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Fashion Featured Thrifting

{OOTD} Thrifted Shirt Dress

I’ve been hanging out in the thrift store again. I had fallen off but the itch is coming back and with a vengeance…I mean seeing that I don’t have any more clothes I’ll be spending time in there out of necessity in the coming weeks. If you are new here I am a firm believer in high and low pieces co existing in fashion harmony.

My life has been much like the movie Groundhog Day lately. Wake up, school drop off, work, school pick up, homework, dinner, work, sleep…. REPEAT.

I said all of that to say, I’ve been in a bit of a fashion rut so I decided to stop in the Goodwill one day and came across this J.Jill shirt dress. It was a little big but seemed comfy and fit for the job of a WAHM so I swiped my card for $2 and some change and was on my way.

I think I like it.

J.Jill

J.Jill

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 Shirt Dress: J. Jill (thrifted) Necklace: Gift Belt: Nine West Shoes: Banana Republic Shades: Chloé

Featured Hair

Helpful Tips for Maintaining Vibrant Hair Color at Home

Busy moms often don’t have the time to go to the hairstylist a few times a month to have their hair washed and styled. Forget time, let’s talk about the coins involved in those bi weekly visits to the salon that some of us can’t reasonably part with when there are piano, swimming, dance and a host of other lessons and clubs to pay for.

I recommend going once every few months to get the major services done such as coloring, relaxers etc. and properly maintain through a healthy home hair regimen to hold you over between visits. Speaking of major services I desperately need to get my wayward, and roguish grays covered up, I’ll be heading back to the Louis Quarterman salon here in Atlanta to get my color refreshed, and I’m promising myself to take better care of my hair between visits using these awesome hair tips provided by Louis Quarterman on maintaining vibrant hair color between salon visits.

Louis Quarterman

Pick the proper products

Many shampoos and conditioners contain color-protecting ingredients tailored to your color and shade. Avoid any styling products that contain sulfate or alcohol listed in the top five ingredients. These ingredients tend to leave hair dry, brittle and dull causing the hair to prematurely fade and doesn’t retain color as long as healthy hair. Use Bumble and Bumble Color Minded Shampoo and Conditioner (these products are sulfate free, ultra-mild cleansers that protect color’s integrity and prolongs vibrancy and brilliance with our very own Color Preserving Complex, designed to prevent fading and eliminate color washout).

Using good quality hair color

Use hair color that is gel based and does not contain harsh chemicals. When choosing hair color look for products that have a reputation for achieving maximum results. For example we use recommend Wella color because you are able to achieve the look in one to two applications.

Hydration Treatment

Chemicals in hair dyes tend to dry out your hair. Treating yourself to a hydration treatment once a week will keep your hair silky and smooth. In a hydration treatment, the steam and heat cause the hair shaft to expand, thereby allowing the conditioner to truly seep in and do what it is designed to do. The steam will drive the conditioner deep into the hair, leaving it smooth and shiny. A hydration treatment is also a great treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp. The steam will infuse moisture into the scalp and the heat kills any fungus or bacteria causing the itching. The steam, in conjunction with the conditioner, is able to seal the moisture in and protect the hair from damage. This produces hair that is moisturized and in return the hair is able to hold styles longer.

Turn down the heat

Limit your use of curling irons, styling irons and blowing dryers as it is extremely important to protect your hair. Before you start using any of these styling tools always coat the hair in heat protectant product. By using this approach the hair is able to guard itself from heat damage. Though we suggest limiting the use of heat, if you must use heat for your desired style simply turn the heat half way down (your hair will thank you). We recommend using Bumble and Bumble Styling balm to protect the hair from heat/heat damage. This nourishing balm gives natural movement, control and luster. Heat and humidity protection and UV filters protect from the elements while our very own color preserving complex keeps tones true.

UV Protection

Protect your color/hair from the sun by using products that contain UV protection. One of the products we recommend is Bumble and Bumble Color Minded UV protective polish. Rub a pea sized amount across your finished tresses. This protective polish provides definition and illuminates hair color. UV filters, heat protection and our very own Color Preserving Complex protect and keep tones true.

While these tips are geared towards maintaining vibrant hair color they will also assist in keeping your hair healthy and protected.

 

Featured Photography

{#OurProject52} Black and White Photography

I love Baseball season, and that’s a good thing because it has been consuming our evenings as we try to make up all of the games we missed during the April monsoon last month. I can’t say I feel like my son is giving it all of his effort but he is having fun.

This is where my husband and I differ because he believes at this age he should really be trying harder than he is, but I figure my son is very academically inclined and maybe sports…or this sport is not his thing. We’ll be trying tennis in the Summer. I suppose we’ll keep trying sports out until we find the one that he seems very passionate about.

…or maybe it’s the fact that we allow them to spend more time indoors on electronics than playing outside with friends like we did as children. Playing or not, I’m convinced our athletic skills were sharpened as we played fun games of kickball and double dutch in the neighborhood.

Spring Baseball

 Tip: If you took a great photo but the color or the exposure seems off, turning the photo black and white won’t fix all of your problems but it may help save the photo. Trying darkening the blacks and playing with the saturation to get a look you desire.

Be sure to swing by and see Lashawn for her Black and White photo of the week. See you next week, where the theme is “Motherhood”

Project 52

See you next week!


Featured Living

Cleaning Out My Closet + Yard Sale Tips

Hi, my name is Mimi and I like to throw my clothes on the floor instead of hanging them up. I mean, really how much harder is it to take an extra 5 seconds to hang up your clothing than tossing it on the floor and having to take days to clean it up. This is the struggle I am facing trying to get some order in our master closet.

Because I am one to own up to my own transgressions all of this mess is because of me. My husband graciously tip toes around this mess to gather his neatly hung up things. I figured I should fix this mess before he goes HAM because if it was the other way around….you already know.

There is still a whole ton of chaos left in my closet but the light at the end of the tunnel is you can see the floor. That’s all I have. I’m going to be working with an organizing business to start looking at the best use of space in the small closet as we embark on finishing up the closet and the master bathroom that we started almost 2 years ago…..

So, there was some sort of method to this closet cleaning madness. I decided to start with the hanging clothes and remove the items that I haven’t worn, forgotten about, or can no longer fit. Tossed those on the bed. Then I sorted into a keep and give away pile.

The giveaway pile ended up being the things I put out at the yard sale.

Closet organization

Want to know what I learned about throwing a yard sale before you decide to embark on your own? Good, I have tips.

Garage Sale Tips

Garage Sale

  1. People won’t value your junk things like you will. If you think it’s worth more than $10 don’t put it out there. Save that for eBay or Craigslist.
  2. If you want to receive a certain price for something, tell the looking for nearly free 99 things patron a price $3 above. You MIGHT get somewhere close to what you want for the item.
  3. Be ready for the group deal. People will try to collect 5 things that should be priced at $15 all together and offer you $4 for the lot. If you really want to give it away, go ahead. If you don’t, be ready to counter and counter quick. Too much thinking is weakness for the seasoned yard sale haggler. I had someone try to offer me $4 for two never worn pair of shoes. NO MA’AM.
  4. Put children’s clothing up front and organize it well. People are always looking for kids clothes, the easier you make it for them to find the sizing they need the more they will buy.
  5. Have fun! I had one of my fellow baseball moms sit out with me. She sold a few of her own items. We sat in the shade and talked and laughed with the shoppers. I even met some of my neighbors.

 Ever thrown a yard sale? Have any additional tips to add?