Beach Hair

I have to admit that I struggle with my hair most of the Summer. Between the humidity and the beach, my hair becomes a frizzy mess... My husband makes fun of me for not putting my head underwater, but I come out looking more like cousin It than Gisele...the struggle is real! So, once again, I called upon my hair styling guru - Katy at Bloom Morristown. I asked her to show me an easy and cute hair style that will keep my locks in check during the next couple of months!

Product To Use:
Elixir Ultime Original Oil
This is one of Katy's favorite oils . It adds 71% more shine than hairs natural state, delivers deep conditioning in the sun as well as 24 hours anti-humidity protection. The sun can reek havoc on our hair, causing it to become very dry and even cause breakage. Elixir helps restore the hair fiber as well as faster drying time!!!

Vacation Hair Instructions:

1. Start on the one side of your head doing a 3 strand UNDERhand braid (practice a regular 3 strand that most of us know, but try to remember to go under instead of over the final outcome looks so much more appealing! )
2. Once reaching opposite side tie with an elastic into a low pony tail.
3. Use the elixir oil (making dry ends look healthy) and do a fishtail braid using only 2 STRANDS.
4. Keep feeding front from back side to opposite side.
(Hint: keep your sections small to make look more intricate)
5. Add a fabulous fedora!

Dressing up your Denim Skirt!

I love dressing up a casual look. Most of us designate items in our wardrobe as "casual", "dressy" or "save that for date night". I call that missed opportunities! There is nothing better and more unexpected that mashing up the two....a crazy gray area where a denim skirt and a blazer meet up! (and look fabulous!)

Vintage Levis in any form is on trend right now....mom jeans, jean shorts, and of course denim skirts! I found this skirt at Aritzia and I knew I had to have it for Spring/Summer. I am mindful of skirt length at the age of almost 43, so I went up two sizes to make sure it was "appropriate" (spoken like my 15 year old- who by the way is dying to borrow the skirt!). I paired it with my fave new Athleta tissue cotton tank top (have one in every color) and this cute ivory ruffle crop Top Shop blazer from Nordstrom. I LOVE this blazer. It can be paired with anything from a linen dress to black pants or jeans and a cute top.  You will wear the heck out of it -- I promise! Finally, accessories: wrap suede sandals from Jcrew and jewelry by my new fave, Summer Love Designs!

How to make your Blow-Out last 3 days!

Doesn't every woman want to know the answer to this questions??? I love getting my hair blown out and I want it (need it!) to last for a few days - it's one less thing to worry about (or take time to do!). So, I asked Katy at Bloom (she's the BEST) to give us step by step instructions on 3 hair looks (and products) to make our blow outs last --woohoo!

Day 1 Hair:

Cleanse- Aura Botanica is gentle yet effective with a sulfate free formula leaving hair feeling soft & free from any impurities.

Treat- Aura Botanica Soin Fundamental conditioner melts into the hair fiber for deep nutrition & frizz control

Root - R&Co Dollas thickening spray for light weight lift alongside Aloe leaf extract & ginger root extract to seal in moisture, protect, smooth and nourish the hair

Mid shaft to ends - Kerastase Ciment thermique protection from UV, & any hot tools up to 450 degrees with amazing fresh clean scent.

Day 2 Hair (Make Waves):

Use an 1 1/4 Curling iron - wrap hair around barrel leaving the last inch out to give a softer lived in curl look.

Let the whole head cool first then spray VIP powered for texture & volume. 

VIP Powder- If hairspray & dry shampoo made a baby, meet Kerastase’s VIP Powder. Leaving no white residue, VIP Powder can reshape, hold, and INSTANTLY provide body, volume & grip.

Day 3 Hair (Pony tail):

1. Section hair from ear to ear & clipping away for neatness & separation

2. Grab the hair behind the sections into a regular ponytail 

3. Tease top of the head for volume 

4. Take right side and twist AWAY from the face & wrap around pony tail , secure with hair pin 

* repeat on the left side.

Day 4 Hair (Treatment Day/Bun Day):

Using a spoon full of masque conditioner on dry hair ( yes dry hair ) 

1. Comb with a wide tooth comb all over hair concentrating more on mid shaft to ends 

2. Gather into ponytail secure and do 3 strand regular braid 

3. Wrap braid around and hair pin into a cute top knot! 

Masques are great for doing at least once a week to keep your hair nourished as well as preventing breakage & color fading.

Summer Love Designs!!

I am always looking for new and fun jewelry lines, and while shopping recently in Athleta in Morristown I found one, called Summer Love Designs (they were holding a pop up shop that day)!! I immediately found 10 things I wanted, grabbed their business card and called them the next day to collaborate! Their jewelry is amazing and appeals to a wide age range. The pieces are super fun and wearable, and are available at awesome price points. I brought home many pieces from their collection and my friends and 3 daughters went crazy. They wanted it all!

Here's a little back ground on how mom (Kate) and daughter (Ginger) created Summer Love Designs:

The business started back when Ginger was in 10th grade! With a need for a little pocket money and a love of fashion and all things beach, Ginger came up with the idea for some cute affordable jewelry that girls her age could actually afford. Four years later the business is still going strong. Keeping true to their favorite colors and light, effortless easy to wear looks - the jewelry collection works for all seasons! Over the years their age bracket has increased as the moms of these girls wanted in on the trend, and their line now even includes some more formal pieces. Ginger is now a sophomore at High Point University majoring in entrepreneurship. She is looking forward to growing the business for many years to come....and continuing to do what she loves....being creative and making jewelry!

LWD - "Little White Dress"

There's nothing better than a cute white dress for Summer! I loved this one because of the eyelet detail AND because it was off the shoulder (still a huge trend). This dress is perfect for day or a casual evening. I'm counting down the days until my fanny hits the beach chair and my toes are in the sand -- and i can get rid of those tan lines :-) !!

This dress is from Shopbop and at a great price point--it is the kind of piece that you will wear repeatedly throughout the Summer. I loved these Jcrew wrap sandals the minute I saw them because I knew I would not only wear them with jeans and shorts, but also with casual dresses. Accessories - my new quay sunnies from Nordstrom - super fun and on sale! And all my jewelry is from Summer Love Designs - blog on this amazing jewelry line this Thursday! This look makes me ready for warm weather, a good tan, and the beach. Thankfully, it's all around the corner!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer

Hair by Katy at Bloom Morristown

Makeup by Idalia at Bloom Morristown