She's like a wizard with a flat iron...

So, um, have you heard of Reagan? At Reagan's Blob & at Hair Dresser on Fire? I kinda heart her. First off - there's her personal blog where she talks about her life in New York and her cutie pie of a daughter, Piper Jane. If you don't already follow her, you should. Seriously. Go now!

Then she has a blog dedicated to hair and how-to tutorials and questions for hair dressers. And raise your hand if you're that person who has their hair done, it looks amazing but you can never, NEVER, replicate it again! That's totally me.

In fact this last time in the styling chair, I was shown how to do wavy hair with a flat iron. Its not that I've never heard of such a feat before, my little sister went to hair school, I've seen tutorials, it's just I've never dared to try it myself.

Luckily the day after I chopped my hair off, (my cut and inspiration is here. Except my hair is blond - only difference. Oh, and I curled my hair tighter than that today.) I went out of town and had a few days off - therefore I had some time to mess around with it. The first day it took me almost an hour and a half...and I still cracked out a curling iron. The second day I succeeded with the exception of a few wonky hairs that wouldn't stay tucked under and wouldn't obey the flat iron (OK...and eventually the curling iron too.) The third day was on the right track. I have it down to where it takes about 20 minutes to curl my entire head. And honestly it probably wouldn't take so long except I'm still a wimp and I don't want to recreate any wonky or kinky curls again. (It was real bad.)

Anyway, even if I feel have the whole flat iron curl technique down, I still can't seem to get the loose wave right. (See Scarlett again.) I STILL struggle with replicating the stylist. I even keep a picture on my phone for reference, but I can't do it. It always ends up a weird wonky mess.

Enter...Reagan.

I give you...the Flat Iron Waves Tutorial. (Seriously - this is gold people, tutorial GOLD!)

Hairdresser on Fire HDOFblog.com Tutorial-- Style Hair with Waves Using a Flat Iron from Jacob Breinholt on Vimeo.

My life will never be the same. (How awesome is she for doing this. I want to hug her...except she's across the country.)

Birthday Spoils

I thought I'd share my birthday finds. I love birthday shopping. It feels like a shopping spree. Which is every girl's dream...next to the "being locked up in the mall overnight and getting to keep what you find" dream. No? Just me?


I'm a little mad right now. After searching for my birthday clothes, I've found that 1 of the tops I found went on clearance for half of what I bought it for - and the other one? It's nowhere to be found. I think it went on clearance too and it's just not available online anymore. Luckily I posted about it. It's the blue one down at the bottom. It too, is probably half priced.

We'll review the others though:

Found here.
I posted yesterday that I not only bought this, but was wearing it. I have it in "white sand" and it's very light weight and comfortable. That actually was a disadvantage yesterday because it SNOWED. I'd also like to point out how sorry I am for this model...I wonder if the self tanner was her idea or the company's.

Found here.
I bought this in the "Moon struck" color. Keeping with a pale pink and light grey theme to my outfit purchase at Down East.

Found here.
I bought this sweater except they don't have the color online. I think it's part of their fall line, so that would probably be why I got it on sale for a whole $5 off. The color I purchased is a gray color - which is also why I bought the light pink cami and the gray and pink skirt mentioned above. I also bought really adorable ruffle heels that for some reason, I can't find online!

Found here.
It is a really cute top. I feel like I'm being lazy, because honestly it's not hard to see how it's made, and with some time and effort I could copy cat it...but it was my birthday...so I went for it.
Also...I'm lazy.

Found here.

I'm wearing this today. I LOVE the material, it's soft and stretchy. I also have on the gray cardigan mentioned above, skinny jeans, a cute necklace my husband gave me and some flats on as well. I love shirts like this because they're cute staples to have in the wardrobe that you can wear plain, or pair with cardigans or vests easily for a different look.

This shirt is now $10.00. Which truthfully, just plain pisses me off.

Anyways - those are some of the birthday presents...thought I'd share some finds.

Not even ashamed...

As of the 21st of this month, I am now 26 years old. The age that most people start considering themselves adults. (I read that somewhere...) The downward slope to thirty. No longer am I "mid-twenties" or "early twenties." I'm 26.

And I'm buying this movie today:



Have I mentioned I don't have children yet? I'm buying this movie for myself. At 26. Because I'm an adult who LOVED this movie. I'm the adult who set aside some of her birthday money specifically to purchase this movie.

Because that's how we adults roll.

Pleated Poppy: Giveaway

Do you remember this post?


Well today is your lucky day. The Pleated Poppy has a giveaway for $25 to her shop. That's right - you could purchase some of the stuff I rambled on and on about.


Take a peek - you'll be happy you did!

Ruffles...

It normally takes me a while to accept new fashion. Do you remember 2001-2002 when those peasant tops were in? I straight up refused it. Shopping made me angry because I hated that phase.

Its taken me, what, 2 years to accept skinny jeans?

I'm very serious when I say that if I wore a fashion once already in my life, I won't be doing it again. That's why you won't find me in leggings or ruffle skirts. I don't care if it was kindergarten the first time around - I already did that once!


But every so often there will be a fashion idea that comes along that I just accept with open arms. Lately, it's been ruffles. I'm not even sure why - if you asked me 10 years ago if I'd be caught dead in ruffles, I would have slapped you.

But I LOVE them now.

Some of these sources have links to where you can purchase them, others don't. But you'll see what I mean.

Found here.
I don't think I have the guts to pull something like this off with my weak and "safe" fashion choices, but it doesn't mean I don't love it.

I love metallic along with the ruffles.

Found here.
Um...how awesome is Ruche? Ruffles take this to the next level.

Found here.
I know, these are a little out there, but with the right outfit and accessories...

Found here.
I'm currently looking for a cute pair of sandals like this. I might not purchase any though because I have long toes...and these accentuate them.

Found here.
Again - Ruche. These are called the Jackie O. Very fitting.

Found here.
I don't even have a reason to have a clutch, but this called out to me.

Found here.
Simple cardigan made adorable thanks to ruffles.

Again, no source but still adorable.

Found here.
I LOVE the color. The pleats are amazing too.

Found here.
This would be such a fun top for spring.

Whoa...I'm not sure adding sequins made them better, but I'd still try these on.

Found here.
Another fun top for spring and summer. I love the blue color it comes in as well.

Found here.

Yep...I'm a fan.

Found here.
I'm wearing this today...true story. I was gifted this shirt for my birthday in "White Sand."

Don't ruffles just make you happy?

Jo Totes Giveaway - Tatertots and Jello!

Tatertots and Jello is giving away a Jo Totes camera bag.


That's right - that's a camera bag. And it's incredibly cute. Dude...it has houndstooth lining - HOUNDSTOOTH!



I can't even tell you how much I want this.

Go take a peek!

Sephora

Found here. (I bought Shimmery Golden Beige)

I love Sephora. There's a Sephora downtown SLC but I don't usually go inside unless I'm out of state. I'm not sure why. I normally just browse, but since I was in Alabama with some birthday money I decided to just get something and spoil myself! So I purchased $14 lipgloss. Which felt ridiculous, but that's because I'm used to spending $5 tops. (I wear Bonnebell still, remember?) I must say I love this stuff! I can't smell it on my lips at all - which is important to me. I like the color (shimmery golden beige) and the flecks of gold.


I also would love to purchase some high quality tweezers but I can't bring myself to spend between $15-$20 when I know that I can buy some at Target for $1.99. But look how cute:


I think I've mentioned before that I'm always - ALWAYS looking for eyeshadow. Lately I've been looking for bronze and gold hues but I'm coming up short. I saw this - it's Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Pink Quartz and it looks like I've found what I'm looking for. Except I can't bring myself to pay $38 for eyeshadow.

Found here.

I also like the gold hues of this Stila Eyeshadow. I saw a review by a consumer who felt that it was the best gold ever. I'm intrigued. But $28 is still pretty steep for me.

Found here.

I really like the shimmer and glitter too. It may remind me a little of middle school and that white glitter phase, but I think for evening, adding a little glitter/ shimmer to the eyelids is fun!

Found here. $19

Mascara is tricky for me. I like anything that volumizes...period. From hair products to mascara. I feel like I still haven't found "The Perfect Mascara" but I've read that Dior is up there when it comes to mascara. I would love to sample this and see what I think, but for $28, I think I'll just think on it.

The one thing I really think I would invest in for quality would have to be make up brushes. Anyone who has put on make up can attest that a good quality brush is essential. At $34 I feel it's a bit much but I know that a great face brush is something to consider.

Found here.

Now when you purchase Sephora in stores frequently they'll throw in a sample or two. I was given a sample of facial cleanser. One of these days when I get brave, I might try it. I worry because I have sensitive skin, but I still might try it and see.

Online you can actually pick 3 free samples when you order. And what's better than free samples?! Personally I'd pick perfumes as my samples, but that's just me. I wasn't even aware Jennifer Aniston had a fragrance, but I'd be curious to see what scent she puts her name on.

Last but not least - Beauty Advice. This is where you go if you have that question about how to correctly apply "smoky eye" and learn about blush placement for your face shape. These are crucial key things each woman should know! There's even a tutorial on the "5 Minute Makeup" technique. For girls on the go, a.k.a girls who slept through the alarm! I've been applying my own make up since I was a "tween," and seeing something like this probably could have stopped me from trying my "double eyeliner" technique (I put on brown eyeliner and then white eyeliner in a straight line on top of that...) or advised against the bright blue liquid eyeliner that I bought at Claire's in those middle school years. I guess at one point we all have to learn. And then our mothers keep pictures to document such stupidity...


Either way, Sephora in store or online is a place all women should visit a time or two. If they're seasoned make up wearers or young girls starting the adventure - it's a great place to be!