For Yourself Friday: Sass That Do

Okay, for those of you currently in SS, you know I had big plans for a blog devoted to some fun hairstyles.  After several frustrations along the way, I will be sticking to other peoples expertise.  I have not cut or trimmed my hair in over a year, and I have been using baby wash as shampoo for a week since I haven't made it to the store to buy more.  I am CLEARLY no guru in the hair department!  Alas, I do know a good Do when I see one, and I can spot a attainable one from a mile away.

Here are my top three simple styles that are great for summer.  Each can be worn for a day at the beach, or a night on the town.  All can be worn up OR down, and all are super simple looks to achieve!!

1)  Middle Part:

I used to DESPISE the middle part.  It has been on a hiatus for quite some time, but it is definitely making a come back.  You can go for a more sleek look

or texturize it a bit, depending on the vibe you are going for.

With the middle part, you can do a low or high ponytail, braid, or bun.  It is super versatile and can be worn both casual or dressy.

2)  Pomp:

The pomp is fun, flirty, and a little bit of a throwback.  

It can also be worn with almost any hairstyle as well as can be more dramatic depending on how much height you give it.  

3) Exotic Bun:

Okay, buns in general are really in the forefront in all things fashion these days, and the messy/texturized top knot seems to be getting all the love.  It's sister, the slicked back bun, deserves some serious street cred as well!

Unlike the top knot, the slicked back bun doesn't have quite the same effect if it is positioned too high on your head.  I would opt to go super low,

or somewhere in the middle.

This look just screams for a night out salsa dancing!  Add a great red lip, and you will be CALIENTE!!

Let us know if you try out one of these three looks!  Share a pic, and let us know what you think.  Do you already style your hair this way?  Share Share Share!!

Insulted Soul

I mean, right?!!!!!

Why are we not doing this more?  All we have been told and taught is a product of so many things.  We are influenced by pop culture, family, peers, mentors, etc.  Some of it we accept as fact and truth without a second thought.  That needs to STOP!  We need to take a second to reassess all that we 'know' and determine what might need to be dismissed.  Conformity is contagious but heightening our self awareness to ensure we aren't simply accepting majority rules is essential to being an individual.  Take the reins back to your soul!  If something doesn't seem to align with your instincts, dismiss or distance it from your life.  

A few years back we bought our first home.  It was something of a blank canvas to us and I was initially overwhelmed (I am still overwhelmed with all the projects that pop into my head, but that's the joy of being a homeowner!).  Right away I began scouring the internet (most specifically Pinterest, lets be real).  I found so many ideas of things that seemed to be what you were supposed to do.  The perfectly orchestrated living room, everything with a purpose and neat placement.  After weeks, and basically a lifetime, of believing this was how a grown up home should look, I was able to take a step back and realize that just wasn't me.  That style, and that way of thinking was truly an insult to my soul.  I want my house to be the story of my life, and an extension of my family.  I began to fight the urge to conform to how a 'big kid' home should look, and follow my instincts of what I wanted my sanctuary to be.  I avoided any information regarding color schemes, and simply doused my house with every color I could get my hands on.  

This is just an example of how I dismissed something I found insulting to my soul.  Many people love and adore that type of home, and I am not knocking you for it!!!  Rather, I am saying, ditch what has been taught as truth for something more individualized to your soul.   

Embrace your instincts, and disregard the things you have been told that just do not sit well within your soul!

After your own re-examination, let us know what you dismiss?  Did you find any 'truth's' particularly insulting to your soul?  Share Share Share!!

For Yourself Friday: Event Prep

When preparing for any event, there are some key steps to consider.  With the SS2 reveal tomorrow night, what better time to go over the Must Haves and Must Dos in anticipation of said party?

Everyone has their own routine when getting ready for an event, but below I have included what I believe to be deal breakers.  

1)  Day before outfit display.

It is obviously essential to try on your outfit, determine all necessary accessories, and model it for your family/friends/significant other.  In addition, you should find a spot to keep your outfit out on display.  Hang it up somewhere, lay it out or drape it on a chair, but keep it in your peripheral for at least 24 hours.  This will help you finalize any change in accessories, shoes, hairstyle, etc.  It will help you get excited about your evening, and fulling prepared to rock those amazing digs!

2)  Long shower + full shave maintenance.

Whether or not you will be showing leg or pit is completely irrelevant in this department!  It is an absolute MUST to shave everything when preparing for an event when you want to feel confident and put together.  Even though guests may not be able to see your stubble, or full blown jungle, you will know it's there and it will affect the way you present yourself.  Bask in a super long, steamy hot shower and take all the time you need to shave absolutely everything!  

3)  Intentional Storage

You will definitely need to bring along the basics, as far as ID, money, etc.  Do not allow the manner in which you carry these things to become a forgotten feature.  Intentionally plan for how you will tote these along.  Whether it be a nice clutch, or your usual purse, plan for it in advance and know what all you will need.  If you bring your diaper bag, and have to dig through loose cheerios, you inevitably will not feel sexy and confident.  Find something fitting to intentionally store your small essentials!  If it is your everyday purse, go through it in advance and toss any clutter that muddles your vibe!

4)  Established Timeline

I know that life with kiddos, husbands, crazy animals, can make this one a bit difficult, but try to make it a priority.  Getting ready for an event, such as the reveal, should be half the fun!  Talk to your husband ahead of time about how much time you will need, and your expectations, so you can enjoy the process of glamming it up.  Establish a timeline so you aren't feeling overly stressed leading into the event.  Determine in which order you will be doing things ie shower, hair, makeup, get dressed.  

5)  Have Fun!

Last, but absolutely not least, do not let anything get in the way of you enjoying your prep time!  It is not every night that you get to focus on yourself, and enjoy some girl time.  Try not to let little hiccups in the process overwhelm you, and take away from your evening.  Crank up your favorite music, bust out the brush microphone and dance around in your undies in serious preparation of the amazing evening ahead!!!!

Motivational Monday: Sweet Release

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned".

Within our lives there are so many people and personalities interacting each and everyday.  Everyone has their own agenda, priorities and opinions simultaneously occurring.  This can often lead to situations where people are hurt within relationships.  It could be intentional, unintentional, accidental, or any other variety of hurtful scenarios, but the sting can often stew within us.  We hold onto the hurt like a hot coal, often not realizing the internal scar we ourselves are creating.  

On this Motivational Monday, I want to send a virtual nudge your way.  I want to nudge and encourage you to release the coal, and the searing pain that you may be kindling.  Allow yourself to release the resentment because holding onto it will not make it any better.  

Begin by asking yourself this: What am I gaining by holding on to this resentment, hate or disdain?  Explore the answer to that question.  Each thought, action, and behavior should have some intent behind it.  If you are holding onto such a powerful emotion, determine why, and determine what it is doing to your state of mind.

Now determine what needs to happen in order for you to move forward.  Do you need to communicate with the person about the situation?  Do you need to develop specific boundaries with that person in order to eliminate the same thing from happening again?  Do you need to distance or eliminate someone from your life?  Take action, as opposed to dwelling and stewing.  Demand peace and resolution within your soul.  

Today is a great day to have a great day, and an even better day to release a coal that may have overstayed its welcome!  

Texture, Height, Personalization

For those of you that do not know, my littlest man is about to turn one.  I could go on and on about all that, but rather I will express the fact that homeboy likes to get into stuff.  This makes certain decorating tactics a bit of a challenge.  Specifically, any type of coffee table styling.  A recent SS discussion was focused on revamping a living room, and shifted to coffee table styling, hence this blog post.  Although I cannot currently style my coffee table, due to said toddler, I swoon over a good centerpiece, and have a few keys rules I follow when styling one.

A coffee table that fits your style is a good place to start.  We got this old trunk from my husband's grandparents, which has worked as a great unique coffee table within our house.

Here are the three essentials when styling a coffee table.

1)  Texture

2)  Height

3)  Personalization

Texture

Incorporating texture avoids anything too matchy-matchy (unless that's your thing, and then just run with that!). You can achieve texture by utilizing different fabrics, patterns and materials.  I chose to use a piece of scrap lace fabric, a metal tray and a vintage hankerchief.  I also included a textured pitcher and a patterned frame.  

Height

Creating height is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and avoids the decor being one note and dull.  You want to tell a story, and have the eye move from one feature to another, in a playful manner.  I achieved this by adding vintage books (which also lend themselves to texture due to their aged appearance) and a pitcher with fresh picked wild flowers.

Personalization:

It is absolutely essential to add personal features to your coffee table.  This is the heart and soul of the styling. This could be in the form of a photo/frame, momento, valuable gift, etc.  I chose to use a photo, which you can change frequently.

It is also important to create some type of frame for your focal point, such as the vintage tray that I used.  You could use a large book, piece of fabric, or tray of some sort to achieve this effect.  

Other pieces you could add would be candles, figurines (I spray painted a forgotten toy horse from my kiddos play room), vase, candy bowl, etc.

Have fun with it, and switch pieces out from time to time to keep it fresh and new.  Change the photos, get different flowers, and enjoy this special piece of your household!

Do you currently have a styled coffee table?  If so, let us see a picture!  Do you have little hands that make it difficult to keep it styled?  Share Share

Motivational Monday: Not My Circus

I am a huge proponent of focusing on that which we have control over, which can often seem like very little.  I could sit and create a list, a very long list, that specifies all the things out of my hands.  It would seem neverending, and it would be frustrating and overwhelming.  It would leave me feeling powerless, which is absolutely false.  We have this amazingly perfect control within our lives, and it comes in the form of thoughts and behaviors.  We can never control other peoples thoughts and behaviors, and that can be extremely frustrating.  We have to fight the urge to wallow, and focus on the things we cannot change.  That way of thinking is toxic and will seep into your well being and poison you.  We must remember that this is not our circus, and these are not our monkeys.  With that being said, we all have our own show in the circus, and we are completely capable of making it the best damn show there is!  A show with vibrancy, excitement, and joy.  We must focus on adjusting the things within our own show that aren't going so well, but avoid critiquing the other acts in the circus. 

On this Motivational Monday, remember to consciously release the things that are beyond your control, and revel in that which you do have power over.  Be in awe of the things you can alter within your own life, because self growth is a beautiful thing!  

This is not my circus but I do have an act in this fabulous show and it will be mine, and it will be great!
-Lindsay

Here's to Strong Women

I have recently experienced some minor struggles at work.  Without getting into detail, I have been on the receiving end of some passive aggressive critique.  It has taken me several years within my field, but I finally feel extremely confident and skilled in my abilities.  Despite that belief in myself, the recent issues have weighed heavy on my heart.  Work hostility is so toxic, and I knew I could not let it fester and continue to negatively impact me.

After some serious self reflection, extensive discussion with the hubs, and my SS army I decided to address the issue head on with my supervisor.  The feeling is exhilarating and empowering.  Knowing that I have identified and overcome a hurdle that is difficult for any to address.

On this For Yourself Friday, I encourage each and every one of you to assert yourself.  For some this will be easier then others, but I challenge you to stand up for yourself.  Is there something that has been stewing within your soul, negatively impacting your state of mind?  Are there certain behaviors or actions occurring within your life that you are not okay with?  Take the reins within your life, and sting back.  Sting in the most fierce, confident, but mature and kind way.  Rally the troops, and determine the best way to get the best results.  Discuss it with a friend, significant other, parent, etc.  

My job does not define me, but my thoughts and my behaviors do.  In order to maintain thoughts and behaviors that I am confident in, I need to ensure that each piece of the puzzle is placed accordingly.  I need to ensure that what defines me shines through in each aspect of my life, and that I am asserting myself as much as a situation warrants.  

Do you assert yourself often, or are you less confrontational?  Let us know if there is a situation you want to hit head on, and let us know how it works out!!  Share Share Share!