Minute with Modo (#17): Just Ask

I remember there was a time in my life when I was always so afraid to ask for what I wanted; being respect, salary, or even how I wanted food cooked at a restaurant.

I always thought negotiating meant rejection and I never wanted anyone to think I was ever saying No. Saying no in my mind meant possibly never having that opportunity again, which ultimately meant failure.

I HATE failure.

But one day after speaking with some friends I negotiated my first salary increase. It was SMALL but the impact was tremendous for my self esteem. I quickly learned all they could say was no…or YES! If I never asked how would I know.

Now I think I ask way too much! Lol but I am ok with that. With more asking came a great increase in being told no. And that is ok too. Hearing no no longer means rejection it now means try again.

And that next salary increase was HUGE! 🙂

Take a risk.

Just ask.

Always with love,

Modo

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My beast friends as I call them! Ebony and Aaron always remind me to dig deeper and reach higher.

Hair Tutorial: Twist out on blown out hair

Hey Ladies!

After blow drying my hair for my length check I wanted to style it in a way to give it body and retain moisture; after wearing it big and wild for a few days 🙂

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Day after blow out

So I decided to take another go at a twist out. Last time I loved it but after a few hours my hair puffed up like a chia pet. I also have been wanting to try out some new products so this was a perfect time to do both.

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I scored BIG on this conditioner that is on sale at Sprouts this week with a bonus coupon; only 5 bucks a bottle (I will be going back today to stock up). The argon oil I use for my take downs and also for my skin care routine. Not pictured is my coconut oil.

So now that I had my products, a sleeping baby, and some patience I got started.

Step 1:

Start with blown out hair. I have a tutorial for this on the blog as well. I also clipped my ends before starting (thanks mom) made such a difference in the results.

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Step 2:

Section hair and decide size of twist.

Step 3:

Apply product. I went conditioner, coconut oil, and then reapplied conditioner at the ends half through twist. I make sure to add enough product to almost revert the hair. I actually add enough product at my ends to make sure my hair curls.

Step 4: Twist! I did flat twist. I am not the best at these because I always borrow hair which makes for a hard take down but I am trying to perfect this.

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Step 5: I added rods to my ends. As I spoke about in my length check my ends are terrible so I added the rods for the extra help with curling.

Step 6: Sleep! I sleep on a satin pillow case every night to product my hair and keep moisture in.

Step 7: Rise and Shine!!!

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Step 8: The take down. I add Argon oil to my fingertips to keep down frizz. I always start from the bottom up.

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Look at that definition from the rods!

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Halfway there!

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All done!

Step 9: Style. I pick out my roots with a wide tooth comb and use a SMALL amount of the conditioner to smooth down my edges.

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Finished!!!!

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My niece wanted to sneak in.

And that’s it ladies. I LOVE this conditioner. It left my hair sooooo soft and no flaking.

What is your twist out routine? Leave it below.

Sweater: Juicy Couture

Always with love,

Modo

Length Check: You couldn’t pay me to press that!

Time is flying! I can’t believe it’s been one year of my hair growth journey. Let me preface that I have always been natural. I have never had a perm in my hair, however I abused my hair quite a bit throughout my college years with dye, high heat, and rarely moisturizing.

So a year ago I decided to take a firm stance and really start putting an effort into taking care of what my mama gave me.

Two of the major changes I made were increasing my moisturization and decreasing the amount of heat I put on it.

After washing:

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After I washed I completed a deep conditioning treatment under a dryer for about 30 minutes. However I noticed my hair was still a bit dry which was a red flag for me not to press it. So I decided to just blow dry for a length check and wait on a press.

Blow Dry:

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Yall that’s a lot of hair!

After looking at the photo I realize just how bad my ends were. My mom was visiting so I had her clip quite a few of those dead ends off and I twisted it up right away.

Here is a side by side of six months and one year:

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I literally was in shock by how much it has grown. It is past my bra strap so I am pretty sure it is almost waist length if I pressed it. Exciting!!!!

What I have learned this year:
-I am lazy! I need to put way more effort into being consistent with moisturization
-my hair craves moisture so I need to reapply at least twice a day
-I have to change up my products at least once a year
-my sides are longer than my middle. That makes sense because how I apply my product which means I need to pay way more attention to my middle and ends.

It’s been a fun journey and I am so honored meeting all the natural hair girls through Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and in person! Please send all recommendations my way.

Follow me: Instagram (@modo126), Twitter (@modo126), Facebook page (singing with the volume up)

Always with love,

Modo

Minute with Modo (#16): Parenting multiple kids

What I’ve learned this week from having two kids under the age of 3:

1. You will say these words A LOT: wait, sit down, No, I love you, and fine you can have it.

2 You lie often…usually about what an item is that you are putting in your mouth or about the amount of toys carried in a store.

3. You LOVE going to the restroom; except when you have company.

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4. It makes a BIG difference when the house is messy when you wake up.

5. You will use the TV as a tool.

6. You will smile a lot more.

7. You will meet people easier.

8. You will become a lot more organized or disorganized; your choice.

9. You will lie a lot! Just wanted to re-emphasize that.

10. You will know if you are ready for another kid; I’m not…at least not right now and I am really ok with that.

11. Your kids thrive with another child in the house; this makes me a little sad I am not ready for another child.

Overall there are SO MANY JOYS and some headaches with parenting multiple children. All in all be prepared and have FUN because things often will not go your way but then you realize that you were CHOSEN to lead this little person in life and gratefulness sets in.

Always with love,

Modo

Minute with Modo (#15): Time flies

Time Flies

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Today at dinner, while our daughter slept (parents of small children know that deserves a whoop whoop); my husband and I talked about how fast life is moving now that we have a child. After some discussion we realized time wasn’t moving faster…not at all…our time just has more meaning now. I won’t go into how much meaning our lives had before her (it did), but will just sit in the fact that our lives have even more now.

For that I am grateful.

Always with love,

Modo