When In Napa...

The morning started out as any typical Sunday morning would, "Where are we going for brunch?" After delving in on yelps search list for some new places to try, we ended up finding a yummy looking waffle spot. 

Just so you aren't confused, this is not the waffle spot. Half a mile until our destination we saw First Street and on First Street lies Gott's Roadside. We have never gone wrong with this locally sourced establishment. Napa is such a tranquil and welcoming city filled with locals and tourists alike. It's such an awe-inspiring city you will not even fill guilty or gluttonous when you stuff your face. 

Traveling Checklist!

 the struggle is always real when I'm packing. I usually make a checklist in my notebook but I think this virtual one is a bit more fun. Plus, I spent too much time trying to figure out how to make this dang chart!

Hi, I'm Caela and I overpack. My friend told me to challenge myself and pack lightly for this trip... yea right. I usually only take week long trips home to Texas, this time around I'm adding two more. A girl needs options.

If you're wondering where my shoes are, they're in my duffle bag ridiculously stuffed. It's way too embarrassing to show. Luckily I'm staying with family so if I forget anything they most likely have it. Holla!

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If you guys are traveling this holiday season be safe and I hope you can use that checklist I created as a good reference. Felices Fiestas!

xo, Cae

Super Easy DIY Frozen Yogurt

In the words of the ever so hilarious Tom and Donna, "Treat Yo Self!"

A lot of ice cream on the market contain empty calories so get into this nutrient-dense treat!

fiber, B6, potassium, protein, calcium, and vitamin C are all of the main nutrients you will receive from this recipe. 

1 cup of frozen strawberries

1 1/2 frozen bananas

6 oz. greek yogurt

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blend, blend, blend.

mm hm, go ahead and gawk over it.

cover & freeze.

voila!

enjoy y'all!

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You can absolutely use whatever fruit that your heart desires. 

If you try this out, let me know!

I Just Big Chopped, Now What?! part 1

For some, you have planned this experience months in advance. You already screenshot your favorite hairstyles you liked from instagram and you already went to Target and stocked up on some shampoo, deep conditioner, and styling butter. For those of you, who like me, just decided in that moment that it was time to part ways with the different textures and cut that bish off, I am here to help. 

I started doing my research about natural hair back in 2009 when YouTube was less complicated and everyones favorite was literally everyones favorite. Anyways, keep reading guys to see what items I think are important to have post big chop.

The Blueprint

When I get dressed I love to turn things up a notch in the simplest way possible. Denim on denim on denim is the perfect way for me to display that.  

Usually this style is embellished with a bold statement necklace but I think that the thrice layered denim and bold dark lip is audacious enough. 

SMS 2.0

Oh, you liked the music?! I could share music with y'all all damn day.


Down -Emily King
There is a song by Emily King called U & I that I used to play out. It is such an amazing song and when I heard Down play on my Dwele Spotify radio station I got so excited! She has a new look and still such an amazing voice.


Valentine -Jessie Ware feat. Sampha
Just listen to the beat. OMG. This two minute delight is so perfect. I featured Sampha in my previous SMS post, can you tell that I love him?

Subject -Dwele
Dwele always swoons me with his lyrics and soothing voice. Most of his music makes me fantasize about being in a huge loft in New York City with a brick accented wall with his music so loud that it drowns out the city's commotion. I'm being weird, I know.

Snow -Chrisette Michele
I have been admiring Chrisette Michele since 2009 when I first heard her music. I was utterly obsessed with both I Am and Epiphany and could not stop talking about her on twitter. It took me a while to listen to her latest album, Better, but it is really such amazing work! Take my word for it.

Every Other Freckle (Big K.R.I.T. remix) -Big K.R.I.T.
Big K.R.I.T. is one of my favorite rappers. He works hard and I've supported his music since I first heard him in 2010. He makes his own beats and might I add are so damn perfect. He's bae.


side note: I get to see Dwele, Chrisette, and Krizzle in October and November, so it was only right that I feature them! Enjoy!

cae.

BxW Fixation

What's more classic than black and white? It is what my eyes fixate toward when clothes shopping and I mean, c'mon, it goes with everything! Although we are going through a very miserable Indian summer here in Northern California, the fall season is upon us and I'll enjoy the brisk mornings until the noonday heat flares up. 

 

Since I've cut my hair short I decided it would be a great idea to play around with hats. I for one, have never been a hat kind of gal but, hey, whatevs! I paired this black and white striped blouse with a pair of olive green pants from H&M. I'm that person that gravitates towards dark colors year round because, well, I love the way dark colors look on me.  I am truly an Autumn baby. COME THRU FALL! I would definitely wear this outfit to a brunch or any holiday party because of how loose the top is. Eat your effing heart out!!

     -photos by: Chantal Page

top: H&M | pants: H&M | shoes: Marshalls | purse: Forever 21 | hat: Target | earrings: Aldo

*my style is my own. i love to grab, mix, match, and go. create what fits you and define your own personal style.

TWA Trial & Error

Since I've had short hair I have referenced maybe two YouTube videos on how I should style it. I've learned that it's all about what works for your hair and how you want it to frame your face. 

So far I love how my short hair brightens up my face, in a way. It showcases my dimples a lot more and the structure of my face. I have been using Jamaican Black Castor Oil religiously because I forgot how much my hair LOVES it!! I moiturize with whatever hair butter and/or lotion I want to use then I put the castor oil all over. I especially love it on my edges because it aids with laying then DOWN! 

I tried to soft bristle brush method on my hair to define my curls and my hair hated it! Either my hair is too frizzy or too long to maneuver that technique. 

I ended up doing a coil out on the sides and back of my hair. It allows for a more defined and natural look. Pulling at the roots to add more volume and voila, easy as that! How you want to style the front is pretty much a personal preference. 

 Watch my VIDEO |here| to see how I maneuvered this hairstyle. 

I Big Chopped, AGAIN!

As some of you may know, I was in dire need of a big chop number TWO. To make a long story short, I put way too much heat on it in the beginning of this year. My hair was so flat and limp that it looked as if I was transitioning again. I literally wore the same hairstyle for 5 months. 

I was referred to Madusalon in San Francisco by the lovely Cassidy Blackwell of NaturalSelectionBlog.com. This salon specializes in curly, wavy and natural hair; they are also specialized to do deva cuts. I was extremely happy with the service at the salon!! My stylist Isabel had so much personality and just went in for my cut. In my head I was like, "WAIT, I need to take this all in." I was sitting there trying to mentally prepare myself but as she was talking, she started chopping. Despite being anxious of how it would come out, I was very calm the entire time!

As you can see, the top of my hair still has some heat damage on the ends. The natural struggle is so real. I did my first big chop on September 6, 2010 and for me to do my second one so close to my big chop anniversary is SO CRAZY. *Beyoncé voice*

How do I feel? I feel happy and liberated! I'm beautiful and feel a lot more confident with my curls back. It is just hair and it will grow back. I cannot wait to update you guys on my new journey of healthy hair growth! Check my instagram for photos! Love y'all.

cae.

SMS

If you know me, then you know I love music that is generally slow. Some may call it sad music, but to me, it is just everything I need. I need the persons voice to capture me, I need the words to actually mean things. 

Here are 10 songs that make me feel good. enjoy.

Weekend Love -Dwele

I'm Done -Tweet

93 Til' Infinity -Souls Of Mischief

The Blast -Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek

Somebody Else -Emeli Sandé

When We Get By -D'Angelo

Be All Truth -Jesse Boykins III

Daykeeper -The Foreign Exchange

Until Then (I Imagine) -Jill Scott

Beneath The Tree -Sampha

Search for these songs via YouTube or SoundCloud and if you love them enough, purchase the song to support the artist.

cae.

Oh Cae, Let's Eat Some Chili.

I love food and I also love having time to cook. Normally, people eat chilli during the fall and winter months but I love eating it year round. Instead of using turkey meat, I opted for some tofu, which I actually could have done without. Anyways, lets get into it!

I removed my package of [firm tofu] from the water and pressed it on a plate with a dish towel and plate. While I was letting the tofu press, I started working on the veggies. Who knew that slicing vegetables could take up so much time!? Um... yea, still learning to properly slice and dice. 

[I used one tomato, half of a sweet onion, and half a bell pepper.]

aren't they so pretty?!

I drained cans of [garbanzo beans, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and tomato sauce]. Soluble fiber galore!! For a healthier choice you can actually buy dry beans and soak them yourself so you don't have all the extra additives in the can. 

2 Wrongs Make 2 Rights

I have been on a bit of a hiatus. Mainly because I was bored with my natural hair but I also gave myself heat damage (see previous post). I have decided to just bite the bullet and do big chop number TWO! I'm actually pretty excited about cutting my hair again, because this time it will be by professionals who are trained to cut natural hair. Woop woop!!

Also, my laptop crashed on me and I plan on upgrading to a much better one at the end of this month. I'm super super anxious and excited about these two things so I will definitely be documenting this new hair journey of HEALTHY natural hair!! Talk to you guys soon!

Natural Hair Woes: Big Chop Number Two?!

I'm going to start out this post showing you guys my natural hair when it was THRIVING. I am all out of sorts because I have heat damage and it's at point where I do not think there is any going back. Let me try to simplify this for you guys real quick.

Beauty Favorites of 2013

Left to Right
Pacifica Roll-On Perfume in Persian Rose
this stuff is great if you're on the go and you need to freshen up! Very compact and easy to take anywhere! By the way, IT'S 100% VEGAN! How cool is that!?

Tazo Refresh Mint Tea
I was once a person who thought tea tasted worse than brown sodas. When I got sick I was convinced to try mint tea with honey and I've been hooked ever since! I actually prefer it now without the additives. It is also has quite a few health benefits especially for your digestive system and skin.

Alaffia African Black Soap: Peppermint
I was looking for a liquid black soap to replace the Shea Moisture bar soap I always loved. One stop into Whole Foods and for this price I could not pass this up. I love peppermint infused beauty products and did I mention that I use this to shave my legs? Perfect!

NYX Cosmetics Powder Blush: Cinnamon 
Why didn't I know that orange blush looked so damn good on women of darker complexions?? Ugh, love!

Tend Skin Razor Bump Skin Care Solution
Now ladies, not all of us are blessed with skin that is not sensitive down there. This stuff is great to protect your skin from creating, well, ingrown hair of course. This stuff can go anywhere you shave so I use it on my underarms as well.

Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile Soap
Holy. Grail. For the most part I prefer the liquid form of this product. I use this as a body wash (with my exfoliating gloves), face wash, and makeup brush cleanser. It's the only thing that really gets my mascara off, yes it's not safe on the eyes but hey! When I say this stuff CLEANS, it cleans! The only downfall about this product is that it makes the dirt stick to your shower floor A LOT faster.

Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter
It has a very nutty smell and an almost too thick consistency, however, it is very moisturizing. I dislike a lot of regular lotions so if I do not make my own DIY body butter this is my go to.

Desert Essence Spearmint Mouthwash
With the controversy about the alcohol in normal mouthwashes not being safe I started researching a more "natural" route. I came across this product and I actually love it! It's refreshing but more of a natural taste rather than the forced mint flavor infused in the majority of mouthwashes.

Essie Nail Polish in Ladylike
On the nails, to me, it looks like a taupe with a nice tint of pink. But that's just me. It's a very gorgeous and feminine, but not too girly, pink color.


I have not really had much to blog about these days but these are a few beauty products I purchased in 2013 that I absolutely LOVE!