I am D-O-N-E with shopping for my children. I only have a few more pairs of jeans to get for my son and I’m done. I haven’t even gone shopping for myself yet and I’m long overdue for more boots and a new pea coat. I saw this gorgeous Calvin Klein coat but the price hasn’t settled with me yet. It was priced at $99.00 but there was a similar coat that was priced for $49.00. Now, if you guys have been following me, you’ll know that I buy and wear whatever looks good. With that being said, I’m leaning towards the $49.00 coat. I just hate those shoulder pads.

Anywho, here’s the outcome of my shopping trip. I didn’t spend as much as you probably think. And, I didn’t go to the mall for any of these clothes. I hate going to the mall to shop so instead, I visited Hibbit Sports, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, America’s Thrift Store, Family Dollar, Old Navy and Wal-Mart.

Total: $216.00

Now.. where are MY clothes?

I absolutely love the Fall weather and I’m enjoying every cool breeze that comes through. I was able to snag a few outfits for my children and I have yet to go shopping for myself. Although I haven’t gotten winter clothes for myself, I was able to get my hair straightened. It felt good getting my hair done and actually being able to SEE my scalp. I felt beautiful with the end results. I had to cut a few inches off but there is still a lot of length. I think I want to see how long my hair can grow. I’ve had hair a few inches shy of my waistline but I don’t think I want hair that long again. It’s amazing how hair grows when you do less to it. I like my wavy hair but when my hair is straightened, it so much easier to manage.

I’ve gotten a lot of comments in regards to how fast and how long my hair has grown. A lot of my friends and complete strangers want to know my regime. When I respond with “Nothing” I get looks as if I’m answering with an attitude. Then, I’m forced to explain what I mean by nothing. I co-wash my hair and I pull it back in a bun. The End. But it appears as though Doing Nothing does a lot!

► Check out my hair growth:

May 2009:

September 2009:

April 2010:

September 2010: (I’m still natural and my Nappiversary has since passed.)

In other news, it’s evident that my updates to my blog have been sporadic. Right now, I’m just enjoying life and Twitter is more convenient with reporting my life as it occurs. (I’m trying to break away from that.) I’ve reached a place where I feel as if I’ve gotten myself and my finances in order and I can just relax and enjoy life. I’ve been on a few dates and this whole dating thing is actually quite fun. In the last few weeks, I have gotten the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting and fun gentlemen. It goes without saying that I’m being a lady while going on all these dates but it’s fun doing things the old fashioned way. I haven’t felt so appreciated and so beautiful in a while. Mind you, I know I’m a beautiful person but when someone of your semi-romantic interest can appreciate your internal and external beauty, it makes you feel good. Well, I know it makes me feel good.

Now, I find myself thinking back and wondering why did I wait so long to get back out there. Of course I wanted to get my life straight, but if I’d known it’d be this easy and this interesting, I would have listened to all the little birdies in my ear telling me to go for it. I’ve let my insecurities and my inhibitions go and for the first time in a very long time, I am genuinely happy. My confidence has decided to come out of exile and allow me to embrace it and retain it. I am satisfied. I am jubilant. I am living.