A Summertime Favorite

For those of us who enjoy big hair, this one is for you!  It's perfect with a little summer dress and some strappy sandals for cruising the beach...or the city.  I don't really like hair on my neck, but sometimes ponytails look ridiculous on me, so this was my solution- a half up, half braided mixture, with (of course) a hair accessory to top it off!  Try it out:

It's actually pretty simple and will only take about 5 minutes

Here's what you will need:

(A teasing comb, a couple bobby pins, a hair tie, and a delicate accessory)

Okay, so it looks a little like I rolled out of bed, but that's kind of what happens when you tease it-ha.  Divide the top half of your hair into three sections ( top, left, right) and take the teasing comb to each section, teasing the underside of the hair.  Spray a little hair spray to hold the tease in place.

To make the pouf, take side sections of the hair you teased, and bring them around to the back.  Hold tightly, and push the hair up toward the crown.  This should make the bump, including the top of the hair and secure with the bobby pins.  Bring the remainder of your hair to one side and make a braid.  Finish off with a hair tie and add the accessory to cover the bobby pins...or wherever you want!  Voila!

Now put on that summer dress and hit the town! 

Here's today's inspiration picture:

(Jasper didn't help today, the awesome clouds did)

Thanks to Jasper...

I woke up this morning and thought..."oh no! bad hair day!".  I must have slept on it funny because it was sticking up in all kinds of directions in the front and had a big bump right above my bangs.  I attribute this to getting used to having a bed hog of a cat that demands attention while I'm trying to sleep (We just retrieved him from my mom's house on Sunday).  Oh Jasper! - or as he is more affectionately known: Mr. (Tippy) Pants.  Well, to fix the hair dilemma I enlisted the help of the very handy scarf to downplay the pouf; and here is the result:

It's a little bit turban, a little bit 40's  pin-up.

Here's what you will need:

(A fancy patterned or solid scarf; around a medium length, bobby pins,

and one or more of those nifty Goody Spin Pins, depending on hair length)

Brush your hair into a low side bun, twist, and secure with the Spin Pin and however many bobby pins are necessary to keep it in place

I found that this helps keep the scarf on your head if things tend to slide off your hair easily, like they do on mine (i.e. those elastic headbands)

Take the scarf and grasp it lengthwise, placing it at the nape of your neck, under the bun, with the ends even.  Bring both ends a little over your ears and toward the crown of your head.  Make a twist by crossing the right hand in front of the left and then re-grasp the scarf and bring the loose ends back toward where you started and make a secure knot.  Tuck the remaining ends into the sides of the scarf and adjust pieces 'till you like the result! 

I like this look because it hides the big pouf that graced my head this morning, and didn't take much time to do and it makes me feel just a little more sassy.  I guess I have Jasper to thank for inspiring my hairdo today.      

Besides, who could resist this adorable bed hog?

  

Where Did You Go?

Well lovely friends, it has been a loooooong time since my last post, obviously.  I have been away, getting married and such, and catching up on work-related things.  Now, as my new life with my fantastic husband (yay! I said husband!) and our mischievous cat Jasper begins, I can focus more on the "doing" things in life...
There will be photos soon from our amazing adventures and as I get started on my small creative endeavors, even more pictures!  I have also been thinking about adding a segment featuring hair and makeup tips/tricks...because I have been getting stopped in stores recently and having people ask me about it.  What do you think?  Today's look:

Yes. You can do this.  Here's what you will need:

(fanciful decorated pins and bobby pins to match your hair) 

*bobby pins made by me/my mom*

Separate your hair into two loose sections in the back and braid one at a time.

Pull each braid upwards toward the crown of your head and

secure with regular bobby pins (no hair ties needed!)

Add a little interest with decorated bobby pins (also helps hide ends)

 Okay, so maybe a little Swiss Miss, but who says you can't have fun with your hair?  It's an accessory too...that you can put accessories in!  Fabulous.  It is extremely H.O.T. today, and this is the perfect, easy summer 'do to keep cool.  Enjoy!