'Recession-ise' Your Style - How to Make Your Own Wigs At Home

My Home Made Wigs To Give My Hair a Break 
Published by The Duchesne

 I love to give my hair a break. The daily combing, styling, washing and  handling puts a lot of stress on the strands and can cause a lot of damage. Some women prefer to wear their hair and handle it daily which is fine. However, for women like myself who prefer to rest our hair, we opt for either braids, wigs or weaves.

As you get to know me, you will see I love a bargain and I'm always looking at ways to save money. 
During my pondering on what to do with my hair this winter, it dawned on me that I have seen over and over how my hairstylist does my weave. 
So, I took it upon myself to attempt to make my own and bought a wig head. My wigs came out so well, I thought I'd share how I made them with you.

Things I used

How I made them

1. Place stocking cap on wig head

2. Put hair glue on hair weft and glue around wig head in a circular motion starting at the bottom

(use blow dryer to speed up the glue drying process)

  

 

 3. Continue until you get to the point where there is just a little circle left

                                              

4. Now get a little piece of hair, roll it, cut the weft off and add glue to where the weft has been cut

  5. Stick the strands into the circle, hold firm and blow dry until glue is invisible

 

6. Cut, trim, gloss and style

 

Additional info:

• 2 packs of human hair cost £6.99 per pack
• Cost of hair glue £1.00
• Cost of making both wigs, £14.98

Any questions or comments, please use the comment box or Contact page.

                                                                       

Photography, The Duchesne      

Raising The Next Barack Obama

Roles Parents Ought To Play In Their Child's Upbringing
Published by The Duchesne

As we celebrate Black History Month in the UK, one is forced to take an introspective look on the achievements of our people and the future of our youths. Are they heading down the right paths? Are they believing in themselves?

And most poignant, are we failing our children?

Like many parents, dare I say all, I want the best for my child. On a recent trip from the USA this August, the crew of Continental Airlines invited my son to sit with the pilot and handle the controls.

It was one of those Kodak moments and I flash forwarded 18 years. I wondered if my son knew that he could fly that plane for real if he wanted to someday. I wondered if he knew he could be anything he wanted to be.
And then, I wondered about me and whether or not I was preparing my son to reach his highest potential.

Marvelling at the role I'd have to play and whether I was prepared for it,  I took several pictures. I needed to sieze that moment to serve as a reminder that my job is to make him the Best Man he can be. 
Each time I look at this photo of my son, it makes me more determined to be a better parent.

Now I sit here and I imagine what Barack's mother would have felt if she were alive to see her son stand on that podium.
I am not alone either. It was the achievements of Barack Obama that inspired Taniesha Burke, the author of "Raising The Next Barack Obama" to write her book.
In the book, Taniesha stresses the importance of instilling strong principles in our children on the basis that they will not only adapt those principles but take it to a level where they can believe the famous words of Abraham Lincoln,

' You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold that desire with singledness of purpose'   

She talks about the role we have as parents to lead by example; to ensure our children have a sense of Who they are; What they can achieve; embracing the philosophy that anything they dream is possible.

Any parent can tell you parenting is the hardest job in the world. But it is the most rewarding and by far the most important.
How we raise our children impact them more than anything else, and whether we are the ideal nuclear family or just a single parent; the role remains the same. There must be no excuses.

In the book there is a beautiful quote that I want to leave you with. May we be inspired to embed this in ourselves and also our children.

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream 

so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of 

what you shall one day be."

James Allen

Additional info.

• You can pick up a copy of  Raising The Next Barack Obama on Amazon.

If you have any questions or comments, please use the comment box or Contact page.


Photography, The Duchesne

Top Cars For 2010

Diamonds Or Cars? Which Really Is A Girl's Best Friend?

Published by The Duchesne

Would you believe that women have more influence on car design and car buying than men? Yes, we do.
Women are, "directly responsible for 45-50 percent of all new vehicles bought in the US and directly influence up to 80% of all vehicle sales", according to statistics by Ford.

Behind every successful man there is a woman right? Well, behind every car purchase there is a woman too. Single women buy cars, women in relationships buy cars and if they don't they significantly influence the car their partner buys. Plus we know many single men buy cars to impress the ladies. 

Case and point. We love our diamonds and we love our cars. In light of this, here is my list of the top 10 go to cars for 2010.

10. The Honda Civic Hybrid

I like the Civic Hybrid because of it's superb fuel efficiency, the huge space in the front seats and it's handling. Okay so why is it at no. 10? Well, there is hardly any trunk space, the back seat space is too limited, sometimes the ride is a little bumpy and jiggly, and you can hardly tell it apart from the Civic made a year ago. How are people suppose to know you are driving a 2010 Civic? But it's still pleasing to the eye and good value for money ranging from $23,000 upwards.

9. The Suzuki Kiyashi

Roomy, spacious, comfortable and pleasing to the eye. I quite like this car despite it being a Suzuki (nothing against the brand but I've never been a Suzuki girl). This Kiyashi says luxury on a budget at a starting price of $18,000. It's sporty with minimal road noise, handles like a dream with all the luxuries we girls like such as keyless entry, heated seats, sun roof, leather steering with built in controls etc. This is one to have!

8. Mazda MX5 Miata


If you don't have a family or only 1 child, this is a great choice. It stands in a class of few when it comes to fuel efficiency and speed; making it an ultimate budget Ferrari. It doesn't have much trunk space but who needs a trunk when you're seeking a thrill? Mazda makes this in a hard top and soft top convertible which is a bonus. This is a good head turner and affordable too with prices from $27,000.

7. The Chevrolet Cruz

"Don't just drive, Cruz," says everything about this Chevrolet. It is remarkably comfortable and elegant, suited for the sophisticated ladies and will change the way you view compact cars. Its efficiency is like the Hybrid but for a lower price tag. You can get these for a base price of $19,900 upwards. Shocking! I know.

6. Nissan Sentra

Suitable for a practical girl is this practical car, equipped with all the necessities and good on fuel consumption. It's not a bad looking car and with prices from $14,500...they are selling like hot bread.

5. Chevrolet Equinox
Yes, Chevrolet makes my list again. Not because I am biased but because this modern SUV benefits from great design, economy, affordability and safety. It has sliding back seats, little road noise and a stylish interior. Pick one up from $20,500.

4. Lexus HS 250h 

Okay, before you hawk at me, I know. Yes, I know the Lexus HS 250h has been recalled by Toyota twice this year but that doesn't stop me from loving this one. Think luxury, comfort, style, quiet and so much more but it does come at a price of $30,500 upwards. I say, worth every penny.

3. BMW X5 M

A beauty. Just simply faultless is this machine from Germany. This is a SUV that screams look at me! You have to be rolling big to bag this beauty though because prices start from $85,500.

2. Porsche Cayenne

A beast and a beauty rolled in one. This SUV commands respect on the road and makes even the more expensive BMW X5 M quiver. Talk about speed, techs, safety, power and value for money; then this is the SUV to have as you can bag one from $45,000. Crazy right? 

1. The Mercedes E Class Cabriolet

What is it about women and convertibles? Is it the 'hair blowing in the wind' feeling or the sheer fact that driving with your top down on a nice summer's day makes you feel freer than a bird? This picture doesn't even do this car justice. It is by far the most beautiful thing Mercedes has ever made!

The 1 drawback for this car is that it doesn't come in a hard top. But I can work with that as Mercedes say a hard top would compromise trunk space. And we'd need our trunk for luggage on the numerous road trips we'd be taking in this beauty.

Prices start from $65,500. These keep their value so just get a used one if this price is not up your street.

Diamonds? Cars? We'll take it all. A girl can't have too many best friends! 


Photography, From The Web