Protective Style- Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Products

(Affiliate links are included in this post)

Here we have another protecting style using my favorite hair products from Dark & Lovely 'Au Naturale' Line. 

If you missed our review on these amazing products, you can find our full article here: Dark & Lovely- Au Naturale Product Review.

Ms. Bree's hair was washed and blow dried a few weeks ago and has been kept in one long braid.  While blow drying and keeping her hair in one simple braid made things easier for me, it's definitely not healthy for her curly tresses in the long run.  Bringing me to the decision to style her hair into this simple and protective style.  

Now, just because her hair is in this style doesn't mean I won't have to touch her hair for the next few days.  Contrary to everyone's belief, her hair still has to be co-washed, moisturized and her scalp needs to be protected from the elements by applying oils.   

Ms. Bree's hair was washed and dentangled.  Due to the length and thickness of her hair, styling her hair requires two days.    

Here are the products I used: 

1. D&L- Moisture L.O.C. Super Quench Leave In Spray;

2. D&L- Au Naturale Moisture LOC Soak It Up Oil Cocktail 
    (or your favorite oil)

3. D&L Au Naturale Anti Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Souffle

3.5. Eco Styler Gel Argan Oil
      (just a small amount, adding a bit of gel at the same time you apply the souffle will 
      create a better hold and the style will last a bit longer)

As Ms. Bree gets older, her schedule is getting busier and busier.  She wore the above hair style for a week. 

After a week of sporting half of her hair in box braids, it was time to finalized her style.  Using the same products and following the same steps, I braided the top part of her hair. 

       

I also took advantage and re-moisturized some of the ends on the bottom braids and now her hair it's completely styled and ready for the next few days.  

Please remember and I cannot say it enough, protective styling too often can be detrimental to curly hair (give your scalp and hair a break in between protective styles) and make sure you continue to keep your hair clean even when it's in a protective style, co wash and re-moisturize your hair and scalp as often as needed. 

My First Recipe of the Year: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

        Hello everyone and welcome to our very first post of 2017 🎇🎆

Bacon... bacon... bacon... now say the word four times really fast!   (now you sound like the "Beggin Bacon Strips" commercial.. 😆

In our home everyone is a big fan of bacon... from the oldest to the very youngest and that includes our three fur babies!  

Bacon it's so delicious when cooked on its own but it's even better when you create different "drool-worthy" recipes using bacon as your main (or key) ingredient.   

In this recipe, we paired some nice thick slices of bacon with fresh asparagus covered in a rich sweet soy sauce.

The Ingredients....

*1 to 2 lbs of fresh asparagus
*1 lb of your favorite bacon

The Steps

wash and pat dry your asparagus;
gently bend the bottom of each spear to determine the breaking point;

Why are you doing this?   
The bottom of the asparagus is a bit woody, definitely not tasty and it's not something you want to serve your guests.  The woody part and natural breaking point varies from spear to spear, but it's really not that time consuming, so don't worry too  much about this part.   Just remember to bend and snap!  

Let's continue...

While your oven is preheating at 400 degrees, let's get to the "wrapping" part... 

*carefully place a slice of bacon on your cutting board (or counter);
*place from 2 to 3 spears of asparagus and wrap the bacon;
*place each wrap on your baking sheet. 

All about the sauce....

* 1/2 of dark brown sugar
* 1/2 of teaspoon garlic powder
* pinch of onion powder (optional)
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 stick of butter (or margarine)
             conversion note: 1 stick of butter = 8 Tablespoons 
* about 1 (to 1.5) tablespoon of soy sauce

Combine all of your ingredients in a small sauce pot and bring it to boil and simmer for about five to ten minutes.  (mixing your sauce every few minutes until it's nice and thick)

Pour your sauce on top of your bacon wrapped asparagus; (use as much or as little sauce as you want)

Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes- (checking every so often to make sure the asparagus doesn't over cook)

and the results are tooooo die for.... 

Make sure you share this recipe with your friends and family especially during International Bacon Day!!