Wedding Season: DIY Chic Summer Hair

 

As many of you already know, I'm right in the core of the wedding planning process for my February 2014 wedding! Many brides turn to a planner to keep organized and in tune with the latest trends, but I thrive from this kind of stuff, especially since it's been my own wedding! I've had a lot of time to plan, so each experience of picking flowers, asking the bridesmaids, and picking the dress has been made into a celebration!

Along with picking the flowers, you have to put your faith into the hands of your make-up artist, photographer, hair stylist, etc. Of course, we all want the best of the best to take care of us on our big day, so I've been doing lots of research. Along the way, I've picked up a few tips on some DIY hair tools that will make you look fabulous if you are planning to do you own hair on your big day or if you just want to look amazing for all the weddings you have coming up this summer!

As we know, Wedding Season can cost a fortune between shower gifts, wedding gifts, and adorable dresses, so why not add a finishing touch with a DIY up-do that will save you money, but keep everyone guessing "who did her hair?"

 

Top Summer 2013 Wedding Looks

 

 

Often times I have people ask me how I'm able to do my hair in so many different styles. Long, thick hair helps, but I also seek the help of some fun tools!

1.The Goody Simple Style Spin Pins

Whenever I pull these "screws" out of my hair, I get a lot of strange, but intrigued, looks. They look silly and it's hard to understand how they actually work, but they just do! All you do is wrap your hair into a bun, spin these babies into the center of the bun, one on each side and voilà...it stays up! No ponytail holder required and the best part...it doesn't leave any indentations in your hair like the holders do!

You can do a high bun, middle, or low...it doesn't matter! I've even gotten a little creative with them and use them to push my hair up for more volume when it's in a messy bun!

2. Celebrity Stylist, Sarah Potempa's "The Wrap Up"

 

 

 

Below is a tutorial of how to use The Wrap Up! Forget the sock bun! This is soo much easier and more natural looking!

 

 

Here is a tutorial of Sarah, herself, using The Wrap Up! She's so amazing with hair that she makes it look effortless! I love the loose curls and the way she puts the bun to the side! Did you check out that "Faux Bob" below? Amazing! You don't even need to chop off your hair! It's all about versatility! One day you have a short bob the next day you have a big beautiful bun!

 

 

 

 

Sarah Potempa is all about making it easy for us! Now we can do the same looks effortlessly! Imagine having the same looks that Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Emily Blunt, or even the look that Lea Michele has below:

 Also, take a look at Sarah Potempa's Beachwaver for effortless curls that STAY!!! I swear...GOD must be a woman because Sarah's products are just what we need to make life a little bit easier and a whole lot more fabulous!

 

 

 

 

Happy Hobbying Styling,

 

MDRW

The Snow has Melted: My Brain has Thawed

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since January! I think I went into hybernation! But the snow has officially melted and it's finally starting to feel more and more like Spring in Chicago!

A lot has happened in the last 3 months...I've moved into a new home, been planning my wedding, and was even able to sneak away on a few fantastic getaways.

All of these fun events have been big inspiration to what I've planned to write about, however I've had tons of thoughts flowing through my head, which has made it difficult to pinpoint what to talk about! 

I came across this perfect birds eye view of my head right now...

This is so me and I typically do have at least 2,000 tabs open in my mind and on my PC at all times! :)

The biggest topic that is consuming my thoughts right now is my Winter wedding in 2014! Yay! It's soo much fun to fantasize and think BIG! I've got my ideas and inspirations, but for the meantime, these details will remain a secret! The eliminate of surprise is the key :)

I will, however, be sharing some of my favorite wedding trends, colors, ideas and some tips throughout the next few months. If there is anything specific you would like me to talk about or research for you I'd be happy to assist as your pseudo wedding planner! Just post a comment!

What bride doesn't secretly want a little "FRANCK" in her life?

Pinterest has always been my best friend, but I'm actually contemplating making it a bridesmaid?!? I'm mean, it provides you with wedding advice, emergency tips, and even can entertain you when you think you  might lose your mind. Plus, it won't say a word about the ugly dress you decide to pick out! I think I'm onto something here...

I've been driving my fiance crazy at night because rather than getting involved in the Wheel of Fortune puzzles that we always battled over, I'm nose deep on my i-pad scrolling up and down and up and down looking for inspiration!

I subscribe to Brides Magazine as well, which is great cuz I can easily pull out the pictures and dtore them in my "Wedding Binder", however there is something so addictive about that Pinterest!

Speaking of, by sure to follow my pinterest "The Modern Day Renaissance Woman". ;)

So, I thought the best way to ease myself back into my blog is by highlight a few of my favorite "must haves/dos" for some of the fun things I've been doing this winter:

1. Vacations that Get a Little "Steamy" 

Joy Mangano Mini Steamer

Engagements and moving to a new home, means doing laundry not just for one but for two! I've never been a big ironer. The pulling out of the board, the waiting for the iron to heat up, the fear of burning a hole through your new fiance's favorite shirt...Not appealing!

As I was unloading boxes and "becoming more domestic" in January, I flipped on the tv, which happened to be on the HSN (Home Shopping Network). I've never actually purchased anything through the tv before, but I did go through a phase in college where I would watch it all day, but never had a purpose for anything.

Well on this particular day, the ladies of HSN were doing a segment on Joy Mangano and her home organizing systems. They featured a mini steamer that did a great job selling, I must say. I skipped right over to the computer and order us one in brown! I would never have to iron again and it was in a travel size, which was going to be perfect for the traveling I'd be doing, especially for work!

The beautiful box arrived and I've been "steaming" ever since! I brought this with to all my getaways to ensure I'd stay looking fresh and crisp. I jam so much in my suitcases anyway that it's hard to avoid a wrinkle or two! The Joy Mangano 900-Watt Go Mini® Steamer with Bag Blowout Set is just what I needed to help bridge the gap between "girlfriend" and "wife".

2. New House: Throw Pillows and a Housewarming Party

Z Gallerie Throw Pillows

One of the first things I did once we moved in and had our new sectional delivered was to add the pillows. The manufacture included a few custom pillows that I got to pick out different designs for, which was great, but I wanted lots and lots of pillows and I didn't want them to be too matchy matchy. I'm loving all the  geometrical designs. For so long, people thought the pillows all had to be the same design or you could only do a variation of 2 or 3, however you could literally "throw" ALL of these pillows on your sofa and it would become a huge focus point in your living room space. Be sure you have plenty of cocktails handy, because your guests will want to cozy up to them all night!

Tip: Homegoods, one of my favorite guilty pleasures, is a great place to get a similar look without the price tag! What is their tag line again? "Homegoods Happy"? With a wedding to plan and a new home to decorate, I know this makes me happy :)

3. Wedding to Plan: Bridezilla Who?!?

When I got engaged in August, we originally looked to set a wedding date in October. This would give us just over a year to plan. When dates for the venue and church weren't available at the same time, we choice to push the wedding back to after the holidays and to when things slowed down for everyone. Our new date has given us a lot more time to budget and plan.

With many "to-dos" for the "i dos" already checked off our list, we still have 10 months of "planning bliss" ahead of us. This has made the planning experience much more pleasant for me. I'm a very details planner, so I could have only imagined that I would have turned into a bridezilla if I only had a few short months to plan.  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I will have my moments, but so far so good!

As much as my fiance and I want to call eachother "husband and wife" asap, we are glad that we don't have to rush the joys of being engaged. Plus saying "fiance" is so much more fun, right?!

Everyone keeps telling me that they don't feel any different once they are married, so why rush to get rid of the "bride" title? Anything that involves a "title" and an excuse to wear white everyday is okay by me! Just like we should all do on our wedding day, take it all in and enjoy it!

Now get in the bath, pour some bubbles, pull out your ipad (already loaded up to Pinterest, of course) and relax!

Happy Hobbying Bathing,

The MDRW

Winter Weather Prep: Sundance "Fashion" Festival

Winter Weather Prep: Sundance Fashion Film Festival

As I begin prepping for my visit to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, I'll immediately reach for my winter essentials! Big furry hats, snow boots, parka, etc. Knowing I'll be spending time outdoors while rubbing elbows with celebs, my cuddle dud long underwear is not going to cut it! :)

What to wear, what to wear??! When packing for this trip, I need to remain practical, while still looking fabulous! It brings me back to my adolescence, when sitting at the bus stop mid-January meant every bit of skin was covered, including my face! The key is to find a happy medium to ensure warmth and style.

LOOK TO AVOID:

Remember this gem of a look from The Christmas Story?!?



LOOKS TO EMBRACE:

 

1.BIG OLE BOOTS



Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots in Shale 

2. THE PERFECT PARKA

Canada Goose Kensington Parka in White

3. THE WARM VEST

Marmot Vest in Purple

4. THE SWEATER

Forever21's Open Southwestern Cardigan

5. THE PILOT HAT

Canada Goose Pilot Hat

**Faux Fur is fabulous and less expensive

5. SKI SLOPE-READY SKIN

Wardrobe is crucial, but don't neglect your most important accessory...your skin! Winter months bring dry air, days of forgetting sunscreen, and pale skin. I use Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer to combat all three of these "Winter Blues"

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

For those extra-dry days, turn up your humidifier and try this moisturizer by Clinique:

Clinique Superdefense SPF 25

See some of these tips I found on from Ulta and Allure Magazine to keep you skin perfect all year round:

Allure's Top 5 Tips

Ulta's 3 Secret Weapons

Now I'm ready!!! Fingers crossed for a few celeb sightings! :)

Happy Hobbying Film Watching,

MDRW