10 Days of Super Easy Ways to Style Your Hair: Day 7

7. Wrapped bun. I saw this look earlier this week on The Small Things Blog. Mine definitely doesn't look as good, but it was fun to try something new. I definitely can't explain how to do it, so click here to watch Kate's video tutorial.

10 Days of Super Easy Ways to Style Your Hair: Day 6

6. High Messy Bun.  Yesterday, I flat ironed curled my hair (see a pic below). Today, I want a different look, but I don't want to wash and restyle my hair. I don't know if you've noticed from my previous posts, but I like to go about 2-3 days between washings. I think it keeps my hair healthier, but it may not work for you. To start this style, tease the top third of your hair. By top third I mean temples and above. You want don't necessarily want to achieve height, just a lot of texture. Second, pull your hair into a high pony tail, right at your crown. You can pull your bangs into the pony or leave them out; totally your call. Now, tease the "mane" of your pony; the goal is to achieve texture. Next, twist the "mane" your pony around, creating a loose bun. Pin any weirdness in your bun, but don't over pin. You want it to look messy or perfectly imperfect. Give your hair a good spray with hairspray, and you're done. I feel so chic when I wear my hair like this!

This is my hair the day before I styled my hair in a messy bun

10 Days of Super Easy Ways to Style Your Hair: Day 5

First of all, I want to say sorry about the jacked up order of my posts. I'm not really sure how that happened. Oops! And, please ignore my messy bathroom, we're in the process of moving and haven't cleaned. Another thing, ignore how weird my pants look on me. I didn't realize until this picture how odd they look on my body with that shirt; my shirt really needs to be longer.

5. Half up half down.This is another style you could do after you've flat iron curled your hair and worn it down for a day or two. Just tease the crown of your head to your desired volume. It's been established that I like a lot of volume. Take your hair at or just below your temples and pull it back to the center of your head. Pin in desired areas, right where your fingers are so your hair is secure. Hairspray it, focusing on the sides, and you're done!

Here is a closer picture of how it looks. It's not a sleek style at all, definitely very soft.

10 Days of Super Easy Ways To Style Your Hair: Day 2

2. Down & Messy. I like to call this my boho look, but in reality it is my lazy/running late look. I wash my hair at night, work Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair and Aveda Smooth Infusion Prep Style Smoother through the ends, go to bed with a wet head, tease my crown in the morning for volume, gently run a flat iron over my bangs, and spray hairspray through the ends for texture. I wore my hair like this on yesterday (5/25).

(Please ignore the heinous seashell wallpaper. We rent this house and we're stuck with it. We move in 4 weeks, though!)

This style stays all day! This is 4pm at work!

10 Days of Super Easy Ways to Style Your Hair: Day 4

4. Soft wavy ponytail. So you've flat iron curled your hair and worn it for a day or two. Now, it's time to pull it back into a ponytail. If you notice you've got some oil at your roots, spray a little dry shampoo through your hair. I only use it on my bangs because they're the oiliest. Next, tease the crown of your head. I like a lot of volume, so I tease it pretty high. I subscribe to the philosophy that hair, like boobs, can never be too big. You may not feel that way, so tease to a height with which you are comfortable. Now, pull your hair into a loose ponytail near the middle of the back of your head, leaving some wispy pieces around your face. You'll want the ponytail to be a little higher on the head than Day 1's style. Pin any stray pieces you may have that you didn't leave on purpose. Next, tease the "mane" of your ponytail for a little texture. Last, spray a light mist of hairspray, and you're done. Because you haven't washed or re-curled your hair, you get a soft wavy look that I just adore.

I like leaving chunky bangs for this look

Notice the volume at the crown

I teased more at the top of the ponytail and less at the bottom

10 Days of Super Easy Ways To Style Your Hair: Day 3

3. Flat Iron Curls. I've started using my flat iron to curl my hair a lot lately. I like how loose the curls are, and they seem to hold better than curling iron curls. The shape isn't as nice, but if you're going for a loose, beachy look this could be for you. To start, section you hair into three sections. Take one inch pieces and clamp the iron at the root like you're going to straighten it. Twist your wrist toward your head and pull the iron down the strand. Repeat the same motion over the rest of your hair going in sections using one inch pieces. Voila! You've got fab hair. If you want more volume, you can tease your roots at the crown of your head.

This is day 2 of this style. Less curls, more soft waves.

10 Days of Super Easy Ways To Style Your Hair

1. Low sleek ponytail. I sport this look, and I sport it often. I usually wear my hair like this for one or two days after I have flat ironed my hair and worn it down. That means I can get three days of hair out of one wash. Love that! All you do is tease the crown of your head for volume, smooth down stray hairs and your part, gather into a pony at the base of your neck or slightly higher if you have long hair, and pin the sides.

10 Goals For The Rest Of The Week

I am goal oriented person. I do better when I have something I am working towards. It keeps me focused, and I just function better. Here are 10 goals for the rest of the week. 

1.      Exercise every day. I’m really good about exercising, and I usually do something active every day. Reminding myself how important physical activity is to my health keeps me going.

2.      Stay away from the candy bowl. As good as I am about exercising, I’m not so good about staying away from sweets. I’m borderline addicted. I have a pretty awesome job and work with amazing people. The one pitfall is the candy bowl. I can see it from my office, and it calls to me. We’re not talking mints and hard candies; we’re talking Reese’s, Snickers, Hershey’s Kisses, and my new fave, Starburst Jelly Beans. I CANNOT STAY AWAY. Sometimes, I don’t eat real food just so I can eat more candy. It is pathetic. My goal is to stay away from the candy bowl for the rest of the week.

3.      Clean my house. For the past month, I’ve been obsessing over packing up our house, and I have neglected to clean it. I figured that if I packed a few boxes a week our house would get packed without it ever feeling like a huge task. The thing I forgot was that I also needed to keep cleaning it or that would become a massive task. Now, cleaning has turned into a big job. So much for Sunday Funday.

4.      Organize my wedding gifts. We’ve been married for 7 months and have not taken our wedding gifts out of the boxes/bags in which we received them. We knew we’d be moving soon after we were married and never saw the point. Now, it’s time to organize and consolidate to make moving them easier.

5.      Get some sleep. I’ve been depriving myself of precious shut eye a lot lately. I need to rejuvenate myself. Since Kris says I’m too young for Botox (I disagree and see it as a preventative measure, but whatever), I guess I need to get some serious beauty rest if I’m ever going to get these bags to go away.

6.      Get a haircut. OK, so don’t judge me, but I haven’t had a haircut since early February. That was like 16 weeks ago. I usually get a trim every 9-10 weeks. I’m sorry Holly; I’m coming on Saturday.

7.      Convince my husband to pack up his computer room. Although my “boo for life” is a country club manager by day, he is a computer nerd at heart. There are motherboards (at least that's what I think they are) and various computer parts everywhere. Apparently, they need to be packed in anti-static bags, whatever that means. I’m hoping I can convince him to pack it all up this weekend.

8.      Have a conversation with my husband without either of us checking our email, looking at Facebook, or watching TV. I can’t remember the last time we were at home together without the TV blaring or iPhones attached to our hands. I just know that cannot be good for our marriage. We need to seriously unplug.

9.      Enjoy a glass of wine. It is unusual that Kris and I get to share a meal together. I work 8am to 6pm (sometimes later, but not too often), and he works 11am to whenever (usually 9pm, but sometimes as late as 12 or 1am). When we do get to sit down together we have wine, as he is somewhat of a connoisseur. However, I am always thinking of something that needs to be done or how tired I am, etc. I never actually enjoy the flavors and aromas of the wine. I’d like to drink a glass of wine and really enjoy it.

10.  Get a pedicure. I heart getting pedicures. They make me happy; I find the whole experience so relaxing. Sandal season is upon us, and I feel I owe it to myself (and the rest of the people who will be seeing my feet) to put my best foot forward.Pun intended.

My New (Super Cute) Nephew

I really love that we live a decent distance from our families because I feel like it gives us some independence as a couple. However, a down side is missing out on family events. In February, my younger sister had a baby, and I just got to meet him a few weeks ago. He is such a doll! He is my fourth nephew, and I also have four nieces. I love them all dearly; they are seriously the light of my life. I'm also very thankful to the four of siblings that have children; it means I never have to have kids if I don't want to! Here is a pic of new nephew, Zairyn. I've decided I'm going to call him "Z."

Crazy About Navy - 10 Things You'll Love (under $40)

In the midst of all the packing to prepare for our move, I've noticed something...I own a ton of navy colored or accented things. Off the top of my head I can think of 7 dresses, 3 fitted t-shirts, 3 regular t-shirts, a scarf, 2 sweaters, and 2 skirts. I'm sure I could think of more if I tried. Last week, without even meaning to, I wore something with navy blue everyday. I must be obsessed. Even my wedding shoes were navy blue! I did some digging on the Internet and found 10 navy blue items you'll love - all for under $40! I hope you enjoy!

1. Ya Los Angles Ruffles Tank in Navy. $39.

2. Hive and Honey Maxi Skirt in Navy. $39.

3. J.Crew Summer Straw Hat in Navy. $34.50.

4. J.Crew Canvas Overnight Bag in Navy. $36.50.

5. J. Crew Sequin Stripe Tank in Navy. $29.99 (was $48).

6. Francesca's Collections This Charming Girls Skirt in Navy. $34.

7. Francesca's Collections  Pushing Buttons Blouse in Navy. $34.

8. Old Navy Women's Sailboat-Print 3/4 Sleeve Top in Navy Blue Print. $24.99.

9. Old Navy Women's Printed Scarf-Tie Sandals in Navy Floral. $19.94.

10. The Webster at Target Jacquard Eyelet Skirt - Navy. $29.99.

Just for fun, here is a pic of my navy blue wedding shoes.

Photos courtesy of: (1)-(2) Piperlime, (3)-(5) J.Crew, (6)-(7) Francesca's Collection, (8)-(9) Old Navy, (10) Target, (11) John Shim Photography.

10 People With Whom You Should Always Be Honest & Open

1. Your Savior. Being open and honest with Jesus Christ allows you to experience what it is like to have an actual relationship with Him. Real life relationships have peaks and valleys; so will your walk with God. Allowing yourself to be honest with Him about when you’re sad, mad, happy, hurt, etc. will strengthen your faith. It also shows Him you don’t expect or need your life to perfect; you just need His promises to bring you through. So often I feel Christians try to project a perfect existence to others. This is misleading and disheartening to non-believers. No one can lead a perfect life and no one is expected to do so. It’s time to be real.

2. Your significant other. What is the point in choosing to share a life with a person if you are not willing to have open communication? Dealing with feelings, good and bad is just part of it. Knowing a person fully means knowing the ugly and the pretty. I’m a firm believer that having things “out there” is healthier than sweeping them under the rug. No one is 100% happy all the time. No one. It’s sham to pretend you are. Say it, deal with it, and move on.

3. Your BFF. Having a BFF is great. It is definitely a necessity. Everyone needs at least one person who they can say anything to, trusting this person will be painstakingly honest in return. 

4. Your Mother. It took me a long time to realize my mom was on my side. To my surprise, everything she said and did was in my best interest – not a personal attack. Who knew?! I appreciate how great it is to be able to share anything with my mother. She raised us to be say how we feel. We could always express our happiness or dissatisfaction, as long as we did it in a respectful manner. 

5. Your Boss. You should strive to be honest with your boss. Being honest is the only way to earn respect, and everyone wants his or her boss’s respect. Admitting when you screw up or asking for help when you don’t understand is crucial. It’s easy to speak up when you do something great, but it takes integrity to talk about your shortcomings. 

6. Your trainer. Having a trainer or fitness instructor is one of life’s little blessings (shout out to Katy at Neighborhood Barre.) Lord knows I cannot do it on my own! A good trainer can take you from flab to fab in a short amount of time. However, to be effective he or she needs your help. “No, I didn’t eat a pint of ice cream last night.” “Yes, I worked out on my own while I was on vacation.” Those are lies not worth telling. Your trainer can, I repeat can,  get you where you want to be, but only if you’re honest. 

7. Your Doctor. I hear so many people talk about how they are too embarrassed to talk to their doctor about a problem they’re having. I always think, “uh, why?” If there is one person you want to be honest with IT IS YOUR DOCTOR! There is nothing you can say to a doctor about your physical or mental health that will freak him or her out. Medicine is a practice, and doctors are more effective when fully informed. 

8. Your Mentor. A mentor is someone you look to for guidance down your life’s path. Being open with him or her opens the door for tailored advice. Chances are he or she has been where you are. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some foresight?

9. Your Siblings. Your siblings can be your most trusted allies. It is a great feeling to know you have someone (in my case 5 someones) who knows your whole story. No one besides your siblings will know what it is like when you lose your mom, dad, or grandparents. Don’t take that relationship for granted.

10. Yourself. I truly, truly believe that before you can have an open and honest relationship with someone else you must have an open honest relationship with yourself. There is no sense in hiding from yourself. You need to find a way to explore the innermost workings of yourself. Whether it is journaling or talking to one of the above 9 people, you should get to know yourself because…you're pretty great.

10 of Sephora's Most Wanted Products

I had to share this article. Glamour beauty lists the top-ranking products on each of Sephora's 'It Lists'.

Enjoy!

 http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/05/10-of-sehoras-most-wanted-prod.html?mbid=social_fb_fanpage

10 Tips for Fabulous Skin (that won't break your budget)

I have weird skin in that my face and chest are super oily, but the rest of my body is dry and sensitive. I really have to moisturize like a mad woman, but I also have to be super careful what products I use because my skin will get so itchy and disgusting. It's a pain in the ass, but I have great hair so I guess you win some you lose some. Here are 10 tricks that keep my skin looking fab without making my histamines go haywire.

1. Use an olive oil salt scrub (mine is made by my mom) to exfoliate while providing moisture.

2. After showering, apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Your skin absorbs moisture better when it's damp than it does when it is dry.

3. For extra soft legs, apply a thick(ish) coat of petroleum jelly to your legs before bed and hop into sweat pants (the ones that close around your ankles so you don't mess up your sheets.) In the morning, your legs will be as soft as a baby's bottom.

4. Buy a Vitamin E stick (around $3.00) and use it everywhere. Lips, eyes, scars it doesn't matter - your skin will thank you.

5. At night, wash your face twice. Once will remove your makeup, twice will cleanse your skin. No one wants to go to bed with dirty skin.

6. Don't wash your face in the morning. If you wash your face properly at night it won't be dirty in the morning. I know it sounds weird, but I swear it works. I wipe my face with a cotton ball soaked in liquid exfoliator in the morning. It controls my oil and gets rid of dead skin cells. 

7. Use hydrocortisone cream after working out. I recently started noticing teeny red bumps on my chest after I have a hard, sweaty workout. I rub a very small (pea sized) amount of hydrocortisone on my chest before bed and they are gone in the morning.

8. Put chapstick on your lips before you brush your teeth. It keeps the toothpaste from drying in the corners of your mouth. Don't you hate that?

9. Rub carmex on your cuticles to keep them supple. I have no scientific proof, but I swear it makes your nails grow, too.

10. If your face gets oily during the day, don't apply more powder to your face. You'll only clog your pores with oil and makeup. Instead, you should gently blot your nose, chin, and forehead with a square of toilet paper. You want to do this very carefully so you don't remove your makeup.

I hope you can put some of these tricks to use. They may not all work for you; I realize I have special needs skin. These are just things I've found work for me, and as a woman, I feel obligated to share.For an older post on my fave beauty products click here.

Luscious Lashes (by Latisse)

This isn't a normal post, and I don't have 10 things to share, but I had to show this to everyone. I'm obsessed with my Latisse lashes!

10 House Pics

We get to close on our house in 42 days! Can you believe that is just 6 weeks away?! Here are some pics of the progress of our house. It's not done yet, but it has come a long way. They lack shutters, landscaping, and the permanent door on the outside. On the inside, we need kitchen counters, appliances, and to finish painting. Other than that, we're all set!


1.Lot

2. Footers

3. Foundation

4. Framing

5. Shakes and Siding

6. Stone

7. Columns

8. Driveway

9. Coffered Ceiling

10. Wainscoting

10 Pound Showdown Update

Kris and I were originally set to end our weight loss challenge on April 23, but we decided to extend it a month. Now, we're ending May 23. Easter happened and maybe we ate a bunch of candy. Just 2 more weeks until we see who is the big winner! I've lost almost 10 pounds exactly and he has lost about 14 pounds. Right now, he is beating me by 1/100 of a percentage.

I'm about to hit it hard these next 2 weeks! Exercising and dieting like crazy. Click here to see an earlier post on my 10 favorite workouts.

10 Magazine Musts

OK, I'll admit it, I'm a magazine whore. I LOVE to read magazines, and I'm not really sure why. I guess I like little tidbits of information and the glossy pages. Who knows?! But, it does make an expert on this post. I also asked my Facebook friends which magazines they love; here are 10 magazines people can't live without. WARNING: I don't read magazines to myself smarter, I read them for fun. Don't judge me.

PS - See below for a giveaway!

1. Glamour. A must, I never miss a month.It seems to have a little bit of everything without being raunchy. Also, a Facebook fave.

2. Lucky. I get this mag about 4-5 times a year. Usually, I buy it when the seasons change to give me fashion/style ideas.

3. Cosmopolitan. I read this magazine like it was my job when I was in college. I don't read it as often now, but it seems my Facebook homies love it! 

4. SELF. A great read for quick recipes or workouts. I get this mag probably 4 times a year.

5. Southern Living. We do things differently in the south, and I like to keep myself updated on southern trends.This is another Facebook favorite.

6. Martha Stewart Living. I grab this one about 2-3 times a year, usually when the cover catches my eye. Martha has impeccable taste; gotta love her. Plus, serving jail time gave her serious street cred. 

7. Esquire. I got my husband a subscription to this magazine, and I read after he finishes. I like to think of it as a peek into the male psyche. Plus, I'm a lawyer, so I'm totally allowed to read Esquire, right?

8. Elle Decor. GORGEOUS rooms in this magazine. Almost everything in it is way out of my price range, but I'm a dreamer.

9. US Weekly. Seriously, don't judge me. I love celebrity news. Trust me, you want me on your trivia team because I know tons about pop culture thanks to US Weekly, and my Facebook friends seem to be just as obsessed as I am.

10. Nashville Lifestyles. I love this mag because it reminds me of my middle Tennessee upbringing. Nashville is so cool and this magazine highlights places to be and things to do. 

Post a comment to this blog to be entered to win a subscription to Lucky Magazine. Entry period ends May 13.

10 Accessories to Love

Accessories are where it's at. The right item can change your attitude from "blah" to "fab" in 5 seconds flat. Here are 10 accessories I love right now.

1. Michael Kors Rose Golden Oversized Chronograph Watch. $250.

• Love! I wear this watch almost every day!

2. J.Crew Printed iPhone 4 case. $25

• Your phone should show your style, too. Choose a print you know you'll be able to live with for at least 6-8 months. 

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Tiny Slice Stud Earring. $48

• So cute, these little lemon earrings! Wear them with a coral dress and #6!

4. Deux Lux Felix Weekender Duffle. $137

• Travel in style without breaking the bank. Your heart's desire may be LV luggage, but this duffle is cute and affordable. Sophisticated glamour comes to mind. 

5. The Limited Colorblock Clutch. $34.90

• Accessories are a great way to try tends (and usually cheaper!) If you're not sure about colorblocking your clothes, colorblock your clutch!

6. Michael Stars Tailor Made Fedora. $34

• How cute is this fedora? No time to dry your hair? Throw this cutie on and you'll be beach chic!

7. Sabine Beaded Bib Necklace. $40

• A simple maxi dress, gold sandals, #8, and this necklace. You're set for date night. 

8. Pascalli Portofino Collection Citrine Bypass Ring. $184.99

• I adore this ring. It's so versatile. I love it with a great dress or a tank top and jeans. 

9. TOMS Classic 202 Women's Sunglasses. $119

• No one wants crows feet and these sunnies are a lot cheaper than botox! Protect your eyes while supporting TOMS one for one cause.

10. Mossimo Supply Co. Woven Stripe Scarf in Orange. $14.99

• This season, bright colors are all the rage. Pair this scarf with a pink tee and shorts or an emerald jersey dress. You can also wear it when you're cheering on the Vols. GBO!