Looking Forward | 2015

We are closing in on the last few days of 2014 and many of us are reflecting on this passed year and focusing on new goals for 2015.  I haven't blogged very much this year since settling into my new home and studying for my exams.  I haven't been documenting very well, but have still been very much on this hair journey of mine. I haven't reached the length goal that I would have expected this year, but I definitely think that I've been fairly successful with managing the many textures and maintaining my hair during this stretch, which is the longest I've ever gone.  I'm actually starting to lean toward calling it a transition now! :)  I thought my last relaxer was in February, but I could not remember what day it was.  Based on some pics I found in my phone, I think my last relaxer was actually March 21 which would put me just over 40 weeks post.

I'm definitely starting to think about the year to come and the things that I want to work on throughout the year.  I want too start working on mapping my plans to successfully achieving the following goals in 2015.

My Goals For the New Year | 2015

Goal #1. Continue with my hair goal. This time I want to get back to my focus on retaining length, but health will always be the number one concern.  My plan is to avoid big cuts. I think I will start micro-trimming every few weeks or so to keep these ends in check.  Of course I will need to keep these ends moisturized and protected so that I won't need those big cuts either.  I'm hoping I can reach MBL by the end of next year! :)

Goal #2. Finding the perfect skin care regimen. I feel like I've tried everything, but somehow I still get pimples, breakouts, and blemishes.  I know what some of the contributing factors are (diet and lack of water intake...shame on me).  The products I'm using could also be the problem. I think I will do a separate post to discuss my plans to improve on this.  I did recently purchase a facial cleansing brush that I saw on Groupon and it is on the way.  Looking forward to seeing what it does for my skin!

Prosonic Glow facial brush

Goal #3. Getting back to my fitness goals. I fell off the wagon hard. I don't know what happened, but all the weight that I had lost over a year and a half ago seemed to find it's way back to my lazy behind. LOL! Time to hop back on that wagon to stay.

Goal #4. Upping my fashion game. Ya'll may not know this, but I don't have one! LOL! I can put something together every now and then, but my wardrobe is pretty boring. Most days I am a Plain Jane. Lol.  I will try to challenge myself to be more creative with my wardrobe and incorporate more of the latest trends.

I am looking forward to another new beginning with the new year to come! Wishing everyone an amazing and blessed 2015!

What goals have you set for your self for 2015?

Thanks for reading!

July Goals

Wow! Another month has flown by! My how time flies when you're having fun.  Well with the new month comes new goals (some recurring) of course.  Before I get into my July goals, let me first recap my goals for June.

June Goals Recap

1.  Heat free styling - FAIL ... Well I was doing very well not to have used any form of direct or even indirect heat since April.  Well....Friday June 28 I did a ponytail rollerset and allowed it to air dry overnight.  Saturday afternoon I decided to break my no heat rule and flat iron my roots.  I was getting ready for a get together with some friends and really wanted my hair to look cute so...that was a FAIL.  However that was the ONLY time I used my flatiron so I think I still did pretty good.

Results of my ponytail roller set after flat ironing roots

2.  Deep Condition With Steam Once A Week - SUCCESS- I successfully DC'd using steam every wash.  Proud of me on this one!

3.  No new hair purchases for the month - I also claim this as a SUCCESS - I was not including accessories just hair products i.e. shampoo, conditioners, oils, etc.  It was very hard, and believe me I walked down the hair product aisle every chance I got, but I did not buy anything.  I even held out on the Wal-Mart salon's Buy 1 Get 2 Free sale (I was really eyeing that PMSS Daily Treatment).  It so happens that my awesome sis purchased a bottle for me as she bought some items for herself. Woot!

4. Workout three times per week - FAIL - I started off really well, but it started to fall apart toward the end of week two.  This was the one that I knew I would have the hardest time with.  My summer class kind of held me up on that end. Summer courses are so much more demanding because you're cramming a whole semesters worth of material in just a few weeks.  Work, class, studying, and hair took up most of my time. Lol

My Goals for July

1. Exercise at least 3 times a week
2. Continue to steam once a week
3. Tea rinse once a week
4. Drink 1 cup of bamboo leaf tea nightly
5. No more than 1 new product purchase this month (I better pick something good)
6. Up my water intake (64 oz per day including my cup of bamboo leaf tea)


I'm hoping I can hold up this month. I should definitely be able to get my workouts in since I have a little more time.  We shall see.

Were your able to report success with your June goals? What are your goals for this month?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea 

My Goals for the Month of June

Jeni at JustGrowAlready.com and a few other bloggers have inspired me to start setting monthly goals for myself.  It's definitely a good idea to make a list of mini goals or steps toward achieving your long term goal.  It's probably a lot better than just going with the flow like I've been doing.  I need to start making myself accountable. So here goes:

My June Goals

1.  Continue heat free styling for the month of June. 
On this note I am proud to say that I have not used any form of heat styling on my hair since April 28 (direct or indirect).  I've been in Air Dried City and think I'm getting better at it the more I practice.

2.  DC with steamer once a week.
Just pulled my steamer back out recently and remembered how much softer my hair feels when I use it.  Time to put this steamer back to work.

3. No hair purchases for the month (unless I'm replacing a staple).
I'm on a mission to get my stash down to the basics.

That's not even all of it :-(
Although a good bit of it was given to me & I happily accepted. lol

4.  Workout at least 3 times a week this month. 
I've gradually started inching my way back into the gym, but not as often as I should. Hoping I can keep it up.

There are some other things I'd like to work on, but these will be my focus for this month.  I'm definitely going to try to stay on top of these goals this month.  Hopefully I can report back that I achieved them all.  The one I'm most worried about achieving is my working out goal since I work full time and am taking a summer class right now. This is going to be the hardest, but I'm going to try for sure.

What are your goals for the month?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Happy New Year 2013

I pray that everyone has a wonderful and happy new year in 2013 filled with new beginnings and new goals to accomplish.  I want to start working on the many goals I have for myself in 2013.  I am really hoping to see positive results in my hair goals, as well as my school and career goals, and my goals for my body and health.  I want to put a lot of focus in these areas and pray that they all come together. 

 I never really took new year resolutions seriously or really set any real goals for changes in my life.  I usually just take it day by day as usual.  This year will be different.  I want to focus my energy in these areas, and maintain a positive outlook on my future. 

1. My hair goal is to reach BSL by the end of the year, but hopefully before.  This is my ultimate goal, and I think I would be happy to stay at this length.

2. I'll be done getting my hours to sit for the CPA and hope to pass all four parts by the end of the year.  It's going to take a lot of focus and studying hard to get that done.

3. Hopefully getting my CPA will bring me more opportunities for advancement in my career.  I definitely want to network more and work on my skills to make myself a desirable candidate.

4. My health and body are also a big goal.  Visiting the gym and working out is always an on and off thing for me.  I want to make sure to make time for all of this.  I also want to make healthier choices in what I eat and just improve my overall health.

I know this blog is about my HHJ, but I just wanted to mention a few of my other goals (just to see them in writing for myself). LOL! None of these are really new year resolutions, but life long choices and changes.  I guess really the resolution is to start these life changes and keep them up.  I have some other goals in mind as well, but I guess time will just tell on those.  Anyway, I've got most of my goals down and now it's time to start planning.


Wishing everyone the best in accomplishing their goals for this year!

Thanks for reading!
Andrea :)