Tips and Thoughts on Hair Extensions

It has been years since I had long hair. My hair has been shoulder length or shorter for as long as I can remember. In 7th grade I had long hair that went all the way down my back and landed right above my bottom. I remember loving that my hair was long but it was hard to care for. Currently, I like shoulder length hair, but there are many times that I have wanted to have hair long enough to wear it in a side pony tail or a side braid. I often stumble upon lovely examples of hair styles that I would love to try but do not have long enough hair to do so.

My cousin Ashley has the most gorgeous long hair.

I have considered hair extensions but I know that the cost would be more than I would want to spend. A friend suggested that I try hair extensions that you can purchase at a local beauty supply store and so I began to look into doing so. After doing some research on hair extensions, I thought it may be helpful to share the knowledge that I have obtained.

Hair extensions would have been great for my cousin's wedding! (I'm on the right end with short hair.)

Tip 1:
Consider purchasing human hair extensions. When I first heard of this, I felt somewhat grossed out. I am not sure why since the hair is clean but just the thought of it being from another person's head made me feel funny. The reason that it is important to consider purchasing human hair is because you will be able to style the hair without it melting or shriveling like plastic hair will. You will be able to manipulate, wash, and style the hair extensions without trouble. From what I have read, plastic hair extensions are challenging to care for or style.

Tip 2:
Try to match the hair extension shade as close as possible to your natural (or color treated) hair. Sometimes this can be challenging but keep looking if you do not find the correct shade right away. Consider purchasing your hair extensions online at stores like Beauty Supplies from Capital Hair & Beauty as they have a variety to choose from whether you are looking for human hair, synthetic hair, or feathers. It is better to spend money on a color that you will wear often so that you get the most value for the price you pay.

Tip 3:
Caring for hair extensions does not have to be challenging. You can purchase special hair care and styling products that are made specifically for hair extensions. By caring for your hair extensions you will be able to achieve great looking, long hair, for more than a week.

After doing some research on hair extensions, I realize that they can be a style that requires more maintenance than I am willing to provide. I prefer to get up in the morning, shower, blast my hair with a blowdryer for a couple minutes, and go. I do not spend much time styling my hair in the morning. I am not very good at styling my own hair so I get frustrated with it and give up. I prefer to select hair styles that are low maintenance and allow me to get ready quickly in the morning. I would love to try out hair extensions but I do not think that it would be wise to invest the money if I know that I will not spend a great amount of time caring for the extensions.

Do you have long hair? Do you prefer you had a different hair style? How do you manage your wants for your hair with what is realistic for your lifestyle?

#IWILL. run a Half Marathon Vlog

September will be my 1 year anniversary of when I officially started running. I truly began in January 2012 when I started my weight loss journey but at the time it was so hard for me to run. It was not until September 2012 that I really committed to running. It was in September that I set my first goal to be able to run a 5k.

I did not register to run my first 5k until March 16, 2013; one day before my our one year wedding anniversary. I wanted to do something special to commemorate the weekend and I chose to sign up for my first 5k. The race was cold and rainy but that did not matter. I was over the moon that it was my anniversary weekend and that I finished the race.

I ran my first 5k on March 16, 2013 in my favorite shamrock Pro Compression Socks from D!

I ran 2 additional 5k's in the month of April and now I am excited to officially announce that I am training to run in a half marathon. It is so amazing that I started out not being able to run 5 minutes straight and now I am running 15-20+ miles each week. As my half marathon training increases, so will the miles I run. I am petrified that I will get hurt running during my half marathon training. I am trying to listen to my body, slow things down, take time off when needed, cross train, and stretch. If you are considering the idea of training to run in a half marathon, here is the training schedule that I am following:

*Step-by-Step Half Marathon Training via Shape.com (FREE)

I love running because I feel empowered. I feel like I can do anything after a long run because running has never been easy for me. I also love that the running community is very supportive and encouraging. There have been many instances when I have needed advice or encouragement and my fellow runners have stepped up to the plate. It is because of other runners' encouragement, words of wisdom, and empowering messages, that I believe that I CAN and WILL run in a half marathon. It is because of the support and encouragement that others have provided that has influenced me to become a member of the What's Beautiful Campaign for Women through Under Armour. The campaign is all about setting a goal and working hard towards meeting that goal. There are so many women involved in this campaign and we encourage and support one another in reaching our goal whatever it may be.

My "What's Beautiful" team has a goal of accomplishing "A First." I share more about what my team "First Timers" means to me in this short YouTube video. I do not make YouTube videos but I believe in this campaign and know that we can help each other achieve our fitness goals. *WARNING* I look terrible wretched in the video. Take a peek and see why...

I hope you will consider joining my team. It is free to join. No pressure; just encouragement and support. If you want to try something for the first time---it can be anything---consider joining us. You will be welcomed with open arms into a warm community of women who are all trying to accomplish "a first."

Join my What's Beautiful Team and set a fitness goal today!

*I was invited to participate in the Under Armour What's Beautiful Campaign as I am an Ambassador for Fitfluential, LLC.

Andy Warhol, Mad Men, and Nars Cosmetics

Life has been pretty hectic around these parts lately but that does not mean that I have not been doing my homework when it comes to late spring and early summer style. D and I just booked our summer vacation and now I am preparing my list of clothes, cosmetics, and shoes that I need to buy before we set off on our adventure in late July.

I hate packing and unpacking so I plan to choose outfits that allow me to mix and match. Sundresses, maxi's, wedges, shorts, tanks, and the like will be coming with me; nothing too out of the ordinary. Packing outfits should be easy. In trying to decide what make up I would want to pack, I realized that I need to replenish some staples in my beauty collection.  When going on a vacation, I always like to bring new things; that includes cosmetics. It makes the vacation feel that much more special and exciting.

I love to shop online and took some time this past weekend to begin looking for new cosmetics. I stumbled upon the new Nars Spring 2013 Collection and loved that I could get Nars UK at Beautique, an upscale online shop full of beauty products. In the past when I have used NARS, I do not have to reapply make up throughout the day. Because we are going to a tropical place for vacation, I know that wearing long-lasting cosmetics will be key to not looking like a hot, melted, mess throughout the vacation.

While shopping for NARS products, I quickly fell for the Andy Warhol Limited Addition artist palette. Each palette comes with several shades of showstopping eyeshadow. My favorite Andy Warhol palette consists of blues and greens as you can see below.

Andy Warhol eyeshadow palette with black, blue, and light green

Andy Warhol eyeshadow palette with dark brown, pink, and light blue

I know that I will treat myself to a mani/pedi before leaving on a jet plane so I could not help but fall for a few new NARS nail polish colors. I don't know about you, but I am thinking that the Nars Spring 2013 Collection gives off a Mad Men vibe with their classy and bold nail polish colors. My favorites include an iridescent green along with a bold, opaque, orange as pictured below.

NARS Cosmetics Nail Polish

Typically I would wear these shades during the fall but since we are going to a tropical place for vacation, I think the bright orange would be fabulous on my toes. The iridescent green, however, will have to wait until the fall.

Do you ever treat yourself to special, limited edition make up before you go on vacation?

My Husband Uses My Face Cream

It is true. My husband uses my face cream. D recently had surgery on his face to remove some skin cancer and the doctor told him to put vaseline on the wound to help it heal. After 6 weeks of putting vaseline on the wound, he began to let the wound "air dry" to harden up and scab. Gross I know but it worked. He recently was informed to put face cream on the scar to help it heal. He asked me if I had any skin cream and luckily a few weeks back Influenster had sent me a full size Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream to try.

I had been using the face cream for a couple of weeks and knew that although he did not want to use the cream at night, he would still see great results. As I had expected, he has now "stolen" my Aveeno cream and is using it daily on his scar. 

photo via my instagram. consider following me @hiyaluv720

This face cream is great. Here are a few things that D and I have noticed about this product:

1. A little bit goes a long way. I have been using this cream nightly as has my husband and we have not even made a dent!

2. It is not greasy. When applying the cream, it goes on well and does not feel greasy or appear shiny. You do not need to wash your hands to get off the excess "grease" like other face creams. I love that when I wake up in the morning, my skin is not greasy.

3. D and I have both noticed an improvement in our skin. His scar is healing well and the cream has hydrated it and is helping the fire engine red color of the scar go down. I have noticed that my skin looks healthier and feels good.

About the product:
The AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream, formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3, helps to reduce the appearance of discoloration, uneven tone and blotchiness, revealing healthier-looking skin.

Where can you buy it and how much does it cost?
$14.99-$16.99 for 1.7 oz. jar at National food, drug and mass merchandisers, drugstore.com

Do you use night cream?

The Divas Marathon & 5k Series in North Myrtle Beach

On Sunday, my sister, mom, and I ran in the Divas Marathon Series 5k. It was the first race our first time running together and it was the largest race I have ever participated in. With over 5500 total participants in the 5k (1100 in the 5k) and half marathon, I had no idea what to expect.

Some questions that came to mind the days leading up to race day included but were not limited to the following:

Where would we park?
How would we get to the starting line?
How would we be timed?
What would it be like to finish and not be able to wait at the finish line for my mom and sister?
How would we meet up?

I was really worried about how the race would go because the logistics of it all made me nervous. There was no need to worry. The Divas Marathon Series staff had the logistics under control. The race was fantastic. The excitement, music, dj, friendliness of runners and volunteers made this race an outstanding experience.

Race Packet Pick Up
We checked in and picked up our race packets on Friday afternoon. Check in was located at a local community center and was well organized. We picked up our bags, shirts, bibs, etc. and headed out relatively quickly. The pretty pink tech shirts were very small but the Divas staff had this taken care of by the end of the race. They asked participants to email them with information and a new shirt would be sent out as the size discrepancy was a manufacturer error.

The finish line before the race began

Many runners were dressed up and showing support for Boston

Parking
On race day we woke up early and drove to one of the designated race parking lots. There were shuttles waiting for us and we got on the bus and drove to the race location. I was the most nervous about the parking. I was afraid that we would not be able to get a shuttle in a timely manner but I was wrong. There were many shuttles and we got to the race location in 5 minutes.

The cutest little spectator

Race Experience
The half marathon began at 7:00am and we were able to cheer for them before we started. The 5k began at 7:20am and was just as exciting as the beginning of the half marathon. The crowds of people cheering along the entire course was so motivating and exciting.

My sister, Allison and I post race.

In the final stretch, we were greeted by volunteers handing us hot pink boas and pretty tiaras. As I turned the corner to reach the finish line I saw the clock at 29 minutes. I could not believe that I was going to achieve my best PR to date at this race. It was so exciting. I was even more excited to hear my name called over the loud speaker as I crossed the finish line. I was greeted at the finish line by hot, muscular, shirtless firemen but really all I could care about was that they were handing me a medal. I love the princess medal that we received.

Showing off my bling!

I was worried that finding my sister and mom would be a challenge since we were not permitted to wait by the finish line. There were corrals that led us to a champagne station, rose station, and food.

Allison meeting up with me after she crossed the finish line.

There were also professional photographers waiting to take photos after the race. I waited in one of the corrals for my mom and sister. I did not have to wait long as they finished a couple of minutes behind me.

Boy, were we excited!

Allison, mom, and I after we all finished the race.

We took lots of photos and then picked up a banana and headed out to the streets to dance and do the wobble with other race finishers.




Final Verdict
I would recommend the DIVAS Marathon series. In fact, my mom, Allison, and I are hoping to return to Myrtle Beach for this race next year because we enjoyed it so much.

Allison and I are now motivated to train for a half marathon. What half marathon race should we sign up for?

the power of influence

This weekend I am in Myrtle Beach to run the Diva 5k with my mom and sister. Since I live far away from my mom and sister, we very rarely get together for girl time so this weekend is especially fun.

This morning we woke up and went for a short run. I have been ill with strep throat so have not run in over a week so I wanted to make sure that I could still run before the "big" race tomorrow. It was nice to run with my mom and sister. We had never done that before so it was really cool.

While we were walking back to our condo, my mom and sister were telling me how much I had motivated them to start running. They said that when I had invited them to join me in running the race that they had no intentions of really running it but then once they signed up, they were motivated to at least try. Now they are both prepared to run 3.1 miles tomorrow with me.

my sister allison and i devouring some chocolate cake

It felt so good to hear them say that I had helped them learn to love running. It is great to hear that I had motivated them to start living a healthier lifestyle by exercising more often. I was truly surprised and honored. I had no idea that they were motivated by me. I just thought that they were interested in joining me on an adventure. I am so proud of them. I am proud of me. Running is not easy. That is what is so empowering about it.

It is eye opening when you realize that you have positive influence on important people in your life. As we were taking turns getting our swimsuits on before heading to the pool, my sister also told me that although she rarely reads my blog, she was influenced by a post I had written on Clear shampoo. She told me that she had been having some trouble with her hair and based on my review, she gave Clear a try. She told me that she has been very happy with Clear and it has made her hair more manageable and full. She thanked me for being a positive influence and for writing that post because she was able to find a product that works well for her. Had she not read my review, she would not have tried Clear. Again, it felt really good to hear that I was able to be a positive influence.

When you think about it, you are influencing people all the time. What you say, how you act, what you wear, how you carry yourself, how you treat others, all influences people you interact with in some shape or form. Whether your behavior is positive or negative can influence others.

How do you influence others?

My #1 Trick for Losing Weight + a GIVEAWAY

I have a sugar addiction. I love sweets and I eat candy often....Unless I have fruit. When I started Weight Watchers I was unsure of how I was going to stop eating chocolate and candy in the afternoon. I quickly figured out that if I packed fruit for an afternoon snack, I would no longer crave the chocolate or sweet candy that I was so accustomed to eating every afternoon. I did not realize how eating candy in the afternoon would make me feel sluggish at night and contribute to substantial weight gain.

 Fruit has been a godsend on my weight loss journey. Because fruit and vegetables (except for corn and a couple of other things) are 0 points on the Weight Watchers plan, I eat fruit like it is going out of style. I love to eat and I love to snack. Fruit has helped me stay on track with my diet while still allowing me the ability to snack throughout the day. Strawberries, bananas, grapes, apples, and oranges are all now my favorite snacks. I rarely eat candy or chocolate in the afternoons and when I do, it is most likely because I do not have fruit readily available.

I am excited to be teaming up with a group of bloggers to offer one lucky reader an amazing gift basket full of delicious fruit! One winner will have the opportunity to choose from 30 gift baskets.

There are a variety of fruit baskets to choose from. Some have nuts and fruit. Or chocolate and fruit. Or just fruit. Here is my favorite basket---full of Ghiradelli chocolates, apples, and oranges. This basket would be perfect to bring to the office or to enjoy at home. Which basket would you choose?

I like that the Gourmet Food Gifts website offers organic gift baskets as well. I love the cheerful butterfly and birdie cookie that is included in this basket. This basket is perfect for spring!

I have some crafty ideas for what I could do with these pretty baskets after eating all of the goodies!
What would you pick if you won?!

To enter, simply fill out the rafflecopter form below. Please note that in order to be eligible to win, you must be at least 18+years old and live in the continental U.S. For more details on the specific giveaway rules, please click here. 


 a Rafflecopter giveaway