It's Almost Friday!

I don't know if it is because last week was a holiday or what, but this week has just dragged by for me. So happy that tomorrow is Friday and then back to New York for a week off before the holiday craziness kicks in at the salon.

On a lighter note, Bailey received a nice Christmas onsie. Too bad, she is NOT having it. If you are a dog person I thought this would make you smile, and get you through tomorrow!

She is so mad at me, but I just had to. I love Christmas and maybe she will come around!

Makeup

I'm often asked what brands of makeup I use, and I have to say I am pretty set in my ways. Once I find a product that works for me, that I love I stick with it!

(The 4 eye shadows in # 3 are: top left strappy sandals, top right dirty pink, bottom left effortless, bottom right guest list)

These are my basics for everyday that I stick to always beginning with Clinique lotion moisturizer. I have a stash of makeup that I use when I am feeling creative to spice it up or have a little extra time on my hands (which is very rare these days).

Messy Bun

You know those days where you are running so late and you just don't have time to do your hair. This tutorial is perfect for those days. It should only take 5 minutes or less to throw your hair up in this style and it still looks cute.

To see how to curl your hair like I did before I got started refer to my everyday waves tutorial here. To see a more in depth tutorial on teasing click here. Otherwise all you need are two clear elastic bands, a fine tooth comb, and hairspray.

 Sweater: Loft

Top: Loft

Leggings: Macys

Boots: DSW

New Purse

As a tradition every year we hit the streets of Chicago for Black Friday craziness. We leave Michigan Thanksgiving night around 9:00 PM, hit the Michigan City outlet around midnight, and then drive straight through to Chicago. Once we arrive we shop till we drop, literally. This year we made it till 7:00 PM Friday. I know what your thinking, what a nut! right?! Don't judge until you try it out because it is a blast. The nice part is you don't deal with crazy traffic or drivers, you just park your car and walk.

As we walked along the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) I wandered into Cole Haan and feel in love with this beauty. They were having a 20% off everything in the store sale, and I just couldn't resist. I have always loved Cole Haan and it was finally time for me to own one of their purses.

 

It is the perfect size, not to tiny and not to big with lots of pockets inside for organization. It also has an adjustable strap, so it can be used as a shoulder bag or cross body bag.

Beachy Waves

There are so many little changes you can make while curling your hair to change how the end result looks. This tutorial will show you how to do those beachy waves that are more messy and unfinished than my everyday waves tutorial. This is great for a more casual look.

This style can be done on any texture hair. I used a 1 1/4" curling iron. If your hair is longer I would use a bigger curling iron.

To finish this style I used the Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture and Volume Spray I got in my Birchbox that I told you I have been loving.

You can really see the subtle ombre I was talking about in these pictures that I have going on.

November Birchbox

 

 When I found out about the company birchbox I was so excited to sign up. Basically you pay $10 a month and receive a box in the mail full of sample size products to try out and review. If you love them you can purchase the products online at the birchbox store. Also you get points for then reviewing the products and  points for dollars spent. With 100 points you receive $10 off any purchase. To find out more click here.

This month my birchbox was a good one!

To start it off I was given a full tube of ModelCo FIBRE LASHXTEND lengthening mascara (usually everything is sample size so this is a huge bonus!). I have wore it two days now and think I might really love this, which is saying something since I am picky about my mascara.

The soyjoy bar was pretty good however I felt like the cranberries were a bit tart for me. The Stella Cadente Miss Me Eau de perfume was light and refreshing.

I am waiting for a relaxing spa night to drop the feeling smitten bath bomb in my tub. The cupcake almost seems to cute to have melt away in water. The Caldrea Hand Soap I set out on my bathroom counter and am excited to try. 

The last was by far my favorite Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture and Volume spray. It is similar to a dry shampoo. You can spray it on clean hair to "dirty" it up and give it texture or on second day hair to revamp your style and give it volume. I used it to give my curling iron curls a beachy wave look, and it did just that.

Cake Pops

Every year I have said I wanted to do something for my clients around the holidays to let them know how much they mean to me. This year I finally figured it out. Cake Pops! I mean who doesn't love cake and frosting mixed together popped on a stick in bite size form covered in chocolate?! That's what I thought. 

 

All you need is a box of cake mix (whatever flavor you would like) and a tub of whipped frosting.

Bake the cake according to the directions on the box.

Let the cake cool completely and then crumble it all up into a bowl.

Mix the crumbled cake with a full tub of whipped frosting till evenly combined.* Form the mixture into 1" sized balls with your hands. Chill the balls in the refrigerator for a couple of hours till firmly set.**

 Melt your chocolate for 1 minute in the microwave at 50% power. Stir thoroughly and then heat on 30 second increments at 50%. Stir after each 30 seconds till completely smooth.

Dip the end of your cake pop sticks in the melted chocolate and push stick no more than 50% into ball. Do this to all of your cake balls and let set up in the fridge for another several hours. I use a styrofoam block to hold cake pops on once you put the stick in them.

Once set up melt more chocolate according to directions above. Dip cake pops into melted chocolate to completely cover them, tapping off excess chocolate. 

Sprinkle with embellishments or leave plain to drizzle another color chocolate on top later.   

 

 

*I always use the whipped frosting when making cake pops because I find if  I use a full tub of the regular frosting it is to much. If you are going to use the regular tub of frosting I would only use half a tub.

**Do not put your cake balls in the freezer otherwise once the chocolate hardens it will crack.

Subtle Ombre

 

(just disregard th best pop in the whole world in the background)

After having blonde hair for a while I was kind of getting bored. I knew I didn't want to go really dark (I did that once and that will be the only time) but I needed a change. I never have been a huge fan of the ombre look because I felt like they were all so drastic or severe, however I have discovered I love very subtle almost natural ombre look. To me it looks best when it appears that maybe over time your ends have just faded out to a lighter color naturally and the root area may just  might be you natural color.

This is the kinda ombre I have fallen in love with.

 

 

Braided Bangs

You know those days when your bangs are just driving you crazy? Well, no worries this tutorial is just for you!

This can be done on any hair type. For how to finish your style with a little volume check out my teasing tutorial.

OPI Gelcolor Nails

So I don't know about you guys, but I am obsessed with shellac, gel color, whatever you want to call it. I love that immediately after your done they are dry. I can't tell you how many times I smudged, gouged, or dented my nails after I get a manicure. Not only that but it lasts for a full 2 weeks! Sometimes even more. With my hands always being in water and not to mention I am not the daintiest person they are always ruined within a day. Not with shellac though!

Tonight I met my friend for a manicure date and tried one of the new OPI gelcolors, Cozumelted in the Sun. I have had this in their regular polish before, but I think I like the gel color better. They are suppose to look the same, but I think this might be a little pinker and a little darker. 

Do you guys love gel manicures as much as I do?

Polished Side Ponytail

The holidays are right around the corner, and with all those parties you have to go to I'm sure you are looking for a quick way to put your hair up that looks elegant and polished. This tutorial will show you exactly that.

You can do this on curly or straight hair, but it will look a little more fancy on curled hair.

Coral Pants

Let the searching end! I finally found the right pair of colored pants. I knew I loved this trend right away, but just couldn't find the right pair until these. A little bright for my usual style, but I couldn't pass them up with how great they fit.

Pants: J Crew Factory Outlet

Shoes: Target

Shirt: The Loft Outlet

Also I have been loving this Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter I received in my October Birchbox.

 

You can use it all different ways from putting it in the corner of your eyes to dabbing a little on your lips before lip gloss to a sweeping it across your cheeks. My favorite has been to sweep a little on the top of my cheekbones before I apply my blush. It creates a subtle dewy look with a little bit of shimmer.

It just might have to be my next makeup splurge!

How to Tease Your Hair

If you know me at all you know I love volume, and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with a little height. With that said I decided it was time for you to learn how to tease your hair.

You can do this on any hair type: fine, coarse, curly, straight it doesn't matter. This is a great way to create a base for a half up style, updo, ponytail, or just to wear down. Have fun!

New Leggings

I recently bought this new shirt from the loft that I thought I really loved and that would look great with leggings.


Once I got home I put it on with my leggings and realized it was a little shorter than I thought, and the leggings I owned were a little to thin for what I felt comfortable wearing. It got me thinking that I needed a thicker pair of leggings that weren’t bulkiy like pants for layering longer pieces, but not to thin like regular leggings. Bring on the black jeggings!
Yesterday my hunt was over when I stumbled upon these…



These were exactly what I was looking for. They are thick like pants, but form fitting like leggings. Also they are so comfortable I feel like I am going to live in them all winter.


 

 




Leggings: Macys
Boots: Macys
Belt: J Crew
Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: Banana Republic
Top and Black Tank: Loft
Sweater: Nordstrom Rack

Half Up Reverse French Twist

This tutorial is a different way to put your hair half up that is a little more elegant and polished than a regular half up style. 

I used a 1” curling iron to curl my hair before. For this look all you need is a fine tooth rattail comb and a few bobby pins, finishing with a little hairspray. You can do this on any length hair (other than a pixie of course) curly or straight. 

 

 

She had to get in on the photo shoot too!