The Crazy Week

Man, I don't even know where to begin. This week Brian had off and it's been good and difficult in so many ways. So every time we try to slow down and have a vacation usually we end up arguing about something. We are getting better at communicating and I hope we can work on our relationship even when he's working a lot...vacations are hard for that reason.

Anyway, I wanted to go get my hair cut this week, just because it's been getting really heavy and bothering me a lot when I do yoga. It's a lot of weight on my neck. Here's my before and after! The hairdresser was awesome and we found out we grew up on the same street in Madison Heights. How crazy is that. She straitened my hair which is interesting, I never take the time to do that. Maybe I'll buy a straightener. I really like it and it's super light on my neck and will make yoga so much easier.

On the way home someone ran into the back of my car.

I'm so thankful that the kids were at home with daddy. Actually, my mom was on the way to my house to watch them because we were supposed to go on a date. Instead I went home and gave myself a dose of aconite and arnica, and went to bed with an ice pack on my neck and then did a round of castor oil packs. I'm okay, but I probably have a concussion and definitely have some whiplash. 

Today I feel a lot better. My neck and shoulder hurts a lot still so I am doing another round of homeopathy and ice/castor oil. I don't think I'll be going to the gym next week mostly because I don't want to drive that broken car, but I should definitely wait until my neck heals up a bit. Who knows how long that will take? 

The only other car we have right now is a four seater stick shift, which I cannot drive. I have never learned how to drive a stick shift. So I had to miss Reuben's first football game today which was really disappointing.

Right before my hair appointment and before the wreck, I got a text about a lady who does Brain Coaching (using something called Equipping Minds) which we were looking into for Becky's dyslexia. I finally found out she has dyslexia as well as dysgraphia (thought her dysgraphia is a lot better). And this lady charges 1k per 13 week session (it's 850 + a 150 fee for supplies) and we just can't afford that. I was crushed. Becky is really struggling and I wanted to get her into a program to help, and as the lady wanted us to start this coming Monday...there was no way. I will have to find another way to help her. Please pray that I can be a good advocate for her and figure something out. 

It's been a really hard two days.

And Brian goes back to work on Monday, we don't have a car, and I didn't prep any food for our week. I'm in pain and I'm sad and everyone is struggling. But the weather is amazing and I have a wonderful family that I love and who love me.

I chopped off ALL my hair!

It's all gone!! And I LOVE IT. Also, it has been a week and I only had half a migraine this week!! Usually I have 2-3 a week, so maybe the cut helps! (I had a ton of hair omg)

It's so short!! I'm so happy. I can style it curly or straight and its so much fun and easy. Squee. I thought I could never have short hair but I am pleasantly surprised and in love with it! <3 ITS PERFECT.

Haircut!

I finally did it. I decided to chop of all my hair.

pre-haircut

For awhile I've been tired of my very thick, mid-length hair. I feel like my hair only does one thing, because I can't put it up (too heavy) and I can't leave it down. My style lately has frustrated me to no end, seeming only good for a pulled back out of my face look or clipped up in a half-updo that makes me feel like I'm still in college.

I wanted something different. I've had long hair since I can remember: I want short hair.

But I wasn't going to go in blind. I've had three haircuts in the past four years, and only one of them I loved (this one) and that was in 2011. I merely liked my haircut in 2012, and the one in 2013 was done out of annoyance and in hair-desperation. (I seem to be having a haircut-a-year theme here...) and I have not liked my hair since the last time I cut it and thus was determined to grow it out--only, I still don't like it. It's so poofy, and everywhere in my face at once and I don't know how to manage it.

the picture I brought

After trying to deal with it for a long time I googled around for "thick wavy haircuts". In all my picture searches this one came up, and I liked it. I bought it along to my stylist at Fusion (a salon a friend in my knit group told me about) and just hoped for the best. My stylist at Fusion (Nicole, if you live local and want the same person) went above and beyond--she not only looked at my picture, she analyzed my face shape and asked about my lifestyle as she pondered over what to do with my hair.

And she did this.

Ohmygosh I love it. It's fun. It's short, and it is so me. Low maintenance, able to be dressed in a hippie way and a kawaii way. And it fits my face shape so well. I'm in love. I'm so in love I left her a huge tip and she deserved every penny of it.

Instead of making long back layers like the pictures, she left it long in the front to frame my face better. It works this way, my face shape needed this framing. And, she talked me out of the bang, saying it wouldn't suit me (and she was right). All in all--I love love love love love love love my new haircut and whenever I need another haircut I know where I will be going right back to.

Yes, I'm like super hyper about it. I think it will also grow out well. And, I liked what I saw of Fusion--only, the price was a little more expensive then what they told me on the phone (but I know that happens at places) anyway, the price of my happiness does not really have a number, so I'm stoked. Yay! 

Easy Circle Braids

I love dutch braids but I can honestly say I can't braid around my head. It's hard!

This weekend I went to a brunch party and I improvised a very easy crown braid! For this hairstyle you will need two bands that match the color of your hair, a handful of bobby pins, and a bow. Here is what I did.

Step 1: Start with at least two or three day old hair, so it's not slippery!

Step 2: Part your hair normally (I did a side part) and make two low ponytails on both sides of your head, right behind your ears.

Step 3: Braid one side as far as you can, and stretch it over the crown of your head.

Step 4: Starting at the end of your braid, pin your hair to your head until it stays.

Step 5: Braid the other side, and stretch it over your crown as well. Pin it to the first braid starting at the tip all the way down till it stays in place.

Step 6: Hide any loose ends, and add a bow!

What do you think? Would you wear your hair like this?

The Russian Twist

I love fall. But one thing I really dislike about this season is how windy it is! I find myself always tucking my hair up to avoid the wind. I call this "The Russian Tuck and/or Twist" and it is adorable. I always get compliments. And when I tell them that I just twisted my hair and tucked it into my beanie? Their jaws drop!

My hair stays put because, well, I have a lot of it. I don't use any bobby pins or anything to hold this in place. If your hat is less clingy, you might need hairspray or a scrunchy or something.

This is such an easy hairstyle. What do you guys think?

The Twisted Pony Tutorial

One of my good friends asked me how I did this particular hairstyle, so I thought I'd do a tutorial! Just for fun :) Only, I lost my tripod thingamabob (you know, that little piece that attaches to your camera so you can then attach your camera to your tripod) Yeah, it decided to completely and totally fall off my camera then disappeared utterly from this known universe. So I bought a new tripod. (I needed one anyway, my old tripod had a broken leg that I'd taped together, and a hot-glued top...) Anyway, my new tripod is *gasp* made of metal, instead of plastic, and it's amazing. Well, that was a long winded explanation!

So, after brushing your hair out, form a half pony using the top half of your hair (like in picture three). Then twist the rest of your hair around that, and secure with pins! Really, that's all you do. I twist two small pieces and then two big pieces on each side of my head, and then finish it off with two small twists again.

Small Twisty

Just keep twisting as many as you want, all around your half pony. You don't have to do three on each side like me. I used about 15 bobby pins to secure it all, but depending on how slippery/how much hair you have, you may get away with fewer.

After you are done, head out in the sunshine to enjoy your hair! I really like this style, because it can be done on short, long or medium hair. As long as you have enough for a ponytail, you are good to go.

Haircut

I decided to return to my natural color. But it's going to take awhile! For starters, I removed about two feet of  hair...

I love my short locks! I think this is the shortest my hair has been since grade school...

Wrap Braid

I used this hairstyle on my honeymoon to keep my hair out of my face! The boat was really windy! 

It is really easy to create. From a side part, start a crown braid. I did my crown braid dutch style (braiding under) but any way will suffice. When you reach the other side of your head (3/4 of the way around) braid your remaining hair like a side braid, then twist the whole braid back around your head to lie back on top of your crown braid, and secure with a pin or a clip. I also added a large flower embellishment!

I plan on making a step-by-step tutorial with pictures some time this month. Right now I'm still getting over being sick. Really! I caught some kind of flu-like thing while I was still getting over food poisoning from Mexico. 

How are you guys doing? 23 days until we celebrate Jesus' birthday! 

Waterfall Braid Tutorial

I created this hairstyle (through I'm sure has been done before) when trying to think up things to do for my hair when I get married in 11 days.

Eleven days...wow.

Start with a middle part. Do two waterfall braids on each side of your head, joining with a clip in the back to hold them in place so they don't unravel while we mess with the rest of your hair.

Under the waterfall braids, do two dutch braids using the rest of your hair until they meet in the back at the same place you ended the top braids.

Sort remaining hair into three sections. Braid each section.

Braid your three braids together.

Roll this braid up and secure with pins or clips! Neat and tucked out of the way, this hairstyle is great for any wind-related event. :)

Let me know what you think, and if you like it!

Braids

I've been experimenting with some new hairstyles lately and I am really enjoying braids.

To get this look, I did a side part and then just braided three small plaints together. Really easy and fun to do, and when you take it out the next day its super curly!

I also handmade this love necklace :) Be reminded today that God loves you, dear blog readers. God loves you!

Henna Hair Tutorial

Welcome to the wonderful Henna Hair Tutorial, or as I like to call it, how to turn your hair into fire, like Merida from Brave. Or Ariel from The Little Mermaid. 

Before we get started lets lay some ground rules, as well as go over some henna misconceptions. 

1. DO NOT USE ANYTHING METAL when handling henna! Okay? Metal reacts with henna. This is bad. Don't use a metal pot, don't stir your henna with a metal spoon!! 
2. There is only one kind of Henna. What, you ask? You've seen black henna? Blond henna? Well, I'm sorry to tell you, but henna (that is, the plant called Lawsonia Inermis) only comes in red! There is no black henna, or blond henna, only red henna! Be carful what you buy; those other things are usually only 1%-10% henna, and can contain harmful chemicals and metals and other dyes. I would suggest only buying 100% Lawsonia Inermis!
3. That being said, there are different organic things you can do to henna to bring out different colors. For example, you can add fresh coffee (darker red), tea, yogurt, lemon (lightens color), and other organic materials to change the color of the henna. Just make sure its organic! No metals! 
4. Always do a strand test before dying your hair. Mix up a little bit of henna with some hot water and dye some hair from your hairbrush. You should do four strand tests--leaving each one on for 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours. Pick what color you like best and that is how long you will leave the henna on your hair! 
5. I bought my henna from this etsy shop. I did have to use two packs on my hair, but I have very very thick hair. 
6. This henna will dye your skin also. Or your forehead. Be careful! On my pale skin it only took about 3-5 minuets to change my creamy completion to pumpkin orange. Use a friend to help spot check you!  
7. The henna that falls on the floor and that got on my shower did not dye the floor or shower. Even when it stuck on there for awhile--just to let you know. Your shower/floor may be different through, so don't take my word for it! The henna did, however, irreversibly stain the clothes I was wearing, so don something you don't mind discarding after this (or saving for future henna treatments!) 
8. You can use henna over chemically dyed hair. HOWEVER you cannot chemically dye your hair after using henna. It will turn green.

Okay, now on to the tutorial!

Did you skip the introduction? If so, shame on you. Go back and read it RIGHT NOW, or you might turn out looking like an oompa loompa. Seriously!

To dye your hair with henna you will need the following:

• A pair of gloves
• Scissors
• A plastic bag or bowl
• Henna
• Hair clips (for long hair)
• Plastic spoon (I just used my hands) 
• Lemon (optional) 
• blow dryer (optional)

Now: 

1) Pour your henna into a plastic bowl or bag. Yes, it smells like really strong green tea. Yes, your hair will smell like that for 1-2 washes. Personally, I like the smell. 

2) Don your gloves!

3) I added a lemon to lighten the henna. 

4) Now add hot water. I used 200 grams of henna and about 3-4 cups of hot water. You want your henna to look like thick pancake batter. Just add one cup slowly as you stir and mash, until you get the required consistency. 

5) Mash your henna all up or stir with a plastic spoon/fork. There will be lumps. Now, cover your henna and let it sit for 30 minuets to 2 hours. Some people even let their henna sit overnight. I don't do that.

Now it is time to APPLY YOUR HENNA!

(Are you excited? I'm exited!) 

1) Pin up sections of your hair. Acknowledge you look like an idiot. 

2) Apply henna like you would any hair color treatment. Start at your roots and go down. 

The henna is like mud. It will get everywhere. Clean it off your skin and anything else you think might stain, but its just a fact. Henna is really messy and never stays in one place. 

3) When you are done with one side, flip it all up on your head and secure with clips so it can soak.

4) Do the other side of your hair. Realize your arms hurt.

Also before putting on the shower cap do a quick check all over to make sure there are no dry spots!

5) Cap yourself! 

Now comes the hard part. Based on your strand test (you did a strand test, right?) leave the henna on your hair for anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours. I left mine on for about 3 hours. 

• Some people put heat on their hair while waiting (via a blow dryer) I did that the first time and it made my hair ultra orange, so I'm not doing it today. 
• Don't let your hair dry out. Henna needs to be moist (that is why you wear a cap) for the whole time its on your head. If it dries out it is no longer dying your hair.

6) Amuse yourself while feeling like a green-tea mud-yuck-slime monkey.

Here is a list of some of the things I did:

1. Talk on the phone to my mom
2. Eat lunch
3. Have tea
4. Read this article on feminism: Why Women Still Can't Have It All
5. Read counter article on feminism: We Cannot Have It All Because We No Longer Have Dreams
6. Contemplate life 
7. Enjoyed The Hunger Games

7) After the appropriate time has passed, wash out the henna from your hair (still wearing your gloves or you WILL dye your fingernails orange) and get all dressed up to take pictures with your new color! I hope it turned out well! 

Some further notes: 

• Henna does fade over time. Mine seems to need reapplication every 2-3 months. I'll be sure to post pictures of what it looks like after each wash :) Stay tuned! And I'd love to see what color red yours turned! 
• Henna turns out different on everyone's hair. It does not really "dye" your hair more as it "coats" your hair in a red color, making each hair different based on what color you start out with. That being said, henna is a permanent dye. It does fade, but it is permanent. See my before/after picture? You can see my new hair growth based on my 3-month old henna hair that is now strawberry blond instead of vivid red.  

Happy Henna-ing :)