Friday, January 25, 2013

Wavy Hair


Hi. My name is Erin and I have boring hair. Let me clarify... my hair is naturally pin straight, lacking any volume, and as fine it comes. I am so very jealous of gals with naturally textured or wavy hair (as I'm sure they'd say they are jealous of my straight hair, lol. Oh, the irony.)
I very rarely leave it down. If I want a "down" style, I usually curl it, or blow dry then flat-iron it (though this is rare). Even bumming around the house, my hair is never down; it is always up in a ponytail.
It is not often that I go two days in a row with my hair styled the same. I switch it up between braids, buns, twists, etc. Sometimes though, I want it down and wavy. Curling it (even with it brushed through) just tends to look too contrived.  That's where "natural" waves come in. I reverse french braid slightly damp hair, then sleep on it. Boom.... naturally wavy hair the next day that is soft, bouncy and beautiful!
These waves are after a 9 hour day at work, and walking through snow to and from my car.... so they were a bit cuter this morning, but they held up really well!
 


 

Very natural looking waves. (They seem to look frizzy in the pic, but that is just the lighting, they are surprisingly unfrizzy, but look more like nice, defined waves.)

This is how my hair is...very flat and fine. (Though I did flat-iron it this day, so it isn't this "nice" naturally.)
(Please note, I am the one in the sunglasses.)

Natural Waves!

I do recommend using a reverse french braid (also called a dutch braid.)
or

(Basically, it is a french braid, but instead of bringing the hair piece over the center piece, you bring it under...if that makes sense.)

I suggest using this braid instead of a regular french braid, because it holds tighter....pieces don't fall out as easily. (As a gymnast, I much preferred the dutch because of this.)

I also suggest not doing two french braids because the "kinks" tend to be too tight, and then it doesn't look like nice natural waves, it looks more frizzy.

I  use a small amount of mousse before I braid it. (I like to use Aussie Mousse + Leave-In Conditioner.) It doesn't make the hair crunchy, just soft yet still holding it's shape.

So there ya have it! Damage free, pretty, natural-looking waves!

Waterfall Cardigan

Not much to say about this...I just wanted to be comfy! 

Cardigan: $4 Goodwill
Tank Top: $0 Birthday Gift
Jeans: $20 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $15 KMart (got mine a few years ago, price is now $20)
Total: $ 39

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Scarf and Braids


Headed out for the day with my 4 year old (step-daughter) and 3 year old (niece) for some great-grandparent visiting and GoodWill shopping. I definitely needed something easy and still cute.


Sweater: $8 WalMart (link is to similar, not the same.)
Scarf: $3 (clearance) WalMart
Jeans: $25 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $15 (few years ago) KMart
Total: $51


Braided my hair and threw it up on top of my head, was cute-ish but very functional and out of the way for the day!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Sick Day...

This is what happens when I leave the house when I'm sick and should probably have stayed in bed. But, as soon as I got home from church, my butt was definitely back in bed for the day.
 

Hat: $10 Deb's
Fleece: $4 Goodwill
Shirt: $6 Walmart
Jeans: $20 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $15 (years ago) KMart
Total: $55

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Wonderful World of Hats


Confession: I have a lot of hats. There, I said it! But, in my defense, I really do wear them all! I love hats! And although some people say they do.... I actually do (in the sense that I wear hats quite regularly.) here's a quick catalogue of my hats! I didn't include any of the baseball caps or winter caps. I also included examples of me wearing the hats (for when I could find a pic of it!)

Black Fedora: Bought many years ago, no recollection of price or store.


Cowboy Hat: $50 (real cowboy hat, whatever that means....) Tim's Western Wear




Military Hat: $15(?) Deb's   I actually wear this one a lot, out and about and camping/hiking.
Newsboy Cap: $10 Antique Store

Floppy Brim Hat: $15(?) MultiCultural Community (closed now, no website.)
Red Cloche: $3 (super clearance!!!) Walmart

Black Cloche: $0, gift from Mom-in-Law

Floral Fedora: $5 Wisconsin Dells

White Fedora: $5 (sale) Walmart

White Summer Cloche: $12 (ish?) Claire's

Cream Corduroy Fedora: $5 (sale) Walmart

Black Beret: $1 (for real!!) Antique Shop

Brown Fedora: $18 ($0 for me, bought with gift card) Ooh La La Accessories Store

Black & White Cap: No clue.... I'm thinking Walmart.... but seriously baffled. Ha!

Black Cloche with Flower: $7 (sale) Walmart

Straw Cowboy Hat: $2 (yes! seriously!) Claires

Floppy Summer Hat: I'm at a loss.... No clue.

Houndstooth Fedora: $15 Antique Store

Straw Fedora: ??? Why can I remember all my clothes' prices and stores...but not hats?!

















Monday, January 14, 2013

Casual with Blazer


Celebrating my Step-daughter's birthday after church...needed something that looked nice but was comfortable. Got it! Jersey blazer over cowl-neck top.

Blazer: $9 (sale) WalMart (Link is to similar blazer, not exact.)
Top: $0 Hand-Me-Down from Sis
Jeans: $25 (sale) Alloy
Boots: $15 (sale) UrbanOg
Total: $49

Friday, January 11, 2013

Jacket and a Cap

I had a slightly different outfit planned, buuuuuut The vest didn't fit me, ugh. But I ended up loving this one! So it all worked out!



Hat: $5 Antique Store
Shirt: $6 WalMart
Jacket: $15 (?) Target (about 6 years ago.)
Pants: $20 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $15 (got mine a few years ago) KMart
Total: $61



I bought this necklace at an antique store for $1.00. Yup ONE DOLLAR! Of course nothing on it is real (I assume), but it is so fantastic!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Casual Neutrals


    Ok, quite honestly, I'm embarrassed to post this pitcure... my butt/hips look HUGE! But, it was a cute, casual outfit that can easily be replicated, so I feel obliged to my adoring fans (haha) to post it. 


Shirt: $6 WalMart
Vest: $0 Mom's Closet
Pants: $20 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $15 (now $20) KMart
Total: $41


Got sick of all my headbands, so I threw a simple necklace on, with some messy buns.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Military Blazer


I am currently loving jersey blazers. They look so spiffy with the comfort of a hoodie. Not many items of clothing can claim that! So far I have three, but this one might just be my favorite. It is a double breasted blazer with a slight hint of military styling to it.


Scarf: $3 (clearance) WalMart
Blazer: $0 (Christmas Present) Boston Store  (Link is to blazer in red, black sold out.)
Jeans: $11 WalMart
Boots: $15 (sale) UrbanOg 
Total: $29


I had originally tried the outfit on with a lighter wash skinny jean, but I didn't like the way it looked. (And ick! Both pics make me look really wide!)

Friday, January 4, 2013

My Poor Boot!

I was loving my outfit and headed out to lunch with a friend. I got out of the car at my parents' house to pick up my niece and I faltered as I stepped. I took another step and stumbled again....the heel had broken off my boot! My favorite pair of boots!!!!!! I hobbled inside, grabbed a pair of my sister's boots (which thankfully matched my outfit well enough...) and drove straight to the cobbler. Headed after work tonight to pick up my boot...hope he got it all fixed up!

(Makes me look thinner, eh? Just the camera angle, lol. But love it anyways!)


Blazer: $4 Goodwill
Tank: $0 (Birthday Gift) originally from Shopko
Jeans: $30 (sale) Alloy
Boots: $15 (clearance) Alloy
Total: $49

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Completely Preppy

There is no doubt that I love to dress completely preppy. This is an obvious example of that! (Not to mention my love of hats!)


Hat: $1 Antique Store (quite a steal, eh?!)
Sweater: $10 (???) I think it came from the store Urban Behavior, many years back.
Blouse: $0 Christmas Present (originally from Boston Store.)
Jeans: $30 (sale) Alloy
Shoes: $22 (sale) Payless
Total: $63