Where I've Been...

...back in the dark ages!

 Just kidding. Although that is what it seems like...

Growing up sucks!
Due to graduating and finding new jobs, we got to move at the start of the year. But this meant WAY more expenses than I am used to and no more student loans/discounts to rely on. Also, it took a while for my work to pick up. So all this added to having to make decisions and gas money beat out internet expenses (it was a close race though...). I occasionally went online at the library to check email and read a few blogs because I am addicted so I could still feel like a part of the circle, but it has been a strange four months. I knew I was a Google junky, but I didn't realize just how much I relied on my internet connection to get through my life. Paper maps and actual cookbooks are way less practical than their electronic counterparts!

Anyway, things have normalized and bank accounts have turned back into positive numbers so we have allowed ourselves the privilege of internet again! YAY!  I am sure this is how people felt when they got indoor plumbing, I am that excited! So stay tune, I've got a lot to say.

Top 50??

Holy cow!
Lori over at Masters in Teaching has compiled a list of the top 50 hair blogs and little old me made it. Go check it out: http://www.mastersinteaching.com/top-50-hair-blogs-and-articles/
Can you believe it?
There are a lot of great blogs mentioned on her list (who knew there were so many?). Her brief description of each lets you easily navigate what your looking for, so if your in need of new information or inspiration check out the blogs she has linked.

Thanks Lori, I am totally honoured to be noticed, especially since I have really been slacking around here...

The 5 (hair related) Items I Can't Live Without

Ok, the title might be a bit of an exaggeration, BUT I do have issues about hair and without these things my life would not be complete.

#1: My combs:

This wide tooth comb has been with me longer than my driver's license. I lost it for about 8 months and it was horrible. If she ever broke I would likely cry. On a less insane note, wide tooth combs are a must for everybody, its the safest way to detangle wet hair. Brushes cause hair to stretch (which wet hair is vulnerable to do anyway) and break easily, and rat tail type combs' teeth are to close together causing too much pulling and stress for wet hair. You could probably get away with a normal tooth comb, but I don't own one.
As for my rat tail comb, that's much newer to the collection and let me tell you, I will not go back to parting without it! I do not use the tail like a lot of people, I use the teeth. I find that the super close together teeth make a really crisp line. Delicious!

#2: Goody brand Ouchless Ponytail Holders

These elastics are a cut above. I am cheap, I'm sure I mentioned that before, so I have definitely tried different brands, dabbled with the dollar store knock-offs, yada yada. These bad boys are worth every penny. Once in a blue moon I have one loose its elasticity or snap in half. But it is NOTHING compared to every other brand I have used. Last year for Christmas my mom bought me a pack of bands from the Dollar store, 11 out of 12 elastics snapped before I could get them in my hair. The twelfth broke mid day (whilst my hair was in a ponytail I might add....). Don't even bother.

#3 Bobby Pins:

Love them! My mom hates them. She is of the old school belief that bobby pins are not meant to be seen, and while that might be nice in some classy looks, one a day to day scale bobby pins have become sort of trendy. Plus they are so useful!! How else would we keep our pesky half grown out bangs out of our faces? Or tuck in the those silly hairs that poke out of french braids? And what would a bun be with out a few bobby pins? NECESSARY! (I will add I didn't always have the fancy bobby pins from Sally's, I usually just get the cheapest Goody ones available, and while the expensive ones do work a little better, its not necessary IMHO.)

#4 My Hairspray:

Love it, need it, cant live without it. No day is complete if it hasn't been used. I'm not picky about any particular brand here either. They all work and as long as it doesn't leave white flakes in my styles I'm sold.

#5 Flat Iron:

While I do not use this bad sally very often anymore (I've gotten lazy in my old age, haha!) I wouldn't trade this guy in. Well actually I would, I want a smaller on so I can use it to curl as well but yeah... Anyway I used to use like Revlon or Conair straighteners and they worked pretty good, but never lasted more than a year. Then I got rich or something, and splurged on this BaByliss (actually my friends aunt runs a salon so I got it at cost, but still WAY more than my normal heat tools). Let me tell you I will never go back to the Walmart brand straighteners again. This thing is a cut above! She will get rid of any kink or curl in no time flat (pun intended!). I saw at Winners a few months back that they had the 1" Chi straighteners for like 40$ so I will be keeping my eye out for that next time I'm there.

So what hair tools/products/accessories can you not live without? Please share because it makes us all feel better when others are also hair obsessed!

Almost Back!

Hi all! It's been a while, I know! And I also know, its a little passed my target return of December.
Life's been crazy.
I finished my program in mid December, then spent two week with my family for the holidays. When I got back we spent a week searching for a new place to live, and finally found something. I was job hunting (not exactly the ideal time to look for a teaching job, but that is life). Just this morning I was hired in my district as an On-Call Teacher, so hopefully the work starts rolling in soon! I am so excited.
Anyway, I am back now! and so excited! I am looking forward to having some sense of a normalcy in my life, blogging included.

Check back on Saturday for a new hair-do!

Is Anyone Out There?

So, thanks to the glory of YouTube (my FAVORITE website) I have stumbled across a number of hairblogs. How cool is that? I never know such a thing even existed. Since then I have been basically... stalking a bunch of people... Long story short, I have become hair obsessed again! I spend most of my precious spare time trying out all these new and beautiful styles (you ladies are SO talented) on myself as I have no adorable sisters, daughters, or nieces. Most of them I can't actually wear out of the house (pigtails are just not so cute on people over 14) therefore, I have become semi-talented at adapting great ideas to work on older models. So I have decided to create my own blog featuring styles and the like for older girls. Hopefully there will be a little bit of something for everyone and we can all learn a few things along the way.

I am about the furthest thing there is from an expert, but I have been reading girly magazines and playing "hairdresser" since I was like 9, so I have tried a lot of things and learned a lot about haircare and maintenance, plus like I said, I'm OBSESSED with pretty hair! When I was still living at home my dad made it a daily ritual to mock the attention I give to my appearance, luckily I had my own bathroom so we never had to have that battle! Also, most of what I do is based on things I have seen on other people, celebrities, and other blogs. I will try to always give credit when I know where to aim it, but as a disclaimer, 9.98 times out of 10 things here will not be completely original. Hopefully this doesn't offend anyone, but its hair! Guaranteed someone, somewhere, at some point, has done it before. I just hope to inspire others to experiment and love to care for their hair.

Also, given the state of my life (perpetual student-hood)from time to time I will more likely than not post random, mindless ramblings on various topics that are playing on my mind or that catch my attention. Hopefully, it will be entertaining, or at least won't discourage people from stopping by...

Looking forward to building some sense of comradeship with any followers I manage to round up.

And if you are reading this, thanks for stopping by, and sticking it out to the end of this awfully long first post!!!