Monthly Newsletter-October

Monthly Newsletter-September 2013

My favorite month has now arrived!! SEPTEMBER!!!!!!!!!!! It’s my birthday month! I try to wrap my brain around this being my last year in my twenties. WOW! That’s awesome! I really can’t wait to be 30. Weird, I know. I look at all the things I have accomplished in my twenties….what’s in store for me in my thirties? #moregoodthingstocome

Anywho…I am so ready for the temperatures to cool off just a little bit. It’s so uncomfortable to go outside and feel like you haven’t showered in days! I wanted to talk about different ways to wear a ponytail in this monthly newsletter because I feel it fits perfect for these hot temperatures. Who doesn’t want to throw their hair up when the temps are this HOT!?

I am going to touch base on 5 of my favorites ponytail do’s from a post on buzzfeed.com. Click here to get the full article.

You will want to read the full article on buzzfeed.com. There is so many great ideas to spice up your boring ponytail. They even have some tutorials on how to make that look happen! These hairstyles would work great even on day two hair. With already having product in your hair, your style is going to last that much better than day one. (please tell me you DO NOT wash your hair every day…right?! O.K. good!)

We had a great turnout for our 1st Semi-Annual Clearance Sale!! We still have a few items left on the clearance table and the prices are so ridiculously cheap I hate to even tell you how little you will be paying! Stop up and see what bargains we have left!

With this above quote, I have to share a funny thing with you. Last Sunday when the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus came to Pocahontas, I had to work the 2 pm show. The Pocahontas County Young Professionals (I am co-chair on that board) along with the Pocahontas Chamber arranged the Circus to be able to come to town. I volunteered my time to work the first shift. I thought back to when I had the Carnival at Cuts to Dye For for the Laurens’ town celebration 2 years ago. Yep, that clown outfit I had my sister wear…..I thought why not dig it out. I didn’t tell anyone that I was going to do this, because it was a last minute decision. WHY NOT? I already had to be there to work the 2 pm session. My kids were coming to the 4:30 pm session. So why not have fun while I choose to be there working. If you weren’t one of the 596 tickets we sold….you missed out! “Don’t wait, the time will never be just right”–In my head I said that; and in turn made the decision to wear the clown outfit. It was a great time! Cheers!

Monthly Newsletter-August 2013

Today I am reflecting on a lot of things. My oldest child Dawson, 4th Birthday is today. Brent and I went to Preschool Orientation last night…..where does the time go? I really can not believe that is happening! So much has gone on in the last four years it’s hard to wrap my brain around it! Friday is another special day for me. Brent and I will be married for 5 years. Yep, we came home from the hospital with a new baby boy on our 1st anniversary! Pretty special if you ask me! I am also celebrating some special milestones at work and I’m pretty stoked about everything that is going on. August seems to be a special month in general, but this year….it seems to be a little more special. I am so THANKFUL for all the great things going on in my life right now. I thank you all for a lot of it, because if it wasn’t for all the great clients we have here at Cuts to Dye For, I wouldn’t be sitting where I am today!

August means back to school time. For some, it’s the first time your child will be away from home. For some it’s the last time you have to go to school registration. Sending your kids off to school is a good thing. School can create a sense of independence. Going from the security of your home to the reality of the real world, will be a new adjustment for both students and parents, whether its college, high school or preschool! While embarking on this independent adventure, your child may still make some of the wrong choices. Remember when you went to school/college? You didn’t always make the right choices. You have to let your child learn their own lessons. They can’t always learn from your experiences, but instead they need to learn from their own. No matter what your childs age is, your child still needs you as a parent. If your kids are going to college, it is a different relationship now, however, you still need to stay involved but not be overbearing. Try not to judge, but help guide your child to be the best they can be. Give your child space so they can grow, but find ways to stay in touch. Technology is good for all these things. Most all kids have cell phones once they get to a certain age. Learn to text (because that is what they do) and communicate with your child that way. Continue to be the unconditional support system. They need you through this stage of their life more than they know (it sure doesn’t take long for them to realize this once they are away from you)!

The Pocahontas County Young Professionals are doing a school supply drive to help collect supplies so we can donate them to all the schools in the county. For more information, see the flyer below!

Don’t forget to stop by all the participating business’ for our Semi-Annual Clearance Sale THIS FRIDAY for AWESOME deals that are going to be gone before you know it!

Summer Vacations – Staycation?

August also means the end of summer is upon us. That also means summer vacations are coming to an end. If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy summer, it’s not over yet. You might consider a few staycation ideas if you are running out of time to get away for the weekend:

1. Throw a cocktail party. Invite your friends for a low key get together for finger food and fun cocktails.

2. Find a bike trail for the family. You don’t have to be an expert rider to have a great time.

3. Check for local events, such as the circus or kids fun run (wink wink—I am part of these events so I will do another post about these fun events coming up).

4. Pack a picnic and go to your favorite spot. This can be as easy as you want it to be (how about PB&J and chips?).

5. Plan a movie night. Pull out the fondue pot and make it extra special (did you get to the Drive in Movie that was in Pocahontas during the Fair?).

Did you know that August 15th is National Relaxation Day? Apparently it has been around for quite a few years. No one really knows how or why this day was designated. Despite that, here are a few ways to enjoy the spirit of relaxation!

1. Take time to spend time with someone you enjoy. This easily puts you into a relaxing state of mind.

2. Sit still and mediate. Find a quiet place, maybe outside under a tree. Turn off your phone and close your eyes and breathe. Sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

3. Take an aromatic bath. Put on some soft music and relax. Pop open a bottle of wine!

4. Pick up a book and read. (Again, shut off the phone and do nothing but read).

5. Watch the sunset. Go outside 15-20 minutes before sunset. Find a comfortable spot and sit and relax. Realize the miracle of being a part of this amazing place!

If you happen to be in the salon on National Relaxation Day, we will be sure to give you a special treatment that day to make it more relaxing!

You can’t have everything. Where would you put it? ~Steven Wright

Monthly Newsletter-July 2013

    Going Short?

Now that summer is here, we tend to think about another hairstyle.  With the warm weather, you might be thinking of cutting your hair shorter.  Shorter hair can be cooler, sometimes edgy, and unique.  You can definitely define your personal style with a short hair style. Are you ready for the plunge?

Before you do that, you need to take a few things into consideration. When you get your hair cut short, you will want to keep it maintained.  That will mean getting it cut every 4-6 weeks.   After 6 weeks, the style starts to look shaggy.  Plan your budget accordingly.

1. Know what you want.  Be sure to work with your stylist on the best hairstyle for your bone structure.  Not all short hair styles work with all facial features, hair textures, maintenance and overall desired look.

2. Bring a photo of what you want.  If you are making a drastic change, you will want to show your stylist what you are thinking and let them give you their recommendations.  Sometimes what you are thinking, is not what we are thinking!  “Your short” may not be the same as “our short” and vice versa.

3. Unlike long hair that you can pull back into a ponytail or a bun, you need to style short hair every day.

4. Short hair may require more hair care products.  You will want to spend money on good quality products to give your hair the best results.  Products are a key factor into maintaining a great cut.

5. Play with your new haircut.  Try different looks.  Even though it’s short you can still do different styles or use different hair accessories.

6. Put your new look together with clothes and makeup that goes with your new hair style. Short hairstyles can show more of your ears and necks.  Find some fancy earrings to show off your ears or a shirt that shows your neckline.

Be fearless!

We all are living busy lives these days.  Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day….but then I think I would just be going non-stop for that many more hours.  So I don’t think it would be better with more hours!  Katie and I are taking a few days off this week with the 4th of July falling on Thursday.  I find it hard to relax because I don’t really ever do it!  But the end of this week and weekend I am going to try to.  This is probably going to be the only time we get to go camping this year because we have so many weddings this summer!  I got all my cooking and baking done on Monday so I am almost ready to head out Wednesday evening!  I thought it was fitting to talk about how to relax and calm ourselves down!  Hope you guys enjoy a relaxing couple days around the 4th.

Ways to Relax from Stress

Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. One’s job or situation does not need to be high-profile for it to be high anxiety for you.  The cost of ignoring stress will cause you to show signs of wear and tear. It can range from simple fatigue to obesity or even heart disease. Are you doing everything you can to help your body recover from the effects of stress?

1. Don’t stress eat.  Be mindful of what you put in your body. Don’t be impulsive. Start with a glass of water before making a decision of what to eat.  This seems to be a hard one for a lot of people, myself included.  I LOVE to eat!

2. Let your body recover by sleeping. You know your body. You know how much sleep you need to be comfortable.  Stress can cause insomnia. But being sleep deprived, you can’t handle stress as well.  It is so important to get a good nights sleep…..on a regular basis.  Sometimes that is hard to do, but try as hard as you can to get the same amount of sleep each night.

3. Breathe and meditate.  Slow down your anxious mind.  Try to block everything out. While trying to block out your day, take a few minutes to breathe. Sit with your back straight, close your eyes and relax your shoulders. Inhale and exhale purposefully for several minutes.  Sometimes all it takes is to get our body calmed down and then we can think more clear!

4. Decide if the stress you are dealing with is worth it.  While there is stress everywhere, sometimes you can walk away from the situation or talk it out with someone can help you determine if it is even a stress that you need deal with or if you need to rethink some choices you may need to make.  I find a lot that we are worrying about things we can not change and not worrying about the things we really can change.  Get your focus in the right direction, and it’s amazing how much we can accomplish!

Nail Trends for Summer 2013

Although they seem like small details, nails have a great impact on a woman’s stylish look. Beautiful, well-groomed hands and nails are the first steps of creating a trendsetter’s image. Like anything else, nail trends are also extremely diverse this season, so everyone is sure to find something alluring for her. From natural and harmonious nail polish colors to slightly bright ones, as well as patterned nails, the newest spring trends bring a variety of options to choose from. Balancing  out these more extreme styles, we have noticed plenty of glamorous metallic varnishes and a colorful two-tone manicure that adds the perfect pop of sparkle and  impact.  Let’s examine the key manicure trends of the 2013 season and get ready for the spring days, which are actually so close already! (let’s hope, right!?)

Pale Nails

Whether it’s the beauty, hairstyle or nail trends, the new season places a high accent on naturalness and simplicity. Neutral, cream-colored nails for spring isn’t such a shock—it’s a minimalist  trend that’s been gaining momentum since last year.  Effortless looks are proven to be one of a kind. If you love to take care of your hands and nails, but don’t like to go for any colors at all, this trend will definitely interest you. Having short oval or almond-shaped nails painted in nude and milk shades, slightly visible pale peach and pink hues, you are sure to look like a real fashionista this season. Such semi-transparent tones highlight the natural beauty of healthy nails and go well with all the styles and colors of the clothing in your wardrobe.  This season, toning down your nails is the  new way to play it cool.  We carry multiple colors of OPI polish that fit this category!

The Dark Side

A dark romantic mood has also took the fashion front this season. The looks that have really stood out thus far are the grayish navy shades, the purple vinyl look, and even the dark angel look has gone over big.  It is best to keep your nails shorter when you are doing a more dramatic dark color on your nails.

Flashes of Metallics

When it comes to colored nail polishes, we can safely say that the summer nail trends are into traditional hues. Like almost any season, this year too, you can experiment with the colors of temptation, strength and style, such as red, black, various tones of pink, dark blue, bright green, deep lilac, bluish gray and white. Although pastel nail polishes are still hanging in at the top of the list, metallics sill lead. You can go for gold, silver and pearl shades confidently.   Note that this season, it’s very trendy to match the color of your toenails with the sandals you are wearing. The maximum difference between your toenail polish and the sandals can be only a couple of tones.

Two Tone Manicure

Bold without being too over the top, the dual polish effect has been getting plenty of  play with the stars so far this summer.   A new twist that has been compared to the French manicure, is a look that is easy to do on your own. Just pick contrasting shades that flatter your skin tone and use a  small brush to paint on a graphic style—try a half-moon, a vertical split, a  V-shape or a diagonal strip.  For  those who want to experiment with the trend without going too far, try painting just your tips with a bit of sparkle or decorating one or two nails with specks  of gold.

Edgy Elements

For those nail enthusiasts, who love to play with different patterns, prints and hues, there is the trend of nail art. This season, you can try to create ombre nails, striped, checkered, leopard printed or python printed manicure.  You might be thinking, “I am not creative enough to do that”…..look no further.  Here at Cuts to Dye For we carry the best nail decals around.  It doesn’t get much easier than that.  Stop in to see the many designs we have to offer!

Magnetic Nail Polish

This polish I might have to say is the closest to magic in the nail world!  This polish gives you 3-D Nail Art in Seconds! The has a revolutionary formula infused with metallic particles that move when exposed to the specially designed magnet to create an extraordinary effect.  STEP 1: Apply 1 coat of base coat. Shake Magnetic Nail Color to activate.  Apply 1 coat of Magnetic Nail Color to all 10 nails and let dry. STEP 2: Apply a second coat of color to 1 nail and immediately hold the built-in magnet over the nail. Rest the guide just below the cuticle without touching the wet nail polish. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for all 10 nails and let dry. Finish with top coat. Yep, it’s that easy!  One of the bank girls came by and bought one.  The other girls seen how awesome it was and then they one by one came down and each got one for themselves!!  They bought almost half of it already, so be sure to check it out before it’s all GONE! The second picture below was taken at Market when we were shown how the polish works!!  (Thanks for modeling it Julie!)

Creative Nail Design Vinylux

Now you want to talk about awesome new polish!  This is hot off the press and hasn’t been on the market long.  We have been honored to jump on the bandwagon of this new advanced polish.  This is pretty similar to Shellac, but you get to do it in the leisure of your own home.  Vinylux is a breakthrough polish that endures a weeks long fashion perfection…..without a base coat!  Exposure to natural light secures the patent-pending ProLight Technology creating an enduring long-lasting polish.  While ordinary polish become brittle and deteriorates over time, Vinylux dries naturally to a flawless finish and strengthens the resistance to chip over time.  Finally a polish that ensures that your nails will not let you down.  Change it when you want to—-not when you have to!

Happy Painting!

Monthly Newsletter-June 2013

This year, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16^th.  It is a day to show your appreciation for those fathers and father-figures in your life.  When thinking about a gift, don’t just get him a new tie.  Take time to think what kind of dad you have and what he might really like to receive.  Most every time, it’s the thought that counts.  Stop in and get dad a haircut Gift Certificate along with some shampoo or gel.  Keep him looking good!

Tis the season for no school, lots of beach trips, farm fresh foods, and sunny skies.  Yep!  It’s summer!  The first day of summer in the northern hemisphere starts on June 21^st, and is the longest day of the year. The sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon.  After this date, commonly called the summer solstice, the days start to get shorter.  Let’s enjoy all this sunlight while we can!  Someday this rain IS going to stop and then we are going to enjoy some time outside!

Summer makes it challenging to keep yourself looking flawlessly beautiful.  Summer heat makes your makeup melt and spread.  Harmful UV rays will dry out your skin, causing premature aging. <—-eeeek!

Adapt your beauty regimen to the summer weather by following a few simple guidelines:
1.  Sun Protection.  Proper summer protection is your best beauty secret.  Use sun protection, not only on your face, but your body as well.  Use a high SPF sunscreen, SPF rated clothing and even a hat to provide you with the perfect sun protection.
2.    Moisturizer.  Moisturizing is an important role in your summer beauty routine.  The summer’s heat dries the skin.  Also, find a moisturizing lotion for your body.
3.    Makeup.  The key to long-lasting foundation and color is the primer. Use a small amount of a lightweight, oil free formula.  Apply it to moisturized skin before your concealer and foundation.
4.    Hand Care.  Proper hand care is very important as summer heat and UV rays will dry out your hands. Finding a hand cream that contains SPF and Vitamins A and E will help keep your hands soft and prevent tell-tale age spots.
5.    Hair Care.  Your hair will dry out in the summer time. People tend to wash their hair more during the summer months.  Shampoos can dry out strands.  Use hair conditioner. You can also try a sulfate-free shampoo as a gentle option.  Another option is to mix three parts conditioner with one part shampoo.  The conditioner will diminish the power of the shampoo, which is great for dry, colored, and frizzy hair.

Need a few more style and fashion tips to make your life a little easier during these hot summer months?  Here are some easy tips that are a definite win-win for this summer!

1.  Summerize your topknot.—-The topknot is possibly the best summer hairstyle: The hair is off your neck and out of your way.  This also has a cheekbone-lifting effect.  Dont let those fly away hairs stop you…..just shoot it with hairspray to hold them down and you are good to go!

2.  Finally try dry shampoo. (Or try it again!)—-Still haven’t experienced what all the dry-shampoo hype is about? Now’s the moment to get around to it. Brands have perfected new colorless, residue-free, and ultra-fine mists that will instantly perk up hair that’s been weighed down by sweat. Bonus: You’ll smell like you just showered.

3.  Play with colored eyeshadow—- Now is the time to shine!  Dig out that colored eyeshadow that you have been to shy to try.  I’m telling you…..NOW is the time to step out of the box.  Almost anything goes right now for fashion.  Mix a couple of colors together to create your own unique look.  You will definitely gets some attention with a pop of color on your eyes.

4.  Dig out your headbands.—-You definitely already own the right accessory for this look—don’t you have a whole drawer full of these things that you never wear?—and any old snug headband is an excellent tool for concealing sweaty roots (or redoing your hair after a swim). Pull your hair into a ponytail and slip on a thin black band. It’ll also keep hair from frizzing and clinging to your sticky forehead, all while making you look hot in a good way.

5. Create a distraction with hot nails.—-Here’s your excuse to treat yourself to a mani-pedi ASAP: People are less likely to notice those sweat droplets on your brow when they’re blinded by the awesomeness of your bright nail polish. It’s scientifically proven. OK, fine, it’s not, but we still say go pick the boldest possible color on the shelf. Be on the lookout for the hottest new polish out there coming SOON to the shelves at Cuts to Dye For.  It’s sitting in the back waiting for me to have time to put it out and blog about it!!

6.  Do the twist.—–Twists are quicker to throw in than braids and are an instant pretty-me-up move when your strands are looking soggy and lifeless. Even better, try putting in some twists when your hair’s half-dry after a salt-water swim session; your hair will have the right gritty texture to help hold them in place and make them look sexy. (Don’t forget to throw bobby pins in your beach bag.)

7.  Let your skin shine on.—-You can fight the good fight against the season’s shiny skin, or you could just relax and learn to enjoy the gleam. Hey, it’s summer after all—everybody’s a little misty. Imagine glossy skin as natural radiance, and then go enjoy the sunshine!

8.  Waves—-What you’ll need: an old-school waving iron (or a crimping iron that also comes with waver plates), heat protector cream (so important—it’ll keep the iron from creating the crunchy-wavy look from the ’80s), and a shine mist (because heat-styled waves can sometimes look dull).        How you pull them off: Well, first you’re going to put on your heat protector, then very lightly press your hair in the waving iron for just a couple of seconds. You want the suggestion of a wave, not full-on bends—that’s what keeps this looking more modern. Then when you’re all done, just add your shine spray and be on your way.

With just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can stay beautiful all summer long!  Tips/Trends gathered from Glamour.com

There’s a First Time for Everything

This morning I felt pretty much on top of the world.  Well, sort-of.  I spend a lot of time searching for great things to sell.  Usually this time is spent online or looking through catalogs.  UGH.  Sometimes that can be awful.  There are many hours spent looking at not finding a single thing that I want to have in the Salon.  Today I met with a Representative of one of the Companies I do business with.  They bring a vehicle around (makes me think of “The Griswolds” motor home type of thing) and they have a ton of product in them to show you.  It pretty much is a showroom on wheels.  I felt like I was on top of the world because I haven’t ever had a “rep” come to me for anything but the hair product I sell.  It really wasn’t a big deal, but to me……it was pretty dang cool.  Let’s just say that we have some more cool jewelry coming next week!  Hope you are all having a great day!  This weather is BEAUTIFUL!

I don’t want to forget about Graduation.  It is right around the corner.  We can help you find the perfect gift to give the graduate that is a little more fun!  We know they need all those college dorm room items, but why not make them smile with a fun accessory to show off their style at college!  Give us a call or stop in and we would LOVE to help you!  (712) 841-HAIR

Gifts Galore

Mothers Day is quickly coming.  This is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.  While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May and traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts.  Do you have the perfect gift for your mother?

Sometimes it’s the simple things that make us mothers happy.  It could be something as simple as making a meal for your mom, doing a load of laundry for her, maybe an extra kiss or hug with an “I love You”, or even maybe giving her time to herself.  I know I would be happy with any of those ideas, that really wouldn’t cost a penny.  I think as a mother, we just so busy trying to take care of everyone else, we most of the time forget to take care of ourselves.  I’m pretty sure that is just a natural instinct when you become a mother, at least it has been for me.

I follow a blog called Greater Good Science Center and they talk a lot about having a happy life.  Sure that seems easy, but we so easily get side-tracked!  I want to share a short simple video that was just on their blog about mothers.  In this video, Christine explains why boosting Mom’s happiness is
good for the whole family. Click here to view it.

 Give us a call or send us an email and we will gladly help you find the perfect gift to show your mom how much you really appreciate all that she does for you!  We will even gift wrap it or put a basket together for FREE!

Here are a few pictures of all we have to offer at Cuts to Dye For!

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Monthly Newsletter-May 2013

We have been busy here at Cuts to Dye For.  Spring Open House was a success as always.  We have also survived another Prom Season (maybe I should say “I survived”).  Katie doesn’t mind doing it but I think I have done it long enough that I don’t LOVE doing it!  :+)  Katie and I just got our summer calendar booked out for all of the wedding her and I are in, having to attend, or do wedding hair for.  HOLY COW!!  There isn’t too many free weekends between the two of us.

Determine Your Style

As much as we like to say it doesn’t matter, looks do matter. Clothes and accessories make an impression about who we are. It is very important for each of us to come into our own style. If you are comfortable in your look, then you will feel more confident in who you are.

First impressions can only happen once. You want to portray who you are with your looks. The look you had in your teen years won’t help convey how you look in your 30’s.  You can readjust your look to better reflect who you are today.  It is essential to update your clothes and overall look that fits your current style.  Here are a few ideas to accomplish your style:

You should have several interchangeable pieces in your wardrobe that identify your style.  This will make it easier for you to put together different outfits for different occasions. Knowing what color works best for you, helps to reflect your style as well.  You will want to incorporate what colors works best with your skin tone and what makes you feel great.  Note what colors make your eyes brighter and skin glow more.  Watch out for colors that make you look tired or washed out.

Accessories have a way of adding diversity to your wardrobe.  You can wear the same outfit with different accessories and, in doing so you can make a whole new look for yourself.  Accessories can also keep your outfits looking fresh.

 When you figure out your style, your colors and what accessories works best for you, then you need to go shopping.  Start by knowing what you are looking for before you go because this will make your shopping experience much easier!  While your style might be one way, you might have specialty accessories or shoes that will enhance your style a little.  For example if you are a t-shirt and jeans person, adding a fun purse, a piece of jewelry or shoes can bring a whole new meaning to your outfit.

Here are a few tips for Spring Fashion this year!

• Pair a knit sweater with shorts-sometimes you always have that chill feeling, so don’t put those sweaters away just yet.  Who says you can’t throw that on with a pair of shorts.
• Cover up in a jean jacket–this is springs most popular trend and it’s so easy to throw this over a dress or even a plain shirt
• Mix patterns-it is ok now-a-days to mix patterns together and put a basic jacket with it for a chic finishing touch
• White denim-this is the best way to transition from winter to spring.  White mixes well with just about anything, from prints, bright colors and also denim.
• Color blocking-this trend is still alive and so easy to do with all the bright colors that are popular this season.
• Get a little graphic-If you think you can’t pull off the brights, go forward with black and white.  Get a basic geometric piece (chevron shirt for example) for your closet and accessorize it.
• Add a pop of color-this can be as simple as wearing a jean colored top and adding a colored jacket or necklace.  Keep it basic with a little pop of color if that is what you are comfortable with
• Keep your tights out-keep this in close hands for the cooler days.  Bust our your spring attire now and add your stockings to keep you a little warmer until it starts to really feel like Spring!
• Corduroy Pants-If you have these in a lighter color, it is perfectly fine to wear these throughout spring for the cooler days.
• Layers-You can’t have too many layers.  You never know when/what the temperature is going to be like throughout the day, so layers can help with adjusting from being hot and cold all in the same day. (we do live in Iowa–it can be 30 and 70 all in the same day!)

I swear to it, this is the time RIGHT NOW to step outside your style comfort zone.  You know the “old rules” of fashion are constantly flying out the door.  You can now wear stripes with polka dots, black with brown and many more.  I want you to try something just a little outside your comfort zone–just once.  You might find yourself really liking what you are doing and it might become your go to fashion statement.  DO IT! DO IT! YOU CAN DO IT!!

Go Green on April 22

Go Green!!!  Earth Day is April 22nd.  We are constantly told to Go Green, Recycle, and Save!  I am so impressed with myself because I never used to recycle and my mom and sister would get on my butt about it.  I’m so glad they did, because it isn’t hard to do it!!  All the little things we do sure make a difference.  Here are a few simple ideas to Go Green:

1. Energy. Install compact florescent light bulbs when older incandescent bulbs burn out.
2. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
3. Install a low-flow shower head.
4. Use less Gas. Walk, bike or carpool to work.
5. If you do drive, combine all your errands for the week in one trip.
6. Buy locally raised, humane and organic meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables.
7. Switch one appliance to an energy efficient model (look for the “energy star” label)
8. Stop using bottle water.  Install a water filter to purify tap water.
9. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
10. Fix leaky faucets.

For a list of more energy saving tips, go here.  If we all go a little more green we can make a huge difference!