Getting Kinky: Pin Up

Hi there! I've been playing around with my hair a lot lately, now that I have a little more length it's easier to try different looks. Though I'm still not at the length I'd like to be, I do enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out how to recreate a certain style with my current length. Enter my version of a pin up style....

This was a very quick and simple style, that'll I'll probably be using a lot more often now that I figured out how to create it. All I did was section off the front portion of my hair, and then using an Ouchless stretch headband I wrapped it around the back portion of my hair. Then I smoothed out the back of my hair by pushing the headband up till it just reached the ends of my curls to create the look of my hair being pinned. Afterwards, I simply fluffed to give it a bit more volume, et voila! It literally took me all of 5 minutes and it's so easy to switch it up with different hair accessories.

If y'all are interested in a more detailed step-by-step (with more pictures or even....a video!) tutorial let me know. In the mean time, here are a couple of tutorials I found while browsing YouTube that I would love to try once my hair gets just a little longer. Follow the links below and enjoy, let me know if you try to recreate some of the styles. Hope everyone has a fantastic Tuesday!

Tuto Pin Up - Joyce Harmonie (It's in French, but I think it's still pretty easy to understand how she created the look, also love her nails! Ils sont beux!)

Retro Updo - Backsyncfan (She is so cute! Definitely check out her YouTube channel for more great tutorials)

Easy To Do Hairstyle inspired by Pin Up Girls - The Pinup Noire (She is the natural hair pin up guru, I think this one is simple enough for beginners (like me!), but check out her channel for more advanced styles)

That's all folks! :)

'Till Next Time...

Five Ways to Jazz up your Natural Hair for Summer!

Summer is here and that means its time to not only update your wardrobe but to also update your natural 'do! Now there's no need to run out and get a new color or cut because I'm bringing you five ways to jazz up your natural hair with fun and sassy accessories for the summer!

1. Turbans

We all know I have a not-so-secret love for the ever-thriving turban trend. They're the perfect, stylish solution for a lazy hair day and look fabulous on top of locks, twists, fros, you name it!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

 Not sure how to go about tying your turban? Check out a few links to my favorite how-to videos below!

Natural Hair Turban Style via Natural Chica
Style Spice - Turban DIY via Style & Pepper
How to Tie a Turban via Quest for the Perfect Curl

2. Scarves

I believe scarves are the best hair accessory for natural hair as they're just so versatile! Tie it into a head wrap/band, create an over-sized bow, use it to make your own turban, the possibilities are truly endless :) In addition there is such a variety of colors and prints you're guaranteed to find one that expresses your individual style.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

And for a little bit more inspiration here are a couple of videos showing different ways to tie a scarf!

DIY Scarf Many Ways via Meek n Mild

Boho Head Scarf Tutorial via Life Ann Style

3. Hats

Some naturals may shy away from hats, but it shouldn't be considered an impossibility! While they do tend to work better with shorter hair(as the hat will actually sit on your head) don't think just because you have a fabulously, fluffy fro that you can't rock a summer hat. Use bobby pins or attach a hair comb to the inside to help pin the hat to your curls. No more fearing those windy days!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

4. Over-sized Flowers

What says summer more than bright, bold, beautiful flowers in your hair? Pluck them fresh from a bouquet or stock up on various pins & clips. They're so inexpensive and add a feminine & flirty touch to any 'do!

Sources: 1, 2, 3

5. Statement Jewelry

There's nothing better than some statement jewelry to set off your natural look! Whether it's door-knocker earrings, over-sized hoops, or bejeweled studs, this accessory works for all hair lengths!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

And there you have it! :) Do you do anything special to dress up your hair that wasn't included in my list? Let me know in the comments! Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!

'Till Next Time...

How To: Add Pops of Color to Your Winter Wardrobe, Day 5!

It's the final day of my first outfit series and I've saved the simplest addition for last :) I want to say thanks to those of you who've been following throughout the week. I've really enjoyed this and feel like I learned a lot, not just with styling different outfits, but also taking the photos :) I think I'll try another outfit series sometime in the future, any suggestions of what I should do are welcomed!

Enough of my yammering ;) Let's get to it!

So, who doesn't love a bold lip? It's such a great little pick-me-up and yet so simple, just a swipe of a cherry red or bright pink and your attitude can go from 'just meh' to 'sass-a-frass!' (yes, I just said sass-a-frass.)

Well, there you have it a whole weeks worth of ideas on how to add some color into your winter outfits! If you missed any of the other days hit the links below :) T.G.I.F.!

Day 1 - Coats

Day 2 - Scarves

Day 3 - Pants

Day 4 - Bags

'Till Next Time...

::Outfit::

Top: H&M

Skirt: 3.1. Phillip Lim c/o Crossroads

Booties: Aldo

Scarf: Target

Coat: Kenar c/o Crossroads

Lip: L'Oreal Colour Riche Stars, Penelope's Red

How To: Add Pops of Color to Your Winter Wardrobe, Day 4

Hello Fashionistas! We're almost done with my first outfit series and I've had a lot of fun doing this, hoping y'all have been enjoying it as much as I have. I can definitely see more of these in the future :)

To start the end of the week I thought I go back to something simple that literally anyone can rock...a bold color statement bag! Similar to the scarves we previously talked about, a colorful bag can add that extra spark to an outfit and really make it interesting.

All my brightly colored bags are no bigger than your average clutch, which I think is great as the colors speak for themselves and shows you don't need an oversized, slouchy bag in sunshine yellow to really make it work. However, I am excited for the neon trend this summer and will be on the hunt for an awesome neon colored bag, similar to, oh I don't know maybe Proenza Schouler's PS1 in citron.... ;)

Make sure you check out Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 outfits and stay tuned for tomorrow's final outfit!

'Till Next Time...

::Outfit::

Maxi Dress: Forever 21

Knit vest: Kimchi & Blue c/o Crossroads

Scarf: Crossroads

Belt: H&M

Booties: Steve Madden

Coat: Michael by Michael Kors

Yellow & Orange bag: Target

Blue clutch: Natural Hair Meet-Up

How To: Add Pops of Color to Your Winter Wardrobe, Day 3

Welcome back to my first outfit series on how to add pops of color to your winter wardrobe! This time we're going to talk about an emerging trend that developed during the summer, something I'm sure isn't going to disappear anytime soon, and that's colored denim!

Colored denim seemed to be all the rage this past summer, now you can find denim in all sorts of different hues - reds, blues, greens, pinks, and purples, just to name a few. Though brightly colored pants may seem only appropriate for a sunny summer day, there's no reason you can't pull them out for those grey winter days too...

If you liked this post, make sure you check out Day 1 and Day 2 of the outfit series, and stay tuned for tomorrow's look!

'Till Next Time...

::Outfit::

Top: H&M

Leather Jacket: Express

Pants: BDG c/o Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Bamboo "Tida" Lace Up Wedge Bootie

Scarf: Crossroads Trading Co.

Clutch: Vintage YSL

Watch: Michael Kors

How To: Add Pops of Color to Your Winter Wardrobe, Day 2

Why hello there! Welcome to the second entry for my first outfit series - how to add pops of color to your winter wardrobe. Today we're going to look at how to incorporate a winter accessory I love (as seen by this post here) - Scarves!

The thing I love about scarves is how they're so simple, but they can be the one thing that makes an outfit. Like my coats I have scarves in many different colors and patterns, so let's get started!

Similar to yesterday, if you're not the kind of person who is comfortable with playing with colors then keep the base of your outfit simple, so the color you do use really shines.

A classic white shirt, denim, and booties create a great backdrop for a statement making scarf...

Another simple and fun way to brighten your winter 'fits! And if you're interested in wearing your scarf in different ways check out Wendy from Wendy's Lookbook Youtube video, 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes, that's where many of my scarf tying ideas come from :)

Hope you enjoyed reading and make sure to check out yesterday's how-to where we talked about colorful coats!

'Till Next Time....

::Outfit::

Top: Borrowed from DCT's closet :)

Denim: Forever 21

Booties: Steve Madden

Scarves: Random stores in Europe

Watch: Michael Kors

Ring: Crossroads Trading Co.

Bag: Random store in Belgium

How To......Add Pops of Color to Your Winter Wardrobe

Happy Monday everyone! So this week since the boyfriend is out of town I thought I'd do a little outfit series of sorts, since I'll have all this free time to myself, haha ;)

If y'all haven't figured it out, I love love love color. The first thing I notice about a piece of clothing or pair of shoes is always the color, that's what draws me to a particular item. Now I know it's winter time and the weather, especially in Chicago, is cold, dreary, grey and filled with snow, grey/brown slush that used to be snow, and rain. But just because it's sad and depressing outside doesn't mean your winter style has to be!

I'm an advocate for wearing color all year long, it can really help brighten your day even when it's not so bright outside. I know some people aren't as comfortable with wearing bright, statement making colors (especially in the winter), so I've decided to do a week-long how-to series on adding pops of color to your winter wardrobe!

To start the week off, I decided to go with a winter staple - your coat!

I actually have coats in several different colors, but red is so full of energy that it makes a great statement in a sea of grays, blacks, and browns.

I start off with a basic outfit so that the coat can own the spotlight...

Afterwards, simply add on any extra accessories in neutral colors to keep all eyes on you and your coat!

Pretty simple, right? What do y'all think? Stay tuned for tomorrow's colorful element! :)

'Till Next Time....

::Outfit::

Coat - B.B. Dakota

Top - Forever 21

Denim - Forever 21

Booties - Steve Madden - on sale!

Bag - Emilie M.

Scarf - Gifted