Julianne Hough Look for Less <$110

Lately, I have been so drawn to colored denim it has made me forget about good old regular denim but Julianne Hough shows us how to pull off a super chic travel look in regular denim. I love everything about this look from the heels all the way to the panama hat she is carrying! I hope I look this chic the next time I am traveling!

Get the Look!

Tank

Jeans

Blazer

Shoes

Sunglasses

Scarf

Hat

Back & Forth Puffy Braids

This style is a variation on one of our favorites, Puffy Braids.  You will be creating a series of horizontal parts as usual but the difference is that there is no vertical part down the center.

 

Start by creating a horizontal part from ear to ear and making a small section of hair along the bang line.  Secure it into an elastic that is pulled to the left side.  Now create a parallel part behind the first that you will secure into an elastic over on the left side. 

Create a 2 inch braid out of your left ponytail and have your princess hold it while you create a third parallel part/section.  Pull that section over to the left as well and add in the braid before securing it with a new elastic.  (Your braid will be lying over the top of your second section that is over on the right.)

Now move over to your right ponytail and create a 2 inch braid out of that as well.  Create a 4th part/section and pull it to the right where you will add in that braid and secure it with an elastic.

Now move back to the left and repeat the pattern back and forth from left to right. 

When you get to the bottom of the hair you will have one braid that ends higher than the other.  Finish off your final ponytails with Regular 3-Strand Braids and you are all finished! 

Olivia Palermo Look for Less <$95

Patterned shorts are one of my favorite trends for summer and Olivia P is pulling it off flawlessly. I found these Lucky ikat shorts on sale at Macy's and they look quite similar to Miss Palermo's. She then tops it all off with simple orange flats and a sheer top. To get the same tie dye look as Olivia's flats, maybe have a little fun with clorox pens for a quick and easy DIY. I am also loving her crochet bag, kind of a fun summery pick for a purse!

Get the Look!
Shorts
Top
Flats
Sunglasses
Bag

Maria Menounos Look For Less < $125

I have a new obsession with dressy shorts. I think they are a modern and fresh choice for a night out during the summer.  What do you think?  Here Maria Menounos is looking darling with a pair of dressy shorts paired with a blazer. Love!

Source: img2.timeinc.net via Jackie on Pinterest

Get the look:

blazer, shorts (need these in my life!), earrings, wedges

Women Casual Short Hairstyles 2013

Women Casual Short Hairstyles 2013

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

Women Casual Short Hairstyles

the IT list... May 25, 2012!

I've got a seriously stylish start to your long weekend here ladies!

Be sure to check out these fabulous links... you won't regret it...

• Sweetie Pie Style celebrated the solar eclipse with a cute tie dye scarf! The perfect accessory to jazz up any outfit! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• Lipstick & Lollies goes for the unexpected and pairs bright, cheery citron with a muted olive! Throw on some pink lipstick and she has such a fun look!
• Olive & an Arrow has joined the white skinny jean club and just in time for summer! Don't forget to check out the cute top she paired them with! (find Olive & an Arrow on Twitter!)
• Franishh found a total budget friendly pearl bib necklace! She made a few adjustments to make it her own and now she has the perfect statement peice! (find Franish on Twitter!)
• City and Burbs is minty fresh in her new skinny jeans! She pairs them with leopard and pink for a bold vibe! (find City and Burbs on Twitter!)
• Rachel's Look Book is adding a little sparkle to her life with a gold sequined top! Paired with a pink maxi, she is looking seriously sweet! (find Rachel's Look Book on Twitter!)
• Here & Now has officially entered wedding season and she is showing us how to look our best for the festivities! We even get a peek of her man's threads! (find Here & Now on Twitter!)
• Style Your Life is taking a cue from warmer temps and put together what could be the perfect weekend outfit - maxi skirt, tee, sandals and hat. (find Style Your Life on Twitter!)
• DahliaLynn Lane pairs stripes and floral for a combination that is sure to raise your spirits! A match made in heaven! (find DahliaLynn Lane on Twitter!)
• Fabulously Average is trying out the peplum trend and knocking it out of the park! Head over to find out where she got her top for a steal! (find Fabulously Average on Twitter!)
• Wardrobes I Met and Liked shows us a different take on the leopard that we all know and love! Pop over to find out how she kicked it up a notch!
• Urban Frill shows us a business casual look with a bag that play many roles! And her neckalce? Gorgeous!
• Seize the Styles is sporting a candy striped dress that reminds her of fruit stripes gum! If this outfit doesn't make you happy, I don't know what will! (find Seize the Styles on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is crushing on ikat for home and wardrobe. Head over to see the pieces she picked to bring the pattern into you room and closet! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second St. East.

Friday's Film: Python Piggies

(This is a day early but we are headed out of town for Memorial Weekend and I wanted to get this up for you!)

Here's a fun hairstyle that is not too hard but does take a good 15 minutes to complete.  Start with wet hair and make sure you have a Topsy Tail or similar tool handy. 

You can make your top section that you keep out as big or as small as you like depending on what you want your wraps to look like. 

Here is the finished product.

This angle shows you what the top looks like as you begin to wrap the hair around.

This one also shows the way we created our parts.

Very easy and really cute!

Brooke Burke Look For Less < $135

What a perfect look here on Brooke Burke, stylish and comfy for errands with her daughter. This outfit is so me!

Source: stylebistro.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Get the look:

top, jeans, purse, shoes

Basket Weaving

Here's a new one that we came up with today that is basically just a variation on our Swedish Piggies.  It looks difficult doesn't it!  That's the beauty of it, this is one of the most simple hairstyles to create!  We've called it "Basket Weaving" because that's exactly what it looks like but there is no weaving involved - thank goodness! 

You can start with wet hair or dry hair but I do find that the ends sty in place better with wet hair.  Make a small part coming off of your bang line that is about 2-3 inches long. 

It can be right in the center or off to ones side like we've done here.  I like how the bags look "swept" this way.  Now comb the remaining hair straight back. 

Gather a section on each side of your part going down to the ear and secure those sections into little piggies using elastics. 

You now have two new pieces of hair that you are going to work with.  Simply cross them over each other at the back of the head (over the rest of the hair) and tie a half knot.  (The first step when tying your shoelaces.) 

 Have your princess hold the left side while you gather a small section of hair on the right side just below that first elastic.  Secure the right side of your half knot in with that small section by using another elastic.  Do the same over on the left side.  You've now made the top of your "basket". 

You still have two pieces of hair to work with and you are going to cross those over each other to create a half knot once again and just repeat the steps as before.  Continue this process down the head until you have gathered all of the hair in from the sides of the head.  You may still have some hair hanging down and you can divide that in half and add it to each final piggie by securing them with elastics.  The style gives the really cool effect of being woven together when really it's just stacked.

  Told you it was simple!  

Aubrey Plaza Look for Less < $95

I love the idea of dressing up shorts (especially leather ones) for summer style... here Aubrey Plaza from Parks & Recreation beautifully pulls off this look!

get the look for less:
top
shorts
shoes

Dianna Agron Look for Less <$90

Perfect patterns for summertime with this look from Dianna Agron. She is my favorite glee star, fashion-wise so I am always interested in seeing what she is wearing! This look is perfect for a day of running errands but while still looking chic!

Get the Look!
Skirt
Jacket
Tank
Flats
Bag

Hair Flowers

These beautiful Hair Flowers are courtesy of Jenn over at Girly Do's by Jenn and she is absolutely amazing.  The link to her official post for these flowers can be found here and it includes a tutorial video!

we did a simple style for church that incorporated these flowers and this is what it looked like.

First I pulled the bangs back and secured them under the hair, by the nape of the neck.  I then created 3 parallel sections on the top of the head and secured each one with an elastic. 

 My flowers ended up being larger than I had anticipated so I only created flowers out of my two outside sections.   I also added some twisty flower hair pins into the center of each flower.  (Don't forget to click here to see the instructional video on how to create these flowers.)  

We finished off the back of her hair by straightening it and then curling her ends under.

She looked beautiful and everyone loved the flowers.  Thanks Jenn!

Nicole Richie Look For Less < $100

I was so inspired by this modern and bold look on Nicole Richie.  The blue and green floral with the statement necklace just begs to be re-created!

Source: elle.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Get the look:

dress, necklace (you won't believe the price!!), sunglasses, pumps

Friday's Film: Skinny French Braid

Here's a fun hairstyle that I originally saw on Pinterest and that direct link is here.   I was unable to find any directions for it so this is what I came up with and the end result seems to be the same. 

We already have a hairstyle called "The Overlay Braid" so we didn't go with that name but it would definitely apply here as well.

Here's a picture of what the finished braid looks like.  It looks awesome over the top of the other hair!

Here is the back with the braid wraps around the piggies.

The top was kind of hard to see in the video so here's a picture of what it looks like. 

Here's another view of the braid.  Fun huh! 

the IT list... May 18, 2012!

• Sweetie Pie Style rounds up one of her favorite new arm party trends - the open-ended cuff! Check out her beautiful picks! (Find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation found a real gem at the Shops at Target! The dress is gorgeous and perfect for summer!  (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Lipstick & Lollies is a pro at mixing patterns! See how she pairs polka dots and paisley for a polished, causal look!
• Urban Frill Looks so chic in black, gold and lace! You must check out her amazing tassel necklace!
• Olive & an Arrow is sporting an all-white ensemble that makes me want to head for the islands! Love the fun necklace she paired with it for a pop of color! (Find Olive & an Arrow on Twitter!)
• Franishh shows us some serious arm candy! Head over to check out where all of her pretties are from! One might surprise you! (find Franish on Twitter!)
• City and Burbs is going bold with a fabulous floral dress paired with bright accessories! Pop over to check out this super fun look! (find City and Burbs on Twitter!)
• Rachel's Look Book mixes vintage pieces with a few new ones for a dressy look with a boho vibe! Check out her hair accessory that makes the look! (find Rachel's Look Book on Twitter!)
• Here & Now looks ladylike in her scallop shorts and top knot! Also, she shows us where to pick up our own scallops for under $50! Yes, please! (find Here & Now on Twitter!)
• Style Your Life shows us what to wear for an entire 11-day trip to Italy by mixing and matching a few key pieces! Impressive! (find Style Your Life on Twitter!)
• DahliaLynn Lane found an amazing old bag she had while moving! She pairs it with a chic wrap dress for an adorable look! (find DahliaLynn Lane on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is keeping it casual with neutral pieces mixed with a few fun accessories! The sandals are such a great buy at an even better price! (Find Second Street East on Twitter!)
• Fabulously Average adds a little polish to her bohemian look with a trench vest!  Head over to see where she found it! (Find Fabulously Average on Twitter!)
• Wardrobes I Met and Liked goes denim on denim but in a fun, unexpected way! The polka dot skinny jeans are to die for!!

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second St. East.

 For more information on how you can be involved - click here!

Lauren Conrad Look for Less <$90

Love this look from Lauren Conrad, perfect for a summer night out. While I am not sure what shoes L.C. wore with this look, I would suggest some fun wedges or gladiator sandals if you aren't a heels type gal. Either way, this look is to die for!

Get the Look!
Top
Skirt
Bracelet
Nail Polish
Clutch

The Bow Braid

This hairstyle is one that I've been following on Pinterest but could never quite figure out and the AMAZING Mindy over at Cute Girls Hairstyles posted a great video that you can find here.  Full credit goes to her and her perfect instructions that make this braid very "do-able".  She also got some fabulous variations that show the versatility of this braid.  Here's our version:

First we separated the hair directly down the middle of the head and created The Bow Braid out of the left half of the hair.  (The link to the instructional video from Mindy is above.) 

I absolutely love the look of this braid and the idea to it is really quite simple.  It does take some time so plan appropriately.  This hairstyle was supposed to have a Bow Braid on each side but we ran low on time so we came up with this instead. 

We added in the hair from the right side to the bottom of our Bow Braid and swept it over below the right ear.  We did this by doing a Half-French Braid and only adding in hair to the top half. 

We finished it off with a Regular 3-Strand Braid and secured it with an elastic and a little flip at the bottom.  

Remember to check out Mindy's fun variations because she's got some great ideas!