Ombre hair

If you have been reading my blog for some time, you might remember when my obsession with ombre hair began last spring. After dyeing my hair darker than my natural color using demi permanent color for years, I took the plunge with messy highlights. From there, I had a reddish brown put on my roots to blend the grown out look. About a month after that, I I had more highlights put in on the under layers so that there wasn't so much left over of the almost black color I favored for so long.

Since then, I have made a few trips to Sally's beauty supply and read up a bit more online. Part of me just wants to put a light brown gloss over the whole thing, and part of me figures after spending quite a chunk of money to get it here, I should just continue dyeing my little gray roots that grow in.

Here is where it is now











If you're interested in learning more about, by far, the easiest way to add highlights and with the least amount of upkeep, check out this tutorial from Hair on the Brain.

The pictures of Lily Aldridge remind me again why I've gone through all this hassle. The tutorial even tempts me to add a few more highlights around my face. However, I am STILL getting used to having bleached parts of my hair!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Essie Sew Psyched

Despite all my recommendations to friends of the latest and greatest nail polish offerings, I have been pretty into classic colors myself.

However, if you are looking for THE color of the fall, it appears to be Chanel Khaki Vert--a military green/gray.  Trendy!

If you, like me, do not want to pay that much for a trendy nail color, and certainly don't want to be a wait list, try Essie Sew Psyched.

Try it here.  $6.70 including shipping.

Nautica

I have always had a mild obsession with all things nautical.  Mostly because I have had a major obsession with Jackie Kennedy since I was 12, and I would see pictures of her chic style sailing in Hyannis Port. Also, Jane Austen heroines sometimes love Navy officers.  Fast forward to present, when I'm dating a Navy officer.

It seems like they never go out of style.  Every spring, magazines scream that they're so in.

ETSY FINDS

MY MICHAEL STARS SHIRT

APPARENTLY THIS IS AN "IT" ITEM THIS SEASON

LL BEAN'S NORWEGIAN SWEATER, WOOL

J CREW'S BOAT SHOES

Classic--like khakis and ballet flats.  I want a Coco Chanel striped baggy top and a simple strand of pearls.

Me last summer

Trendy Nails

So I had a coupon for Ulta for $5 off.  I went today and they had "Buy Two, Get One Free" on Essie and OPI polishes.  The Essie deal also included a free matte top coat. I also am torn between the two brands constantly.  OPI has better trendy shades, but it's a thicker texture.  I love the thinness of Essie.  Nail polish stays on much better if you do two thin coats.  Their polishes make it easy to do that.

I have been resisting the matte trend since early summer. I myself love perfectly painted GLOSSY nails.  I finally gave in with the free top coat.

So I got all of this for $11.

I have to admit that I am rethinking the Mint Candy Apple (middle.)  It is crazy trendy right now.  I know I seem like I am trendy, but I am definitely not.  I like to keep up with knowing what they are, but I tend to mostly stick with classics or things that at least feel like me.

I used it with the matte top coat. It DOES NOT feel like me.

What do you think??  I think my grandma is going to be appalled.

Doing the Dishes in Style

Last fall, I used to get the Rachael Ray magazine. It was free for six months. I happened upon some snazzy dish gloves sort of like these priced at $30 a pair! Well, I clipped it out and at Christmas, made my own versions for my aunts, grandma and mom. They were great little Christmas presents that I wrapped up in takeout boxes.

I'm not normally a super crafty person. I reserve doing crafts only for when I see something that is outrageously priced and super cute that I COULD MAKE MYSELF.

Anyways, saw these again and wanted to share the stylin' way to do dishes.

Doing My Part

I have been seeing pictures of wearing headbands hippie style lately, so decided to bring Amelia, my niece, up to speed. 17 months and already blazing ahead...

I'll Pass

I wouldn't call myself a completely trendy girl. I enjoy reading mounds of magazines and beauty blogs, but don't dress or do makeup constantly worried about not being "in style" and of the moment. I like getting new ideas, and gradually introducing new items into my wardrobe and products (i.e., a gladiator-esque sandal, cobalt blue nail polish, chunky yellow gold hoops.)

Two trends I initially am put off by are the comeback of jellies and neon colors. I will happily eat my words a few months from now if the trends become mainstream enough for me (and feel like my style.) But, for now, no thanks. I would rather stay boring and simple. I don't care if the jellies are YSL, Old Navy or Michael Kors. I don't care if every fashion forward beauty editor is rocking neon nails. Not for me...yet.