Wednesday, July 30, 2014

OOTD: Stripes

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DRESS: Old Navy (similar here) BLAZER: Lauren Conrad for Kohls (similar here) NECKLACES: Stella and Dot, GroopDealz BRACELET: Very Jane HEELS: Tahari (similar here and here)

Happy Hump Day! Only a few more days until the weekend!

Be sure to enter my Tiny Tags giveaway and enjoy 15% off your purchase through 07/31 using LLP14!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Summer Hair Inspiration

One of my favorite activities in the whole world is happening soon- getting my hair done! Holy hair Batman, I haven't been able to get into see my hair girl Nikki since she's so busy doing weddings, photo shoots, etc. I can't wait to see her! As always, I have a million different things I want to do to my hair. Dye it darker, go blonder, do a mix, cut it shorter, cut layers, keep it blunt, and so on. Lucky for me, Nikki is bomb and I can walk in and say "do what you want" and she always does a great job and somehow knows exactly what change I'm looking for. I've been trolling Pinterest and Instagram and here are some of my favorites I'll be drawing inspiration from.

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What are some of your favorite hair trends for summer? Are you making any changes to your hair before fall creeps up on us?

Be sure to enter my Tiny Tags giveaway and enjoy 15% off your purchase through 07/31 using LLP14!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Hair Routine + Products

Since cutting my hair back in March, my hair has been so healthy. Cutting off the inches really gave me a chance to sort of start over with my hair. My routine hasn't changed much since cutting it, but I have noticed that I have been able to keep my ends healthier since the chop. I have another appointment coming up and I've been debating on keeping the length that it has grown or cutting it even shorter than I previously had. I definitely want to add some more layers at the bottom and maybe add some low-lights to make the blonde highlights pop. Or just go blonder overall. Matt and I cleaned out our garage a few weeks ago and came across a bunch of pictures from when we were first together, and I was so blonde! I'm thinking of going back to it. We'll see, I'm sure I'll change my mind several times by my appointment.

I’m still washing my hair 2-3 times a week, just depending on the amount of product buildup (or lack thereof) and whatever it is that we’re doing. I usually wash my hair on Saturdays/Sundays and then again during the week. I've noticed I will sometimes have to wash my hair a third time if I haven’t used any product at all because it gets really flat. In that case, I usually will use Suave Keratin Infusion Color Care Dry Shampoo to build some volume to get an extra day or two of wear.

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For shampoo I use Tressemme and have switched off buying the volume one and the moisturizing one. I just ran out of it so I picked up some Nexxus Therappe Shampoo, I haven't tried it yet (as of this post), but I'm looking forward to using a better shampoo to keep my locks healthy. I have also been using the Macadamia Deep Mask and Nelson j  Healing Mask conditioners once a week (switching off with each wash). As for blow-drying, I have only blow-dried my hair once a week and let my hair air dry during the night the other wash. I think this really has been the biggest reason why I have been able to maintain the health of my hair, but have noticed that using my HANA Air Blow Dryer gives me so much more volume and helps me to maintain not washing my hair as often. I’m also using more products when I blow-dry it, so it’s really a combination, but I have noticed I can get an extra day of wear even when using no products at all when drying it.

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For products, I use a combination of L'Oreal Boost It Volume Inject Mousse, Redken Guts 10L'Oreal Boost It Blow Out Heat Spray, and a Herbal Essence Leave-in Conditioner that's no longer available. If I use my Redken Guts then I will skip using mousse, for my hair it’s just too much product and will weigh it down the very next day. Redken Guts is such a great product, I get a ton of volume and my hair really holds when I use it. It’s kind of pricey, but you can use coupons and find good deals online for it, it’s one of the few hair products (along with the Macadamia Deep Mask) I use that’s worth the extra expense.

For styling I'll use the Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray when curling my hair.  When teasing my hair on day 2-4 I'll use L'Oreal Boost It High Lift Creation Spray to create more volume. When I first bought this spray, I wasn't completely sold on it, but it really makes your hair hold a tease all day long! I really enjoy the product and will definitely re-purchase it. On any day I need more volume, and especially on day 3-4 I'll use Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo. It is hands down the BEST dry shampoo I've ever used in my life. If I've let my hair air dry and need more volume/texture I'll use it on clean hair as well. On 2-4 day hair I'll also sometimes use TRESemmé Styling Aid Keratin Smoothing Serum (not pictured) to bring some life back to my hair and lose some frizziness. I don't care as much for this oil as one they discontinued. One pump is just so much product and it's heavier than the previous oil. I think I'm going to have to go back to my tried and true Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum.

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As for tools, it’s pretty simple. I use a paddle brush (similar here) to comb through my towel-dried hair and a combination of that and a round brush (similar here) while I blow-dry. If I have the time, I like to use Conair Think Big Velcro Rollers to set my hair and then use either my Corioliss Classic Pro Flat Iron or Conair 1 1/4" Instant Heat Curling Iron to style my hair. To tease my hair, I’ll use either a comb, hair pick, or a teasing brush.

What products do you like to use? What are you must have, holy grail hair items? Please spill!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Tiny Tags Giveaway!

Goodness guys, I am so excited about today's giveaway featuring Tiny Tags! As you know, I'm obsessed with anything that is monogrammed or personalized and today's giveaway is perfection. Melissa from Tiny Tags created special jewelry for mommies to celebrate "the love in our lives". Their jewelry and mission is to celebrate children and to give back to children and mothers in need. Wearing a piece of their jewelry, personalized with the blessings in your life also gives back to several organizations! Tiny Tags donates every month to nonprofit organization like the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

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Tiny Tags jewelry is perfect for any woman celebrating those dear to their hearts. It's the perfect staple necklace to wear daily- the pieces are sweet, feminine, chic, and goes with everything. They're gaining popularity and have been featured in several magazines, including this month's People StyleWatch!

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Melissa has generously offered to giveaway 1 Tag Sterling Silver Necklace! See below on how to enter! The contest will run through July 31st and you can also enjoy 15% off your purchase through then using LLP14 at checkout through then!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

OOTD: Seeing Spots

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Top: Forever 21 // Skirt: Forever 21 (old, similar here) // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack (similar here and here
Bracelets: Very Jane (available here and here too!) // Lipstick: MAC Angel with Angel Lipglass 

This has to be one of my favorite outfits I've worn to work. I was browsing online and fell in love with this top and ordered it almost immediately. The tulip sleeves are so sweet and feminine, I love the high collar with the little details, and I don't have a lot of polka dotted items- I had to add this to my closet! I can't wait to wear this again, it's such a versatile top, it will look cute with jeans, shorts, slacks, etc.

Have you bought anything recently you just loved? I love when I find an item I can't wear enough.