Feb 24, 2016
By Anne-Michelle
BUSY AS A MOTHA
As a mother of four children, ages five months to 11 years, I thrive on being busy. I work full time, work out four days a week, work in my children’s classrooms each week, make homemade goods that cater to my son’s numerous food allergies, host an allergy-free food blog called The Allergy-Free Project, recently began venturing into the world of capsule wardrobes for my athletic tween daughter and husband, and teach early morning barre and interval fitness classes in my “spare time.” While this schedule may sound overwhelming to some, it makes me super excited when I am able to accomplish all of this each and every day.
I HEART LULULEMON
It may surprise you that among all of the activities that I thrive on pursuing, fashion is the last thing on my list of priorities. Did you see the activities above? None of them included shopping, getting ready, or a capsule wardrobe for myself. I admit that I live in my Lululemon clothing, my hair is usually tied back in a ponytail, and even my very low key makeup doesn’t get put on very often.
#IWOKEUPLIKETHIS, LITERALLY
A few years ago, when I was growing out my beloved ombre after it had pretty much fried my hair, I heard about overnight headband curls. The first day I tried it, I received several comments at church about how great my hair looked. I told the ladies what I had done, and they were shocked something so simple could produce such flawless locks. I was thrilled this may just be the look for me! Two days later, I wrapped my hair the night before I taught a 6am fitness class, and clients were dying to know what time I had to wake up in the morning to get my hair looking so “done!” I even had the shirt #iwokeuplikethis made to reiterate that I really did wake up like that! I even got to the point where I refused to use heated styling products of any kind and instead would shower and air dry my hair the night before I had to go somewhere, just so I could do my overnight curls instead of a blow dryer, hot rollers, and a curling iron!
MY SECRET TO THE PERFECT BED HEAD
I have mentioned my headband curls to people for years, but I never gave too many details because I wanted to keep it my little secret…until now! For the first time, I have documented exactly how to get my tousled, luscious locks both with a step-by-step photo tutorial and time lapse video.The notes at the end of this post include several tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way. Be sure to comment below, so I can help answer questions to help you get the perfect results.
Happy looping, twisting, and twirling!
xoxo, Anne-Michelle
5-Minute Overnight Headband Curls, a Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Tools:
brush
headband (I used this one in the video: Under Armour Headbands 6-Pack)
bobby pins
Step 1: Start with dry hair.
Step 2: Brush your hair, and identify your natural part.
Step 3: Place the headband, and smooth out your hair.
Step 4: Loop a section of hair around the headband.
Step 5: Pull the loop over the top and through the bottom. Repeat.
Step 6: Continue looping the last strand, and secure with a bobby pin.
Step 7: Repeat on the second side.
Step 8: Ensure that all hair looped, and curls are even.
Step 9: Go to bed! Forget about the curls, and sleep as usual.
Step 10: Wake up! Admire your messy ‘do.
Step 11: Remove the bobby pins, and slowly release the curls.
Step 12: Finger comb your hair, and spray to set!
Voila! 5-Minute Overnight Headband Curls
5-Minute Overnight Headband Curls, a Time Lapse Video Tutorial
Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting
- Always start with bone-dry hair. Do not dampen it. In this video, I started with clean hair that had been air dried all day — no heating products were used. I have gone without washing my hair for up to seven days just by wrapping my hair in a headband at night an using dry shampoo to balance any oiliness.
- Brush out your hair well! When you release your locks from the headband the following morning, you will only be finger combing it, so you want to get as many knots out as you can the night before. I have had my hair styled and curled, then brush it out and wrap it in the headband, and the curls come out even better as time goes on.
- Find a headband that is secure, but not so tight that it will leave a mark on your forehead. You don’t want to spend the entire day waiting for a mark to go away! That will definitely detract from your locks! In this video, I used the Under Armour 6-pack of headbands for less than $8.
- Practice makes perfect. Try out this hair style when you don’t have anywhere to go, so you can remember what worked and what didn’t. If you don’t love the look when you wake up, ask yourself these questions: Did I smooth it out enough before I started looping? How large were the sections of hair that I looped? (Maybe next time try 1″ sections, 2″ sections, etc.) Were the curls even around my face? Did I only finger comb it, or did I use a brush?
- As you wrap your hair around the headband, make sure the headband continues to lay flat on your head with the stickier side remaining down. Don’t let it get wrapped up and curled with the hair because it will not curl evenly.
- The messier your hair is as you sleep, the better it looks when you wake up. This is meant to be a carefree look, so try different styles — part it on the opposite side you normally would for more body, try not to secure it with bobby pins at night to see how the ends turn out in the morning, try larger loops around your face and smaller loops in the back, or vice versa.
- Do you have layers? If so, I recommend twisting and pinning two to four curls around your face and/or crown of your head before putting the headband on, especially if the pieces fall out of the headband as you begin wrapping them.
- The more often you use the headband, the more your hair will become “trained” and it may not take to the curls anymore. Don’t let this happen! Maybe your headband is too stretched out — try a new one! Maybe it’s a chance for a new haircut, more layers, a new hair color, or a new way of twisting to keep your hair on its toes.
Be sure to visit The Allergy-Free Project for Part II of 5-Minute Overnight Headband Curls where I will show you how to go from overnight headband curls to sweaty workout hair, and back to your overnight curls without washing your hair!
ABOUT ANNE-MICHELLE
Anne-Michelle is a health-conscious mama of four from Northern California living a lifestyle that focuses on allergy-free eating, healthy foods, safe beauty and household products, and capsule wardrobes.
Feb 22, 2016
By Sarah Jordan
It was just about a year ago when a knowledgeable friend filled me in on a “secret” in the fashion industry that would completely change the way I live my life. OK . . .so maybe that’s a bit overly dramatic. We’re talking about clothes here, not fostering world peace. However, this secret revolutionized the way I look and feel every day, and that certainly counts for something! This whispered bit of fashion intel – how anyone can look stylish and “pulled together” – is referred to by those in the know as the Three Piece Rule.
This style guideline dictates that you wear (you guessed it!) three visible articles of clothing/accessories in order to complete an outfit. Your pants/skirt and top count for two pieces. The critical third piece can be found in a matching or contrasting jacket or vest, an interesting belt, a “statement” necklace, hat, scarf, etc. I realize that the concept doesn’t sound exactly groundbreaking the first time considered, but let it sink in. Think about what you’ve worn for the past couple of days. Did you have a third piece? Did you feel like Ms. Frump? If your answer is along the lines of, “It’s Mrs. Frump to you!”, I’d bet you didn’t have a third piece. If so, you simply missed an easy opportunity to convey to those around you the sense of style you already know you possess. Get ready though; life is about to change!
Let’s talk about incorporating this new insight into your lifestyle. Start with jeans and a sweater, the building blocks of a decent outfit for a busy mom on the go, for casual Friday in the office, or for meeting the gals for Sunday brunch. By themselves, they don’t offend anyone and there’s nothing wrong with wearing them on their own. But by adding one simple piece, you absolutely shout . . . or maybe just slyly whisper, “Woot! Yes, I am someone with places to go and people to see.”
To quote legendary New York Times Fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham, “Fashion is the armor people use to survive the reality of everyday life.” I love thinking of clothes this way, because regardless of what job we all have to do, we all start the day the same way, by picking out the ensemble that we want to be wearing during battle.
Don’t get me wrong! If you’re working in a lab developing a cure for cancer, I applaud you for being focused on something so important and amazing for mankind. But don’t think I don’t see you rocking your lab coat as a third piece.
I’ll send you on your way, with the brilliant words from Owner and Stylist of Apple & Pear Wardrobe Design, Jennifer Mackey-Mary, “Adding a third piece is the easiest way to go from dressed to well-dressed”.
ABOUT SARAH
Sarah Jordan is a Midwestern gal who now resides just outside the nation’s capital. A communications specialist and a mother of two, she stays up way too late reading books, blogs and ok, fine, watching bad TV. If you’re not too busy planning tomorrow’s outfit, read more of her stuff at www.bookbirdie.com.
Feb 17, 2016
“What I’m Really Wearing” is a monthly feature at GYPO where I show you some of the easy outfits I’m putting together in real life. In the fashion blog world, I’ve found that a lot of the outfits are more aspirational than inspirational. I’ve even fallen into the trap of featuring overly styled and accessorized outfits that I wouldn’t wear in real life. Truth is, I do wear a version of these outfits, just pared down significantly.
That’s what this series is all about – the simplified outfits I’m REALLY wearing to do real life in and you can too.
This month, I’m showing you a real casual date night outfit that I wore out recently while in San Antonio for our daughter’s cheerleading competition.
This bright pinkish coral blouse is one of my new favorite items in my closet. It’s so easy to dress up or down and the color makes me smile.
Outfit Formula: Blouse + Skinny Jeans + Long Necklace + Metallic Flats + Pop of Leopard
[Blouse: Same/Jeans: Same/Necklace: Similar/Shoes: Similar/Watch: Same/Purse: Similar]
It’s Your Turn: What’s your favorite casual date night look? Tell us in the comments.
Feb 15, 2016
By Sara Pedersen
Having a fabulous wardrobe can really boost a gal’s confidence and outlook on life! But if those gorgeous new outfits don’t have the proper places to “live,” it can lead to frustration as she tries to make order of the piles of t-shirts, scarves, and skinny jeans. Sound familiar? Not to worry…As a professional organizer for 15 years, I’ve organized my share of closets, dressers, and off-season clothing storage areas. (No, the treadmill in the corner of your bedroom is not an option!) So I’m going to share my favorite process for getting YOUR closet in order, as well as some tried and true tips to keep it “always organized.”When preparing for the perfect closet, the goal is to come up with a system that will allow you to maintain it with minimal effort, while maximizing your space, time, and wardrobe. And remember that the closet works in conjunction with other storage spaces as well — you’ll want to also cull through clothing in your dresser(s) during this process, as well as any other clothing stored under the bed or elsewhere in your home.
Seven Steps to a Perfect Closet
1. Do the laundry. This might sound like a strange place to start, but make sure that any dirty clothing is laundered before you begin the process so you can see everything you have.
2. Once all your clothing is rounded up, start sorting. Pull out everything from the closet and dressers, finding logical categories. Put casual clothing in one area on the bed or floor by category (t-shirts, tanks, yoga wear, shorts, pajamas, etc.) and work or dressier clothing in another (skirts, dresses, dressy pants, button-downs, sweaters, jackets). Also group together shoes, belts, scarves, and other accessories. Even socks, bras, camis, and underwear need to be sorted.
3. Once everything is sorted into categories, now is the time to pare down. Once you have everything sorted, you may discover that you own multiples of the same item. How many black t-shirts do you really need? This is your chance to get rid of those items that don’t fit, are out of style, or are not practical. Remember, it’s important to let your clothing have a little breathing room to keep it wrinkle-free, as well as to allow you to easily view your closet’s contents. Toss out anything stained, ripped, or out of shape. Did you know that most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time? Donate or consign items that don’t flatter your figure or coloring. If you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months, let someone else enjoy it!
4. Now, figure out where everything is going to “live” and assign a “home.” Consider the storage spaces in your bedroom… both your closet and dresser(s) will come into play. Designate a shelf, section of rod, or drawer for each category of clothing. There is no single “right” way to do this, but it will be helpful to separate your closet by item type, then group similar items by color. Button-down shirts, dress pants, blazers, dresses, skirts, etc. should all be batched together so you can quickly see and assess your options when you look in your closet. Dressers are a good option for your folded casual clothing, such as t-shirts and yoga wear, as are shelves in your closet. And where will off-season clothing go? Only keep your “A” team or current clothes in your main closet and dresser. Shift seasonal clothes, maternity, and “other size” items to another storage space, such as under your bed. Many people can reduce the amount of clothing in their closet by half if they follow this guideline.
5. Reconfigure your closet if necessary. If the closet only has one rod across the top, you may want to consider redesigning your closet for maximum space efficiency. Consider simple, inexpensive modifications such as adding a double hang closet rod to double your hanging space. You may also be able to adjust your shelves and rods to better accommodate your space needs. Be sure to use the entire closet space, including the vertical space under hanging clothes. For instance, underneath short-hanging garments, place a low trunk full of sweaters. A set of plastic drawers or a simple wooden dresser could hold lingerie, swimsuits, and socks. Really want to make over your closet? Give it a clean, fresh coat of light-colored paint. This reflects the light and gives you a solid neutral background to view your clothing against. Give the closet a good vacuuming and dusting, too.
6. Find storage containers that are sturdy and sized appropriately. Use containers you already own or shop for new ones at stores like Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or The Container Store. Sweaters, t-shirts, and sweatshirts line up nicely on shelves with the help of vertical shelf dividers or when placed in clear plastic boxes or hanging canvas shelves. Accessories such as purses, scarves, and belts can be placed in clear boxes or attractive wicker baskets on open shelves. Place hooks on the back of the closet door to hang bathrobes or belts or to lay out your next day’s wardrobe. For shoes, consider clear plastic shoe boxes, which keep shoes dust-free and easily viewed. Or use over-the-door shoe bags or a neat shoe rack on the floor.
7. Return clothing to the closet. Organize your clothing to work with your lifestyle. Section garments by type, then by color, so you can always easily see what you have. Hang pants, jackets, button-front shirts, dresses, and skirts. T-shirts, pajamas, sweaters, yoga wear and underthings should be folded and put in dresser drawers, on shelves, or in bins. Don’t put matching tops and bottoms together, since this stops you from seeing other ways to combine them. Arrange clothes so those you wear most often are nearest the front of the closet.
A few additional quick tips will help you keep your closet in tip-top shape all year round:
• Allow only pressed, clean, ready-to-wear clothes in your closet. If an item needs to be mended, cleaned, or ironed, it should not be in your closet. Keep your ironing or mending pile in a convenient spot so that you can tackle it while catching up on your favorite shows or chatting on the phone.
• It’s helpful to standardize your hangers. It doesn’t matter what type you prefer, just make them consistent and always hang clothes in the same direction. This will help reduce visual clutter and allow you to review your clothes at a glance. Wooden, padded, plastic tube, or velvet “huggable” hangers, rather than cheap wire ones, will keep your clothing in top-notch shape and avoid tangles. Get rid of extra hangers, which just take up space. See if your dry cleaner can recycle your unneeded wire hangers.
• From here on out, keep a give-away box in your closet to make donating easier.
Building closet maintenance into your weekly routine will reduce time and stress in your daily quest for determining what to wear. It will also allow you to make the most of your wardrobe and feel great about getting maximum use out of clothes you already own. This project may seem daunting, but its rewards are many! If you’re stuck, consider enlisting a trusted friend or professional organizer to help you with the process, especially the clutter-clearing steps. If you just need a little motivation and guidance as you DIY, considering joining the JOY (Just Organize Yourself) Challenge.
ABOUT SARA
Since 2000, Sara Pedersen has offered hands-on organizing assistance for countless Twin Cities residents. She helps them organize, simplify, and discover time to do the things they love. She is the author of Born to Organize and Learn to Organize, both available on Amazon.She lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, with her husband, two children, and tabby cat, Mulligan. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys finding new and creative ways to organize and decorate her home! She also loves to dig in the garden, take evening walks, eat chocolate, and explore the North Shore of Minnesota.
Visit her website for helpful organizing tips, donation resources, and access to her free set of Organized Acts of Kindness Cards.
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