Links I'm frantically forwarding around today.

I'm raising money for Breast Cancer & walking 5 miles on Oct. 6th. You can donate here. This has (unfortunately, and recently,) touched closer to home as of late. Any amount helps.

Really fun fall nail polish colors. Now I want a mani/pedi. 

My hair is no longer long enough for this, but I can't wait to try it when it is. What a great ponytail! (Dana! This would work for you!)

For those of you looking for a new birth control to try...

This made me ugly cry at work. If you have a dog... you've been warned. (Also, I can't keep seeing that news story of the tortured puppy they found 5 miles from my house. The puppy didn't make it, and they are looking for the person who could do such a horrible thing. Literally makes me sick to my stomach. And I am using the word literally... literally.)

I friggen love sassy two year olds. 

Speaking of sassy... 

I just recently bought Glennon's book, and I am LOVING it. She is so real. I'm a highlighting fiend. Check out her most recent post here. 

Kelle Hampton is my fave. She is many people's faves. That's OK, I'll share. (Not gonna lie, when she retweets/responds to me, I do a little happy dance.) Sometimes she writes something that I need to hear, sometimes she writes something I've been hearing already. This post came at a perfect time.

 Happy Friday.

 

Hair Obsession

I've always been into hair, but my current job has turned me into a full-blown hair addict. I'm obsessed with the latest products, styles, trends, you name it. The right products can be life changing. You can have the hair you dream of! You just need to know how to achieve it ;-)

So I'm going to list some of my favorite hair styles/products, and talk you through my hair routine(s). I'm chopping 6+ inches off tomorrow, so I'll keep you updated on that, too! (I'm not linking to websites where you can buy the products, but I have bolded them & made them pink - you can find almost all of them on amazon, online, or at your local salon.) Remember, professional hair products are ONLY guaranteed when sold out of a salon; meaning buying this stuff at CVS means you are buying really old (and probably expired) stuff. Ew.

(P.S - I absolutely LOVE giving hair advice/ sharing my favorite products, so if you comment below with your email address, I will TOTALLY send you fun samples to try!)



Blow Dry

I am absolutely obsessed with bumble & bumble's tutorial videos and have watched them all a bunch of times. This is what got me looked on my three key products when blow drying - prep, thickening hairspray, & straight balm. I almost always use prep - it conditions, detangles, and makes the other products you use more effective. It's just overall really good for your hair, and I find it light enough to use every day. (I've never been a leave-in conditioner girl.) I spray thickening hairspray on my roots to help with lift, and then a nickle-sized amount of straight balm (life-changing!) through my hair (avoiding roots) for help with a smooth blow dry. Getting a blow dryer (with nozzle) and round brush that YOU love and are comfortable with is key - I have a moroccan oil round brush I love, and a blow dryer with enough heat and power that is still light-weight. The videos I linked to above are really great - I'm not a stylist so I can't get way into technique or anything - but these products have really made blow drying my hair smooth much easier. 
 

Sometimes to mix it up, I'll use It's a Ten Miracle Leave-In Smoothing Serum - I find it gives me maximum shine and silkiness, but does weigh down my hair a bit.

Another product I use sometimes is bumble & bumble's Invisible Hairdresser's Oil - a lot of people love Moroccan Oil, but that ish is too heavy for me. This is light, smooth & wispy, and smells great. Just don't use too much! (I'll dab a bit on my ends & smooth over flyaways).


Curls

After blow drying, I usually curl my hair. I have four five seven curling irons. They are all different! And one I keep at work, for "emergencies" ... hehe. My current favorite type of curling iron is a wand - basically a curling iron with the clamp removed. My hair is so long that I use a 2-inch iron to get big bouncy waves - any smaller and the curls are just too overwhelming, since my hair is naturally curly. I used to love this but my hair is just too long right now. The method to my madness is WRAPPING the hair around the curling iron, always away from your face. (The Beauty Snoop has a great image on that here.) Yes - you CAN burn your fingers. They sell heat-proof gloves, but really, just be careful. I like the ends getting left out a bit, it looks a bit more natural. I use Redken's Spray Starch as a heat protectant (never use heat on naked hair!) and I finish with Moroccan Oil's Medium Finsh Hairspray.


Beachy Waves

My hair is naturally wavy/curly, but it's texture has a lot to do with what product cocktail I'm using, and the weather! Sometimes it will be super curly, othertimes more wavy... I always start with prep, and then I usually use bumble & bumble's curl conscious creme. I find for me, a creme or serum is best - I HATE crunchy, crispy curls, so I never use gel or mousse. I'll finish with bumble & bumble's surf spray, ad touch up with that throughout the day.


Wearing Your Hair Up

I hardly EVER wear my hair up. It gives me a headache. That being said, I do like to add little braids in my hair, or to try little cute styles that I see on pinterest. I will spray some dry shampoo in my hair (Oribe's Dry Texture Spray or Suave Dry Shampoo are my faves!) and then play around.


Color & Care

I color my hair every 4-6 months. Right now, it's very ombre, which I love. I love playing with color and have been since I was 15 (yikes). It's SUPER important when coloring your hair to take care of it, so you aren't damaging the life out of it. Sulfate free shampoos, color-care products - all of that matters. Also, don't wash your hair every day.  

my hair pin-spiration board! http://pinterest.com/hayleydenker/hair-ideas/  

Updates

Hah. It's been awhile. Not that I even HAD blogging mojo, but if I did, I am sure loosing it. This articulates that pretty accurately.  Also, I can't bring myself to "write like I'm at a tea party with grandmas" - all, "hello sweet friends" and the sort. I've been know to call Tyler just "husband", and that's as far as I'll get. 

But here are some updates.

• Been babysitting a ton - a family friend has 3 grandkids all under 4 and I'm obsessed with them all. Lately I've been with the youngest a lot, and we have totally bonded. I'm in love. We had a long day of hot weather, locked doors & no PJs, but through a stressful situation we had the sweetest, sweetest time together.  

• Father's day was excellent. I had my dad the whole day - which of course stressed me out a bit attempting to plan the perfect day. We had brunch at Back Bay Social Club, walked around Newbury St., then headed to my apartment. We watched Sophie Scholl on my tiny kindle, and then headed to Marina Bay for drinks & apps on the water with my brother. We ended up staying & hearing this blues and that was playing, which was unexpected and really fun.

• I've been to two concerts so far this summer - countryfest w/Florida Georgia line & Luke Bryant (which I worked at) and Rascal Flatts. Quintessential summer nights - lime-y beer, country music, cutoff shorts, tailgating...

• Dana has been getting me to go to the gym with her 3-4 times a week. I feel like I have way more energy when I go, and it's been so nice getting to see her on a regular basis.

•  The beautiful Ashti's bridal shower was filled with love & excitement - we are SO looking forward to their wedding! (I get to wear a sari! They have convinced me that I won't look lame. We shall see...)

• Had a great Sunday Funday in Ogunquit with Jess & Eric and the puppydogs - although the 95 degree weather in Boston did not translate to Maine weather. It was 70 and drizzly! Naturally, we took a trolley and holed up at Barnacle Billy's where we wolfed down 4 lobster rolls & 10 rum punches, or "rum drunks" as Tyler was calling them. (Tyler also ordered a side of sunshine...) After all of those drinks, the sun came out, and we walked back to the beach, jumped in the FREEZING ocean, and headed back to Eric's parents place. We set up at the beach, where the boys played ladder golf while the thunder rolled in the background. Jess & I snuggled up in towels while we screamed every time the lighting hit - aren't you NOT supposed to be on the beach when there is lightning?! ... We made it back JUST before it downpoured. 

• I've somehow convinced Tyler to start GRILLING!! We got supplies and drinks and sat at the picnic table in our complex while we grilled steaks & salmon. It was delicious, and relaxing. I'm hoping summer nights include a lot more of this. Also spent a lovely summer night on the Luciano/Alario roofdeck - what a frat house THAT place is. (NOT. Jess made a gorg spread, & we sipped "peeny greegy" and gossiped all night. Awesomesauce.)

• The big event of the summer so far was Noel's wedding - whoa. It was Gatsby themed, and I acted as the LIVE CARD TABLE during cocktail hour. No joke. It got a little touchy, but thankfully Tyler was there to help (& to tell old men "paws off"). SUCH a fun night - the food, decor, music, everything was amazing - but what makes a wedding perfect is the people, and gosh, this was full of the good ones. I cried during all of the speeches & was so emotional... probably since this was the first wedding we've attended since our own!

Future summer plans include an INSANELY patriotic July 4th (just wait), a trip to Chatham with Mom's side, then a week in Sandwich with Dad's side. We're also trying to think of romantic/drivable weekend places to celebrate our 1st anniversary (boy did THAT go by fast!) . Hope everyone is staying cool & enjoying a frosty cold beverage :-)

lately on pinterest...

I'm gonna try a series... lately on pinterest. Things I've found on pinterest, things I've pinned, things I want to try, things I've tried... 

follow me on pinterest here.

Springy Wardrobe. 

aka basically what I wear to work every day.

link.

Great Quote.

been reading a lot lately - find me on goodreads!

link.

 

TRUTH.

made me feel good.

link.

Summery Feta Dip.

looks amazing.

link.

Genious - Corner Rod In Closet.

for hanging what I'm wearing the next day? ideal.

 

link. 

 

 

 

Sweet. True.

reminds me of Tyler.

link.

 

 

 

 what have you found on pinterest lately?

 

 

 

Thoughts Become Things... Choose The Good Ones

Because no matter WHAT is going on in your life, when you get a "note from the universe" - everything is put into perspective. And somehow, the universe knows exactly. what. to. say.

Sometimes, I'm all, " touche, universe." Othertimes I cry. Or laugh. Or just smirk. But it's always, always profound. The one I get on my birthday stays with me all year long. And I wanted to share these notes with you today.

Sign up here to be a member of TUT's club (click on "daily notes" or "inspirations"). I promise you won't be disappointed.

(Are any of you already receiving Notes?) 

Sweet & Low

nothing tastes like sugar it’s all sweet and low

nothing drinks like lemonade

nothing skips like stone 

nothing runs like water when your one true love is gone every day that comes along has a silver medal on 

nothing soars like falcons it’s all paper planes 

 nothing stings like thistles and nothing floods like rain

  nothing roars like fire when you’re standing on your own

 no shelter from the coming storm will ever feel like home

 nothing’s cut like diamond it’s all shades of coal

nothing breaks like tidal waves nothing mends like bone

nothing tastes like sugar when your love can ne’er return 

 how to feel with half your heart is the toughest thing to learn

check out this check. for reals. http://caitlincanty.com/

 

heureux de la vie

Disclaimer: I am feeling really good today. This is a cheesy post. Most of my posts are, but today feels extra cheesy. Sometimes cheese is annoying, so.. you've been warned. :-)

10 days until daylight savings. When I leave work, it will be light out. I'll drive home and I won't MIND the time spent in traffic, because the windows will be rolled down, the sun will be shining, and the country tunes will be blasting. My call home to Tyler won't be just "what should we have for dinner? how was your day?" but "what should we DO tonight?" Yes. Pumped.

Things lately are so... hopeful. Exciting. I can't think of the right word... anticipatory? I don't know. We are married. We are married and things DO feel different (we've been together 7 years and lived together for 6, so we both figured, what's left to change?). We filed our taxed JOINTLY last night. We are learning & growing & thinking about our future & making small, careful, grown up plans. We are allowing ourselves to think of & imagine the wonderful, big, happy, exciting, thrilling, ever-changing life that is before us. To not limit our possibilities with fear - but to educate ourselves on things we are afraid of. We know that when we leap, the net will appear. 

And then... as soon as we start allowing ourselves to think, to get excited about things, somehow things magically start to fall together. Is that how you know you are on the right path? Or is this something we are manifesting ourselves? Either way, we are plowing ahead fearlessly (well, that's a lie - not fearlessly. But you can be afraid and brave at the same time, right? That's what being brave is.) and are just EXCITED about life.

*whoa, another disclaimer. not talking about anything really specific in this post. like, not trying to get preggo or anything right now, if that's what you thought. just a vague, overall excitement about future. that's all. and that's enough.