Date Night by Melissa

Friday, May 17, 2013
Blazer: Forever 21 (similar) | T-Shirt: J.Crew (similar) | Pants: J.Crew (similar) | Shoes: Anthropologie (similar) | Jewelry: Portobello Road Market in London

Does pink and black sometimes feel really 80s to anyone? Meh - I still love it, and I made it more summery by bringing in my white pants! Okay, it's true I just really love my white pants. This was the latest date night outfit. (The last date night involved scrubs and suturing techniques. So fun.) How are you bringing your style into summer mode?

A Name and a Blessing

Thursday, May 16, 2013
Necklace: thrifted $3 (similar) | Shirt: c/o Choies | Belt: thrifted $2 | Skirt: thrifted $3 (similar) | Shoes: Vince Camuto $70 (similar) | Total = $78

I wore this the Sunday we blessed Grey. It was during the same weekend my family was here. It was nice to have them included for the baby blessing since my parents gave Grey his middle name (which is a Korean name). Traditionally in Korea, the grandparents name the grandchildren. My own paternal grandfather gave me my name. ("Elaine" isn't my legal name! My mom randomly picked it out of a baby book when I was 7 because I was tired of people mispronouncing my Korean name.) But since we're in America and I feel more American than Korean, we gave them his middle name. They still loved it. Win win!! So, tell me....who named you? and what inspired them?

You voted, and I bought the...

Wednesday, May 15, 2013
GOLD FLATS!


They won by one vote. You guys are tough!! But I'm glad I chose them. I'd probably get more use out of them than the pink ones. I actually had a pair of nude snakeskin flats from Wanted Shoes that I wore until they were shreds, so I think I'll get good wear out of these. Also, they were cheaper and we know how much of a cheapskate I am. Happy Mother's Day to me!! Hope you all had a fabulous Mother's Day and called your moms!

5 Steps to Defined Curls for Curly Hair by Kristina

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Frizzy hair--it is what it is. 
Frustrating. Annoying. Unmanageable and unruly.
Except when it isn't. 
I've been through every curly hair stage you can possibly imagine. I treated it the same as you would glossy, straight hair for years before I realized I probably should NOT brush it out dry...before I discovered what a world of difference a dab of mousse could make. I tried to deny its existence along with every other curly girl in the early 1990's. I've worn it so crunchy with product you could hear it crackle if you touched it. But all that came before I learned how absolutely fun and low-maintenance a head full of curls could make a girl's life.
I'm not one to mourn about how much I wish I had straight hair. I don't. But take it from me--great curls don't just happen (and I've got the bad yearbook pictures to prove it).
This is the regimen that works for me.

Oh. And one more thing. This only works on curly hair. I'm pretty sure you won't get the same results with beautiful, stick-straight hair...unless you get happy with a curling iron. HA.


I'm cheap, I know. But I use the generic brands for these products and whatever shampoo and conditioner left in the shower that my kids haven't emptied into the bath to create bubbles. 


Step 1: Start with clean, towel-dried hair. 


Step 2: Apply the gel into hair. I sorta press the product into my hair as opposed to full-on scrunching.  Focus on getting product on the roots since that's where you get the lift. I love the Biolage gelee product because it makes curls smooth but doesn't leave my hair sticky. 


Step 3:  Lightly coat all layers of hair with Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine spray--not just the top. You don't want the bottom layer to look limp.  Let air dry for 10 -15 minutes.


Step 4:  Use a hair dryer with a diffuser until hair is almost dry. I always use the cold air for a minute or two towards the end to reduce frizz and set curls. They should be soft to the touch, though maybe not as bouncy as they will be once completely dry.

Secret Tip: If you have air vents in your home, crank the heat up a bit and lie so your hair is spread out over the vent. You'll get the biggest and best curls ever by doing this. The power of all that diffused air makes my curls turn crazy awesome. I only use my hair dryer if it's absolutely too hot to turn on the heat for a few minutes. I promise, it works. Best curly girl secret...until now. 


Step 5:  When hair is completely dry, use your fingers to gently separate the curls and get a fuller look so they aren't matted together. Spray another light layer of Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine to hold. Enjoy the uniqueness that is you!


If you're still frustrated with your curly hair, read this post on why you should love it and how to care for it.

Nursery Wrinkles by Rebecca

Monday, May 13, 2013
thrifted Guess jacket (similar) | Ann Taylor top | Love, Audrey skirt | Bare Traps shoes | Sugar Pie Girl headband - c/o

See all those lovely wrinkles in that skirt of mine? Those are brought to you by two hours of sitting on the floor/little chairs in nursery. Seeing as we'll only be in this ward a few months while our house is being built, my husband and I were called to serve in the nursery at our church. Nursery can get a bad wrap sometimes but I've already decided that it's one of the best callings ever. Crying kid... go find their dad. Stinky kid... go find their mom. Happy kid... let's sit here and play and color and sing songs! Bored with those blocks? Here play with my headband! Problem solved.

I've decided I need to get back to wearing headbands more often. I have quite the collection that has its own collection.. of dust. I gave up on them for two reasons. First, all of the ones I had made me look young. That wasn't helping my cause starting out in the professional world. And two, they gave me headaches! Luckily, neither of those things apply to this headband from Sugar Pie Girl. It is so comfortable and the feather style doesn't feel childish. Though they also have some adorable styles for young girls. They're such a great price, I want to get one of each for my nieces! In the meantime, I'm thinking this feather headband would be perfect to wear the opening night of Great Gatsby. If only I had that old flapper dress I used to dress up in as a kid..

Sugar Pie Girl sent Rebecca the Florence headband for this review and outfit post. Visit them to see their other headbands and flower pins.