A party in my hair!

I love putting my hair up, and especially now since I am trying to grow it out. I like to hide the length for a few days at a time, and then when I wear it down I think 'wow my hair IS getting longer' I think its just a mental thing...(like in my head mental. Not like Im crazy mental....right?)

I go through phases with braids and poofs and hats even. My styles change like with my moods, or the weather, or my inspiration. (What inspires you?)

A client a couple of weeks ago brought in the coolest new hair "toy." Its called a Spin Pin! It is a spiral shaped pin and you twist in your hair to get it to stay there. You use these instead of bobby pins, and usually need less of these then a normal bobby pin. They look something like this:

You simply press them toy our head and spin them. Quite easy, and they hold fine hair as well as thick hair. Long and short hair. 

They are available at Target or Walmart. Ive seen them at both places. 

Let me know if you try them out! 

XoX

Big tease

Who doesn't like some volume in their hair?

I have another new best friend! The teasing brush! Its a limited edition item and I am selling out fast! They retail usually no more then $9.00.

The staggered bristles allow for maximum tease without multiple strokes. The handle is pointy, so that allows for parting the hair before teasing. 

This is a must-have! 

My wonderful client on her wedding day! 

Teasing brush used. 

XoX

My new best friend

You know when you use something over and over, it becomes old and boring..to you?  Then one day you open up your special drawer of 'tools' and discover that old thing you used over and over, and suddenly it is new again and exciting?

That's me with my hot rollers!! Welcome back big hair!

They are amazing. I can wake up with 'bed head', plug them in, get dressed and start my makeup, roll my hair up, finish my makeup, pack my lunch, eat breakfast pull them out, and I'm read to go! 

They are easy to put in, and depending on how you chose to roll them you will get different results for the curls. Play with all the sizes yours come in and see what you can do! Its easier then you think!

Here's what I came out with today:

Roll out!

XoX

Marathons and cobblers

This whole weekend had me up in knots all kinds in my tummy. It was a marathon-kind of weekend....no really. And those are the best, because they call for lots of celebrations and yummy desserts!

If any of you have run a marathon relay before...dont! Well you could, but if you have a anxious tummy like this here me, then I highly do not recommend it...to anyone! This is how it goes:

The first runner must wake up extremely early and be at a shuttle at an ungodly time of day (5:30am) to get to the destination-start line-to simply have to wait until the gun goes off (7:30am) The start of a lot of waiting. Now, if you were part of my team (the best team, of course) Then you were made super anxious, because your first runner up suddenly became ill the am of the race! (Imagine that) We believe her though because we witnessed the upchuck. :) yumm

So the rest of the participants (and their awesome friends/family) vehicle to the first hand off point. Hand off what? Did I not mention there are batons?! Oh yes, but there is! Spirit stick, some might have called it. Maybe not.

So the first runner (our fill in, who did so awesomely amazing!) hands off to the next runner who takes off among the full marathoners running the same course, and irate at us relay-ers who have fresh legs every so often and zoom past them huffing and puffing to keep going.

So now, here I am. I know I am next but I must wait. 1 hour and some odd minutes. And wait. We vehicle off to my pick up location and this one is sneaky because I get to watch my teammate pass me on an up hill, but wait some more, until he comes around and over the hill I am standing at the bottom of. More waiting! Can you just imagine my stomach at this point? Im getting crampy just writing this.

Once I am handed the baton, however, it is all ok. Although it becomes quite sweaty and slippery quickly. Who ever came up with the stupid idea to hold onto this stick and run!? Whatever. I finish quite happily and pass it off to our final runner, who did awesomely as well, and ran to the finish of her first ever race!

So here comes the best part! The food after! Especially after all that waiting around, we were famished! We stopped at one of mine and my husbands favorite restaurants that feeds people like him. (them glutens) Delish! Then went home and made one of the best desserts, I think ever!

Apple Blueberry cobbler

Sugar free, gluten free, dairy/egg free...I might add. 

So yes, the waiting was all worth it. The anxiousness calmed down thanks to the cobbler. Yummy!

XoX

Shampoo too much?

Should I wash my hair everyday? No.

I could leave it at that, but I won't.

Your hair/scalp produces natural oils that are good for your mane. When you shampoo your hair, you are washing those good oils away and down the drain. Then I get the question, "Why is my hair so dry?" When you wash your hair only every other day, or every 2 days, you are allowing those good oils to stay on your scalp and travel down the hair shaft and provide good moisture to your strands.

Some may argue their hair is too greasy to allow a couple days to shampoo. I say give it time! When you are shampooing everyday your poor oil glands are made to produce overtime to keep up with you. So be patient. Oil production will level out in time, but in between there are some tricks to learn.

Baby powder is a good trick. It will help soak up any excess your hair does not absorb, without washing it all away. Just apply some in your part line, with a blush makeup brush, or just sprinkle it on. Use a fine tooth comb or your fingers to comb it through or smudge it in. Its real simple. Start with less, use more if needed.

Also becoming more popular on the market is dry shampoo. It does the same thing baby powder does, absorb excess moisture.

I have found it helpful to wear my hair up the second or third day of not washing it. My style usually holds better with 'dirty' hair anyway. Also if you just have to wet your hair down to re style it, that is ok too. As long as you are not applying shampoo to your hair, that is what will wash the oils away.

Hope this is helpful, grease-heads :)

XoX

Static Panic!!!

Why is my hair so static-y?! What to do?!

This is a very popular question right now so I will answer that for you.

It is very dry right now in climate, this is what the winter brings to us. Add the fact you are probably wearing more sweaters (well not this week) and tights. Those type of fabrics add to the static problem.

What to do? Think of your hair as your skin. When you have dry, flakey skin what do you do? Put lotion on, moisturize. Your hair needs moisture too. It needs love!

Try a good in salon conditioning treatment, I  recommend this one. If you can't pop into the salon soon enough, while your hair is still damp add some leave in conditioner before drying it. If at all possible let your hair air dry, as using heat will continue to take the moisture out your poor strands need.

If your hair is dried already and you are experiencing static still, apply a serum  of some sort. Here's another excellent one to try. You can always do the nifty 'dryer sheet' trick, but I say this as a last resort because a dryer sheet is not made for this purpose, so with chemicals that are included, who knows what you are putting on your tresses. 

So just think of your hair as your skin, in that you need to constantly be adding moisture when the months prove dry. Buy some 'gifts' for your hair and pamper it daily, and you will quickly see the good results.

XoX

To razor or not to razor

I get asked a lot about 'Razor cutting'. Is it good, is it bad, what does it do?

Lets just say this, its not for everyone.

Razor cutting is a tricky sort of thing, and with the wrong, uneducated person behind a razor things can go wrong really fast! Heres why: A razor is used to do 2 main things:

 Give texture

 Thin out. 

Now if you add too much texture, then reason one is suddenly reason two. Scary. 

However, it shouldn't be all that scary, especially if you are someone that needs it. Most short cuts are 'made' with the razor, and mens cuts go from good to great with one. Front bangs (fringes) and face layers are also amazing with a little razor notching, and straight thick hair usually is begging for some razoring.

Curly hair is a iffy, some curl patterns can handle it, some not.

Heres a tip: Never never razor yourself. Like I said, you can go from texturing to thinning real quick. Even quicker if you can't see the overall look yourself (ie:in a mirror)

What do you think about the razor?

XoX

The man with the Cotton Candy toes

Standing behind my chair one seemingly normal Thursday-the only reason I remember it being a Thursday is that one of my favorite Texan accented guests only comes on Thursdays, and this was her day- I witnessed this scene:

A burly looking  manly  man entered the salon in the morning. He had eagerly called ahead the day before to book an appointment, to be sure to get all planned services done this day. Now upon calling the day before, we were absolutely sure he was booking an appointment for his wife, mom, sister, girlfriend, aunt, etc. and had given us his name to hold the said appointment. 

Now it is not uncommon to have a male come into a salon and get a manicure/pedicure. In fact quite a few men have standing (regular) appointments on the books. On this such day, however this man was quite different. 

He was definitely NOT here because he was a dentist and needed his hands regularly groomed, or a construction worker who needed some TLC. Actually, we really couldn't get out of him what he did for work, where he was from, or the reason for the salon visit. Only because he was "visiting a friend from out of town."..it was the week of Valentines Day. (hmmm)

Well after the manicure was finished, and his toes were trimmed, cuticles pushed back and surfaces buffed, the nail technician was all ready to send him to his hair technician, when he asked for  his toes to be polished as well. "With color?" she asked (very politely and no expression, she's one good for that) "yes" he replied (manly) "Go ahead and pick out a color" she said, pointing to the vast array of options gleaming on the wall. And now, my friends, can you guess why this post is entitled "The man with the Cotton Candy toes"?? This Cotton Candy definitely fit the name! Bright pink and all. 

So sitting in the chair next to mine, this man sat, after his toes were finished and dry. Now I wish I could say that is where all the weirdness ended... unfortunately not. He asked for a roller set. A old lady wet roller set, under the dryer! 

....which he was given, then requested it to be backcombed and styled. Until it ended up looking something like this...

(Not actual client)

Which is great and all...but he's a man with Cotton Candy toes. 

Needless to say my poor ultra conservative Texan client in my chair was appalled and still speaks of it today. 

We never found out his story. He never came back. We will never know. I will always wonder....But why?

Odd.

XoX

Shellac me!

If you have not heard of the new manicure add on service "Shellac" then you are not in the loop.

Until this magical product, I hated manicures. I would spend an hour and too much of my precious money to get my hands massaged, rubbed and filed, only to have my beautiful nail polish peel and flake off in 24 hours (if I was lucky.)

Well now, the wonderful makers of Shellac have made my day! This ingenious product is basically a nail polish that grows out, not flakes off. I wash peoples hair all day long, clean out color bowls, then come home and do dishes, and STILL my polish lasts AT LEAST 2 weeks! Its amazing I tell you.

It is applied as a nail polish, from a bottle with a brush. There is a base coat that is then "cured" under the ultra violet lamp, then 2 coats of polish color (each cured after applied) and then a top coat as well. It is dry in 2 minutes with no smudging, or chipping. It wears as a high gloss shine and is removed in minutes, not adding any damage to the nail. Not only is it used on the fingers, but can be used on the toes as well.

My manicurist has played enough with the product, that she has discovered how to add glitter on top of the polish, to add some funk. She also can do a 'french tip' using the product.

The colors are somewhat limited as of now, but my distributer has told me that in February (or so) new colors should be arriving.

Most salons are only charging $10.00 more as an add on to a normal manicure. (Mine is only $5 more, I believe.)

If you were hating your plain jane manicures as was I, then go get "Shellac" and see what its all about!

XoX

To part or not to part..

I've been told, by a good friend of mine, to post more frequently. So I am taking her advice and trying to do so....let's see how long it lasts :)

Center parts. I don't really like them on most people. I try to steer people to the left or right, the center seems to be too harsh on most people's faces. If you are one of those (Lauren Conrad) who can wear a center part then kuddos to you!

But for the rest of us, pick a side that is easiest to manage. Most of the time you will have a sticky cow-lick that will get in your way, and/or a thinner side that looks funky if parted that way. Use your desecration. The less you have to fight with the hair parting the way you want it to, the easier your styling mornings will go. 

Part on part(ie)rs. 

XoX

Hat hair

I must address the recent engagement of the prince and princess. (As if I know them personally or something. Which I do not) I think it is just wonderful. I think they are the most adorable couple right now, in all of 'famous couples.'

Now in case you couldn't pick up on it, with continuance of the reading of my blog today, I must admit my jealousy/obsession. Kate Middleton. Well not her but her style. Her pick of hats more specifically.

 I wish once, just once, I had somewhere to wear a cool little hat to. Which is why I am hosting a "older womans" soup lunch, and everyone is required to wear a 'silly hat'. (I told you I was obsessed)

In the meantime just take a look at these cute little hats and tell me you didn't fall in love?

Above and below, off to the side is a great look!

^I think, by far, my favorite and I may try to replicate this for my soup-lunch hat party ^

Wear white for wedding, black for funeral. It works! 

Nice funnel! (hat)

Obsessed. I know. 

XoX

Pic of the day:

You're never too young for extensions!

Gluten madness

I have not posted anything about my new gluten (non-gluten) recipes I have been trying out.

This one is all because of a wonderful bag of goodness. I stumbled across this wonderful mix at Safeway grocery store. I am forever looking for quick mixes, or pre-made time savers. I will try anything at least once, and this one I will hold onto and use over and over again.

BY FAR this little bag of special mix made THE BEST bagels....just saying.

XoX

FRIDAY FAVE: Bling for your eyes

So I had the privilege (at a local fashion show) to do some rad makeup for a great shop in town,  Razorz Edge. This, my friends, is where this wonderful story began.

She handed me a gift certificate for graciously "helping" her out (I look at it as her helping me out. You say potato) which I gladly accepted.

When I walked into the store I was super overwhelmed. There was a plethora of styles jammed into this quaint little 4th Ave store. I wandered to the back wall where I discovered a wonderful little necklace that fit my style/career/hobby just wonderfully.

But upon searching and wandering some more, I found what I was looking for. A true "Aaaahhh" moment. 

When I did this little shin-diggy, I was introduced to some wonderful "eye candy." I know I have featured some makeup in past blogs, but this is somewhat different. Medusa's Makeup blew my mind. At the shop the makeup runs $6.99 for one, or 2 or more for $6.00 each. VERY affordable. These loose pigments are truly vivid. 

They definitely work best with a primer, and they come in 48 different colors. I have only used, and own the "Eye dust pigments" but on their Website also includes glitter, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and more. You will fall in love, as I did.

And this, my friends, is where my story ends.

Stop into Razor's Edge to check out the colors firsthand (you can try them out) or order online. I LOVE them!

XoX

Who loves ginger?!..I do!

The wonderful company "Paul Mitchell" has done it again! 

Who here has colored, dry and/or damaged hair? Well according to a study 80% of women described their hair as one (or all) of these. SO, because of that Paul Mitchell has formulated this wonderful new product line for all of us! 

AWAPUHI WILD GINGER

And believe me, it smells as wonderful as it sounds. 

Here are the benefits:

• Safe for color treated hair
• Sulfate free
• Repairs damaged protein bonds
• Smells wonderful

Ok, that last one was my opinion. Im telling you, this stuff is not staying on my shelf. 

Im going to get all geeky scientist on you right now, but this is what interests me about this:

The keratin complex that is found in sheeps wool, is about identical to the keratin complex that make up our hairs. So they have taken the wool from sheep (from New Zealand) and extracted those protein bonds and have added it to their products, mainly the protein treatment. (In salon service only) So this exclusive blend of isolated keratin proteins are specially designed to seal damaged hair. 

Even though the line is sulfate free, the shampoo lathers up very well. Unlike most sulfate frees. 

The 2 step treatment is a in salon service only and the benefits are amazing. Although using the shampoo and conditioner (cream rinse) is enough to feel a difference. 

Along with the Shampoo and the Cream Rinse Conditioner, there is a Intensive at home treatment, a Texturizing Sea Spray, a Styling Treatment Oil, a Finishing Spray, and a Shine Spray. 

Stop by a Paul Mitchell salon and get your Awapuhi Wild Ginger product line! 

XoX

FRIDAY FAVE: You say Burlesque, I say Fabulous...

I am a total "girlie girl." I like all things pink, pretty and shiny. Wait, did I mention SPARKLY?! This new line of nail colors from OPI is amazing!

It is themed after the movie "Burlesque" starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. 

The polishes are divided in two collections that separate the shimmers from the glitters. Colors are as follows: 

SHIMMERS

Rising Star- Faceted glimmering gold

Take the Stage- A warm spotlight shimmer orange

The Show Must Go On!-  Deep pink shimmer

Let Me Entertain You- Multi-talented fuchsia glimmer

Ali's Big Break- Glowing red stylish glimmer

Tease-y Does It- Tempting burgundy shimmer

GLITTERS

Bring On The Bling-  A gold that glitters

Glow Up ALready-  Glittering green

Extra-va-vaganza!- Orange glitter, not for the shy

Simmer & Shimmer- Blue glitters for you

Show It & Glow It- Fuchsias got you

Sparkle-icious- Multi-color glitter goodness

The polish retails for about $8.50 and the set up will look something like this:

Now just take a look at the awesomeness of the glitters.. (all included expect Sparkle-icious)

I'm not only in love, I'm OBSESSED. Also, layer anyone of these over another color, and you have something different! Let your creative mind blow! 

Polish on!

XoX

A salon I'm proud of

The salon I work for, our fun team and the AMAZING talents of our photographer: Kady Kinetic

Color your day beautiful :)

So my last blog was about hair cuts, can you guess what todays is about? 

So my favorite service to give to a guest is COLOR! But with so many colors out there how do you pick just one?! The best part is, you don't have to.

No, but really. Im my opinion, that's why we are girls. We grow our hair out to chop it off. We bleach it blonde to color it black. Thats what we do. But what color are you going for? What are some things to keep in mind when picking a color?

I always tell my clients, the more natural you want the overall color to look, the more colors you need to add. For example...this person has brown hair...

While thats pretty and all, look at how much better this person with different shades of brown looks...

More natural, right? So keep that in mind, with any color. Even blondes, there are different shades of blonde that can be added to give your hair depth. 

As a general rule, if you have green, or light blue eyes I think red hair, or hair with red tints, looks great. Take a picture of yourself when you were 6 or 7. What color was your hair? Thats (usually) the best color for your skin tone. Thats most likely the color that will make you look younger as well. Just a general rule. 

Also you need to keep in mind the upkeep. If you want chunky hilites on top of your head, you need to realize the grow out period will be fairly quick. However, if you chose 3 or 4 colors, and a soft weave, in the same tones as your natural and no more then 4 shades darker or lighter then your natural, then you could most likely go longer in between your color services. 

Talk about never really having to go to the salon...theres a newer technique out there. Its called "ombre" effect. Normally ombre refers to a fabric-dying technique that results in a subtle to dramatic color graduation.  It gives you that same gradual color wash look in the hair as well.  This is what it looks like:

Its the new fall/winter style. It is a way to grow out your summer blonde, or a great technique if on purpose. Either way, its very stylish and can look classy/elegant if done the correct way. Otherwise you are stuck with something like this:

Hope your salon experience is a relaxing, fulfilling one! 

Color on hair enthusiasts!

XoX

"Beauty draws us with a single hair"- Alexander Pope

What's the new trends? What's the new styles? What cuts are in?

Honestly....who cares? It's the truth. Let me explain: Everyone's hair texture and type is different. Everyone's face shape is different. Everyone has a different "style." These are just a few of the things that need to be considered in making a choice for a new hairstyle for yourself.

That being said, just because everyone and their mother seems to be wearing the "Victoria Beckham" bob, doesn't mean you should run out there and be like Susie asap. I mean, have you seen Victoria's jaw line? (AMAZing) There are however, variations to every cut. Like look at this:

or this:

These are all variations of a "inverted bob" or "Victoria Beckham" cut. But notice, Kelly Clarkson has a rounder face, so the cut is modified for her face shape. Katie Holmes might have said she wanted to hide her forehead...so she added bangs, but still the same cut. 

There are different textures you have to consider as well. Like for instance if you have super curly hair, you most likely are not going to have straight across bangs, unless you desire to straighten them everyday. In my opinion, though, I love love love the inverted bob on someone with curly hair. It is one of those cuts that show off the style through the curls. 

So when you go to your stylist and ask "What's the new cut"? And She/he says "The mullet" please don't say "do it". Well all don't have a "Billy Ray" face. 

I do, however have a favorite cut I like to do right now..(if your style allows) LAYERS

So next time you go see your favorite stylist, cut out a picture of something you like, on someone with a similar face shape and similar hair texture. If it's not right for you, they will (or better) let you know. So be daring! 

Remember: A good cut and color allows your hair to do all the talking. 

XoX

FRIDAY FAVE

So I thought today would be a good time to start my "Friday Faves" blog. Every Friday I will post something makeup or hair related, that is my favorite at that time.

Today I thought I would share my favorite mascara at the moment. I must add the 'at the moment' line in there because if you know me, you well know I like to switch up my mascaras quite a bit. I get bored looking at the same tube for too long. (honestly) I love change way too much.

So this one is from Maybelline. And don't ask me how I started using this one....I think maybe a client told me about it..Its the Maybelline FALSIES by Volum' Express.

Now I love love love false eyelashes. If I had the patience and time I would wear them everyday! I think false lashes complete a total look, and in pictures make your eyes look so amazing. When I tried this mascara I believe, for me, it stood up to its name. I always go for the "blackest black" colors because I like my lashes dark. This mascara lasts all day, does not flake, and washes off fairly easy. The large, curved brush helps the mascara coat your lashes from base to end in one fair sweep.

I believe it retails for about $7.00 at most drugstores (or right around there).

Go try it out! I hope you like it as much as I do!
What's your favorite?

XoX

Best kept secret

So when I started this blog I was planning on sharing all my greatest beauty/hair secrets that I have. But then I got to thinking...it won't be a secret anymore if I put it out there for the world to know. But then I sat and thought longer, and that is incredibly selfish of me! How could I even think that way?  Geez!

Then this morning, like I do every mornings, as I was putting my makeup on, I was thinking about how wonderful this eyeshadow is. How, if my wonderful tanning, hairdresser, bubbly friend had not told me about this product, I would be, at this very moment, a completely different person. For reals.

So I am going to be unselfish and tell you all about it! First, just take a look at it:

How delectably beautiful do those look?! I cannot help but be in love with makeup. I started doing makeup for clients fairly recently, and have done makeup for a couple of shows. In doing this, people are constantly asking me what kind of eyeshadow do I use. Now when people see the finished product, I get guesses like 'Mac' or 'Urban Decay'. I am here to tell you this product is better then either of those! 

This is from a company : Coastal Scents. I know, it sounds like a candle shop, but it is not..and these eyeshadows are not your average shadow colors either! These are most likened to "Mac" colors because of the strength of the pigments. You will realize, upon using these, that you do not need a lot of shadow..a little goes a long way. 

I have 2 of their pallets, the 88 Ultra shimmer palate and the 78 piece makeup pallet which also has blush with the shadows. The 88 shimmer palate is..get this..$19.95!!! Great price. They also have other palates and other makeup options, however these are the only 2 I have tried. 

Definitely worth a try! They also make great gifts for friends (graduation). 

Try it out and let me know what you think! (Not responsible for any addictions caused from using this product..it will happen)

XoX

Wonderful soft hair days

A friend showered  at my house recently and getting out of the shower she promptly asked me if I had a leave in conditioner. She asked ME if I had conditioner!!! Please!! Always!! Thats like asking a chef if they know how to cook. DUH!

This friend of mine has finer hair and easily tangles. She has recently decided to grow it out, and is the longest I have seen it, in the time I have known her. This has been a back and forth battle for her. Let me give you some history of this ladies' hair...

She has a strawberry blondish base. I recently added some lighter blonde hi-lites and medium brown lo-lites.  She has side bangs and long layers with textured layered ends. Like I said her hair gets very tangly (real word) after a shower, no matter what conditioners she uses.

So when she got out of the shower and asked me the question mentioned above, I handed her the best thing I know for her. This product is amazing, and worked wonders for her fine hair. Its the Paul Mitchell color protect locking spray. 

Now not only is this product a great leave in conditioner for fine, tangly hair, but this wonderful spray also is great for colored locks. It contains sunflower extract which provides sun protection and keeps color from fading. The UVA and UVB protection shields help with that.  It makes hair look conditioned and shiny, without adding unnecessary weight. I use this almost everyday and recommend it to everyone who has colored hair. (Who doesn't these days?) 

So if you have hair like my friend, (or not) then this is something that is worth trying! 

XoX

Husbands favorite.

I always like to think of myself as a creative person, a creative mind if you will. And especially in the kitchen , when it comes to cooking (duh! get your mind out of the gutter). With my husbands new diagnosis of food allergies, I believe I mentioned a few posts earlier, I have had to become especially creative.

One of his favorite foods is breaded zucchini, homemade. Well that involves eggs, one of the foods he is in fact allergic too! grrr. Well I came up with the genius idea to use milk instead of the eggs! (which he can have by the way) I was quite proud of myself, considering the fact that I was in the middle of preparing this exciting meal for him, already having mentioned it to him, and lightbulb on the head, realized he cannot have stinkn eggs! (double grrr) 

So I used gluten free flour seasoned with salt and pepper, milk (lactose free) soy would probably work well too, and gluten free breadcrumbs also seasoned with salt and pepper. My layout looked something like this:

I then fried them in olive oil and let me tell you they were delic! 

Now only if I can find a way to make homemade ranch dressing without using the packaged dressing mix......

XoX

Photo shoot!

So I am back, once again! And so much to catch you all up on.

This past weekend we had an exciting event at the salon I work at. We decided to put together a photo shoot. We threw around some creative ideas and decided to do a 'Lady Gaga look-a-like' contest. Since everyone and their mothers know who Lady Gaga is, and she has so many looks to her, we thought it would be fun...and fun it was!

So that picture I posted a bit ago has to do with this. Now we each had a model and we could not use hair extensions or hair pieces of any kind. Other then that we had free creative reign to design whatever we wanted. Now to most people that seems pretty easy. But to me, that created a problem. You see, I have so many wacky ideas in my head, that it was extremely hard for me to pick one consistent theme/idea and stick with it. I had to keep telling myself that less is more, although Lady Gaga is a "more is more" kind of person.

I spent hours and hours googling and researching fun ideas and creative designs, and finally came up with something like this...a hair tutu skirt with a glitter tulle train. A feather bra top. Lace makeup. Now with all of that in my head I had to make this work with my model, and make the audience fall in love with it, because after all it was a competition.

So after all the hard work, the standing for hours curling the hair, applying the makeup and 'trimming the hair skirt' this is what the final outcome looked like:

 

Ta-Da!! Here is my lovely finished project. 

Once the photographer has the pictures done I will be sure to post those. She has some amazing ideas. You have to take a look at her site HERE. She is one talented person. 

So after all the makeup was done, and all the hair, and the outfit was put together and "Kady Kinetic" finished her photos we sent the girls on over to the restaurant next door. There over 100 people voted on the girls in these categories:

Best outfit

Best makeup

Best hair

Best overall

My model was voted as "best makeup" which, surprisingly, was the easiest and fastest part of the whole process! 

Anyways..there is my busy crazy weekend. I hope you all enjoy the photos and once the photographer finishes up hers, Ill post those as well! 

XoX

(another couple bonus photos)

Technical difficulties

So of course I get all gung-ho about this blogging situation and of course that's when my machine thing, or what we all call a computer decides to poop out on me. And you do not realize how much you depend on your stupid box screen computer until you do not have it!! urgh!
So check back in a couple days and I promise once I have my computer back up and running I will have some interesting posts....including a explanation for my previous google pic of the day post. :) Its exciting!!
Blog on bloggers!
XoX

Beautiful breakfast

If you are like me you wake up fairly early every day, and if you are like me it is quite hard to eat breakfast that early in the morning. And if you are like me then by the time you are ready to eat, half the morning is gone and you might as well wait because lunch is right around the corner.

Or maybe you are really not like me at all, but that is ok because that is why I like you.

Every once in a while though I will stumble across something at the store that catches my fancy and I will think to myself "you know, I really need to eat breakfast again, I think I will try this." And off we go, me and my little ambitious spirit, and I will think, "this time I am going to stick with it and eat breakfast every morning forever!" And that little ambitious spirit will last maybe a week, and fizzle out. (I did call it a little spirit)

Well on my last conquest to the grocery store, while I was searching and searching the isles for yummy-ness  for my poor gluten free husband, I decided to be a little selfish and take a gander at the cereal isle. Behold! I found my new cereal that I promised myself I was going to stick to this time! I always go for the cereals with the little surprises of fruit in them! They make me smile as I eat them..crunching away on the cereal and "oh!" there's a little bite of sweet happiness! Reminds me of Boba tea! Yummm. Those little tapioca balls just make you smile.

(I have a great place we like to go, if you're interested)

Anyways back to my cereal...so I found this one from Kashi. So wonderful! But this time, I told myself, once I get bored with it, I will add bananas or another fruit to my bowl so I don't burn out. (because I easily do) So tomorrow will mark day 2 of my cereal eating routine. Lets see how far I go with this one! 

XoX

Google pic of the day...

Stay tuned for explanation!

Pot holes, cereal and wheat allergies

In my ongoing quest to make my "not so healthy" junk food, circle K hot dog eating husband on the right track to eating healthy, we hit a minor, what some would call, a speed bump. I look at it as a blessing and a curse knocking on my door simultaneously.  He was recently diagnosed (yesterday, really) as having a gluten allergy (among other things) Yes he is now "one of those."
Now I say a blessing because really, he is forced into eating "healthy" foods. A downhill if you will.  No more gas station hot dogs! (Honestly I didn't know people actually ate those things. They just look so shrively and gross turning constantly under those crusty heat lamps) No more late night Taco Bell stops, 5 Pepsi's a day, and Whataburger for breakfast.
But here is the curse part of this situation: I am going to be the one to make the lunches, buy the 'healthy' food, prepare that food and make sure he sticks to what he is supposed to be doing. Doesn't seem too bad, but have you ever been to a 'normal' grocery store and looked at the 'gluten free' section..if they even have one? Not much of a selection. Now, go into a Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or a Sunflower. Yay! Talk about a better selection. But...throw this pot hole in there...No cane sugar,  and no eggs (yolk or whites) Now there's a more complicated problem, construction zone you might say.
Needless to say internet research is what my nights have consisted of. My grocery store runs have now turned into hours of search and find and label reading. Did you know there are about 20 words used on labels that indicate gluten is present!?! Not to mention the many foods you would never, (in a million years) think gluten is present in. (ie:baking powder, dry roasted nuts, ground spices, and some vitamins! Source)
So here is where my lovely blog readers come into play. If any of you out there have any ideas or recipes that I could use that would be lovely! If any of you know me well I love to cook, and especially try new recipes. Mondays are my designated 'new recipe' night. I will try anything at least once. I don't want to  be discouraged with these new 'diet restrictions' (healthy food eating plan) that is put in front of us. I will continue to search the endless blogs and recipe pages and share those ones that I find helpful, if there are any others like us that are out there. And for all of you without any kind of food allergy, don't ever (ever ever) take that for granted. You have NO idea!
XoX

Sweet smiles and sticky hands

About one year six months and seven days ago (all approximate) I was forced into Auntie status. Don't get me wrong, I love being an aunt, and the wordage of the last sentence perhaps wasn't the best choice, but after the past few weeks, it fits. In my opinion, girls are quicker at picking things up, which makes raising them as polite, sweet princesses a lot harder! For instance "shut up". Seriously? What year-and-a half year old should be heard saying such inconsiderate phrases?!? But at the same time, and here comes the hard part of discipline, who cannot help but giggle when the sweetest little face with a high pitched voice says that in the most perfect of contexts? I mean look at this face!

So after the 'bad words' come out, you have to have a plan of action ready in your head. You have to be on your toes at all times with these little ones... there's too many surprises daily, so to minimize breakdowns (on your part) you must have some sort of formality to how things work. Heres a tip: have your 'bad girl' corner all picked out! And stick to that corner..it helps. 

And how about the biting! I mean, really? Who taught her that? I guess it doesn't help that she is familiar with the cute little english boy on YouTube who gets bit by his little brother "Charlie"  on the finger and thinks its soo hilarious. I mean she knows this video so well that "oww Charlie" comes out quite frequently. But let me tell you, when those tiny little teeth find the inside of your thigh while playing "all fall down" and make contact well enough to produce a nice purple bruise, that Charlie video is not so funny. "Bad girl" corner! 

Above all the 'bad words' and biting, and frustrations, there's a sweet little princess who loves being a girlie girl. Who loves sunglasses and "polish", "prince charming" and kitty kittys. Who copies all the good words you say as well, and calls for you when she's at Grandmas house. 

Those are what you think about when you agree to mother them for the day (or 2) and cannot wait for those special moments to be formed with them. So I have settled nicely in the auntie status and am ok with this, as I can hand her back and walk away satisfied that I have done my part in her growing up to be a well behaved, non biting little princess who loves having her nails painted, and trying on shoes (already, I know). 

Im sure hilarious stories will grace these pages of her growing up into the little lady she once will be. Until then I will leave you with one more sweet photo. I am a proud aunt :) 

XoX

Worth a look

Who doesn't love jewelry? Even better, who doesn't love affordable jewelry? Alas bargain shopper friends! I have just the website for you! And whats better, I know the person who makes the jewelry! She makes it all by hand, and is super creative. Look at this!

This is just one of the many pieces she has, and always is adding new items. She now has a 'clearance' section. So enough blabbering about it. Go check it out!


Island Shimmer Designs

XoX