That Curly Girl Rachel

24/01/2024

When you have curls, and you want them straight, you can’t use products that everyone else does and see the same great results. I’ve tried hundreds of products over the last 30 years, and not much has really worked.

This winter (when humidity is lowest in Florida), I tried the viral TikTok Color WOW Dreamcoat after seeing the results others were getting. But it DID NOT work... My hair actually frizzed immediately after, without even leaving the safety of my air-conditioned house!

Then I tried It’s a 10’s Miracle Shine Spray with Noni oil, and it’s literal magic in a bottle! Its ingredients list contains noni oil, chamomile extract, babassu seed oil, ylang-ylang extract, jasmin, lemongrass, and red tea extract. I added the last slide so you can also see all its benefits, like thermal protection, antioxidants, anti-frizz, and so much more.

On my wash day, I:
🪮 1st Mielle Rosemary, mint strengthening shampoo 
🪮 2nd Curl Smith Curl quenching conditioning wash
🪮 Condition with Double Cream deep quencher
🪮 I spray It’s a 10’s Miracle Shine Spray into my hair by sectioning, then brushing through to ensure every strand got some spray. Over-spraying will make your hair oily.
🪮 I air dry or blow dry, then flat iron with ONE swipe 🤩

👏🏼 That’s it! Let me know below if you’re going to try this spray. Or is there a product I should try next?
Curly hair tutorial, curly to straight, curly hair products, product review

07/10/2023

Friday, September 29th at 2:28pm our last son Theodore Wesley was born.

This delivery experience was different in so many ways in comparison to my first two boys. From my OB to coming home from the hospital. It was a smooth and amazing journey with those that were involved.

We’re are beyond blessed and so thankful for the beautiful new life God gave us to love, raise and cherish.

PC:

29/09/2023

This morning ☀️, as I stand in my last baby's nursery, a bittersweet feeling overwhelms me. Although this pregnancy was rough, I’d do it again for him in a heartbeat.

The joy I feel knowing I’ll be meeting him in just a few short hours is surreal, yet the fact that I’ll never again have a baby in my belly absolutely brings me to tears.

I never knew I wanted to be a mom until I became one. There are times I have thought that I needed them more than they have needed me. My boys are my joy, my lifeline, my everything. They love me like no other, and I can only try to be the best because I know this doesn’t last forever.

💙 Can you understand how I am feeling? Tell me in the comments I’m not alone.

28/09/2023

In the middle of the chaos, we still had a small get-together at our favorite local restaurant . Their venue space was perfect for what I had envisioned months before.

We were so thankful for those who drove the distance to celebrate with us for the upcoming arrival of our last addition to our family.

Venue + Catering by
Cake by
Ballon arch my aunt and sis in love

25/09/2023

24/09/2023

I almost didn’t take maternity photos for this final pregnancy 🤯. I knew I’d regret it, but there were a lot of factors involved, and I had decided it was just not going to happen.

But when posted about her minis, I cried. I knew it was meant for me and my family.

Receiving these images put me in my feelings for a long while, but I’m so happy to share a few with you today finally 👏🏼

📸 Did you take maternity photos for all of your babies? Tell me below 👇🏼

30/07/2023

I’ll admit, this Valentina ruched dress by and rented from , was a tight squeeze at 28 weeks pregnant, but I made it work at my favorite place in the world, the beach.

27/07/2023

When we decided to move out of the city to the country, our primary goals were to:

🏡 Build on at least 5 acres of land
🎣 Spend more time outdoors with our family
🥬 Live off-grid and homestead

How many of these things have we accomplished so far? Almost two 🤣. We’ve had few chances to spend outdoors but have been able to start our chicken coops at least 👏🏼

This build took over our lives. It has tested our relationships, our marriage, our sanity, and our faith. But we are very near the end. Only a matter of passing county and bank inspections and we can FINALLY move in!

👩🏻‍🦱 Have you ever dealt with something that has tested everything in your life?

23/07/2023

This maternity floral Kiko dress by and rented from was flattering and perfect for showcasing my 27-week baby bump at my favorite place by my favorite photographer (my mom). The beach (water in general) brings me so much joy!

🌊 Anyone else? Like ❤️ if you agree!

16/07/2023

is always coming through with maternity-friendly dresses. This Jaguar Maxi dress by

09/07/2023

17 weeks were here! I almost couldn't believe it! For months, I hid this pregnancy for so many reasons. My health was reason number one.

I didn't expect a rough pregnancy or for my health to change the way it did. As you already know, clean living is essential to me. I took care of myself well and did everything right. Yet somehow, be it my age or life, I couldn't get well until I found the miracle of the moringa plant. The blog link is in my bio for info on this.

I was scared of the unknown and didn't want to announce my pregnancy without some doctor's confirmation. So I hid until I was ready.

This photo was the first time I intentionally didn't hide my bump from the outside world, and golly, I was excited to be asked if I was pregnant!

Did you have a similar situation during your pregnancy?

Dress
Heels link in my bio for these babies

07/07/2023

3 things to consider after framing! On April 24th, we could FINALLY visually see what our house would look like, and I can't tell you the excitement this made us feel! Next was rough in electrical and plumbing, then drywall, which requires a lot of strategic planning.

Consider this while you're at this point in the building process:

🏠 Where do you want your TV which experts recommend to be at eye level when sitting
🏠 Where will you add toilet paper holders, towel holders, and a TV? Reinforce these spots with as many 1x8 as you need. That way, you drill into wood for support, not drywall
🏠 Consider soundproofing with interior wall insulation if you have noisy kids, animals, or husbands

Last tip! Once you've considered and installed these things, get LOTS of photos of each wall in each room. This way, once the drywall is in, you'll know exactly where everything is behind your walls.

29/06/2023

In the middle of our home build, we received confirmation on March 9th that we were pregnant! For the first time, we got to see the silhouette of our soon-to-be.

We were, of course, overjoyed, but this was a huge confirmation for me as it didn’t feel real yet. After all the tears and heartbreak, this was what I needed! To hear my baby's heartbeat, to see that wiggle in my belly. Now I could start to dream again.

👶🏼 Did any other mamas feel the same way before that first ultrasound?

28/06/2023

Remember that whole food aversion thing I wrote about? Yes that included my smell… sent me the kindest gift

➰Creamy curl styler
➰Ultra moisturizing creme
➰Silky hydration creamy shampoo
➰ Silky hydration detangling conditioner

And I couldn’t handle the smell… I really need to give these products a second go around.

What do you think of the results?

27/06/2023

You’ll never believe what I did first after I found out I was pregnant. I immediately ordered my first trimester prenatal pack from , then I told my mom.

No I am not sponsored, just an honest lover of the brand, what they stand on, and how clean their products are!

Questions about why? Leave them below!

26/06/2023

This pregnancy has been different from my other two pregnancies in every way. Since the day of implantation, I knew I was pregnant.

Food and water aversions, nausea, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath all came strong and quickly. After about four months of trying all the things to help curve the symptoms, I found ZERO relief! And after some blood work where my iron levels were dangerously low and an ER visit from the intense heart palpations and sharp pain in my chest, my OBGYN was now referring me to a cardiologist.

I wasn’t a fan of the idea, so I started researching my symptoms. Heart failure, arrhythmias, etc., then I read into microcytic anemia, and there it was, ding, ding, I found it. So I upped my iron take with spinach smoothies, lentils, steak, etc.

Two weeks before the cardiologist appointment, I just happened to be picking up a smoothie at my friends' local cafe and market because I had run out of fruit at home, and I asked her to add as much spinach as she could since I needed all the iron I could get.

When I mentioned why she suggested I try moringa...

For the full story of why, head to the link in my bio and click on my latest blog, "The superfood no one is talking about"!

🧉 Have you heard of or tried this superfood?

25/06/2023

This lemon-tiered wrap dress by and rented from was a delight to wear. Comfy, spacious, and flattering. My sons and husband matched in adorable hand-stitched lemon bowties my amazing and talented mom created. My hair was styled completely with all products. That routine changed quickly with the change in humidity in Florida, although you can still find that tutorial under my video tab in case you don't deal with humidity in your state.

Would you wear this dress? Yay, or Nay? Tell me in the comments below!

22/06/2023

January 28, 2023. Trusses were up, it was time to really start planning each space. I started with the entryway, then moved into the living room, kitchen, and dining room.

Although this is primarily a modern farmhouse-style home, I wanted to give it lots of character with warm colors and clean lines to tap into a little country and a little transitional interior design. At this stage, that meant structure and wall placement.

🏡 Do you have a favorite home design style? Modern farmhouse, shabby chic, craftsman, traditional? Tell me in the comments below.

22/06/2023

Happy New Year to us! January 4th, 2023, our block walls were completed! It was time to pray for our home's foundation and write scriptures on every lintel so we could cover our home in blessings and protection. Honestly, I could not wait for this stage in our build!

Below are seven scriptures we chose to use, although we used about 27 in total for every window and door. Once framing was in, we also wrote scriptures above each interior door matching the room they were for.

1. 📖 Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Psalm 24:4 (bathroom)
2. 📖 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 (front door)
3. 📖 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love Ephesians 4:2-3 (kitchen)
4. 📖 I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4 (master bedroom)
5. 📖 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (one of our son's rooms)
6. 📖 Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:25-26 (my office)
7. 📖 For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (living room)

🏡 Which one of these scriptures would you use for your home? Have a favorite, tell me in the comments below!

21/06/2023

Ready set, footers, stem wall, slab foundation. Between November 1st and December 27th, our entire foundation was complete! We were now ready for our block walls to start going up in the new year! We finally felt and saw real progress. The beauty of this process was seeing something that came from my brain and then to paper come to life little by little.

🧠 What is one vision that came to fruition in your life or work? Tell me in the comments below!

20/06/2023

The block and foundation necessities were delivered a few days after we finally received our permit to build. Besides the home we were about to build, this delivery meant more than just the thousands of blocks arriving. Those blocks meant strong and sturdy walls, and the rebar meant our foundation would be solid. This is more than just biblical to us. A strong foundation is key to building a long-lasting home that can withstand the test of time. Your house's foundation supports everything above it, so it’s important to ensure it's strong and sturdy.

🏡 Do you believe this to be true?

18/06/2023

I have rented clothes on and off for the last five-plus years. Every length of time for a different reason. I began renting with when we moved into our fifth wheel for space purposes. We had no room for anything extra. I love the lines they carry, how many pieces you receive monthly, and the monthly price point compared to other clothing rental companies.

If you have been looking for a more sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe, you should seriously try clothing rentals! Renting clothes for me and many others is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to update your look constantly. Plus, no more buying clothes you only wear once! It's a win-win, in my humble opinion, anyway.

👗 Interested in trying one month for free? Use my code at checkout! Then tell me in the comments below if this is an option you would ever consider for yourself.

16/06/2023

On October 19, 2022, our building permits were finally approved. We waited a total of FIVE months for this very important yet measly piece of paper. This day hit on a different level for our entire family. The building process isn’t for the faint of heart. After millions of tears, we finally had a reason to celebrate something! It was time to build!

16/06/2023

I'm getting personal today, I don't know if you are ready...

Continuous prayers got me through this difficult time of being unable to conceive. I physically and mentally did everything right to get my body prepped for baby number three.

1. I lost 40+ pounds
2. I started taking ultra-clean pre-conception prenatal vitamins by
3. I stayed active and went to the gym 4 - 5 times a week
4. I ate clean and no eating out

Yet negative test after negative test, I cried because I didn't understand how it was possible after having my first two sons that I couldn’t conceive so easily. I 100% understood that many, including my own mother, who couldn't conceive for ten years, have gone longer than I had. So I didn't talk about it. Because I felt I didn't have a right to. Instead, I felt alone, and after a few months, I became extremely depressed. At this point, I HAD to give it to God.

One night while everyone was outside playing, I locked the door of our fifth wheel, blasted on repeat "Fear is not my future" by , and began to shout and boo-hoo cry until I felt a peace come over me. I don't remember the day or the hour. Only the month of October and the feeling of "I got you, baby girl, just trust in my plan” as I felt God permeate my spirit. It would be a few more months before I understood why he made me wait.

15/06/2023

On October 6th, 2022, we finally saw building supplies coming in! Trusses were here, but we still needed building permits to start the construction of our home! Permits require an ABUSRD amount of documents to be approved by our county. Let me share with you the basics list, as I am sure I will miss something on the list below.

🏡 boundary survey
🏡 easements
🏡 fill dirt permit
🏡 septic permit
🏡 soil test
🏡 perc test
🏡 well permit
🏡 drainage plans
🏡 placement survey
🏡 engineering plans
🏡 topography survey
🏡 even simple things like info on soffits and window bucking

As I mentioned above. It’s an absurd amount of documents, time, and money to get this all done promptly. Looking back now, I understand why it took so long. I wish someone had told me how long this process would take. Communication with your builder is crucial, especially if you have never gone through this process before. But even they don’t know a realistic timeline.

👷🏻‍♀️Was this post helpful to you?

15/06/2023

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14/06/2023

For three months, we saw no movement on our land. Absolutely no progress, which was a bit depressing, if I am being honest.

Then, on September 13, 2022, our electric company came to bury the underground conduit, which is necessary before installing the electrical lines for the temp pole and our future home.

After living off a generator from June to September, we were elated, thinking we could finally have power! Unfortunately, it wouldn't be for another three months before we'd have usable power!

We lived off a generator for SIX months if you’re keeping up. That meant no consistent power for your refrigerator, a/c, and basic needs unless you plan on having two to three generators to cycle through and thousands of dollars for gas money.

Living off-grid was a challenging time for this city girl gone country with no “real experience” except for camping during my childhood and yearly RV trips with my family.

It was my first taste of living a homestead life in the heat of Florida, and although I never said it out loud, it was overwhelming most days.

14/06/2023

On July 8, 2022, our dog breeding business ._bostonterriers had its first litter in our fifth wheel. This wasn't ideal, but we made it work and work well.

It can be challenging to raise a litter of puppies in a small space like a fifth wheel, but with proper planning and organization, it was definitely doable! We kept our puppies and their living area clean and organized with daily cleaning and disinfecting. We also made sure to take plenty of videos and pictures of these adorable puppies to share as they grew.

13/06/2023

Life in the city was hectic, loud, and unappealing to us. So we traded it all for the peace and quiet of the countryside. Fresh air, stunning hillsides, and a slower pace were calling our name.

June 11th, we finally did it; after selling our home and moving in with my parents, we finally moved from my parent's house and settled into our new life in a fifth wheel on our land until our home was completed. I had finally traded in my heels for boots, and I couldn't have been more excited about our decision.

"Let's chat! What are your thoughts on this topic? Share your opinions and start a conversation in the comments below! 👇🗣️🌳🌻🌤️