Everyday Party Hair.

There's a part of me that is itchin' to snip my hair. But really, what that means, is that it's just time to change things up before committing to something so permanent. Here are a few do's to try before you decide to chop it all off!

Two versions of the waterfall.

Three Low Buns.

Romantic Messy Updo.

Messy Twisted Low Pony.

There! That should keep me somewhat satisfied for another month or so. Seems simple enough, but as I've learned in the past, it never is. Let's see if I actually attempt any of these. I'll be sure to post if I do! ;)

Mr. Edelman Has Arrived.

*These photos are from yesterday.

I've been waiting for these fantastical Sam Edelman leopard print ankle strapped platform pumps for over a week, and at last, they have arrived on a most excellent day (yesterday). Mikie, the hubby, and I did date night with my bestie and her new boyfriend. OOOOOOOooooo new boyfriend - yeah! We headed out to Yoshi's in Oakland, which is a most excellent Japanese restaurant with a cozy built-in venue right next to it, that featured Dr. John that night.

We arrived and checked in for our 8pm reservations. Alas, they couldn't find my name anywhere for that night. I pulled out the trust ol iphone and pulled up my opentable reservation for 4 at 8pm.... for the day before. Shenanigans! Luckily, the hostess didn't catch on that the date was different and she found a nice spot for us. Thank you lady! Let me tell you, this isn't the first time something like this has happened... I've booked many things, including flights, on the wrong date. Whopsies. Okay, so sometimes I'm terrible with details but at least I've got mad crazy bullshitting skills  and the end results are always splendid. 

PS - I totally forgot that when dining at Yoshi's you have to remove your shoes in order to eat Japanese style (not sitting on the floor Indian style thank god - but the floor is raised so that when you sit down, there's a hole cut out underneath the table so your feet can hang and you can sit normally with the feel of being on the floor.) I was  terrified of leaving my new lovelies on the shelf amongst the riff raff and checked on them compulsively to make sure no one accidentally took them. And thank goodness no one did!

We finished off the evening with listening, jiggling and dancing to the fine and dandy tunes of Dr. John, a New Orleans bluesman. He's been around for years, but of course, I only recently discovered him because he's on the soundtrack of Disney's Princess and the Frog.

Feeling the Pin-Up girl vibe, here's my attempt:

But why do I keep looking to the left of me? What's over there? A Bird? A Plane? Superman?!

Check out my mad crazy awesome hair bling clip thingmabobber do:

Diggin it? Stay tuned... I'll be doing a hair bling giveaway in the next couple of weeks featuring lovely feather clips by Erica Bowman.

And to end this fine post, a series inspired by the Planet of the Apes. 

Hair Bling, a gift from a friend
Necklace, a gift from my mom
Dress, a  twelve year old dress from Nordstroms  Oh yeah!
Shoes, Sam Edelman

Balloon in the Boon(docks).

Wow. 

I don't think I've gone this looooooooooooong without posting on my beloved Instylation.

Off we went to Southampton, NY sans my Mac Attack. I don't think I've ever been without my lifelong comp(uter)anion for this amount of time. Wow. What a difference! I actually spent all of my time  at the damn beautiful beach and hanging out with my family (a reunion on my husband's mother's side) instead of couped up click clackin away blah blah blahin about who knows what.

 Oh how I missed thee, my dear, Mac Attack, but oh, how I enjoyed thyself!

Still sortin through the vacay shots, which of course, I'll be sharing.

But for now, a little balloon boon(dock) pow wow for your viewing pleasure.

By the way, can I just say, dressing up super girly has it's benefits ladies - I was cruisin around downtown Walnut Creek, CA and did not have to open a single door! Nada one! This is great news for us lazy gals! 

Word on the street is that chivalry ain't dead. It's asleep or in a coma or somewhere in limbo and just needs a lil girly fashion resuscitation ;)

and the Miss Photogenic Award goes to:

Shades, H&M
Hair Ribbon, borrowed from daughter, Daisy
Top, H&M
Skirt, from the Philippines
Bracelets, combo (friend, Philippines and Hawaii)
Shoes, MIA

Ponytail Scarf.

Ponytail Scarf.

Yes, yes, yes.

YES!

Easy chic summer breeziness to the maximus loveliness.

She Bangs.

'Tis the season of change, darlings! 

Past posts have toyed with the idea of layers, bangs, bright hues, etc. Well, at this point, I'm kind of a commitment phobe since it took me a couple of years to grow my hair back from a pixie cut to what it is today. I've decided to give faux bangs a shoot instead. Can ya tell they're clip-ons? Whaddya guys thinketh? Mo betta with or without the big bang theory? Should I take the plunge and actually add some perma bangs or should I stick to the clip-ons for whenever the insta gratification desire strikes?

Hair Boredom.

It's official! Ze hair is just zare - eet iz borink! 

Ah, yes, every gal goes through the need to change her 'do at least once a year, or is that just me? I love that I can currently tie my hair up and do cute braids but I am dying for something new in my life. What shall I do?!

Was thinking about the big bang theory, but then I remembered how high maintenance they are. Ugh. Instead, I got clip on bangs for whenever I get the urge but it's still not quite the same as getting them fully chopped.

Then, aha!, I thought about getting a cute lil' bob, which I've done before, and remembered that that, too, is high maintenance, although it looks super slammin and temptin on Riri.

 Maybe I should dye it a fun color. Perhaps cartoon red? A la Rihanna, Paramore, etc? But I hear the brighter the color, the more intense the upkeep. Why must I be so damn lazy?! I really wish I could be one of those gals who takes the time to get my hair did everyday, but, alas, that ain't the style of this one.

So what am I left with, ladies? I want easy (there's that magic word again!), wash and go hair that I can play with. I'm dying for suggestions! Please, let me know what y'all thinketh this lady should do with her 'mane.

This is what I be lookin' like au naturals:

Mama Mia! Das a lotta hairs!

Ciao Bellas!

Hair Lovin.

Jonesin this hairstyle but not sure how to achieve this messy pretty 'do.It looks simple enough but I know it's more complicated than meets the eye (like every woman in the entire universe!). Any hair peeps out there who can give us a little step-by-step shout out? Much obliged for your potential genius insight. :)

What to wear with the hair:

Bandeau bikini. Oh la la!

Pair with long maxi dress. Boho goddess.

Add jeans and simple plain top. Modern 70's casualness.

Maximize girlyness with a frilly short lace dress. Look out world!

UPDATE: Thanks to Stephanie Singon for showing us the way! Or at least pointing us to a youtube video on how to do the Waterfall Braid. :)

Three Buns.

One, Two, Three... it's so easy! 

If you're ever having a bad hair day - this is a great stylin' alternative to just covering up your mane with a hat. Ready? Set? Go!

Uno: Gather your hair at the nape of your neck.

Dos: Divide your hair into three even sections.

Tres: Twist each section and wrap it unto itself to create the bun. 

Cuatro: Strategically bobby pin in place. 

Cinco: Do this with each of the other sections and you're done!

Each bun doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, a little undone bun is totally cute! Even better news? You don't have to wait for a bad hair day to try this out - try it today my ladycakes! It'll take you all of two minutes. That's it - I swear.

Now go and enjoy your lil buns. ;)

PS - This fun twisted 'do is inspired by super gal, Karianne Jones, of Peter Thomas Hair in Berkeley, CA.

Shiny Happy People.

Who couldn't use a little more shine? No, no, no. Good Lord not on your face silly! I mean on your hair. You know, glossy hair! Sheessshhh.... 

Whenever I wear my hair straight, I feel the need to polish it off by adding a bit of Shiny Happy People to make me feel extra va-va-vavoomish. Good hair gives me a major mojo boost. I notice myself playing with my hair more, tossing it back when I laugh, waving it around while I dance to Lady Gaga and using it as a weapon on those not so rare occassions. 

But here's an extra juicy tip that I just discovered. When I let my hair do it's own thing (going to bed with a damp head of hair, waking up with insanely voluminous waves on the verge of birthing curls) it gets a little wild and crazy. The unruliness can be sort of charming but when I need a little bit of refinement, I once again turn to Shiny Happy People. I spray on the magic and my mop top turns into a frizz-free shiny mane of surfable waves. Muchas gracias gente feliz brillante. 

Important Disclosure: Now it's always great to have supermodel shiny locks but don't forget to spray it from about 6-12 inches away from you hair. Seriously. Or it could turn into I haven't washed my hair in a week but I don't give a f*ck statement that our lovely Bay Area hipsters have so perfected.

The Shiny Happy People Benefits:

Great hair can get you into that new club and complimentary drinks.

Long bathroom line? Pshaw. Not for Shiny Happy People.

Unemployed? *Enter: Fabulicious Hair* Not anymore.

Paparazzi worthy hair distracts other drivers so you can swoop in on that parking spot.

What has great hair done for you lately?

Shiny Happy People, TIGI

French Braided Hair Wreath.

Now that my hair is nice and long I've been having a lot of fun with different styles. If you're hair is styled in any way at all, it often seems like you've put thought in taking care of your appearance. Five minutes tops is all you need for this French braided hair wreath. The quick and easy 'do is ideal for lazy girls like me!

Start with a side french braid...

...continuing the braid around your head...

and finish off by securing the ends with bobby pins.

Don't worry about wispy pieces hanging out - imperfections add character. At least that's what my dad always says, and gosh darn it, I believe him! ;)

No matter what you wear, this 'do will dress up your whole look!


PS - Looky what I found yesterday:

Two gals at a Parisian Fashion Show, as captured by Vanessa Jackman

Accidentally on Trend: The Ombre Edition

Have you heard of that hair trend, Ombre? Yeah, me neither until all the different salons I've been to lately keep asking me where I got my hair ombred. Wha??? What the hell is Ombrification? (Okay, that word I made up, but sounds cool, no?)

Ombre originated with girls growing their hair out of their current color. Basically dark roots with lighter ends. Um, yeah of course I totally planned this look two years when I dyed my hair last. I'm a long-term planner - duh! 

For now I've got no choice but to pretend that I'm cool and trendy. 

Ombre con mi hombres, Brigid.

Celebrity Ombrites

 Adorable Drew Barrymore rockin' the roots. 

Fashion icon, Rachel Bilson, leading the way to ombrification.

Matthew McConaughey's baby mama, Camila Alves, ombrified.

Casual Updos.

Inspiration: Small Braid Across Crown, Side Swept Bangs, Loose Tendrils, Messy Updo.

I'm in love with this particular 'do.

Inspiration: Tucked Pieces With Hairpin, Piecey Updo.

 Inspiration: Side French Braid Into Low Bun.

Inspiration: Sleek Front, Big Behind.

Inspiration: Messy Side French Braid.

Bold Streak.

Inspiration: Wavy Streaks.

Inspiration: Long Red Streaks.

Inspiration: Bangin Streak.

Inspiration: Pink And Red Streaks.

Aegyness Deyn. Hair.

Where was this girl when I was rockin' the short 'do?!

I could've totally used her as inspiration.

Inspiration: Long Bangs.

Inspiration: Short Choppy Bangs.

Inspiration: Bed Head.

Inspiration: Long Bangs In Your Face.

Inspiration: Billy Idol.

Inspiration: Gel And Go.

Inspiration: Short Monroe 'Do.

Inspiration: Flat Iron Bob.