Healthy, Quenched, Soft Hair

Well, this winter has been crazy bad on my hair.  And now that it's spring, I want my pretty locks back.  I have been struggling with a love/hate relationship with my hair.  Who doesn't, right? 

Since my husband and I have tried cutting back, I stopped buying my lovely Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie, one of the few things I did splurge on.  Besides, trying to find that one deal where it was buy one/get one was getting old and tiring.  I hated spending $25 on EACH liter!  Yikes....  $50 on shampoo and conditioner?

Sadly, if I kept up with it, I wouldn't have dried, brittle hair begging me to quench it's thirst, but I probably would've been broke. :)

I was using Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo/Conditioner that I picked up at Sam's Club for really cheap.  I want to say it was $6/7 for a liter!  (SWEET!!!!)  And it smells really yummy and it did  work...  for a little bit, anyway.

This is where my "hate" relationship comes from...  I know it's great to switch up your shamp/cond every once in awhile, yadda yadda yadda, but I've tried other name brands, and off brands and nothing gives me what Biolage does.  I even tried another branch of Matrix, thinking I found a winner with their Biolage.  Sadly disappointed.

But, instead of shedding out fifty dollars, I decided to stop at my local Sally Beauty Store.  I found their knock off of Matrix Biolage, Naturelle Biotera Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, and it was even on sale!  Originally it costs $11.99 for each liter, but it was on sale for $8.99 a liter!  Still, $11.99 isn't bad, but I was tickled pink with my $8.99/ea!  Sigh...  All giddy, I head out with an extra pep in my step.

Now, onto another product...

I have heard such great things about Moroccanoil.  Shine, softness, smells great.  Where do I sign up!?

$40 for a 3.4 oz bottle?!

Wait... WHAT?!  Ok.. Maybe that's not a lot for some of my beauty queens out there... But I just couldn't shed that...  On my hair!  Man...  My hair would be really  high maintenance then!  :)

I did some digging and stumbled across Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil.   
I found it at Wal Mart for $6.72! 

Take that, Moroccanoil! :)  

Anyway, with my new shamp/cond and now penetrating oil, I wanted to go straight home and wash my hair!  Yes, on a Friday night...  Sadly, I would have been perfectly content with this, too.
But, since my husband was home, I decided I wouldn't bore him with my excitement of my new hair products so I just tried not to play with my hair (yes, I have a fetish to twirl and touch my hair.. You mean you don't?), and eagerly waited for the next morning.

Why, hello, SHINE... Hello SMOOTH!  So good to see and feel you again!!!! 
These were smart choices for me! 
With my hair being that "dark blonde", it's hard to accomplish shine at times, unless the sun is shining directly on it. :)

So I saved quite a bit by researching and trying new products that were very similar to the ones I wanted.

I know that the oil had mixed reviews for some of you ladies.  But, I figured for the price alone it wouldn't hurt to test it out before shedding $40 on the Moroccanoil.  Now I am eager to try the "good stuff", but I'm in no hurry. :)

Tell me some of your favorite hair products!! :)

"That is Mahogany!"

Hello, Lovies!!!

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!  I didn't do too much; laid low, but yesterday my husband, my brother and I went to see The Hunger Games and grabbed lunch afterwards.  What did you think of the movie??  I can't wait to see it again :)

Here are two outfits I forgot to post last week :)

Outfit Details:

Yellow Cardigan:  NY&Co.

Polka Dot Blouse:  JCPenny (gift)

Lace Skirt:  Clearanced, Target

Mary Jane Heels:  Target

Coach Purse:  Macy's

Ruffle Button Down:  VS, Clearanced

Black Pants:  NY&Co.

Flip Flops:  Aero

And a sneak peak at what I wore to the movies :)

Our matching "District Twelve" shirts are from Hot Topic! :)

Mockingjay Necklace:  Etsy

Locket:  Etsy

Blazer:  Meijer, $6

Jeans:  Curvy Girl Gap, $25

Purse:  Gift

Effie Flower:  Me, etsy

When the word "STEAL" is actually pretty awesome!

So, one of my all time favorite shops is New York and Company (or NY&Co.)  Great clothes, great prices.  Especially when things go on clearance!!

Tons of things are on sale right now, and I thought I'd share a few items that jumped out at me:

Striped Scarf - $3!!!!  Such a fun added accessory, and who doesn't love stripes??

Colored Faux Fur - $6.20!!!!  I just think this is so cute and fun!

Metro Mini Bag - $9.88.  Comes in multiple colors, but I'm loving this pop of orange!

Cutout Hem Trench - $25.99 - ACT NOW!!  This coat was available in beige, just this morning!  Apt. 9 at Kohls has a very similar one for $67!

Here's Kohls version:

Find it here.



Faux Leather Coat -  $17.99 - I just love the edginess to it.. Paired with a great dress?  I'm weak in the knees!


Cascade Front Paisley Dress - $34.97 - So flowy and just perfect for Spring/Summer!

Striped Chiffon Top - $11.98 - I just love the colors and shape!

Poncho Sweater - $8.59  - I can just see any woman in this on her lounge day...  Perfect to just relax or run errands or even grab coffee with a friend.

Belted Trench Vest - $11.99 - So sophisticated!  I love the fact that it's a VEST, first off!  Some offices can get away with wearing just a tank underneath due to the broad shoulder of the vest. 

Now, hurry!  Go shop and let me live through you, vicariously! :)

Take a Risk, or Two

I love today's outfit... I broke through my shell a bit and just "went for it"!  I feel like "I love Lucy" meets animal print... Rawrrr...

Life is always about taking risks.  Just like purchasing this dress and those heels.  Something you should know about me... I'm obsessed with polka dots and rosettes.  Maybe you already knew that but in case you didn't, you are now filled in. :)

Let me tell you a little story about this dress.  It down right stalked me down!  I was at Macy's buying a few new dresses and ready to check out finding the shortest line. (It was busy that day!)  I'm standing there, zoning out, waiting for my turn, looking around and I see this bright pink and white polka dot peeking out, buried with other clothes on a rack right by the register.  I look away, trying to fight my urge to get out of line, because of course now the line is getting longer... (I guess others became smart to look around for shorter lines)  I'm teetering back and forth.. "Do I get out of line and risk my spot, or do I try it on?"  It was like I was on a time limit, when really, I wasn't.  Tried ignore it, but every time I glanced over, it was staring at me...  Finally, I caved in.  I ran to the rack just to see the price and size.. Oh man did I have a field day that it was indeed my size!!!  I mean, how could I not try it on just to see now??  I've already made it this far... So, I did and fell in love...  It was a pricey dress... Over $80 for a cotton dress.  BUT, it was marked down to $20, so I couldn't be happier!  Ran back in line and didn't even care the length of it anymore... I got my dress.

As for the shoes... Those were one of my wedding shoes.  I was on a hunt for blue shoes.. More so "aqua", since that was our main color.  But I kept returning to these... Thinking, "They have a small touch of aqua.. they will totally work!" Found them on Macy's site.  They were clearanced out, so even better, but by the time I decided I wanted those, they were sold out.  I hunted and hunted.  Finally found them on Zappos, but again, sold out.  I was only becoming more and more frustrated.  I finally clicked the "notify me if they come in this size" thinking I might as well kiss them farewell and continued my hunt.  A few weeks later I got an email from Zappos stating they were in!  I paid full price for them.. Splurged, which hurt a little, but aren't they a must?!  After that scandal, they needed to be mine.  And now they are <3

Outfit Details:

Dress:  Macy's, clearanced, $20

Cardigan:  NY&Co., clearanced, $9

Shoes:  Bandolino, Zappos

Clutch:  Gift

My "Go To" Dress

Every lady out there should have a "go to" dress.  Just like that "Little Black Dress" that seems to always be told to have. 

This dress is my "go to" dress.. Perfectly paired with heels to flip flops to flats to wedges.  Wear a cardi or take it off.  This dress is amazing.  Not too short, not too long.  Perfect on those "breezy" days.  I feel feminine in it and yet it's so low maintenance and comfy; it's like it can't be real!  I'm more comfortable in this than a tshirt and shorts.  And as soon as I take it off, I throw it in the wash... No "special instructions" on cleaning this baby either!  I think I might cry the day when it's either too tight or ripped or holey.  :)

Now, I cheated because I just posted this dress in my previous entry.  But, I swear it's clean.. I wasn't kidding about wearing it a lot! :)

I just had to run errands today... And frankly, after running to the grocery stores last night in a tshirt and jeans and baseball cap I needed to feel pretty and sassy.  So, hello Pretty Floral...  You are being showcased again. :)

Outfit Details: 

Dress:  Old Navy, clearanced

Flip Flops:  Old Navy

Purse:  Coach Tote, Macy's

Sunglasses:  Flea Market, $10

Hair Flower:  Effie made by ME

Oh, before I forget! 

 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

(Yes, those are two different pairs of pink sunglasses... I love them too much!)

Mash Up!

Let's face it...  The spring weather we are having is summer... (Nothing gets past me! ;) )... And it's still technically winter!  Not until March 20th will it be officially spring.  So, eighty degree weather in WINTER?  Absolutely absurd.  But I'm not complaining... (Although I kind of miss spring and hope it comes back to say "hello")  So I've been taking advantage!  Walking outside, getting ice cream, going shopping... You know, all my excuses on why I've been neglectful and lazy. :)  What can I say?  I didn't want to be tied down to technology for too long :)  Sadly, this weather has made me realize that summer really is practically here and I need to get going on shedding some weight!  Mainly in the rear.. I love my curves but hey.. Let's face it, this body is so not ready for bikini weather...  You have seen this in my previous entries. :) :) :)  This Monday I'm going to start counting calories again and continue to work out little by little (even though these past three days I have been rather slacking...  Look up to find my lazy excuses and ::insert them here::)

I'm eager to try four new recipes this week.. All by Fit2Fat2Fit.  I'm fairly new to him and his adorable wife and blog, but I've heard of him for quite some time now.  I'm not necessarily following his plan, but I'm going to try my best to just eat healthier...  Even though I'm totally craving pinwheels and all sorts of sweets right now :) HA HA! 

Well here is my mash up... all outfits I wore throughout the week.  So funny to see the transformation to pants and sweaters to a dress and sweater to just a dress. :) Ahhh... Living in the four seasons...

Outfit Details:

LC Sweater: Kohls - $18

Jeans:  Gap, Curvy Girl - $25 (GAP OUTLET) 

Brown Lace Tank:  Discovery, $3.99

Locket:  Gift, Etsy

Necklace:  $25, Etsy

Hair Flower:  ME

Navy Cardi:  Charlotte Russe, $10

Olive Green Top:  Garage Sale, $3

Pants:  NY&Co., $10

Scarf:  ME

Dress:  Old Navy, $20

Sweater:  Old Navy, $8

Heels:  DSW, $7

Hair Flower:  Effie, made by ME

New Sunglasses:  H&M, $8  (My new favorite item!)

Dress:  Target, $6 (clearance)

Wedges:  DSW (clearance)

Hair Flower:  Effie made by ME

Dress:  Target, clearance

Heels:  Target, clearance

Earrings:  Kohls, Apt. 9, $2.80

Flats:  Rocket Dog

Necklace:  Etsy 

Look out for a new post in a few minutes!  That's right... 2 in 1!  Even though I'm kind of cheating...  You'll see ;)

Feeling Jade

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so eager to get work over with and spend time with the husband tonight!  Even though it's tedious errands we need to tackle...

Here's my work outfit for today:

(Can you tell I work in an office??  Can't wait for warmer weather to show outfits other than my standard black pants! :D)

Outfit Details:

Effie Trinket Inspired Flower, made by me, found here

Scarf:  Boutique in Florida, $10

Aqua Damask Dago:  Target, $7

Gray, Sheer Polka Dot Top:  TJ Maxx, $15

Cream Cardigan:  NY&Co., $10

Black Pants:  NY&Co., $10

Blue Topaz Ring:  Helzberg Diamonds, gift

Earrings:  NY&Co., gift