Easy Festival Braids

Today's shop has been sponsored by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! 
#RethinkYourColour #CollectiveBias

Hello Monday! Or should I say happy first funemployment Monday? This month has been such a whirlwind that I still haven't had time to digest my trip to Nashville (loved!!), my move (yes, another one), broken laptop (FML), and my new job (huzzah). In the meantime, I've been unpacking and enjoying my new hair!

I've used John Frieda Visibly Brighter® Line over the last two weeks and gave myself a much-needed trim. My locks are feeling spring-ready after using a combination of the John Frieda Brilliant Brunette® Visibly Brighter™ Subtle Lightening Shampoo & Conditioner and John Frieda Brilliant Brunette® Visibly Brighter™ In-Shower Treatment. All found at Walmart too! If you can't find it at your local Walmart, try Walmart.com instead.

Although my hair is still on the dark side, I love how the line gave me sun-kissed highlights throughout. Did I mention I didn't have to pay salon prices to go lighter? With the amount of money I saved on this process I could actually take a trip to Tulum. Should I?

I'm thrilled with the results and wanted to share this easy braid tutorial since we are entering festival season. If any of you are coming back from Coachella or getting ready to go - have an amazing time! I've been three times and it's always been incredible. I'm taking a backseat from it this year and am instead heading to the local ones in New York City. But, there are so many this year you might as well bookmark this for later. It'll keep the hair out of your face and off your neck - perfect for dancing all day.

Alright before we begin you're going to need a brush, clear elastic bands, and bobby pins. Playing your favorite festival playlist in the background is optional. 

FIRST
Part your hair down the center, from the front to back. You should be left with two section. Comb through each section to get rid of any knots which will make braiding easier.

SECOND
Give yourself two pigtails right above your ears and secure with the clear elastic band. In case you're worried, the clear elastic band won't show.

THIRD
Braid your pigtails. If you prefer your braids to fall on the chunkier side - loosely braid your hair. If you want smaller braids then aim to keep your braids tight. Make sense? Don't forget to secure your braids with another clear elastic band at the end.

FOURTH
Grab those bobby pins! Start with one braid and drape it over your head. Think of draping it in the same position a hairband would be placed at - not at the front of your scalp nor at the very back. Secure that first braid with bobby pins. To make them less visible make sure to tuck them under your braid or on the backside of your braid. Another trick is to use bobby pins as close as possible to your hair color. Repeat with the next braid.

FIFTH
Smile, you're all done!

I told you that was easy. It's my go-to hairstyle during festival season and a cute way to disguise two-day old hair as well.

P.s. Check out the original BEFORE post & photos here!

Photos by Gita of Mimi & Chichi.

The Good Life

Yesterday's post was heavy but it felt so good to write about it. Therapeutic in a sense.

Some of you might be wondering if I'm dating right away and the answer to that is...

Kind of.

I'm not in a rush to find my ride or die. If anything, I'm just going with the flow. Keep in mind, I just got out of a long-term AND live-in relationship, so it's really important to take a step back and just "do me".

At the same time, I won't ever turn down a fun night out. It might be all the film noir I grew up on but I can't say no to romance.

For those nights, that I have said yes (few and far, my friends) I opt for a relaxed silhouette that features my best assets - my strong legs.

Dress: Tobi  Boots: Zara  Purse: edressme  Sunglasses: The Row  Necklace: La Soula  Lipstick: Daringly Nude via Maybelline  Hair: Terax Life Drops

Since I don't have that many date-night dresses, I've been making updates to my closet to include a few more thigh-skimming mini dresses. In the name of research, I've spent a few hours viewing all of the options on tobi.com and possibly found a few more favorites.

They tend to have really great sales and an amazing first-time customer deal (50% off sitewide if you sign up for their newsletter), so I'd click over soonish :). As for accessories, I try to keep it as delicate as possible so they don't detract attention from the dress. For that reason, I've been wearing La Soula, which is known for gorgeous hand-crafted pieces. (P.s. Keep them in mind for Mother's Day).

Photos by Gita Woosley.

Shop the look:

The Fourth Wall

Twenty-sixteen has been an unbelievable whirlwind of foreseeable events. One of them being my recent arrival into the never-boring world of singledom and couch-surfing. Both, I tried to take in stride but later realized my emotions are a bigger beast than I imagined. Ups, downs, sideways - I went through every single one. There were days I went through ALL of the feels within five minutes, only to be left exhausted and alone. Not knowing how to deal, I found solace in Fireball at two am and bullshit compliments fed to me by strangers. It gives me acid reflux thinking about it now.

Before we dive even more into this heavy shit you should know, there's only love for my ex. When someone finds you encapsulated in a seal of worthlessness and pain only to resurrect you from the ashes - there can only be love. But not even that is capable of escaping an expiration date.

With blank pages set before me, this next chapter needs to be spent solo as I peel back the multitude of layers I buried myself beneath. Work out some kinks for sure. Or as my mother claims, I should. Possibly uncover what truly makes me tick, excited, and pissed. Discover and hold onto my self-worth. But mainly, be a happier version of myself; unchained from my sometimes paralyzing past. I'm finding it to be a lot harder than it seems.

Yet, at the end of every night, there's a sense of hope by not taking the easier road. Abandoning the comfort of our set routine and leaving behind everything we built up, as I set out to find myself instead. The silver lining comes to me almost immediately, a feeling of liberation.

That in itself is everything and more.

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.