You look fantastic!

Whoaaaa--you are a knockout and so are your braids!

Those braids look so professional; they look like a multi-hundred-dollar style for sure. I can't even get a part straight in my hair, so I'm doubly impressed at how yours looks.

Braiding is awesome. I can't do multi-braids (again, there's that whole can't-make-a-straight-part thing), but I love doing the one big Lara Croft style braid down my back for yoga and swimming. It keeps my all-over-the-place hair neat while I exercise.

Braids are indeed fabulous for summer whether it's one big thick one or a whole head-ful!

They look fantastic!

Love it!!!

Gorgeous! And I wouldn't have gone for 44, either.

I always connected those braids with Valerie Simpson.

Anyway, they look great, cause we're comparing you to a celebrity.

You have a nice-shaped head & profile & can carry them well.

(A friend of mine goes to Ellin LaVar's Salon to get her hair done. I do have a sense of how costly such braiding is. I think it's 'cause I saw this really great funny & thought-provoking Chris Rock documentary at a local theater a couple years ago, called "Good Hair." For braids like yours, here's the price menu at LaVar's salon:

http://www.lavarhairdesigns.com/pricelist.htm

Shoot, I think you saved A LOT more than $200 on your own head, let alone your child's.)

ETA: Okay, but it's still your bicep articulation that I'm wishing for, not your hair, as my hair is not gonna get braided any time soon.

ETA II: And your abs. Jeezus, I just looked at your goal pictures & just about fainted. From running? Why the heck am I doing all this Pilates?! GREAT JOB!!!

LOVE your hair. It looks great, and I think you look younger than me and I am 23! Great job, seriously. They look fabulous.

Jeeze Joy, you are talented & your rockin those braids! They look FABU & you look HOT & sassy sportin em! ........ Your braids remind me of when hubby & I vacation in Jamaica/ Mexico & I always get asked,
"Can I braid your hair pretty lady???"

Thanks everyone...I'm starting to feel young again! Really...thanks.

Saef - I read that price list and realized something very important..."I'M IN THE WRONG BUSINESS!!!" $700 for Box Braids? Actually, what I've done would cost $900 just for my head (cornrolls in front, and box braids for remainder of head). WHOA! I'm from NYC originally...but when it's price list like that that make me glad I'm just a small town country girl now...yeeeehawwwwwww! BTW, thanks for the compliment. Believe it or not...I didn't work them very hard at all...I just put a pull up bar on my bathroom door. This way I know I'd see it frequently throughout the day (work at home). Then every other day, I'd use it a couple of times during the day....nothing hardcore. Maybe just 4-5 mins at a time.

Wendalyn - Thanks..you are really tooooo kind! I always felt this way, "nobody's gonna work as HARD for me...as I will"! Funny you mention the islands...this whole idea started cuz my daughter is leaving for the Bahamas (Atlantis) with her dad on Sunday. She wanted braids w/beads for island (btw, I hate it when I land and everyone is screaming at me for braids!) It was my FIRST time doing extension box braids, so I'll admit it...my daughter was my 'test dummy'..hehe! Well...her hair came out soooo gorgeous that 'Momma Bear' wanted to look all Islandy too (even though I'm going NO WHERE!)!

Just realized something today...the braids weigh about 1.5-2lbs...I gained braid WEIGHT...hahahahahahahaha! Oh and I went swimming in my pool late last night for the first time with the braids...felt like an octopus with a million legs was trying to wrassle me into the deep blue! Actually...it was cool...but it IS going to take some getting used to.

I now have a new found respect for woman with really long hair...

Great job on the hair. And that is one AWESOME arm in your avi!

I really like your braids.Super cute! I've been wearing my natural kinky fro lately but now you are making me want to put braids back in my hair.

Wow!!! You and the braids look great! I'm getting ready to get braids in about two months.....am not looking forward to the cost.

I don't know what your "day job" is but your braiding is afreakinmazing!!! You could make the big bucks doing that for others. Also, congrats on your weight loss. Your pics are very motivating... Thanks for posting them

Your hair looks amazing!!!! I can't believe you did that yourself! I can barely manage a ponytail in my own hair much less a braid. You've got mad talent and your daughter is lucky to have your hair skills at her disposal. I bet you 2 look adorable together when out and about.

I am a braid wearing person........ But lately I been on the sew-ins....