***Urban Mosaics T-shirt Giveaway***

I'm so excited to be able to host a giveaway for Urban Mosaics!! I've had the pleasure of meeting and becoming good friends with the owner, Stacy. I love the designs, the message behind them, and the quality.

So here is the deal....one lucky winner will win one shirt of their choice. The shirt must be one that is currently in stock so you must visit the website www.urban-mosaics.com to see what is available.

This giveaway will run from September 3rd until 12:01 EST on September 8th. The winner will be announced on September 9th. ALL entries will be verified so please make sure you are following all the giveaway rules so your entries will count. Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.

Good Luck!!

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Viviscal Extra Stength Hair Vitamins

Twist out a few days after the cut

A month or so ago I got a haircut because of the odd shape my hair had grown into. I had some breakage in the crown and some damaged ends in the front as a result of stress and failure to take care of my hair properly because of my hectic schedule. I wanted the haircut to fix all of that regardless of how short my stylist would have to cut it and she did just that. Once I saw how much of my hair was taken off I was kind of upset with myself for not caring for my hair as I should and knew that I needed to do better.

I've heard and read some great testimonials about Viviscal Hair Vitamins so I was extremely happy to be given the opportunity to try them out for myself. I received a 90 day supply of the Viviscal Extra Strength vitamins and began taking them on July 23, 2012. Viviscal offers two types of hair vitamins; this particular one is said to nourish thinning hair and promote existing hair growth. They are dietary supplements and the main ingredient in the Extra Strength vitamins is AminoMar C Marine Complex. The directions state that you are to take two tablets per day with water after food; one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.

While I've decided not to measure my hair until the end of the 3 months I can tell that there has been some growth, specifically at my edges. Whether or not the rate of growth is more than the typical rate, I don't know and won't be able to tell until after the 90 day period when I do my final length check. I measured my hair on the day I started taking the supplements and it measured as follows:

Left Back-5 1/2 inches

Right Back-5 1/2 inches

Left Side-6 7/8 inches

Right Side-7 inches

Crown-6 3/8 inches

Front Center-9 1/4 inches

Left-July 23rd
Right-August 19th

I will come back at the end of October with the results and comparison pictures so stay tuned for that!

Disclaimer: I was given this product for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to do a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with this product and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.

~Tonia Does Her Big Chop~

I posted last week how excited I was that my friend and co-worker Tonia was taking the plunge and doing her big chop. We've talked about her doing her BC but I had no idea that without any hesitation she would agree to do it that week. One of the most important things I learned while transitioning is not to pressure a person into going natural so I wanted to make sure she was really ready to do it and did not feel pressured to take that step. All week I asked "are you sure you are ready to do it now?" and every time she would quickly respond and say "yes"!


For Tonia it was only appropriate to have a few girlfriends accompany her to the salon for this big event. Four of her friends, myself included joined her at Avalon Hair & Color Studio where stylist Brittani would have the pleasure of doing her big chop. Once we arrived at the salon Tonia was all smiles and even as Brittani began to cut her gorgeous locs she didn't appear to have an ounce of fear.

After Tonia's relaxed ends had been cut off Brittani twisted her hair using ReVe Essentials Moisturizing Creme and put her under the hair dryer to allow the twist to set. We continued to laugh and joke as we anxiously waited to see the final results. About 40 minutes later the stylist began removing the twist and suddenly Tonia's facial expression began to change. I could see the look of concern in her eyes as Brittani took her shears and started shaping Tonia's curly tresses. I asked her was she ok and she said "I'm ok" but I could tell she was having that moment when you begin to wonder "what have I done". We all gathered around and told her how cute her hair was and helped reassure her that she made the right decision. Slowly but surely that look of concern disappeared and she began to smile. She realized her "sexy" had not gone away and she returned to the cheery Tonia we all know and love!

 By the time Tonia left the salon Brittani and I breathed a sigh of relief because for a moment we thought Tonia would hate both of us!! For a girl who had never has her hair cut before I think she handled it like a trooper! I was/am so proud of her and excited for the journey that is to come!

Congratulations Tonia and thank you so much for allowing me to document the official beginning of your new journey!!! 

**ReVe Essentials Pick 2 Giveaway**

So I'm sure many of you guessed that I would end this fabulous month of giveaways with one sponsored by ReVe Essentials. It's been a long time since we've sponsored a giveaway so we are very happy to bring this one to you all!

One winner will choose 2 full size products along with their desired scent. If you've purchased from ReVe before I'm sure you have a product and scent option in mind but for those who have not please visit www.reveessentials.com to see what products and scents we offer.

This giveaway will run from July 29th until 12:01am EST on August 4th. The winner will be announced on August 4th. ALL entries will be verified so please make sure you are following the giveaway rules so your entries will count. Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.

Good Luck!!!

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**Lovemade Treasures Start Your Stack Giveaway**

I'm so excited about giveaway 4 of 5....this one has been a long time coming!! The fabulous and very talented Bee Marie of Lovemade Treasures is giving the opportunity for one very lucky person to win two of her beautiful, handmade stack bracelets. We all know the more arm candy the better so we want to help one lucky person start their own stack. These multi-color bracelets are perfect to start one heck of an arm party. The winner will have the option of switching the cancer charm pictured above to their zodiac sign.

Since I'm posting this giveaway so late I will run it for an extra day. This giveaway will end at 12:01am EST on July 29th. The winner will be announced on that same day. ALL entries are verified so please make sure you are following the giveaway rules. Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.

Good Luck!!

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**My Black Skin Is T-shirt Giveaway**

The 3rd giveaway of the month is being sponsored by one of my favorite apparel companies my black skin is....If you follow my blog at all you all know that I totally love the owner and actually own a few of his designs!!

As always the giveaway rules are very simple however, they rules must be followed in order for your entries to count. The giveaway will run from July 15th until 12:01am est on July 21st. I will announce the winner on July 21st. Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.

Good luck!!!


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**Eargasims Accessories Waist Bead Giveaway**

Giveaway 2 of 5 for the month of July is being sponsored by Eargasims Accessories!! This time she's giving away 1 waist bead. They are really cute and in my opinion they make the perfect summer accessory. In case you are wondering what waist beads are here is a description taken from Earagaims' Facebook page: 


Waist beads are like necklaces or bracelets that are worn around your waist. In some cultures, waist beads are a symbol of a woman's  confidence in her body and her sexuality. These beads can be made loose enough  to hang low on your hips or wrap comfortably around your waist. (eHow)

Waist beads are an age old African tradition and are worn for vast reasons and purposes to celebrate femininity, healing, spirituality, power, balancing, attracting and keeping a mate, rites of passage, rejuvenation, initiations, first menses, energy, and body shaping. African women have traditionally worn waist beads beneath their clothing placed beneath the belly button and can be single or multiple strands.  Other cultures proudly display the beads over their clothes or on bare midriffs. The art of adorning ones self has been practiced since the beginning of time. Today waist beads are alive and well in the United States, where they are worn as a form of self expression and style, but can still have any significance the wearer chooses.  http://www.creativewaistbeads.com/

So here we go....this giveaway will run from July 8th until 12:01am est on July 14th. The winner will be announced on July 14th. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win. ALL entries will be verified so please make sure to follow the instructions so your entries will count!


Good Luck!!

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