The Love Hanger

Seeing Stars

2012-03-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

I told you there would be a lot of flare this week! Hee hee. Another President's Day score from Urban Outfitters, these pants are so fun. I love the bright star print, the high waist, and the massive wide leg. At first glance, people might think it's a maxi skirt, but then bam! Pants! Haha, me and my trickery.

I don't know what it is, but lately I've just been drawn to drapey, loose trousers. Bye bye skinny jeans. Hello wide leg!

Side note: has anyone tried the new Cover Girl Blast Flipstick lip sticks? Wow, that's a mouthful. I think it could create some really cool ombre looking lip colors. I might pick up one or two this week to try them out. Just want to see if anyone has tried and likes them. :) Have a great Tuesday! <3

Blouse and Clutch: Forever 21 // Pants: Urban Outfitters // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads) // Watch: Target

Velvet Bells

2012-03-05T10:09:00.002-08:00

You're going to be seeing a lot of my newly altered pants because I just got them back after having them all for weeks and being too long to wear! So get ready for a lot of flare! :)

I got these velvet bell bottoms at Urban Outfitters about 2 months ago and I love them. I seriously feel like I'm wearing fashionable loungewear. I decided to let the velvet shine and wear a simple vintage blazer and white tee. When I bought these, they also had a burgundy pair and believe me, it was hard to choose. If I had known how comfy these were going to be, I would have just gotten both. Oh well.

Have a great Monday everyone! <3

Blazer and Clutch: Vintage // Pants: Urban Outfitters // Wedges: Forever 21 // Watch: Target

Choosing Your Color Shade: Blondes

2012-03-04T10:19:00.001-08:00

Haven't done a hair post in a long while, so I thought I'd do a color series helping you all figure out what color tone would suit you best. First up, blondes!

Do blondes have more fun? Maybe. But it's all in how you flaunt your color! Knowing whether cool or warm colors work for you, your wardrobe color choices, and your make up can make or break your hair color.

So let's start with a little quiz:

1. When I work out my face looks:
A. A little flushed
B. My cheeks are very rosy
C. My face color stays the same

2. My go to make up consists of:
A. Lots of nudes and beige tones
B. Lots of soft pinks and corals
C. Dark reds and burgundy

3. The colors I wear the most are:
A. Neutrals like white, cream, and black
B. Soft pastel colors like light pink, light blue, and yellow
C. Bright colors like red, navy blue, and green

If you're mostly A's:

You would look best sporting cool or warm blonde colors. Lucky you! The best mix for you would be a cool base with warm low lights. Or a warm base with cool low lights. Pretty much any shade of blonde would match well with your skin tone and look. Examples:

If you're mostly B's:

You would look best with a warm shade of blonde. You gravitate toward warmer colors and a complimentary warm blonde shade would fit perfectly with your style. Try a golden blonde, strawberry blonde, or even a caramel blonde! Examples:

If you're mostly C's:

You would look best with a cool shade of blonde. Anything from an icy platinum, to an ash blonde would mesh well with your look. Cool blondes are the most difficult colors to maintain, but they can really compliment a person with your style. Examples:

Hope you all enjoyed. Stay tuned for the brunette and red hair series! <3

Primary Colors

2012-03-02T09:53:00.006-08:00

I was so excited for this outfit and these photos suckkkk!!! Ugh. I freaking need a better lens for my camera. It's probably my fault for shooting in the wrong white balance and not RAW mode, but whatever.

So my last shopping excursion (for a long while) was a few weeks ago and I picked up some ridiculously cheap pants at Urban Outfitters, including these high waist flares. I love the color, I love the high waist, I love the flare....Ok, I just LOVE! I had to wait to wear them though because they were so long and I needed to get them altered. But now they're perfect. :) What do you think?

Have a great weekend everyone! It's supposed to be warm here so I hope I can wear some spring looks! <3

Blouse: Forever 21 // Jeans: Urban Outfitters // Clutch: Vintage // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads) // Necklace: HoH inspired (ebay)

There's Chemicals in the Clouds

2012-03-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

Can I just say that I love this dress? It's the one I got back in January when I was down in southern CA with my husband. Normally Forever 21's bodycon dresses don't fit me in the bust, but this one does, and I'm so happy because I've been wanting a cute lacey dress. And it actually fits me even better now because I lost a little weight when I was sick. :)

I think that's the only positive that comes from being sick. Although I'd rather just stay healthy! Have a great Thursday lovelies! <3

Dress, Hat, and Boots: Forever 21

American Girl

2012-02-28T10:13:00.001-08:00

The awesome thing about the Jason Wu for Target collection is that I'll have an outfit for the 4th of July! The collection has a lot of navy and red and after deciding on the top today, I thought I'd go one more step in the classic direction and wear my H&M trench. It was actually perfect weather for this khaki staple! Rain and clouds. :)

Want to know a secret? This is the ONLY red top I own. I am just not drawn to red items and last summer, I purged my only red top. So this one has now taken it's place and it's not even that red! LOL.

Any colors that you don't own a lot of?

Trench Coat: H&M // Top: Jason Wu for Target // Jeans: Paige // Purse: Aldo (Crossroads) // Heels: Jessica Simpson // Necklace: Forever 21

Valley Girl

2012-02-27T09:37:00.002-08:00

I feel like it's been a lifetime since I've blogged. I normally do my posts ahead of time (easier with my son) and I'm so glad I did last week. I can't even tell you how sick I was and how it just came out of nowhere. I'm still not 100%, but at least I could get out of the house today. Even grocery shopping sounded fun because it was away from the house!

Anyway, I realized after I put this together, that I felt very 80's Valley Girl. The high ponytail, the ankle boots and mini skirt...I could be an extra in a John Hughes movie. :) I also looove my House of Harlow inspired necklace I got off of eBay. I love the geometric design, but without the big price tag.

Have a great Monday everyone! <3

Sweater, Blouse, Skirt, Boots, and Earrings: Forever 21 // House of Harlow Inspired Necklace: eBay // Purse: H&M

Links a La Mode Weekly Roundup

2012-02-24T09:20:00.002-08:00

Hey everyone. Sorry for the lack of outfit posts this week. I've come down with an insane case of the flu this week and the couch has become my best friend. It's a shame I've had to miss out on this incredible weather too. :( Hopefully I'll be feeling well in the next few days to do some outfit posts. In the meantime, my post on the DIY: Peplum Top was chosen in this weeks Links a La Mode Weekly Round Up for IFB. I'm so excited to be chosen a long with some amazing posts from other fashion bloggers. Check them out when you get a chance!

Springing Forward

Edited By Taylor Davies
I don't know about all of you, but I've been ready for spring since about, mmm, December. I love cold weather, I love snow, I love bundling up - but I saw so many amazing trends and looks during September's fashion week that I could hardly wait to wear. At least in New York, it seems like winter barely even arrived this year. Today for example, it's about 60 degrees in Manhattan! Everywhere people are in their shortsleeves and sunglasses, it feels an awful lot like spring is already here.

From the looks of this week's Links a La Mode submissions, I'm not the only one with spring fashion fever. There were so many posts about trends and looks we'll all be embracing - or are already! From printed pants to neon bags, ladylike dresses and the upcoming Marni for H&M collection - and of course some inspiring DIY projects - everything's coming up floral! Check out this week's inspiring and fashionable posts, and as always, thank you for the wonderful submissions!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: FEBRUARY 23RD

Anthony Carmen: #NYFW - Menswear Trends We Need in AW12
Do You Speak Gossip: How To: A Matte Manicure With Shiny Tips
Endear: Overheard at New York Fashion Week
Lady Of Fashion: DIY Boot Strapping
Lure Of The Dark Side: Adele
My Fashion Wishlist: New Fashion Sweetheart - Lana Del Rey
My Haute Habit: Floral Fancies
Paper + Cloth: An Ode To The Little Black Dress
Pattern Rebellion: Feed Your Jewelry Addition With Melody's Pieces
Sequined Sprinkles: Friday Favorites: Black & White Edition
Sidewalk Chic: Reality vs. Creativity in Fashion Blogging
Simply Frabulous: The Mystery Has Been Revealed: Marni For H&M, The Looks
SoCal Sophisticate: Trend-y Tuesday - She's a Lady
Style Delights: Trend To Try - Neon Bags (And How To Wear Them)
Sucker For Sequins: Sequins + Stripes
Sugar and Chiffon: Red Pencil Skirt + Leopard Belt, 3 Ways
Sugar and Spice: How To Wear The Print Trend For SS12
The Classic Woman: Style & Grace - Jackie Kennedy
The Love Hanger: DIY Peplum Top
Woodstock Wardrobe: Fashion Week AW12 - Retro Silhouettes in a Modern Context

SPONSOR:
Dresses at Shopbop: Milly, Kalmanovich, Joie dresses, James Perse, ISSA, Thakoon Addition, Minkoff, Tibi, Black Halo, Nation LTD, Ohne Titel, Chalayan & Velvet Dresses

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE.

Cat Fight

2012-02-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

Got myself a cool pair of cat eye sunglasses from Old Navy! I love the ombre effect from a light grey to black on the frames. Cat eye sunglasses are coming back into style but with a little twist. I remember being in junior high when cat eye frames became popular again. Back then though, the style was slimmer and more closely tied to the vintage ones we see in the 50's. But today's versions mix the vintage with the "bug eye" look of popular frames today. Either way, I love how they look!

What do you all think of cat eye sunnies?

Blouse and Clutch: Forever 21 // Pants: H&M // Heels: Payless // Sunnies: Old Navy

DIY: Peplum Top

2012-02-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Back with another DIY. There are so many trends going on right now and I find myself wanting to make the pieces I see. It saves me money and it's fun. Hope you enjoy this one!

Tools:

Old shirt (should be fitted)
Fabric for the peplum
Scissors
Thread
Pins
Tape measure or ruler (not pictured. Sorry!)

Try on your shirt and make a mark where your waist is.

Cut about a half inch below that mark for seam allowance.
Measure your waist. If you want a pleated peplum, add about 3-4 inches to your waist measurement.

Lay out your peplum fabric and make a semi-circle using your waist measurement.

Cut along that semi-circle.

Determine how long you want the peplum to be and measure down from the semi-circle. Add a half inch for the seam allowance.

Cut along that line and you should now have a circle of fabric for the peplum.

Turn your shirt inside out and start pinning the peplum to the shirt. The right side of the peplum should be touching the right side of your shirt.
If you cut extra for pleats, add in the pleats where you want them.
Sew or hand sew the peplum to the top.
Turn right side out and admire your work! Woo hoo! Almost done.

Finish the bottom edge of the peplum by turning under and stitching closed by hand or by machine.

And you're done! Really easy and super cute peplum top. Any questions, just message me! Have fun!

Frilly Bows

2012-02-20T10:05:00.002-08:00

Spring is coming with its neon, pastel madness and all I can think is classic black and white. I think it might be because I don't want to "spoil" my spring/summer items yet on the blog. Hee hee. I did decide to add a pop of color with my floral turband. I was thinking about making some of these myself, but for $3 at Forever 21, I'm probably saving myself some money! They have tons of colors, so if you're looking for some, check out the site!

I have to tell you about these pants. A few years ago, Zara sold a pair like this with the ribbon bow to tie in front. Of course there was no Zara remotely close and the pants were like $80. One day I was cruisin' Goodwill and I found this satin pair of harem pants just hanging out. My stepmom added the ribbon bow for me and just a few days ago, I slimmed down the leg a bit to make them tapered at the ankle and voila! $3 pants that look just like the Zara ones! I love these pants!

What do you think? <3

Blouse: Old Navy // Trousers: Vintage // Turband and Clutch: Forever 21 // Heels: Payless

Fig and Faun Giveaway WINNER!

2012-02-19T12:00:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone!

Thanks to those who participated in the Fig and Faun Giveaway this week. I'm really excited for the person who gets these gorgeous earrings! Now onto the winner...

Congratulations: Jenna of http://bowsandleopard.blogspot.com!!

I will email you with all of the details shortly.

Stay tuned for more exciting giveaways coming soon. And yes, internationally! <3

Wooed by Wu

2012-02-17T09:55:00.002-08:00

So here it is. The debut of one of my pieces I bought from the Jason Wu for Target collection. The highly coveted poplin dress!! In this dress, I have never felt more ladylike and beautiful. Seriously. I can see why so many women love Jason Wu's designs. He really does know the female body and how to accentuate the positive. The fitted bodice and full skirt complement each other and give that hour glass figure. Something that is hard for me to achieve because I have a very flute-ish body. My bust, waist, and hips are all within a few inches of each other.

I also feel a little Olive Oyl in this dress. Probably because of the navy blue and stripes at the bottom. But that's okay. Popeye is my favorite cartoon character. :)

Have a great weekend everyone! <3

Dress: Jason Wu for Target // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads) // Watch: Target

PS. Last chance to enter the giveaway! Your chance to win could be great!

70's Babe

2012-02-16T09:34:00.001-08:00

Holy cow, it was so windy today! Out of the 40 or so pictures my husband took, about 30 of them had my hair in my face or my shirt doing weird things. LOL. I had to stand away from the wind which is why I'm turned to the side in all these. If I wore a white, billowy dress, I could have seriously done some Marilyn Monroe-esque poses. :)

I found these jeans at Target when I got the dress from Tuesday's post and they were only $8! I love well fitting cheap jeans. The ring I got from Forever 21 is so fun! It kind of reminds me of a little piece of armor. My husband said it scares him. Well, sometimes fashion is scary. :)

Hope you all have a great day and don't forget the giveaway ends Sunday!

Vest: Vintage // Blouse, Heels, and Ring: Forever 21 // Jeans: Target // Purse: Aldo (Crossroads)

Darling Dress

2012-02-14T10:06:00.002-08:00

I posted on my Twitter account a while ago that I was super impressed with Target's spring dresses. It was hard to choose just one. And because this dress fits so well, I may need to beg and plead to the hubby to buy me another one in a different color. This was my Valentine's Day gift, but a girl can always use another dress just because...right?

I love the vintage looking flower bud print, and the ruffled cap sleeves. Such a girly, sweet dress that I'm going to wear over and over. I didn't take a close up of the braided belt, but I'm pretty sure it's a 5 strand braid (which I know how to do now!) so I can make some in other colors. :)

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day! No day for me because the hubby is out of town, but he did take me to dinner over the weekend. Giant smooch to you all my dear readers! <3

Dress: Target // Clutch and Necklace: Forever 21 // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads)

Dressed Up and Down

2012-02-13T09:25:00.002-08:00

Finally wearing my new H&M top before it starts getting warm again. Do you ever have epiphany moments when planning outfits? Like you're sitting there brushing your teeth and all of a sudden you're like, "Oh snap! That will totally work!" Well that's how this outfit came about. I decided to dress down my top with the boyfriend jeans, but then dress it back up with the heels and more dramatic make up. I liked how it turned out.

What do you think?

Blouse: H&M // Jeans: American Eagle // Heels: Payless // Clutch: DIY

PS. Don't forget to enter the Fig and Faun earring set giveaway! Just enter by clicking the link at the top of the home page! <3

Fig and Faun Giveaway!

2012-02-12T12:00:00.005-08:00

Hey everyone! Hope the weekend has been treating you well. And why not end it on a perfect note by entering a giveaway!

I was contacted by the sweet Megan of Fig and Faun who creates one of a kind, hand crafted jewelry from her home in Berkeley, CA. She uses glass, beads, and gorgeous gemstones to create her work. Check out some of the items available in her shop:

And now for you, my lovely readers, you have a chance to win this gorgeous pair of earrings!

Set upon sterling silver and garnished with Czech glass beads, these teardrop earrings are the perfect complement to any spring outfit!

All you have to do is the following:

Publicly follow The Love Hanger through Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'.
For an extra entry, like The Love Hanger on Facebook.
For an extra entry, like Fig and Faun on Facebook.

Leave a comment, with your email, telling me what you did, and the winner will be chosen through random.org.

Contest ends Sunday February 19th, 12:00 pm PST. Open to US readers only.

Good luck!

Back to Basics

2012-02-10T09:52:00.001-08:00

And the sky was grey...Of course after I brag about the warm weather, it gets cool again. I wanted to wear my new Jason Wu for Target skirt today, but no. Eh, it's a spring skirt anyway, so I'll let it linger in the closet for a little while. Patience...

The grey sky put me in a neutral mood. Whenever I'm feeling "f93jbisal" (code for blah), I fall back on my black, whites, and creams. You can't ever go wrong with that pairing. I still wanted to jazz up the look with my big hat and statement necklace though. It's so fun, the stares you get while out and about wearing a hat like this. I guess with age comes confidence though because I don't care! I should probably make business cards for my blog and hand them out and tell them that they can now stare to their hearts' desire!

ooo...I'm in a weird mood. Watch out. Have a great weekend everyone! <3

Sweater, Hat, and Boots: Forever 21 // Shorts: H&M // Purse: Aldo (Crossroads)

PS. I have something really cool planned for you all on Sunday so make sure you come back and visit!!

Pretty Pastels

2012-02-09T10:06:00.002-08:00

Man, it has been so nice the last few days. Mid 60's with a slight breeze. Ah...so many styling options! I've worn both of these pieces on the blog here and here, and decided to pair them together for spring's pastel trend. And do you love my Marc Jacobs bag? It's the one I got from Crossroads Trading Co. last month. Super cute patchwork denim in blue and pink and it was only $16! I now own a piece from one of my favorite designers. Yay! :)

I also put my hair into a faux bob courtesy of B. Jones Style. Beth has a fabulous blog, so check it out if you haven't.

Blouse and Necklace: Forever 21 // Pants: H&M // Flats: Payless // Purse: Marc Jacobs (Crossroads)

DIY: Color Block Clutch

2012-02-07T09:37:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I have been itching to get back into sewing (it comes and goes in phases), and I thought it would be cool to do another DIY. I've been seeing some INCREDIBLE DIY clutches lately and I thought I'd make one. Home made clutches are pretty easy to make and require basic sewing skills. Hopefully you'll find this tutorial easy. As always ask any questions and I'll guide you through. Enjoy!

Tools:

1/2 yard of coordinating fabric. Always check the remnants section at the fabric store! Sometimes you can get amazing fabric! Can be whatever material you fancy. Leather and vinyl will be more structured than cotton or suede. But I used suede. :)
Matching thread
Measuring tape or ruler
Pins
Zipper (needs to be longer than your measured bag)

Lay out fabric for cutting.
All measurements can be however big or small you want. For this I'm using 16 inches long by 13 inches wide.
Cut the beige fabric 12 inches long by 13 inches wide starting at the fold . You should get a folded square of fabric.
Cut the black fabric 4 inches long by 13 inches wide starting at the fold. You'll get a folded rectangle of fabric.

Put right sides of fabric together and sew one of the black edges to one of the beige edges.
Put right sides together again and sew the other black edge to the other beige edge.

You should now have a tube of fabric.
Where the black and beige meet, this will be the bottom of the clutch.

Carefully cut the top of the beige fabric to open up the tube.

Now we're going to add the zipper. I wanted a heavy duty zipper so I bought a coat zipper. Coat zippers don't go smaller than 20 inches, so I had a lot of leftover. But that's okay. Just make sure the zip is longer than the width of your clutch.
Lay beige fabric right side up and zipper right side down. Pin for sewing.

Top stitch the fabric and the zipper so that the fabric doesn't get caught in the zipper when opening or closing. This step is optional, but I always do it.
For the other side, lay the beige fabric right side up and the zipper right side down. Pin for sewing.
Top stitch again.

Now you have another tube of fabric, but this time with a zipper in place! Almost done!

Open your zip a few inches and turn your tube inside out. You'll need it open in order to turn the bag, so don't forget!!

Sew up the sides of the bag and when you get to the zipper, fold it in half like in the picture. Sew over the zipper carefully and do it a few times to really hold it in place.

Cut off the extra ends of the zipper and the corners to reduce bulk on the inside.
Reach through the hole in the zipper and pull the bag right side out.

Yay!!! You are finished!! Now you have a super cute DIY Fold Over Color Block Clutch!

The After Sequin Party

2012-02-06T10:13:00.001-08:00

Who says sequins are only for the holidays? F that! Sequins are year round I say! They can jazz up any old outfit and they are perfect for a night on the town. The best part of my top was when I was driving today and the light from the sun hit the sequins and the inside of my car looked like a roller rink during the "couples skate" when the disco ball drops down. Good times. Sorry if I caused any accidents due to "blindness". Muwahahaa!

And I've noticed I've hit 100 followers. Perhaps that means a giveaway should be scheduled soon...hmmm......;) Happy Monday! <3

Top, Pants, and Clutch: Forever 21 // Wedges: F21 (Crossroads)

Trendy Hair for 2012

2012-02-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

A new year has started and everyone is discovering what's going to be hot in fashion for 2012. But you may be wondering....what's going to be hot in hair for 2012? And here's where I come in.

Whether you're looking for a drastic change or a subtle change, there will be a trend for you. So let's begin!

Short Styles

The bob is classic and will never go out of style. But in the last few years we've been seeing a move from sleek to texture. Spice up your A-line style with soft waves, volume, razored layers, and lots of texture!
Ask your stylist to texturize or softly razor the ends to give movement.
For styling, use a large barrel curling iron, some surf spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Sunsilk Waves of Envy, and you're done!

The shag is a cut that has been around for a while, but becoming increasingly popular because more and more people are embracing their natural texture. This cut is great for those who want wash and go hair, have wavy hair, or want volume.
For styling, add in a styling lotion or soft mousse to your hair and diffuse and scrunch until dry. Perfection!

The pixie is another fantastic short style that will turn heads in 2012. Try it with an eye-skimming fringe or soft wisps along the neckline to add some edge.
For styling, use a texture wax like KMS Hair Play Dry Wax and piece out the ends to your hearts' desire.

Medium Styles

Medium styles can be spiced up with a long, square fringe to draw attention to your eyes. Made popular by ladies like Zooey Deschanel, it helps add dimension to a low maintenance length.
Ask your stylist for a fringe that is long enough to cover your eyebrows and tapers off into the sides.

The long, angled bob is also perfect for medium length hair and can still give you that volume you desire. Perfect wearing straight or waved, it gives the illusion of a polished look in that in between phase.

Long Styles

Becoming popular in 2011 and still continuing into 2012 are braids and plaits. Easily achieved with long hair gals, there are so many varieties of braids to spice up your look.
Try the Milk Maid braid, the 5 Strand Braid, or the Inverted French Braid and Bun.

If you're over braids and want to try something new, try twists! Seen on the spring runways, this is an easy, fuss-free style that is easily achievable on all hair lengths.

Long layers were very popular in the early 2000's and are starting to come back again. For a while we've seen a lot of short layers among ladies with long hair looking to achieve that bouncy, volumized look. But things are going more natural, and natural calls for...well, natural looking hair.
Ask your stylist to cut long layers throughout the back and a few shorter face-framing layers in the front. Use that large barrel curling iron or flat iron to achieve beachy waves, and don't forget to protect your hair by using a heat serum like Nexxus Heat Protexx or Pantene Style Heat Protectant.

Color

Ombre and balayage hair don't seem to be trending out anytime soon, but the contrast is lessening. For darker haired gals, go only 2-3 shades lighter. For blonde gals, add dimension by putting in lowlights to give the illusion of balayage. Both are low maintenance and don't require numerous salon visits.
Cool browns and blondes seem to be getting requested more and more. Even in the fall and winter when ladies like to get a little warmth, the most requested colors are those that are more matte with a few golden tones.
Ask your stylist to help you choose a cool, matte color for your over all shade, and then piece out a few hair strands in the front and top in a nice warm color to add dimension.

So what are you going to try for 2012?

Jason Wu for Target Haul!

2012-02-05T09:18:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited to share what I got this morning! I woke up early to hit my local Target to see if I could score some Jason Wu items. Luckily, I checked Facebook and found out that only 1 Target in Fresno was carrying the collection.

All was nice outside. Everyone was chatting and patiently waiting in line. But as soon as they opened the doors, some crazies from the back tried to rush the front. Umm...no. I hate when people do that. Another good thing was that all the girls there were teeny tiny. Like size 0-6. Not my size!! Haha. I'll take the 8-10's! And forget about the purses, because that's where everyone went right when we got in. It's okay. I have enough purses.

Anyway, after much deliberation and trying on everything I wanted, I chose the black pleated skirt, the navy, daisy, pleated skirt, the navy poplin dress, and the red striped top. But everything was amazing. If I had unlimited funds, I would have bought one item each. Great quality and fantastic prices. Can't wait to style my items!

Did you get up early for Jason Wu? What did you get?

Simple Green

2012-02-03T10:00:00.010-08:00

I know, I know. I'm wearing the same heels I've been wearing in previous posts. But they're so friggin' comfortable! I wore them out all day and absolutely no pain. I think I might need some more Seychelles. :)

Ok, so who is getting ready/excited to bust down Target's door on Sunday?? I'm sooo excited for the Jason Wu line. I love every single piece in the collection. It's going to be hard to decide what to buy. I'm digging the black pleated skirt and vintage looking blue dress so we'll see if I get lucky. Are you going to get anything and if so, what are you coveting?

I have a fun hair post coming up on Sunday and a cool tutorial in the works for Valentine's Day. Hope you all have a great weekend! <3

PS. If you get the chance, I've entered the Refinery 29's Style Blogger contest, and I'd love it if you could vote for me! There are so many amazing blogs to choose from. It's going to be a fun contest. :) Just scroll down the list of amazing blog entries, find my picture and click the heart to vote! Thanks so much for all of your support!

Blouse: Vintage // Jeans: Paige // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads) // Necklace and Purse: Forever 21

Flowers in the Wind

2012-02-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

My favorite kind of day is a windy day. I love the way the wind ruffles your hair and swoops up your skirts and dresses and makes them dance. It's probably why my happiest moment is driving in San Diego with the windows down listening to Don Henley sing "Boys of Summer". Anyway...

I didn't even realize it was windy today when I put on this skirt and I was excited to take some photos with it blowing behind me. You can totally see my "model hair" in a picture down below. LOL. Good times. And do you like my socks? It was an impromptu buy at F21 and I really didn't think I could pull off the cutesy socks and heels combo. But I'm sort of in LOVE with it now. Made me feel all girly. :)

Hope you all are having a great day! Are we friends on Facebook yet? If not, let's connect! It's a great way to ask me questions about anything you see on the blog. <3

Blouse, Clutch, and Socks: Forever 21 // Skirt: H&M // Heels: Payless

Mad For Plaid

2012-01-31T10:22:00.002-08:00

Ok, girls. I have never been one for plaid. I just feel that on me it looked too boyish. Even though I love the menswear look. But lately I've been seeing it worn in such fabulously feminine ways and so I decided to try it. I paired it with my drop earrings, turquoise necklace, and some flirty heels. The heels were a definite must for me because I was getting worried even with all the jewelry on! What do you think? Are there any fashion trends that freak you out?

Oh and I had to wear my new cowboy ring from F21 because let's face it....plaid and cowboys are like peanut butter and jelly. Am I right? I also tried a new style for my hair which definitely needs some practice. I recently discovered the cutest blog called Aqui and she did her hair like this. I love it! Such a great spin on the french braid and bun. Hope you all are having a great Tuesday! <3

Shirt and Ring: Forever 21 // Jeans: American Eagle // Bag: Aldo (Crossroads) // Heels: Seychelles (Crossroads) // Watch: Merona

Tin Foil Woman

2012-01-30T09:35:00.003-08:00

Here's my new tin foil shirt in action! The color is out there, but pretty versatile. It's like this gold/silvery color that matches quite a bit. I love the slouchiness of it and how it's a little bit cropped. If it didn't have inside seams I'd wear it inside out too because the inside is this cool bronze color!

I realized though that having metallic clothing means I don't really have any matching shoes. What color shoes would you pair with metals?

Top: H&M // Skirt and Jacket: Forever 21 // Wedges: F21 (Crossroads)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow

2012-01-29T10:02:00.001-08:00

From left to right: Bad to the Bronze, Pomegranate Punk, Edgy Emerald, and Audacious Asphalt

I haven't done a beauty post in a loooong time, so I thought today would be a good day. I recently purchased some of the Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo Eyeshadows and I'd like to give my review on them. So I hope you enjoy!

I happened to just stumble upon these eye shadows while I was in the beauty aisle at Target. The colors looked really fun and I had been wanting to try a cream eye shadow so I thought, why not? I bought the colors: Bad to the Bronze, Pomegranate Punk, Edgy Emerald, and Audacious Asphalt. I thought getting more neutral colors when I hadn't tried them would be safe.

I absolutely love the colors and would actually love to have all of them if I could! The color goes on so smoothly and a little goes a long way. I use my ring and pinky fingers and smudge with a q-tip or clean finger when done. The awesome part is that you can gradually build the color to make it as sheer or matte as you want. Each color also has reflective particles in it to give off a great sheen. And I've read other reviews where some stated they don't blend well, but I think they blend perfectly.

You can see in the photos how I blended the Bad to the Bronze and the Pomegranate Punk.

Wearing Edgy Emerald

As far as lasting 24 hours, well I haven't tested that since I don't sleep in my make up. But I was satisfied after putting it on in the morning and then at night, checking before I washed the shadow off to see how it did. No creasing and the color was still vibrant.

I have to say, I'm definitely a fan of cream shadows now!

Where to buy:

Target: $5.99
Walgreens: $6.99 (at the time was buy one get second 50% off)
Rite Aid: $6.49
Wal Mart: $5.49

Hope you enjoyed my little review and let me know what you think of these products!

Shop My Closet!

2012-01-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge supporter of recycled fashion and I've been seeing a lot of bloggers lately doing a "shop my closet" on their blogs. So I thought I'd give it a whirl. You can find all the information here or click the Shop My Closet link on the right sidebar.

I'll be adding a lot more items soon! Have a great rest of the weekend everyone! <3

Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away

2012-01-27T09:29:00.005-08:00

Yay for tie dye!! I love this blouse! I found it at the Crossroads in Stockton for $6. It's so light and airy, and will be completely perfect for summer. Why no one snatched this baby up in it's original Crossroads is beyond me. My son is so cute. He kept pointing at my shirt and saying "clow". His way of saying "cloud". He's learning so many words right now it's insane. He's growing up too fast!

And I need your help again. My son drew on these shoes with pen, and I don't know how to remove it or if that's even possible. They're leather and luckily it's on the inside sole so it's not too noticeable. :( Help!!

And this is why I don't own a white blazer. LOL. Have a great weekend everyone! <3

Tank top, Purse, and Heels: Gap, Aldo, and Seychelles (Crossroads) // Pants: Old Navy // Necklace: Forever 21

Playful Polka Dots

2012-01-26T09:20:00.004-08:00

I just love swingy skirts! And especially polka dots. I find polka dots to be so feminine and fun. This is another skirt I scored on Etsy a while back and I hadn't worn it yet because I can't decide if I want to hem it up a bit or not. What do you guys think? Like right below the knee or right above?

Of course I had to brighten up my look with my jade green blouse. I seriously love this color. I think I need more green in my wardrobe. :)

PS. I'm seriously humbled by having 90 followers. Holy cow. Thank you all so so much for even coming to visit my tiny space in the blogosphere. I'm truly grateful. <3

Blouse and Clutch: Forever 21 // Skirt and Belt: Vintage // Wedges: F21 (Crossroads)

Forever 21 and H&M Haul

2012-01-25T10:08:00.001-08:00

I never realized that hauls were so popular until browsing blogs and youtube. It's fun seeing what other girls are buying. It almost kind of satisfies the need to shop. Almost. LOL. I thought I'd make a post showing what I got from F21 and H&M while down here in southern CA. Hope you like it!

Cream colored fringe top from F21. Can't wait to wear this in the spring and summer. So hippie and so my style. :)

Cream crochet skirt. I've been looking for one of these for a while. I was so glad to find it! From F21.

Black culotte shorts from F21. It's hard to see what they really look like but these are so cute! Sheer and flowy. Great for summer.

Black bermuda shorts from F21. I fell in love with the tulip shaped pockets. So soft and so comfy. Love them!

Gold and multi-colored necklace from F21. So pretty in the light and pastel colors that are perfect for Spring.

Cowboy hat ring from F21. Just thought this was so unique and cool.

Gold metallic top from H&M. When I saw this online, I knew I had to have it. I've been craving metallic fabrics all winter.

White and black blouse from H&M. So soft and silky and totally on trend.

And the creme de la creme! This gorgeous khaki trench 50% off. Fits like a dream and is so classic. It's no Burberry, but it comes pretty damn close.

All of the H&M stuff was on a gift card so in total, I only spent about $90 on the F21 stuff. That's good for me! LOL. Look for all of these things in upcoming posts! :)

In the Navy

2012-01-24T09:09:00.002-08:00

I scored this gorgeous shift dress at Old Navy when I was back home. It was 30% off the already reduced price so it cost me $6! I decided at that price, I'd get it in hot pink too. :) The purse was one that I found at the Crossroads in Stockton and I love the chain link strap and the buttery leather. It's actually pretty dang heavy!

And I have a question...I usually use Picnik to resize my photos, but Picnik is closing and I need a new site where I can adjust the pixel size. What do you all use? Have a great day everyone! <3

Dress: Old Navy // Hat, Heels, and Necklace: Forever 21 // Purse: Banana Republic (Crossroads)

Orangey Florals

2012-01-23T09:54:00.004-08:00

Do you all ever hold onto gift cards for like....years? Ok, I usually don't, but I did when I received an Urban Outfitters gift card. My husband had bought it for me Christmas of '10 and I finally used it late last year. I don't know why, I just couldn't find anything I really liked. Weird though because I love UO. Just in a funk I guess.

Anyway, I bought this orange cardigan with my gift card and I love it. It's really lightweight and soft which makes it a great layering piece. And I was kind of surprised when I paired it with this blouse and it seemed to go well together. It will be a good combo for spring. :)

Outfit posts will be a little more sporadic this next week because my husband is traveling for work. So hang with me. I'll probably throw in a few DIY's or hair posts. Have a great Monday! <3

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters // Blouse: Forever 21 // Skirt: H&M // Bag and Wedges: Aldo and F21 (Crossroads)

DIY: Fabric Flower

2012-01-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

For my Etsy store, I make a lot of little fabric flowers and I had gotten a request a while back to make a tutorial for one. I recently got an order, and so I thought I should make the tutorial while I was making the order!

There are many ways to make these types of flowers, but this is the way I do it. I don't mind if you use my way to make them for private or selling use, but please, if you repost this, please give credit. Thanks. :)

Tools:

Satin fabric (make sure it's a flammable fabric like polyester. You won't need a lot so use remnants or an old scarf, etc.)
Organza or tulle (optional)
Scissors
Needle and thread
Rhinestones or decorative embellishment
Pattern circles (I cut mine from the cardboard that comes in a fat quarter. I sized them from 4" to 1.5". 4", 3.5", 3", 2.5", 2", 1.5"...you should have 6 circles)
Pen
Tacky Glue
Glue gun
Felt

Trace the 6 circles on the satin and cut out.

Cut half inch slits around the circles about an inch apart.

Light your candle and carefully hold the fabric over the candle to burn the edges. Hold it at an angle so the edges curl inward. Do all 6 circles. If you're using organza or tulle don't burn that!

Arrange the flowers from biggest to smallest. Make it as perfect or imperfect as you want.
Take your needle and thread and sew through all 6 layers right in the middle.

Use your tacky glue to glue down rhinestones or jewels. I love tacky glue because it dries clear.

Fire up your glue gun and get your felt ready. Cut a circle and a rectangle.
Glue the circle to the back of the flower.
For the rectangle glue just the long edges so that there is room in the middle. I do it like this so that my buyer can slip a clip in there or a headband. Cool huh?

And now you're finished! Super cute fabric flower that takes about 30 minutes. Enjoy and let me know if you tried this. :)

Cozy Cardigan

2012-01-20T09:44:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone's Friday is going well. Weekend. Yay! I was talking about how warm it was last week and this week it's freezing! It seems like it's finally becoming winter. Although we could definitely use the rain! I had ordered this cardigan online the week before I went home and it was waiting for me when I got back to Fresno. I love the fringe, waterfall front, and the fun tribal-like print. It's not exactly warm, but it's cute. :)

I picked up this messenger bag from Crossroads. I couldn't decide between this one and a blue Cynthia Rowley bag. But I ultimately chose this one because I thought the brown would match with more and I've been wanting a messenger style bag for a while. I didn't photograph the inside, but it's a fun leaf pattern. Boyish on the outside and girly on the inside. Perfection.

Have a great weekend everyone! <3

Cardigan and Ankle Boots: Forever 21 // Shorts: Levi's Vintage // Purse: Aldo (Crossroads)

Pink Lady

2012-01-19T09:37:00.001-08:00

Hey all!! I'm back to the world of internet annnddd finally getting well. My son was sick earlier last week and I caught his bug and have been battling it all week. Not cute. But I felt pretty good today so my clothes had to match my mood. :)

I am in LOVE with this blazer. The color, the fit, the feel....perfection. And do you like my rosey wayfarerers? 5 dollah at F21. Can't beat that! I paired my blazer with my black and white, abstract print tank, and my newly thrifted Paige jeans from the Crossroads in Stockton. I have shopped in many Crossroads, in many states, and have never been to the Crossroads outlet in CA.

I was driving back to Fresno, and thought I'd stop in. I'm so glad I did! I found these Paige jeans for $11, a pair of J Brand Jean Trousers for $11, a Marc Jacobs bag for $16, and some Seychelles heels for $13. I definitely need to go back. This Crossroads actually gets shipments from all of the Crossroads all over the US of items that didn't sell, so you can get amazing finds for super cheap.

Hope you all are having a great week! Do you have a Facebook or Twitter? If you do, let me know in the comments. I always love meeting new friends! <3

Blazer, Tank, and Sunnies: Forever 21 // Jeans: Paige (Crossroads) // Wedges: Forever 21 (Crossroads) // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Tips For a Successful Haircut

2012-01-18T10:02:00.001-08:00

I think we all can relate to those times where we've gone in to get our hair cut with a fabulous idea of how our hair will turn out only to be let down at the outcome. And then what happens? You switch stylists, looking for that one who will know exactly what you want and how to work magic on your hair.

It doesn't have to be that way. And although a true stylist change can be necessary, most good stylists (and I'll explain that later) will give you what you want and need the first time you sit in their chair. Why? Because we want your money and we want you to come back and keep giving us your money!

So here are some helpful tips to help you communicate with your stylist and get the best cut for you!

Bring a Picture:

A hair stylist is an artist. And artists are very visual people. Bringing in a picture of what you want will always be helpful. In fact, bring in a few!
Even if it's a variety of pictures where you say, "I like her bangs, but I like these layers" will help us draw a clearer picture of what you're looking for.

Tell Us About Yourself:

The consultation is the most important part of the service. To us, anyway. It helps us determine exactly what we need to do to get you to come back.
Be prepared to answer these questions and elaborate:

How much time do you like to spend styling your hair?
Are you a wash-n-go gal or do you use styling tools?
If you're getting color, are you prepared for the upkeep?

The more you tell us about your daily hair habits, the more we can customize the cut to suit your needs.

Speak Up!:

If we're doing something you're unsure of, or have a question about what we're doing, speak up!
Make sure you and the stylist are on the same page. An inch to you may be different than an inch to your stylist, etc.

When to Keep Your Stylist and When to Cut Them Loose:

A good stylist will ensure you get what you want within limits. You may have completely different hair than that of your "desired hair", and a good stylist will tell you what can and can't be done.
A good stylist will remember you and will suggest different things every so often. People can get stuck in a hair rut and a good stylist stays abreast of the changing hair trends and can suggest them to you.
Cut your stylist loose if anything on their station looks unsanitary. This is huge for me! I'm a crazy stickler for following State Board rules. If something is not sanitized from client to client, be wary.
Cut your stylist loose if there's a big mishap with your hair and they don't offer you anything in return (cut for free, offer to fix it for half price, etc). Now we won't be giving services away for every minor problem, but if your stylist won't work with you, then they don't care if you come back and that's not someone you want doing your hair anyway.

Hope these tips help you have a successful hair cut! Happy hair days!

All photos courtesy of Google Image search

Geo Print

2012-01-16T10:13:00.001-08:00

It's been so warm here in CA, all I've been searching for when shopping is shorts and tanks. I don't feel like buying sweaters and warm things now. Upon my search for warm weather clothes, I found this tank. I love the geo print of the triangles on it and the color is so pretty. It's very lightweight and soft so it will be perfect for summer.

How about you? Are you shopping for spring and summer yet??

Tank and Bracelet: Freestyle Clothing Exchange (F21) // Jeans: Old Navy // Wedges: Crossroads (F21)

Brighter Than the Sun

2012-01-15T09:36:00.001-08:00

Hot damn, look at them jeans!! A very bold move on my part by wearing rhinestone covered jeans, but I kind of really love them. :) I love the grey, charcoal color and the rhinestones really add a rocker/glam edge to them. I went shopping at Crossroads Trading Co. in Sacramento and found shoes just like my khaki colored wedges from Forever 21, just in black. Wedges are super comfortable, aren't they?

Hope you all had a great weekend and I can't wait to be back in the land of internet again. <3

Blouse and Jeans: Forever 21 // Wedges: Crossroads (F21) // Purse: Urban Outfitters

The Denim Shirt

2012-01-13T09:34:00.001-08:00

Yay! I've finally hopped aboard the denim shirt train! I've been wanting one for a while but it's hard to find one that buttons over the girls, you know? And now within the last week I've found two! This one, and one from H&M in a lighter shade.

One of my favorite things to do when I get a new item of clothing that's trendy, is to search through the archives on Lookbook and see how others wear the item. Man, there are such fashionable men and women on there rockin' the denim shirts.

Where do you guys find your inspiration?

T-shirt and Pants: H&M // Denim Shirt and Loafers: Forever 21 // Bracelet: Freestyle Clothing Exchange

Moto Chic

2012-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Thought I would toughen up my girly dress with my leather jacket and suede ankle boots. And this is what my hair looks like when I don't do it. LOL. It's still pretty wavy, but I usually use the curling iron on it to really define the waves.

I've been thinking (through this time of sporadic internet) if there is anything you'd like me to post about hair wise. I'm trying to think of fun topics, but I'm getting stumped as to what you all would enjoy reading. Maybe styling ideas, or product reviews, or coloring ideas? Let me know!

Thanks to all my new followers and all of your sweet comments. I thoroughly enjoy reading them and please leave me links to your blogs so I can return the favor. :)

Jacket, Dress, and Boots: Forever 21

Vintage Lace

2012-01-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

I bought this shirt long long ago when I wanted to set up an Etsy shop selling vintage clothing. But then I realized that I wanted to keep everything for myself making it hard to have a business. Then not too long after that, I got pregnant and huge and didn't want to wear anything cute. But I held onto this little blouse and now it's making it's debut 2 years later!

I love the bohemian feel of it. It's kind of gauzy and sheer with sweet bell sleeves and lace trim. I love it and you can probably see why I didn't want to sell it. :) What do you think?

Blouse: Vintage // Jeans: Old Navy // Wedges: Forever 21 // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Liebster Award

2012-01-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

I'm so incredibly honored that Izzy from Metallic Paws nominated me for this blogger award! It's so amazing to become friends with people from all over the world that look to you for inspiration. This is why I blog! Thanks so much Izzy. <3

So Liebster is apparently German for dearest, beloved or favourite, and it's for bloggers with under 200 followers. The rules are:

Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
Copy & paste the blog award on your blog
Reveal your 5 blog picks.
Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.

My 5 nominations are:

Terhi from Catch The Drift
Blair from love, Blair
Courtney from Coloured Theory
Tracy from The Wardrobe Wanderer
Maritza from Fashion Youth

All of you ladies are phenomenal and I gain such inspiration from you five. Love you girls! <3 Please check out their blogs if you get a chance!

Navy Stripes

2012-01-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Grr...no internet at my mom's house, so I'm parked in front of a McDonald's stealing their Wi-Fi. Shhh.... Updating my blog is fun for me though and when I don't get to keep in touch with my readers, I feel like I'm missing out. So I'll be trying to catch up as much as I can this week.

Wore my new to me vintage, burgundy blazer over my navy striped shirt. I like the navy and burgundy together. It pairs well. Hope you all are having a wonderful day! <3

Blazer: Vintage // Blouse and Jeans: Forever 21 // Boots: Report thrifted

Lounging in Loafers

2012-01-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm going to admit something super embarrassing about me: I like to eat lunch at Sam's Club. They sell Nathan's Hot Dogs (which I think my NY friends can relate to) and they are soooo good. And for $1.50 including a drink, it's a deal and a half. So that's what I had for lunch today. Phew, I'm glad to get that off my chest. I have to be honest with my readers. :) Now you tell me something fun and we can all have a good laugh!

PS. I started a Facebook page, and a Twitter account, so if you're so inclined to follow me there, please do. And let me know if you have one too, so I can follow you. <3

Hat, Shoes, Sweater, and Pants: Forever 21 // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Fighting Frizz

2012-01-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

I've been asked a few times what my recommendations are for fighting frizz. And although I am a hair product junkie, many of my tips don't rely on tons of products. Here are my easy tips for ensuring healthy, moisturized, frizz free hair:

1. Condition!

Conditioning your hair is so important. Even if you think your hair is already too oily, etc, conditioner is good for your hair. I promise. I had mentioned before that conditioner has the same pH balance as your skin and will help close down the cuticle of the hair strand. An open cuticle is one of the main culprits of frizz. If you have conditioned, moisturized strands, you will have the appearance of healthy hair. So how do you get that?

Deep condition hair once every 2 weeks. Shampoo like normal and then towel dry hair. Apply a liberal amount of your favorite conditioner or a specialized deep conditioner, and wrap your hair in a warm towel. Let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Your hair will feel like silk!

2. Know Your Hair

As a hair stylist, my job is to make you feel good about the hair you have, not the hair you wish you could have. Trust me, my friend has gorgeous, stick straight hair that is so thick. I would give anything to have wash-and-go hair, like she has. But I don't; so I work with what I have!
Figure out if your hair is dry or oily, coarse or fine, thick or thin, straight, wavy, or curly.
Those with dry, coarse, thick, and wavy or curly hair tend to be vulnerable to frizz. It's just the nature of the hair. But conditioning, laying low on heat, and working with your texture can help.

3. Lay Low on the Heat

If you have to have straight hair, then skip the blow dry. Or if you absolutely must blow dry, then use a heat protectant before drying and after. All the protectant will be dried up and gone after blow drying so you will need more.
Make sure your hair is completely dry before styling! And it's even better if you wait a few minutes after drying to let the hair settle before using the iron.
Check the labels of your heat protectant too. You want the "alcohol" to be low on the list. Alcohol will just dry out your hair even more.

4. Work Your Texture

This kind of goes with number 2. We all have different hair and forcing our hair to do something it doesn't want to, will result in damage and frizz. For example, my husband has insanely curly hair. Sometimes he'll ask me to straighten it, and after his hair is straight, it just looks...yuck. You know what I'm talking about. And unfortunately I just have to tell him, you have to stick with your curly hair. It's just you.
So if this sounds like you, work that curl, girl!

So, I hope this helps any of you out there fighting frizz. The answer is to get down to the problem of it instead of alway using the serums out there. Figure out where the problem lies (weather, hair type, damage), and fix what you can! Happy hair days!

Indian Summer

2012-01-07T10:22:00.001-08:00

This week it has been so nice. The weather has been in the mid 60's here in Fresno, and I decided to take advantage by wearing my converted Levi shorts. Hello pasty white legs. :) And I have to show you my new saddle shoes. I saw these in the sale section at F21, and they were marked at $16.99. When they rang up, they were $12! Yay! I love men-looking shoes on women. I think they're so versatile. And now you can finally see my finished ombre hair from my DIY. Do you like it? Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Sweater and Shoes: Forever 21 // Shorts: Vintage Levi's // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Cause This is Thriller

2012-01-05T12:02:00.001-08:00

Thriller night!! :) Oh, this leather jacket incorporates all that I love right now. Cropped fit, studs, and versatility. This is definitely a get noticed jacket, and I kind of like it. I just have to treat it like any other "bright" item in my closet: it has to be in the spotlight. I've found out recently, that Forever 21 sold a black one just like this. I'm kind of glad they didn't have the black when I bought this one though because it would have been hard to choose.

Would you ever wear a red leather jacket?

Jacket, Jeans, and Boots: Forever 21 // Tank Top: Old Navy // Purse: Urban Outfitters

DIY: Ombre Hair and Balayage

2012-01-04T10:11:00.002-08:00

I know there are tons of tutorials out there of girls doing their own color and getting fabulous results. Color is a tricky process though and it's even harder if you don't understand color theory and don't have access to the right tools. But, if you've been reading my color posts, you should be getting a little bit of information about how best to color your hair. I'm going to actually show you how I color my hair through pictures.

Remember though, I am a licensed cosmetologist. I know what works on my hair. I'm using professional color, so I can't be held liable if you DIY your own hair and something happens! But I'm always happy to help guide you if it is something you'd like to try. Just email me!

So let's get started. :)

Tools:

Hair color/bleach
Rat tail comb
Tint bowl
Tint brush
Foil (pre cut)
Old towels
Clips

Preparation:

Pre cut your foil if you need to. Cut about 20 pieces or so.
Pre measure color, but do not mix yet.
Wrap towel or cape around you to protect your clothing.
For my personal preference, I like most of the color to be in the front, so I'm going to section my hair right above my ears going horizontally. Like I'm doing a half ponytail.
Then I'll clip back the bottom to get it out of the way.

Now, I'll split the top section of my hair into two. Clip one side.
Starting from above my ear and making my way up, I'm going to section out large chunks of hair using my rat tail comb (like doing highlights) and I will color those sections.
Continue in this manner on both sides.

Application:

Mix together your color or bleach. You want the consistency to be sort of thick. We don't want it dripping all over the place. It will be easier to apply this way.
After sectioning out the chunks you want to color, place a piece of foil behind those pieces, and paint the color on.
I place the color on the middle section of my hair, holding the tint brush vertically.

Paint the color down to the ends and if necessary, fold the ends up into the foil.
Now this is important: as you paint closer to the root, you want to go light on the color and really blend it in! You'll have less of a noticeable line.
After you've gotten those strands all colored, fold the foil up on itself to seal in the hair. No smashing or closing in that foil like a fortress. Color needs oxygen to process, so just gently fold it enough to get it to stay.
Move onto the next sections and then move onto the other side.
Try to work as quickly as you can, because if you're using color, you only have about 30 minutes before it's oxidized and won't process anymore. You'll have to use more color. Or if you're using bleach, move quick, because you don't want uneven lightness.

Final Steps:

Check your color as it processes. When it gets to the lightness you want, wipe off a bit, and really look at it. If it looks okay, shampoo and condition.

If it needs more time (though no more than 45 minutes!), then allow it to process.
Rinse out color, shampoo gently, and thoroughly condition.

Tips:

If you're using bleach, it will swell from the heat on your head. So when you are painting at the top of the foil, leave about an 1/8 of an inch of room. This will allow the bleach to swell inside the foil and not "boil over" bleeding onto the hair underneath.
Try not to have the starting point of the color all at the same spot on your hair. Unless you want that. It looks more natural to have different starting points. For example, I want the color a little closer to my roots near my face as it brightens my complexion. But in the back, I might start the color 5 inches below the root.
If your color turns too orange, brassy, or gold, click here to read my post on toning.

It was hard getting the correct light in the bathroom, so you'll see my new color in true light soon! :)

Hope this helps! And please email me with any questions you have. Happy hair days!

Elephants on Parade

2012-01-03T10:25:00.002-08:00

I thought my Rock and Roll look was different, but this is a look I haven't worn in years!! Different indeed! This is the way I used to dress when I was an elementary school teacher. Prim, cutesy, proper. No thighs or cleavage for the youngins! Haha.

At first I was like, "Ooh, pink elephant top... Pink jacket... Pink clutch... Too much pink!" But I actually kind of like it. Topped it off with my fake strand of pearls. And there's just something to be said about bell bottom trousers. They make a girl's legs look miles long! I need more pairs! :)

Blazer, Blouse, Clutch, and Wedges: Forever 21 // Jeans: Old Navy // Pearls: Would you believe my childhood toy box?? Seriously.

The Burgundy Maxi Dress

2012-01-02T11:37:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend and New Years! We went to a hockey game on New Year's Eve and it was a lot of fun. I've never been to a hockey game before and it was pretty intense. My son loved it too. I think one more year and then we'll take him ice skating. :)

This dress was one that I found at the Forever 21 in my hometown. That one is hardly ever picked over so anytime I see something I like and it's not at the one in Fresno, I hope it's at the other. I think I will have to hem the bottom a tad, because even in my platform 4 and a 1/2 inch heels, the skirt was still hitting the floor.

Dress and Boots: Forever 21 // Blazer: H&M

And I have to tell you about my 5 strand braid! My lovely fellow blogger friend Blair writes for Chictopia, and she wrote a great article about must-have hair products for the winter. She linked to this site called Hair Romance that features all kinds of different hair styles and I watched a video on how to do a 5 strand hair braid. It took a few tries as it was a little hard to maneuver at first, but I LOVE how it turned out. It's so different and made my hair look nice and thick. What do you think?

If you want to try the braid, click here.

Help With Box Hair Color

2012-01-01T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ever wander into the color aisle at the drugstore and feel overwhelmed by all the choices? I know I used to before I attended beauty school. But now, I actually help people who I see perusing the colors, unsure of what to choose.

In this post, I'm going to help you decipher some of the color jargon, and really dive in to what will look the best on your hair. Remember, these are tips, but ultimately you must decide what is best for your hair!

Semi-Permanent vs. Permanent Color

Goldwell hair color is a salon brand not found in drugstores.

Semi-permanent color is exactly as it sounds: semi-permanent. This color will be truest for only about 6-8 weeks.
ALL SP's are deposit only color. This means that you cannot go lighter with SP. You can either go for your natural shade with hints of other tones (gold, copper, red, etc), or darker.
Permanent color is permanent until you grow it out or color over it. You can go lighter or darker and this also comes in various tones.

So, which one should I choose then?

Go for SP if you're unsure of how it will turn out on your hair. It's non-committal.
Go for SP if you only want to go darker or just enrich the tones in your hair. It's less damaging.
Go for P if you want to go lighter or want highlights.
Go for P if you know exactly what color you want and how it will turn out.
If you're still not sure, most SP's come in a corresponding P color. So if you like the way the SP came out, go for the P!

Lightener (Bleach) and Toner

Lightener, or more commonly know as bleach, comes in a liquid or powder form and enables a person to lighten their hair.
The amount of peroxide in the developer (lotion mixed with bleach to activate it) will tell you how light you can go. 3% deposits color only. 6% will give you 1-2 levels of lift. 9% will give you 2-3 levels of lift. 12% will give you 3-4 levels of lift. I believe that store brands only sell 6%-9%.
Toner is a semi-permanent color that helps tone the lightened hair to the desired color. It comes in all various shades: red, copper, gold, violet, blue, etc.

When to Use Lightener and Toner

Use lightener if you're looking for highlights that are at least 2 levels lighter than your base shade.

For example: If my base shade is level 5 and I want some subtle caramel highlights, I will want to use a 9% developer to get at least 2 levels of lift. Don't know what your color level is? Click here.

To get my hair to that nice caramel color, I will watch the lightener as it processes and wipe off a bit when it looks to the level I want. If it's ready, I will wash and shampoo only!
My toner will probably be a pretty, gold-coppery, semi-permanent color that I will apply to my lightened hair for around 20 minutes.
I will then rinse and condition. No shampoo, or you'll wash that color right out.

What Happens if I've Bleached My Hair and Now it's Orange??

All hair has underlying pigment. They are the colors the hair goes through as the hair strand is lightened.
If you have black or dark brown hair, you will see your hair turn orange. Gasp! Therefore, you have two options:

Let the lightener sit on for longer until you see the tone you like. But you might not get to do it in one sitting. You might have to wash it out, wait a few days and try lightening again. Never go longer than about 45 minutes!!
Use a blue toner. Blue is opposite of orange on the color wheel and therefore counteracts the color by neutralizing it. It will help remove that orangey color.

What Happens if I've Bleached My Hair and I Wanted a Cool Blonde and it Looks Too Gold??

Blonde gals don't usually see the orange stage, but they still have underlying pigment. Their underlying pigment is gold. And some blondes don't want that warmth. So how to get rid of it?:

Use a violet toner. Violet is opposite gold (yellow) on the color wheel and therefore counteracts the color.
There are also many violet shampoos out there to help keep your color cool.

How Do I Make Sense of the Color Names on the Boxes?

Most color names are described in "food" terms. Caramel, honey, chocolate, etc. They are easy to recognize and pretty universal.
Any color that has the terms honey, caramel, or gold will be warm blonde.
Any color that has the terms copper, or bronze will be warm red.
Any color that has the terms chocolate, mahogany, or cocoa will be warm brown.
Any color that has the terms ash, or natural will be cool in all the colors. Some naturals can be warm though, so use your eye.

So there you have it. The basics of choosing an at home color. Hopefully this post has helped you and won't leave you so stumped the next time you want to color your hair at home. If you have any questions or want more specifics, email me! Happy hair days!

Fuzzy Sweater

2011-12-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

I finally found something fuzzy and furry! I spied with my little eye, a really cute and incredibly SOFT fuzzy sweater at Forever 21. I jumped on it, just like I have now jumped on the "furry-look" trend. What do you think of all the fuzzy and furry vests/sweaters/jackets?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sweater, Pants, and Heels: Forever 21 // Necklace: Thrifted

Rock and Roll

2011-12-29T12:22:00.002-08:00

This is definitely a different style than I'm used to wearing, but I really like it. I always see girls wearing the moto boots and the broken in denim and it just looks so fun. Thought I would try it out today. :)

In other news, I'm pretty obsessed with those little pretzels filled with peanut butter. You know those ones I'm talking about? The kind where you can be on the computer and not realize that you've just ate a whole can? That's not me I promise! I just ate 3/4's. :D Have a great day loves!

Blazer: H&M // Shirt: Old Navy // Shorts: Vintage Levi's // Boots: Report thrifted // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Watch: Target

Little Señorita

2011-12-28T13:24:00.002-08:00

Like my pop of color to my black and white outfit? It makes me feel like a señorita. I actually made this flower and put some cute little faux pearls in the center. It's a great little accessory.

I didn't really want to think about what to wear today, so a very basic outfit it was. Hope you like it!

Top: Forever 21 // Pants: H&M // Heels: Payless Shoes // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Flower Clip: Made by Me

Links a la Mode

2011-12-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

I know. I'm sorry, I'm posting twice in one day, but they finally put the links up from IFB and I was chosen! I am so excited to be a part of the last week of 2011's IFB's Links a la Mode! Please check out all the other blogs on the list. They are fabulous!

Start 2012 with Style!

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

Can you believe there are 9 days until 2012!? *Throws Confetti* With 2011 coming to a close, we are all contemplating fresh starts, new adventures and new wardrobes. Oh the joy of starting anew! While you’re making your resolutions, clearing out clothes you haven’t worn all year and spending much needed time with family and friends, take a moment to check out these links from our great community.

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday and hope to see everyone stylishly in 2012!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: DECEMBER 22ND

40 Plus Style: Why You Need to Get Yourself a Drape Dress
Consider Me Lovely: Soft + Hard
El Fashionista: 2012 Shoe Calendar
Girl Loves Color: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Haute Cocktail: Wicce the Turkish Wizard
Homes & Heels: This Weekend
Incognito: Tomboy with an Elvis’ Hairstyle
Le’Love: Going the Distance
My Fashion Wishlist: Forget Skinnies, Everyone’s Rolling Up
Over 50 Feeling 40: Age Discrimination- Overcoming
Pippa Holiday: Dear Santa
Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Braided Wrap Bracelet
Simply Frabulous: Christmas Fashion and Food
Style Delights: Fashion Victim, Trend Slave
Style Sizzle: Holiday Sparkle
Stylish Thought: Speak Your Mind
The Fashion Edition: The GoodHood Store
The Love Hanger: Rose Gold
Tickle Me Chic: Eco-Friendly Dyed Denim
What 2 Wear Where: Gifts That Give

SPONSOR:

New Bags at Shopbop: Cleobella, Marc Jacobs Bags, BE & D, Cambridge Satchels, Wang Backpacks, Anya Hindmarch Bags, Mara Hoffman Bags, Botkier, Romygold, KORS,LeSportsac, Weekend & Beach Bags.

Cut My Hair and Thrift Finds!

2011-12-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

Do you like it??

Haha! I lied. I just did the ol' long hair into short hair switcheroo. It didn't stay very long though because I didn't curl my hair enough, but it was fun "chopping" off about 8 inches of a hair for a few photos. :)

So I had to share my thrift finds from yesterday. I haven't been thrift shopping in weeks and I've been dying to go. It's easiest for me to go alone, so I can really peruse the racks, but my husband wasn't coming home quick enough, so I just took my son and off we went. He actually did very well.

I have been wanting a burgundy blazer for fall/winter and I've yet to find one. Lo and behold, there sit this beauty among the racks. In just my size, if not a tad too big. I love it. And I've been wanting to buy some old Levi's and turn them into cut off shorts, so I found a fun pair and cut those up. I really wanted a button fly and I liked the rips already done on the pocket. It gave them some character.

And last but not least, I found Sam Edelman platform heels for $4!! I almost missed them. Right after I bought my stuff, I saw this cool looking blouse, so I went to go look at it, and sitting right next to it were these heels. I couldn't believe it! I also found these cool, flat ankle boots with the pleated ruffle design. Genuine leather and they are Report brand. I had never heard of them, so I looked them up online and most of the shoes go for $50 to $100. Not bad for only spending $2.50 on them. :)

Now if the thrift store gods want to drop a real Chanel purse in my local Salvation Army, I wouldn't be too disappointed....

What's the best thing you've found while thrifting?

Coffee and Cookies

2011-12-26T09:33:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! Ours was spent playing with our new gifts and getting stuffed on coffee and cookies. I can't believe there's now only one more week until 2012. This year flew by so fast. I want to know....what did you all get for Christmas??

PS. I need to get my thrift on. I'm craving some vintage treasure. :)

Blouse, Trousers, Hat, and Necklace: Forever 21 // Wedges: Forever 21 (eBay) // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Bare Peppermint Accessories Giveaway Winner!!

2011-12-25T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all are having a fantastic holiday with your friends and families. :)

I just wanted to announce the winner of the BPA giveaway. I numbered the entries based on when they were entered as comments. 1-17. Drumroll, please.......

The winner is: number 12: Tracy: tracyannw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net!! Congrats and I'll be emailing you about which accessory you would like.

Thank you to everyone who entered and stay tuned in the new year for some more exciting giveaways!

Stunning Stripes

2011-12-24T09:32:00.001-08:00

The saddest part about living in Fresno is that there isn't really a good recycled clothing shop. Or at least none that I've found to suit my taste. Are you listening, Crossroads?? ;) So when I went home for a few days earlier this week, I knew I needed to make my way to one of my favorite shops: Freestyle Clothing Exchange. I sold them some of my clothes and I picked up this little number with store credit for my next shopping excursion!

I honestly don't even think this dress was worn. It's in excellent condition and I love that it has black and navy stripes. It will be perfect for when the weather warms up as well. And my shoes! Sometimes the Fresno Forever 21 sells out of stuff so quickly and so it's nice to visit another F21 to get things I had my eye on. Can't wait to wear these into the ground.

Tomorrow I will be announcing the winner of the Bare Peppermint Accessories Giveaway! So if you entered, please check back! Happy Christmas Eve everyone. <3

Dress: H&M thrifted // Wedges: Forever 21 // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Necklace: Thrifted

Featured Post

2011-12-23T10:12:00.001-08:00

I'm so grateful to have been asked to be featured by Inexpensive Chic! This blog is so cute and offers readers lots of advice on fashion trends, make up, and hair. Every so often they feature street style bloggers, and luckily I was chosen! If you'd like, please check it out. And they are always looking for new people to feature, so send them an email if you're interested! :)

Feature

Pastel Pink

2011-12-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

My mom is down for the weekend for Christmas and then more family is coming down after she leaves. It's going to be a whirlwind Christmas. :) Hope you all will be doing something special and can't wait to read about it on your blogs.

Don't forget, my accessories giveaway ends Saturday! You can enter by clicking the "Featured Post" link on the homepage. Happy Holidays!

Sweater, Blouse, and Pants: Forever 21 // Heels: Payless // Purse: Urban Outfitters

Mexican Fiesta!

2011-12-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

I was visiting my stepmom and sister the last few days, so sorry for the lack of posts. I actually really miss my blog. :( But, I had a lot of fun with them throwing a Mexican Christmas party. Here are a couple of photos and the real stuff to start again tomorrow! And huge hellloooo and thank you to my new followers! <3

How to Get Beachy, Wavy Hair

2011-12-19T16:15:00.001-08:00

Helloooo lovies!! So I'm back again with another hair post. I had been getting a few comments here and there about the curl of my hair and it's softness, so I thought I would share what I normally do and use on my hair. I know there are crazy hair tutorials out there about curling your hair, so I'll just give it to you easy. :)

After having a baby, my hair went kaput. It was thinner than it had ever been and I was determined to keep growing it out, even though the length made it look even thinner. So I did a little research, made my way to Ulta and picked up a few products. The two products I use pretty religiously are Fat Hair and Nick Chavez Thickening Cremes.

I read the reviews online and they seemed fairly positive. After using them, I am sold! They leave no sticky residue in the hair, the hair feels soft and moisturized, and I actually think it helps my hair dry a little straighter. Perfect for anyone who flat irons. And they weren't too expensive. The Fat Hair is a pretty darn big bottle and I think it was $6. The Nick Chavez is definitely smaller and about $1 more. But even with my long hair, I barely use any product, so I know they will last me awhile.

So here's what I do:

After showering and towel drying, comb gently, and apply a dime-sized amount of Fat Hair to the lengths of your hair. Don't just slap it on! Rub it around in your palms and use just your fingers. It ensures that you don't get a lot of product on only one part of your hair.
Put a little on your finger tips and apply it to your crown area for some height!
Blow dry as you normally would.
Heat up your curling iron. I've curled my hair with flat irons, but sometimes I feel it takes longer. And the curl is different than what I usually do, so I use my 1 inch curling iron. Target: $10.
I usually section my hair from bottom to top and then split each section in two so I curl from both sides.
Take a section of hair and wrap it around the barrel. This gives your hair more of the classy S-wave curls and not spirals. The bigger the section of hair, the looser the curl. :)
Continue on up until you finish and give your hair a little shake. No one likes perfection, right?
Now, take a small dime sized amount of the Nick Chavez Lotion, rub it through your hands and scrunch into your curls. Use any leftover lotion and smooth through the top of your hair. That's where you get the silky smoothness.

And that's it! Play around with the types of curls you get and how messy or sleek you want it. Have fun!

The Sparkly Shorts

2011-12-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

My love for sequins is making its debut on my blog. Let me tell you about these shorts. They first appeared online about 2 months ago and I let them sit in my "cart" for weeks thinking that no one would want them. But when I finally went to go purchase them, they were gone!! Noooooo. I kept calling Forever 21 to see if they had them in stock in the store and to this day, they still have not gotten them in. A few weeks ago though, I think the sequin-gods took pity on me, because they restocked them online and I bought them that night! No way, was I going to let them slip away again. :)

I am in love with this color of sequin. It's so different than the normal black and navy. It reminds me a little of C-3PO. Hee hee. What do you think? Are you a fan of sparkly sequins?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! You can find the info on my home page as a featured post. Have a great day!

Blouse: Vintage // Shorts, Heels, and Earrings: Forever 21 // Thigh Socks: Target

Bare Peppermint Accessories Giveaway!

2011-12-17T11:27:00.001-08:00

Hi readers!! So I've really been getting into the spirit of Christmas this year and I want to share that giving with all of you. There's no agenda, no stipulation, no "follow me here" or "follow me there." Just see it as a big thank you for your continued support and heartwarming comments.

All you have to do is just leave a comment here with your name and email, and I will randomize the entries and email the winner! The giveaway will last for 1 week, starting today and will only be open to US readers. Sorry for the inconvenience. If you win, you may choose one of these three clips/headbands from my Etsy store: Bare Peppermint Accessories!

Marigold Ruffle Flower Headband

Cream Ruffle Flower Hippie Headband

Teal, Turquoise, and Sequin Lollipop Flower Clip

Thank you to everyone and I hope you enjoy the giveaway! Merry Christmas!! <3

Soft Spots

2011-12-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

Ohmigawd.....I'm so not a fan of text speak being an ex-teacher, but that's all I have to describe these pants!! I've been looking for a pair of leopard print pants and I didn't really care if they were trouser structured, or skinny, denim, or cotton. When I spotted this pair online, I knew I needed them. Curses the day that I ordered them too big so I'm going to need to try to shrink them in the dryer, but I still love them. They are so soft because they are made out of velvet. My son has been petting my legs all day. Haha!

I've been dreaming about what I would pair with them and I was sad that I didn't have any brown shoes to pair with them. But lo and behold, I won myself a pair on Ebay and they came today! So new pants, new shoes, annnddd...I remembered to put on a necklace. :) Have a great weekend everyone!

PS. My husband just spied a tea brewer at Wal-Mart for under $20. That is the perfect gift for my mom. She's a crazy tea drinker and now the brewer will do it for her! And it comes with a pitcher so you can brew it and then put it over ice. Come to think of it, I may need one too. Oh, honey.....

Blouse and Pants: Forever 21 // Wedges: Ebay (Forever 21) // Necklace: Thrifted

Confetti Skirt

2011-12-15T10:28:00.001-08:00

I just love this skirt. It's wool-ish and has fabulous bright, pastel yarn weaved through it to kind of look like confetti. I kept trying to get a good picture of the yarn, but they kept coming out blurry. I'll keep trying and I'll add it later if I get a good picture. It's such a fun skirt and really soft. And can you believe it was only $15?? Some people may have a true distaste for Forever 21, but I love the store. You can never go wrong with fun, flirty skirts!

Don't mind my gardener.... :P

Sweater and Skirt: Forever 21 // Booties: Target

Types of Hair Extensions

2011-12-14T10:39:00.000-08:00

I just love talking hair and I'm glad people are responding! Doing hair is truly my passion. :)

So for today I thought I would talk about hair extensions. There are many different ways to put extensions in your hair and there are many different types of hair you can use. I'll talk a little about each one and the pros and cons of each method.

Clip In Extensions:
Clip in extensions are fun for those who don't want to commit time and money and just want a day to day change.

Pros:

Cheapest option
Used to add fashion colors to your hair
Mainly used for just a few strands or a few rows
Easy to do at home
Can remove for washing

Cons:

Can be hard to style
Hair is usually not the best quality and will degrade over time

Braid In Extensions:

Braid in extensions are great for those who want an over all different length of hair. It adds a lot of fullness and doesn't require many tools or too much time.

Pros:

Great for making the hair longer and fuller
Can be done relatively quickly with a skilled braider
Point of insertion is pretty well hidden and blends well with natural hair

Cons:

Grows out fairly quickly
If you're not used to tight braids, you can get headaches
If not done correctly, hair breakage can occur

Fusion Extensions:

Fusion extensions are great for those who want extensions for a few months or longer. These can be washed, dried, and styled like regular hair and can be cut into the style you desire. Single strands do take a few hours to put in and you can have as many as 200-300 single strands of hair.

Pros:

Hair quality is superb
Single strand placement allows for better blending
Can be used for length or fullness
Fusion part is quick, but the process is long

Cons:

If not done by a professional, the glue can cause breakage
Removal process is quite long
Once hair is bonded, the strand cannot be used again resulting in more money spent buying more hair!

Micro Link Extensions:

Micro link extensions are perfect for those who want extensions for a few months or longer. The hair is top quality and can be washed, dried, and styled. Single strands do take a few hours to put in and you can have as many as 200-300 single strands of hair. I had this done to my hair when I was in cosmetology school and the hair cost me around $300. It would have been twice that, had I gone to a salon to get them done, but a friend did it for me. Very expensive!

This is me with micro link extensions. Can you believe my natural hair length is right under my chin?

Pros:

Hair quality is superb
Fairly easy to put in, but takes a long time
Can be used for length or fullness
Because of single strand placement, it's very easy to blend with natural hair
Strands may be used again once removed

Cons:

Requires a lot of time to be placed in hair
Most expensive option
Strands will start to slip as natural hair grows out

So there you have it! The various methods of hair extensions. If you're thinking about extensions in the future, email me and I'll try and answer any questions you have. :)

All Photos Courtesy of Google Search

Mint Chip

2011-12-13T10:54:00.001-08:00

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite ice creams....mint chocolate chip! So tasty, right? So when I saw this mint green sweater, I knew I had to have it. Mint green is such a fresh color that matches with black, white, tan, crimson, etc. It brings a little light to the dark winter days, and looks amazing when needed during a spring breeze. What do you say? Do you love mint green?

PS. I desperately need a girlfriend to tell me when to wear jewelry. Wear this necklace, wear this bracelet, etc. I have such fun jewelry, but I never wear it. Anyone want the job?? :)

I know it's blurry, but I liked this one. :P

Sweater, Skirt, and Boots: Forever 21 // Watch: Merona

Vintage DVF

2011-12-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

Another awesome find on Etsy: a vintage Diane Von Furstenberg blouse for only $9!! The woman selling it said it didn't match enough of her wardrobe. Obviously it is a statement piece, but the colors on it are amazing! I think it can actually match with quite a few colors. Ahh...my first vintage designer piece. :)

Blouse: Vintage DVF // Pants: Forever 21 thrifted // Booties: Target // Watch: Merona

Do you have Tumblr? I just started one, so if you want to link up, let me know!

Rose Gold

2011-12-11T11:35:00.001-08:00

In the last few months I've been seeing so much jewelry being made from rose gold. From bracelets and rings, to watches. I think it is such a gorgeous hue and looks great on any skin tone. So when I was at Target the other day, I was browsing the jewelry and saw this gorgeous rose gold watch. And lucky me, it was 30% off! I have been wanting a menswear-inspired watch and now I have it in the color I'm loving right now. Forget gold, forget silver; it's all about rose gold! Now I just need some bangles in the color...

Hat, Blouse, Leggings, and Heels: Forever 21 // Watch: Merona from Target

Kimo-no? Kimo-Yes!

2011-12-10T15:05:00.001-08:00

Tried to do a little play on words for the title. I don't know if it worked. LOL. Anyway, I've really been loving the kimono trend, and this one is one of my favorites. It's such a pretty floral print and because it's floral on black, it matches with many things in my wardrobe. I've worn it belted as well and it actually looks quite nice like that too. What do you think? Are kimonos a yes?

Off topic, but tonight my husband and I are taking our son to the Pageantry of Lights in our town. It's kind of like the Disneyland Electrical Parade that they had way back in the day, but with Christmas lights. I'm so excited. My son has been crazily pointing out all the houses that have lights up already. :)

My little bugger getting into the frame!

Kimono: Forever 21 // Pants: H&M // Purse: Helen Welsh thrifted // Heels: Payless Shoes

The Truth About Shampoo and Conditioner

2011-12-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why sometimes your hair feels dry, or coarse and has breakage galore, but you don't know why? The answer could lie in your shampoo and conditioner. I know there is a lot of opinion on cheap shampoos vs. salon shampoos in that cheap shampoos work just as well, but from a hair stylist point of view, I'm here to tell you that they don't. Want to know why? Keep reading and all shall be revealed!

First, let's look at the ingredients in shampoo:

You'll see water, oils, and such, but the big eye opener is Sodium Laureth Sulfate. SLS is the "soap" of a shampoo. And surprisingly (or maybe not surprisingly), SLS is found in laundry detergent. It's what gives the shampoo and detergent its sudsing effect. Can you imagine washing your hair with detergent? Doesn't sound very moisturizing!

The problem with SLS, is that it blows your cuticle wide open. And as your sudsing away. that delicate inner cortex of hair is exposed and is now being subjected to damage. If you have color treated hair, it's even worse because now all your beautiful color (and money invested) is being washed down the drain. So what can you do? When you look for shampoos, you'll want to find one where the SLS is the third or fourth ingredient in the list. And you will notice a difference. When you wash your hair the first time, it might not suds at all! But that just means, the shampoo is breaking up the dirt and oils in your hair and with a second wash, it will clean.

Now you might be asking, how will I save money if I'm having to wash my hair twice? With more expensive shampoos, you won't have to use as much product. The ingredients in a salon shampoo are designed with the less is more idea in mind. The shampoos and conditioners are not watered down and require much less product to get the job done.

What about conditioners? For the most part, conditioners are equal. Conditioners are made with a 4.5-5.5 pH balance. This is the natural pH of the hair, skin, and nails. So while the shampoo opens the hair cuticle just a bit to get it clean, the conditioner will close that cuticle back up with it's lower pH level. In my opinion, though, I do believe there are better conditioners than others. And some of my favorites are actually cheaper ones! As long as your hair feels smooth after rinsing, with no residue, then you will have found a good conditioner. It will also help if you rinse the conditioner out with cooler water. Cool water helps to seal the cuticle as well.

Here is a list of my favorites that I have personally tried and/or used on clients with no complaints.
Toni's List of Quality Shampoos and Conditioners:

1. Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner

2. Enjoy Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner

3. Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Reconstructor Shampoo and Conditioner (currently using)

4. KMS Silk Sheen Shampoo and Conditioner

So, if your hair feels dry, is prone to breakage, or is even color treated, think about investing in a quality shampoo. As always though, use what works for you and your hair. Happy shampooing!

All photos courtesy of Google Image Search

Tweedle Dee!

2011-12-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

Today was spent finalizing Christmas gifts and hanging out with my family, so I wanted to wear something comfy. I am in love with this tweed jacket I bought at Forever 21 a few weeks ago. I love the way it drapes and it's actually pretty warm. It's a nice jacket to dress up or down.

I also got these pretty earrings at Forever 21. I love the black and gold and I have been wanting some dangle earrings. I just love cheap costume jewelry. They also make great presents for little sisters. :) Have a great day everyone!

Jacket, Blouse, and Earrings: Forever 21 // Jeans: Paige // Heels: Payless Shoes

DIY: Fishtail Skirt

2011-12-07T12:18:00.002-08:00

I hope you all enjoyed the tutorial from yesterday. And now you can view the finished product! It takes a long time to hand sew the hem and I could do a little bit here and there in between playing with my son. I'm really excited with how it turned out. I think I made the middle part a little bit short so it will definitely have to sit low on my hips, but over all, I'm happy with the result.

This is so fun and easy to do and a great way to turn that boring old maxi skirt into something fresh. Hope you all have a great day!

Sweater and Belt: Forever 21 // Skirt: Vintage // Shoes: Target