Bucket List Check-In - 3x the Fun + 2x the Challenge

I'm happy to announce I can now mark three items off my bucket list this week!

1)   This past Monday, my friend Kelly generously invited me to a cooking class with her at Cookology in the local mall.  I had an absolute blast making three courses, all of which were amazingly easy and delicious!  We made vinaigrette from scratch, arroz con pollo, and then chocolate mousse from scratch topped with macerated berries.  My presentation skills were lacking so this photo doesn't do it justice, but I had a great time!  Not to mention we ended up with some leftovers so I had round 2 of deliciousness last night.

Take a cooking class.  CHECK!

2)   In addition to the 70+ fashion and design blogs I've subscribed to through my Google Reader, I wanted to "broaden my horizons" if you will with a few blogs on varying topics.  The goal I set out for was 5, which I've reached, though I hope to keep adding more on topics like psychology, etc.  So far the ones I follow include:

• Life After College - A coaching type blog set forth to cover topics about tons of life aspects like finance, career, goals
• From Shopping to Saving - A personal finance blog with an author who's voice I really enjoy reading
• The Daily Love - Posts about all things from motivation to love to losing weight along with daily quotes (which you know I'm a sucker for!)
• Get Rich Slowly - Tips on how to stay out of debt and build wealth (putting me closer to another bucket list item of finding out more about investments)
• Zen Habits - Articles on things such as simplicity, minimalism, and living in the moment

Find at least 5 blogs to follow that aren't style or design related. CHECK!

3)   Because I still am early on with my interior design schooling I've been sort of nervous to take the plunge and actually e-design rooms.  I'm not sure why it seems more daunting than designing one in real life since I do that all the time, but I finally decided to get over it and push myself.  So far, I've put together boards for two rooms: a nursery for my recently born niece Gabriella and a photo-inspired European dining room.

Design and post a room from scratch.  CHECK!

I also attempted to knock another one off the list, which was find good Chinese take-out in Leesburg, but so far no luck.  Sadly my Mongolian Beef was not as delicious as that of P.F. Chang's.  Maybe that's too high a standard...?

I've also added two new items to the list:

• Learning how to tie a man's tie (A skill everyone should know before becoming a wife.)
• Go ziplining (If the OC Housewives can handle it then I certainly can.)
• Participate in the 30 for 30 challenge

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What are some things you would suggest to add to my list?

What's on your bucket list?  Comment below and share!

Bucket List Check-In + 5 Hair Care Tips

Remember that Bucket List I started last month?  So far I've only checked off one thing - finding the perfect fitting bra thanks to our trusty gal Victoria (word around town is she has a Secret...).  Well, after this week we can check another item off the list! 

During my recent visit home I went to my salon and dyed my hair!  I've had pretty much the same hair color and style my entire life.  With super thin and curly hair, it's hard to find styles that work for me that don't take a long time.  My usual pattern is to grow it super long, cut to my shoulders and donate, then repeat the process. Over. And over. And over... I have never dyed my hair (although I have tried an at-home highlight before wayyyy back when) so I would definitely say this qualifies as "something interesting."  I wanted a big change but nothing too high maintenance or damaging so auburn was the perfect color choice for me.

Below is a picture of me two days before the salon with my natural, dark brown hair (and another cameo by the cutest little baby, Ella!).  I don't have any pictures of myself with the new 'do yet, but the celebrity photos underneath are a good compilation of about where my hair color is now.  Drastic change!  I'm still experiencing that weird feeling where you walk past a mirror and don't recognize yourself, but I'm starting to get used to it and I love it!



BEFORE

 

AFTER  (via, via, via)



I try to take pretty good care of my hair, especially since it is so thin, which is why I have avoided dying it for so long.  But even with a little color boost, you can still keep your tresses in top condition.

1.  Natural - Just because your hair color isn't natural, doesn't mean it shouldn't look like it is!  Let me pause and say that I wish I could get a pink or purple streak, but since the professional world sees that as a no-no, I've got to stick to normal hair colors, at least for now.  But what I really mean when I suggest going for natural, is go for something that looks like you could have been born with it.  I know I would never look good blonde because it's too far off my natural color, plus that would be a dual-process (bleach then dye) which is more harsh chemicals, so I went for auburn.  The red still makes it a big change but the brown undertone keeps it looking natural with my skin tone and the rest of my body hair so I didn't have to do a full-body dye!  (Full disclosure: I'm also secretly hoping it means I won't have to do as many root-touchups and save that extra $.)

2.  Pictures - If you're getting your hair done, bring in pictures of exactly how you want your hair to look - cut, color, anything.  There are countless shades of colors out there so you should really provide a visual of the look you're going for so your stylist can fully understand what it is you want, and then she can deliver.  Then you can discuss before the cuts start happening whether your hair type is actually correctly suited for the style you want.

3.  Stylist - Speaking of your stylist, if you're paying the extra money to have someone else treat your hair, put that money to good use!  Make sure you really trust them, then ask as many questions as you can.  Style tricks, brand suggestions, color advice.  This is what they do for a living, after all, so look to them for guidance on how to best treat your unique hair. 

4.  Sulfate free -  When I was talking to my stylist to figure out the best way to keep my color she said the biggest rule is to avoid sulfates.  These aren't great for you anyway so even if you don't color treat your hair I'd say go for it.  But when I went to the store to get some new shampoo you'd be amazed at how many have sulfates in them, including the salon brands.  Pretty much every single one!!!  In all of Target I found only two sulfate-free conditioners -  L' Oreal EverPure and Alba Hawaiian.  The L' Oreal was out of stock (go figure) and I didn't really enjoy the mango smell of the Alba version,  so I decided to use this opportunity as an excuse to buy some Living Proof products I've had my eye on recently. Once I get it and try it out I'll give a review of it here for all you other curly thin girls out there (pretty please tell me I'm not alone with this hair woe).

5.  TLC - I know it seems impossible, but avoid heat styling as much as possible.  I try to wear my hair in its' naturally curly state as much as possible, which of course has the added bonus of only taking about 1 minute to style.  If you have to use a blow dryer or flat iron, use a heat protectant before to safeguard your locks.  I know for me and my very fine hair it's not really an option, but if you can avoid washing everyday that can also boosts your hair health.  You want to keep as much of your natural oil as possible since your body makes it for a reason!  Cleaning, moisturizing, and safe styling will keep your hair healthier and looking beautiful longer.

In conclusion, woohoo for checking an item off my bucket list!  I also have a couple other items on my List I'll be crossing off in the next week or so, so stay tuned for another Bucket List Check-In!

Have you ever done anything crazy to your hair?

What are your secret hair care tipcs and tricks?

Comment and share!

Don't Kick the Bucket!

It seems pretty commonplace these days to have a bucketlist.  Lifed actually made a pretty decent list of all the worldy adventures you could do.  Between that and the 101 in 1001 started on Design Darling, I was inspired to actually put mine up on my blog as a way to make it more concrete and make myself more accountable. 

My list includes some short-term goals, some long-term ones, and some that are ongoing.  Some I've never done, some I've already done and want to do again, and unfortunately, some I may never do.  I like to always be moving forward, so I'll be adding new ones as I think of them to keep things interesting!

As I complete things on the list I'll put $10 in a special savings account to put towards reaching some of the other goals.  So join me on this bucketlist adventure and let me know of things I should add!

via Squidoo

So far there's 115 things on my list, including:

1. Complete at least 5 DIYs.
2. Treat myself to a full-on spa day/weekend. (Incl. hair cut, eyebrow wax, mani-pedi, facial, full-body massage)
3. Watch at least 5 of Katharine Hepburn's movies. (My namesake!)
4. Wear something really fashionably daring.
5. Take each of my nephews out on their own 'Day of Fun' and spoil them.
6. Live in a state outside the DMV. (DC, Maryland, Virginia)
7. Plant my own tree & watch it grow.
8. Take an aqua aerobics class.
9. Shoot a round at a gun range.
10. See a TED talk live.
11. Establish a professional design portfolio.
12. Come up with my personal design statement.
13. Keep the blog going for at least a year. (Hopefully much longer!)
14. Find at least 5 blogs to follow that aren't style or design related. (1/5)
15. Learn at least 10 words/phrases in sign language. (2/10)
16. Visit somewhere new every year.
17. Read at least 12 books a year.
18. Do a closet purge every spring and fall.
19. Visit at least 5 Northern Virginia wineries. (1/5)
20. Keep a plant (besides bamboo) alive for more than a year.

Check out the full list & my progess here and subscribe to Just Squeaks on the right side of the homepage!

Do you have a bucket list?  Share what's on yours!