Today I realized that my life was meant for something more than what I was making it out to be.  Im a bit scared of the responsibility placed before me.  Im not to sure if I can handle it.  All I can do is ask for guidance from above.  Everything is happening so fast.  I think im....scratch that. Im ready for it....I have no option....I gota chase this dream or its gona keep chasing me....

"But Im thru livin in the past Lord. No more thinkin rewind im on fast forward. Less rear view mirror and more dashboard". Jermaine Cole

College files: Healthy Fast Breakfast

Rice cooker $5 Garage Sell

Working this summer at a day camp has forced me to get up at the crack of ass and supervise children full of energy and questions.   While I had a great experience at the local Youth Center I had to figure out a way to keep my belly full of goodness.  Usually I diss breakfast because I lack the time to make it.  However nowadays I'm trying to eat a bit more healthier.  But sometimes this requires me to prep the food.  Oatmeal take a helluva long time to cook, so after starting at my rice cooker then back at my oatmeal then back at my rice cooker I googled my epiphany and went to work.  If you want a quick healthy meal in a matter of 8 mins try this recipe:

Procedures:

1. Fill interior of rice cooker with oatmeal(I used old fashion, quick oats might burn but hey try it)

2.  Next Fill pot with water  a bit over the oats

3. Finally press the cook button and the watch the magic, stir occasionally

*DONT PUT PUT COVER ON POT* (This will result in spillage and hella cleaning up)

4. Once done add toppings and max!

Till Next Time,

Sha' Mia

Box Braids and Summer days.

Earrings: Target $5

Box Braids: House of Sarah(tally)

Watch: Target, Mens Timex $30

Turquoise Shadow: H.I.P.

 These Box Braids were calling my name ever since the Cleopatra Comin Atcha days... However I am a huge fan of Solange and her awesome ass style!!! Thought Id try the trend and it was good while it lasted.  Feelin funky and want a protective style? Try these Dookie Braids (lolll so nasty) they mite tickle ur fancy!

411: So I woke up one Wed morning wanting to not touch my fro for 2 months.  After much research I settled on the Box Braids.  Close to campus lied a salon that I had always inquired about but wasn't to sure would suffice.  In I walked to this beautiful small intamate salon.  The Stylist Neeshemah shampooed, conditioned, blowdried, and braided my hair for $175 smackaroos.  While the service and conversation was nice, I feel that if i had have done more research they might have been cheaper elsewhere.  But I was happy with the outcome overall.  Sometimes you pay for professionalism and thats exactly what you get.  No "hey (insert homegurl name here) u think u cud plait my hair wed? Maybe, probably, Idk is usually the reply.  I have no time for that so i decided to dish out the duckets.  The concept of time or money is really starting to bother me nowadays....but thats another post.

 Peace, Love, and Jojoba Oil- Sha Mia'

 * Warning: get ready to feel like Medusa with a swolen scalp for the first week.  These things are heavy and tight but loosen up as the days go by.*- Peace, Love, and Jojoba Oil- Sha' Mia

Natural Hair Straightend using Organic Root Stimulater Products.

Products used for blow out: Curls unleashed foaming lotion, Nameste pressing creme, Ors  recovery mask conditioner

While visiting home for a period of 1 week I enjoyed my great family, great food(because Chicago has theeee best food in the U.S.! Hands down!) and also spent time thrifting at one of my fave spots. I was also treated to  a hair appointment by my wonderful aunt! I decided to get my ends trimmed and hair straightened for the 2nd time since I've been natural.  The first time was a disaster!!! I went to a local salon in my small college town without reading reviews and had my hair chopped off and burnt up lol.  Anywhoos my stylist since i was 5 hooked me up with a gud ole press 'n' curl.  And the results were awesome.  Granted this style only lasted for a period of 48-72hrs......Thanks Windy City for the humidty you decided to display during my holiday :-).

- One Love, Mia

Summer Breeze and Leather Earrings.

Dress: Ross 

Yellow Leather Earrings: J'empale Boutique

Brown leather: The Collections

Shopping lately has been cut to a minimum because of the lack of funds that I have.   But it doesn't cost a thing to clean out your closet and shop from there.  Sometimes I forget about hidden pieces that I have hidden in the dungeons of my wardrobe but after much digging and imagination its a bit easier for me to throw something together without buyers remorse.  Im pretty sure i had buyers remorse even when I bought these items......somewhere in my heart I know I truly don't need it. lolll Every girls inner conscience probably screams this....but hey what can I say....my ovaries made me do it!

Deep conditioning method Tutorial

Deep conditioner cocktail

So once a week I really make an effort to deep condition my 4 b/c hair/.  Ive used super expensive conditioners in the past but they all pretty much failed.  However while over indulging in youtube vids i came across many naturals who used herbal essence conditioners and loved it...Thus i followed suit and i fell in love: Meet the crew! I use this conditioner(big pump purchased at Costco $9) and mix in the essential and carrier oils i have around the house. See steps below:

1. Pour sufficient amount of conditoner in bowl

2. Mix oils evenly using a small portion of each  (your choice I personally love Almond, Coconut and a bit of Olive oils) together in a seperate mug

3.  Heat oils for appoximatley 1 min 

4. Pour heated oils into bowl with conditioner

5. Stir until mixed together and Apply

6. Cover hair with shower cap or plastic bag for 45 mins (dryer optional I just do work around the house, your body makes its own heat)

*Tip* ( I try and work in sections  through out my hair, this makes it easier causing less tangles and breakage) See vid!

Try it and enjoy!!

Good music! Friday!

Shot out to Skinny(@BigSkinny850) for putn me on!

IDK

Ok so im online at least 20hrs a week and i often visit my blog in shamness lol. Specifically because i birthd a project and didnt develop it. If this blog were a kid i would be charged with neglect. I know know it sucks. However i suppose i feel as if im always too busy. Hey now i kind am. But nevertheless i owe it to myself and to whomever random eyes that happens to scroll across my dear page a piece of worthy material. Thus i am going to go on a you guessd it "CHALLENGE". Starting off with a once a week post. Baby steps, baby steps guys lol. Well I am pretty sure it will develope into a plethora of more posts. Ok here goes nuthn!! :-)

Liberty

ootd: daisy dukes lol & hat(forever dirrty) $15 buks each

top(vintage)$30

shoes(nine west)$45

As I sat down to start my 1 of many bagillion ( yes it is a word previously coined by me and my best friend) homework assignments; I noticed a very informative message on the front page:

"" Old Man Procrastination" stands within the shadow of every human being, waiting his opportunity to spoil ones chances of success.

Most of us go through life as failures because we are waiting for the "time to be right" to start doing something worthwhile.

DO NOT WAIT; the time will never be "just right" Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."

Upon reading this I knew that I was beyond guilty of letting "Old Man Procrastination" keep me company throughout my 22yrs on this earth. I do not know why but we have had this everlasting give and take relationship that I cannot seem to cope without. Perhaps.... wait.. scratch that... I KNOW IT IS PURE LAZINESS!! I will deliberately put assignments off to the last possible minute. However, I am not one who performs at their greatest when this happens. I am actually the complete opposite. Thus I have promised myself that I will work on that horrible habit and provide myself with room to complete assignments. Thus making me a well prepared person. That is all...lol until next time.

"DO WHATCHA GOTTA DO NOW SO YOU CAN DO WATCHA WANA DO LATER!!" holla!! lol

Janelle Monae

I got the amazing oppourtunity to see this extraordinary artist over the past weekend at a free concert Florida State University was giving. Janelle Monae is the ultimate performer; from her high kicks to her shuck and jive moves. She is the epitome of James brown, Prince, MJ, and so many other members of Soul that contributed to our amazing music community back in the day. Her voice is truly angelic and settling. While she performed tracks from her 3rd album The Archandroid which my personal favorites are many moons, cold world, wonderland, smile, and tightrope remix. I was lured in by the amazing talent Ms. Monae posses. At only 24 she has capitavated a different point of view and has given mixed feelings to everyone who has ever seen her. I know a couple of people who claim to just "not get her" and are confused by the pompadour she rocks and the ever so chic black and white Cindi Maywheather (her alter ego) get ups that covers her 5ft petite frame from head to toe. When she came on stage I was in awe of her beautiful skin and total look. Pure beauty is what i could describe. I love her style ranging from music to clothes, hairstyle, and makeup. While reading her article in Vogue she discussed her style "I want to look timeless," she says, rationalizing her rigorous dress code. "I want to be able to look at images of myself over the years and not be able to date them. Plus," she adds, "you can get in anywhere wearing a tuxedo." Damn rite Ms. Monae!! It is indeed better to be overdressed than underdressed anytime. Chek out this interview! Courtsey of youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya6qYbkJb9U

HAIR WE GO!!

Ok ladies in my 22yrs of living and forever changing my hair . I have realized that there is no one awesome hair style that will require no work. All hair styles will ultimately require your part in maintanence. However, there are seleceted ways to wear your hair that can require minimum maintenince, one just has to decide wether or not that style is right for you and your lifestyle. While being away from home at school I have become more self dependent with caring for my hair. Thus I believie it is essential to come up with a regimen that best suites your tresses. Depending on the way you wear your hair regimens will vary. In this post I will share with you my personal regi that was inspired by 2 main youtube guru's Buildable Beauty and Ateyaa. I love the products that Ateyaaa suggest but I love Buildable Beauty's approach to a minimum heat alternative. Below is a regi that i used while relaxed9currently transitioning) which has a collaboration of both Ateyaaa's and Buildable Beauty regi's.

This regimen was done each week sat or sun morning to achieve a wrap look.

Step1. Shampoo hair twice with a moisturizing shampoo.

Step 2. Apply conditioner to thourougly towel blotted hair. Comb thru and detangle from bottom to top or section off in 4 sections with a wide tooth comb. Leave conditioner on for 15 min under heat or 30 min under shower cap.

Step3. Rinse hair in cool water(helps seal in moisture and makes cuticles on hair shaft smoother)

Step4. Apply a leave in conditioner, a serum , heat protectant and foam wrap(optional) to hair

Step 5. While leave ins are in your hair comb hair down leaving the front part of hair down in your face and sit under dryer for 20 min. If you dont have a dryer walk around and clean up or jus sit n watch tv. The main point is we want hair to be at least 30% dry before we apply a blowdryer to it.

Step 6. Section Partially dried hair off into four sections and blow dry on medium heat and medium speed. Minimum heat is ideal but depending on how far you are into your relaxers that can take a longggg time.

Step 7. with each section u want to grab hair and blow dryer and comb or brush down . I have difficulty using a comb attachment dryer thus i use a brush but watever suits u best.

Step 8. Completing all 4 sections make sure hair is 100% dry. spray heat protectant 6 inches away from hair wait 5 min. Then go in with the flat iron.

Step 9. Depending on flat iron you would want to set it at an appropiate heat index for your hair. You will burn hair shaft if flat iron is too hot , thus i reccomend grabing an end paper or any piece of paper of sum sort and putting your paper between the flat iron press down for 15 seconds and if the paper is yellow this means your flat iron is too hot. DECREASE TEMP.
I reccomend about 300 degrees for medium-course/thick hair and around 200 for less course hair.

Step 10. Section hair off starting with the back prefferably place a small amount of hair thru flat iron and pull thru no more than 2 times. Move on to the next piece of section and work your way up.

Step 11. (optional) spray with oil sheen 6 inches away from hair and wrap add rollers at the crown for an extra bump.

Step 12. FLYNESS IS NOW IN EFFECT!!!!!! START UR SWANGIN ASAP!!


Chek out vids for visual effectshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7joDaDZJAk

http://www.youtube.com/user/BuildableBeauty#p/u/1/IPckY7UivTM

"It is every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live"-SJP

Seeming as I am a college student with little to no funds at times I find it kinda hard to upkeep my hair,nails,and clothes on point. However that SHOULD NOT be an excuse. Style is not about the amount of money one has but working with soley what youve got. With that said I wanted to start a series on the college gurl's budget guide to flyness. Ive been the ultimate chaser of a polished look. And to be honest the only thing that has kept me from it was lazyness and resources. However now i have found so many resourcful sites i.e.(youtube,collegefashionet, ehow, longhaircareforum.com,blackhairmedia.com) and so much more. In these next few post I will include beauty regimens from my most favorite sites, bloggers, and youtube vids, for all kinds of hair types but mostley A.A. since I have more of a personal standpoint on that side. So sit back and enjoy!!!!

Confidence

Throughout my lifetime I have battled with the "C" word for as long as I can remember. I always thought of myself as this akward person who could never be considered beautiful or loved by anyone else besides her family and dearest friends. However after 22 yrs of being on this earth Ive come to realize one thing is true. At the end of the day no matter what anyone think, says, or does I am going to bed with myself, i have to live with myself through any and every decision I make. Granted my family and friends will be there no matter what But I cannot rely on anyone or anything be it men, clothes, money, jewels, cars, or any other shallow source in which most of us seek for inner happiness time to time. We as young women have to be CONFIDENT in knowing that we are all we have. We are beautiful, intelligent, and play a prominent role in this world. We are the source in which each human has came out of (sorry to get graphic lol) .Thus with everything said I am certain of 3 things( shot out to Helen Reddy track) : I AM STRONG, I AM INVINCIBLE, I AM WOMAN.......HEAR ME ROAR!!!! So get ur ''Cs" up ladies because we've got a long life ahead of us and confidence can certainly bring you through a lot!

HELLO WORLD

I've been meaning to start this thing for a long time now however endless procrastination has taken over me. So lets begin shall we. This blog will be a depiction of college life, style, food, travel, people, random tid bits ect ect. Theres not much to it but the randomness that goes on day in and day out of my head simply laid out on a screen for the whole virtual world to see. Ive never been much of an Anne Frank although I did admire her capability to document life on a sheet of paper faithfully. Thus this shall be my diary. Welcome to the world of "ShaMia". Please buckle your seat belts and enjoy the page. You are now free to fly about the country