To go along with the Steampunk lifestyle you must be appropriately attired. As you can see this look often means people are dressed to the hilt. I am not sure where these clothes come from as I would love to tell you but the problem with Pinterest is the sometimes lack of sources. I only ever see people dressed this way at special events so I don't know what they do for work but I am curious...
HAIR!
About a year and a half ago I got my hair done for the first time in a dark blue color. I wasn't too crazy about it at first and truth be told, my experience at the salon I went to left a lot to be desired. That was a bit frustrating at first as the place I went had the best reputation for unusual hair requests. And I might add, this type of service is very expensive. It certainly falls into the luxury end of expense as far as I am concerned. Be that as it may I was getting my hair colored for the release party of my first book. I was nervous but excited and at that point had only ever done box colors. I was not about to bleach my own hair. My hair may not be perfect but it is healthy and people spend a whole lot of time learning to care for your hair. My using a box bleach was not about to happen. Some things I just don't think are very smart to do on your own if you have no experience. Hair for me, is one of those things. SO I made an appointment at Hair Police and went in the first time. Like I said it wasn't a great experience but I will say I am still going to the same place and seeing the same person because it did get better. There was just enough good about the first couple of experiences for me to weigh it against the bad and give it another go. Plus, when you finally find someone who can actually do your hair, it makes you pretty happy. It's such a personal thing and is one of the first things people notice about you. That said my hair is currently blue though faded from summer with silvery blue tips and I have enjoyed this very much. I am going in for a new color this week and I have been scrolling through a million ideas from Pinterest looking to see what I want. The first couple of pictures are my hair from earlier this year and the next few after are some of the ideas I really like. I am fairly certain I've settled on a color but you never know.
One of the things that made me go back to my current stylist was her total honesty about caring for my hair. She gave me really good advice about how to take of the color. And even though it fades as this is unavoidable it does so gradually and usually fades to a fairly nice color. I am not someone who runs in for a touch-up immediately as I don't think the bleach is a good idea all the time. She has mentioned that this keeps my hair pretty healthy despite all the abuse.
First and foremost she told me, no hot water. Barely even warm. This isn't a particularly easy thing to deal with in a cold Minnesota winter but it is great for your hair in general. I usually pin my hair up and don't wash it till the end so it's quick and I can still have a warm shower the rest of the time.
Second, do not wash your hair everyday. This is also good advice in general because it dries your hair out unless you have unusually oily hair. I used to have a very dirty, dusty job so I did wash my hair everyday out of necessity but no longer. I wash it every 2-3 days depending how dirty it feels and based on activities. The days in-between I either condition it or just leave it. My hair is pretty much healthier than it's been in a really long time.
Third and this is probably one of the more important pieces to this is: only use salon quality products. You may think, yeah right you can use cheaper things. Well, let me tell you, sure you can but they are going to strip your hair no matter what the bottle says. No alcohol, no sulfates. Absolutely paramount in maintaining your color and not even the pricey things at Whole Foods are as good as the salon products I buy. I've tried dozens of them. I mean seriously, even if you do the color yourself it is a huge time and money investment, why not make it last as much as possible. I personally use Kevin Murphy products because they are also not tested on animals and use vegan ingredients which is important to me. My color as well is cruelty-free. (Another reason I decided to stick with my current stylist was her commitment to finding and using cruelty-free products)
There are other things as well to think about such as wearing hats when out in the sun for long periods of time and minimizing exposure to heat styling tools without some sort of oil to protect your hair. But those three listed above are the most helpful. The only thing I haven't tried is having a bit of color added to my conditioner and I may ask her to do that for me this time.
There's tons of hair advice out there and some of it is even useful but if you're going for an unusual color you have to know it requires a fair amount of extra time and care. And money. No way around that. Blue especially is difficult to maintain and it can run forever. But well, it's pretty great when little kids freak out over your color and think you're a mermaid.
Ebony Fashion Fair
When I saw this exhibit coming to town I had no idea how great it would actually be. I immediately wanted to go just because I love gowns, dresses, fancy frocks and girly finery. But when I got to the Minnesota History Center and went into the exhibit I had no idea I would learn about a pioneering business in America on the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit was centered around the Ebony magazine fashion fair that used to travel around the southern United States showcasing for the first time in our history models of color. In high fashion most notably. A world that had worked to keep people of color out of it's business. The founding family of Ebony worked tirelessly to change the images of the African American community in America. It was an uphill battle all the way. BUT-if you make the time to read the history of the magazine you will learn a great many awe-inspiring things about Johnson Publishing and the founders. I will leave you with gorgeous gowns- YSL, McQueen, Valentino, Givenchy, Dior.
And More Pretty Things.
Putting more new pieces in my shop, GirlyGeekChic today!
New Things in my Shop!
I have been so busy working on my book and getting ready for the party that I had not put much work into my ETSY shop. But I am changing that as I write this because I have been making many things. I would love it if you stopped by GirlyGeekChic.
May Favorites
May was a busy month. And a bit rainy. Here are some pictures from a few things that I enjoyed.
I cooked with morel mushrooms for the first time and they were quite delicious.
I saw Above & Beyond at the crazy sold-out show.
New bedding and moon pillows from ETSY for my bedroom.
A fairy house on the way to the Linden Hill's Farmer's Market.
This adorable cat flask purse from Zulilly, which has great stuff.
Spending time on my newly put together deck.
Making large meals like french toast.
Visiting the Minneapolis Downtown Library for the first time.
Drinking champagne to celebrate finishing my second book.
Being excited that one of my favorite authors liked my photo! Woohoo!
Making Things
There are some sad and frustrating things happening in my life right now. When my mom died some years ago, it was suggested to me to find some sort of not serious creative outlet. I started making little handmade pieces of jewelry to distract myself. I never thought I'd still be making it and sending it all over the world. I am glad for my creative time. It's really getting me through tough times again. Sometimes it's hard to focus but when I can get right into it, the concentration required is a great help to me. These are some of my favorite things I've made and a few new things I've made recently. Some are listed in my ETSY shop, GirlyGeekChic if you are so inclined. Thank you for stopping by!
New Shop Listings!
Taking a break today to work on new listings for my shop, GirlyGeekChic. Please have a visit!
Girly Geek Chics
A new member of the Girly Geek Chics, lockets and cute Thank You cards!
Have a great day!
Snap Shots
Bits and Pieces of my shop's holiday!
GirlyGeekChic 2nd Annual Open House
I did not get accepted to a craft show that I applied to be in this year and was pretty discouraged. But with some help of one very supportive helper elf, I hosted a 2nd Open House this past weekend and I am so glad I did. It went even better than last year and I feel so happy and grateful for the support of my little shop, GirlyGeekChic. Here are some photos from my 3 day event. Have a great week!
New Geek Girl Pieces!
There are more new things in my shop! I am so excited for the holidays and my Open House!
Pretties for the Holidays
Busy as a Bee
A sneak peek at some new things going up in my shop very soon.
These will be listed in my shop in the next week with many more pretties. I'd love it if you stopped by!
Fairy Tales and Fables
Things I have made...I am very influenced by fairy tales, myth, fables...the lessons hidden in dangerous beauty...
More New Things
I'm in the process of adding 40 new pieces to my shop. I'd love it if you stopped by!
Friday
Just a few pleasant images for this Friday. Have a great weekend!
New Things
I have been crafting like mad and I am starting to list the many new pieces I've created in my shop. I'd love it if you had a moment to stop by.
Things I've Made.
Listing new pieces, going through photos of past pieces, I love making jewelry.
Girly Geek Chic Shop Update!
It's been a while since I let you know that I had new things up in my shop! It was a busy month in May. Sold things off line, made my official 200th sale in my ETSY shop and worked on editing my book. I have made bunches more things and I'm slowly listing them. I'm on a big deadline with my book and launch party so my shop is not at the front of my list right now. It will be more after the book is out in July. Thanks for stopping by!
~~You can find some of these things and many others at GirlyGeekChic~~