Cut From Another Cloth – Rhare Footage

A fresh and innovative clothing line in the city of Detroit has been unleashed! And it’s on the prowl.

Photo Courtesy: Titus Johnson

Scrolling down your Instagram and Facebook time lines, or just walking in the mall or on campus, you may have seen ladies and gentlemen wearing hats, t-shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks that all have a very distinctive logo. Dare to know?

Established in 2013, owners Brandon Smith and Titus Johnson have unbolted a hot new urban fashion crusade in the Motor City. Described as a pioneering footprint for a more exclusive view, Rhare Footage is a vibrant collection that certainly has different styles which give dynamic flavors to today’s men and women’s apparel. This groundbreaking clothier adds sparks of individuality and it’s tailored with electrifying originality for the elite.

“Rhare [Footage] is something different. You have all these different lines to just wear clothes, but nothing represents truly your personality," says Titus Johnson. "Not Rhare. Because we all dare to be different.”

As a pleased customer, I promise you, Rhare Footage is definitely a new movement for today's trendsetters. I am in love with this new collection because of the delicious colors and its eclectic mix of designs. And the fabric quality is amazing- So comfortable! The clothes and accessories are suitable for any environment, i.e., work, class, concerts, church gatherings, etc. They even have clothing for children. Plus, I can’t wait for the summer additions! The world needs to get ready. 

It’s original. It’s vibrant. It’s sexy. It’s bold. It’s daring.

It’s Rhare.

And this is only the beginning.

Don't believe me. Check it out for yourself. www.rharefootage.com!

Curlies that won’t go with the flow. Is it time to go?

Okay, so I think I have reached that point in transitioning - Time for a mini-chop. Right? I think.

 

(NOTE: My bangs haven't been this long since 2005)

Last night, I washed my hair. What a task! It took me almost an hour to finish. Geez. Oh, and I am in love with my fabulous new products, especially the curl enhancing smoothie!

My hair is so thick, so soft and no longer fighting with me. My permed ends are losing their fight and seem to be desperately cooperating. Lol! Which is why I feel that it is time to end the war and slice off the damaged ends. The end result: less tangles!! And possibly shorter washing sessions.

But I will be patient. Maybe in March, I will do the mini-chop. Maybe not. As you can see, I change my mind every single week. Well, that’s because my hair changes every week as it grows like wildfire. Far as styling, I tried my first flat twist out this week. I was quite pleased with the results, but I definitely need to keep practicing.

 

Right now, I have my hair in  small twists until I figure out what style I want to conquer next. I am thinking of giving Bantu Knots a try. Wish me luck! Praise the Lord for YouTube tutorials and Pinterest!!

 

Thirsty Waves, Curls and Kinks

Okay, now I know that we shouldn’t really classify the texture of our hair, but I feel that I have reached a point of my natural hair care where I need to know which techniques are beneficial for my hair. Each hair texture is different and may require different cleansers, conditioners, moisturizers, hair milks and styling butters and custards which are essential in hydrating and nourishing the hair. So, lately, I've been studying my natural curl for the past couple of weeks like I would for the GRE. I think I have figured it out. I think. My texture is changing so I can be wrong possibly next month. Right now, my hair is mixture of 4A and 4B…. I think. I guess I have what they say is ‘coily springy’ hair. My coils are tight and coarse, but my curl pattern is a soft ‘S’. Visibly, most of our manes are full of a variety of textures, but I am just thrilled to see some type of pattern is in my hair. It is pretty exhilarating to me. I am so used to that flat, monotonous permed hair.

A week ago, I started taking Biotin. I did last year a few months before the wedding. Now I'm taking it again to help with the growth of my tresses. Plus, Biotin is a potent dietary supplement that has a compelling wide range of health benefits, such as assisting with metabolism, heart care and revitalizing the skin. And of course, I am drinking more and more water.

I will be honest. There are some days, my eyes ogle at my hair and I say to myself, “What the h---.” But then I snap out of it and go on with my day. Like I stated before, I am now making it a habit to moisturize my hair every single day. It has almost been a month since I put heat in my hair and I know that by doing so, it is also helping my hair along with saturating my hair and scalp with my oils to ensure that I have strong, healthy and hydrated coils.

And most importantly, my patience is growing stronger.

Pray for me. Whew. Lol.

Still in search for my curlfriends...

January 2011 - Permed and bleached. SMH.
TRAGIC.

So, about this natural hair journey. Not bad at all.

While researching other girls' escapades with their Natural Hair discovery, many ladies succumb to the creamy crack in the midst of their adventures. Not I.

I have yet to have a single itch to get a perm. I guess because I am having fun wearing faux buns, sew-ins, twists, wigs and so forth. I am experiencing with different looks and I am loving it. Meanwhile, my hair is safe and growing. I am undeniably metamorphosing into a product junkie. I find myself constantly standing in the aisles of stores, staring at hair products and oils and deciding which ones to take home. So far, I am in love with Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil and of course, the boo, Argan oil. I need to go out and get Castor Oil and Coconut Oil. My hair is so thirsty. It is to the point where I find myself spraying my hair with water to keep it hydrated and moisturized.

Presently, I have my hair braided in cornrows so my hair can continue to rest under my new style. Since I have so much perm growing out, many are suggesting that I do the BC or Big Chop. I honestly do not feel that I ready for that. Merely because I am having too much fun with all these lovely protective styles! Like I stated before, I love the flexibility of weave. Plus, I have decided to have a 'Mini Chop' in the fall where I will cut off the remaining permed strands, regardless of length and so forth. So I will carry on and grow my hair out and then eventually, I will give in to the scissors.

So far, I have noticed that my hair texture has changed drastically. Softer. Also, it is SO THICK and I absolutely love it. It is amazing. Which is another reason why I am not interested in putting back the perm. I did all this hard work growing it out, I am not going to stop here. The health of my hair is so important to me and I am determined to bring it back to life.

February 2014: My hair blown out: (10 months post relaxer - Please excuse my ends - Scary, I know)

Currently, I have my hair braided in cornrows.

 

 

Let's see what I get next. Will I do the BC? Probably not. Lol.

 

Re-Introducing Myself

I am absolutely starting this New Year with exhilaration!

Entering my 10th month post relaxer. *gasps* And guess what? I am surviving! *Praise Dance* I had a perm for 16 years. Give me some credit!

Last March, I got a touch-up and by April, I was entirely fed up with perms and decided to go natural. It really has been a voyage. Learning my hair, re-introducing myself to my natural hair texture and all that jazz.

Not once have I thought about going back to the creamy crack! I will confess that I do miss the shiny, mellifluous, straight hair. But that’s what weave is for, right?
 
Before I got my Marley Twists in November, I realized how much my hair has grown. And I am very pleased with every kink, nap and curl.

The one frustrating issue I am currently dealing with is dryness and brittleness. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. So I make it my life mission to moisturize my delicate hair daily, especially my edges. Lord knows, I need them to stay! As much as making the decision to transition was easy, maintaining two different textures isn’t such an easy task. But I know this hair evolution will be worth it.

Finding my curlfriends seems to be a liberating and rewarding journey. And I am determined to stay strong. Another precious step towards a healthier lifestyle in the New Year!

Stay tuned.

November 2011 - Straight Hair a.k.a. PERM

March 2012 - Last touch up.

April 2012- My 26th Birthday. Post relaxer- One Month. - My natural hair beauty Shaina helped me with my first attempt with a natural hair style. I thought about the Big Chop, but I love the versatility of weave too much. And I truly appreciate extensions in easing my journey in transitioning.

November 2013. Length check- Hair grew so much! I noticed my hair had so much more volume, fluff, softness and length. Definitely inspired me to keep going!

Struggling, but unstaggering faith.

Started the New Year with Psalm 71.

And it rocked my world. Whew.

Let me tell you, this was the perfect scripture to begin the new year with.

In my private place at home, I lit two candles and I sat with an anxious heart. Daily, as I meet with God, I close my eyes in prayer, hungry for His presence. Holding my Bible, I asked God to speak to me. In doing so, He guided me to Psalm 71. Random, I thought. But the Holy Spirit told me to be quiet and read. Reciting the words, I felt my heart get lighter as the monsters of doubt crawled away and the clutches of anxiety loosen.

In awe, I became smitten by the emotional verses.

Scrolling line by line slowly, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, reminding me that no matter what the situation is, no hardship or a single drop of adversity could ever deprive me from the favor and love of God.

Once I stopped reading, comfort seized me and my soul cheered. Blessed assurance.

Definitely ready for the new year ahead.

The Truth.

I just want to tell the truth.

And what I am writing may make the Devil mad. Anyhoo.

People think I have changed. And yes, I have! I've been changed. Our marriage has given me a new spiritual life, budding fresh fruit and newfangled changes. For years, I was lost in the maze of the enemy. Problems were just collapsing everywhere. Some felt enormous. Others were small. I felt my life decaying with self-esteem issues, jealousy, and the urges to please others! Frail and weak, I struggled to even wake up in the morning and speak to God. Even 2013 simply started off in the depths of Hell and the road through confusion and despair seemed so long.

I felt incredibly inadequate. But you better believe, God flipped those challenging days around, enriching my days with His mercy and salvation, sending me on a magical adventure with my handsome husband as his Queen. Because of our marriage, I have grown with inspiration and love, steadily wearing my crown. By studying the Word and praying together every single day, I am learning what it truly means to fully transform into a Proverbs 31 woman.

I am forever grateful to have God share His special gift, Mr. Reginald Johnson with me in this lifetime.

 

Bliss. 

Happy Anniversary Honey! You are a dream come true.