bay Seasoning -Salt -Pepper -Aluminum foil 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees 2. Clean chicken, pat dry and coat with old bay season, onion powder, salt, pepper on both sides. 3. Drizzle your baking pan with olive oil and place chicken in pan 4. Place aluminum foil over pan, cook for 10 minutes. Remove aluminum foil, flip chicken over and cook for an additional 10 minutes. My boyfriend loved it... maybe you and yours will too.

(but of course this simply yet yummy recipe is from my mother.)

Hair!

This hair experiment is amazingly awesome. I absolutely love my Brazilian locks :) Charmaine did an excellent job with the installation and style (simple yet sexy curls). I've received plenty of compliments and my boyfriend loveeess it (which is always a plus when your man loves you hair). This installation makes me look my age (maybe people will finally stop asking me if I'm 18 -_- ). Currently I'm only applying Moroccan oil (when needed) and at night I'm using large flexi-rods (purple and gray) to hold the curl.

sexy sexy ;-)

Tyson and I at my cousin's birthday party

A Journey To: Natural Hair Ep. 1

this is my first youtube video... I'm on a roll with these "First" tonight right....

Comment and feedback is appreciated!

First Foot Down....

Hello all... This is my introduction.

First and foremost... This is NOT another hair blog [lol]. I love hair/make up blogs. However, this is not one. I will post many entries about hair and make-up but this blog is to document my journey down a road that is new to me.

One of those things being MOTHERHOOD. I gave birth to my son on August 12, 2011. I'm not a newbie anymore, but I'm learning how to be a BETTER mom every day. I wanted to share with the world all the beautiful things that I experience and the not so beautiful moments as well.

I am also an aspiring nurse. I'm currently in my last two prerequisite courses at Prince Georges Community College. I hope to enter the clinical rotation in the fall. I will frequently discuss that whole experience here as well.

I plan to put videos/how-tos on this blog as well. Expect a variety of topics from hair to food!

All during high school, I blogged. I'm excited to jump back into it. I hope you enjoy my journey, as each step is a blessing to me.