Frugal and Fabulous: A Broke Twenty-Something's Money Guide

Today in America you're basically born into debt…literally. Just check the US Debt Clock. If that isn't enough of a burden, being in your twenties also presents an entire new set of struggles (student loans, rent, mani/pedi, etc.). Maybe one day you'll marry a rich man who sweeps you away to the mansion of your dreams and solves all of your problems (if that happens, ask if he has a brother). Until that happens, here are a few tips to make your dollar last a little longer:

• Dine on Appetizers

Cooking can be so time consuming. Who doesn't love to grab a bite to eat with friends and vent about the workday. Sometimes you don't always have the money to buy an appetizer, entrée and dessert. And let's not forget about drinks! Instead, stick to just an appetizer. Turn it into meal for two and have more money to spend on drinks. If that isn't enough, have a snack before hand so that the appetizer will be filling enough.

• Coupons

Coupons are your best friend. We aren't talking about the paper ones that your grandmother used to cut for you out of catalogs. Coupons meaning Groupon, RetailMeNot, etc. Not only will you save money, you'll be able to get exclusive deals from some of your favorite stores and restaurants.

• DIYs

There are a million DIY videos about all sorts of things. Here's a hint: WATCH THEM! Try making a few of your own cosmetics like facial masks and hair conditioners to save money on buying that $20 bottle of shampoo just because it's vegan. Experiment with home decor. Make decorative storage boxes to put in the living room and to decrease clutter. The possibilities are endless. Just don't go too overboard. Sometimes a DIY can turn into an extreme makeover and the whole point of trying these is to save money.

• Save

Set a small amount of money aside every week. Start with a dollar or two and gradually increase the amount as more weeks pass. Just try not to dip too much into the savings.

• Count Your Pennies 

Spare change comes up often. Start collecting it. Once collected, take it to the nearest coins to cash machine and watch your forgotten pocket change turn into cold hard cash.

Your twenties are supposed to be the best years of your life. Enjoy them, but don't go broke doing it.

Stay stylish,
FS

Maintaining Color Treated Hair

Today on Frenchie Friday I’ll be continuing from last week segment on coloring natural hair.  Coloring your hair can be exciting and of course very beautiful unfortunately it becomes a lot to maintain especially in the summer heat.  There are a few simple steps to help you maintain your beautiful color and keep your hair healthy at the same time.

Moisture Moisture Moisture

Living with natural hair means that you have to deal with your hair being constantly dry and brittle.  Adding color to already dry hair makes your weaken and become very fragile.  To help keep you hair healthy you’re going to want to moisturize frequently. Find good product that works for your hair and stick with that throughout the duration of the color. You will also want to say no those shampoos that contain sulfate. Sulfate shampoos are very drying and that’s the last thing that your hair needs. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos or cleansers. If you can’t find any that you like, don’t be afraid to make your own. You will also want to deep condition your hair as often as you can. I would suggest using Aussie 3-Minute Miracle. In just 3 minutes you will feel like you’ve deep conditioned for an hour.

Protect Your Hair

I know showing off your newly colored hair is at the top of your to do list but these be mindful that protective styles are still your best friend.  Shortly after coloring my hair blonde I began to apply a lot of unnecessary heat to my. This of course changed my curl pattern just a bit and it caused some drying.  Instead of applying heat to your hair try a twist out or braid, maybe even Bantu knots. This will protect your hair and still allow you to flaunt your hair color like nobodies business.

Create A New Routine

Most of us with natural hair already have a set routine for our hair before we go to bed, but now you may have to do a little bit extra to protect your hair. If you are not going to style your hair for the next day then you have to make sure you sleep in a style that won’t damage your hair. My nightly routine includes spraying my hair with a mixture that includes water, leave-in conditioner and some of my favorite essential oils. Finally I put my hair in two braids or twist to avoid my hair from matting.  Don’t forget  your satin bonnet or scarf but if your like me and hate sleeping with things on your head then try a satin pillow case. They can be a little slippery but they will maintain your hair.

Final Thoughts

Coloring your hair can be very fun and exotic depending on the color you choose. It shows character and it will tell the world who you are. Please be mindful of colors that may turn to other colors after a few washes.  Maintaining your color is everything. It can go from being vibrant to dull and washed in the matter of weeks.

Coloring Natural Hair

If you’re anything like me then coloring your hair is always at the top of your to do list. I’ve been natural for 3 and half years now and within that time I’ve colored my hair at least five times. I absolutely love colored hair. It can spice up any boring hair-do. Although coloring is great, it can come with great consequences.

Natural hair can become extremely boring from time to time. Coloring seems like the best thing to do just to jazz it up at tad bit.  But there are some things you should consider before deciding to color your hair. The first is whether you’ll do it or whether you will go to a hair salon.  I’m really big on DIY!!!  I go to my local beauty supply store and grab a box of dye and color away. If you’ve never done anything like this to hair then maybe your best bet is to go to a salon unless you’re not afraid to experiment.

A few of my favorite colors(Yes my hair is natural just straightened out)

If you’ve never experimented with color then you may want to start with a rinse or a semi-permanent color.  It will give you the chance to rock a new color without long-term commitment. Be aware that a rinse or semi-permanent color may not give you the desired colored. It also may not take to your hair at all if the color is lighter than your natural hair color.

To reach a brighter and more desirable color you’ll probably want to dye your hair. Some dyes contain bleach, which will strip your hair of its natural color and allow for the new color to be bright and vibrant.  Dye can have serious effects on your hair. Many people believe that dye can’t damage natural hair, which is a myth. It may not be as damaging to natural hair as it is to relax hair but it’s still damaging. 

Effects Of Coloring Hair

-Coloring your hair with a permanent color can alter your curl pattern in ways that you wouldn’t believe. Sometimes the change in curl patterns is temporary and other times its permanent.

-Coloring your hair often makes your hair extremely dry. It is important to keep your hair moist and deep condition frequently.

Alternatives Methods

There are several ways to naturally lighten your hair without any chemicals necessary. Directions to how you can use these methods to lighten your hair can be found on YouTube.

·      Henna

·      Chamomile Tea

·      Honey and Vinegar

·      Cinnamon

·      Lemon

Color treating your hair takes time and effort like anything else you do to your hair. If you are going to dye your hair then be ready for a constant battle.  Make sure you thoroughly research different types of color treatment before you commit to one. Most of all keep your hair moisturized at all times. And stay tuned for next week segment on maintaining color treated hair.

XOXO

Frenchie <3

Food Trend Alert: Smoothie Bowls

New health trends pop up everyday. Some are actually healthy while others are simply for show. This summer, health enthusiasts have developed another food trend: smoothie bowls. 

A smoothie bowl is simply a traditional smoothie placed in a bowl and topped with fruit, granola and even decorative pieces such as flowers. In other words, it's cereal on steroids. Drinking smoothies are so last year. Now you can eat them! 

Here are some of our favorite smoothie bowl pictures and also a few recipes that you can use to make your own Instagram worthy smoothie bowls:

Pinkberry Banana Maca (The Coveteur)

• 1 frozen, sliced, RIPE banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp maca powder
• 1 tsp pomegranate powder (optional, enhances the pink color)
• cold water (as needed)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in your blender and process. 
2. Add cold water as needed to get everything incorporated, but if you want a thick smoothie, use only a small amount. 

Acai with Berries and Banana (Popsugar)

• 2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) frozen strawberries
• 2 frozen sliced bananas [3]
• 4 tablespoons acai powder [4]
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice), plus more as needed
• 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter (I used almond)
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon honey, to taste 

Toppings:

• Fresh fruit, sliced (I used bananas, strawberries, and raspberries)
• Bee pollen [5]
• Clear, runny honey
• Granola (optional)
• Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
• Dried goji berries (optional)
• Chia or hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Add the frozen fruits, acai powder, almond milk, nut or seed butter, and honey to a blender. Blend until creamy and smooth, adding extra almond milk as needed to get the blender running. Aim for a frozen-yogurt consistency (it should be thicker than a smoothie).
2. Spoon the acai mixture into bowls and top with sliced fruit, bee pollen, a drizzle of honey, and the optional toppings (if using).

Green Smoothie Bowl (Minimalist Baker)

• 1/4 ripe avocado
• 2 medium ripe bananas, previously sliced and frozen
• 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (organic when possible) - use strawberries/raspberries for a greener smoothie, darker berries for a purple smoothie
• 2 large handfuls spinach (organic when possible)
• 1 small handful kale (organic when possible), large stems removed
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk (will depend on if your berries are frozen)
• 1 Tbsp flax seed meal
• Optional: 2 Tbsp salted creamy almond or peanut butter

Toppings:

• Roasted unsalted sunflower seeds
• Granola
• Raw or roasted nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
• Shredded unsweetened coconut
• Fresh berries
• Hemp seeds

Directions:

1. Add all smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Add more almond milk (or water) to thin.
2. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more ripe banana (or maple syrup) for added sweetness, more spinach for a bright green hue, or almond milk for creaminess.
3. For the green smoothie I used strawberries, which let the green color come through more. For the purple bowl I used darker berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries).
4. For more protein, add nut butter! This also offsets / enhances the natural sweetness of the smoothie.
5. Divide between 2 serving bowls and top with desired toppings!
6. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be kept in jars in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.

Stay Stylish,

FS

Color Craze: Summer Hair Color Trends

This summer has been the ultimate season for hair color lovers. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and even the girl next door have all tried at least one color trend. Whether you're into a subtle summer ombre or full on flaming hot red, this post will highlight on the most popular summer hair color trends from this season:

Teal Ombre

Kylie Jenner

Fire Ombre

Purple

Kelly Osbourne

Nicole Richie

Nyane Lebajoa

Platinum Blonde

Kim Kardashian

Amber Rose

Pink

Nicole Richie

Jessica Dime

Blonde Ombre

Jourdan Dunn

La La Anthony

Icy Blue

Hilary Duff

Kylie Jenner

Stay Stylish,

FS

Good Hair Vs Bad Hair

           Good Hair Vs. Bad Hair

It’s 2015 and I can’t believe that there is a still a debate on “Good Hair” versus “Bad Hair.” This topic hurts my heart because as women of color we should be embracing each other’s beauty and differences instead of ridiculing one another. A few days go while I was having lunch, I listened to a group of girls around 12 or 13 make fun of one of the other girls in their group because her mom didn’t allow her to relax her hair. One of the young girls flipped her relaxed hair and said, “I’m sorry your mom won’t allow you to have good hair like the rest of us. My mom says “nappy hair” isn’t cute. Maybe you should sneak and perm it.” Listening to these little girls taunt their friend truly broke my heart. It made me question the things that our young girls are being taught about beauty. These girls are learning from a young age to hate themselves and their natural beauty because they watch the older generation of women altering themselves and assimilating into today’s society. There are many women starting from the age of 25 or maybe even younger, who strongly believe that there is a such thing as good and bad hair. Today I am here to address both terms, with the hope that we can remove the words from our vocabulary when we speak about hair.

Good Hair

The idea behind “good hair” isn’t something new. It actually stems all the way back to slavery days.  Originally women of color all had similar grades of hair. It was thick and coiled and probably a bit unmanageable at times.  Over time hair started to change, which was the result of slave owners mixing with slaves. This created a new kind of hair. It was hair that had straighter and silkier features but still coiled.  This hair became what we now view has “good hair.”  This also became a tool that was used to drive a wedge between women of color.

Bad Hair

The thought of using the words bad and hair in the same sentence actually makes my skin cringed just a tad bit.  People consider bad hair to be hair that is coarse and kinkier than what society is used. The term bad hair was something coined in order to manipulate women of color into believing that they needed to chemically alter their hair in order to be accepted in society.            

It’s Just Hair

The truth of the matter is that hair is just hair. It’s no such thing as good hair or bad hair. If you want to consider hair good, don’t consider it good based on its texture. Consider it good based on how healthy it is.  No two heads of hair are alike, so don’t sit around wishing that your hair were different. Black hair is beautiful. The things that you can do with it are endless.  Accept and embrace your hair no matter the texture, curl shape or length.

xoxo

Frenchie