Pretty lil' Ponies

With warm, muggy weather finally here (I'm not complaining, simply stating facts) I've found that there is nothing more refreshing than a polished looking ponytail.  Ponies are a hair trend I tend to overlook - probably because it's just something I automatically do at some point during the day (it's a running joke that at noon in my office, my hair will have gone from down to up.)  But with a little styling, I think ponytails can be one of the prettiest ways to wear hair.  Below are some trends that are perfect for summertime.

Low side pony, with side part and soft waves...

Preppy, high pony made extra sweet with a bow...

Extra messy & sexy, with a hidden hair tie...

Loose and simple pony, with chunky braids for contrast...

A Brigitte Bardot-esqe pony with lots of volume....

Bardot Knows Summer

There are few women who inspire me as much as Miss Brigitte Bardot.  Her tumbling blond hair, innocent demeanour, and style that's a mix of classically elegant and unapologetically sexy leave little question as to why she's been a fashion icon for years.     And let's be honest, there is no one who can rock a bikini quite like she could.  Below are some pictures I found that I couldn't help but share.  Now if only I were out boating instead of being stuck in an office...

Craving a Party

Salvador Dali, Brigitte Bardot, and Gunter Sachs

Perhaps it's the fact that it's been a while since I've gone out with my girlfriends, but I've been craving a night on the town - complete with festive attire, good beats, and libations. I've been coming across a lot of photos of some of my fashion icons out partying, and the one thing I see over, and over?  Creative, unusual, and fun details.  Like my girl Brigitte in her elaborate head piece, I can't help but admire the festive feel evoked from this shot.  Below are some fun details I'd love to add to an outfit.

A feathered Eugenia Kim Headband

A turban from Topshop to add an exotic edge to any ensemble.

Pumps like these Alexander McQueen's that make a serious statement

A bejeweled collar from Topshop to add some color to a LBD.

And I mean, wouldn't all these things look amazing with this killer Chloe jumpsuit?

Chicks & Horses

Sorry I've been MIA, it's been a crazy but wonderful week.  The Iowa Gold Star horse show was this week, and although I'm going to miss most of it due to a lake trip, it was wonderful to see a lot of my horsey friends that I've missed so much! The photo above of Brigitte Bardot is one I've loved for a while now.  What is it with chicks and horses?

Vintage Inspiration for a Thursday

The weekend is ALMOST here.  Here are some pretty shots to get ya through the work week.

Hold on tight!  A vintage boating pic that I'm absolutely enamored with.

From Charm magazine, 1958, Conde Nast archives.

Truman Capote in his NYC apartment.  Think this is where Breakfast at Tiffany's was written?

Jean Shrimpton, Conde Nast Resort Collection

Who did this first?  Brigitte or Marilyn?  Regardless, Brigitte looks beautiful all windswept.

Life Right Now

Here are some shots that have either inspired me this week, or are describing my life (in a nutshell of course.)  It's that weird time of summer where I'm nostalgic to keep living the lake life and getting a tan, but there's also this creeping desire for autumn, which I am currently trying to suppress.

My latest fashion inspiration is Francois Hardy.  Her fresh faced, easy style is amazing.

Entertaining myself indoors with air conditioning and only the essentials.

  

I want to to go to thrift stores and flea markets!  And find vintage jewelry as great as Brigitte's.

I still dream about Kate's vintage leopard coat, first spotted a few years back.  Think I'll find anything as wonderful this fall?

I've been looking for a jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.  And this is exactly what I'm wanting!

Living off iced tea and other summer staples like tomatoes and watermelon.

Summer Cozy

Cozy.   What comes to my mind is being curled up by the fire, sipping hot tea, and watching the snow fall through frosted windows.   We all know I'm a big fan of being "cozy".  But is it possible to stay cozy in the summer? I most certainly believe so!  Below are my summer essentials for staying cozy when temperatures are blazing.  And besides, I think the true definition of cozy is being utterly content.

Nothing is like hanging out on the water in the summer.  Being on boats is cozy in itself, and I can't think of a better way to enjoy the sun.

Reading outside is the best.  And my favorite is snuggling up in a blanket on a summer evening and reading till it's too dark to see.

As tea is my go to in winter months, water is my go to in the summer.  I am obsessed with cucumber water, but have found everything from a simple slice of lemon to muddled raspberries make water that much tastier.

Romance is best when temperatures are steamy and dresses are off the shoulder.



Late night, candle-lit meals.  Preferably with amazing seafood.  My latest obsesssion is oysters, and this looks like the best dinner everrrr.



Star gazing and constellation spotting. 

Champagne Supernova Summer

What heaven looks like?

Rain, you can be done now.  Summer, I'm ready for you.  Maybe it was going home this past weekend and seeing old friends, but I couldn't be more excited for the arrival of sunshine, tanning, watermelon, late nights, boat rides, and just being outside (lots).  I'm oddly excited for it this year and am bound and determined to make it great.  It's always been the time year when things have happened. I'm not sure why.  All my great loves, accomplishments, and memories have occurred during the balmy months of June through August (I sorta count May and September too) and I can't wait to see what the coming months bring.   Until it's here, the daydreams below are keep my mind occupied.

The Adisia Maxi Dress from Anthropologie ($228).  This is THE maxi I've been looking for.   It will be dreamy on warm summer nights.

Pardon the boring video, but this song speaks for itself.  Ray Lamontagne's "Hannah"  is the perfect love song and takes me right back to summer every time I hear it.

Being this tan.  And this happy :O)  And wearing flowers in my hair.





Braids pinned up are perfectly summer.





Get caught up in towels, romance, and days by the water. A'la Geogia Jagger.



Cause it's as pretty as it is delicious.



And I want to capture  it ALL.



Whispies & Beach Hair

Kate Moss in beach hair.

Brigitte Bardot might just be the Queen of Beach hair.

Claudia Schiffer rocking messy waves before it was a trend.

So just last week I mentioned how in love I am with the slightly messy, beachy, and almost frizzy hair that models and fashionistas have been wearing lately.   It puts me in mind of Kate Moss (the early years) when she made fashion headlines for showing up on red carpets looking flawless - with the exception being a head of hair that looked...well, post-coital.   This further backs up my argument that fashion should be interesting - who wants to look at a girl who is perfect?  How boring.   That's why I'm excited to try beach-worthy, slightly messy hair with my most polished of outfits.  After doing a little research, this is what I found out about achieving the look.

DIY Sea Salt Spray: I found a very cool way to make your own salt spray to get your hair the perfect texture for messy waves.  In a clean spray bottle, combine 8 fl oz. water, 1 tsp finely ground sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon conditioner, a dab of cheap hair gel, and shake until mixed.  You can experiment with this too by adding different essential oils. It all depends on your hair type - if you have a sensitive scalp add ylang ylang, if you're skin in naturally oily try some tea tree oil. I found this recipe on Glamour.com and will definitely be trying it!

Frehs Out of the Sea:  My hair is stick straight, so to get those messy waves, I have to put in a lot of effort.  I start with damp hair and spritz on a texturizer (like the one above) or I use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.  Then I braid my  hair in about four or five braids, making sure I start braiding at the top of my head.  Then, to avoid looking like Medusa, I pin the braids to the top of my head.  I let them air dry. Once dry, I gently unravel the braids.  I apply some hair powder (I use Big, Sexy Hair Powder) to my roots.  I sort of massage it in and lift at the crown.  I'll also play with the hair around my face (divide the pieces, curling them slightly around my finger) to try and get them to a little separated and achieve some "whispies".  Then I'm good to go.

A Lil Fancier:  If I want to dress the look up, after I do my whole routine (above) I'll take a 1 1/2 curling iron and slightly curl the strands around my face.  I wind my hair around the barrel of the curling iron and it creates a "ropy" effect that although still messy, looks a little more put together.  If you have naturally frizzy or curly hair, this can eliminate some frizz as well.  I'll also finish the look off with a hairspray that's light and allows hair to move - I love Moroccan Oil's Luminous Hair spray.

Moroccan Oil Luminous Hair Spray, $27
Big Sexy Hair Volumizing and Texturixing Powder, $11
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $23
Pantene Pro V Flat to Volume Shampoo and Conidition $4.56 each