Color-Melted Blonde

I love my hairdresser! Good ones are not easy to find. Before I started going to mine about two years ago, I went through five. That probably sounds crazy but I want my hair to look good! There's nothing worse than spending hours in a chair and paying a chunk of change, only to be disappointed with the outcome. When I found Cheree at Natural Concepts an AVEDA Salon in Glendora, CA. I was sold on her coloring skills!

I'm always blonde but decided I wanted to try something new for fall so Cheree worked her magic and added some darker hues to my platinum locks. The result is a sombre look that is best described as color-melted hair. As opposed to the hard lines of ombre, this technique is softer, more seamless transition of hues.

What I love about this look is the variation of rich color. In certain angles I look like a light brunette and in others I still appear blonde. The dimension is amazing. I don't know how Cheree did it, but I am definitely sticking with this look for awhile!

If you live in Southern California, Natural Concepts is in a fairly central location from the Pasadena, Inland Empire, and Orange County areas. Call Cheree to hook you up with the gorgeous look!

Chop, Chop!

I've had long hair most of my life. I cut it shoulder length when I was 12 and it took years to grow back! When I go to the salon I only get about an inch trim every other visit because I'm so obsessed with the length. Well, I should say used to only get a trim...

Because I woke up one day last week and decided to cut it short! I called the salon that morning, they had an appointment a few hours later, and before I could think about it or back out I did this:

It's a long A-line bob! My hair looks longer in these pictures than it is, the angle is misleading. The side view is pretty accurate though. SEVEN inches were chopped off and I refreshed the ombre to be softer. Even though my hair is lighter overall, I feel like it's darker so I'm getting used to the color just as much as the cut.

It's been pretty shocking. I can't really put my hair in a ponytail, fishtail braids aren't an option, and I feel like it has way more volume due to a few layers she cut underneath. I think I may actually be experiencing frizz for the first time in.my.life. Funny enough, I was more confident two summers ago when I had blue ombre hair!

Everyone keeps telling me they love it. I will, eventually. I'm in the shock stage right now. It's been EIGHTEEN years since my hair was that short. It's a huge change for me. I think when I finally figure out how to master the curling wand I'll love the 'do more. I adored it when I left the salon, so styling it properly is a must. Here are a few more shots of my hair (in outdoor lighting) right after I left the salon.

That Awkward Moment

I don't go to movies often because they're expensive and I'm cheap (more on that in a sec) but I've been wanting to see That Awkward Moment so Saturday night I went with two of my sorority sisters/college roommates. I mean, a grown up Zac Efron, yes please!

I thought the movie was a straight up comedy, but it was a romantic comedy so it wasn't exactly what I expected. I thought I'd be cracking up the whole time. It was good, just different than I expected. If you're a fan of the former High School Musical stud and go in knowing it's also a romantic(ish) film, I think you'll enjoy it and you def won't feel like you've wasted money on a movie.

Let's be real, with the price of movies, who want to risk paying for a one that ends up being lousy? Most of the time I just wait for films to come out on DVD. But I love the experience of a theater. This year I've seen exactly ZERO Oscar-nominated movies. That sucks! BUT I just found a great solution for movie lovers, MoviePass.

It's a card that you pay for monthly, with an annual membership, that allows you to go to the movies an unlimited amount of times with no blackout dates. And it's easy to use, just download the app, check into the theater and movie you want to see, and use your MoviePass VIP card to pick up your ticket at the kiosk. Simple. And there's still time to catch up on all of the Oscar-nominated films.

Sounds pretty awesome right? Well stay tuned because I have a MoviePass giveaway coming up!

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June's Been Good So Far

I'm liking June so far. This month has been good to me. In the last two weeks I've spent time getting pampered, experiencing LA's culinary treasures, and taking in the beautiful Southern California sunsets. Here's a little peek of what I've been up to...

{updated subtle ombre}

{new cocktails and delicious food}

{beautiful California oceanside sunsets}

Your turn. Link up and meet new friends! Here's how it works:

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The key to a good hair day...

Being lazy! For me, I curl my hair when I don't want to wash it. Sanitary I know. Although my hair curls well when clean, the curls seem to last longer when I haven't just washed my hair. And skipping washing and blow drying saves me a good 30 minutes. I am all in for sleeping in late!

So here's a little secret: I haven't washed my hair since Tuesday. Shh!

A Weekend Update...Update

Sad news this Monday morning :( Today is the first Weekend Update without our beloved Dana. She's retired from hosting the linkup. Girlfrand is a busy lady and although Sami and I are upset going to miss her not hosting with us, we are happy for her to be able to spend the extra time with her little guy who turns 1 this month! She'll still blog, but just not as frequently.

Since it's just Sami and I, we have a new button, created by the talented Aubrey of Kinch Life Designs! Please be sure to use this button for future linkups.

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Now onto to my oh so exciting weekend! I got a root canal Friday and today go back for the second half of the procedure, the temporary crown. As a result, I didn't do much this weekend. I did get my hair done at least, though. After my blue ombre hair, I was feeling bored with blonde. For a second I considered going dark but decided against it and went with ombre. That satisfied my indecisiveness since my new 'do is brown and blonde.

What did you do this weekend? Link up with me and my co-host Sami of Sami's Shenanigans and tell us all about it. We just ask that you follow these rules:

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I'm off to Chicago!

Tomorrow I hop on a plane and head to Chicago! I get to spend three glorious days having the ultimate weekend with my Weekend Update co-hosts Dana of five30three and Sami of Sami's Shenanigans. Dana and Sami already had plans for an epic meetup and then they were sweet enough to invite me! We're also spending time with Mrs. Chris of Chubbette Tales! It's my first time in Chicago and although I am super scared of the cold weather (LA doesn't get colder than the 50s...when it's REALLY cold), I'm really eager to meet the ladies and see the sights.

Now jumping back to yesterday - yeah I'm all over the place - I am proud to announce that I had a good hair day. You know that feeling when you wear a new outfit or your makeup just looks right? That was me yesterday. Curls and bows.

In other news, we started the Biggest Loser at work two weeks ago. As of last night, I've lost 5 lbs-ish. I keep weighing myself with boots on after breakfast so I may have lost 6. I allowed myself a bit of Thanksgiving cheating and plan on a few cheats in Chiacgo, but overall I'm sticking to eating healthy (1200 calories and cutting sugar) and exercising three times a week (at least the first week I was exercising). IF I lose the most I get $200. Wish me luck!

And lastly, who is pumped for the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection? On Saturday Dana and Sami have plans to do some damage at the debut. I may or may not make a purchase. I'm still trying to save after my Australia trip earlier this month plus pay for three root canals which alone cost nearly $2,000 :( If I were to buy something, I wouldn't mind the Prabal Gurung Cape!

Finally linking up with my favorite sorority sister who I've never met, (yes, same sorority, Delta Zeta, but at a different school!) Shanna of Because Shanna Said So.

      Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, Business of Fashion and Chic and Glamourous 

My Last Weekend Update Before Australia

This weekend was spent, packing, stressing, packing, then stressing some more. Why? Because today I am off to Australia for three weeks.

But before we talk about today, let's talk this past weekend. Mine started off on Thursday (mentally) because I booked a flight to Chicago!! I'm going to stay with my lovely Weekend Update co-host Dana, and Sami, my other equally lovely Weekend Update co-host will be there, too! Talk about the ultimate Weekend Update! Sami threw around a the idea of a vlog featuring us three hosts so hopefully that happens. While I'm there we get to hang out with one of my favs, Chris of Chubbette Tales...Life After Spanx and hopefully I'll get to see more Chicago ladies like Stephanie of Bourbon and Glitter! So.Super.Excited.

On Friday I went to dinner with IRL-friend-turned-blogger, Kathrin of Shop.School.Sleep., in our hometown for sushi. Much needed after my brutal work week, and my upcoming trip.

My Friday outfit

Saturday I got my hair done. Thanks for everyone's opinions, ultimately I decided to go back to blonde, and re-dip dye my hair when I return if I am still into it. So many foils were needed to get rid of the blue! I am loving being a complete blonde again.

Before and After

 

And now I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for Australia! While I'm gone I have some great posts in store. Here's the schedule for the rest of the week:

Tuesday - guest post by Shanna Because Shanna Said So

Wednesday - guest post by Chris of Chubbette Tales...Life After Spanx

What did you do this weekend? Link up with my co-hosts Sami of Sami's Shenanigans, Dana of five30three, and me and tell us all about it. We just ask that you follow these rules:

1. Blog about your weekend.

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Dip Dye Mania

Earlier this summer I spied Demi Lovato's dip dyed hair and fell in love. It was already a trend, but popping up sporadically (thank you Clueless for that word ;) and not mainstream yet. I have always wanted to dye my hair a crazy color and finally decided to go for it. So using Demi as my muse I went to my hair stylist and asked her to recreate this look.

Source: dakotahrae.buzznet.com via Leeann on Pinterest

That was back in July. My hair wasn't identical, but it was different and vibrant and I loved it. Because the color fades within two weeks, the second time around I requested a few purple strands for a brighter look. Again, I loved it but I hated the washed out look. I feel like Demi rocks it way better than me.

This is what my hair currently looks like. Totally blah. Super faded and a greenish color.

And now this is happening...

Source: Uploaded by user via Leeann on Pinterest

Did you watch The Voice this week? Christina Aguilera also has teal tips, but I couldn't find a picture.

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Dip dye hair is all the rage. Both Xtina and Britney have recently been seen with bright locks. Personally, I still like Demi's the best (who has also rocked a pink version). It's even catching on for the everyday person, which I have mixed feeling about. On one hand it's nice that people are getting used to the trend and not looking at me like a freak. BUT, on the other hand, I liked being unique, and the first of anyone I know or saw in-person with dip dyed hair. Yes, I'm that way. I like trends but once they are too popular I want no part of them. However it's still not that popular.

Here's where my dilemma comes in. This weekend I need to dye my hair before my Australia trip. I was all set to bleach my hair back to blonde because I don't want my hair to look faded in my vacation pictures, and frankly, because what if in 20 years when I look back at my photos I think that they are cute except from that crazy hair I was sporting? But I also love all of the compliments that I get on my hair. Even faded and washed out, people respond to it positively.

So do I dye it and live in the moment, but with fear that in a few weeks I will hate the faded look? Do I just move on, knowing that I was a part of the trend's beginning and it was a good run? OR do I bleach it blonde for the trip then come back and dip dye again (to be hair dresser's horror, I'm sure)?

Thoughts are greatly appreciated because I really don't know what to do with my hair come Saturday's appointment.

Dove’s Intensive Repair Conditioner

Hair products are always something I struggle with. I never know if I need to buy the most expensive products or if the drugstore brands at reasonable prices are acceptable to use. As a result I seem to have a mixture of the two. Aside from shampoos and conditioners bought from salons, I don’t really have anything else. This is simply because there are so many options. How do you choose?

Enter BlogHer and Dove. I was contacted to review Dove’s Intensive Repair Conditioner. This is perfect – I’d never used Dove conditioner and I legitimately am overwhelmed any time I try to go to the store to buy hair care.

The first thing I noticed upon using the conditioner is that it smells great. It’s a clean, fresh and not overpowering. Next, I was pleased with the fact that it made my hair nice and smooth. I HATE having to brush my hair after wetting it because it gets really knotted (probably from all of the hair dye). Not the case anymore with this conditioner! I was able to comb through my long hair without suffering from knots getting tangled and pulled out by my brush. That alone makes me a return customer. But wait, it gets better.

The conditioner makes my hair so soft. Each time I use it I literally catch myself touching my hair for hours after. You know how your hair feels amazing after leaving the salon and you can’t help but “pet” it? That’s the feeling that I get from Dove’s Intensive Repair Conditioner.

I literally have zero complaints about this product. No joke.

I know, the part you were dreading, the price of such a wonderful conditioner. Well a bottle is going to set you back…wait for it…$5 (at Target). Wait, what? Yup, 5 dolla! Sold. Sign me up.

So why the heck have I been buying salon products for all of these years? Because I’m a sucker. This is proof that you don’t always have to pay a small fortune for a great product.

Next time I go to the store I’m stocking up on more Intensive Repair Conditioner. I’m also excited to try one of their shampoos out. I'm also excited about the following giveaway sponsored by BlogHer.

*  *  *  *  *

Enter to win a $1,000 Spafinder gift certificate! 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to this Promotion prompt: What beauty product did you recently try that you were pleasantly surprised with?

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/4/2012 - 9/30/2012

Be sure to visit Dove^®Hair.com to get a coupon for $1.50 off Dove Hair Therapy products.

Disclaimer: Although I was given Dove’s Intensive Repair Conditioner for free my thoughts are 100% my own.

Bright Blue

Announcement: due to Labor Day next Monday we're pushing next week's Weekend Update link up to Tuesday, September 2. Be sure to join us a day later for the blog hop!

Now let's focus on this past weekend for Weekend Update with my co-hosts Dana of five30three and Sami of Sami's Shenanigans. My highlight: getting my hair re-dyed! This time I went a bit darker, added more color, and had my hairdresser throw in some dark purple pieces. I love the way it looks when the colors are fresh and vibrant.

BTW, I don't randomly spend hours taking pictures of myself. I just wanted to get some good shots of my hair :)


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What did you do this weekend? Link up and tell us all about it. We just ask that you follow these rules:

1. Blog about your weekend.

2. Add the badge (above) to your post.

3. Add the blog post link to the linkup below.

Pretty easy right? Once you link up be sure to visit other blogs and make friends. Some pretty awesome people link up each week!