New Obsession: DIY Hairstyles Online

I don't know why it had never crossed my mind to use the internet to find new, fun ways to do my hair given that I use the internet for everything else! I stumbled across the style section of eHow today when looking up french braiding, and I spent about two hours this morning trying different hairstyles.  

So far, I have still yet to master the french braid, but I think I'll get it eventually.  I did; however, come across some fun up-do's, and I managed to practically re-create my Junior Prom style.  Haha.  I actually hated my hair that year, and believe it or not I actually like what I did myself much better.

I will probably be embarrassed years from now if I ever come across this post.. mostly due to the Myspace-esque mirror pics I'm about to share with you.  I have to admit.. I was pretty proud of how it turned out for my first ever attempt.  I think I have found a new fun way to change up my look, too!

Things I Love - Mad Men

I get incredibly bored when I'm sick.  I've been dealing with seasonal allergies and have felt pretty crappy for the most part this weekend.  I have been sticking around my house.. taking medicine, contemplating buying stock in Kleenex and trying to keep myself occupied.

Like most of you, my go-to activity when I'm stuck at home not feeling well is catching up on TV or movies.  Currently, I don't have cable which is good overall since I can't waste much of my time in front of the television that way.

I do have Netflix, which I don't utilize too often, but  this weekend I have been getting my money's worth.  I had watched the first episode of Season 1 of Mad Men a few weeks ago and really liked it, but never got around to watching any more of it.  I don't know if I should be proud or embarrassed to say that in the past three days I have watched all of season one and the first few episodes of season two.  I'm hooked.

I'm curious how many of my friends have been watching this show and how long I've been out of the loop? It's a really interesting show.

It's set in the1960's and the main character is Don Draper, an advertising executive.  I'm completely baffled by the way women are portrayed on the show, as such objects.  As people who are only capable of making dinner, smoking cigarettes, and being completely submissive to husbands.  My, how things have changed. I'm told that as the seasons progress, the women start to take on my powerful roles in the show.  I'm excited to see what happens.

Do you watch the show? Do you love it? Or hate it?

Things I Love - Thrift Stores

For years, I would wince, whine and complain any time my mom or grandma would try to "drag" me into a thrift store or flea market.  They loved going somewhere and digging around to find a hidden "treasure".  I didn't get it.  Why would you go to a store filled with other people's old junk?

For whatever reason, as I got older, my mentality completely changed.  Now, I find myself going on the exact same treasure hunts my mom and grandma were so excited about when I was young.

There's something to be said about finding something that someone else had no use for and making it useful again.  In today's economy (or at any time really).. I see no need in wasting money to pay full price for things I can get for such low prices elsewhere.

Recently, I've had some pretty good luck with household items.

I got this huge brown/tan vase filled with huge palm leaves for $9. I didn't want to use the palm leaves so I'm getting rid of those (if anyone wants them let me know).  I'm on the lookout for something else to put in it.  This just needs to be cleaned up and will fit with my decor perfectly.

I bought this flower arrangement to sit on a shelf in my bathroom for $4.00.  I typically don't go for the fake floral arrangements, but for whatever reason I really liked this.

I bought this shelf for $6 or so.  I plan on painting it a fun color like lime green or turquoise to add some color to my otherwise very neutral living space.  This picture makes it look like it's in really rough shape, but in reality it just needs to be cleaned up and painted.

Finally... today, I had my all time best thrift store find.......

An authentic Louis Vuitton purse for $25! I've actually never paid $25 for any one item at a thrift store as I usually stay in the under $10 range, but I just couldn't pass it up. I was on a thrift store high for the rest of the day even though I didn't have much luck at any of the other stores we visited.

Why I Love Thrifting

• I REALLY like saving money and getting good deals on things.
• I enjoy the thrill of the chase.  I'm not one of those people who gets frustrated when things are out of order in a store.  I like finding that special item that others have passed up.
• When you spend less money on individual items, you can try new things and have a variety of fun things in your home.
• You can obtain an eclectic mix of decorative items or furniture.  I tend to be very "matchy matchy" when it comes to furniture and decor.  I find a color or set of colors/patterns I like and I really stick with it.  When you shop at thrift stores, you can really focus on finding special pieces which is fun and looks great.

The Downside

• Some people who shop at thrift stores can be a little unpleasant to deal with (won't move over to let you through the aisle, etc).  I suppose people are just really into their thrifting experience and don't worry about what's happening around them.  This isn't a huge problem, but it does happen occasionally.
• You have to be REALLY careful that the things you buy aren't missing pieces or broken.  A lot of stores don't have return policies.  Fortunately, most things are so cheap if you do decide you don't like something... you can always just re-donate it.
• The hobby can be time consuming.  Depending on how organized the store is... it can take a while to find the good stuff.  I'll share some quick tips.
• Usually the really special items (i.e. Louis Vuitton purses) are typically in cases near the register/check out.  
• In my opinion, the outside perimeter of most stores typically have the coolest items (furniture pieces, home decor, books, cds, etc.)
• Only go to the stores when you are in the mood to browse and never go into the stores anticipating finding anything specific. 

I personally don't really like looking at clothes and shoes at thrift stores.  For whatever reason, I feel like most clothing items are too worn out and faded for my tastes.  Also, the clothes never seem to be arranged by size which I find really frustrating.  The majority of what these stores sell are clothing items, so I don't have the patience to dig through 50 racks to maybe find 2-3 items I like.  I prefer discount and clearance racks in other stores for clothing, but other people seem to have better luck than I do at thrift stores.

I'm not a thrifting expert by any means, and I know some people are really into it.  But if you have any questions or would like any other tips, I'll do my best to help!

Things I Love- Orange Leaf

When I first decided to start a blog, I was brainstorming ideas.  One thing I just kept coming back to was a "things I love" regular post.  I think it could be a fun addition to the blog to share with my friends some of the things I really like.  Occasionally, I'll try and think of things I just really don't like and share those as well, but I generally try to be a glass half full type of girl.

For my very first ever "things I love" post, I have chosen.........

Orange Leaf has taken Lexington, KY by STORM.  A few guys opened up one store near the Fayette Mall and then one guy you may have heard of.... Coach Calipari fell in love with the place.  He became an investor and now there are several locations in Lexington.

I am excited to announce that as of today, 8/10/11, there is an Orange Leaf location in Richmond! I say that like I work for the place, but I am not, in fact, employed by OL. I haven't yet made it to the Richmond location (they only opened a couple hours ago), but I plan to check it out this weekend hopefully.

Why I love Orange Leaf

1. It's a great summer treat.
2. Every Sunday they donate $1,000 plus all tips to a charity which rotates each week.
3. It's low calorie (as long as you have it in moderation... and don't fill up those HUGE cups to the top.  I wish OL would introduce a smaller cup size as well, but I understand the sales tactic and it works.  The larger the cup, the more people will buy.)
4. You get 2 free oz. of froyo if you "check in" at Orange Leaf on Facebook.  This is an incredible marketing tool.  I would guess that at least every day I see that one or more friends has checked in at OL, and it always reminds me that I want it.
5. There's something for everyone.  There are a ton of flavors of yogurt and a topping bar which includes everything from fresh fruit to cereal.
6. Most importantly... it's just tasty! 

My Suggestions

• Low Fat Cheesecake with fresh strawberries
• Pomegranate and Pineapple
• Low Fat Brownie Batter with any toppings or mixed with pretty much anything.

If you have been living under a rock and haven't tried Orange Leaf, I strongly suggest it.  Go try it Sunday and leave a good tip for charity!