Sweet Childhood Memories

I like to look back on a few things that truly made me happy when I was little. 

[The farm my Grandparents owned in Mud Lake]

[The smell of rain in the country and puddles]

[Horses]

[Baby lambs]

[Hiking/Camping/Mountains]

[Cowboy boots]

[Wildflowers]

[Fresh rasberries from my mother's garden]

[Eating rhubarb with neighboorhood friends]

[Sleeping on the trampoline under the stars]

 

[The comfort of two old friends]

"Childhood is not from birth to a certain age and at a certain age the child is grown, and puts away childish things. Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. Nobody that matters, that is."-Edna St Vincent Millay

*Kelsey

(Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos.  They belong to their appropriate owner unless stated otherwise.)

Hair Food

What do you use on your hair?  I am a complete hair care/product junkie.  I love testing new shampoos/conditioners/hair masks/leave ins/ect. to see which one will give me the best results.  Recently I have been mixing Salon purchased products with store bought products and have the about same result as when I used only salon based products. 

That being said I do want to stress that I always use salon shampoos on my hair.  I find that salon shampoos are less harsh when it comes to cleaning my hair and most salon shampoos tend to leave my hair feeling less dried/frizzy after wash.  I am currently using Italy HairFashion Purity Design Pure Shampoo.  I having been using this shampoo for 6 months now.  I love the way it makes my hair feel super clean after washing.  I've also noticed that it helps to hold my hair color longer.  I'm unsure as to the exact price of this product (my amazing bf got it for me) but these can only be purchased within a salon so the price will differ.    

    
I have, since moving down here, been using Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Conditioner.  You can purchase this literally anywhere.  What I love about it is how it protects the ends of my hair from feeling dry and damaged in the heat.  The conditioner is very light weight and smells amazing.  I think thats a huge reason why I love it so much and the fact that I only paid $6 for a 23 oz doesn't hurt either!   

About once a every two weeks I clarify my hair.  I usually use a quarter/dime size amount and work it into my scalp.  I try to avoid the tips of my hair because I don't like stripping my ends that much.  Alot of hairstylist try to stress doing a clarifier because a clarifing shampoo will remove any product buildup on your scalp.  If you are a avid hair color enthusiast, like myself, it helps to clarify you hair before getting it dyed for a more vibrant color job.  Since I am a color dye freak I usually look for a clarifier that is specifically made for colored hair.  Currently I am using Italy HairFashion Chelating Treatment Shampoo.  I am pretty sure I spent $11 and have had this product for a few months now.

After I get out of the shower I use two different products before I do my hair.  I use Italy HairFashion Color Loc spray to help protect my colored hair from fading (I got this free from my amazing hair stylist).  I also use Marrakesh Oil on my ends.  Let me just go into saying that I am a huge fan of Marrakesh Oil but this product is alot more expensive (around $20 for 2 oz bottle) but it is worth its weight in gold.  I love the earthy/incent smell and it leaves my hair feeling like silk after its applied.  I really love this product too because it can be applied to wet or dry hair.  I usually use it after I shower then again the following day on my ends.  Also, I tell everyone about this product because I find it works in any or all hair types.

I know reading back through you might be saying to yourself, 'She sure does use alot of one brand for being a hair product junkie'.  This has only been a recent, within the past year, development.  Since moving my new hairstylist is a Italy seller/carrier and only sells this product in her salon making it hard to find any other products that I swear by. 



*Kelsey
        

Vans Warped Tour

Spent a very hot Saturday at Vans Warped Tour.  Laid around right before Warped Tour debating if standing in the 100+ heat was worth it for hours on end (once admitted to Warped Tour you cannot leave with the hopes of reentering!  eek!).  In the end we decided to go.  It was super hot, tons of sweaty people, really dirty but we had an amazing time.  The music was great and it was so worth going.  Till next year!

{Hair style for Show}

{Band Line Up}



{3OH!3, A Day To Remember, Every Avenue}

{Us extremely hot}

{We stopped for Sushi on the way home and gave the cats a treat}

*Kelsey

Half Moon Manicures

I've been seeing alot these days in magazines and pictures of people rocking the half moon (aka the bad girl) manicures.  I have fallen completely in love with this look so thence I started the quest on trying to do it myself.  I found this handy/easy way of doing them on a blog and it works very well (Once I remember the blogger's page I will give them credit). 

What you will need:

• Two different color nail polishes (your choice)
• One clear top coat polish
• Q-Tips
• Nail Polish Remover
• Scissors
• Paper Hole Reinforcements

For my two color picks I used Sinful Colors Professionals nail polishes.  First I used Sinful Colors Professional 940 Rise and Shine (sea green/turq color) as the top coat color and Sinful Colors Professional 842 Out of This World (silver) as the base coat/half moon color.

 

1.) I started out by applying Out of this World on the whole nail.  I did two base coats and let the color dry completely.

2.) I then took the Paper Hole Reinforments and cut one single row in half to create half circles.  Then I applied the half circle onto the very lower half of my nails.  These should be around were your natural moon is on your nails. 

3.)  After making sure that the Hole Reinforcements were in the lower half moon spot and secured well (rub the corners down really well) I applied Rise and Shine to the top half of my nails.  I did two coats of this color.  Note: You don't have to be to careful about avoiding getting the top nail color on the stickers because the stickers will protect the base color underneath. 

4.) When the top coat was half way dry remove the stickers.  This will give you a chance to fix any problems you see with the shapes and also be able to pat down the top coat color that peels up alittle before it's completely dry.  This is also the time I use my Onxy Professionals 100% Pure Acetone nail polish remover along with Studio 35 Dual Tip Applicators Q-tips to clean up polish on my skin.  Warning: I really love using the Onxy because it is a very strong polish remover, but be careful were you use this remover.  It takes off varnish/polish on furniture if spilled.      

5.)  After the top coat color is completey dry I finished the look with China Glaze 914 Fast Foward Top Coat.  This gave it a nice shine while helping to protect the nails against chip.  I found it nessecary to use a glaze coat because Sinful Professionals Colors seem to always dry into a matte finish. 

I love using bright colors for summer but dark colors will also look great together.  However, I do want to stress that this takes some practice.  The first time I did this the nails did not turn out the way I'd hoped so don't get discouraged if your nails do not turn out well first shot. 

Sidenote:  I did my friend's nails using Sinful Colors Professional 842 Out of This World and OPI Simmer and Shimmer (glitter) with China Glaze 914 Fast Foward Top Coat.  It turned out really cute so I wanted to include the picture below! 



*Kelsey

Burt's Bees Review

Before starting this review I'd just like to say that I probably have an unhealthy addiction to this company.  You can find any one of these products in my purse, car, desk, bathroom counter, or nightstand at any given point. With that being said I have a few of their products I'd like to review. 

First is the Beeswax Lip Balm.  The claim: "This natural lip balm is loaded with coconut and sunflower oils, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, to nourish, condition and soften lips. Beeswax seals in hydration. We've even added peppermint oil for a refreshing tingle." 

My Verdict: I really love this chap stick and I have been using this product for years now.  This is my go to product when my lips feel dry, cracked, or just plain trashed.  This chap stick goes on clear and is light weight.  The cooling sensation you get on you lips after appyling is very soothing and a big selling point for me.  This particular product sells for around $3 and can last for a very long time (I bought this a few months ago, use it every single day and still have more than half the tube left).

Second is the Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry.  The claim: "Superfruit, açaí berry, provides free radical fighting antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as healthy Omega oils, giving your lips a rejuvenating experience with a rich, sweet flavor."

Verdict: For me it works the same is the original chapstick (above).  The Rejuvenating lip balm goes on smooth with a nice light coat.  Unlike the above chapstick this lip balm does not have the refreshing tingling sensation after.  It works for nourishing my lips but for me the smell is off putting.  It comes off like a medicated melony smell and not so much like an acai berry smell.  In the end it is still a great chap stick (sold for $3) but I probably will not be re-buying this particular one again.

Next is Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm.  The claim: "Care for your lips with beautiful, sheer color. Our new tinted balms give you a hint of color with a soft, sweet flavor and natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips."

Verdict: These are fastly becoming one of my go to summer products.  I currently own the Honeysuckle tint and Rose tint.  The Honeysuckle comes in the tube looking more of a golden brown color, but when applied to the lips becomes a nice soft nude.  The Rose tint is very dark red inside the tube but applies to a stained natural redish color on the lips.  I love both tints, because they work well with my olive skin color while keepin my lips feeling soft and nourished during these hot summer days.  Another big bonus is the fact that the tinted balms look super natural on your lips once applied and feel so natural.  However, these tints are a little more pricey, around $7 a tube, but I find it worth the buy.

Finally on to the scrub.  I currently own the Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub.  The claim: "This luxurious body scrub gently exfoliates to leave skin silky and soft. A deliciously sweet blend of cranberry seeds and pomegranate oil combine with natural sugar crystals and shea butter to gently polish and condition skin leaving it feeling healthy, smooth and glowing, naturally."



Final Verdict: I really like this body scrub for being a lower price end scrub ($13).  I use it once a week to soften my skin.  It has a very strong sweet smell once opened but once applied to skin it becomes less overwhelming.  The crystals are not as course as alot of body scrubs out there but it still has the strength of giving a great exfoliating scrub.  If you are looking for a heavy exoliating scrub this particular scrub probably won't be for you, but for someone like me who has alittle more sensitive skin it works wonders. 

All products reviewed can be found on the website below or at your local store.  (Disclaimer: I was not paid to do this review.  The pictures and thoughts are my own.)

http://www.burtsbees.com/

*Kelsey

    

Photos from Austria

I know I wrote a posting about my trip recently but I wanted to share some pics from Vienna as well.  I took over 300 photos while we were there. Here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!



*Kelsey