Dry Bar Atlanta...

Have you heard of the whole Dry Bar concept? Dry Bar is a "blow dry bar" salon-concept where they don't do cuts or color -- just blowdrys for $35 a pop.

I blogged about it almost two years ago [when they were just located in NYC and LA] and I was significantly upset over the fact that there wasn't anything like that in the Berkshires - and never would be] WELL, I just discovered - they now have an ATLANTA location!?

{via}

I don't even remember how I stumbled upon this earlier this week [I blame pregnancy brain] but I am SO excited that I did - they've expanded significantly since they last came across my radar - they're in five states now and I'm so excited that there is a dry bar down the road from my office- this is being added to my Atlanta bucket-list ASAP.

I love a good blowout [though with all this baby talk and diaper "training" - the term blowout has changed significantly in my mind over the past 8 months...]. 

now I just need a fun occasion to get one [like for example a maternity photo shoot? if we decide to do one! speaking of which, I really need to get on that... oops]. The other big decision will be deciding which blowout I want.... they have quite the menu to choose from, I think my faves are these....

{all images via}

can't wait to splurge on a visit to the drybar!

check out their webpage to see if there's one anywhere near you!

which are your faves?

be-still my heart....

I got a lifechanging email yesterday -- from sephora... they'll now be carrying bumble & bumble [aka the savior of my hair]

yet another reason I would marry sephora if it was a person... 

...and polygamy was legal [I still love DJ, duh]

here are some of my favorite b&b products...

grooming creme - great for damp hair if you don't have time to blowdry or just to make your hair super soft on any given day...

spray de mode - one of the best hair/styling sprays I've ever used... holds so well but doesn't leave your hair sticky or stiff! 

styling lotion - a MUST have before you blowdry... I don't even have the words to describe it, it just makes such a difference!

let's be real though - b&b is a little pricey, and I've been on a "must not buy new hair products" kick until I run out of everything I already have - which is a LOT [I have unruly hair, what can I say]... and when I have been running out of things I've been trying to buy more economical choices [like from Target rather than Sephora]... so I ask you...

what are your "must have" hair products? 

trial hair...

well if any hair appointment is going to go well you're going to want it to be your bridal trial (or better yet, your appointment on your actual wedding day). I was VERY happy with my bridal trial hair and makeup - the makeup I'm not so worried about because I can touchup adjust if need to (but I was very happy with the job done) - but the hair, I can't fix so I needed it to be right and it was!

Check you the pics from my trial at Michele's - Holly definitely took my pictures as inspiration and created a romantic yet fun look for me...

thoughts?

 in other news, 17 days until the wedding.

I keep knocking things off my to-do list left and right.

and I keep repeating to myself:

I will not become bridezilla

I will not become bridezilla

I will not become bridezilla.

wish me luck.

bridal hair!

I'm going for my trial wedding hair and make-up appointment tonight and am getting super excited about it... I have a fairly good idea about what I want but am also open-minded. I'm just happy I'm getting a chance to work out the kinks a few weeks ahead of time - because I'm not REALLY good with this type of thing.


I cried almost everytime I had my hair done for prom or homecoming and I was the annoying bridesmaid that asked the hairstylist to redo my hair when I was in my friend Kelly's wedding... I'm just... a bitch particular.  For example, out of this article (25 fabulous updos to fit every style) - I only saw one updo that I liked (there were a few that were cute, but just not me... most were hanus).  Seriously, was it me or the article? Check it out and let me know....


SO - it makes me happy that on my wedding day I will have seen what the stylist wants to do and we'll have talked it out and there will be no surprises!


I like it when brides wear their hair down, especially if they have long beautiful hair - but mine is in the awkward length where I think it needs to be worn in an updo... but not a fancy updo - I really like the idea of a low bun, simple and classic.  As of right now I'm not planning on doing any flowers or bling, just a veil for the ceremony and pictures.... but that could change, who knows.


anyways, here's the good stuff - the pictures of what I'm thinking [duh]....

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

which one is your favorite?
[or are they all the same??]

send me good hair day vibes for tonight [and more importantly on NYE!]!

kiss and make-up...

{image via here}

I don't wear a lot of makeup but here are my essentials (you know, for when I decide I want to not burn peoples corneas and actually wear makeup....)

things I cannot live without (and should own stock in):

yummy blush, it's a must have (smells good too)

MAC Studio Fix (bye bye foundation)

mascara (and a good eyelash curler)

lip gloss, though I would like to try this.

eyeshadow

what are your must haves?

love/loathe of the moment: Ojon Hair Products

LOVE:

Ojon Revitalizing Mist, 5.7 oz $26.00

This past fall of my bestests KJ let me try her Ojon's Revitalizing Mist at her bachelorette weekend [she was KG back then] and I fell in love with it so I promptly went home and ordered it [from sephora.com clearly]. I use it before I blow-dry or straighten my hair [and always use it if I'm re-straightening my hair... second day hair is so much better than first day], sometimes if I don't have time to do anything with it I'll just spray it in my damp hair. It makes my hair smell yummy and super soft, I LOVE IT. Yes, for $26 it is a little more expensive but for a product you can use daily, definitely worth it!

LOATHE:

Ojon's Winter Shine & Protect Ritual Kit, $44

So after I tried the mist I thought, wow - Ojon is a really great company, they must make other great products too... I should try out their shampoo and conditioner... BAD IDEA. 

This four item kit is not what I thought it would be.... I bought it in December before I headed up to the Berkshires [to then visit DJ...who knew we'd get married and I'd end up living there a month later]. The kit had four products in it:

-8.44 oz Shine & Protect Shampoo

-8.44 oz Shine & Protect Conditioner

-4.25 oz Shine & Protect Leave-in Glossing Cream

-1.35 oz Restorative Hair Treatment

I'll be honest, I've only used the restorative hair treatment once... I think I'm going to give it another shot this week but the other products I just feel make my hair [which is normal/dry] super oily and only last one day without having to wash it again... I'm all out of the shampoo and have half the conditioner left... I refuse to waste them and throw them away so I've used the Ojon shampoo with my B&B Creme de Cocoa Conditioner and now I'm using the Ojon Conditioner with my B&B Creme de Cocoa Shampoo [I love Bumble and Bumble... if only sephora sold them... but you can get them at Target occasionally on sale!]

So all in all... Ojon it's a toss-up, I love the way your products smell and that they are Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, and Phthalates free... but other than the Revitalizing Mist... it's pretty loathe-worthy.

love/loathe of the moment: sephora products

I have a major [MAJOR] obsession with sephora... here's what I am loving and loathing that I've gotten from sephora lately:


LOVE:

Sephora Collection Microfiber Hair Towel - $20, buy it {here}
super soft, helps dry my hair quickly and really cuts down on frizz! must have, especially if you have thick-ole-horse-hair like me! Love, love, love and definitely worth the $20!


LOATHE:

bareMinerals Glamarama -$39.00 - check it out {here}
Now, let me be clear... I don't loathe everything in this pack but I really was not satisfied... here's what came in it and my thoughts:
- 0.05 oz Original SPF 20 Mineral Veil - classic, nice finishing touch to makeup
- 0.02 oz SPF 15 Warmth - again, nice finisher and adds a touch of color!
- 0.02 oz Glamarama SPF 20 Eyecolor - classic, I wouldn't use it alone because my skin tone is already tan, but I like using it to add an extra sparkle
- Double-Ended Angled Eye & Cheek Brush - brush works well with the products


Here's where the loathing begins...
- 0.33 oz Waterproof Flawless Definition Mascara in Black - YUCK. clump. clump. clump. not good, and definitely does not hold a candle to my other two mascara loves [benefit badgal and smashbox bionic indigo ink]
- 0.14 oz SPF 15 Natural Lipgloss in Honey Bun- again YUCK. sooo sticky and thick and I just felt my lips screaming whenever I put it on.

The mascara and lipgloss have been thrown away. I even gave them a few tries... I considered giving them to a friend but I don't have any friends that I dislike enough to put through that.

All in all, I wouldn't recommend this product, just not worth it even for the low low price for $39 [buy yourself an extra microfiber towel instead].

also... you'll notice, I'm giving the blog a bit of an "overhaul"... bare with me as I try some stuff out.

until next time....

Blow Out Bar?

Four years ago this time I almost moved to LA... I got offered a pretty good job at a great school... with a free apartment overlooking the Hollywood Hills, I had two close friends living out there too so it was a pretty sweet deal... BUT the thought of not being able to drive home [mom&pops], and the fact that I fell in love with the students at my previous institution, and at heart I'm an "east coast girl" so all of this kept me quazi close to home...

I have never regretted this decision until now -- um, hello Dry Bar...

I saw this post about DryBar on cupcakes and cashmere...

$35 for a blow out... and ALL they do is blow outs... all different types!? Can I catch a plane right now?

Here are the 5 types --

Straight Up: Signature Blowout

Mai Tai:Messy & Beachy

Southern Comfort: Lots of Volume

Cosmopolitan: Loose Curls

Manhattan: Sleek & Smooth

You can also be a "barfly" and for $125 a month get 4 blowouts and 2 free floaters (head/neck massage) each month AND 10% off products... YUM.

I wonder if one of these will open in the Berkshires anytime soon? HAH. Mountain Blow Dry...I think not.

Oh well, yet another reason to travel.

*No, I don't really regret my decision to not move to LA - whatever happened over the past four years it landed me right here where I am today... which is right where I'm supposed to be!

AND THEN my pretties... I decided to investigate some more... if there is one - there must be more, right? RIGHT! HELLLOOO "blow: the new york blow dry bar"

Yup, they have them in NYC... NYC that's only a 2 hour train ride away... AMAZING! I will be visiting VERY soon... it's definitely different than the LA drybar - they offer more than blowouts and they're a little more pricey than [$40, $50 or $60 based on lenghth and texture] but looks just as fabulous... "Looking fabulous requires daily maintenance. Whether you want New York's best blow out or an all out "glamour," the place is blow."

I need to work some more daily maintenance into my life... as I'm currently wearing my nasty ponytail and non-madeup face. au natural baby.

...In other news. I'm addicted to sephora and want a new straightener. more to come. yum.