Friday's Film: The Switchback

We got many requests for a video on our hairstyle called "The Switchback". It's a simple concept, just make sure you have lots of bobby pins ready to go.

 

You can find the original post here.

I wish that my arm wasn't in front of the camera so much but I wanted you to be able to see the back of her head.  Hopefully you get the idea!  :)

the IT list... September 30, 2011!

Happy Friday ladies!  Explore some of these fabulous links to get your weekend off to a great start!

• gs lillian says she is more comfortable in a dress or skirt than in jeans.  Are you the same? It's not hard to see why, she always looks fabulous in dresses and skirts! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• lex and learn makes a very delicious looking semi-homemade pumpkin bunt cake - get her simple trick for this fall treat! (find lex and learn on twitter!)
• simply bold just snagged a gorgeous pair of leather shorts... check out how she styles them up for fall!
• rachael, really looks absolutely adorable in her denim shorts plus knee high socks plus hunter boots!  What a fun combo! (find rachael, really on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl is totally rocking this bright green blazer - I am loving these looks! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• little girl in a big world does a fall weekend on the beach - check out her trip and live vicariously through her! (find little girl in a big world on twitter!)
• everyday mom style wears a great patterned top to work, but wonders... is the pattern too much!?!? I don't think so, I love it! (find everyday mom style on twitter!)
• fabulously average shows you ladies how to layer even if you live in a warmer climate!  So cute! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy rounds up her favorite fall looks - and they are all just swoon worthy! Head on over and see her inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• the style dossier lists their top reasons why fall will rock - such a fun list! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style rounds up cozy and unique ways to add blankets to your home decor this fall!  These photos all look so warm and cozy! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• chic or treat finds these adorable velvet flats in several colors for such a steal! Stop by her blog to find out where to snag them! (find chic or treat on twitter!)
• high heels and bubble gum puts together a fab outfit with white pants - yes, after Labor Day - that is perfect for fall! (find high heels and bubble gum on twitter!)
• behind the dressing room door rounds up her top picks for Anthropologies recent 30% off sale! I am loving this gorgeous camel coat! (find behind the dressing room door on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how you can be involved, click here!

Mandy Moore look for less <$112

Mandy Moore is someone I have always admired. I love her casual style. This look would be extremely easy to recreate, and most of the pieces are timeless.

Get Mandy's Look for Less:

Shirt

Glasses

Converse

Capris

Scarf

Cardigan

French Roll

This hairstyle has been around forever but this is the first time I have ever actually done it on my princess.  I have to admit that the length of her hair made it a bit tricky and this style is probably best for shoulder-length hair.

I have found that starting with wet hair is easiest when you are doing any type of bun or twist because it helps hold much longer when it dries in a specific position.  I created a small off-centered part at the top of her head to start off.  I then combed all of the hair back down toward the nape of the neck. 

Move to the side of the head that has less hair from the part to begin.  This was the left side for us so my directions will follow that.  Comb all of the hair from the left around the back and toward the right side of the head.  Now grab some bobby pins and pin that hair flat against the head - just a bit to the right of the middle of the neck. Your bobby pins should start down by the neck and create a line going straight up about 3-4 inches.  This will hold that left side of hair nice and flat against the head. 

 Now comb all of the hair on the right side straight out until it is flat and then roll it to the left and into the head.  Your roll should be covering that line of bobby pins now. 

Go ahead and pin the roll into place and add some decorative hair pins to hide the bobby pins.  Give it a good spray with hairspray for extra hold and you are good to go! 

 My princess wore my baptism dress from when I was 8 years old to church on this day.  It's a bit old-fashioned so her hairstyle matched perfectly because it is a bit old-fashioned as well.  :)

Olivia Palermo Look for Less <$140

Colored denim is all the rage this fall and it seems like our favorite Olivia Palermo is taking part in this trend. I love how she has paired the kind of burnt red colored jeans with the orange top, this color combo works great!

Get the Look!
Sweater
Jeans
Top
Shoes
Clutch

Milk Maid Wrap

This is a really basic style but it does require long hair.  (Sorry all you cute bobs out there!)

 

 Start by dividing the hair down the middle using any part you like.  Now pull each side up into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic.  Create a 3-Strand Braid out of each ponytail and secure it at the end with an elastic. 

 Now have some bobby pins ready for this next step.  Take the right braid and wrap it around the elastic holding the left braid and add some bobby pins by the elastic to hold the braid there in place. 

 Repeat the same step with the left braid going over the right elastic. 

 Now gather both of the remaining braids on each side and bring them to the middle and join them with a new elastic. 

You can take out the previous two elastics that were holding the ends of the braids and unplate any braid that falls under the new joining elastic.  You can use some bobby pins to secure this elastic area to the braids above but it is not a necessary step. 

 Place a hair clip over the elastic to hide it and fan out the ends of your braids.

Kourtney Kardashian Look For Less < $103

I love black and navy together and Kourtney Kardashian wears it well in this great outfit:

Source: tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Get the look:

dress
necklace
sunglasses
shoes
tights
lipstick

Friday's Film: Barrel Roll Bun

This is one of my personal favorite hairstyles because it's so fast, holds well and creates curls for the following day.  The original post is found here: Barrel Roll Bun.


Here are the pictures of the completed bun:

We put some decorative hairpins in for church. 

You can see that we've used a pretty high ponytail so that the bun is right at the crown of the head. 

You can use smaller sections of hair to create more rolls.

We've done pretty large rolls here just because of time reasons but I love the look of both.

Remember to have your bobby pins handy because you will definitely need them!  

the IT list... September 23, 2011!

Happy Friday ladies!  This week's IT list has a decidedly fall feel!Dig into these great links!

• if I must say so is looking fall-chic in this chambray dress and Western booties - seriously, this is so cute! (find if I must say so on twitter!)
• undeniable style is inspired by polka dots... see her inspiration and how she wears them! I am loving polka dots this season! (find undeniable style on twitter!)
• gs lillian has a new series where she features a fun manicure style each week. I am so in love with this weeks design that she whipped up with these three polishes! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy continues her series "she" with another fabulous combo of eye candy and a quote.  Love this! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• simply bold takes a bad hair day and turns it into a good one... plus, I love this little belt trick! 
• lex & learn has a gorgeous selection of fall scarves... check out her picks! (find lex & learn on twitter!)
• little girl in a big world scores some great pieces for fall at Old Navy and Target... check out her finds! (find little girl in a big world on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl shows off her favorites for fall... of course, coffee is at the top of her list - it's at the top of mine too! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• high heels and bubble gum is going on a shopping diet... but not before she snagged this super fun outfit! I love this layered tunic. Way to go out with a bang! (find high heels and bubble gum on twitter!)
• rachael, really is sporting her new Hunter boots and looking fabulous doing it!  This outfit is so perfect for fall! (find rachael, really on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style shows off her new obsession... party bars. I too am loving these... especially this apple cider bar!  What a fun way to entertain. (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• behind the dressing room door has anthropologie's new arrivals for fall and I am loving these bright corduroy pants - how fun! (find behind the dressing room door on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations has this stylish Heidi Klum look for less. I'm loving these colors!
• good life for less is talking blazers, blazers, blazers!  Check out her top picks and her favorite way to wear them! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less! for information on how you can be involved - click here!

Whitney Port look for less <$107

Whitney Port... Who doesn't love her? She is one of my favorite fashionistas. I love this southwestern inspired sweater, paired with black skinnies. She looks so put together, yet comfortable at the same time [my favorite combination].

Sweater

T-shirt

Sunglasses

Skinnies

Purse

Bracelet

7-Strand Braid

Here's a style that is a very simple pattern but there are so many strands of hair that it can be confusing for your fingers.  Just take it slow and it gets easier with practice!

 

We started our with a basic ponytail but you can begin with the hair anyway you like.  Make sure the hair you are working with is divided into 7 equal sections.  Start with the farthest right section and weave it through the other section with an "over/under" pattern.  Once that strand is all the way through and on the other side of the hair, grab the strand that is now just to the right of it.  (This is the strand that was previously the farthest left strand.)  Weave that through the hair moving to the right.

  Once that strand is all the way through, grab the strand just to it's left and weave back toward the left side again.  Basically you will be weaving left when you start on the right side and weaving right when you start on the left side.  That may sound confusing as you read it but it's easier once you give it a try.  Continue going back and forth until you get to the end of your hair and then you can secure it with an elastic. 

This is a bit different than the Lucky Number 7 Braid that we've posted before.  You'll see that the steps are just a bit different and that makes the appearance of the braid very different.  Both are very beautiful braids though!

Heidi Klum look for less < $98

This Heidi Klum outfit is perfect for late summer to early fall... simply layer a jacket if needed for a fabulous look!

get the look:
pants
top
necklace
bracelet
shoes

Katie Holmes Look for Less <$106

I LOVE this look from Katie Holmes, it's perfect for a fall night out. I love how she paired the white blazer with the chambray shirt dress and a fun red belt. I also wouldn't mind having her lovely  braided updo!

Get the Look!
Dress
Tights
Belt
Blazer
Pumps

Go Utes!

In honor of this weekends fabulous game, we decided to come up with a Utah Utes "U" hairstyle.  (Sorry all of you BYU fans!)   :)  We had church the day after the game and we've had a friendly rivalry going on with some of our church members.  Of course, we had to rub in our victory just a bit!  :)  Our whole family wore red to church and we came up with this red "U" for my princess's hair.  *This is one hairstyle that I'm PLEASED to say was not well received by some!*

I started by dividing the hair in half with a part and we chose to do a zig-zag part.  Next, I pulled each side up into a ponytail and then finished them off with a 3-Strand Braid.  I secured each braid at the end with a clear elastic and then I took those elastics across to the opposite side and secured them into the top of the other braid.  I found the best way to secure them was to lift part of the original top elastic and feed the bottom end of the other through. 

 I then bobby-pinned the ends under the braids.  I wrapped some red ribbon around the two braids and tucked the ends of the ribbon through the elastics to hold it in place. 

 Our finishing touch were the coordinating ribbons.  :) 

For those of you that are BYU fans, you can check out this style:

I call it the Wish it was a "U" Instead of a "Y". 
It would be cute with blue ribbon wrapped around it as well. 

Selena Gomez Look For Less < $77

Here's a great look for a night out on the town as seen on Selena Gomez.  Love the taupe booties!

 image via people

Get the look:

top
jeans
shoes
bracelet
ring
lipstick

Friday's Film: Angel Halo

This is a fun hairstyle that is really quite simple but takes a couple times doing it to get used to the flow of it.  The original post on this is here: Angel Halo.

We've also used this concept for Halloween Hairdos: The Great Pumpkin

And for The Rose Bowl.

The more you practice this hairstyle the easier it is to get it looking perfect!

the IT list... September 16, 2011!

Friday already? Celebrate the weekend with some fun links!

• if I must say so  is rocking some fall boots and they look fabulous!  Have you whipped out your fall boots yet? (find if I say so  on twitter!)
• undeniable style has a perfect day in this darling outfit... do you ever have all the components of one day align just so? I love it when that happens! And I am in love with her shoes! (find undeniable style on twitter!)
• high heels and bubble gum pulls together the perfect Sunday outfit... how gorgeous is this ensemble? (find high heels and bubble gum on twitter!)
• the style dossier always has the best tutorials... I'm loving this make-up tutorial that they call "bold and metallic" - gorgeous! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• behind the dressing room door always has her eyes on the best sale items at Anthropologie.  I love this cute jacket - it's perfect for fall! (find behind the dressing room door on twitter!)
• 100 inspirations recreates this great denim on denim outfit that Katie Holmes wears for less!
• sweetie pie style is loving this mustard sweater - so am I!  See how she styles it three ways! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• fabulously average is seriously rocking the red pants - one of my all time favorite trends!  See how she wears them. (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl is headed back to school... what's your favorite part about back to school? Or favorite memory? (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• lex and learn rounds up her favorite black boots for fall... check out her gorgeous picks! (find lex and learn on twitter!)
• gs lillian just snagged a pair of gorgeous green loafers and I am totally crushing on them.  Head on over and drool over them with me! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy rounds up some really fun Peter Pan inspired eye candy - go check it out and then dream about being a kid forever! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• simply bold says all you need is love... or at least all you need is a cute "love" t-shirt!  I love this look!
• good life for less is one of the hosts for the luxe lotto... have you entered to win a Kate Spade handbag and a Coach necklace yet? Check it out! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less - for information on how you can be involved, click here!

Rachel Bilson look for less <$132

Rachel Bilson has such great style. She's a "go-to celeb" for new trends. For fall, I am a huge fan of red pants and leopard print accessories. In this look, Rachel does a great job of mixing patterns and wearing the seasons latest trends.

Get the Look:

Pants

Blouse

Lip Gloss

Heels

Clutch

Nail Polish

"Fan"cy

We were running a bit late for church this last week so we had to come up with a hairstyle that was fast!  We call this one "FAN"cy because it looks like a fan on top.  :)

Start by dividing the hair from one ear to the other and securing the top half into an elastic. 

 Now take a small section from that ponytail and bend it up in a horseshoe shape above the elastic.  Bobby pin it into place over the elastic. 

 Continue doing this with section of hair from the ponytail until all of your ponytail has been "horseshoed" and bobby pinned. 

 

You will end up with the ends from your ponytail hanging down over the remaining hair and a fan effect above the elastic. 

 Grab a hair clip to place over the bobby pins and hide them.  We've used some decorative hair pins here.  (Quite a few of them because my princess wanted them ALL in - you don't need this many to get the job done.)  :) 

 

This only took about 5 minutes to complete and we were ready to head out the door.