4 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Shorter Hairstyle

Since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with growing my hair longer. Unfortunately for me, my hair grows to a few inches past my shoulders and then seems to almost stop growing. Weird, I know. Because of this, I’ve never been able to have the long, voluptuous locks I’ve always dreamed of having, so I’ve held on to what I could grow for dear life. Stretching months, even years, between haircuts, causing my “long” hair to suffer from split ends and dryness, I neglected my hair because I didn’t want to chop any of it off. 

In January of this year, I went to the salon to get a haircut. I had a long bob hairstyle in mind (long bob, meaning past my shoulders – I’d had this cut in college). Well… The hair dresser didn’t pay any mind to the photos I showed her and chopped all of my hair off. I was devastated. I had walked in with my hair at the longest length it had ever been, only to have it all chopped off in a few moments. The back of my hair now fell just to the nape of my neck, and the longest bits up front fell at about 2 inches above my shoulders. I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by this person I had trusted to cut my hair. I left the salon very upset. Upon inspecting my new do more closely at home, I realized that it was cut very unevenly, with bits and pieces much longer than others – definitely not a blunt, bob cut. They asked me to return and put me in the hands of their most experienced hairstylist who eased my worries and told me not to freak out. After calming down, she talked to me eye-to-eye and said that for her to do her best to make me happy she would need to cut a little more hair. At this point, I’d already lost so much of my hair, that I told her to go for it. 

And you know what? I’m so glad that I did. I LOVE the hairstyle I ended up with!



Here’s why I love it:

1) When I wake up in the morning, there’s less mess to deal with. This makes getting ready for work such a breeze. 

2) Overall, my hair is less frizzy. (Goes hand-in-hand with less mess.)

3) My styling time has been cut in half.

4) I’m using less product! ($$$)

After having all of my hair cut off, I began to really care for what I had left. I deep condition multiple times a week, alternate between hot oil and coconut oil treatments bi-weekly, and try my best not to over process it with heat. (I usually wear my hair curly, unless we’re going out somewhere or I just really want to straighten it.) I take multivitamins, too! My hair has grown more quickly in the last few months than it ever has before. 

Now, 3 months later, I’m finding myself thinking, “My hair is getting too long.” WHAT?! Did I really think those words in MY head? Yep. Sure did. Because shorter hair is so much easier to care for. 

What length is your hair? Would you ever consider cutting it shorter?

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

Love getting your nails done, but hate the salon price tag? What about painting your nails? Don’t you just hate the dry time? Me, too!

For the last few months, I have been getting my nails “prettied up” with solar powder at the salon. My last visit to get my nails done, though, I noticed just how much they’re harming my nailbed and remembered that that was the reason why I stopped getting them fine in the first place. After removal of the solar nails, I found my nails had ridges and didn’t look very healthy overall. I decided against a new set and headed straight to Walgreens to grab some goodies to better my nails back to health. 

As I browsed, I saw that Sally Hansen has a new product called Miracle Gel. The signage states that the products provide a gel manicure without the use of UV light and cause no damage. I was very intrigued and chose a pretty neutral color – Crème de la Crème. The application of Miracle Gel is a 2 step process. First, you apply 2 coats of color and then 2 coat of top coat. Make sure you let each coat dry before applying the next. If you don’t, you’ll end up like me.. With wet smudgy fingernails for forever! After letting my first 2 attempts, I finally realized I wasn’t allowing each coat to dry fully before applying the next. Once I made that change, I had no issues with smudging. My top coat (final) did, however, take about 30 minutes to dry fully. If serves as the “curing” agent for the color. 



Crème de la Crème is a very pale color, and required 3 thin coats instead of the 2 that are suggested. I chose this color as my first Miracle Gel polish because of its neutrality. It’s a classy color that won’t clash with any others.

There is a wide variety of colors to choose from for every season, holiday, or special occasion. Their colors range from white to black with everything else in between. I’m already eyeing my next color!

At $9.95 a bottle they’re not cheap, but it they really last like gel manicures do, they’ll pay for themselves within a couple applications!



Three coats of color and one coat of top coat. 

You can see that I have no chips, but that the polish looks like it has narrow cracks in it. I think this may be because of the damaged state of my nails, though. Next time, I will apply three coats of color and two coats of top coat. 

I will post more photos and give you my final thoughts about the line in the next post. 

Ja-Vie Ballet Flats Review

As you all know by now, I’m constantly on the lookout for comfortable shoes. I recently became obsessed with Tieks, but they can definitely break the bank with their price tag. So, when I discovered Ja-Vie I just knew I had to give them a try!



PACKAGING:

The packaging was a bit disappointing. The shoes came wrapped in a plastic bag inside a plain, brown cardboard box. (I know… Sounds like typical packaging, but Tieks has spoiled me with their packaging!) The flats were bound together with a band made of the same material that the shoes are constructed of. Also included inside was information about Ja-Vie and how to care for my new flats. 





FIT & FEEL:

Ja-Vie flats are constructed from a light sock, think Mary Jane socks, coated with a layer of jelly. I thought for sure that the jelly material would make these shoes stiff and uncomfortable, or that I would slip and slide in them. Boy, was I wrong! The moment I slipped these bad boys on my feet, I didn’t want to take them off. I walked around with them on at home all day yesterday, just waiting to wear them to work today!

These flats come in only whole sizes, like Tieks. Because of this, I was very worried about sizing and fit. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I typically wear a size 8.5, and sized up when I ordered. A size 9 in these flats fits like a glove. I recommend for all half-sizes to size up in these flats! Especially if you have long toes (like me) or wide feet. 

My feet felt like they were snuggled in a tight hug all day.. And they liked it! I think that may be because of the sock-like material they’re constructed of. They were super conduit most of the day! Toward the very end of the day, my pinky toes began to feel a little raw, as they usually do the first few times I wear a pair of shoes. Other than the end of the day.. Heaven!





PRICE & VALUE:

Ja-Vie flats cost $68 at full price. They currently have a wide selection on sale for $39-49, though, so you should run along and grab a pair before they’re all gone! These flats are definitely worth the value. They’re comfortable, breatheable, flexible, and supportive of the feet. I’m not afraid to get them dirty, because the leather insole comes right out and I can throw my shoes into the washer to clean. 





VARIETY:

Talk about selection! Ja-Vie flats are available in over 40 color choices! They come in solids, sporty, lace, polka dots, stripes, shimmers, and cap-toes. My pair is from their newest Island collection for Spring and Summer! My color combo is called Hibiscus/Gold. They’re hot pink with a shimmery gold cap at the toes. They’re perfect for warmer weather!



HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO TIEKS?

Well.. I like them both. For different reasons, though. Ja-Vie flats will be my go-to “I Need a New Pair of Shoes” flats, while Tieks will be my go-to “I Want to Splurge on Myself” flats ($68 versus $175+). They’re very different from one another. In my honest opinion, Ja-Vies are more casual (in general) and Tieks are more fancy. I would feel totally comfortable wearing a pair of Tieks to a formal event, but not sure I would feel the same with Ja-Vies. I feel like they’re more fun, hip, and happening for day wear than Tieks, and the one HUGE plus with Ja-Vie flats is that I don’t have to be careful while kneeling and getting down on the carpet to work with my students. In my Tieks, I have to be very conscience of what I’m doing with my feet as to not scratch or scuff the leather. In my Ja-Vies I can move freely and don’t have to really pay attention to what my feet are doing. (Check out my review for Tieks by Gavrielli here.)



Overall, I’m really happy with my Ja-Vie ballet flats, and will definitely be back for more! You can purchase your own pair here. 





*Thank you to Kyra and the Ja-Vie team for allowing me to review these divine flats for you! It was truly a pleasure. Although I was given these shoes for wear and review, the opinions above are my own. 

OPI Sorry I’m Fizzy Today

Are you looking for the perfect shade of pink-ish coral? Look no further! Sorry I’m Fizzy Today by OPI is definitely the way to go!



In the nail salon, the color looked much more pink, but to my surprise, it’s actually pretty coral! The application is smooth and creamy. Two applications with a base coat and top coat is perfection! I don’t have any lumps or bumps.

“Open this when… you are feeling generous!”

My best friend, Ashley, is the QUEEN of sentimental gift-giving. Our friendship is long distance (Texas – California), and she definitely puts me to shame with her extraordinary gifting skills! I appreciate that she is always so thoughtful and sincere. For this past Christmas, she sent me a box full of “Open When…” cards to enjoy throughout the year. The cards range from “Open when… you are happy!” to “Open when… you don’t feel appreciated.” Every emotion is perfectly captured and trapped within the walls of an envelope inside this box of her love. Each card is either hand-picked with much thought or hand-decorated for a personal touch. I opened a card yesterday and its message has really stuck with me.

“Open when… you are feeling generous!”

Written across the white envelope in green ink is, “Follow your ❤️.” Nestled inside, a card with a photo of a Congolese village’s harvest and beautifully written message of giving. I am, by nature, a giving person. As a daughter, sister, wife, teacher, and friend… I am generous. I give without the expectation of receiving and love to see the expressions of joy from those to whom I give. The old adage says, “‘Tis better to give than to receive,” and it rings so true for me. I get a rush from seeing people happy and knowing that I took part in it. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am forever thinking of others. Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Isn’t that just beautiful?

Just as Ashley has encouraged me, I encourage you… give.

Make a difference in someone’s day… or life.
Put a smile on the face of someone you love… or that of a stranger’s.
Give not monetarily, but of your time instead.
Make a difference. Show you care.

Live & Love Fully.