'Fall'ing in Love

I absolutely love fall! It's my favorite season (even though Florida doesn't really get one). The clothes are cute, the weather is cooler,  and the food, I must say, is better too! Here are a few things that I am 'fall'ing for this fall season.

I love comfy sweaters! They are cute, warm and can be dressed up or down. They look great when matched with nice jeans, tall boots and tall socks. JcPenneys has a good selection this year along with Target and Khols.

One thing that make me 'unique' is that I wear plaid/flannel year round. Plaid is my favorite color! (Yes, I know it's a pattern and not a color but still :] ) Wearing a plaid or flannel shirt over a fitting dress, matched with a scarf, tights and some brown combat boots is such a CUTE outfit. I'd wear it all the time if I could! Target is currently holding my favorite plaid shirt of this season.

Being in cosmetology school and working at an Aveda salon, my toes are always covered, BUT that doesn't mean I can't wear cute socks under my boots or when I'm relaxing at home! Warm, thick socks keep my feet from hurting nearly as much as the end of the day, plus if they're cute, I'm happy!

Need I say more? :)

I love it when Starbucks brings back their Pumpkin Spice Lattes! That is when Starbucks gets my business faithfully! I go broke this time of year haha! If you have never had a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you have not lived!

Those are just a few of my favorite fall things. What are yours?

~Haylie



Maybelline Mega Plus Volum' Express Mascara Review

The Experimentor strikes again! I had been seeing commercials for Maybelline's new mascara and I was DYING to try it. I got a coupon in the Sunday paper and went out and bought it the next day. Here are my thoughts on it.

~ It goes on nice and smooth and doesn't clump. It's not extremely thick like a lot of volume mascaras are. It's a gel so it really does go on nicely and easy. I was in a rush one day and I quickly applied my mascara and it still didn't clump. That's some good stuff right there!

~ It only needs one coat. This mascara lengthens and adds volume to your lashes. I normally use two coats on mascara, but this only really needs one, but you can use two and it still look great and not overdone.

~ It stays on. Like I said before, it is a gel, so it stays on better than normal mascara and it doesn't flake. It is harder to remove so if you do not normally use make-up remover, I suggest you start if you buy this mascara.

~ It has a movable brush. The brush bends on this mascara wand. I know it sounds weird, but it's actually pretty cool :) I don't know if it actually benefits anything, but it doesn't effect anything either so... it's alright with me!

~ It's cheap! Yes, I did wait for a coupon, but who wouldn't when they know one is coming :) The cost (depending on the store) is $5 to $7.

Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara is something I would definitely suggest you try out if you are looking for a new mascara. I really do like it and I plan on using it until there is something else I want to experiment with. :)

Much Love,

Haylie

Beauty Tool Box

Let’s face it. We are girls. We use things to enhance our beauty and to keep ourselves healthy and looking our best, and its okay! God told us to take care of our body and that is exactly what we are doing, taking care of the temple of God.




Every girl needs to have a few everyday things in her Beauty Tool Box though, so I have compiled a list of ‘tools’ that will help you look and feel your very best.

1) A good face wash~ By washing your face, you are removing oil, dirt and other nasty things that get on your face and into your pores as the day goes on. I have used many different face washes throughout my life and I’ve come to love two.



I use Neutrogena Grapefruit wash once every three days on my face to exfoliate it. When you exfoliate your skin, you are removing all the dead from your face, leaving it fresh and clean with the new skin. For everyday purposes, I use SeaBreeze. SeaBreeze gets deep into your pores and leaves it all on the cotton ball. Let’s just say, I KNOW this stuff works because I use two cotton balls a night with this stuff.



2) Sunscreen~ I know I’m from Florida and sunscreen is a given here, but this doesn’t mean that anyone who doesn’t live in Florida should not wear sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents wrinkles! (Got your attention now, huh?) Apply a small amount of sunscreen to your face before you apply your foundation or head out for the day. Your face is always exposed to the sun, even on cloudy days.



3) Deep Conditioner~ Curling, straightening, and blow drying, Oh my! Our hair gets hit with heat all the time. It’s good to use a deep conditioner on your hair every three to four days. A good, cheap deep conditioner is Aussie’s Three Minute Miracle. Apply it to the ends of your hair (What you pull up into a ponytail), leave in for three minutes and rinse out. It leaves your hair so soft and smelling like coconut!



4) Skin Moisturizer~ Our skin lacks moisture. To give it more, we are to apply lotion to it once we get out of the bath or shower and then later sometime that day, especially on your knees and elbows (ever notice how dry they can get?). Use a lighter lotion in the summer time and a deeper one in the winter. During the winter, our skin is prone to dryness, so be extra generous on the moisturizer then.



5) Tweezers~ Take a look at your eyebrows. Do they need plucking? Are a few hairs out of place? Look at your eyebrows once and day and make sure they are nice and well-groomed. If you wait a long time, then you have a mess of a brow and you have to take time to pluck them, but if you check once a day, you won’t have that problem!



Do NOT buy cheap tweezers! They do not work as well and you will be more prone to pinching your skin than you would with a nice pair. Bite the bullet, buy the good ones.



6) Loofah~ I love loofahs! That cute little puff ball that always smells like your body wash. Loofahs help exfoliate your skin and they suds up your body wash better than a wash cloth so you end up having to use less! Money saver!



7) Chap Stick~ Our lips get dry all the time. The more we lick our lips, the faster they dry and crack. Keep your Chap Stick on your person at all times. Whenever you find yourself licking your lips, take out you Chap Stick and apply. If you can find some that have SPF in it, buy it! Remember, our face is always exposed to the sun. For a super hydrating boost on your lips, apply generously before you go to bed. You’ll wake up with soft lips.



8) Whitening chewing gum~ A lot of people chew gum with sugar in it and that is not good for your teeth and it’s extra calories you consume on something you’re not even eating. Why waste it? Buy a sugar-free whitening gum and you’ll be cutting calories, whitening your teeth and having fresh breath all at the same time! I like Orbit White. It’s fresh, clean and the commercials make me laugh :D



Alright ladies, I’ve gone over my everyday Beauty Tool Box. What’s in yours?   ~ Haylie

Life is Short. Buy the Shoes :)

I always seem to have an obsession with something during the summer. Right now, I have three: bras, underwear and shoes. Not wanting to talk about undergarments, I am going to talk about shoes :) Last summer, I did a post about Payless and their wonderful shoes. I am going to do another one now!

I absolutely LOVE these shoes! They are BRASH sold at Payless. They also come in tan and black suede (which I own!). I love these shoes because they are closed all the way around which means no slipping out of them (of me at least!) They are a really high heel so I do not recommend you buying them if you are not comfortable wearing tall heels. These beauts cost $34.99

Once again, we have another high heel shoe, but these are more spring appropiate :) 4 inch cork heel with beautiful navy blue, orange and red colors make these heels irrasistable! I love the Fioni brand because they always have the more outgoing shoes, like BRASH does. These lovies cost $27.99

My last pair of heels I'm going to show you. These heels had me drooling! I waited and waited for BOGO to go and buy them. They were worth it!! These navy blue 4 inch heels are not like the other two 4 inch heels I showed you. These are MUCH easier to walk in, which is always a plus ;) The cute knot on the shoe adds just the right touch. This shoe is also avaliable in black and red. They cost $29.99

Oh flats! These multi-colored flats are a great add to your shoe collection. They can add that pop of color to a boring outfit or make a good outfit great! Plus, they are very comfy!! These cuties are $24.99

I'm not a huge huge fan on closed toe flats, but these you cannot help but love! The color and cuteness of these shoes makes me want to buy them, granted I have nothing that goes with them :) These cute flats cost only $16.99

Payless has a lovely rewards program that gives you 5% off every purchase you make with them. They will also send you coupons in the mail, birthday rewards and more! It's free to sign up, so it's worth it! Also, you can sign up for text alerts and recieve 20% off when you sign up!

So what are you waiting for?!?!

~Haylie

Interview with Shari Braendel

In October, I got the chance to do a wonderful interview with Fashionista, Shari Braendel! Shari has written a book called "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad" and it is a wonderful book for every girl and lady who wishes to dress modestly but still fashionable. I hope that you will enjoy this interview and go read Shari's book!

Love, Haylie



1) Why should women dress modestly?

Shari: Women should dress modestly to honor God, themselves and the guys around them. God’s Word instructs us to NOT trip up our brothers in Christ and immodest dressing does just that. The Word also instructs us to honor God with all our hearts and minds and by dressing modestly we do that. But understand that I believe that modesty doesn’t mean fuddy duddy, it can be stylish, fashionable and fun!



2) What inspired you to write "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad"?

Shari: I never planned on writing a book but I started getting invited to churches all across the nation to speak and afterward women and girls would ask for a resource to take home so the book was born. Zondervan saw it as a great resource for Christian women and took a chance on publishing the first ever (and still only) Christian fashion guide for women in the marketplace.

3) What is your favorite fashion season?

Shari: Fall, for sure. I wear warm colors all year round due to my coloring and having a plethora of hues to choose from that suit me is this fashionista’s dream!


4) What should every teenaged girl have in her closet?

 Shari: A great pair of jeans, lots of long cami’s and a pair of ballet flats.


5) What would you tell every girl who wanted to be more modest or live modestly?

Shari: I would tell her to remember that fashion meets faith the minute she decides what to put on her body each day and that her clothing choices are going to show the world who she is and what she believes. Society will try to teach her that dressing modestly isn’t fashionable and it absolutely can be. I would advise her to be creative with her clothes and show her personality thru her style but never compromise her values.


6) Who are your fashion icons? Why?

Shari: The only book I keep in my living room (besides my bible which seems to travel from room to room) is a coffee table book called A Matter of Style . It’s a portrait of 10 women who changed fashion and so many of those women shaped my views of fashion and the industry. My favorites are Coco Chanel for her classic style, Katherine Hepburn because she was unconventional in her dressing by stepping out and wearing pants way before anyone else and Mary Quant because she had so much to say about style and the way it affected people. I read and re-read that book.

7) What is one of your fashion weaknesses?

Shari: Only one? LOL. That would have to be handbags. I have a rule that when I buy a new one, I give one away, otherwise there would be no room for my clothes. I just bought a fabulous (I mean FABULOUS) Michael Kors classic huge bag that I’m planning on carrying for a very long time. However I just caught myself in the purse department the other day and made myself leave before I bought another bag.

8) What NEVER goes out of style?

Shari: Hopefully my Michael Kors handbag! And also, a classic blazer, ballet flats, silver or gold hoop earrings, jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Put them all together and you’ve got a great outfit.


9) What is one thing you cannot live without?

Shari: I must have at least one cat at all times. Right now I have three, Belle, Lily and Olive. A girl’s gotta have limits, right? Okay, my husband limited me to three, but I will probably be the little old woman in my nineties who lives in a cottage by the lake with a dozen little furry friends! I just love them so much because they have amazing beauty and such individual personalities.


10) What are some tips you would give to a girl who wants to be a junior fashionista?

Shari: Be true to who you are and don’t be afraid to show your style by wearing clothes the way that only you can. Only a fashionista would understand what I mean by that. Also, read every fashion magazine and style book you can get your hands on. I would live in the library if I could, just reading all the books on style, beauty and fashion that I could. I still do that on occasions.





Random Questions:

1) You never leave the house with/without...? I never leave the house without my sunglasses. I never leave the house with: my cats! They have to stay home.

2) Would we ever catch you in jeans and a T-shirt? Jeans, yes; T-shirt, no

3) Muffins or Cupcakes? Cupcakes for sure, hopefully with lots of frosting!

4) Sour candy or Sweet candy? Sweet, especially white chocolate

5) Photographs or Paintings? Paintings

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let's Braid Your Hair!

The day after Christmas, I discovered something that would change my life forever. Something that would make my not-so-pleasant day pleasant. Something I would repeatedly thank my Aunt Holli for. This something is called Pinterest. I have 21 boards and over 1,000 pins. If I like something or can even remotely compare to it, I repin it. Yes, I have an addiction (BTW, if you want to follow me, my name is hayliejo), but this addiction however, is helping me find new things to do with my hair!

My latest obsession hair-wise, is braids. I absolutely love them! I always thought that you could do a French braid one way, but no! There are so many different ways you can do them. I’d like to show you a few of my favorite French braid ways off of my Pinterest board. I will also explain to you how to do them so you too can embrace the wonderful world of braids.

French braid pony~ This is a simple, but every pretty braided look. You simply section your hair into two sections; top and bottom, and french braid until you have reached the end of your top half. Then combine the top and bottom sections and secure it with a ponytail holder.

Upside down french bun~ I like to call this the softball do! It is ideal for softball players. It keep your hair up and it looks cool! You simply flip your head upside down and french braid your hair until you’ve reached the top of your head. You then tie the rest of your hair in either a ballerina bun (the picture) or a caterpillar bun (when your hair is pulled half way through the ponytail holder).

French Braid Pony~ I absolutely love this look! It’s cute, stylish and different! A new way to rock a pony. It looks best on ladies with longer, thicker hair. First you divide your hair into three sections; a small top, a medium middle and a larger bottom. Secure each section with either a clip or a ponytail to make sure you do not take hair from another section. Next, divide your middle section down the middle to create two separate parts. French braid them until the reach the middle of your head then continue to braid them down normally. Secure the ends of the braids. Next, take the top section and tease/backbrush to add volume and brush back. Next, take your bottom section and pull it up to where your braids meet. Secure your ponytail in place. Take your braids and wrap them around the base of your ponytail and secure with bobby pins. Next, take your top section and bobby pin it at the top of where your braids meet. If your top section is longer, then secure that section when you secure your ponytail (before you wrap the braids around it). To add the curls, simply take a curling iron to the ends of your ponytail.

Side French Braid Bun~ I love how this little french braid adds to an everyday bun! It gives it that touch of elegance. To achieve this look, part your hair on the side you wish to have the french briad. Start with smaller pieces and french braid back to about a few inches behind your ear and secure it with a clip or bobby pin. Take the rest of your hair and pull it into a low side bun and secure it.

Waterfall Braid~ The Waterfall Braid is just so cool! It looks more like knots than and actual braid! Start by doing the first two steps of a French braid. Holding the hair tightly (major in doing this braid!), drop the botton piece of the braid and make a new one and adding a piece of hair to the top on (like a French braid). Then braid again and drop the bottom piece again and add hair to the top piece. Make sure that you are keeping a firm hold on the braid when you are doing this or the braid will fall out as you go. If you need too, tug on the piece you dropped after you braid over it to make sure it is securely in their. Continue these steps until you reach your ear. Once you’ve reached your ear, simple braid the rest of those pieces down in a normal braid and secure it. If you do not like the braid at your face, you can twist it into a small, braided bun and secure it at your temple with a bobby pin.

I hope you are now encouraged to try some of these french braid do’s! You can find more on my Pinterest board and plently more on Pinterest itself! Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you don’t like it, undo it! You never know if you’re not going to like something unless you try it, so experiment! That’s why they call me *que Superhero music* “The Experimentor”! Hehe!

The Secret to Being Beautiful

I believe that every girl wants to be beautiful. I also believe that every girl has tried to achieve beauty on her own by wearing the latest fashion and trying to always look her best and impress whoever she walks by. I am guilty as charged. I use to try so hard to please other with how I looked by wearing name brand and trying to mold myself to fit their image. I changed myself so much that I had no idea who I really was.

That is not what beauty is. That was obsession with pleasing other people and wanting their definition of beauty. Did you know that God is the only one that can truly make your beautiful? He is the One that holds real beauty and you can have that beauty too. Here’s how.

Become a child of God.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We are born ugly. We are born into sin and sin is ugly. When God saw us, He saw how ugly we were, but He still loved us. Because of God’s great love for us, He sent His perfect, sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for you. While Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was thinking of you, not just everyone in general, you specifically. He did this so that we could live in heaven with Him for all of eternity instead of going to Hell and be completely separated from Him forever.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are made beautiful. Our sins are washed away and we become as white as snow. Now, when God looks down at us, He sees us as beautiful and sinless.

Real beauty is God’s love. If you want to be truly beautiful, accept Jesus as your Savior and show God’s love to everyone you come in contact with and share the Gospel with them. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to email any one of the staff members here and we will be more than happy to tell you all about our Savior.

~Haylie

Clean Out Your Closet for Something Bigger and Better Than Yourself

“Ugh! I have nothing to wear!” This has been said multiple times by yours truly when I open my closet doors and stare into my I-have-a-shopping-addiction closet. Now, if my closet screams that I have a shopping addiction, why would I say that I have nothing to wear? It’s not that I don’t have anything to wear; I just don’t see what I want to wear. I tend to dress with my mood.

In November, I had the chance to volunteer at a local food pantry with my youth group. When I arrived, Twila, the wonderful lady in charge, asked us to split up and work with some of the more experienced workers. She asked if anyone wanted to help hand out bags so people could put their clothes in. Of course, I volunteered. For the two hours the food pantry was open, I, along with Kailee and Madison, two girls who I had just met, organized all of the clothes that had been donated and helped the ladies find what they were looking for.

Many ladies had no idea what size they were. So many ladies asked us if we had any coats or jackets because the cooler weather is to roll in any day now, and we had to tell most of them no. There were teenaged girls in this group too. Teenaged girls just like you and me.

When the crowd died down, I looked down at what I was wearing; my American Eagle jeans, a nice shirt and even nicer cowboy boots that I had been wanting for almost a year. I then looked at what they were wearing; dirty old t-shirts that needed to be cleaned and jeans that were two inches too short. These ladies literally had nothing to wear and I was complaining about the same thing, but I had too many things to wear.

The next Saturday, I opened my closet door and began to get rid of everything I knew I would not wear or no longer fit. I told myself that I would give away anything that I knew I did not need or want because I knew that there was someone in my own town that needed it.

I want to share some verses with you lovely ladies and I hope that you take it to heart.

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

These verses are saying that we are to give to the poor. Not just people out the country who are hungry and in need, but the ones in our own city! We are to meet their needs!

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine own hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Proverbs 3:27-28

These verses state that we to give to the needy when we can, not when we want too. If you are like me and have more clothes than you need and you have people in your town that need them, don’t ignore the need! If you can meet the need, then meet the need! Let God use you for something greater than yourself.

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41

This verse is telling us that, if we give now, we will be rewarded later. Now, I am not telling you this so that you will give just to receive. We are to give because God tells us to give. I am stating this verse for encouragement. If we give in the name of the Lord, we will be rewarded by Him.

I do believe I have saved the most appropriate verse for last. The moment I read it I knew I had to save it for now.

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Luke 3:11

Did you catch that, ladies? He said that the person who has two coats to give to someone who has none. Wow! To think that I was just talking about all those ladies who kept asking for coats! This verse gives me a boost of encouragement!

I asked Sarah if I could do a post on giving clothes because it has been laid on my heart and I wanted to share it with everyone I could, but I wasn’t going to just tell you all about these people and leave you with no way of knowing how to help! So, I have designed a master plan on how to clean out your closet to help you clean out your closet (which is great for everyone to do at least twice a year) and donate as much as possible to the needy in your community.

Steps to Cleaning Out Your Closet

Prep:

1)    Set aside one day to clean out your closet. Let nothing distract you!

2)    Take everything out of your closet so that you won’t try to give up half way through.

3)    Put in an upbeat CD or a movie to keep you motivated! A good motivational movie for this is Confessions of a Shopaholic! Just don’t do what she did and put everything in Space Bags. If you do, I will find you J

Invasion #1:

      Now make 3 piles: yes, no and maybe. Here are the items that should go in each pile…

Yes:

~flatters your body

~ is your current style

~what you wear a lot

~ fits properly

   

No:

~does nothing for your body

~ isn’t your current style

~ hardly ever wear

~ too big or too small

Maybe:

~Whatever you are not sure of (we will touch more on it later)

Note:

When you are making your piles, use your flash judgment. When you pull an item from your pile say yes, no or maybe, whichever pops into your head first. If you go ‘eeehhh’ then quickly ask yourself when was the last time you wore it. If you can’t remember, donate it.

Put your no pile out of sight so that you are not tempted to grab something and put it back in your closet.

Invasion #2:

          Once you have gone through your closet once, go through your yes and maybe pile again! This time when you go through them, ask yourself these questions…

1)    Does this flatter my body?

2)    Did I feel beautiful the last time I wore it?

3)    Can I remember the last time I wore it?

4)    Does this go with my current style?

5)    Did I know this item was still in my closet?

If you answered no to any of these, put it in the no pile!  

It might be best to try on all of your yes and maybe piles to see if they fit properly and flatter you.

A Few Exceptions:

          ~I keep saying that if you haven’t worn it in awhile to donate it, but it is okay to keep seasonal clothes as long as you know you are going to wear them when the appropriate season rolls in. For example, I have not worn my brown sweater in ten months, but I know that I will wear it when the weather gets cooler, so it is still in my closet.

          ~ It is also okay to keep one pair of grungy (or as I like to call them ‘get-dirty’) jeans for when you are going to get dirty or sweaty.

Last Minute Tips:

          ~Do not fall for the ‘I might need it later’ bit because you will most likely not need it later.

          ~If you are still unsure about a maybe, ask your mom, friend or sibling. If you are unsure of a maybe because of modesty, ask you dad or grandpa or just go ahead and donate it. It’s better safe than sorry.

          ~ Remember the people out there who have nothing. While I was cleaning my closet, I had them on my mind. I thought of how much they needed and how much I had. It made my closet cleaning experience much more enjoyable and successful! I encourage each one of you to go and volunteer at a homeless shelter or somewhere where you can see people who have next to nothing. This will help you get a better understanding.

          ~Print out this article and refer to it while you are cleaning out your closet! That’s why it’s here!

The Throwaways:

There are only two things in your closet that should be thrown away.

1)    Anything with missing elastic or is loosing it’s elastic

2)    Anything with major non-fixable rips (unless your holy jeans are your get-dirty jeans!)

Follow all of these steps with not just your clothes, but your pajamas, shoes, accessories, anything and everything you can wear! (I do not suggest you donate your undergarments though. They should be thrown away too… that’s just gross!) If you follow these steps and remember the verses above, I am sure that your closet will look better and you will feel better knowing that you had helped someone in need. I’m sure they will feel better too, especially if you have impeccable taste J

Suave Dry Shampoo Vs Tresemme Dry Shampoo

How many of you wash your hair everyday? I do, because my hair gets so oily at the roots. Did you know that the oil in your hair keeps it healthy? One way to keep you hair healthy is by not washing your hair everyday and taking advantage of those natural oils, but how can you get rid of your oily scalp without having to wash your hair?

Dry shampoo keeps the natural oils in your hair, but keeps your hair looking freshly washed and oil-free. I recently discovered that both Suave and Tresemme make a dry shampoo. I tried both of them and I would like to share my input on both.

Suave Dry Shampoo Spray: This dry shampoo is quick and easy to use. You simply shake the bottle well, spray it about 12 inches from your scalp and massage it in. That’s it! Easy, right? It will still appear a little oily after you apply it, but that will go away after a few minutes.

I loved Suave’s Dry Shampoo Spray because of how easy it was to use. It's three simple steps; shake, spray, massage. There is nothing to it, plus it smells wonderful! It reminds me of grapefruit.

Suave’s Dry Shampoo Spray is also very affordable! I did not expect a cheap, dry shampoo to work as well as it did! It works just like a product that salons would use and that is saying something.



Tresemme Fresh Start Voluming Dry Shampoo: Normally, I love Tresemme's products, but this product got two thumbs down from me. First, It takes longer to use than the the Suave Dry Shampoo Spray. You have to shake the can 'vigorously', spray and wait 2 minutes before you can even work in the dry shampoo.

Second,though the product works, it leaves your hair feeling dry and grimy (like a poorly washed plate of mashed potatoes. I know this because our dishwasher doesn't like to complete it's cycle.) Every time I went to touch my hair, I would pull back my hand and frown because it felt so bad!

So, if you decide to use a dry shampoo (which I suggest!), I would use Suave's Dry Shampoo Spray!!

Bundle Up!

November is almost upon us and that means cooler weather! Who wouldn't want to take advantage of the cooler weather! Go outside and play! Play a game of badminton, jump in a pile of leaves, or plant some daffodils! But before you go outside, be sure to brag your coat or jacket! Check out some of my favorite picks!

This military style jacket is super-cute! Sadly, it's only available online, but hey, I'd take a risk for this jacket!! Click here if you're willing to risk it ;) This jacket is also available in red and seaweed.

This little water repellent short trench coat will go with just about anything! Wanna know what makes it even better? It comes in 12 different colors!! Click here to obverse those colors! And, sadly again, it is not available in stores, but I couldn't help but add it.

This cotton-blend trench coat is adorable! It gives you a feminine look and will always be in style! Check it out here.

How cute are these?!?! Coats with ruffles! Plus, that belt at the waist... to die for! Check here to buy it now!

So, before you head outside to enjoy the wonderful fall weather, be sure to grab your coat or jacket ;)

New Do for a New School Year!

By now, most of you have already started school, BUT it is never to late to get a new hair do! Just before school started, I had my BFF's Mom cut my hair! (Always a plus when your BFF's mom is a hairstylist.. can someone say free haircut?) Evidently, my split ends were so bad that she had to take off FOUR INCHES! Here is the end result!

Sadly, these are the best pictures I have. They were taken just before school started. Four inches off and layers galore! I absolutely love it! It's a new me, but still...me! I also took the brown I had underneath my blonde out and exchanged it for a light red (I was wanting a deep, auburn red, but I grabbed the wrong box!) It's a fresh, new look for my senior year!

Are you wanting a new look, but not sure what to get?? Here are a few ideas you might like!

Long Layers with Bangs~ For those of you who have long hair, but are afraid to do a dramatic change to your hair, I suggest doing nice, long layers, BUT I would take a small risk, and cut some bangs. The great thing about bangs is, if you don't like them, you won't have to wait long for them to be gone :) I love Reese's hair in this picture! (Note: It WAS the way I was wanting my hair, but I let my split ends go on and on, so if you want to grow your hair out, keep it maintained or else your dreams will die...like mine did.)

Short Hair with Short Layers~  This is an awesome haircut! I have always loved how Kimberly Caldwell has done her hair! It's always edgy (which I will show you later in this post) and super cool! Here, Kimberly has her hair cut just above her shoulders and has a few shorter layers in it. It is very awesome for those who want a shorter look.

Medium Length Hair with Longer Layers~  Rachel McAdams and my mom have only ONE thing in common, and that is, they can wear ANY hair color and/or style, and look amazing with it! Don't you just love and hate that?! This is one of my favorite looks for Rachel. Her hair is a medium length and it has about two longer layers, close in length. I like it because it is easier to style and you don't always HAVE to style it, or at least my mother doesn't!

Pixie Cut~  I have always LOVED this look on Keira! For those of you who like the short short hair, this is a GREAT cut! Short, playful and unique (which is something I have always loved!) are the three word I would use to describe this cut! You can blow dry it quickly for a shaggy sort of look; you can straigthen it for a more polished look. Anyway you do it, it'll look GREAT!

So Ladies, I ask you this... which "do' is for YOU?! (Yeah, it's corny but hey, it works!)

What a Beautiful Smell!

I don't know about you, but I love to smell good! Then again, who likes to smell like sweat? My best friend, Amanda, goes to Bath and Body Works all the time, and my other best friend, Hannah, has an obsession with them. So, it was only a matter of time before I became obsessed! My obsession began at Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual major sale. So many good deals and I had my best friends mom with me, and she loves this stuff more than I!

I would like to share a bit of my obsession with you! Here are some of my favorite things at Bath and Body Works...

Country Chic is an amazing new fragrance from BBW. It smells like wildflowers and fresh air! Plus, the name itself it awesome!!!! I managed to get a free lotion in this scent and have LOVED it ever since. Plus, one of my close friends bought me the fragrance mist for my purse. It has come in quite handy!

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin is great for anyone who loves fall. The amazing smell of pumpkin with the lingering scent of cinnamon will put anyone in the fall mood. This collection ONLY comes out during the fall, so stock up! This is also available in a body mist and shower gel.

Twilight Woods is an all-time favorite of mine. My aunt gave me a bottle of their body mist and I loved it! Twilight Woods smells like juicy berries, enchanted woods (whatever that smells like...) and apricot nectar. I have yet to meet someone who did not enjoy Twilight Woods! (In my opinion, I think the name is a big selling point...)

                                                

Sensual Amber is my signature scent! When people buy me things for Christmas or my birthday, this is what they know to buy me because I love it SO MUCH! It smells like amber with a small touch of plum :) I absolutely LOVE it, and I think you will too! (though, they could of picked a better name...)

If you are searching for a new signature scent, or you are just in the mood to smell better than normal, I suggest you head out to your closest BBW and splurge on some of these wonderful scents! Sniff! Sniff! Hurray! (Yeah, yeah I know that's for a Gain commercial, but it felt right!)

Shoe Shopping!

What girl doesn't love shoes?! Shoes are amazing! They come in so many different styles, colors, heel sizes and, the best part is, you are always the same size!


Payless, to me, is one of the best places to go for shoes! They have super cute shoes and super low prices! Payless is just... super! Check out why...




A girl can never go wrong with a pair of classic, black slingbacks! These slingbacks have a 4 inch heel and a satin knot! These slingbacks also come in a champagne color. They are available to you for the low price of $27.99! Click here to get a better look!


I absolutely LOVE this type of shoe! It's like a grown-up flip flop! (Yes, I'm weird I know) brown goes with everything and the beading adds to the look! These shoes cost $16.99 and are worth every penny! Click here to check it out!


My mom and I went "Ooo! Look!" when we saw these shoes! And for only $12.99, my mom went "hmm.." that can only mean one thing.. we're going to Payless! Color, 4 inch heel, cork, and they also come in black, white and denim! How can you pass these babies up?! Click here so you can go "Ooo!" too!


Pink is not just for little girls, Ladies! Have a special event to go to this summer? Why not play up your outfit with these beauts! These heels are a fashion statement in itself! 4 inch satin heel, ruffled and pink! For only $26.99, you can be pretty in pink too! Click here and buy!


What girl has never wanted to be a ballerina at one point in her life? These ballerina flats come in black, tan and berry. They are 'berry' cute! For $22.99, you can be berry cute too! Click here to find out how!


How can you go wrong with these!? Blue is a must! Especially in July! These gladiator shoes also come in white, but who would want white after seeing these?! For $26.99, buy yourself some blue suede shoes! Click here to check them out!

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Haylie Jo

Crossbodys and Satchels and Hobos Oh My!

Hello!

 First, I'd like to say that it is SO GOOD to be back! After a much-needed break, I'm recharged and ready to go!


Target has a wide selection of purses for everyone of different styles and for different occasions. From beach days to internships! I'm going to show you a few items in different styles! Feel free to share your favorites with us!

Mossimo Striped Crossbody Bag in blue is a great bag! It's great for those days at the beach, or for girls who just love the beach! (Holla!) For only $12.99, it's a great steal! This bag also comes in other colors and patterns.


Mossimo Supple Co. Satchel Bag is great for those vintage girls! With a touch of leather and a tiny floral design, it'll add a touch of fun with any vintage outfit! For $19.99, you can have it all! This satchel comes in different patterns and colors.


Angie & Lola Small Flower Tote is perfect for those fashionista's! It adds a touch of class and fun to any outfit! From jeans and a T-shirt, to a lace shirt and pencil skirt! At $29.99, this is a must-have for you fashionista's!


Mossimo Supply Co. Crossbody is a great choice for those edgy or army style outfits! I, personally, want this is bag SO BADLY! I'm waiting for a sale, or for someone to buy it for my birthday! haha! This bag is leather and has loads of room in it! It's great for those girls who are doing internships or just have lots of stuff in their purse! For $29.99 ($24.99 at my Target), It's a must-have for me!


Merona Dot Hobo Bag is a nice bag for those girls who are just stepping into the fashion world, or for those girls who just like having fun with their accessories! And at only $10, it's perfect for anyone! This also comes in pink.

Feel free to go to Target.com and check out the rest of their bags and let us know your favorites!

Happy Shopping!

Haylie Jo