Let's Talk Hair.

Instead of the usual journal entries of "what we have been up to lately", I am going to try and spice my blogging up a little.  Since the title of this blog is "Love is in the Hair", I've decided to actually write about hair for a change.  I'd like to make this a weekly thing, so get excited.

This week I was thumbing through the February issue of InStyle when I came across a segment sharing the same title as this blog!  I'm sure one of their writers stumbled across my blog, and loved my clever title so much they had to steal it.  After all, I had the title first! 

Anywho, I loved the article, so I thought it would be the perfect topic for my first "Let's Talk Hair" (Don't try stealing that, InStyle! I'm on to you.) segment of this blog.

The article shares 4 ways to "explore the roots of romance":  "the big tease", "dream weaves", "classic with a twist", and "up, up and away".  These are styles our clients often come in the salon asking about, and this article shares some tips for achieving these looks at home.  Using the article as a guide I'm going to share my own tips for achieving these looks.

1.  "The Big Tease"

This look can be a day or night time look.  In the evening, pair it with smokey eyes to really turn heads.

Step 1:  Use a volumizing shampoo.  I like Bed Head's newly reformulated Superstar (now known as Epic Volume) shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2:  Use a root boost at the crown of your towel dried hair (my fave is Redken's Guts) and apply a volumizing blow dry gel, (I like Redken's Velvet Gelatin), to the ends of your hair.

Step 3:  Turn your head upside down and blow it 80% dry with your hands.

Step 4:  Flip your hair over and use a large round brush to create lift at the root.

Step 5:  Take small sections of your hair in the crown and tease it with the small tooth end of your comb, then smooth the teasing with the wide tooth end of the comb.

Step 6:  Take a 1 inch curling iron and curl 1 inch sections of your hair.  Starting at the root, turn the iron toward your face and pull the ends through last.

Step 7:  Run your fingers through the curls to loosen them and finish the look with Bed Head's Masterpiece, hairspray and shine spray 2 in 1.

2.  "Dream Weaves"

This style will be your go to look this summer.  It works perfect on second day hair, or sun dried hair.

Step 1:  Start creating loose waves with your curling iron randomly throughout your hair.

Step 2:  Take a shine serum (love, love, love S-Factor's Dream Drops) and rake it through your ends.

Step 3:  Leaving out your bangs, part your hair to one side and gather your hair on the opposite side in a low side pony tail, but don't tie it off, instead begin loosely braiding just below the chin.  When you get to the bottom secure the braid with a clear elastic. 

Step 4:  Hold the braid taut at the end and give it a few shakes to soften the look.

3.  "Classic with a Twist"

I know this looks complicated, but you can create this look with second day hair in 10 minutes, I promise.

Step 1:  Tease the crown of your hair and curl 1 inch sections just like you would for "The Big Tease". 

Step 2:  Make a soft part and pull your hair back low at the nape and secure it in a loose ponytail.  Leave out your bangs, and/or shorter layers around your face.

Step 3:  Wrap your hair around the pony tail holder as though you were making a bun.  Bobby pin a few places, but leave the bun loose. 

Step 4:  Spray with a firm hold hairspray.  Try Bed Head's Hard Head.

4.  "Up, Up and Away"

This look is the easiest of the 4, but it still makes a bold statement.

Step 1:  Blow dry your hair until it is about 80% dry.

Step 2:  Use a frizz fighting serum (Redken's Smooth Down: Heat Glide would be perfect) and rake it from roots to ends.

Step 3:  Use a boar-bristle brush to slick your hair back into a high pony on the top of your head.  Secure it with an elastic.

Step 4:  Twist your hair in a tight bun and pin tightly into place.

Step 5: Finish with a medium hold hairspray (Redken's Forceful would be a good choice).

There you have it! Our first "Let's Talk Hair" on "Love is in the Hair".  What do you think? Do you like this new segment?  Also topics for this segment are welcome, so please, comment.

Gary's Birthday Weekend.

We had a fun weekend for 2 reasons:

1. because it was Gary's birthday
2. because Tate and Jesse came to visit

Friday evening the McKee's arrived from Texas, and we went to dinner with about 20 of our friends at US Pizza Company for Gary's 27th birthday.  After dinner, we all came back to our house for dessert.  I decided to bake for once, and made Gary a double chocolate cake and spice cake cup cakes with vanilla icing.  I'm so thankful we have so many friends in our lives who came to celebrate Gary's 27 years of life with us.



Gary's birthday cake and cup cakes.



He's the big 2-7 now.



"The 3 Amigas" at Gary's Birthday dinner.

 

"The Musugames" at US Pizza Co.



Some of our Epoch Church friends at Gary's Birthday dinner.

On Saturday morning, Laura and I got to do the girl's hair in the Breeding/Cunnighman wedding.  What a pleasure to help with this wedding!  All of the girls were laid back, and we had a great time being a part of Stacy's big day.  I also got to do Tate's hair at work Saturday mornning.  We did fresh color and cut her some rockin' bangs.

After work, Tate, Jesse, Gary, and I drove to Benton for Stacy Breeding and Clay Cunningham's wedding.  The ceremony was beautiful, followed by a fun reception with food and dancing at the Clear Channel Metroplex in Little Rock. 



Me with the stunning bride.



Tate and I at the Cunnigham wedding reception.

Me and Gary.

Tate and Jesse.

Following the wedding, the four of us met Laura and Caleb for drinks at Union. We had a great time getting caught up on each other's lives and laughing about some old college memories.

Sunday was Gary's actual birthday.  We woke up and went to brunch at Boscos with Tate and Jesse before they began their journey back to Dallas.  When we got home, we were worn out, so we enjoyed a long Sunday afternoon nap, followed by a birthday dinner with my parents at Outback.

Here's to good friends and another year of life for my wonderful husband, Gary.

4 Years of Wedded Bliss!

On January 13th of 2007 I married my best friend.  I know that sounds cheesy, but it's so very true.  I can't imagine spending my life, day in and day out, with anyone else.  This past Thursday we celebrated our 4th anniversary as husband and wife.  A lot has happened in 4 years time: we have traveled together, started a business together, laughed and cried together.  It's been a beautiful adventure, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

We celebrated this anniversary at the Treehouse Cottages in Eureka Springs.  This was the perfect get-a-way! The Treehouse was beautiful, and we got to spend some time away from our busy lives, just the two of us. 

We arrived on Thursday afternoon to fresh flowers, music, champagne, homemade pumpkin loaf, and a hand written greeting from the owners.  We settled in, then went to dinner at the Grand Tavern downtown. 

On Friday we stayed in the treehouse all day, watching movies, cooking, sitting by the fire, and enjoying the view from the huge picture windows on the back of  the Treehouse. 

Saturday morning we checked out of the treehouse and headed to The Crescent Hotel's New Moon Spa for a couples massage before heading home.  On the way home, we stopped in Rogers at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade for some lunch and shopping. 

Watching the DVD from our wedding, I felt so blessed.  I know we have something that is unique, and I'm so thankful for the past 4 years together.  Even when we are old together, I'll always remember our time together celebrating anniversary #4 in the Hidden Oak Treehouse.

Snow!

Here in Arkansas we normally get one good snow day a year.  Yesterday was that day!  Snow began falling at about 2:00 yesterday afternoon and came down hard and heavy until midnight last night.  It looks like we got about 5 inches here, and it's beautiful.  I have been in my PJs for 2 days now.  All is quiet and peaceful outside my window this evening. 

Snow day highlights included:

-Reading a good book
-Snuggling with the animals on the couch
-A hot bath with face mask and conditioning treatment
-Planning our trip to Europe (reserving our seats on the plane, booking hotels for NYC and London, researching places to eat, etc.)

The best part about snow days is that I don't have to feel guilty about staying home and lounging in my pajamas all day.  In the words of John Mayer, "nothing to do, nowhere to be, a simple little kind of free."

38 special.

Yesterday after work, Gary and my Dad went with me to Don's Weaponry to shoot my gun. This was my first time shooting, and I was super nervous. 

The room was small and the guns were loud. One of the men working at the shooting range showed me how to stand, and how to hold my gun. I also learned how to load and unload it, and even how to shoot one handed with my right and left hand.

It was scary the first few shots, but after that I was able to relax and enjoy it more. I was pleased to find my aim wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

I pray that I will never be in a position to need to use my gun, but do I think it's good to know how to use a gun safely.  Who knows, target practice at the shooting range may be my new hobby in 2011.

Wardrobe Overhaul.

As mentioned in my last post, one of my new year's resolutions is to rework my wardrobe.  I got a good start on this goal on Sunday when Meghan and I went shopping.  We were on a mission to find clothes that were practical, yet stylish.  I found it helped having another set of eyes to evaluate the clothes I took into the dressing room, so I wouldn't impulse buy.  The items I came home with are staple items that can be mixed and matched with pieces I already have.

I cleaned out several trash bags of clothes I don't wear, so I can make room for more practical, timeless items.  Here's the loot from Sunday's shopping trip:


Plainweave Jacket by The Limited.



Fancified Boatneck by Anthropologie.

Level 99 Skinny Jeans by Anthropologie.

Pilcro Stretch Cord Leggings by Anthropologie.

I also came home with a new pair of black flats from DSW, two necklaces (a short gold one- you can see it it the picture of the jacket, and a long black one) and a pair of earrings from The Limited.

I'm excited to continue rebuilding my wardrobe. The next items on my list include: dress shoes for going out on the weekends, and a pair of casual black pants that I can wear to work or dress up in the evenings.

Farewell to 2010 and Welcoming 2011.

Last night Gary and I said farewell to 2010 and rang in the new year with friends at Kirt's house in Hot Springs.  He had a wonderful dinner cooked for us.  We ate, played games, watched the ball drop and shot fireworks.  What a good way to end a great year.

It's a new year, which means a fresh start.  So, here are my resolutions for 2011:

1.  Cook.  We eat out/grab fast food way too often.  2011 will be the year we eat at home.

2.  Run the Little Rock half marathon in 2:15 or under.

3.  Rework my wardrobe.  I always buy too many trendy pieces, this year I build a closet full of staple items  that I can mix and match .

4.  Read 20 books.   I set a goal of 30 last year and came no where near it, so this year I'm lowering my goal.

5.  Remodel our kitchen. No more green counter tops in 2011!

6.  Conquer my fear of flying over the ocean and finally make our European dream trip a reality.

7.  Hire a receptionist and purchase new computer software at the salon, so I can dedicate more time to my clients.

8.  Be a better wife for Gary.

9.  Get more involved in our church.

10. Learn to use my sewing machine.

Well, here's to 2011, a new year and a new decade.