Weird Dreams and Random Thoughts

I'm all in a funk today because I had some weirdo dreams last night. I think most women who are TTC (trying to conceive) feel that the two weeks of wait for your period are agonizing. I start to freak out and think every little thing I feel could be a pregnancy symptom. Clearly pregnancyis on the brain (among other things) because last night I had a dream that I was pregnant and also that Anthony Bourdain and some woman were pregnant too. Oh and we were all hanging out at one of my nieces birthday parties. I think its because I was watching an episode of No Reservations where he goes to Syria that was particularly weird. Either way I need to get a life and get distracted fast because I'm driving myself bananas.

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On another note - did you see Clemence Poesy in Marie Claire? Its featured on Who What Wear's Blog and I love the styling and her hair is incredible.

Above three images via Who What Wear

Also, I wish I could make a fishtail braid like Minka Kelly and actually rock it without feeling like I was back in 5th grade. What? Didn't your mom do a fishtail braid that went all the way across your head too? Awesome.

Image via people.com

Weird Dreams and Random Thoughts

long and wavy

I just trimmed my hair and although its still pretty long, I'm lusting after mermaid like, looooong wavy locks like these. Oh and please excuse the excessive references to the city and the hills in this post.

Okay this first one isn't that long but I like her contrasting highlights and waves

via {this is glamorous}

Always love LC's hair...

And Oliva's too (even if she is a biatch). Loving her dark chestnut hair this season more than the blonde...

via sugarscape

But my favorite is Whitney's

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I am loving both Whitney and Oliva's hair on The City this season. I know I should probably stop watching shows like The City and The Hills but sometimes I just need mindless entertainment.

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I'm obsessed with that necklace too.

via

long and wavy

Highlights: Yay or Nay?

I've been dying for a change but too scared to actually chop my hair super short (a la posh spice). I think my face/cheeks are too fat for it. So I spent three hours in the salon today on my day off getting highlights put in. I wanted subtle brown highlights. They ended up brown but I am not sure that they are subtle. Husband and BFF like the new hair style but I'm still not sure. It looks different in natural light and in indoor light (looks crazy bright to me indoors).

What do you think? Keep in mind in the pre-picture I was wearing make-up, all dressed up and it was taken by a non camera phone.

Pre-highlights

Post-highlights

Looks super blonde/light brown here!

Highlights: Yay or Nay?

My Beauty Favorites: Body and Hair Products

I am always looking for product suggestions from friends (hint hint) so I figured I'd take a little time to go through my favorite beauty products for body and hair. I love trying out new hair products, make up, shampoo, and other nonsense that you really don't need. Seriously I walk out of Target always wondering how I just spent $50 on a bunch of crap. Am I alone in this?

Body Lotion

I have a freakishly sensitive/dry skin which I think is because I have mild eczema (makes sense since I have asthma too). That was probably tmi but I felt like Itchy Legs McGee until I found Eucerin Calming Cream. It is the ONLY thing that works for me. I've tried a million different lotions and none of them compare. It is expensive ($8-9 a tube) but in my opinion totally worth it.

Shampoo

At this point I pretty much just use the giant tubs of Pantene from Costco but if you are looking to splurge I love Kerastase products. After reading this post you're going to think I'm obsessed with this brand but its because my hair salon in Boston uses the products so I always get suckered into trying something. (If you are looking for a salon in Boston, I go to G2O on Newbury Street and see Chrissy - she's only $55 for a cut and blow dry)

Bain Satin 2 is great for dry hair. Its expensive at $32 a bottle but it does make your hair feel lovely.

I like Bain De Force because I put my hair through hell with blow drying and curling/flat ironing. Its gentle and made for people with damaged hair. Still $32 though...

Deep Conditioner

Ciment Anti Usure is amazing. Its $36/bottle but makes my hair so soft and it feels thicker somehow. If you're choosing between shampoo and conditioner to splurge on, I would always splurge on conditioner. That's just me though...

For a much less expensive treat, I love Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. It also makes my hair super soft and smells wonderful.

Dry Scalp Care

I love to use Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Conditioner in the summer when my scalp and hair get dry. Its feels really soothing and works wonders. ($13/6.7 oz bottle)

Styling Products

I currently use Kerastase Ciment Thermique before blow drying.

I was using this Living Proof No Frizz styling cream for a while but didn't think it was all that amazing so I switched. $24/4 oz bottle

Then before curling or flat ironing my hair I just started using this Shu Uemura Iron Design which works pretty well and gives your hair some texture. $28/bottle

If I want to give my hair some extra shine or if my hair is kinda frizzy I use this Kerastase Lumiere Nutri Scupt which is amazing. Its $29/bottle but I've had mine for 2 years because you only need a tiny bit every time you use it.

Dry Shampoo

When I'm lazy or don't get up with enough time to wash my hair I'll use dry shampoo to make sure my hair isn't greasy all day.

I've tried a few brands and these are the ones I like:

Klorane ($18/bottle)

Ojon (although I like this one the least and its $24/bottle)

Rene Furterer ($24/bottle)

I hated Bumble and Bumble's version because its really thick black spray (and expensive at $35/bottle). If you touch your hair, your fingers get black and gross. In theory its great because all these sprays can leave little white specks if you don't brush them out enough. Clearly not optimal if you have dark hair because then it just looks like you have a dandruff problem.

Curly Hair Days
I have yet to find a product that I love for this. Right now I'm using Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Calming Creme and it actually works okay. I have to apply once when wet/damp and then again when its pretty dry to get my hair to be non frizzy. I barely leave my hair curly though so maybe I haven't given it enough of a chance. ($27/bottle)

I use a lot of stuff on my body and hair I guess. I'm sure I'm actually forgetting things but for now these are my body and hair product favorites. At some point I'd like to do make up and face products as well.

What are your favorites? I'm a product junkie so please share away :)

*No one is paying me to recommend these products - they are just my own product finds and suggestions :)

My Beauty Favorites: Body and Hair Products