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Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 07:47 AM
I had so much fun with this last year, and actually remembered my anniversary this year, so let's do it again! The history pictures are the same, but I have some new ones taken just for this thread at the end.


THE AM(A)A Portion:
To make this more than another "oh, pretty!" thread, let's do an Ask Me (Almost) Anything :) You don't have to stick to hair-related topics, but nothing about things that are against LHC rules to ask me about.

Onto the hair bit!
This was my hair back in 2005. I came to LHC from Henna4Hair and had just transitioned from chemical dyes to henna. My hair had been tailbone-length in my late teens, but it really went to hell in college because of me dying it so much. I had black streaks in it (which I miss to this day), but it had crumbled and snapped up to APL. It mended a bit on the henna forums and I'd grown out a fair bit of henna-only length, so by the time I came here, this was my first LHC photo:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WrgWNNXVDB0/VO80nXflX6I/AAAAAAAALx0/zZQBef0zCJM/s264/Goal%2520Hair%25201.jpg

A lot of my early LHC posts (for years) were about growing out the immense amounts of dye damage I had. It was a grueling, slow process. I was trimming 1/4 inch a month, so I gained 1/4 inch a month in length and steadily weeded out the damage.

Here's some of my early progress pictures. When I say the going was slow, I wasn't kidding:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gu6CUnH22dI/VO802pOd7WI/AAAAAAAALyI/V84oPd3Lwrg/s733/Progress.jpg


I also had color issues. My new-penny copper red dye had sponged up into my hair so much it was dark burgundy, and when I first started henna it wasn't common knowledge that multiple applications darkened (which is part of why I say it so often on the fourms). My hair was healthier, but the color wasn't what I wanted, it was much too cool for my skin. I swapped out from 100% henna to a 35% henna 65% cassia and other herbs blend (a ratio I use to this day) and to roots-only applications. Which was great. For the roots. But I had a big color disparity.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HOJd5OyNLKg/VO80NRa_OKI/AAAAAAAALxk/t8UanTGY7os/s647/ColorDifference2.jpg'



But I wasn't sure I wanted to bleach my hair to make the ends match more, so I just dealt with it. In 2007 I got to my goal length of tailbone, and in 2009 FINALLY trimmed out the last of my horrible, damaged ends.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WXVvUOZ1DCo/UtVKOtiSsLI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/IZmYWxcFvlI/s512/5-30-09.jpg

And had pretty (if not not a little darker than I wanted) hair for my wedding:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ffhHVefBW6I/UCJ5Rm0y95I/AAAAAAAADBQ/MxsVxwzH_yA/s512/Wedding-Hair.jpg

I even fixed the color. By using Sun-In I lightened up the length so it matched my roots, and for the first time in years I LOVED my hair.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1AH81I0M_KQ/T_1_p2TzgGI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/vTKo5t7D4ZU/s512/Bun%2520Progress%25202009.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wrNkKOgUpSE/VO80qAmjMSI/AAAAAAAALyA/j7NDvR87l8Q/s731/Color%2520Evolve.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X-B1DySSdio/UtVKgHRLftI/AAAAAAAAGKY/C_E_K5XiVyI/s512/Length%25205-16-09%25202.jpg


And then I switched from birth control pills to an IUD and had the most massive, horrible shed. I lost a third of my hair, easily:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5UQyAO-5Blw/T_s-Ag1OSuI/AAAAAAAAC3c/4d78NRop6OU/s512/Hair-Hand-1.jpg


Which mean I, having JUST finished growing out ALL OF MY HAIR from damage, I had to do it again. (Continued next post)

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 07:50 AM
But year before last I FINALLY did it, grew and cut out the last of my stupid shed. I love my color, I love my waves and I bounce around somewhere between fingertip and tailbone with no intent of really going longer:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zbQprfIRb8w/VAoBgpUDPYI/AAAAAAAAJWA/G3TD0Gio-iw/s576/Progress.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8GcFeolIdwQ/VEfCSROFAgI/AAAAAAAAKOw/9XTMZit-PH0/s512/10-21-2014-3.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yo4U_2CxFv4/U_UKWC5-QtI/AAAAAAAAJCM/pbmZxkAKLVE/s512/Green-Moondrop-Stick.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qCAlfUN7KZc/VHPI2jDTsTI/AAAAAAAAKgo/SdnSU5vUUPQ/s512/TT-3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sc2pARmUloA/UYu5wibQGvI/AAAAAAAAEeM/niA84hnq_M4/s512/Pinny-2-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iYt4-epJR4/U1Eq7KUbjNI/AAAAAAAAG8o/ZFOaHKDHjgg/s512-Ic42/Infinity-Fail-2s.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YhnfdBgzoyw/VhTB8ynANYI/AAAAAAAAQGU/J2DIMZqpjrk/s512-Ic42/Layer%252520Cut%2525201.jpg


And as of yesterday:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CtgIx2MxgRg/VtBkR5TttgI/AAAAAAAATII/SCnmrbF179U/s512-Ic42/Length-2.jpg


So that's where I'm at. And I'm not going anywhere. I love you guys.

dfotw
February 26th, 2016, 07:55 AM
Oh Nightshade, you have such wonderful hair! :crush: Congratulations on your hairversary and on overcoming damage and sheds to get where you are today!

I can't think of any good questions to ask (still waking up, me), but I just want to say that you are a very special part of the longhair community and that I'm immensely glad you're not going anywhere. :puppykisses:

Arctic
February 26th, 2016, 08:03 AM
Hearty congratularions! You have been a huge inspiration to so many members here, and one of the people who makes LHC so awesome that people come back year after year!

And: oooh, shiny hair! :cool:

missrandie
February 26th, 2016, 08:04 AM
Nightshade, I adore your hair! It is perfect on you!

And, I love having you here on the forums.. I feel like you are one of the cornerstone type folks :)

Here is a question to kick it off... How are the bees???

samanthaa
February 26th, 2016, 08:09 AM
Your hair and your hair color are so beautiful! The difference in color from your wedding to the coppery red you have today is astonishing for henna. Congrats on your success :)

lapushka
February 26th, 2016, 08:14 AM
Congrats on reaching more than a few milestones, and congrats on 10 years!!!
Your growing out damage journey is *epic*. :D

:blossom:

brickworld13
February 26th, 2016, 08:17 AM
Yay! :happydance: :beercheer: How do you live with so many cats? (I know I asked you that yesterday anyway, but I think it would be interesting for everybody.) I thought 3 kitties was a death trap, but you have 6. :shocked: Oh and another. How are those books coming along?

khryz
February 26th, 2016, 08:20 AM
Wow very nice! Love your beautiful waves. Chocolate or vanilla?

browneyedsusan
February 26th, 2016, 08:23 AM
I didn't know your hair backstory, so thanks for sharing it. :) You've been through a lot! Bummer about the shed.

My question: Why do you prefer henna/cassia over a henna gloss? In my mind, the cassia would fade in a few weeks, and you'd be left with henna anyway. Do you re-cassia the length? Does adding the cassia make the root color blend in better? Does the cassia "stick" better in your hair? I can't sort it out in my head. (Plus, henna glosses are a little cheaper.)

thanks,
Susan :)

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 08:24 AM
Yey!

Congratulations!

And a question: What does Hubby think of your hair (obsession) and hair toy collection?

Pinni
February 26th, 2016, 08:29 AM
Beautiful hair! Congrats!:blossom::blossom:

Do you have a lot of hair accessories/hair toys?

irodaryne
February 26th, 2016, 08:38 AM
Congratss on your LHC Anniversary!!!!! What a journey you've taken, growing out all of that damage and finding the sweet spot for where you like your hair at!


My question: Why do you prefer henna/cassia over a henna gloss? In my mind, the cassia would fade in a few weeks, and you'd be left with henna anyway. Do you re-cassia the length? Does adding the cassia make the root color blend in better? Does the cassia "stick" better in your hair? I can't sort it out in my head. (Plus, henna glosses are a little cheaper.)

thanks,
Susan :)

I am going to second this question.

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 08:40 AM
You are all so wonderful, thank you :grouphug: I am really thrilled to have grown out all the damage, grown out my shed, AND have the color I wanted. It was a decade plus process, but so worth it :)

How are the bees?
The bees (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=119183)are okay and not okay. I checked on them last weekend and I'm 90% sure we lost one of the hives in that last cold snap, but as of last weekend the other was going strong. It's supposed to be really nice this weekend, so I'll check in on them again and see what I can see.


My question: Why do you prefer henna/cassia over a henna gloss? In my mind, the cassia would fade in a few weeks, and you'd be left with henna anyway. Do you re-cassia the length? Does adding the cassia make the root color blend in better? Does the cassia "stick" better in your hair? I can't sort it out in my head. (Plus, henna glosses are a little cheaper.)

I find that I get more of a golden-copper with henna/cassia over a gloss, which seems lackluster in color by comparison and seems to fade more. Because of the more diluted blend I use, it does tend to fade after one application and become colorfast after the second, and stay bright. Glosses, for whatever reason, never seem as bright and coppery on me and lost the golden hues much more than a henna/cassia mud. I only touch up my roots and haven't done a full-length anything in years.


Do you have a lot of hair accessories/hair toys?

Yes, elaborated below :)

And a question: What does Hubby think of your hair (obsession) and hair toy collection?
For the obsession, I don't think he minds. I've turned it into a bit of a science and a side job/hobby and he's the most supportive person ever. He also knows how important my hair is to me and he's the only one that trims it because I trust him to do it whereas I don't trust a salon. For toys, I think he's just happy it's hair toys and not shoes, which take up more space. Up until last year he really didn't know just how much I had, but then we hung my cabidor (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=2959&page=9&p=2998504&#post2998504)and I loaded it up and showed him and he was genuinely shocked at how much I had. It's the byproduct of being here ten years, I suppose :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5LlVLzNme8M/VT_ro0MAwoI/AAAAAAAAM-w/lTUsxRqFvw0/s800/Cabidoor-1.jpg

Stagecoach
February 26th, 2016, 08:45 AM
Beautiful hair, and such an inspiring journey! I well remember your struggles with damage and color and shedding. But your tenacity paid off and you have lovely hair to show for it!

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 08:53 AM
Whoops, missed brickworld!

How do you live with so many cats? (I know I asked you that yesterday anyway, but I think it would be interesting for everybody.) I thought 3 kitties was a death trap, but you have 6.

They run the place, we just live there :lol: Honestly they're pretty easy. We have three older cats (14, 14, and 15 years old) and they're low-key for the most part. The Bengals are 6 going on 7, and Fenrir is 5. Everyone is meal-fed three times a day (otherwise the old crones wouldn't get to eat and Fenrir would be 1,600 pounds), and each cat gets fed in a different room. We pick up dishes and everyone runs to their rooms. DH and I alternate litterboxes by month, dump them all and scrub them at the end of every month and then the next person takes over scooping.

That said, they are part of the family, not pets. They always want to be doing whatever we're doing, which means sometimes my life does feel a little like this:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_PgEg20-MT4/U9et8dG26ZI/AAAAAAAAIps/Gsu6J5NYKcY/s512-Ic42/20140728_143005.jpg


Oh and another. How are those books coming along?

Here's the blog entry (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/entry.php?b=124365) for what brickworld is talking about for those not aware :) Not as fast as I'd like, but coming! I'm in the process of reviewing my editor's changes to the Rehabilitating Damaged Hair Book, and I'm continuing to plug away on photoshoots for the henna book. I did a really cool test last weekend with two real Jamila boxes and one henna compound made to look like Jamila, and the results were intriguing. For the novels, those are sadly back-burnered until the non-fiction books are done because I need the novels to be my carrot on a stick or I'll never finish the non-fiction ones first XD

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 08:57 AM
Beautiful hair, and such an inspiring journey! I well remember your struggles with damage and color and shedding. But your tenacity paid off and you have lovely hair to show for it!

Aw, thank you so much :inlove: You've been here a super-long time yourself!

Nellon
February 26th, 2016, 09:22 AM
Wow so much green and red awesomeness I don't quite know what to do with myself right now! Where to begin.... Lovely to no end. Especially liked the twisted bun with the green leaf fork in it. That's just magic!

fišrildi
February 26th, 2016, 09:26 AM
Wow, 10 years already! Happy, happy hairyversary to you, Nightshade!! You've been one of my hair heroes ever since I discovered this place. Your story is very inspiring, and your pictures, stunning (oh, and I love it every time your cats hijack the threads :crush:).
Here's for another 10 years!! :toast:

edit: ok, I missed my question, but I will come back later!

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 09:30 AM
1. How often do you wake up because you have a cat in your face?
2. Which cat has the loudest voice (that the cat also like to express for everyone else to hear, especially on Saturdays around 5 am)?
3. Which one is most likely to try to plop down on you keyboard to get attention when you are in the middle of something?
4. Are you allowed to visit the bathroom in peace...ever?

school of fish
February 26th, 2016, 09:41 AM
Wow, wow and wow! And congratulations on 10 years!

Your hair has been beautiful at every stage, but I'm sure it feels incredible to have reached all of your goals after such a long road :D

Your tenacity in growing out over 10 years is really inspiring. At 2 years into my own 'hair rehab program' the road has been feeling rather interminable - you've given me good reason to check my perspective ;)

No questions for you, just hearty congratulations and heartfelt thanks for sticking around to offer encouragement to those of us further back on the path. You're giving us some beautiful hair to gaze at as we follow behind you ;)

yogagirl
February 26th, 2016, 09:52 AM
Congratulations on 10 years!! Thank you for sharing so many pictures. I love the one with the cat photobombing the other cats' picture :o

Your color is so lovely! It makes me want to start henna (although of course it would look very different on my hair color).

And your waves, so gorgeous! Are they naturally pretty resilient or do you have a routine to enhance them?

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 10:02 AM
Wow, 10 years already! Happy, happy hairyversary to you, Nightshade!! You've been one of my hair heroes ever since I discovered this place. Your story is very inspiring, and your pictures, stunning (oh, and I love it every time your cats hijack the threads :crush:).
Here's for another 10 years!! :toast:

edit: ok, I missed my question, but I will come back later!

Thank you so much! I look forward to your questions and can promise my cats are not done hijacking threads. As an aside, I adore your signature. I can't tell you how long I've spent in Froud's books :)



1. How often do you wake up because you have a cat in your face?
2. Which cat has the loudest voice (that the cat also like to express for everyone else to hear, especially on Saturdays around 5 am)?
3. Which one is most likely to try to plop down on you keyboard to get attention when you are in the middle of something?
4. Are you allowed to visit the bathroom in peace...ever?

1. Less often than you'd think. I don't have many rules, but no cats on the counters, nobody sleeps on my face, and nobody sleeps on my feet are three of them. I do end up with them on my back, between my legs and packed against my side, though.

2. Hecate and Juniper tie this. They're both part Siamese and have what we like to call "Express your Siamese Heritage Days." And they are LOUD. That said, Tsavo can really crank up when he wants to with this loud, rolling, REHHHHH REHHH REHHH.

3. Zerah. She's my personal demon. Here's actually one from yesterday of her forcing me to type around her.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KyLYli3FDi0/VtCEMbabV5I/AAAAAAAATIg/l5s_JPh9JEw/w516-h291-no/2016-02-26.jpg

4. No. I've given up hope of that. I just let them in because it's easier. The boys treat the bathtub like the Tunderdome and Zerah sits on my lap.



Wow, wow and wow! And congratulations on 10 years!

Your hair has been beautiful at every stage, but I'm sure it feels incredible to have reached all of your goals after such a long road :D

Your tenacity in growing out over 10 years is really inspiring. At 2 years into my own 'hair rehab program' the road has been feeling rather interminable - you've given me good reason to check my perspective ;)

No questions for you, just hearty congratulations and heartfelt thanks for sticking around to offer encouragement to those of us further back on the path. You're giving us some beautiful hair to gaze at as we follow behind you ;)

You're so sweet! And you're going to get there! It's a long road, but by no means an impossible one.



Congratulations on 10 years!! Thank you for sharing so many pictures. I love the one with the cat photobombing the other cats' picture :o

Your color is so lovely! It makes me want to start henna (although of course it would look very different on my hair color).

And your waves, so gorgeous! Are they naturally pretty resilient or do you have a routine to enhance them?

Sometimes it does feel like my life is one giant cat photobomb :lol: My waves are not super-resilient. I have to leave them alone as if I comb my hair wet it'll flatten them pretty badly. I wear my hair up very often, which is why the ends are often a bit curly. This picture shows my natural wave pattern best.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YhnfdBgzoyw/VhTB8ynANYI/AAAAAAAAQGU/J2DIMZqpjrk/s512-Ic42/Layer%252520Cut%2525201.jpg

Anje
February 26th, 2016, 10:16 AM
Remind me what you used when you painted your bathtub white. I've got this ugly brown bathtub in the new house that could really use a touchup. Do you think this would work? (http://amzn.com/B007HIKQR0)

Anya15
February 26th, 2016, 10:19 AM
Congratulations! :) your hair is so gorgeous and your journey is wonderful and inspiring. I wanted to grow my hair to waist but after seeing all the gorgeous longhairs here I'm sort of going for terminal, wherever that is.

I just love your waves. Do yours flatten out a bit after a while/if the weather changes?

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 10:26 AM
Remind me what you used when you painted your bathtub white. I've got this ugly brown bathtub in the new house that could really use a touchup. Do you think this would work? (http://amzn.com/B007HIKQR0)

******n you :lol: For those of you unaware, Anje likes to send me links to bidets and by proxy fill up my Amazon Recommendations with items for pressure-washing your nether regions. She's gotten really good at sneaking them into places so I'll click on them.




Congratulations! :) your hair is so gorgeous and your journey is wonderful and inspiring. I wanted to grow my hair to waist but after seeing all the gorgeous longhairs here I'm sort of going for terminal, wherever that is.

I just love your waves. Do yours flatten out a bit after a while/if the weather changes?

Ha! Yeah, I think most people here started with one goal and that goal experienced more than a little scope creep. My waves do flatten out if it's too dry. They really like a bit of moisture in the air to be at their best.

brickworld13
February 26th, 2016, 10:27 AM
You know you can remove items from your recommendations. :lol:

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 10:30 AM
You know you can remove items from your recommendations. :lol:

Oh I know. And I do. She just enjoys necessitating me having to go do it. XD

Anje
February 26th, 2016, 10:35 AM
It gives me slightly-insane giggles to think that whenever she buys stuff online, Amazon is like "Would you like a bidet with that?"

Mirabele
February 26th, 2016, 10:40 AM
Congratulations, your hair is beautiful! Thank you for sharing photos! I love your length and your waves!
And what a collection of hairtoys!!

AJNinami
February 26th, 2016, 10:41 AM
Oh wow! Your hair is so pretty and fiery! :thud: I'm sometimes jealous of those who can pull it off...

My question is: Have you ever had a cat run away?

lazuliblue
February 26th, 2016, 10:45 AM
Thanks for sharing your photos! :)

You have a similar hair texture to me...I see you are ii, do you know the circumference of your ponytail?

brickworld13
February 26th, 2016, 10:50 AM
It gives me slightly-insane giggles to think that whenever she buys stuff online, Amazon is like "Would you like a bidet with that?"

:rollin: Mine has been asking me if I want coffee body scrub, engineering technical references, knitting books, and some other strange stuff. Oh for a while it was asking about sex toys. :run: Amazon is a stalker.

Quasiquixotic
February 26th, 2016, 10:55 AM
Absolutely beautiful! :crush:!

I love that you have 6 cats. I didn't realize that. I have 8, although most of them were handmedowns. How people do that to cats I'll never quite understand. I love all of the names you have for them. Someday I'll my animals will have names I picked. How did you pick their names?!

No henna or bees for me but I do have a zojirushi water boiler because of you. And teavanna perfect tea Brewer thingie. I shall make some green tea and watch this thread evolve, in your honor.

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 11:07 AM
This is my favourite cat video - read the comments! (Turn down your audio for safety.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSYm1NPHP4

Anje
February 26th, 2016, 11:11 AM
This is my favourite cat video - read the comments! (Turn down your audio for safety.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSYm1NPHP4

LMAO! Wow, yep, that's Siamese voices for you!

I've got 2 Snowshoe-Siamese cats who sound just like that. They don't put up quite that much fuss most of the time, though. However, when I sing.....

Complexity
February 26th, 2016, 11:14 AM
As a newcomer, your hair gives me high hopes for the future :)

I used a fake henna in high school and haven't dyed my hair in almost four years now, but I miss my red dearly.

My question: In your opinion, what's the best henna brand for getting that dark, fiery red and why (consistency, ease of application, price point, etc.)?

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 11:15 AM
lmao! Wow, yep, that's siamese voices for you!

I've got 2 snowshoe-siamese cats who sound just like that. They don't put up quite that much fuss most of the time, though. However, when i sing.....

"Let me sing you the song of my people!"

Quasiquixotic
February 26th, 2016, 11:30 AM
Hypnotica, LOL!! I had a mouthy cat once. She was a tabby, but I sware there was some Siamese in her family tree. Sounded just like that.

Btw, I love that bathroom!!

lapushka
February 26th, 2016, 11:35 AM
This is my favourite cat video - read the comments! (Turn down your audio for safety.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSYm1NPHP4

OMG; the little troublemakers! :lol:

reilly0167
February 26th, 2016, 11:41 AM
Happy anniversary:cheer: thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your awesome advice. Bright Blessings!

reilly0167
February 26th, 2016, 11:44 AM
You are all so wonderful, thank you :grouphug: I am really thrilled to have grown out all the damage, grown out my shed, AND have the color I wanted. It was a decade plus process, but so worth it :)

How are the bees?
The bees (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=119183)are okay and not okay. I checked on them last weekend and I'm 90% sure we lost one of the hives in that last cold snap, but as of last weekend the other was going strong. It's supposed to be really nice this weekend, so I'll check in on them again and see what I can see.


My question: Why do you prefer henna/cassia over a henna gloss? In my mind, the cassia would fade in a few weeks, and you'd be left with henna anyway. Do you re-cassia the length? Does adding the cassia make the root color blend in better? Does the cassia "stick" better in your hair? I can't sort it out in my head. (Plus, henna glosses are a little cheaper.)

I find that I get more of a golden-copper with henna/cassia over a gloss, which seems lackluster in color by comparison and seems to fade more. Because of the more diluted blend I use, it does tend to fade after one application and become colorfast after the second, and stay bright. Glosses, for whatever reason, never seem as bright and coppery on me and lost the golden hues much more than a henna/cassia mud. I only touch up my roots and haven't done a full-length anything in years.


Do you have a lot of hair accessories/hair toys?

Yes, elaborated below :)

And a question: What does Hubby think of your hair (obsession) and hair toy collection?
For the obsession, I don't think he minds. I've turned it into a bit of a science and a side job/hobby and he's the most supportive person ever. He also knows how important my hair is to me and he's the only one that trims it because I trust him to do it whereas I don't trust a salon. For toys, I think he's just happy it's hair toys and not shoes, which take up more space. Up until last year he really didn't know just how much I had, but then we hung my cabidor (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=2959&page=9&p=2998504&#post2998504)and I loaded it up and showed him and he was genuinely shocked at how much I had. It's the byproduct of being here ten years, I suppose :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5LlVLzNme8M/VT_ro0MAwoI/AAAAAAAAM-w/lTUsxRqFvw0/s800/Cabidoor-1.jpg
That is amazing.

meteor
February 26th, 2016, 11:46 AM
Wow, Nightshade! Happy Hairiversary!!! :joy: :cake: 10 years on the LHC! You have such a wonderful presence here and this place wouldn't be the same without you!

I adore your fiery mane! :thudpile: The photos are incredible! Especially the wedding one and that incredible elven braided half-up! :crush:
My question is: what are your favorite daily updo styles and do you have favorite combs or conditioning and detangling products?


Here's the blog entry (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/entry.php?b=124365) for what brickworld is talking about for those not aware :) Not as fast as I'd like, but coming! I'm in the process of reviewing my editor's changes to the Rehabilitating Damaged Hair Book, and I'm continuing to plug away on photoshoots for the henna book. I did a really cool test last weekend with two real Jamila boxes and one henna compound made to look like Jamila, and the results were intriguing. For the novels, those are sadly back-burnered until the non-fiction books are done because I need the novels to be my carrot on a stick or I'll never finish the non-fiction ones first XD

Wow, those books sound amazing! :applause
I'm definitely looking forward to the Rehabilitating Damaged Hair Book! :D

And it's so cool that you have 6 cats! :D I love their pictures and their names! :crush:

missrandie
February 26th, 2016, 11:59 AM
This is my favourite cat video - read the comments! (Turn down your audio for safety.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSYm1NPHP4

Bahahahahahahahahahaha!


Thank goodness my Siamese mix has a squeaky voice!

Imagine one of those cats, half level miaws, on helium. You have Smokey.

Aaaand the cats have hijacked again.

brickworld13
February 26th, 2016, 12:07 PM
Yeah. My part Siamese kitties have helium meow. And they talk. All. The. Time. It's adorable except when it isn't. Like when I have a migraine or its 3am.

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 12:11 PM
Bathtub + ice cubes + cat.

That is usually FUN times for any cat.

And whilst we are on the subject, my friends cat (named Kitteh) thinks bags are the best thing ever. One time I brought friend some sushi - Kitteh adopted the bag right away.

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/12366389_10153118253837890_5714539881292119741_n.j pg?oh=4d3628f08a88ee47ee048597e11510a9&oe=574FF45A

vpatt
February 26th, 2016, 12:15 PM
Thank you for sharing your journey. Your hair is awesome!

MidnightMoon
February 26th, 2016, 12:19 PM
You are all so wonderful, thank you :grouphug: I am really thrilled to have grown out all the damage, grown out my shed, AND have the color I wanted. It was a decade plus process, but so worth it :)

How are the bees?
The bees (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=119183)are okay and not okay. I checked on them last weekend and I'm 90% sure we lost one of the hives in that last cold snap, but as of last weekend the other was going strong. It's supposed to be really nice this weekend, so I'll check in on them again and see what I can see.


My question: Why do you prefer henna/cassia over a henna gloss? In my mind, the cassia would fade in a few weeks, and you'd be left with henna anyway. Do you re-cassia the length? Does adding the cassia make the root color blend in better? Does the cassia "stick" better in your hair? I can't sort it out in my head. (Plus, henna glosses are a little cheaper.)

I find that I get more of a golden-copper with henna/cassia over a gloss, which seems lackluster in color by comparison and seems to fade more. Because of the more diluted blend I use, it does tend to fade after one application and become colorfast after the second, and stay bright. Glosses, for whatever reason, never seem as bright and coppery on me and lost the golden hues much more than a henna/cassia mud. I only touch up my roots and haven't done a full-length anything in years.


Do you have a lot of hair accessories/hair toys?

Yes, elaborated below :)

And a question: What does Hubby think of your hair (obsession) and hair toy collection?
For the obsession, I don't think he minds. I've turned it into a bit of a science and a side job/hobby and he's the most supportive person ever. He also knows how important my hair is to me and he's the only one that trims it because I trust him to do it whereas I don't trust a salon. For toys, I think he's just happy it's hair toys and not shoes, which take up more space. Up until last year he really didn't know just how much I had, but then we hung my cabidor (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=2959&page=9&p=2998504&#post2998504)and I loaded it up and showed him and he was genuinely shocked at how much I had. It's the byproduct of being here ten years, I suppose :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5LlVLzNme8M/VT_ro0MAwoI/AAAAAAAAM-w/lTUsxRqFvw0/s800/Cabidoor-1.jpg

OH...MY...GOD!
That's so impressive and just plain amazing!
I love the idea, and the amount of toys!

Amapola
February 26th, 2016, 12:19 PM
This whole thread is made of awesome.

Congratulations Nightshade! :disco: Your hair is stunning. Your hair journey is fascinating and inspiring!

And of course AWWWW KITTIES... Although your hair toy storage and your hair toy collection are close to stealing the show I think the kitties win. :lol:

My question: if some horrifically cruel person were to take away all your hair toys save one, which one would you choose to keep? And fortunately that horrifically cruel person is totally made up and imaginary, so you really get to keep all of them. :flower:

Groovy Granny
February 26th, 2016, 12:41 PM
Happy Anniversary ~ your journey is inspirational....and your hair is gorgeous! :thud:
What a great idea for your air toy storage; that collection is impressive as well.
Considering what I have accrued in 3 years; your 10 year stash looks about right lol
Enjoy! :flowers:

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 12:55 PM
Congratulations, your hair is beautiful! Thank you for sharing photos! I love your length and your waves!
And what a collection of hairtoys!!

Heh, stay here long enough and the accumulate. And that's just the stuff I've kept. The amount I've had and passed on is huge in its own right.



Oh wow! Your hair is so pretty and fiery! :thud: I'm sometimes jealous of those who can pull it off...

My question is: Have you ever had a cat run away?

Our cats have gotten out, yes, but thankfully have always been recovered. They're all microchipped and if they're out of their enclosure (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=130086) they have radio collars (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WF0LDG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) on :)


Thanks for sharing your photos!

You have a similar hair texture to me...I see you are ii, do you know the circumference of your ponytail?

It's right around 3.25 inches



Absolutely beautiful! :crush:!

I love that you have 6 cats. I didn't realize that. I have 8, although most of them were handmedowns. How people do that to cats I'll never quite understand. I love all of the names you have for them. Someday I'll my animals will have names I picked. How did you pick their names?!

No henna or bees for me but I do have a zojirushi water boiler because of you. And teavanna perfect tea Brewer thingie. I shall make some green tea and watch this thread evolve, in your honor.


My work here is done. I envision a zojirushi water boiler in every home in the world :lol: For the cat's names, almost all of them are drawn from folklore. I'm vehemently against giving animals stupid or demeaning names, because they are sentient creatures and deserve respect in naming. The cats are:

Tsavo- Named after the man eating lions of Tsavo. He's the biggest, sweetest derplord ever without a mean bone in his body.

Zerah- Tsavo's sister, her name means "Rising light" in Aramaic.

Mishka- Means "little bear" in Russian.

Hecate- Named after the dark goddess of the crossroads, it's a wonderful if not somewhat cliche name for a black cat.

Juniper- Our white, deaf cat who was found under a juniper bush.

Fenrir- Bites everything. He also had 8 canine teeth when we adopted him (none of his baby teeth had fallen out yet, but his adult teeth were in). He's also shaggy and graym so he so he was named after the Fenrir wolf in Norse Mythology.



As a newcomer, your hair gives me high hopes for the future

I used a fake henna in high school and haven't dyed my hair in almost four years now, but I miss my red dearly.

My question: In your opinion, what's the best henna brand for getting that dark, fiery red and why (consistency, ease of application, price point, etc.)?

There's a lot of questionable marketing in henna out there and "brands" make it super-confusing. I've gotten better stain from a grocery store Raj henna that Anje sent me for testing than Raj Red (commonly raved about for it's dark red color). In my personal experience, Yemini henna has some insane staining power and that'd be my "final answer" if I had to give one, but any henna with super-high dye content is fine. Dye is so variable by region, crop, how the henna was stored, how it's mixed, how it's released, and how long you leave it on that which henna you get isn't always the most important part of that.


Wow, Nightshade! Happy Hairiversary!!! 10 years on the LHC! You have such a wonderful presence here and this place wouldn't be the same without you!

I adore your fiery mane! :thudpile: The photos are incredible! Especially the wedding one and that incredible elven braided half-up! :crush:
My question is: what are your favorite daily updo styles and do you have favorite combs or conditioning and detangling products?


Wow, those books sound amazing! :applause
I'm definitely looking forward to the Rehabilitating Damaged Hair Book!

And it's so cool that you have 6 cats! I love their pictures and their names! :crush:

Thank you so much

My question is: what are your favorite daily updo styles and do you have favorite combs or conditioning and detangling products?


I'd say 95% of the time I do a lazy wrap bun either with two sticks or a Ficcare. I sleep in a Gibraltar bun with trinity pins. Sometimes I'll do a Romantic Ficcare Updo (I'd have to find the link for you on that one), or an Infinity Fail (the bun with the green leaf fork above), but that's about it. I'm super-boring in this regard.

This is my favorite comb off of Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/transaction/165641276). As for conditioning and detangling products, I use the ones I make myself, but in abiding with the modly rules, that's all I'll say about that ^_^



Thank you for sharing your journey. Your hair is awesome!

You are so welcome, and thank you for the kind words!



OH...MY...GOD!
That's so impressive and just plain amazing!
I love the idea, and the amount of toys!

That cabidor is the single best thing I've ever done with my hair toys. I just adore it!

henné
February 26th, 2016, 01:00 PM
Oh Nightshade! Your hair ... I almost forgot during my long hiatus how gorgeous your hair is ... you make me want to colour my hair again (did the same cassia and henna ratio).

And your cabidor ... :agape: ... that's pretty much all I can say :D

Happy anniversary!

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 01:01 PM
This whole thread is made of awesome.

Congratulations Nightshade! :disco: Your hair is stunning. Your hair journey is fascinating and inspiring!

And of course AWWWW KITTIES... Although your hair toy storage and your hair toy collection are close to stealing the show I think the kitties win. :lol:

My question: if some horrifically cruel person were to take away all your hair toys save one, which one would you choose to keep? And fortunately that horrifically cruel person is totally made up and imaginary, so you really get to keep all of them. :flower:

Oh goodness. That's a hard question :bigeyes:

Actually, no, it isn't. It isn't the most practical toy, but it's the most important one- the custom circlet I had made for my wedding.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGTdN7awxDQ/ViVPmo6PNQI/AAAAAAAAQkM/Q4MCnghHBgo/s512-Ic42/Hair-Side.png




Happy Anniversary ~ your journey is inspirational....and your hair is gorgeous! :thud:
What a great idea for your air toy storage; that collection is impressive as well.
Considering what I have accrued in 3 years; your 10 year stash looks about right lol
Enjoy!

Hhahahahaa, it really does just compile, compile and compile, doesn't it? :lol:


Oh Nightshade! Your hair ... I almost forgot during my long hiatus how gorgeous your hair is ... you make me want to colour my hair again (did the same cassia and henna ratio).

And your cabidor ... :agape: ... that's pretty much all I can say :D

Happy anniversary!


Hahahhahaa everyone needs a cabidor! And it's good to see you around :grouphug:

lillielil
February 26th, 2016, 01:08 PM
Congratulations on 10 years! You are absolutely one of my hair-idols here, and a great inspiration.

Groovy Granny
February 26th, 2016, 01:20 PM
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGTdN7awxDQ/ViVPmo6PNQI/AAAAAAAAQkM/Q4MCnghHBgo/s512-Ic42/Hair-Side.png
:

:agape: gorgeous :thud:

Gosh....you write books too?!

I can't see your blog (no permission) :hmm:

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 01:29 PM
:agape: gorgeous :thud:

Gosh....you write books too?!

I can't see your blog (no permission) :hmm:

I've sent you a friend request. You should be able to see my blog after you accept :)

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 01:30 PM
Congratulations on 10 years! You are absolutely one of my hair-idols here, and a great inspiration.

Thank you so much :grouphug: It really doesn't feel like 10 years :ponder:

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 01:31 PM
Thank you so much :grouphug: It really doesn't feel like 10 years :ponder:

I just celebrate 8 years with my company. Don't know how that happened!

meteor
February 26th, 2016, 01:33 PM
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGTdN7awxDQ/ViVPmo6PNQI/AAAAAAAAQkM/Q4MCnghHBgo/s512-Ic42/Hair-Side.png

^ That photo is out of this world beautiful! Those colors of the autumn leaves and your hair are like magic! :crush:


Thank you so much

My question is: what are your favorite daily updo styles and do you have favorite combs or conditioning and detangling products?


I'd say 95% of the time I do a lazy wrap bun either with two sticks or a Ficcare. I sleep in a Gibraltar bun with trinity pins. Sometimes I'll do a Romantic Ficcare Updo (I'd have to find the link for you on that one), or an Infinity Fail (the bun with the green leaf fork above), but that's about it. I'm super-boring in this regard.

This is my favorite comb off of Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/transaction/165641276). As for conditioning and detangling products, I use the ones I make myself, but in abiding with the modly rules, that's all I'll say about that ^_^

Thanks a lot, Nightshade! :flowers: He-he, I can't believe I didn't put 2 and 2 together to realize that you use your own conditioning products! :doh: I can be slow! :lol: Your Panacea winter salve absolutely rocked and I'm sure all other products are excellent, too!

(Sorry, the link to the comb didn't work for me :oops: )

Thank you for the updo ideas! It's funny you called that bun Infinity Fail, I think it looks outstanding! I bit like horizontal Helix bun. :D
(By the way, if the traditional Infinity Bun doesn't work, L-Infinity Bun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fzn4gNWIVQ) might ;) )
I'd love to know what that Ficcare Updo is :), is that the one by Hypnotica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzPmoGXCR4c)? :)

morrigan*
February 26th, 2016, 01:37 PM
Your journey is so inspirational, and of course always i see your photos i want to bite the henna bullet, but every time i chicken out to do anything more than a gloss, but after few years here and not dying it, i still want dark copper hair :D

Beautiful cats, they are adorable :D

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 01:50 PM
I just celebrate 8 years with my company. Don't know how that happened!

Right? I've been at my day job going on 15 years so I know that feel @_@



^ That photo is out of this world beautiful! Those colors of the autumn leaves and your hair are like magic! :crush:

Thanks a lot, Nightshade! He-he, I can't believe I didn't put 2 and 2 together to realize that you use your own conditioning products! I can be slow! Your Panacea winter salve absolutely rocked and I'm sure all other products are excellent, too!

(Sorry, the link to the comb didn't work for me )

Thank you for the updo ideas! It's funny you called that bun Infinity Fail, I think it looks outstanding! I bit like horizontal Helix bun.
(By the way, if the traditional Infinity Bun doesn't work, L-Infinity Bun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fzn4gNWIVQ) might )
I'd love to know what that Ficcare Updo is, is that the one by Hypnotica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzPmoGXCR4c)?

We were super, super lucky on our wedding day! It was mid-October, but it was 72 and partially sunny. The next morning when we work up it was 40 and pouring.

The comb is from this shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/epstone), but they don't have any in stock. It looks like this, though ^_^

https://img0.etsystatic.com/041/0/5915545/il_570xN.531886816_65l2.jpg

Kind of? It's this one specifically:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bvPszl06PzA/UcHzIxuwpjI/AAAAAAAAFAg/Hff1I-8tdpA/s512-Ic42/Step-1.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ifO8U5QmS2s/UcHzI4dYMcI/AAAAAAAAFAo/SIOoXRAAdXM/s512-Ic42/Step-2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89W_V6XPEbY/UcHzI7o7XjI/AAAAAAAAFAs/IOIRtwPhWQw/s512-Ic42/Step-3.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YG_P4IWGzqc/UcHzJUVbjmI/AAAAAAAAFA0/brZoK4Mjlx8/s512-Ic42/Step-4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gDrIQiDKd7s/UcHzJ2ed5rI/AAAAAAAAFBE/s9nJlMubwb8/s512-Ic42/Step-5.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jpmbr2JsVqk/UcHzJr0gKmI/AAAAAAAAFA8/4--k5draeFI/s512-Ic42/Step-6.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HxOe56sFPFA/UcHzJ6UJfhI/AAAAAAAAFBI/apA5yM_RNPE/s512-Ic42/Step-7.jpg

and another other example of it:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VLUb_-d9pI/UyMvMlfR5GI/AAAAAAAAGtI/sT-h6NcVU88/s512-Ic42/Amethyst-Ficcare-2.jpg




Your journey is so inspirational, and of course always i see your photos i want to bite the henna bullet, but every time i chicken out to do anything more than a gloss, but after few years here and not dying it, i still want dark copper hair

Beautiful cats, they are adorable


Hahahahaha the henna bug will get you one day... one day my pretty >:]

meteor
February 26th, 2016, 01:56 PM
^ Thanks a lot, Nightshade! :flowers: Thanks a bunch for the pictorial! It's crystal-clear! :D
That's a really stunning updo and such a gorgeous comb! :applause

Hypnotica
February 26th, 2016, 02:26 PM
Ohh, I had almost forgotten about that updo. It is much prettier on hair with some wave/curl to it.

http://s5.postimg.org/dj7p2nh5j/tmp_16659_2016_02_26_22_23_04_152978164.jpg

I shall call this "The Exploding Ficcare Updo".

hypersensitive
February 26th, 2016, 02:33 PM
Congrats nightshade!! I enjoyed seeing your history and your pictures! 10 years is a long time!

lapis_lazuli
February 26th, 2016, 02:34 PM
So beautiful, Nightshade! I love your waves and colour :crush: Happy anniversary!!!

hobbitlocks
February 26th, 2016, 02:47 PM
Wow -- your hair is so beautiful! It's very inspiring to see your work and patience pay off. Your hair is such a lovely color - I'm wondering what your natural hair color is?

Nightshade
February 26th, 2016, 03:14 PM
^ Thanks a lot, Nightshade! :flowers: Thanks a bunch for the pictorial! It's crystal-clear! :D
That's a really stunning updo and such a gorgeous comb! :applause

Yay! I'm glad it was clear without me typing instructions :)



Ohh, I had almost forgotten about that updo. It is much prettier on hair with some wave/curl to it.

http://s5.postimg.org/dj7p2nh5j/tmp_16659_2016_02_26_22_23_04_152978164.jpg

I shall call this "The Exploding Ficcare Updo".

Hhahahahahaha I love the name!




Congrats nightshade!! I enjoyed seeing your history and your pictures! 10 years is a long time!

Thank you so much! And it's really strange to think that when I first found this place I was still in college!



So beautiful, Nightshade! I love your waves and colour :crush: Happy anniversary!!!

You're so sweet :inlove:



Wow -- your hair is so beautiful! It's very inspiring to see your work and patience pay off. Your hair is such a lovely color - I'm wondering what your natural hair color is?

Keep in mind I've been coloring my hair since I was 11. So, no laughing, I have to go back pretty far for natural pictures (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-btSkraq3XCk/VO_ztUVCN7I/AAAAAAAALyo/JcNkqmLlfvk/s449-Ic42/Neice%252520pic.jpg).

HeartofHaleth
February 26th, 2016, 03:33 PM
Congratulations! What a gorgeous mane! :thudpile: I haven't been here long, but you're definitely one of my hair idols! Your hair actually seems quite similar to mine...I was wondering if henna changed your waves at all.

endersworld
February 26th, 2016, 03:47 PM
Your hair is so beautiful, and has such a great texture!! I wish there was a way to get mine that shade of red - it looks absolutely gorgeous on you.

neko_kawaii
February 26th, 2016, 03:51 PM
Why do you have my favorite collection of toys and clothes, and my favorite hair color? Were we separated at birth?

Groovy Granny
February 26th, 2016, 03:59 PM
I've sent you a friend request. You should be able to see my blog after you accept :)




We were super, super lucky on our wedding day! It was mid-October, but it was 72 and partially sunny. The next morning when we work up it was 40 and pouring.

The comb is from this shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/epstone), but they don't have any in stock. It looks like this, though ^_^

]

Thank you :flowers:
Your blog is very interesting; bookmarked for later reading :thumbsup:

We had an October wedding too...back in 1973 :o
It had rained earlier in the day and was damp and cool.
The foliage had passed too because of wind and rain :shrug:
But it looks like you had a great day (we did anyway...inside) lol

I love my sandalwood combs...similar to the plain ones on that site.
Purchased on amazon from china shops...found my second at 1/2 the cost.

Yours is beautiful :)

rags
February 26th, 2016, 04:17 PM
Happy Tenth Anniversary, Nightshade!! I thought someone had bumped last years wonderful thread at first. Your hair is as awesome as ever, and that half-up picture with the TT barrette is one of my favorite pictures of your hair - it looks very elvish , which is how I think of you. :)

I remember the celebration when you cut the last of the damage to your hair out - although I never saw it in your pics, I remember how excited you were!

You make me want a cabidor sooooo badly! :p

My question - how are Tsavo's eyes nowdays?

georgia_peach
February 26th, 2016, 04:35 PM
What an awesome thread! From cats to the cabidor to ads for bidets, I'm loving this. Your hair and hair journey are very inspiring, Nightshade. Cheers to you! :toast::blossom:

Don't laugh, but I always imagined that you live in some exotic locale in the tropics or maybe France or Morocco. I formed that idea based on your profile picture where you are sitting on the edge of a pool and then your location (Terre D'Ange). So my question is, where was the profile picture taken? (I will completely understand if you don't want to answer. :) )

RavennaNight
February 26th, 2016, 04:38 PM
Whoops, missed brickworld!

How do you live with so many cats? (I know I asked you that yesterday anyway, but I think it would be interesting for everybody.) I thought 3 kitties was a death trap, but you have 6.

They run the place, we just live there :lol: Honestly they're pretty easy. We have three older cats (14, 14, and 15 years old) and they're low-key for the most part. The Bengals are 6 going on 7, and Fenrir is 5. Everyone is meal-fed three times a day (otherwise the old crones wouldn't get to eat and Fenrir would be 1,600 pounds), and each cat gets fed in a different room. We pick up dishes and everyone runs to their rooms. DH and I alternate litterboxes by month, dump them all and scrub them at the end of every month and then the next person takes over scooping.

That said, they are part of the family, not pets. They always want to be doing whatever we're doing, which means sometimes my life does feel a little like this:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_PgEg20-MT4/U9et8dG26ZI/AAAAAAAAIps/Gsu6J5NYKcY/s512-Ic42/20140728_143005.jpg


Oh and another. How are those books coming along?

Here's the blog entry (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/entry.php?b=124365) for what brickworld is talking about for those not aware :) Not as fast as I'd like, but coming! I'm in the process of reviewing my editor's changes to the Rehabilitating Damaged Hair Book, and I'm continuing to plug away on photoshoots for the henna book. I did a really cool test last weekend with two real Jamila boxes and one henna compound made to look like Jamila, and the results were intriguing. For the novels, those are sadly back-burnered until the non-fiction books are done because I need the novels to be my carrot on a stick or I'll never finish the non-fiction ones first XD

The bad henna!!!!! :bounce:

Congratulations on your 10 year Hairyversary! You're incredibly talented and have awesome hair. My question is how do you manage your time? You clearly have some badass time management skills, I'd love to hear how you do it.

cathair
February 26th, 2016, 05:02 PM
Happy hairiversary! :cake: Came here for hair, but how your thread keeps getting de-railed by cats. Enjoying the stories :)

fišrildi
February 26th, 2016, 05:16 PM
As an aside, I adore your signature. I can't tell you how long I've spent in Froud's books :)

Thank you! :flowers:

Yes, his books are pieces of art. Everything he does, really. The whole Froud family is amazing. His wife Wendy makes wonderful puppets/scultpures (look at this! (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f3/11/21/f31121e3635234babed0b6119987f396.jpg)), and his son is the baby in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. (Ok, fišrildi stop derailing now! What can I say, you’ve got a great taste! I’m always excited when I meet a fan of his works (and Alan Lee’s).

Hmmm, question time! If you were born again and could magically choose any kind of hair, colour, thickness, length and texture (choosing your own hair won’t do!), what would it be? And also, what would be your name in the LHC from a parallel universe (again, choosing your current username won’t do!). Imagine: there is no symbol limit, and no restrictions :eyebrows:

embee
February 26th, 2016, 05:23 PM
How can it be 10 years? Time flies! Congrats, Nightshade. :) Beautiful hair, beautiful garden, beautiful cats.

I second Rag's request: How are Tsavo's eyes?

Kimberly
February 26th, 2016, 05:27 PM
Happy anniversary, Nightshade! Your hair keeps getting more beautiful. And when I think about why LHC is a kind and wonderful corner of the Internet, I always think of you.

mira-chan
February 26th, 2016, 07:21 PM
10 years flew by fast.

My question: What is the estimated volume of insects and other critters that Fenrir has eaten in the past year?

EdG
February 26th, 2016, 08:43 PM
Happy ten years, Nightshade! :)
Ed

MandyBeth
February 26th, 2016, 09:06 PM
Happy anniversary!

Erm, was that kitty video loud? We have 13 Slinkies and well, yeah.

Victor is requesting a picture of the lovely Miss Juniper if you wouldn't mind.

diddiedaisy
February 26th, 2016, 10:53 PM
Congratulations :flowers:

Your hair is so pretty, and I'm sure you are an inspiration to many who are trying to grow their hair through a variety of problems.

Duchess Fuzzy Buns
February 26th, 2016, 11:50 PM
Wow a whole decade at LHC, happy anniversary Nightshade! You have lovely forest elf hair. :beerchug:

Juanita
February 26th, 2016, 11:51 PM
Wow happy 10th anniversary. Lovely to see you journey all together.e

Your cats are cute.
Love the Siamese cat video. My chocolate point Siamese is very vocal but only if he thinks I'm too slow with his meals and when I arrive home. Hubby says he always knows when I'm going to arrive because Anakin always appears from wherever he has been asleep to greet me and tell me he's missed me.

Wow I'll have to think about doing a hair journey for ill have been here ten years next January.

Ellethwyn
February 27th, 2016, 12:11 AM
Congrats! I love the bun evolution pics! :) :thud:Your hair is beautiful!

Daydreamer.
February 27th, 2016, 01:17 AM
Congratulations on your decade here on LHC! That's quite a milestone to achieve!! As for the question part, what are some of your essential henna tips for the best henna experience? Do have any tips for cooling down the orangey/red tones of henna? Any tips for henndigo for black hair?

Mimha
February 27th, 2016, 04:18 AM
Oh Nightshade, you have the absolute aerial gorgeous magic FAIRY HAIR !! :bigeyes: :thud:

... and congratulation on your 10th annivhairsary !! :cheer: :cheer:

lapushka
February 27th, 2016, 04:42 AM
Forgot to ask a Q, didn't I? :lol:

I was curious, do you still bleach your hair with sun-in or by using bleach baths, for instance, to keep your henna light? Or is it do-able through root touch ups only? Just to see if you still use bleach in any way shape or form. Just... curious. ;)

reilly0167
February 27th, 2016, 10:19 AM
Oh goodness. That's a hard question :bigeyes:

Actually, no, it isn't. It isn't the most practical toy, but it's the most important one- the custom circlet I had made for my wedding.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGTdN7awxDQ/ViVPmo6PNQI/AAAAAAAAQkM/Q4MCnghHBgo/s512-Ic42/Hair-Side.png





Hhahahahaa, it really does just compile, compile and compile, doesn't it? :lol:




Hahahhahaa everyone needs a cabidor! And it's good to see you around :grouphug:
I love the circlet!!!! Do you sell it or similar on your Etsy shop?

Medievalmaniac
February 28th, 2016, 06:32 AM
Congratulations on your hair anniversary! I know many of us have benefitted from your paving the way for so many hair-related goals: dealing with damage while growing out the length; coloring without damage using henna; lightening henna when we went a little too far; making our own hairtoys; transitioning to all-natural haircare products. Your generosity and wisdom have been invaluable here at LHC. Thank you so much for a great ten years, and here is to many, many more! :flower:

Nesoi
February 28th, 2016, 06:53 AM
Congrats and thanks for being so awesome!

Totty
February 28th, 2016, 06:55 AM
Congrats and love the colour and length

Wildcat Diva
February 28th, 2016, 07:23 AM
Much like popular sentiments about character Darryl Dixon on The Walking Dead, if you were to somehow exit from here, Dear Nightshade..."We riot!"

(I hope that made sense, it made sense in my head. Do you still watch the show?)

Congratulations on an amazing decade, though I have only been witness to less than half of it.

Vanilla
February 28th, 2016, 07:25 AM
Congrats! Your journey is so inspiring. :)

brickworld13
February 28th, 2016, 07:28 AM
What's your favorite meal?

What's your favorite book?

What's your favorite game?

I was going to ask your favorite color but I already know that's green. So instead, what's your favorite hobby?

Silverbleed
February 28th, 2016, 07:46 AM
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story :D

lithostoic
February 28th, 2016, 11:19 AM
Lovely! Growing out dye is grueling indeed :/

hanne jensen
February 28th, 2016, 11:30 AM
Congratulations on your anniversary!

How are your cats doing? How is your kitty that was operated for eye problems doing?

maskedrose
February 28th, 2016, 05:52 PM
Congratulations on 10 years! You truly have been an inspiration through all of the nearly 9 years I've been here - in the realms of hair, life, love and art particularly. Through college angst and relationship issues, your wisdom, advice, and humor have always been very much appreciated. I lurk far, far more than I post now, but I always love following your latest DIY projects and animal stories. Plus, your hair is gorgeous and so similar in texture and thickness to my own that you've always been one of my biggest hair idols. Here's to many more years to come! :bottomsup:

andrea1982
February 28th, 2016, 06:32 PM
Happy anniversary! You are an icon here!

Nightshade
February 29th, 2016, 08:50 AM
Oh goodness, this is what happens when I don't check in on the weekends! We were making maple syrup from our trees and I got tied up doing that. ^_^

Thank you everyone for your sweet comments and kind words. It means so much to hear that my journey, frustrating as it was a times, gives other people encouragement :)

If I quoted every comment we'd be here all week, so I'll just answer the questions


Why do you have my favorite collection of toys and clothes, and my favorite hair color? Were we separated at birth?

I think so. You're the alternate reality where I have kids and my assurance that you can still be cool with kids!




Happy Tenth Anniversary, Nightshade!! I thought someone had bumped last years wonderful thread at first. Your hair is as awesome as ever, and that half-up picture with the TT barrette is one of my favorite pictures of your hair - it looks very elvish , which is how I think of you.

I remember the celebration when you cut the last of the damage to your hair out - although I never saw it in your pics, I remember how excited you were! You make me want a cabidor sooooo badly! My question - how are Tsavo's eyes nowdays?


How can it be 10 years? Time flies! Congrats, Nightshade. Beautiful hair, beautiful garden, beautiful cats. I second Rag's request: How are Tsavo's eyes?


Congratulations on your anniversary! How are your cats doing? How is your kitty that was operated for eye problems doing?

For those not aware of who Tsavo is, he's one of our Bengals who was born with birth-defect cataracts that left him nearly entirely blind. You can read about his progress and eventual surgery here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=22223).

His eyes are doing great! Sometimes he experiences some swelling that pulls them in slightly different directions, and he looks a little derpy-eyed:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3wuoo9Hs0zk/T9eLtrGHJnI/AAAAAAAACus/I87d5u7_l6k/s640-Ic42/002.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YszIigXNHGk/T9eLuPGT8MI/AAAAAAAACu4/1DVYxNoFLUk/s640-Ic42/004.JPG

This however doesn't seem to bother him at all or cause him any trouble. He's just his big, sweet, derpy self:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pyVld8PzSlM/Ue1KXG6Q0NI/AAAAAAAAIj8/qLQq--tRpGQ/s640-Ic42/Tsavo-House-5.jpg





What an awesome thread! From cats to the cabidor to ads for bidets, I'm loving this. Your hair and hair journey are very inspiring, Nightshade. Cheers to you! :toast::blossom:

Don't laugh, but I always imagined that you live in some exotic locale in the tropics or maybe France or Morocco. I formed that idea based on your profile picture where you are sitting on the edge of a pool and then your location (Terre D'Ange). So my question is, where was the profile picture taken? (I will completely understand if you don't want to answer. )

Hahahah France is a common one. Terre D'Ange is a place in one of my favorite books, Kushiel's Dart. I live in the much less exciting location of Minnesota, which is actually where that photograph was taken. That picture was actually taken before I had the trial run of my hair done for my wedding. The salon I went to shares a building with Nina's Cafe (http://cafeapolis.com/2007/ninas-cafe/) and a few other businesses. On the bottom floor of the (very old, very awesome building that used to be a brothel (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/09/6e/f1/096ef14d1b9e672776036c84ee3306b6.jpg)), was a watering trough for horses. Which is what I'm sitting on the edge of



The bad henna!!!!! :bounce:

Congratulations on your 10 year Hairyversary! You're incredibly talented and have awesome hair. My question is how do you manage your time? You clearly have some badass time management skills, I'd love to hear how you do it.

Dudeeeeeeeee! I actually FINALLY tested and shot all the pictures for that last weekend for inclusion in the henna book. So maybe my time management skills aren't THAT awesome XD

But more to your question, yes I do a LOT. I wish I could tell you that there's some magic, but I think it's a few things:

1. I have a sleep disorder, Delayed Phase Sleep (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder). This, in part, means I keep strange hours and I'm often up doing things when most people are sleeping.

2. I'm too stubborn for my own good. I burn out pretty badly at least once a year, but I do get a ton done.

3. I have learned to differentiate hurdles from walls. A lot of people give up because there's a hurdle. I really try to make sure I can't give myself too many excuses not to get something done. Hurdles can be gotten over, but it's important to also recognize a wall when you come across one.

4. Other things get cut. I don't do a lot of normal (probably healthy) human things. I don't socialize much (at all). I see my best friend who lives two hours away 4-6 times a year, but otherwise it's just me and DH and the cats. I don't watch TV/Netflix/etc. except but very rarely and only if I'm doing it while my hands are busy doing something else. We rarely travel, go on weekend trips, just go out shopping on weekends. It's just a choice in priorities, I guess. :]



Thank you!

Yes, his books are pieces of art. Everything he does, really. The whole Froud family is amazing. His wife Wendy makes wonderful puppets/scultpures (look at this! (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f3/11/21/f31121e3635234babed0b6119987f396.jpg)), and his son is the baby in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. (Ok, fišrildi stop derailing now! What can I say, you’ve got a great taste! I’m always excited when I meet a fan of his works (and Alan Lee’s).

Hmmm, question time! If you were born again and could magically choose any kind of hair, colour, thickness, length and texture (choosing your own hair won’t do!), what would it be? And also, what would be your name in the LHC from a parallel universe (again, choosing your current username won’t do!). Imagine: there is no symbol limit, and no restrictions :eyebrows:

Oh, I'd want the hair I've coveted since I was a child. Lady Amalthea's from The Last Unicorn.

Herm.. name is much, much harder. Something in elvish, I'm sure, but that take a lot of figuring out ^_^


https://pp.vk.me/c625216/v625216588/3d913/QrKzNhM6wA0.jpg

If it could make the sound hers does when moonlight hits it, that'd be nice, too!



10 years flew by fast. My question: What is the estimated volume of insects and other critters that Fenrir has eaten in the past year?

Oh lord. At least his own body weight. Yick.



Happy anniversary! Erm, was that kitty video loud? We have 13 Slinkies and well, yeah. Victor is requesting a picture of the lovely Miss Juniper if you wouldn't mind.

As Victor wishes!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eMcp3tPLohc/TcfrtIs4KjI/AAAAAAAABgk/j_w57hJbFgo/s912-Ic42/Juniper%252520Sleeping.jpg




Congratulations on your decade here on LHC! That's quite a milestone to achieve!! As for the question part, what are some of your essential henna tips for the best henna experience? Do have any tips for cooling down the orangey/red tones of henna? Any tips for henndigo for black hair?

I've been tinkering on that, actually, but will probably have a better answer for you in a few weeks. So far adding alma and indigo to Step 1 before going straight indigo for Step 2 seems to work the best.

Nightshade
February 29th, 2016, 08:50 AM
and part 2 (because I actually broke the character limit on the first one!)

Forgot to ask a Q, didn't I? :lol: I was curious, do you still bleach your hair with sun-in or by using bleach baths, for instance, to keep your henna light? Or is it do-able through root touch ups only? Just to see if you still use bleach in any way shape or form. Just... curious. ;)

I do! Though I haven't in a year or two, I tend to Sun-In the underside of my hair once every year or two because it never is as bright and since I wear my hair up all the time I don't like it looking so dark and brownish where it pulls up from the nape of my neck.



I love the circlet!!!! Do you sell it or similar on your Etsy shop?

I bought it on Etsy from the wonderful and talented ElnaraNiall (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElnaraNiall). It was a custom piece, with her taking off the flowers normally in the design and using peridots so it'd match the color of the demantoid garnet in my ring.



Much like popular sentiments about character Darryl Dixon on The Walking Dead, if you were to somehow exit from here, Dear Nightshade..."We riot!"

(I hope that made sense, it made sense in my head. Do you still watch the show?)

Congratulations on an amazing decade, though I have only been witness to less than half of it.

I haven't watched it since the end of Season 2, but I do occasionally watch over DH's shoulder enough to keep up on what's going on and make sure Darryl isn't dead.



What's your favorite meal?

What's your favorite book?

What's your favorite game?

I was going to ask your favorite color but I already know that's green. So instead, what's your favorite hobby?


Meal... uhm, probably this fantastic sushi and sashimi plate I get when DH and I go out for dinner. It's amazing.

Book. Okay now that's like asking to pick your favorite child. I'd call it a toss up between the Kushiel's Dart (https://www.goodreads.com/series/83135-kushiel-s-universe) series by Jacqueline Caery and the Sevenwaters (https://www.goodreads.com/series/44771-sevenwaters)series by Juliet Marillier.

Game... That's also hard, but I'll toss out the Thief series, Skyrim, the newest Tomb Raider series, and Dungeon Keeper 2 (which I failed a college class on account of).

Favorite hobby isn't much easier XD But if I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad to pick one, writing :)

nakima
February 29th, 2016, 01:11 PM
very pretty,love your hair color,curls and length. congrats on your journey!

earthybee
February 29th, 2016, 01:14 PM
What a nice post! I love your journey, your beautiful hair. Your cats oh my goodness! Such an inspiring post Nightshade happy growing :love:

Skade
February 29th, 2016, 01:23 PM
Happy anniversary Nightshade! :cake: I loved to read your hairstory, just as much as I love your etsy store. :) Your hair looks so beautiful!

reilly0167
February 29th, 2016, 03:10 PM
and part 2 (because I actually broke the character limit on the first one!)


I do! Though I haven't in a year or two, I tend to Sun-In the underside of my hair once every year or two because it never is as bright and since I wear my hair up all the time I don't like it looking so dark and brownish where it pulls up from the nape of my neck.




I bought it on Etsy from the wonderful and talented ElnaraNiall (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElnaraNiall). It was a custom piece, with her taking off the flowers normally in the design and using peridots so it'd match the color of the demantoid garnet in my ring.




I haven't watched it since the end of Season 2, but I do occasionally watch over DH's shoulder enough to keep up on what's going on and make sure Darryl isn't dead.





Meal... uhm, probably this fantastic sushi and sashimi plate I get when DH and I go out for dinner. It's amazing.

Book. Okay now that's like asking to pick your favorite child. I'd call it a toss up between the Kushiel's Dart (https://www.goodreads.com/series/83135-kushiel-s-universe) series by Jacqueline Caery and the Sevenwaters (https://www.goodreads.com/series/44771-sevenwaters)series by Juliet Marillier.

Game... That's also hard, but I'll toss out the Thief series, Skyrim, the newest Tomb Raider series, and Dungeon Keeper 2 (which I failed a college class on account of).

Favorite hobby isn't much easier XD But if I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad to pick one, writing :)

It is so lovely, will definitely look into her/his shop. I want to get one for hand fasting ceremony. Thank you for taking the time to respond and referring me the etsy seller.

Nightshade
February 29th, 2016, 03:20 PM
very pretty,love your hair color,curls and length. congrats on your journey!


What a nice post! I love your journey, your beautiful hair. Your cats oh my goodness! Such an inspiring post Nightshade happy growing :love:


Happy anniversary Nightshade! :cake: I loved to read your hairstory, just as much as I love your etsy store. :) Your hair looks so beautiful!

You are all so kind :grouphug: Thank you so much!



It is so lovely, will definitely look into her/his shop. I want to get one for hand fasting ceremony. Thank you for taking the time to respond and referring me the etsy seller.

Her :) I worked with her before she was on Etsy, so you could also check out her website (http://www.medievalbridalfashions.com/about.htm) and contact her through there!

reilly0167
February 29th, 2016, 03:30 PM
You are all so kind :grouphug: Thank you so much!




Her :) I worked with her before she was on Etsy, so you could also check out her website (http://www.medievalbridalfashions.com/about.htm) and contact her through there!
Awesome! :heart:

georgia_peach
February 29th, 2016, 05:13 PM
Wow, Minnesota! Thanks for the awesome links and for taking the time to answer everyone's questions.

papayatree
February 29th, 2016, 05:22 PM
Happy 10th anniversary on this fabulous site Nightshade!

Nenwing
February 29th, 2016, 07:38 PM
Happy 10th Anniversary!! :D I love reading your blog and learning some neat things via all the neat stuff you do! You have such wonderful hair, and a fantastic sense of interior decor!

Maelyssa
February 29th, 2016, 07:54 PM
Wow Happiest 10th dear! You've made such amazing progress over this time and have been soo gracious to share your wisdom with us all.

That said, here's a few questions for you...

First is hair related...
I know you condition with your own products. After you wash do use salve, oil or both on damp hair? Or perhaps you only use them on dry.

What's your favorite hemline shape and is it different than what you personally use?

So whatever happened to that LOTR tattoo you were planning on?

I believe you once mentioned full makeup for work...do you recommend any brands or colors particular eyes and lips? Sidenote...in one of your pics I see you also use the Burt's lip tints. Me too....right now that's my go to for lip color though I would like something a bit more durable.

Have you ever tried any of the oils by For Strange Women? I'm so considering the Moss and Ivy one...er..I think that's the scent but don't hold me to it.

Finally, for now because you know I'll come up with a million questions...my laptop is finally on its way to me and I'd like to get into one or two great games. What do you suggest?

Starbunny
February 29th, 2016, 08:51 PM
Happy tenth!! :blossom:

maskedrose
February 29th, 2016, 10:16 PM
Book. Okay now that's like asking to pick your favorite child. I'd call it a toss up between the Kushiel's Dart (https://www.goodreads.com/series/83135-kushiel-s-universe) series by Jacqueline Caery and the Sevenwaters (https://www.goodreads.com/series/44771-sevenwaters)series by Juliet Marillier.


I will forever love you for introducing me to these two series!

hanne jensen
March 1st, 2016, 01:41 AM
I'm so glad that Tsavo is doing so well. I've followed the Saga of Tsavo for a few years.

rags
March 1st, 2016, 07:04 AM
I'm so glad that Tsavo is doing so well. I've followed the Saga of Tsavo for a few years.

Same here. I'm so glad to know he's doing so much better! And thanks for the pics, Nightshade!!

Nightshade
March 1st, 2016, 07:58 AM
Wow, Minnesota! Thanks for the awesome links and for taking the time to answer everyone's questions.


Happy 10th anniversary on this fabulous site Nightshade!


Happy 10th Anniversary!! :D I love reading your blog and learning some neat things via all the neat stuff you do! You have such wonderful hair, and a fantastic sense of interior decor!


Happy tenth!! :blossom:

You are all so sweet :inlove: :grouphug:



Wow Happiest 10th dear! You've made such amazing progress over this time and have been soo gracious to share your wisdom with us all.

That said, here's a few questions for you...

First is hair related...
I know you condition with your own products. After you wash do use salve, oil or both on damp hair? Or perhaps you only use them on dry.

Only salve and only on damp hair after a shower. I generally prefer salve to oils, but when I do use oils they tend to be the more scalp-centric ones when I get winter itchies.


What's your favorite hemline shape and is it different than what you personally use?

My favorite hemline is actually a V-shape with thick, wavy hair, but I don't have the thickness to pull it off, so U it is.


So whatever happened to that LOTR tattoo you were planning on?

It got shelved as it stopped calling to me :)


I believe you once mentioned full makeup for work...do you recommend any brands or colors particular eyes and lips? Sidenote...in one of your pics I see you also use the Burt's lip tints. Me too....right now that's my go to for lip color though I would like something a bit more durable.

For eyes, I love Miw (in the Egyptian Jewels collection) from Meow Cosmetics. Actually almost all my eye makeup is Meow, as is my foundation (Siamese in whatever the lightest weight is).

For lips I do use Burts Bees lip shimmer in Caramel, but before I put that on in the morning I use this lipliner in Chestnut (http://www.sephora.com/aqua-lip-waterproof-lipliner-pencil-P183919) to line and then darken my upper lip and then line the bottom lip, leaving the highlight point naked. Then the lip shimmer on top. This defines the edges more, gives it some depth, and also more staying power.


Have you ever tried any of the oils by For Strange Women? I'm so considering the Moss and Ivy one...er..I think that's the scent but don't hold me to it.

I have! I adore Moss and Ivy for the scent, but for whatever reason the oil makes my skin break out terribly.


Finally, for now because you know I'll come up with a million questions...my laptop is finally on its way to me and I'd like to get into one or two great games. What do you suggest?

Skyrim (get the bundle when it goes on sale on Steam) and Tomb Raider. I don't think you can go wrong with those. Otherwise Witcher 3 is very, very good, too!




I will forever love you for introducing me to these two series!

That makes me so happy! :)



I'm so glad that Tsavo is doing so well. I've followed the Saga of Tsavo for a few years.


Same here. I'm so glad to know he's doing so much better! And thanks for the pics, Nightshade!!

Anytime :D I just try not to spam too many pictures of my cats :lol:

missrandie
March 1st, 2016, 08:32 AM
Happy anniversary!

Erm, was that kitty video loud? We have 13 Slinkies and well, yeah.

Victor is requesting a picture of the lovely Miss Juniper if you wouldn't mind.

I have been reading this wrong since you posted it.. I thought it said you had 13 Stinkies!

Now back to your regular programming...

Maelyssa
March 1st, 2016, 10:39 AM
I will forever love you for introducing me to these two series!

She introduced me to both and I fell so in love with the Sevenwaters series...well all Juliet's writings...that I've given the books as gifts. You will forever love her for it...I promise!

Maelyssa
March 1st, 2016, 11:32 AM
Only salve and only on damp hair after a shower. I generally prefer salve to oils, but when I do use oils they tend to be the more scalp-centric ones when I get winter itchies.

Good to know. I recently tried combining both when damp and got the wet rat look...LOL. And that's because my hair type is more similar to yours...my girls mostly have thick hair that needs taming and loads of moisture...yeah, not me. :D


My favorite hemline is actually a V-shape with thick, wavy hair, but I don't have the thickness to pull it off, so U it is.

I was wondering how that was going for you because I remember you posting an amazing pic in your blog of a V hemline but I've tried to do it on myself and haven't had all the best of luck with the outcome...a bit straggly looking. LOL...go figure!


It got shelved as it stopped calling to me :)

And that's how it should be...it was a cool concept but yeah, I had got one smack dab straight on my chest many moons ago that I doubted after I sat on it awhile but foolish youth had me still go ahead with it. Currently going through the laser process and while I can't say it really hurt so bad...it's been itching like poison oak since day 2.


For eyes, I love Miw (in the Egyptian Jewels collection) from Meow Cosmetics. Actually almost all my eye makeup is Meow, as is my foundation (Siamese in whatever the lightest weight is).

For lips I do use Burts Bees lip shimmer in Caramel, but before I put that on in the morning I use this lipliner in Chestnut (http://www.sephora.com/aqua-lip-waterproof-lipliner-pencil-P183919) to line and then darken my upper lip and then line the bottom lip, leaving the highlight point naked. Then the lip shimmer on top. This defines the edges more, gives it some depth, and also more staying power.

Ironically I rock the Caramel too but I've tried out the Fig and Peony...great tip on the liner with it. So frustrating to lose the color so quick, but it isn't a full on lipstick so you'll have that. And OH MY HEAVENS Meow Cosmetics!!! I've got like 20 things I want to try already. Thank you thank you so much for the reference! With my sensitive plus older skin I'm very picky about what goes on it...was looking around at things like MAC but unsure about spending a good $100 on something that may ruin my skin. Tonight I'm going to grab some shadow samples...and if my girls check out the site I'm going to be in huge trouble...I see a really bad spending habit here. :D :D :D


I have! I adore Moss and Ivy for the scent, but for whatever reason the oil makes my skin break out terribly.

Thanks for the honesty...I ask because I tried one of their lip products which didn't hold up like I wanted it to and again, with the sensitive skin...I don't want to just throw away money on things. Glad you shared you experience. Gives me something to consider myself.


Skyrim (get the bundle when it goes on sale on Steam) and Tomb Raider. I don't think you can go wrong with those. Otherwise Witcher 3 is very, very good, too!

I can't wait until the delivery guy shows up with my laptop. While I would love to say it's a powerful beast like you just got yourself I'll have to wait a year or so for that until I get the house & moving expenses out of the way but my oldest has the same brand & she's doing good with playing League on it. I'm really thinking about trying out Skyrim. I can't wait to finally game after many many many moons of not! Our tastes run so similar that I knew it was worth asking. :) Thank you dear!

Having trouble posting my response...hope this works...silly work computer!

rags
March 1st, 2016, 02:07 PM
She introduced me to both and I fell so in love with the Sevenwaters series...well all Juliet's writings...that I've given the books as gifts. You will forever love her for it...I promise!

I already loved Kushiel's Dart, but she introduced me to the Sevenwaters series too; and now it's a favorite. Thanks, Nightshade!

AdaClare
March 1st, 2016, 02:51 PM
Congrats on 10 years!! :cheer: You're hair looks fantastic - hoping mine eventually gets to that length, too!

My question (apologies if it's already been asked and I missed seeing it): How do you combat frizz, if it's an issue? My hair is 1c/(more likely) 2a, too and gets frizzy pretty often, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

mary*rose
March 1st, 2016, 03:02 PM
Oh goodness. That's a hard question :bigeyes:

Actually, no, it isn't. It isn't the most practical toy, but it's the most important one- the custom circlet I had made for my wedding.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGTdN7awxDQ/ViVPmo6PNQI/AAAAAAAAQkM/Q4MCnghHBgo/s512-Ic42/Hair-Side.png





Hhahahahaa, it really does just compile, compile and compile, doesn't it? :lol:




Hahahhahaa everyone needs a cabidor! And it's good to see you around :grouphug:

Congratulations!

Can we see more wedding pictures?

All the wedding pictures...?

papayatree
March 1st, 2016, 03:10 PM
Ask any question eh? All right, What is the Air speed velocity of a Swallow?

Nightshade
March 1st, 2016, 03:19 PM
I already loved Kushiel's Dart, but she introduced me to the Sevenwaters series too; and now it's a favorite. Thanks, Nightshade!

*beams* I'm going to have to start recommending other books at some point XD



Congrats on 10 years!! :cheer: You're hair looks fantastic - hoping mine eventually gets to that length, too!

My question (apologies if it's already been asked and I missed seeing it): How do you combat frizz, if it's an issue? My hair is 1c/(more likely) 2a, too and gets frizzy pretty often, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

I do a lot of updos with damp hair and salve. If I have frizzy hair after that, a little salve or oil smoothed over my palms and then over my hair seems to do the trick.



Congratulations!

Can we see more wedding pictures?

All the wedding pictures...?

XD How about one of the garden we were married in? Though our flowers were all autumn-colored and not purple.

http://studio306.com/weblog/photos/bahai_wedding_minneapolis_13.jpg

More like this (You'll have to sit tight until I can get more actual images from home :) )

http://misssmartyplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SUNKEN3.jpg




Ask any question eh? All right, What is the Air speed velocity of a Swallow?

“What do you mean? African or European swallow?”

or

"Not faster than my cats."

papayatree
March 1st, 2016, 03:24 PM
“What do you mean? African or European swallow?"
I don't know that ;) no but seriously, what has been the biggest impact of this site on your life, not just your hair?

snowbear
March 1st, 2016, 05:08 PM
Wait, back up. It's been ten YEARS?! What?!
(I am seriously having trouble processing this information.)

Maelyssa
March 1st, 2016, 08:31 PM
*beams* I'm going to have to start recommending other books at some point XD




I do a lot of updos with damp hair and salve. If I have frizzy hair after that, a little salve or oil smoothed over my palms and then over my hair seems to do the trick.




XD How about one of the garden we were married in? Though our flowers were all autumn-colored and not purple.

http://studio306.com/weblog/photos/bahai_wedding_minneapolis_13.jpg

More like this (You'll have to sit tight until I can get more actual images from home :) )

http://misssmartyplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SUNKEN3.jpg





“What do you mean? African or European swallow?”

or

"Not faster than my cats."

Your wedding venue...jaw dropping! Absolutely stunning!

Duchess Fuzzy Buns
March 1st, 2016, 09:25 PM
:agape: Oh. My. Gosh. That garden venue is perfection!

brickworld13
March 2nd, 2016, 06:33 AM
What a gorgeous setting for a wedding. Wow. The only thing that would make it more impressive for me would be if it was outside and surrounded by woods and meadows. :thud:

hennalonghair
March 2nd, 2016, 07:07 AM
Congrats on your 10 year anniversary Nightshade.
Your photos are impressive, especially those wedding photos. That venue is just incredibly enchanting.
I love the colour of your hair. It's just the right colour for you. You actually look like your siggie pic.

Nightshade
March 2nd, 2016, 07:47 AM
I don't know that ;) no but seriously, what has been the biggest impact of this site on your life, not just your hair?

I think that't the hardest question I've ever been asked here! I thought about this one overnight and have a tie answer:

- This site, more than anything, has taught me how to communicate with people. I'm an INTJ and more than a little socially dense, so it's taught me how people think and feel and how people expect to be responded to more than I've learned in real life. For example, if someone gives me a problem, I'm very apt to cut to the chase and try giving solutions, but in reality all that person wanted to do was grouse about their day and have someone say, "I'm really sorry, that totally sucks and was unfair." Or at the very least say that and THEN offer solutions.

- It has also taught me that I am not a horrible writer, that the things I write are educational and helpful for people and gave me a lot more confidence in my writing that I might have had otherwise.




Wait, back up. It's been ten YEARS?! What?!
(I am seriously having trouble processing this information.)

Yeah dude, we're old. WTF happened? XD



Your wedding venue...jaw dropping! Absolutely stunning!


:agape: Oh. My. Gosh. That garden venue is perfection!


What a gorgeous setting for a wedding. Wow. The only thing that would make it more impressive for me would be if it was outside and surrounded by woods and meadows. :thud:


Congrats on your 10 year anniversary Nightshade.
Your photos are impressive, especially those wedding photos. That venue is just incredibly enchanting.
I love the colour of your hair. It's just the right colour for you. You actually look like your siggie pic.

Thank you so much! My wedding was actually at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (http://www.comozooconservatory.org/). So there were actually many beautiful gardens outside, too. It was my compromise for "want to get married in a garden" and "the weather here is way too fickle in October for an outdoor wedding."

It was cool because the reception was there, too, and you could go out on the balconies at night and hear the flamingos from the zoo crooning.

eve nightfall
March 2nd, 2016, 01:40 PM
Gratulation on your anniversary! :blossom:

I love your hair and you haircolor (I would have the same but I have a too dark natural haircolor so I had to say goodbye to chemicals to reach classical length).

We share the love for green and everything in this color! Some years ago I bought a camera from sony just because of THAT green and a mobile phone designed by Mandarina Duck (although I don't like such Designer pieces) because of green! I know you would do the same ... I love all your hairtoys with green and have been following the stories (Dragonfly flexi, ficcare mods)

Love your cats! We had 5 but now they are all dead and my parents feel to old for new ones and they hate to lose them. Saying good bye is so hard when you live with them (especially from birth on). My husband is allergic to them, so we can't have them here. But I don't know if I can live without them for the rest of my life.
I did love your bee stories and look foreward to the next season!

My question is more a quest ... Share with us your love for green things and clothes.
I would love to see some pictures of your favorite green items around you :grnbiggri

mary*rose
March 2nd, 2016, 02:19 PM
Oh wow you got married THERE? That looks like a fairy tale!

You're actually a princess and you're just not telling us. I get it.

papayatree
March 2nd, 2016, 02:34 PM
I think that't the hardest question I've ever been asked here! I thought about this one overnight and have a tie answer:

- This site, more than anything, has taught me how to communicate with people. I'm an INTJ and more than a little socially dense, so it's taught me how people think and feel and how people expect to be responded to more than I've learned in real life. For example, if someone gives me a problem, I'm very apt to cut to the chase and try giving solutions, but in reality all that person wanted to do was grouse about their day and have someone say, "I'm really sorry, that totally sucks and was unfair." Or at the very least say that and THEN offer solutions.

- It has also taught me that I am not a horrible writer, that the things I write are educational and helpful for people and gave me a lot more confidence in my writing that I might have had otherwise.

It is amazing what this site does! It is a life changing forum, for good things!

snowbear
March 2nd, 2016, 04:08 PM
Yeah dude, we're old. WTF happened? XD
Well, getting old beats the alternative! :lol:

mira-chan
March 2nd, 2016, 04:48 PM
Well, getting old beats the alternative! :lol:

At just over 11 years here, can I consider myself the undead as the alternative? I look close enough to it most of the time....

goneJackal
March 2nd, 2016, 05:07 PM
What a journey, and such beautiful pictures! http://www.felipesv.com/forum/k_lovea.gif

I'm speechless, and still have to congratulate on the anniversary, the hair, the cats, the wedding...

snowbear
March 2nd, 2016, 05:09 PM
At just over 11 years here, can I consider myself the undead as the alternative? I look close enough to it most of the time....
:rollin::rollin::rollin:

MsPharaohMoan
March 2nd, 2016, 09:45 PM
The dragonfly flexi has a story behind it? Seriously -- such an amazing work of art.

Many warm wishes and congrats, this is such a fun thread! Here's to another ten! :bottomsup:

irodaryne
March 2nd, 2016, 10:00 PM
I love all your hairtoys with green and have been following the stories (Dragonfly flexi, ficcare mods)


The dragonfly flexi has a story behind it? Seriously -- such an amazing work of art.

Okay, I need to ask..... what's the story?

Bill D.
March 2nd, 2016, 10:15 PM
Belated congratulations, Nightshade!

Phalaenopsis
March 3rd, 2016, 12:01 AM
That is just gorgeous, Nightshade! I'm in awe :eek:

eve nightfall
March 3rd, 2016, 03:44 AM
The Flexi was a great Costum order ... With beautiful beads and pearls and a dragonfly that Nightshade painted by herself green. The whole development of this piece was so fascinating and it is one of the most lovey items from flexi I have ever seen!
Perhaps it sounds more than it is for others, but for me it was great to watch and read it!

Nightshade
March 3rd, 2016, 07:50 AM
You are all so wonderful ^_^ This is why I like it so much here!


Gratulation on your anniversary!

I love your hair and you haircolor (I would have the same but I have a too dark natural haircolor so I had to say goodbye to chemicals to reach classical length).

We share the love for green and everything in this color! Some years ago I bought a camera from sony just because of THAT green and a mobile phone designed by Mandarina Duck (although I don't like such Designer pieces) because of green! I know you would do the same ... I love all your hairtoys with green and have been following the stories (Dragonfly flexi, ficcare mods)

Love your cats! We had 5 but now they are all dead and my parents feel to old for new ones and they hate to lose them. Saying good bye is so hard when you live with them (especially from birth on). My husband is allergic to them, so we can't have them here. But I don't know if I can live without them for the rest of my life.
I did love your bee stories and look foreward to the next season!

My question is more a quest ... Share with us your love for green things and clothes.
I would love to see some pictures of your favorite green items around you

Oh goodness, another hard question!

My favorite green clothes are probably:

https://img1.etsystatic.com/053/0/5298684/il_570xN.753720257_70gh.jpg
This skirt (https://img1.etsystatic.com/067/0/5298684/il_570xN.753720253_88dm.jpg)and vest (https://img0.etsystatic.com/067/0/5298684/il_570xN.753600924_j30y.jpg)set from TimajaDesign (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TimjanDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name).

https://img1.etsystatic.com/103/0/5869319/il_570xN.844717217_n6lo.jpg
This dress from WyldSkye (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Wyldeskye?ref=l2-shopheader-name)


https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5270373/il_570xN.342958316.jpg

https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5270373/il_570xN.337698167.jpg


This shirt and this hoodie from Shovava (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Shovava?ref=l2-shopheader-name).

There's lots, lots more. My closet has a ton of green!

For hair toys:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LbLCJVG_I4g/UM0vbA7kOmI/AAAAAAAADlA/esGtx8TpPXU/s576-Ic42/Peridot-Green-Hair-Sticks-1.jpg
I made these from stock sticks and beads from Etsy.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4c6MlBc8myk/U20Y6w4RkAI/AAAAAAAAHWA/JB917_ZNOSY/s576-Ic42/Dragonfly%252520Flexi.jpg
The green dragonfly custom flexi:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vlHYc9hM8M/UrHBgk5D5yI/AAAAAAAAIY8/p6HVfKWvLcg/s799-Ic42/QuattroGreenShilleleigh.jpg
QUattro stick in strange green wood.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iYt4-epJR4/U1Eq7KUbjNI/AAAAAAAAG8o/ZFOaHKDHjgg/s576-Ic42/Infinity-Fail-2s.jpg
This fork from https://www.etsy.com/shop/SiriusHairtoys.

And all my olive green ficcares!



Oh wow you got married THERE? That looks like a fairy tale!

You're actually a princess and you're just not telling us. I get it.

Hahahahaha nah ^_^ I will totally advocate conservatories for weddings. They're beautiful, you don't have to worry about the weather, and it helps you keep the wedding small. The maximum capacity of that site was 50 people.



Well, getting old beats the alternative!


At just over 11 years here, can I consider myself the undead as the alternative? I look close enough to it most of the time....


Oh hell, I thought you meant being a teenager / early 20s again. F-- that sh--. I never want to do that again!



The dragonfly flexi has a story behind it? Seriously -- such an amazing work of art.

Many warm wishes and congrats, this is such a fun thread! Here's to another ten! :bottomsup:


Okay, I need to ask..... what's the story?


The Flexi was a great Custom order ... With beautiful beads and pearls and a dragonfly that Nightshade painted by herself green. The whole development of this piece was so fascinating and it is one of the most lovey items from flexi I have ever seen!
Perhaps it sounds more than it is for others, but for me it was great to watch and read it!

The really short version is that I am very picky and wanted to design my own Flexi. So the kind people there put together a flexi with the components I rounded up, including a dragonfly centerpiece that I painted and sealed myself, and made the 8 part with beads that I sent them, strung in order. I couldn't turn up where I talk about it though.

mira-chan
March 3rd, 2016, 08:01 AM
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5270373/il_570xN.337698167.jpg


This shirt and this hoodie from Shovava (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Shovava?ref=l2-shopheader-name).

Oh hell, I thought you meant being a teenager / early 20s again. F-- that sh--. I never want to do that again!


Now I want that hoodie... but in orange or red...

I wouldn't mind going back to teens or 20's maybe reduce some of the laziness from then. <_<

irodaryne
March 3rd, 2016, 12:32 PM
Oh my goodness, Nightshade, those dresses! That skirt and vest! I love it all.

eve nightfall
March 3rd, 2016, 02:10 PM
Thank you for the pictures, they are great!
I love the clothes and scarfs from shovava! I haven't bought anything yet, but look at the great pieces from time to time.
And I have the feeling we like the same sort of clothes, too! I know some shops here in Vienna and Germany with great things for you!

The story of the flexi has been told in the Flexi8 thread. About page 599 in my view.
Can you tell me where you have found this little silver leaves? You used them in the lovely pair of sticks, too!

akuamoonmaui
March 3rd, 2016, 02:49 PM
Congratulations! I LOVE your color!!

No question. :)

Maelyssa
March 3rd, 2016, 07:29 PM
I think that't the hardest question I've ever been asked here! I thought about this one overnight and have a tie answer:

- This site, more than anything, has taught me how to communicate with people. I'm an INTJ and more than a little socially dense, so it's taught me how people think and feel and how people expect to be responded to more than I've learned in real life. For example, if someone gives me a problem, I'm very apt to cut to the chase and try giving solutions, but in reality all that person wanted to do was grouse about their day and have someone say, "I'm really sorry, that totally sucks and was unfair." Or at the very least say that and THEN offer solutions.

- It has also taught me that I am not a horrible writer, that the things I write are educational and helpful for people and gave me a lot more confidence in my writing that I might have had otherwise.





Yeah dude, we're old. WTF happened? XD










Thank you so much! My wedding was actually at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (http://www.comozooconservatory.org/). So there were actually many beautiful gardens outside, too. It was my compromise for "want to get married in a garden" and "the weather here is way too fickle in October for an outdoor wedding."

It was cool because the reception was there, too, and you could go out on the balconies at night and hear the flamingos from the zoo crooning.

Amazing choice for the event...so gorgeous! You guys definitely started out your marriage at the right place!

Nightshade
March 4th, 2016, 08:07 AM
Thank you for the pictures, they are great!
I love the clothes and scarfs from shovava! I haven't bought anything yet, but look at the great pieces from time to time.
And I have the feeling we like the same sort of clothes, too! I know some shops here in Vienna and Germany with great things for you!

The story of the flexi has been told in the Flexi8 thread. About page 599 in my view.
Can you tell me where you have found this little silver leaves? You used them in the lovely pair of sticks, too!

These ones (http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h201431fx)? :)



Congratulations! I LOVE your color!!

No question. :)

hahahaha, thank you! :)



Amazing choice for the event...so gorgeous! You guys definitely started out your marriage at the right place!

It's actually the most popular wedding venue in the state, so I can't claim uniqueness in that regard. We had to book it over a year in advance, and at that ended up with the wedding on a Sunday rather than a Saturday. We wanted the weekend here with peak color (http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzEyLzEwLzU5L3Zlcm1vbnRfbGFrLmM3YmVmLmpwZw pwCXRodW1iCTk1MHg1MzQjCmUJanBn/cd793e91/6b2/vermont_lake.jpg), so I took a non-ideal day for the idea weekend for fall leaves.

eve nightfall
March 4th, 2016, 11:44 AM
Yes! Thank you! Oh, that shop is dangerous!

Yosha
March 4th, 2016, 12:00 PM
Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary :cheer: Your hair is beautiful! It's so nice to see your long hair journey and to read your stories.

How did you start creating things? Is it something you've always been doing or was it a later discovery?

Nightshade
March 4th, 2016, 01:13 PM
Yes! Thank you! Oh, that shop is dangerous!

Yes, yes it is :bigeyes:



Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary :cheer: Your hair is beautiful! It's so nice to see your long hair journey and to read your stories.

How did you start creating things? Is it something you've always been doing or was it a later discovery?

I've always been really into arts and crafts. I've been making things and drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. The second part to that is that I'm really bad about taking no for an answer, and tend to have this "well, humans have been doing X forever, there's no reason I can't learn it!" I read the instructions, I learn new things, and I go from there. That's how beekeeping was. "I'd like to do beekeeping!" Read a lot, got some hives, ordered some bees :lol:

For more creative things, like writing, it's just allowing yourself to be bad. Everyone is bad before they're good, and once you accept that, you're on your way to not shutting yourself down!

lillielil
March 4th, 2016, 01:15 PM
I already loved Kushiel's Dart, but she introduced me to the Sevenwaters series too; and now it's a favorite. Thanks, Nightshade!

Ditto this!! I asked Nightshade for a book recommendation after recognizing her location tag. Loved the Sevenwaters series, and now I'm making my way through Juliet Marillier's other works. At some point I will circle back for yet another recommendation :)

Yosha
March 5th, 2016, 03:46 AM
I've always been really into arts and crafts. I've been making things and drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. The second part to that is that I'm really bad about taking no for an answer, and tend to have this "well, humans have been doing X forever, there's no reason I can't learn it!" I read the instructions, I learn new things, and I go from there. That's how beekeeping was. "I'd like to do beekeeping!" Read a lot, got some hives, ordered some bees :lol:

For more creative things, like writing, it's just allowing yourself to be bad. Everyone is bad before they're good, and once you accept that, you're on your way to not shutting yourself down!

Thanks for your response! It helps me getting over the gap between the ideas that pop up and actually managing to turn them into something tangible (that resembles the original idea at least somewhat haha!) :D

Of the Fae
March 5th, 2016, 04:21 AM
Nightshade, your amazing hennaed hair is an example to me :) Thanks for sharing and congratulations on a decade of TLHC!!

Maelyssa
March 5th, 2016, 11:35 AM
Alrighty here's a question for you...

So what kind of epic mistakes and hair disasters did you make during your experimentation phase when you first came to this site? We all learn so much here that most of us went head long into 50 different products and 5 methods of doing everything so to speak. What were some products or ingredients you played around with and failed before you stumbled on what works for you?

Maelyssa
March 5th, 2016, 11:37 AM
And wait here's another one...did you always have a green thumb and good luck with plants and gardening or was it something you learned to be handy with?

Maelyssa
March 5th, 2016, 12:15 PM
I'm on a roll...let's make it 3 for good luck. Rotflmao!

Describe your dietary lifestyle. I know you're pretty fresh and healthy but do you do grains/starches/carbs? What kinds? Are you a vegetarian? Maybe that new term locavore? What's a day in the life of Nightshade's nutrition look like...any recipes or meal suggestions you'd like to share?

Ok...done, I promise. :D

Nightshade
March 7th, 2016, 10:18 AM
Nightshade, your amazing hennaed hair is an example to me :) Thanks for sharing and congratulations on a decade of TLHC!!

You're so kind, thank you!



Alrighty here's a question for you...

So what kind of epic mistakes and hair disasters did you make during your experimentation phase when you first came to this site? We all learn so much here that most of us went head long into 50 different products and 5 methods of doing everything so to speak. What were some products or ingredients you played around with and failed before you stumbled on what works for you?

Ha XD Not THAT many, actually. But I had a few:

- learning that an ACV rinse is meant to be diluted into water. I used it straight, and had a tender scalp and dry hair for awhile.

- learning that henna applied over and over darkens, so I had too-dark henna that I then had to embark on lightning. That said, it may have been a blessing in disguise because all that henna was probably the only thing holding my super-damaged hair together at that point.

- lemon juice in henna as the liquid. I did this exactly ONCE, adding just lemon juice to start as H4H and other sites recommend. Dry hair, tender scalp. I switched to chamomile tea after that and never looked back.

Otherwise, super boring XD The only other thing I figured out is no silicone in conditioner because they make my back break out.



And wait here's another one...did you always have a green thumb and good luck with plants and gardening or was it something you learned to be handy with?

A bit of both? I've always had plants, but I've had a ton die on me, too. I think having plants is one of those things like hair, once you figure out that a plant is good at being a plant and learn to leave them alone for the most part, you're fine. Over-watering is the main cause of houseplant death XD



I'm on a roll...let's make it 3 for good luck. Rotflmao!

Describe your dietary lifestyle. I know you're pretty fresh and healthy but do you do grains/starches/carbs? What kinds? Are you a vegetarian? Maybe that new term locavore? What's a day in the life of Nightshade's nutrition look like...any recipes or meal suggestions you'd like to share?

Ok...done, I promise. :D

Oh my XD I'm not sure my diet has a name? Maybe the "eat less processed sh*t diet, easy on the grains, oh and no dairy" diet? And I mean diet in the day to day sense, not the "4 week grapefruit, llama bunghole, and kale fast" diet.

General hard and fast rules: no (or as limited as I can make it) dairy, no artificial sweeteners, nothing with excess / added sugar, not a lot of starches/grains. As many whole foods as is possible and doesn't turn my life into revolving around cooking food.



Grains
I am a big proponent of carbs in the forms of fruits and vegetables, and seed-type grains like quinoa. I will have rice if we go out for sushi, or a corn tortilla when DH makes quesadillas, but there are no sides of starches with meals (so no rice or potatoes). The one exception to this rule is this Risotto with Cashew Cream (http://www.naturallysassy.co.uk/recipes/rissotto-cashew-cream), which is downright flipping amazing.

I don't generally do baked goods (we don't keep bread in the house, and don't do muffins and cookies or anything), but when I do it's something like Thug Kitchen Loaf (http://www.thugkitchen.com/sweet_potato_loaf) with almond flour that's left over from me making almond milk (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=126441).

Meat
Michael Pollan summed up meat as "no legs is better than two legs, is better than four legs" and that tends to be how I eat meat. Mostly fish, a fair amount of chicken, and some red meat. I rarely eat pork, not because of some specific health anything, but just because I don't really care for the taste outside of bacon. When I do have red meat, it's generally in some sort of steak form, either a local grass-fed beef or caribou from a farm that we pass when we travel. Otherwise, my favorite is venison, and I usually buy some off my hunter friends in fall to help cover the cost of their tags.

All that said, I tend to only have meat at dinner, which is the one meal a day I share with my husband. We do have many vegetarian / vegan dinner options, too, so I would say I end up eating meat 3-5 times a week.

Here's one of my favorites, salmon salad:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-smUCSZ4YYeU/VXdI_BdrAkI/AAAAAAAANtU/wB8M2IVPOiw/s720-Ic42/2015-06-09.jpg

Spinach or mixed leaves with a parsley herb vinaigrette dressing (https://wholelifestylenutrition.com/recipes/soups-salads/organic-parsley-herb-vinaigrette-dressing-recipe/), olives, hard boiled eggs, and grilled asparagus (sometimes in the summer we swap out the asparagus for avocados) topped with smoked salmon.


Non-Meat
I eat a LOT of raw vegetables. This was one good thing my mom did when we were younger, there was always, always a plate of cut up raw vegetables on the counter for people to snack on. In the fridge it's very common for us to have 5-6 of these (http://www.rubbermaid.com/en-US/produce-saver)full of spinach, cut broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas and carrots. I'll often get a tub or two of blueberries or something else, and there's always always bananas and apples and usually a bunch of other strange stuff from the produce section in there.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-387g16C9_5Q/U_NWzb3umTI/AAAAAAAAJBU/Tl_cY4nanK8/s512-Ic42/Tea-Cabinet-1.jpg

Beverages
4 L or so of green tea a day in various forms, some almond milk. The end XD I drink alcohol very, very sparingly because I come from a long line of raging alcoholics. I'll have a single cup of sake with sushi or one glass of wine with dinner if we go out to someplace that serves it. All told it's probably sake once a month or so, and 4-5 glasses of wine a year. Oh, and Grandma's Baileys (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=112349) at Christmas because nobody, including me, says no to Grandma (she does make me a special batch with almond milk).

Daily Meals

I have a strange eating schedule that's partially because of my sleep disorder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder). Because my body doesn't want to wake up until noon-ish, I'm not hungry until then. I assume normal humans eat breakfast, but I don't. I get up, go to work, make tea and drink that until lunch.

Lunch, 95% of the time, is either a smoothie, or in the winter, one of these:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UJc--ObLIEA/VMEXwdRNuYI/AAAAAAAALSw/vWF6C2_MeuQ/s720-Ic42/Avocado-3.jpg

Salsa avocados! Halve, take out the middle bit, and slather with chili paste. Then put in the oven on broil on high for 5 minutes. Take out, add cheese (or "cheese" in my case), then salsa. Broil more until salsa is warm, then take out and top with more cheese / "cheese".

Dinner is more or less covered above, but for recipes I really love Deliciously Ella (http://deliciouslyella.com/) and Thug Kitchen (http://www.thugkitchen.com/), but there's a lot of other similar sites out there.

Snacks
I am a chronic grazer. If not for living with my husband I'm not sure how often I'd make a meal-meal. I eat a LOT of homemade almond butter with a spoon:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IGVMgP5VMXs/VNjJcvUP0uI/AAAAAAAALs0/dij2N20WiKo/s720-Ic42/Almond-Butter.jpg

Lots of salads! This one is spinach, turkey, "cheese", strawberries, and blueberries.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gmiIWEUX-CE/UcHogAnJOZI/AAAAAAAAM8w/PyUl55Ztb4k/s640-Ic42/Salad.jpg


I'm in love with this dairy-free yogurt (http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-recipes/cashew-yogurt.php).

My favorite to ways to eat it are either with apples, vanilla, cinnamon and chai seeds on top, or this, which is yogurt, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, chia seeds, and some yacon syrup (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010N6YQ8W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) (which is also what I use to sweeten my almond butter).

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N6_lxbcDvcI/VhQEimy8pPI/AAAAAAAAQFQ/45qSpIGZVlk/s720-Ic42/2015-10-06.jpg


My treat before bed is either a couple matcha truffles (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/entry.php?b=120620), a few squares of Green & Black's 85% Dark chocolate (http://us.greenandblacks.com/our-products/king-bars/dark?p=0865610041), or this matcha chocolate bar (http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/vosges-super-dark-chocolate-candy-bar-matcha-green-tea-spirulina).

Does that help a bit? I'm not sure I was very clear :[

Maelyssa
March 7th, 2016, 11:09 AM
:D You managed to answer about 30 minutes before my lunch time so now I can peruse your post and respond. OMG your poor hair with the straight ACV & the lemon juice only for henna. I can only imagine! You had more success than me on the product experimenting. I back and forth with silicones for some time really until I found your salve and then asked what shampoo and condition you used. First products I've tried, loved and stuck with since then. And heck yes, we cut out all silicones in hair products and my daughters and I cleared up body ache almost overnight! And it's lovely not to have to scrap a coat of goop off the tub before you get in every time because the didn't scrub it out after every bath/shower and you don't want to slip and kill yourself. So grateful for you & both your products & sharing your own favorite stuff. I swear before I started Max Green Alchemy I must have spent hundreds of dollars on failed products.

I love nature, the earth and all things green but growing things has been either an amazing success or epic fail for me. A few V-Day's ago my guy got me this beautiful bamboo which was two pieces that were formed into intertwining hearts. Well, with my current severely drafty home & the weird weather we've had here in Northeast PA killed it and I was devastated. I think because my house became freezing cold then warm then freezing. So this V-Day he got me a bonsai to replace it & I'm sooo afraid of killing the poor thing. I'm doubting my own ability to take good care of it...especially since it's sentimental.

As for the dietary stuff that was an amazing reference. I was very very on point with my own daily diet for about a year then got a job with my mother where they order takeout every single day. She got it in her mind that I had lost too much weight (and yes, I probably have lost more than you weigh at this point but still have 20-30 lbs left to go). That lead to her constantly bringing over all my favorite carby things to the point that eventually I broke down & tried a bite of pizza. Well that had me in such a downward spiral I'm just now getting out of & really could use suggestions & to remind myself how the healthier people live...so meal ideas to get me out of a rut.
And even though she pushes crap food on me, I also grew up with a really big garden that we worked with our father and ate fresh from all the time. We also canned then ate that in the winter. I raise my own kids that way so I've very grateful for my love of fresh fruits & veggies. Now I'm currently battling my love for carbs. So far so good. :D I love the smoked salmon idea & am going to try that one out myself for sure. I love smoked salmon!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Of the Fae
March 7th, 2016, 11:42 AM
Oh that's useful ^^ I love avocados as well! And I think the healthy fats must be good for hair growth :)

Not Lynn Merely
March 9th, 2016, 09:30 PM
*snip*

I love nature, the earth and all things green but growing things has been either an amazing success or epic fail for me. A few V-Day's ago my guy got me this beautiful bamboo which was two pieces that were formed into intertwining hearts. Well, with my current severely drafty home & the weird weather we've had here in Northeast PA killed it and I was devastated. I think because my house became freezing cold then warm then freezing. So this V-Day he got me a bonsai to replace it & I'm sooo afraid of killing the poor thing. I'm doubting my own ability to take good care of it...especially since it's sentimental.

*snip*

What about a terrarium (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JNVBOA?psc=1)? Or a small heating pad to keep under the bonsai?



Happy Anniversary, Nightshade! Even your favorite drink is your favorite color. :grnbiggri

With 4 liters of green tea a day, how does your body handle all the caffeine?
How are your siblings doing?
Are you going to put an indigo streak or two in your hair yet?

Nightshade
March 10th, 2016, 08:01 AM
For what it's worth, bonsai are HARD. I've killed every one I've had. Part of it is that they're meant to be grown outside, something I didn't know until after the last one I killed. They just don't do as well indoors, which is why you see them on patios and stuff.

For the tea, I use loose leaf tea and get ~3 brews out of each batch of leaves. Almost all the caffeine is in the first batch, and I only drink green and white teas, so the total caffeine isn't that much at all :)

My siblings are doing okay, no thanks to my parents. :P My sister is due to have her second kid in June, and DB18 is actually moving out of my parent's house and in with DB21. I think getting out of that house will be the best thing he's ever done.

No indigo streaks XD I worry they'd just keep getting bigger and bigger!

Maelyssa
March 10th, 2016, 11:46 AM
That terrarium is beautiful! Great suggestion!

And Nightshade, oh wow I had no clue they are meant to be outdoors....I really hope I don't murder the poor thing. I seems to be very good at growing things in a garden and keeping fresh cut flowers fresh a long time in a vase...yet somehow keeping live things growing indoors for me seems to be a challenge.

So how about another question...did you guys ever plant the apple trees? Any plans for the yard and gardens this summer you'd care to share?

Nightshade
March 10th, 2016, 12:13 PM
how about another question...did you guys ever plant the apple trees? Any plans for the yard and gardens this summer you'd care to share?

Oh, we did. And the rabbits, despite our protections, at them to the ground this winter :wail:

So we'll be planting more honeycrisps this spring :) Otherwise nothing too fancy garden-wise. I think I might move the raspberries up to the garden area and dedicate a garden box to them.

Otherwise, we lost one of our hives, so I've been researching how to do a split with the remaining hive to reboot the other.

morrigan*
March 10th, 2016, 12:31 PM
Too bad to hear you lost one of your hives. Do you know why ?

We are planning to get bees this year or maybe next year :)

Nightshade
March 10th, 2016, 12:44 PM
I'm not sure exactly why. I think it was just that they were always the weaker hive and it'd get cold, the bees on the outside of the cluster would die, the cluster would become smaller, rinse, repeat until there were simply not enough bees to keep the hive cluster warm.

That's so exciting you're going to get bees! Keep in mind that you normally pick up bees (at least here) in April, I'm sure it's earlier in warmer parts of the world. So I would have your hives ready to go coming right out of winter to then house bees into in the spring. Then they have all year to build up strength.

morrigan*
March 10th, 2016, 03:39 PM
Okay thanks for tip, so it might be next year :D We don't have it ready yet and i doubt we will be in a month.

I don't know if beekeepers in your area do that, but here they split hive in half, so bees can keep it warm easier.

Komao
March 10th, 2016, 04:29 PM
Nightshade, really enjoyed reading about your hair journey & Happy Anniversary! It really
shows that perseverance is key any your hair is so lovely. Loved all the pictures & what a beautiful bride:o

TheHowlingWolf
March 11th, 2016, 12:42 AM
Sorry if this has been asked:

What are some of your favorite body & face products? (eg: lotion, face wash, etc). I ask because I love your hair products, and judging by the ingredients you like more natural products. So do I!
Do you make any of your own products like you do your hair products? Have you ever thought about making (and selling) your own body products?

Daydreamer.
March 11th, 2016, 05:04 AM
I've been tinkering on that, actually, but will probably have a better answer for you in a few weeks. So far adding alma and indigo to Step 1 before going straight indigo for Step 2 seems to work the best.
Thanks for your reply. I'll be sure to keep it in mind. Can't wait to hear more.

Nightshade
March 11th, 2016, 08:00 AM
Sorry if this has been asked:

What are some of your favorite body & face products? (eg: lotion, face wash, etc). I ask because I love your hair products, and judging by the ingredients you like more natural products. So do I!
Do you make any of your own products like you do your hair products? Have you ever thought about making (and selling) your own body products?

Some of my favorites are:

FaceFood (https://www.etsy.com/listing/61589989)by Good4You on Etsy, Andalou Kombucha Cleansing Gel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052P0WGU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00) (I also use their moisturizer), and I also wash my face with honey :)

I do make a lot of my own lotions and face stuff, (I'm in love with the peppermint, lavender, basil beeswax lip balm I make) but I'm not sure I'd ever sell them. Product development takes a long time and there's a lot of other projects in the queue ^_^



Thanks for your reply. I'll be sure to keep it in mind. Can't wait to hear more.

I will be sure to let you know! Remind me if you don't hear anything, I've been horribly absent minded lately :)

young&reckless
March 12th, 2016, 05:36 PM
Your time here has definitely helped so many of us with our path to long hair as well. I owe my courage to trying henna to your articles and have loved every redhead minute since, thanks for helping use all out. :)

Maelyssa
March 12th, 2016, 06:25 PM
Oh, we did. And the rabbits, despite our protections, at them to the ground this winter :wail:

So we'll be planting more honeycrisps this spring :) Otherwise nothing too fancy garden-wise. I think I might move the raspberries up to the garden area and dedicate a garden box to them.

Otherwise, we lost one of our hives, so I've been researching how to do a split with the remaining hive to reboot the other.

Poor poor trees and bees! While bunnies can be cute they can be huge pains in the butt! I do hope both the new saplings and hive work out better this year. Here's hoping for you!

MasCat
March 13th, 2016, 07:00 AM
Ten years! Wowzers! And what a wonderful thread!

Did you make the cabidor yourself or was it bought somewhere? I think it is awesome... One day... one day! :D

Also, give scratchy compliments to your kittens from my three fluffbutts.

Question: what does your scrying henna bowl say today?

Nightshade
March 14th, 2016, 07:37 AM
Your time here has definitely helped so many of us with our path to long hair as well. I owe my courage to trying henna to your articles and have loved every redhead minute since, thanks for helping use all out. :)

You are so welcome! That makes me so happy to hear ^_^



Poor poor trees and bees! While bunnies can be cute they can be huge pains in the butt! I do hope both the new saplings and hive work out better this year. Here's hoping for you!

I hope so too! The pine hive is *really* strong, so we're going to try to split it once it builds up more of a population. Hopefully that'll give us some good, strong bee genes for that hive.



Ten years! Wowzers! And what a wonderful thread!

Did you make the cabidor yourself or was it bought somewhere? I think it is awesome... One day... one day! :D

Also, give scratchy compliments to your kittens from my three fluffbutts.

Question: what does your scrying henna bowl say today?


I did not make the cabidor myself, but ordered it from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OORJT7A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage).

Today the henna bowl says that we should do away with daylight saving's time :lol: I really could have used that extra hour of sleep!

Carolyn
March 14th, 2016, 08:11 AM
Congrats on your 10th year here! I've really enjoyed all your posts but especially love to read about the bees, your gardening, and your decorating. I don't think I've heard you mention doing needle crafts. Do you knit?

Nightshade
March 14th, 2016, 09:11 AM
Congrats on your 10th year here! I've really enjoyed all your posts but especially love to read about the bees, your gardening, and your decorating. I don't think I've heard you mention doing needle crafts. Do you knit?

I do not! I used to, when I was very little and my grandmother taught me, but I don't remember any of it. Sadly, I'm cursed with carsickness if I try to read, so knitting is on my list of things to learn to do so I can have something to occupy my hands on long trips.

There was a fantastic kit (https://www.etsy.com/listing/233350522/diy-knitting-crochet-kits-for-two-of) from Two of Wands on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoOfWandsShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name), so I backed her Fund campaign and got that :) haven't used it yet, because frankly I need another hobby like I need a hole on my head, but I want to learn eventually!

Carolyn
March 14th, 2016, 10:27 AM
I do not! I used to, when I was very little and my grandmother taught me, but I don't remember any of it. Sadly, I'm cursed with carsickness if I try to read, so knitting is on my list of things to learn to do so I can have something to occupy my hands on long trips.

There was a fantastic kit (https://www.etsy.com/listing/233350522/diy-knitting-crochet-kits-for-two-of) from Two of Wands on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoOfWandsShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name), so I backed her Fund campaign and got that :) haven't used it yet, because frankly I need another hobby like I need a hole on my head, but I want to learn eventually!I've always liked your style and color sense. There are so many lovely colors of yarn in your preferred greens. I could see you making a lovely shawl in those colors.

Nightshade
March 23rd, 2016, 07:56 AM
I've always liked your style and color sense. There are so many lovely colors of yarn in your preferred greens. I could see you making a lovely shawl in those colors.

Aw you're so sweet :) Once I take up knitting I'm sure I'll come to you for advice when I've tied myself up in knots XD

Chromis
March 23rd, 2016, 09:01 AM
Aw you're so sweet :) Once I take up knitting I'm sure I'll come to you for advice when I've tied myself up in knots XD

Enabling drive-by:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heere-be-dragone-shawl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leafy-cabled-neckwarmer - I have that one in my own queue actually
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sylvi - I can see you wearing quite a many things from Twist!

http://www.twistcollective.com/2015/winter/magazinepage_01.php

Nightshade
March 23rd, 2016, 09:15 AM
Oh goodness. Between this and the plant suggestions in the beekeeping thread you're just all sorts of enabling today XD

Chromis
March 23rd, 2016, 09:55 AM
I live to enable...I mean love :heartbeat

Nightshade
March 23rd, 2016, 10:15 AM
I live to enable...I mean love :heartbeat

and then there's the quail.... :inlove:

One day I'll sell my husband on them!

Wavelength
March 23rd, 2016, 10:46 AM
and then there's the quail.... :inlove:

One day I'll sell my husband on them!

Tell him the quail will eat all the dead bees that get tossed out of the hives. (Actually I don't know if they will, but I know they do eat other insects so it's a logical assumption.) :p

Chromis
March 23rd, 2016, 12:33 PM
Tell him the quail will eat all the dead bees that get tossed out of the hives. (Actually I don't know if they will, but I know they do eat other insects so it's a logical assumption.) :p

They totally would! The butterfly conservatory here uses them as a clean-up crew. I am taking mention of them as permission to spam yet another thread with quail shots, so here is some proof:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2205/13081980763_d6a2f3fac2_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2203/13082168934_09d3e1ed11_z.jpg
I took almost as many quail shots as butterflies that day because a couple of them kept following us around, so cute!

Mine adore mealworms and any unlucky crickets, moths, slugs, and worms they can snatch up. I give them scoopfuls of dirt in the summer to root through and sometimes even a bit of finished compost.

Does this mean I can now demand more kitty pictures? :bounce:

summergame
March 23rd, 2016, 12:52 PM
Congratz :flower:

Nightshade
March 23rd, 2016, 01:11 PM
They totally would! The butterfly conservatory here uses them as a clean-up crew. I am taking mention of them as permission to spam yet another thread with quail shots, so here is some proof:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2205/13081980763_d6a2f3fac2_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2203/13082168934_09d3e1ed11_z.jpg
I took almost as many quail shots as butterflies that day because a couple of them kept following us around, so cute!

Mine adore mealworms and any unlucky crickets, moths, slugs, and worms they can snatch up. I give them scoopfuls of dirt in the summer to root through and sometimes even a bit of finished compost.

Does this mean I can now demand more kitty pictures? :bounce:

Of course you can!


Hecate using Tsavo as a Bengalpillow:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fju_UJAtNKY/VkQd01KAEWI/AAAAAAAARGE/ixjS3YCwEOoDZSzzVTXkMrlDT3hHPCA9gCCo/s1024-Ic42/2015-11-11.jpg

Mind you, we have 53,000 cat beds in this house. Nobody uses them. Fenrir on the left, Zerah on the right.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pOR09phU2Qg/Vludc9KIuCI/AAAAAAAARec/8HnSt-V35-IWx-hKAh3FlzvnMfd98daEACCo/s1024-Ic42/2015-11-29.jpg


Tsavo helping me sort socks:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jk7t-c1YHQ0/VoniTqYfyOI/AAAAAAAASEo/fSCNgP4vygEKj9150FoQSH4LYV_gedErQCCo/s1024-Ic42/2016-01-03.jpg


Zerah:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTerUZ_sblE/VsDSr7YbnqI/AAAAAAAATAI/tdxh6A5f7ssy4IkbcPlxYQqbxvoEtMMRgCCo/s1024-Ic42/2016-02-14.jpg


Tsavo:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lOVs36YYHPU/Vsixe-ztXLI/AAAAAAAATEk/wkQG4iFLAVs1Osb3HlLMpKJH_HMqLyZvgCCo/s1024-Ic42/2016-02-20.jpg



Congratz :flower:

Thank you so much!

brickworld13
March 23rd, 2016, 01:24 PM
Quail and kitties. :cloud9:

IndyAndy
March 23rd, 2016, 01:30 PM
I'm late to the party. Here at last ;) I just spent the last hour reading this entire thread.

Congratulations on 10 years, Nightshade!

And thank you for being such an inspiration to so many on this lovely forum!

Nightshade
March 23rd, 2016, 01:52 PM
The party now includes quail and cats, so I think you've actually come in at the best point XD Thank you so much for the sweet words :inlove:

TheHowlingWolf
April 6th, 2016, 03:17 PM
Ah, okay I have some questions so I thought I'd ask here?
I have 4 kitties & I remember it was you who mentioned cat fairies in a post & my kitties LOVE cat fairies toys!!!
So my questions are, what kind of food do you give your kitties? & what kind of litter do you use & how do you deal with kitty odor?
Do you have any favorite products for your cats?

Nightshade
April 6th, 2016, 03:47 PM
Ohhh kitty questions are the best questions :D That's also a reminder we need more toys. They destroyed their last Cat Faeries Sushi Roll (http://www.catfaeries.com/toys.html) XD


So my questions are, what kind of food do you give your kitties?

Our cats get Wellness Core for kibble (https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-grain-free-original/dp/34437), Wellness Core wet food (https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-grain-free-chicken/dp/34453), Greenies as treats (https://www.chewy.com/greenies-feline-oven-roasted-chicken/dp/38832), and then raw meat as we have it from dinner trimmings.

Our male cats are very prone to crystals and so we give them a heaping 1/4 tsp scoop of https://www.chewy.com/wysong-biotic-ph-supplment-975-oz/dp/44732 and and add water to their food for every meal. This has reduced us from taking one or the other in 2-3 times a year for urine crystals to once in the last three years. It's a godsend, and I recommend anyone with male housecats use it. Lots of soupy food and pH powder.

The cats are meal-fed and get kibble twice a day (boys with water) and wet once a day. Our old ladies, though, are kind of getting up there (we have three old crones over 14), and we wanted to make food available to them all day long. That's hard with the other cats, because Fenrir alone would be 17,000 pounds if he was allowed to free-feed. Enter Sure Flap Microchip Pet Feeder (https://www.sureflap.com/en-us/pet-feeder/microchip-pet-feeder)!

We just got this two weeks ago and we're over the moon in love with it. It reads the microchip already in the cats (if your cats aren't chipped you can use the enclosed ID tag on a collar) and opens the dish only for those cats. We did have to set an Intruder Mode so if Whirr or one of the others muscles one of the old ladies out of the way, the dish closes. No training issues, and now the girls are getting extra food without us having to worry about the Fenrir and the Bengals turning into land-whales.


& what kind of litter do you use & how do you deal with kitty odor?

For litter, we use World's Best Lavender Scented (https://www.chewy.com/worlds-best-cat-litter-scented/dp/37591). It really, really helps with the odor. Another thing we do is, at the end of every month, dump all the litter out of all the boxes, scrub them out, and spray them with Anti-Icky Poo (http://www.catfaeries.com/cleanup.html), which is a horrible name for a great product. Then all the boxes get fresh litter for the next month. We also use the AIP for cleaning up any spots that happen, and as a general de-stinkifier for cat beds and such.



Do you have any favorite products for your cats?

For other products, I love the Peek a Prize (http://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3833-Peek---Prize-Pet/dp/B0006VMN4O/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459978912&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=peek+a+priz) for a toy. I actually just got a new one of these after cats randomly vomiting in it ruined the bottom. It's more or less compressed cardboard, so when the new one arrived I dumped polycoat in it and tilted the Peek a Prize around until the bottom was coated, and let it dry. Now it's vomit-proof and I can rinse it out XD I load it up with toys and then put a few Greenies in there, which makes the cats fish through the box and around the toys to get them.


For a brush I use a FURminator (http://www.furminator.com/Feline-Shedding-Solutions.aspx). We have one cat that, despite being a shorthair, is very hairball prone. Brushing with this helps a ton.

But the biggest improvement to their lives by far is http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=130086. Honestly I don't know how we, or they, got along without it.

omega
April 6th, 2016, 03:59 PM
Beautiful tri-leaf hairstick and updo.

TheHowlingWolf
April 6th, 2016, 06:01 PM
Wow, so many cool cat things!!!! I love that micro chip feeder! That's awesome! I can't wait 'til I can build a catio for my kitties!

I also shop on chewy!!

Do you use any special kind of litter box? Like a covered one? Also, Do you just leave out bowls of water or do you have a fountain?
Sorry if these questions come off as weird. I just love kitties so much & I really appreciate all your recommendations! I know you do your research so I trust your input! Plus, having one cat is different than having many, like us, so it's good getting advice from someone who has multiple cats as well :)

Nightshade
April 7th, 2016, 08:21 AM
Beautiful tri-leaf hairstick and updo.

Thank you so much :grouphug:




Wow, so many cool cat things!!!! I love that micro chip feeder! That's awesome! I can't wait 'til I can build a catio for my kitties!

I also shop on chewy!!

Do you use any special kind of litter box? Like a covered one? Also, Do you just leave out bowls of water or do you have a fountain?
Sorry if these questions come off as weird. I just love kitties so much & I really appreciate all your recommendations! I know you do your research so I trust your input! Plus, having one cat is different than having many, like us, so it's good getting advice from someone who has multiple cats as well :)

I don't mind at all :D

We have two of these (http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-22040-Giant-Litter-Bleached/dp/B000HHLVA4?ie=UTF8&keywords=litterbox%20huge&qid=1460038429&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1), two of these (http://www.amazon.com/Tidy-Cats-Litter-Breeze-System/dp/B001411SK0?ie=UTF8&keywords=litterbox&qid=1460038411&ref_=sr_1_8&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-8) (with Yesterday's News in the top and litter in the tray), and one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Jumbo-Hooded-Cat-Litter/dp/B003RQVGKC?ie=UTF8&keywords=litterbox&qid=1460038411&ref_=sr_1_6&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-6).

For a fountain, we have a stainless steel Drinkwell (http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Drinkwell-Stainless-Multi-Pet-Fountain/dp/B002SB91QS). One of our cats gets HORRIBLE chin acne with any plastic dishes, so everything here has to be stainless :)

alexis917
April 7th, 2016, 03:12 PM
Wow! Your cats are so beautiful. And your wedding hair looked extra fabulous! Happy belated Hair-a-versary.

violetflower
April 27th, 2016, 05:45 AM
Your hair is stunning! :cloud:

Nightshade
April 28th, 2016, 09:51 AM
Thank you ladies so much :)

ETA: Now with bonus kitty picture:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H-Z3jES42CY/VyIydsLyFYI/AAAAAAAADxM/YE2UppdQSWUmNk4Skwltl9AW-bbV2idBgCL0B/w291-h516-no/2016-04-28.jpg

Hailwidis
April 28th, 2016, 10:01 AM
Ooh your cat is striking! Beautiful. He/she almost looks like a Bengal in that picture.

I just thought I'd let you know the first two links in your signature don't work (at least for me).

Nightshade
April 28th, 2016, 10:08 AM
Ooh your cat is striking! Beautiful. He/she almost looks like a Bengal in that picture.

I just thought I'd let you know the first two links in your signature don't work (at least for me).

She is a Bengal ^_^ So is her big, derpy brother.

Yeah, you're right about the links. The articles were on the old site and I haven't gotten them up on this one now that the articles section is working. In time, though!

cailinbee
April 28th, 2016, 10:12 AM
Awww, your cat is so cute! Bengals are so beautiful!

Hailwidis
April 28th, 2016, 10:48 AM
She is a Bengal ^_^ So is her big, derpy brother.

Yeah, you're right about the links. The articles were on the old site and I haven't gotten them up on this one now that the articles section is working. In time, though!

Haha that explains it! I really like Bengals. Are yours very talkative? My (upstairs) neighbours have one that makes the funniest sound, impossible to describe. It's also very active, I often hear it running around, it makes thudding sounds on the ceiling. Quite the handful, but a very sweet cat.

I managed to work around the broken links, I think. The damaged hair article link works, and it contains links to other articles which I suspect are the henna and herbal colouring ones. Loads of great info overall, thanks!

AmyBeth
April 28th, 2016, 11:21 AM
Nightshade, I know you didn't want to turn this into an "oh, your hair is so pretty" thread, but is it my fault if your hair is SOOO gorgeous? I can't help it, your hair is pretty, and your hard work and patience is inspiring.

Nightshade
May 2nd, 2016, 07:46 AM
Haha that explains it! I really like Bengals. Are yours very talkative? My (upstairs) neighbours have one that makes the funniest sound, impossible to describe. It's also very active, I often hear it running around, it makes thudding sounds on the ceiling. Quite the handful, but a very sweet cat.

I managed to work around the broken links, I think. The damaged hair article link works, and it contains links to other articles which I suspect are the henna and herbal colouring ones. Loads of great info overall, thanks!

My Bengals make the strangest, strangest sounds! So yes! And they're very active :)



Nightshade, I know you didn't want to turn this into an "oh, your hair is so pretty" thread, but is it my fault if your hair is SOOO gorgeous? I can't help it, your hair is pretty, and your hard work and patience is inspiring.

Aww, thank you so much :grouphug:

bonbon58
May 2nd, 2016, 07:56 PM
Bumping this thread to remind you that your signature links are broken :flower: I was hoping to find some tips on henna-ing damaged hair and would love to read the articles!

hopefullocks
May 3rd, 2016, 07:21 AM
Everything about this gives me so much more patience. Seeing your bun evolution is especially helpful. Your dedication is inspiring!

pili
May 7th, 2016, 04:21 PM
I'm not sure I have ever said this, but you, Nightshade, are my top inspiration for growing out my hair. Thank you and congratulations on that gorgeous mane.

Shepherdess
May 7th, 2016, 11:24 PM
Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary here! :cheer: Wow! Your hair is so lovely, and seeing all the pictures of you hair and growing experience is inspiring and encouraging! I am sorry that you had to go through a massive shed too, those are dreadful, but I am glad you finally grew that out!! :flower:

nekosan
May 10th, 2016, 08:27 PM
1. I have a sleep disorder, Delayed Phase Sleep (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder). This, in part, means I keep strange hours and I'm often up doing things when most people are sleeping.


Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for mentioning this. It makes me feel like much less of a personal failure. (I don't want to self-diagnose, but i did miss the school bus several times a week from first grade (i got afternoon kindergarten); my mom confirms that i was a "night owl" from infancy.)

Nightshade
May 11th, 2016, 12:28 PM
Bumping this thread to remind you that your signature links are broken :flower: I was hoping to find some tips on henna-ing damaged hair and would love to read the articles!

Aye, it's an ongoing thing :) I'm both converting them to actual e-books and working with Steph to post them here in a way that's consistent with the rules of the forum :)




Everything about this gives me so much more patience. Seeing your bun evolution is especially helpful. Your dedication is inspiring!

You're so welcome! And it is more than a little true, time heals all things.



I'm not sure I have ever said this, but you, Nightshade, are my top inspiration for growing out my hair. Thank you and congratulations on that gorgeous mane.

Thank you so much :grouphug:



Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary here! :cheer: Wow! Your hair is so lovely, and seeing all the pictures of you hair and growing experience is inspiring and encouraging! I am sorry that you had to go through a massive shed too, those are dreadful, but I am glad you finally grew that out!! :flower:

That was actually harder in a lot of ways than growing out the damage, but yes, I am very glad that's all grown out :)



Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for mentioning this. It makes me feel like much less of a personal failure. (I don't want to self-diagnose, but i did miss the school bus several times a week from first grade (i got afternoon kindergarten); my mom confirms that i was a "night owl" from infancy.)

The first time I read about it was on here, actually, and I was like FINALLY I know I'm not insane or just lazy!

getoffmyskittle
May 14th, 2016, 05:39 PM
I know this was a while ago, but congrats on 10 years! :wave: How are the kitties?

TheHowlingWolf
May 15th, 2016, 01:55 PM
Where did you get your bengals from? Did you have to buy from a breeder?

Have you ever thought about getting a doggy?

Kake
May 22nd, 2016, 12:38 PM
Thank you for sharing Nightshade, your hair journey is inspirational. Your hair is truly beautiful.

Nightshade
May 23rd, 2016, 08:44 AM
I know this was a while ago, but congrats on 10 years! :wave: How are the kitties?

They are happy and sassy :D



Where did you get your bengals from? Did you have to buy from a breeder?

Have you ever thought about getting a doggy?

I got my Bengals from Ramatut (http://www.ramatut.com/bengals_home.htm)Bengals. Their dad is Crash and their mom is Mystique. I would actually love to have a dog, but not until I work from home and could spend the day with it.



Thank you for sharing Nightshade, your hair journey is inspirational. Your hair is truly beautiful.

You are so welcome :flowers:

Hailwidis
May 23rd, 2016, 09:08 AM
I would actually love to have a dog, but not until I work from home and could spend the day with it.

Fair enough, and a reasonable choice.

If/when you get a dog, what kind would it be? A rescue? A specific breed?

Nightshade
May 23rd, 2016, 09:22 AM
Fair enough, and a reasonable choice.

If/when you get a dog, what kind would it be? A rescue? A specific breed?

I'm very, very partial to Akitas and Shiba Inus. Shibas are hard to come by as rescues, but Akitas aren't that bad. The larger struggle is both breeds have high prey drives so finding one that would be okay with cats that they hadn't been raised with would be challenging.

Hailwidis
May 23rd, 2016, 10:30 AM
So, you have a thing for feisty pets ;)
Japanese or American Akita? One of my pet peeves with dogs is the horrible direction breeds are taking because of show dogs. Show Akitas are so denaturated nowadays, with those wide, bear faces. They've lost all the poise and elegance of the traditional Akita Inu.

I used to want an Akita, but I now have to factor in my partner's taste for these kinds of choices and of course he likes completely different breeds, haha.
I have also come to accept that I am just not ready for such a complex dog right now. I love dogs but I don't have the right charisma and authority to deal with some. Dogs always like my partner more and listen to him better. I think an Akita would take one look at me and decide it could get away with doing its own thing just fine.

Anyway. Maybe you'd have to get a puppy from a breeder (though for these breeds that's so very expensive) so that the pup can grow up with the cats...

Nightshade
May 23rd, 2016, 11:40 AM
I actually have had American Akitas in the past, but if I were to get one I'd prefer a Japanese Akita. I can do without the larger size, the drooling (which came about from the introduction of St. Bernard to make the American Akita after WWII). It's the traditional Akita Inu I find most beautiful, with their foxlike faces, and their more catlike dispositions. Our American Akitas had that, but those are traits I wouldn't mind seeing expressed more.

Sadly a dog is at least 4-5 years off :( our bat**** crazy plan is to have our house paid off in 5 years and then I can quit my day job and write and do my other job from home. Without the financial burden of the mortgage, it's much easier, and safer to try being self-employed.

celtic
July 26th, 2016, 07:27 AM
your hair is so beautiful, the color is so rich.

Nightshade
July 26th, 2016, 09:28 AM
Aw, thank you so much :grouphug:

Lilith91
July 26th, 2016, 10:05 AM
Your hair is gorgeous, congrats on reaching your goal!

You mentioned in your original thread that when your hair turned burgundy, you were able to get it back to your intended shade of red without bleaching. How did you do that? Last time I had my hair colored (chemically), my amazing vibrant red changed to brown with red tints/dark auburn because of the way the dye interacted with the previous dye I'd used, and I'm devastated- don't feel like myself- but am scared of bleaching.

dulce
July 26th, 2016, 10:12 AM
I love your curl pattern and length,your length is my goal now..Good job!

Nightshade
July 26th, 2016, 12:53 PM
Your hair is gorgeous, congrats on reaching your goal!

You mentioned in your original thread that when your hair turned burgundy, you were able to get it back to your intended shade of red without bleaching. How did you do that? Last time I had my hair colored (chemically), my amazing vibrant red changed to brown with red tints/dark auburn because of the way the dye interacted with the previous dye I'd used, and I'm devastated- don't feel like myself- but am scared of bleaching.

Well, technically I did bleach it using Sun-in :) You can read the whole, gigantic thread about it here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=19317

I did a lot of strand testing, but was still very happy with the results and now even years later, have no evident damage because of it.




I love your curl pattern and length,your length is my goal now..Good job!


Aw, thank you! I'm sure you'll get there :)

Noppera-bo
July 26th, 2016, 01:59 PM
http://65.media.tumblr.com/avatar_1511916b0fb5_128.png

Nightshade
July 26th, 2016, 02:37 PM
I love seeing all these photos of your journey!

Thanks! It's been a ride, that's for sure :)

vampyyri
July 26th, 2016, 03:08 PM
I love that you included the whole story, what a journey!! It looks amazing now!

Lilith91
July 26th, 2016, 06:03 PM
It's so funny that you used sun-in, since that's what I used to de my medium-brown hair dark blonde for years. But in concerned that since I've used chemical dyes and not henna to dye my hair red, it'll go badly- mighr try a strand, though! Thanks for sharing :)

Kat-Rinnč Naido
September 23rd, 2016, 10:20 AM
I know I may be late but I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations Nightshade on your 10 year LHC Anniversary. Thank you for sharing your experiences and the beautiful photos and your cabidor. You are truly an inspiration

lora410
September 23rd, 2016, 11:19 AM
I remember all your Picts and as usual your hair is gorgeous. Happy anniversary:flowers::flowers: , btw how is tazo (hope I got the name right) you Bengal Kitta who had eye surgery? I haven't been here in a few yrs due to crap going on in life.

TheaLee
September 23rd, 2016, 12:10 PM
Aaaah your hair is so beautiful!! When I'm done with my natural color I want to go red, your hair in the wedding shot (which is so gorgeous I actually gasped) is what I'm looking forward to. :o

My question: I adore the bun you have in the picture with the leaf hair fork (6th pic down, second post.) Are there instructions for it somewhere/does it have a name?

Nightshade
September 23rd, 2016, 12:41 PM
I love that you included the whole story, what a journey!! It looks amazing now!

Thank you so much! It is a really long story, and I have a bad habit of thinking that everyone here knows it :) Lots of people joined well past the damage hair saga.


It's so funny that you used sun-in, since that's what I used to de my medium-brown hair dark blonde for years. But in concerned that since I've used chemical dyes and not henna to dye my hair red, it'll go badly- mighr try a strand, though! Thanks for sharing :)

Totally strand test it :) I know some people have successfully done it on chemically dyed and then hennaed hair.



I know I may be late but I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations Nightshade on your 10 year LHC Anniversary. Thank you for sharing your experiences and the beautiful photos and your cabidor. You are truly an inspiration

That is so sweet of you to say :grouphug:


I remember all your Picts and as usual your hair is gorgeous. Happy anniversary:flowers::flowers: , btw how is tazo (hope I got the name right) you Bengal Kitta who had eye surgery? I haven't been here in a few yrs due to crap going on in life.

Tsavo (you were very close!) is doing great! He's an 18 pound giant, sweet, spotty derplord.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wQrEkDelMqHDm2VGtKJHHd6f-0_-O0T1EFapgwwFTv22heUi3PU2TKtwHMQ4xu7QUPOB_IGJl91Bfh 6ezqcGMoMPpm5reBUtd6s-IWrlZDSVr2zcP_8ZgOGH2V_RTkmFqa8abHT3M2WNAA12bfpOXj 9GMUH_gq8ijs9zqUzyFH26j_1ps3URk8ogbgC8oU6g7B98CvJz TQRMhagEto3XHHUCJ24CskRg-YDJUWdoVaR60k0Ors2wF2p-PkLh-SNjDLoriOD74K4Oz_rL7yYzwnUAozPMof3tTHx-QYYRcnkcHYBji4CEKHL6jH5yCBsXaqyYea5KjC-fyG946VAkYUnvuZtPY-23sbDBvKfZ-yon-qp9KzlvWt7hZJXGHxs0CzWqHlvaoueeJsGyTbfgfBrZtp4iBzd X422Vj7aBiw6MKJ3IVWVoZcpg04A-wfywDDB-LUi2qg8UZMkD-SqEZ3TVaxenFO-PGt4RVsx9Kekk-vJ2pdPTkb0jorS7DucemizVWBBNW4JzsgYaqn0xBQWsJ0DFwPn f66SBpO05tlSjt1o1RmIAgL_ygfGn8DXRdxAyhADPfGmAhD05v 8n3JOB--JcLfDDuiIacL98TKVRO-aKe=w800-h600-no

lora410
September 23rd, 2016, 12:44 PM
Awe so glad tsavo is doing awesome!!! What a cutie!!!!!

missblueeyes
September 23rd, 2016, 04:17 PM
Wow, what an amazing read. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, it is truly inspirational! Though I'm probably very late for asking any questions, I just had to know where you got the hairstick with the green top in this picture:



https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yo4U_2CxFv4/U_UKWC5-QtI/AAAAAAAAJCM/pbmZxkAKLVE/s512/Green-Moondrop-Stick.jpg


I went through the whole thread just now. Oh my. Your cats are adorable! And your diet - I don't think I could do the same.