A Hair Mask on a Dime

As someone with long, naturally curly hair, I have tried my fair share of hair products. On thing that I couldn't bring myself to buy was a hair mask. I was afraid that they would make my hair oily and weighed down. While I look at many hair masks at the store, I finally decided to make my own. I did a lot of research before attempting anything. Many hair masks use different fruits like mango and banana. Coconut Oil is another common ingredient. One thing that I quickly notice was that almost all hair mask have two ingredients in common: honey and olive oil. Olive oil is used to tame the fizz and give the hair shine. The honey is used to hold in moisture. Mixing these ingredient creates the simplest hair masks with little fuss. I love this hair mask and use about once a week to keep my hair shiny and healthy!

This is how you do it:
The first step is to wet your hair or make in damp. Then in a small bowl or cup mix 2 parts Olive Oil and  1 part Honey. The amount you use will all depend on how much hair you have. Whisk the ingredient together. The honey and Olive Oil won't mix together super well but just mix enough so that when you apply it to the hair you get a little bit of both. And now the fun part! Apply to your hair. Once apply to your whole head, either braid your hair or put your hair in a bun and wait from 30 to an hour. Wash your hair throughly after and style you hair as you normally would.

hurry up and get here

John Mayer's music has always spoke to me. It something about his lyrics and rhythm but I find his music relatable. A few years ago, I found this live concert version of Love Song for No One I love what he has to say about dating and relationship. 

spring basics: makeup

Spring means a good excuse to buy new makeup. Last week I made a quick stop at my local drugstore and a cheeky stop at the Clinique counter to stock up on some new makeup for spring. The first thing I wanted to pick up was some new nail polish. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear is one of the few nail polishes that I can truly say is long lasting and is my first pick when choosing new polish colors. I picked up the colors Mint Sorbet and Coral Reef. Both colors are perfect for spring. Mint Sorbet is the great spring pastel and compliments most skin-tones especially lighter skin. Coral Reef is a great go with anything color and I couldn't help picking up. 

Every season, I try to pick up a new foundation so that I'm wearing something that is too light or too dark for my current skin tone. For spring, I pick up Clinique's Even Better in 02 Fair. This foundation is light but has good coverage plus spf 15. I'm excited to see if this we help reduce so of my acne scars. As for eyes, I like to keep it basic as the weather gets warmer. Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink with a delicate cat eye gives a lovely retro look and it's quick. For the cat eye liner, I love Nyx's Super Skinny Marker! It does not move until you want it to! It's is perfect for warmer weather if you struggle with getting panda eyes or creasing on the lid. Lastly, I pick up to new lip colors. In the summer, I like to stick to nudes. The less fuss the better in my opinion. Rimmel's Let's Get Naked and Maybelline's Color Whisper in Coral Ambition are both great nudes. Both are very moisturizing and don't feel like you are wearing lipsticks. 

i'm the hero

I saw this phrase on tumblr the other week and thought everyone needs to hear this every once in awhile. It good to be reminded that we are the ones that control our lives and we don't need others to pick us up or fix our problems.

Fall in Love

I found this quote on my friends tumblr and was struck by it. (She runs the blog colormecaitie. blogspot) This is one of those quote that I hope to live my life by. I wanted to fall in love with being alive everyday. It reminds me to be thankful for the little things like new flowers outside my house and the perfect cup of coffee with a good friend. Life is a beautiful thing and it should be something that we all fall in love with. 

Weekly Pick: The Great Gatsby

This week, The Great Gatsby with Leonardo Dicaprio and Carey Mulligan has added to HBO's movie list.  It made for a great start to my week. I had only seen the movie once before and didn't really pay attention. So this time, I gave the movie my full attention. Baz Luhrmann's version of the F. Scott's Fitzgerald's most well know book is very interesting. I can see why some people don't like the movie at all considering the rap music playing over scenes of 1920's dancing and parties. I, personally, like the mix of contemporary music and historic dress and setting. Leonardo Dicaprio is an excellent Jay Gatsby. He really embodies what I thought Jay Gatsby would act and look like. The only thing that I was a little put off by was that Luhrmann added a extra bit about Jay and Daisy having an affair. I feel like it was unneeded. Otherwise, The Great Gatsby will be added to my list of favorite period dramas. The scenery and costums are beautiful. It's really beautiful movie to watch even if you aren't a fan of the book.  

Spring Outfit Idea No. One

Polyvore is one of my favorite site to find inspiration for outfit ideas. This spring, I'm excited to wear maxi skirts again. My personal favorite type of maxi skirt are black pleated ones. They have a slimming and elongating effected, and for someone that is short like me, it an awesome plus.  I love to pair maxi skirts with a more fitted top like a oxford button up. This one from J-Crew is something that I have added to my fashion wish list. The pull-over style of the shirt is a fun change from the standard button-down. Spring and Summer is not complete without a great pair of flip flops. Rainbows are my personal favorite. I love how that mold to your feet and have a unbelievably long life span. I have one pair for over 2 years! They are worth the investment if you are an avid flip flop wearer. 

As for jewelry,  I like to keep it simple. I make a lot go the bracelets I wear. I like to make friendship bracelets while watching tv or a movie. I like to offset the look of the casual friendship bracelets with a more structured piece like a watch. And lastly I complete all my looks with my trusty Cambridge Satchel. It is the perfect bag to go with any outfit. I can't wait to rock a similar outfit once the weather gets warmer in Baltimore.

flaws

Bastille is my new obsession. I have been listening to their newest album on repeat from the moment I discovered it about a month ago. One thing that I have really loved about there music is their lyrics. Flaws by Bastille has been a song that I really admired that lyrics to the song. Bastille has been able to convey a very simple truth into a beautiful. We all have flaws and accepting them is the first step to accepting someone else flaws.  

Check out this Acoustic version: Bastille-Flaws

Weekly Pick: Call the Midwife

I'm a totally sucker for anything historical and british so it was only a matter of time before I watched Call the Midwife on Netflix. Last week, I was looking for something new that I could binge watch after work on Netflix and this tv shows was popping up in several of my list of suggested tv shows on Netflix. While I'm not one for watching medical dramas or shows about baby's being born, I figured why not give it a try. I almost instantly became addicted to Call the Midwife. I believe I watched 3 episode the night I discovered it. 

The show chronicles the lives of young midwives living in the East End of London during the 1950s. It confronts the poverty of the area, changes in social norms, and a little of finding love. Besides for the addicting plot line,  the costumes and makeup are wonderful. If you are a lover of British costumes drama, give it a try. Seasons 1 & 2 are on Netflix and PBS will be airing Season 3 starting March 30. 

Learn more about the show at pbs.com

spring basics: clothes

I'm all about simplicity and comfort when it comes to clothes. Because of my love for simplicity, I tend to have a signature outfit for every season. I think that it's important to find any outfit that you are comfortable in and feel confident in and you can always spice it up from there. Here are a couple items that I think will quickly become my staples for this spring.

1. A warm scarf is an essential to spring in Baltimore. I particularly love tapestry scarf that you can find at open air markets or at train stations. These two have been staples in my wardrobe since I bought them.  I think they add that unique edge to an outfit because no one else will have an scarf quite like yours. 

2. V-neck tees have been a go to item for me since I discover Target boyfriend t-shirt. They have just enough of a v to show off any necklace but not too low that you have to wear a tank top underneath. I think v-neck t-shirt are perfect for causal days out for that sleek but effortless look. I have also recently pick up this v-neck from T.J. Maxx's which has a subtle pattern to it which adds a little bit of flair to a plain shirt.

3. I discovered Superga when I was living in Florence when I was college. While I didn't buy any while I was there, I feel in love with the look of them. I snatch up these last years and they have quickly became my go-to causal shoe. 

4. Now this jacket from JCrew I had been eyeing up for about a year before I caught it on sale at an outlet store. The Downtown Field Jacket was a great investment for this upcoming spring. While it is on the pricer side, I think this jacket goes with any outfit and adds that carefree look that I look. I will defiantly be sporting this often this spring.

5. This is a first for me in a couple of years but jeans are my go to bottoms for me right now. Normally, I'm that girl that lives in leggings with skirts, dress, and long sweaters, but lately I have been loving the classic look of jeans. I think they are easy to go from day to night with the change of footwear and a jacket. Currently, I've been loving American Eagle's Skinny Jean in the Dark Indigo Wash. They have the right amount of stretch to be comfortable for all day wear but don't stretch out after one day of wear. 

a good novel

Good Morning and Happy Monday! As always, the weekend seems to fly by and it's already back to the start of the work week. The weathers in Baltimore is finally starting to warm up and allow for enjoying a cup of coffee outside and some time with an old friend or good book. This spring, I have made  a goal for myself to spend less time inside watching tv which was so easy to do this winter with temperatures below freezing! One thing I love to do in the nice weather is grab a latte from a local coffee (Dooby's Coffee is a personal favorite of mine), find a bench, and read. This quote for Northanger Abbey always reminds me of the importance of reading for pleasure and taking time to get lost in a story.

The Cure for Downton Abbey Withdrawal.

Happy Friday, Everyone! So Season Finale of Downton Abbey premiered in the United States on February 23rd and I personally think that it ended far to soon. While I struggling through my Downton Abbey withdraw, I stumbled upon this book on my mom's book shelf called American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. This book is set at the turn of the 20th Century around the time that Cora would have meet the Earl of Grantham. So the book does not have the thrills of the roaring 20s but has all the charm of the Glided Age. 

Without giving too much of the story away, the book following the tale of Cora Cash, a rich American heiress to a flour empire, traveling to England and falling in love with a broke Duke of Wareham, Ivo.  The story chronicles their romance, Cora's adjustments to life in England, and questions the Duke's intentions about marrying Cora, a rich American heiress. 

I'm only half way through this book and I'm already hooked. I find myself reading it every chance I get. Check it out at goodreads.