Blanco

Everyone is throwing the F (Fall) word around, and I'm just here wearing white in my cutoffs.  Summer my love, I'll miss you.


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Shifting Gears

Dress: C/O - Tobi Sage Shift Dress | Sneakers: Converse | Sunnies: Five Below

Happy Monday!  During the summer, I love to wear dresses.  I'm obsessed with this one from Tobi (currently on sale for $25).  Tobi has the hottest pieces for every season.  Right now their offering 50% off everything!
The off-the-shoulders and statement sleeve on this dress, is on trend and perfect to dress up or down.  I dressed mine down with a classic pair of white Converse.  A pair of "white sneakers" are definitely a summer staple in my closet.  They go with everything!


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I'm In LOVE With The Coco

Hi sweets!  I've missed you!  Mom life has been challenging and keeps me super busy, but I wouldn't change a thing.  Mom life is the best life! 
Today's post is all about HAIR!  I get a ton of questions on what products I use to maintain my curls.  I always start with a sulfate and paraben free shampoo and conditioner.  My hair is naturally dry and these chemicals can strip the natural oils making my hair even dryer.  I have to keep my hair moisturized at all times.  Deep conditioning and oils are a must!  My favorite?  Coconut oil!  I use it for everything.  
SheaMoisture's new 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Hydration Line is ahhhmazing!  It's my current fav!  It's made my hair healthier and shiny.  The leave-in is a miracle spray.  I spray it before styling and my hair feels super soft and manageable. 

  SheaMoisture has been my go to brand since I became naturally curly 2yrs ago.  Not only are all their products natural, but this coconut oil line is color safe!   
My hair is in LOVE with this stuff! 
My current styling products and even a style post coming soon!  

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Tickled PINK

Sweater: Hollister | Jeans: Wet Seal | Booties: Mossimo | Clutch: Forever 21

Adding a touch of color to your neutrals is always a good idea.  

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Springuary!

Sequins Cardi: Lauren Conrad (Kohl's) : Jeans: Mossimo (Target) : Sweatshirt {c/o}: Bow & Drape : Flats: ShoeDazzle 

When it feels like S.P.R.I.N.G in February....
you wear rips, bare ankles, & of course sequins! 

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"Curls" with nuNAAT Beauty!

 
Hey loves!  Happy New Year!   I hope you guys had an amazing holiday season.  It's time to get 2016 rollin!   
This is my first post of the year, and it's all about HAIR!  
I know it's been a month since my last post but, I'm sure you all know that I've gone natural (7 months.)  I finally went and got a "real" curly girl haircut at 5 Salon Spa in Freehold, NJ with Ona.  She was amazing and gave me lots of advice on keeping my hair moisturized and healthy.  
I think the word "natural" means different things for different people, but for me it meant staying away from all heat for at least a year.  It also meant that I would have to use natural products that are sulfates, parabens, & silicone free.  These unnatural chemicals aren't good for any type of hair, but are especially damaging on your curls.
nuNAAT sent me their "Real Me' collection and I was so excited to try it!  nuNAAT uses some of the finest ingredients on their products.  They carefully crafted their line with the belief that with the right combination of natural ingredients, everyone can have great hair!

I instantly fell in love with the blast of shine hair mask.  Weekly deep conditioners/masks are so important for the health of your hair.  I always apply it to clean hair, and I use a plastic cap to keep all the moisture and heat in.  You only have to keep it in for 15-20 minutes, but I like to leave it in for at least a half hour.  The longer, the better.

Blast of Shine Hair Mask
I saw such a difference in my curl pattern with just one use of this mask.  My hair felt super soft and my curls were so defined even without product.  

Natural Curl Activator - Perfect Do Pomade After my hair was washed and conditioned, I applied my leave-in conditioner and then I used the the natural curl activator.  This curl activator had my curls poppin!  It keeps your hair hydrated, not crunchy and frizz-free.

After applying the products, I like to air dry but with it being January and freezing, I usually diffuse.  My best advice for diffusing is to use cold air.  If your using heat, that's not good and can make your curls frizzy. I also don't diffuse to dry my hair, I always leave it a little damp.  Air drying is always best!

After diffusing for about 30 minutes, I added some of the pomade to my edges to keep them down.  If I had to choose just one of the products from this line, it would be the mask.  It made my curls super defined and it smells amazing!

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SUMMER TREND | Bright Sunnies

 

 

 

 

Top: 10 Spot | Denim shorts: Wet Seal | Sunnies: Five Below | Sandals: Zara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey sweets!  Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.  I can't live without my sunglasses!  Whether its summer or winter, I LOVE rocking shades.  For summer I always keep it bright, fun, and sometimes embellished.  I got these soft pink shades from Five Below for $2.50! 

 

A little shopping tip:  Keep it cheap when buying sunglasses.  If your anything like me, I'm always losing or sitting on them. 

 

Keep those pretty eyes safe while looking glam and cool!

 

On a side note....if you  noticed my hair is curly!  Rare sighting!!!!

I'm challenging myself to no heat all summer.  I've damaged my hair with color and heat for sooooo long, I figured I would embrace my curls and get them healthy!  I think about my blow dryer daily, but I'm sure it will get better.  Is it fall yet?  LOL! 

 

Have a great day!

 

xo xo

 

Mel

 

 

 

Miss Jessie's & Birchbox

 

Curls, curls, curls!  Last night I attended a Birchbloggers only event with Miss Jessie's.  It was so much fun!  The salon is located in Soho, NYC and the space is bright and beautiful!

 

We enjoyed champagne, mini cupcakes, and learning about Miss Jessie's products and how to use them.  Miko Branch, Co-Founder of  Miss Jessie's showed us the proper way to diffuse your hair and a bunch of other cool tricks in a live demo.  Just to give you a little info on Miss Jessies....

 

For over 20 years, Miss Jessie's has been caring for natural hair and natural curly hair using their styling crèmes, moisturizers and deep conditioning treatments. The Salon soon became the go-to place for natural and naturally curly hair attracting clients nationwide.

 

Birchbox sent me the Pillow Soft Curls a few months ago and It was silky smooth and non greasy.  Their newest product is Transitioners Magic!   This innovative and phthalate-free hair elixir will moisturize your new natural growth, revive and coat your relaxed hair as well fight frizz and prevent curl shrinkage.  Why does it work? Transitioner’s Magic is a unique potion that acts as a styler and a leave-in conditioner.

 

Photo c/o Suzy's Closet 

 

 Photo c/o Suzy's Closet

 

 Photo c/o Suzy's Closet

 

 Photo c/o Suzy's Closet

 

 Before the Transitioners Magic, curly but with some straight pieces from heat damage.

 

Miko showing us how to perfect diffusing!

 

Gorgeous!  That Transitioners Magic is truly magical!

 

Blogger babes

 

Suzys Closet is such a cutie!  Happy we finally got to meet!

 

All the beautiful curly girls with Miko, one of the founders of Miss Jessie's

 

Can't wait to rock my curls with these goodies! 

 

Jacket: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

Sweater: I think Kohl's too.  Oldie but goodie!

Jeans: Hudson

Sneaks: Peter Pilotto for Target

 

 

I'm always looking to perfect my curls, and I am so taking this on as a challenge.  Stay tuned because next week, I will be showing you my Miss Jessie's curls! 

 

BIG HAIR, DON'T CARE!

 

xo xo

Mel