So ya wanna Texturize?!

The last few days I have been stressing over nothing. Recently I have noticed my hair feeling “thinner”. The last couple of days I was thinking about how that could be. How could it suddenly feel softer and not as thick. I’ve always had very thick, wavy hair.

I went through every possible cause: hormones, change in diet.
Nothing drastic has changed.

At 11pm I text my hairdresser (and friend) and told her the situation. She said that hairdressers “texturize” hair and it makes it thinner. The last year hairdressers have been “texturizing” my hair. I’ve finally found a hairdresser I like, but have been through a few. I also have not been using hot tools to style my hair, in an effort to reduce split ends. And haven’t dyed my hair in about 4 months. I’m going through the painful task of growing my hair out to its natural colour, which no-one has seen in over a decade. Dark blond. I’ve had variations of browns over the years. Its coming right through now and looking very light! It looks fine, but I’m sure I’ll need to start pinning my hair all back for a while. All these things, my hairdresser said, contribute to it being shinier, softer and not as thick.

So I’m feeling a lot better about my hair. I have always liked my hair, I admit it. Its thick, shiny and although I often get bad hair days – if I give it some time, it behaves easily. There’s something about ourselves we all like. For me, its my hair. And I would be devastated if it started falling out. I’ll just have to tell hairdressers to stop texturizing!!!

Salsa!

The weekend was lovely. Sunny with a little chill in the air. Saturday my friends A & D and I walked the dog through the back streets of a cute neighborhood nearby. That night we went out for dinner then hung out with friends. The next day my husband was in a bad mood. Egh. I hate that on the weekend. But I can't complain, it doesn't happen too often. And I understood why. Nothing was going his way that day. The odds were against him:) But that afternoon we went to the yoghurt shop together, got some fun yoghurt and ate it as we walked by the beach. That night we went over to a new friend's house for dinner. They invited us and another couple. We ate pasta, all got along splendidly and later went salsa dancing.

Any of you reading this who know my husband know he doesn't like to dance. Well, we did the lesson and then danced. He had a long island iced tea first to loosen up. We were cracking up laughing on the dance floor. We had such a good time laughing at each other. After my friends were saying "where were you guys, we know you were on the dance floor, but couldn't see you". Well, that was on purpose. We didn't want to be seen! There were so many good dancers out that evening!

What I have learned about bright tights...

I love bright tights, tights with busy patterns. Tights are one of the delightful things about the cooler weather that get me excited for the months ahead.

I know I mentioned already that I'm wearing my yellow, mustardy tights. Along with navy vintage grandpa sweater, black flat ballet shoes and shortish black pleated skirt.

At lunch, I'm walking around, book in one hand, satchel on the arm. I got so many looks and stares at my tights it was funny. I came to realise, you have to be pretty confident to wear/pull off a pair of tights like these. I admit, I felt a little smug walking around... receiving looks for my bold number. People weren't looking at "me" - it was the tights they were looking at.

Usually to work I'll wear a teeshirt, jeans and running shoes. But once in a while I like to wear something that expresses who I am and what I actually "like" (as opposed to cold, hard comfort). A couple of weeks ago I walked past starbucks and this young wippersnapper of a guy says to me "lady... i like your style". I turned around to see a young man in his late teens. I felt like saying "thanks sonny jim. I'm about a decade older than you, but am thankful for the appreciation".

I live in the kind of place where everyone wears the same thing. Its either all out comfort or the usual wedge shoes/tight jeans with diamonte's and tight tank top. Wearing things a little different style-wise gets the locals raising their furry little eyebrows.

Amen.

For Winter..

Sweater Dresses. I am not sure what shape would be flattering... something with a waist probably. What do you think of this one? ok? or a bit blah?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Today I'm wearing these tights.



My husband says I look like an Oompa Loompa. This is the email he sent me:-

oompa loompa doobidy doo. i've got another riddle for you.
oompa loompa doobida dee. If you are wise you'll listen to me.
What do you get when you wear ugly tights?
A scared, freaked out husband with a case of the frights!

Booties for Fall

Which ones do you like? I like all of them. Especially the laceups.

My skin care routine... because everyone wants to know... :)

Over the years I have become a makeup/skincare junkie. I never leave my makeup on at night. Get monthly facials (this has been in the last year) and love trying out new makeup products. Skincare products I’m less liberal with. I like to know the ingredients, if they will suit my skin.

I have tried using multiple cream cleansers. I love to think that I’m not stripping my skin of natural oils. I dislike that SLS (sodium laurel sulphate – a foaming agent) is used in cleansers. SLS is used in most toothpastes. I found out I was allergic to it, after years of enduring canker sores. I switched to a natural herbal toothpaste… voila! No more canker sores!

So I thought: if this is what it does to my mouth… it can’t be that great for my skin. Right?! So I tried different cream cleansers, with no luck. They simply don’t do the job for me. I have oily/combination skin. I was speaking with my aesthetician (beautician for the Aussies!), and she said I need more of a gel/foaming cleanser for my skin. Doh! So I’m still using Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel. It works for me… I have been using it for years now, thanks to the recommendation from my friend S.

So, despite my dislike of SLS, I’m sticking with my cleanser for now. One product I have found that I love is Sothys toner which is alcohol free. And, after trying many expensive brands of moisturizer, for me Olay’s Cream moisturizer for sensitive skin is a winner.

When it comes to eye creams, I use Kinerase intensive eye cream in the mornings. It doesn’t moisturize as well as it reduces puffiness. Sometimes I put that on first, then a richer eye cream. I love Progres by Lancome for night time. A golden oldie with no real claims. Albeit expensive, it is a thick, rich , perfume-free eye cream that moisturizes the sensitive area well. Its also great after a night of crying when your eye region is extra dry:)

NYC pics

A few random photo's. Boating in the lake was my favourite thing we did all day.

Some music in Central Park.



My tired friend!



Some jazz in Washington Square Park



Me in the row boat!



My favourite pic, on the Lake, Central Park.

Unbelievable!

Last night I was talking with my mother-in-law. She said she was at her Mom's house and they were flicking through some photo's of about 2-3 years ago. "You were so so skinny! You were tiny. Your legs and arms were so thin" she said... "Mom was like... M has put on weight since being married! And I agreed. Oops I wasn't supposed to tell you that, I hope you're not offended honey". Then proceeded to change the subject and act nice.

What the hell?!

I put on about 7-10Lb's in the first six months of being married. Its all evened out now and I've stayed the same for about a year. But please... who says that?! I would never say that to anyone! I know I'm not super skinny anymore. I'm a slim, normal weight (I think!). I don't need to be told those things. My cute skinny Lee jeans don't fit nicely anymore (muffintop!). I had to buy some new jeans. There - enough said - I realise things have changed, I don't need to be told. I'm 5'4". 7Lb's is noticable! But I'm fine with that usually. I'm happy being healthy and not super skinny.

I was so mad. I felt like saying "well, I'm not on diet pills like you were in the 80's... and you try moving country, leaving your friends/family/life - adjust to getting married - all in 3 months. See if you don't do some emotional eating also, and put on a few". Aagghh! I think I did pretty well actually. 7Lb's... (3-4kg) since those photo's - thats not a lot right?!

Maybe I'm overreacting. But it hit a sore spot I guess. No woman likes to be told those things. Especially by their Mother in Law! The nerve huh.

I'm not usually a sensitive person. But that was a dumb thing to say.

More dresses. Am I bad?

I also love this dress. Isn't it delightful. Very Audrey H./Jacki O. Alas, my bank account cannot afford you dear ponte dress.



I also already own this dress (bought over a year ago) - how many waisted in classic dresses does a girl need? (Good answer: not many. Reality: Lots). Note. This dress is longer on me than the model! It falls right at the top of my knee.



I adore the following dresses. But not sure if they are age appropriate? What do you think? They are very classic, womanly, beautiful dresses. Do you think they are age appropriate for a 28 year old? I think I could get away with these dresses - especially the one with the bow. However, I could also see my Mum in these dresses. You know?! I could see my Mum looking very elegant and lovely in them, with her hair in a chignon.





ps. it is still the floral dress in the previous post I am lusting after!!!

Ra!

I want this dress badly! Don't you think it would look lovely with my Aldo boots?! Well, I do. However, this dress is conflicting with my resolve.





I know you've seen the Aldo boots before. But another visual never hurts :) I'm in love with them right now you see.