Hair

So the wedding is not set until next March, and even though I am not a fan of long engagements, having it in March does have its perks. The top of the list? I get to make sure my hair is as long as possible. I have had my hair quite long before, but I didn't do it properly - meaning I had neglected getting trims when I should have because long healthy hair is on a completely different level then long straggly-split-ended hair. My current hair inspiration is Lana del Rey (total girl crush), from her Blue Jeans video (I know it is extensions, but still, the length and healthiness is gorgeous).

Beautiful.

Here is where my hair is now:

I am using Pureology hydrate shampoo and conditioner (the one in the purple bottle). This shampoo and conditioner is SO amazing. The salon I go to convinced me to buy the green reparative Pureology line, and I HATE it. I read somewhere that the protein in that product can be bad for your hair...........I'll give it to my fiance to use because boys will literally use anything (and anything is better than the Suave he has in his shower).

I am also using It's a 10! which is the best detangler out there. When you have long hair, it tends to get super tangly. Ripping through tangles is NO BUENO when you try to grow your hair long.

And.......... I am also taking prenatal vitamins. Someone told me it helps your hair, so why not?

Anyone else growing their hair????????????

Fall Wishlist Part Uno

Since I have fall on my mind, I thought I'd let you in on a few items that just scream fall to me. I would love to be wearing each one of these items and will hopefully make at least 1 a reality for me in the near future.

I already have black booties, so this fall I am looking for beige or even better, leopard. The leopard can jazz up any outfit, especially all the black I usually wear in the fall. If I had to only choose 1 thing from this wishlist it would probably be these babies.
I have been lusting over a good camel colored coat for sometime now, but the camel color is usually not perfect, but this coat from Vince is. I did not want a trench style, but a one with a lot of drape and a hood, just like this one. Also, it's made of wool and cashmere so it will keep me warm (better keep me warm because it is $$$). I just love love love it and hopefully can make it mine soon.

Chanel Peridot Nail Laquer (image courtesy of Temptalia, best beauty blog out there). Need this now. Some people may hate it, and it is def not office friendly. Go to google images and search"chanel peridot" and you will see how it looks on nails, to me, very pretty and edgy. I love.

I

I know I was just talking about ombre hair, but when I saw these photos of Katie Holmes on justjared I was smitten with her brown hair color. It looks so healthy and shiny. I think it's nice to go dark in the fall/winter so I will probably take the plunge.

5 Things

I like when bloggers have "5 Things" posts, where they list random thoughts/rants/raves, so I decided to start doing it as well. Here we go......

1. Big Rich Texas

I LOVE trashy TV, and the Style Network seems to have an endless supply (seriously between Jerseylicious and Big Rich Texas I may end up wearing spandex leapard, neon glitter nails, dye my hair blonde, and start tanning...jk...sort of). This new show is centers around several Texas ladies and their daughters. They all belong to a country club and fight with each other at least 3 times an episode. Bonnie and Whitney crack me up, can't wait to see them continue to fight with Pam.

google images

2. LuLulemon

I just started working out. I tend to workout heavily for a few weeks then give it up all together, however, lululemon is def helping me break that habit. When workout clothes are just as cute if not more cute than regular clothes, it gives me an extra reason to hit the gym.

zimbio images

3. http://heidiklum.aol.com/

This is Heidi Klum's blog about fitness, fashion, life, and other stuff. She has some great tips for running as well as her 'favorite things' which I love. Very entertaining. Check it out!

4. Fall

This heat wave has me wishing for all things fall. Chunky sweaters, boots, leggings, scarves, pumpkin everything. Currently, I have Bath and Bodyworks Creamy Pumpkin candle burning. It smells amazing and makes me believe that its not 1238910823 degrees outside.

5. Giuiliana Rancic Hair

I will ALWAYS love the ombre hair trend. Children always have the best hair because it is naturally lightened by the sun, and the lightness is usually concentrated on the ends...it just looks so natural and pretty. IMO Giuiliana got the ombre done perfectly. I bet she has lots of extensions which helps tremendously, but man does she have awesome hair. I watch her on her show that comes on between all my trashy style network tv :)

What are some things you are loving right now? Anybody else watch these shows? Looking forward to Fall?

Touch of Sun

I am a firm believer in bringing pictures to a hair stylist before getting your hair done. It gives me the idea that they are on the same page as me. One time I told someone I wanted layers and I ended up with a $400.00 mullet (no excuses for that one, but I did not have a picture to show). For YEARS, everytime I have gotten my hair highlighted I have brought in a picture of Ms. Alessanda Ambrosia, the gorgeous Victoria's Secret model below. Sun Kissed highlights? Check. Well Blended? Check. Natural? Check.
Most often, my hair dresser has nailed it in the park. The only complaint I have is that they usually turn a little brassy 1-2 months after, but violet shampoo helps with that.

This is a picture of when my hair was heavily highlited. I loved the way it looked and I am hoping to achieve that summery look today. However I am going to a new hair stylist and am nervous about the turn out. In telling him what I am going for, my key words will be

1) well blended

2) sun kissed

3) natural

4) very low upkeep

5) DON'T CHANGE THE BASE COLOR

We shall see how it goes, I will post a before an after pic when I am out :) Wish me luck!

Hair Help, to Side Bang or not?

I need your help. I feel like I have styled my hair the same for way too long. I have always wanted side bangs, but have been way to nervous to take the plunge... Here is my reasoning:

1. I usually part my hair down the middle (just like in the photo below)
2. I have wavy hair that sometimes can disguise itself into that pretty beachy look, or like a crazy woman
3. Lately, I rarely use my hair iron/blow dryer. Trying to grow it long, and keep it as healthy as possible (I hear you have to style bangs no matter what, or you just add to the crazy lady look)
4. I don't like hair in my face
5. Scared of change!

I separated my hair inspiration in a "good" and "bad" category, below is the bad-not ugly, just not for me.
I wouldn't like that much hair in my face. Plus, I have been told I have a really small face, so if that much hair was in it, I might look like cousin it.
A little to severe-also not good inspiration because my hair is not 1) one color 2) long and straight 2) wouldn't want to put the energy into ironing it that straight
I am usually not a fan when the bangs don't look like they are a part of the rest of the hair. I LOVE me some Elle Macpherson (her lingerie is amazing---not too mention she is preeeeetty) but the above photo is a perfect example of the dual hair syndrome to me. Now for the good..
Maybe I am just obsessed with Something Borrowed, but I was ooing and aaing about Ginnifer Goodwin's hair the whole time. Her length is similar to mine, the color is doable for me, and her bangs seem to easily push to the side and are not too blunt.

Loved Brit Brit since I was a 6th grader-this photo has been one of my favorite 'bang' pictures for a long time. I love her buttery blonde hair here (totally not doable for me), but there is something about the bangs, they look like they could go to the side and look as great as they do in that photo..also, her hair is parted down the middle.
Love these. They blend perfectly with her hair-the antithesis (yes I confirmed the definition w/ dictionary.com) of Ms. Machperson's hair above.
She's just so darn cute! I like how we still see the 'bangy' (not confirmed with dictionary.com) look while still showing some forehead.

So I need your help. Are bangs a pain in the butt? Will I regret them as soon as I get them? The best advice I have gotten is from my gorgeous friend ADM who has AWESOME side bangs-she said to tell the stylist to make the ends feathery so they blend well. As of now, it looks like I will be getting bangs on Saturday... Looking forward to your input :)

Something Wonderful

Last night I went to go see Something Borrowed. I read the book a few years ago and thought it was the best thing ever-read it in one week and the sequel, Something Blue the next.

I honestly went into the movie thinking it would be crap, because I thought the book was so good-but to my surprise, the movie was amazing!!! They left a few things out and changed it a bit here and there, but overall I say A+

I thought it was cast really well, and everyone in the theater was foaming over the actor who played Dex, below. He reminds me of Tom Cruise during the Top Gun days-except taller.

Jim from The Office!!! He played Ethen, and played it really well. I didn't like what his character divulged in the end-minor change of plot from the book.
Ughhhhhhhhhhh mushy scenes :) LOVE LOVE LOVE
Kate Hudson looked awesome in the movie (so did Ginnifer Goodwin who plays Rachel) She has those beautiful blonde curls that look so effortless. There was a girl that went to college with me who had the same exact hair. Word on the street is that it was a perm she got on Myrtle Beach.

Has anyone ever had a perm? Now I want one and want to be blonde.

Before the movie I stopped into Anthropologie and bought a Mother's Day Card (Much to RPN's dismay---it was $8.00-Mom is worth it! Plus, I already waited so long that I bet the only cards left in CVS were awful) I also bought that lovely pink coaster above with the elephant. I have a thing for elephants and pink, thought it would be great for my apartment :)

Hair War I

I declared war with my hair at a very early age. There was a time when I honestly believed that the reason why my hair looked so smooth and straight after I left a hair salon was because of the shampoo/conditioner the hair stylist used (this was ages 7-10). So I would beg my mom and dad to buy me whatever they used, go home and wash it, let it air dry, and freak out.

Then bath and body works came out with their own version of sun in, and I used it all summer long and had ORANGE hair for a really long time.

Then I got highlights right before college. My hair was a beautiful

brown with natural highlights that did not need ANY changes... It looked pretty after, but the stylist lightened the base which was a pain in the ass (and not necessary).

Then I dyed it back dark (and it turned purple). After the purple faded out and it became a natural dark brown, I started adding highlights again and this has been my signature look for quite some time.

Next I decided I wanted OMBRE hair, a la Lauren Conrad below.

I went to a new young stylist who listened carefully and was so excited. Here is me in the process:

I ended up with this:

Let me tell you, I would get either tons of compliments or the weirdest looks from people (especially older sophisticated women) who thought I was in desperate need of getting my roots done. The biggest problem I had with the ombre hair was that the already somewhat damaged ends (because my hair was so long) became even more damaged with the bleach.

So I ended up going really dark, which I loved, then that faded and I got my hair cut--SHORT!! Oh how I miss my long hair....

Next, I'd like to go red. I watched a Lifetime Movie (dear God..) on Saturday and saw the most beautiful actress with the prettiest red hair I had ever seen. Points if you can name her! (I don't even know what the movie was called becasue Lifetime published the wrong movie title/description when it was on). The hair was MAJOR red (like little mermaid) in the light, and then in darker lights it looked brown. I think it would be great for me because I am pale and freckly (Oh Irish skin...). Chances of me doing this btw is 20%. Convince me please :)