The Way of These Things

Once upon a time, in a land far and away, I began this blog because I became fashion-obsessed.  And then it was make-up obsessed. And then I realized at my ripe 30-ish age, that I get obsessed, and then I get bored. I read blogs more than anything else online; be it my favorite websites, shopping sites, news sites, etc.  There's so much horrible out there, sometimes I need to check out and ponder superficial updates and happenings.  Not the Kardashians, but things I imagine I would sit in the library and read about.  Lately, my favorite ones to read are about minimalism and budget blogs; exciting stuff, right?

I began these posts with a lot of intention and not a lot of practice or artsy skill, like many of my previous blogs.  But it came from the need to dress less like I did while working in banking (so incredibly boring) and more like I worked in an office with respectable people.  Also, because tattoos.  I have a lot of tattoos that would not be professionally appropriate to have parading about at work.  I understood it would be a challenge when I got them, and now, 8 years later I'm used to covering them during the 9-5. I don't mind it.  Yes, I wish I worked in a creative environment where I could wear short sleeves and not think about or the way I might be treated by professional individuals.  Right now though, this is how it is.  Also, because I have a tiny clothing budget, I have to figure out how to make it stretch with lots of mall-buys and thrift-store trips.  Even then, I've been exhausted spending an hour to find maybe one thing that fit right! And I'd come home with more stuff I didn't really need.

Now I'm focused on quality items that I won't have to replace in a year, always with a higher price tag and definitely not made of things like rayon or polyester. The way of these things keep evolving. Sometimes it's hard to keep up, and I'm not a very good photographer.  I imagine new things on the horizon, so stay in your seat.  Let's see what's around the next bend.

Tresemmé, Tresemmé, Ooh La La!

Remember that old commercial from the '90's?  I'm a child of the eighties so that little jingle was catchy and still rings in my ears when I read the label.  I was able to try out the new Tresemmé line of Keratin Smooth 7 Day Expert System #seasonofsmooth including the shampoo, conditioner, and smoothing serum for a few weeks.

Because, admittedly, I dye my hair (have been for SO many years- if you don't, never start!) and rely on a collection of anti-frizz oils and dutiful dry shampoos apart from not washing my hair everyday.  Don't be grossed out- I DO shower. I just throw my hair up in a bun for a few days and it keeps it from drying out and being stressed out by all the products and our lovely dry Midwestern winter.  I was already using the Tresemmé Frizz Serum on my hair ends after every wash before a mandatory one-hour long air-dry session.  Technique, people, it's all technique!  Or, just my type-A personality enjoying the structured system of steps.

SO, the 7 Day Smooth System works with 7steps- the directions on the packaging only list 5 but there is more.  It promises that your hair will be as gorgeous on day 7 as day 1 and with only one round of the 7 steps to endure at the beginning of the week.  Like magic.

Or, at least through 3 washes.  If you're not familiar with keratin treatments, it's a fancy blow-out product that keeps your hair straight and frizz free for days. For days! And this treatment usually costs a pretty penny at the salon.  So, Tresemmé brought this to the store for you to try @ home, and it worked for me and my ruthless hair.  And I am currently dealing with below zero freezing temps and dry, dry, face-burning, eye-watering winds.  Somehow, that's all normal in my part of the nation.  But I followed the directions and it is 7 steps if you separate the first 3, but here goes:

1. Shampoo with the Keratin Smooth Shampoo
2. Condition (leave in for 2 minutes before rinsing) with the Keratin Smooth Conditioner
3. Towel dry (remember to squeeze and NOT rub your hair. Don't break those follicles!)
4. Divide hair into sections and apply the Heat Activated Keratin Smooth Serum.
5. Comb through to the ends evenly.
6. Blow-dry all the way baby, all the way dry.
7. Use a flat-iron on small sections

It sounds like a lot of work, but it's all at once and you're good for the week.  I didn't need to pick up the flat iron the entire week.  I have super-thick not-straight but not-wavy hair and this set will be my mecca for the rest of our darn winter.  I hope it lasts through the summer humidity, but one season at a time for this gal, and it beats making it to the salon before it's dark out at 5pm every day. #contest

*Disclosure people: This set of hair treatments were provided to me free, but without compensation.  All opinions and hair duties are my own and I can sing the little +TRESEMME Tresemmé jingle for you if you like, or, I do anyways when I read the label out loud. Shout-out to +Influenster !

Chap Stick Hydration Locked Down

So many lip products!  And I use them ALL.  Different seasons, different ensembles, and different moods dictate which ones I use.  But one thing I've always relied on it layering a good chapstick under a good lip color or balm or gloss even. I feel like it's the extra hydrating layer and keeps me from licking my lips, and maybe keeps color stuck like glue.  Since I'm always drinking several beverages- at least 2 at all times are on my desk, I apply chapstick liberally and often.  Since I switch them up, I don't find that my lips get "addicted" or used to any one type.  I want to share that the new Chapstick Hydration Lock is locked down in that it's dual-ended for two different uses and why didn't anyone invent this before?!  You can have your extra day (sunblock protection) and night (extra moisturizing) and in between (anti-aging/renewal formula) all ready to go without bringing two separate tubes along with you.  Genius, I say.  I've got both of mine comfortably sitting in my lippy tray, plus one in my purse always ready to go.  I layer it both underneath and on top of whatever color I happen to be wearing.  Good stuff, you should check it out!

*I was provided a set of the new Chapstick Hydration Lock tubes in the first picture along with a coupon, that I used to purchase another third one.  I'm addicted, I say.  But I wasn't compensated any other way 'yo.

Summer Into Fall

I love the autumn season, but with our Midwest wacky weather, some days are summer, some are not, and then we forget what season it is!  No, but really, it's more of the want to hold onto a bit of Summer Into Fall.  Which is exactly what I did last week.  I paired a simple navy blue t-shirt dress from H&M with a hot pink cardi, and this wonderful cotton scarf.  I was wrapped for the cooler temps, but I kept the bright colors for summer. And what do you know, it's 75° out today!  Enjoy the warmer temps even though we're in the thick of fall.

Mindy, Mindy Make Me Laugh

I was totally happy and lucky to score a copy of "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns)" by Mindy Kaling from a #birchbloggers twitter event! (ooh, and click HERE for my referral link if you're still wavering on becoming a birchboxer). I've been a huge fan of hers as Kelly from The Office for years, and she has made me laugh at the most goofiest and neurotic things- but she makes it okay to be yourself and have your insecurities and still, be fab.  It's even cooler now she has her own show: The Mindy Project with a couple of cute blokes and still all the jokes and natural womanly neurotic-ism I love. She's brave for including some pics from her childhood to illustrate just how not fabulous, but how normal she was.  And like, boom, now she's used all her Ivy League smarts and natural funniness to make herself a fabulous career.  And she LOVES shoes. And FASHION.  She's like the bestie I need to help me pick out what to wear to which event, and how to make an Irish Exit; even when it goes wrong.  Her book, her show, and her twitter feed (LOLs all day, e'ry day), will make you laugh. I read this book twice!

Blue Chambray on Blue H&M Dress

Wrinkled and blue. But all casual and all comfortable for Friday!  A blue chambray shirt belted over a blue H&M t-shirt dress (nothing ironed, obvs), and I'm all good to go. The sun was playing peek-a-boo with me today so lighting is wonky but I was in a chipper mood to match my sandals to my belt since it was going to be a head-to-toe blue day.  H&M is going to be opening soon and I can't wait to go (SHOPPING!) stock up on staples I can wear year-round, as well as a few trendy things, to. Happy comfortable cool Friday ya'll!

Navy A-Line Striped Dress

I'm in love, love, love, with my navy a-line striped dress!  It's all cotton with pockets, and pleats, and no sleeves so it fits with favorite designs in mind.  The bonus of all of this is that it was a gift!  I paired it with a matching navy cotton cardi, but I couldn't decide on which shoes.  The weather is way too nice for flats, so I grabbed my pink suede cut-out sandals that are already getting plenty of wears this season.  We're lucky to have gorgeous skies and cool breezes, so this outfit works on every level.  And, pockets, ya' know?

Anthropologie Score from GoldenTote @ Work

I previously posted about this Anthropologie Score from GoldenTote not @ work, but rather more of a Dress-Up Friday.  Another day, another subscription box find (addicted, I tell you) and it's my favorite fashion item from all of the boxes- and GoldenTote is just awesome. Here I am, sporting this lovely elephant laden dress for work (enter cardi, here). Since the sleeveless, pocketed dress came with a gold ribbon belt, I changed it up with a skinny GAP belt for a little dash of color and then used the coordinating gold in a cotton cardigan.  All this with black gladiators - nevermind I didn't get a chance to paint my toes- for an early July look (at the office).  Instead of pearls, I have a simple, small silver globe and the Lulu Frost bracelet. 

Comfy Casual GAP Ombré

Super comfy, casual GAP ombré cotton tank with a pink cardigan and a cotton, swingy skirt from Target were my Friday wears.  I have this minty crossbody bag that is a bit smaller than I'm used to but it fits the lighter summer palette, and of course goes with my new strawberry suede sandals (sorry for the blurry foot shot)!  I was ready for a long weekend of road-tripping and humid and muggy weather- so cotton all the way.  I wasn't sure how navy, pink, white, red, and mint would fit together but it worked for me.

Bringing Beyoncé Back

Bringing Beyoncé back from the depths of my closet, circa 2006 or 2007, that is.  And it was the more junior Dereón line from the House of Dereón I'm referring to.  Yes. This dress I claimed from a Dillard's clearance rack is all kinds of crazy patterns and colors that are not in my regular shopping mental state.  But it's very colorful and I like the colors individually, and I bought it on a whim. Since I'm clearing out items from my wardrobe that haven't see the light of day in a bit, I've found this one to be a keeper (unlike this one that is gone, gone, gone, baby).  I have new white sandals and an old cardigan and even my gold horn necklace.  It all says summer, though a bit fancier than usual for me.

Smokey Black LOFT Blouse

Smokey Black LOFT Blouse on today- or is it navy-ish?  I know it's not the blackest black, but it goes well with black/white/black in my ensemble.  Sometimes I look at the sleeves and think navy. Hrm.  The sun is shining today and luckily this blouse is breezy so even though it's dark in the summer I shouldn't get too sweaty.  My black gladiators with gold studs and my other usual gold accessorizing favorites are on today.  Plus, I wore a headband because: bad hair day.  And bad hair days when it's this short are a conundrum for me.  Also, bad hair day= Starbucks pastry. Always.

Chambray Dress and Dusty Pink Cardi

Yup, this all thin cotton chambray dress is lately my favorite and go-to for Midwest hot/humid/sticky weather where the air is heavy one minute and raining buckets the next; the norm, if you will.   Which all of these things make it hard to wear sleeves when you have sleeves because much hot.  A very light colored knit like this dusty pink cardi over a chambray dress is my summer uniform along with the gold accessories.  The geometric ring isn't a pinky ring, but the sizing is off (from Forever21) so I keep alternating it between there and my ring finger. 

Sailboats and Gold

Sailboats and gold details are lately some of my favorite things.  This super comfy cotton summer dress with black gladiators and a red cardi (during the day) went well for this #ootd.  I didn't even notice until this week that the studs on my sandals are actually gold, so it pairs well with my gold accessories.  I am not one for wearing the same necklace every day- but the Kate Spade Saturday mirror necklace is my  go-to almost every day lately.  Even on the weekends!