THIS is SO pretty!! I have watched tutorials on it,  but I have yet to master it on myself. When I get it done nicely on Ava, I will post pictures... hopefully before baby boy arrives! :)

Double braid with a side bun

I think this is fun- and easy!! I did 4 braids total (2 on each side), and then pulled all the hair to the side, twisting it into a messy-ish bun, pinning to secure. 

Next time I won't do the two braids on the left side... I think with all her running around at recess theres a chance those teeny braids could fall out!

On Sunday we did curlers and pulled it all into a side ponytail. It was SO pretty! Her bangs even had a romantic wave in the front. I will do it again and get a picture this time.:)  

Halloween Hair!

In lieu of the upcoming holiday, I thought I'd show off my cute little Ava witch from 2010. :) We found her costume at Costco, and the ideas flowed in from there! She wanted purple hair, and big eyelashes! So, if you don't want to buy a wig this Halloween, just rat it!!

 First, I divided her hair into two even ponytails, and took tiny sections at a time, top to bottom, back-combing. Hair spray when you've got it as foofy as you like, then spray with hair paint. We even added glitter spray. :) She loved it. 

I had to include the whole scary family! We decided last minute to dress up too. It's SO much more fun that way!! Can you tell what we all are??

(hint: Gabe had this obsession with Ghost Rider last year... but the deal was, if he chose last time, I get to choose this year. ;))

Inside-Out Braid

I love this braid because it's SO easy, you can see all of the natural streaks in her hair, AND it keeps her grown-out bangs out of her face- perfect for an energetic little person! Plus, it's fast once you know how to do it. 

Okay! I first part it above her ears, across her head, and fasten the remainder of hair you WON'T be braiding into a ponytail holder. Start with a small section, and divide into 3 sections, like a french braid, but instead of weaving on top of each strand, go underneath, each time pulling more hair into that strand... and VOILA! Secure with an elastic above the ear, against her scalp, or all the way to the end of the hair. Finish with a bow, headband, or flower. 

Happy Fall!

Mohawks. Gabe's Favorite.

Wow. These photos take me wayyy back to when Gabe was 4. He's such a handsome boy! 

I thought I'd include a fun BOY idea...

We would grow his hair out during the school year, and then take the clippers to it, leaving only a mohawk. We'd only let it go for a couple weeks, then even it out.  He was always hesitant (and so was I) at first, but after wearing it for a few days, loved it. It's always fun while it lasts. This year, however, he decided against the mohawk for unknown reasons.

(Gabe and his little buddy Gavin. He misses him!!)

Tanner's hair was SO long! So we trimmed it up, but I had to get a picture of all three mohawk-ers together.:) 

(This was last summer)

Clips & Headbands

My cousin, Candee has a sister-in-law, Erin, that makes these fabulous clips and headbands. I first saw her cute stuff for sale a few years ago in a consignment store in Pocatello. She has since moved, but I got a hold of her anyway! 

She makes bracelets, too! I asked her to create a few for me; one for Ava for her birthday, and for baby Sofia's blessing day (sorry, no picture of those). I love everything about these. 

I attach the clips directly into hair, or onto stretchy headbands. If you want her number, or information, email me. I actually have an order in right now for my sister- in-law's baby girl due in November! 

The PARTY BUN!

This is also from hairdresser on fire's blog, if you need a tutorial: Tutorials | Hairdresser on Fire - Part 2. 

I LOVE this bun because I can get her ready and looking fancy within minutes. It helps on Sundays for early 8:00 A.M. church!!

First: Pull hair into a high ponytail, and then back-comb it all over so it's a big messy poof. 

Then, wrap the hair into a loose bun, twirling around the ponytail holder, like a cinnamon roll on top of her head! Pin it all the way around, so it feels sturdy. Lightly hairspray and add a flower or bow! See? Easy...

Fishtail Braid

So, these are horrible pictures, but the model is cute!! I was in a hurry to get some chores done, and she was in a hurry to go play... so there ya go. 

I love the fishtail braid. I think it's pretty. Ava's got bangs we are still growing out, so I did a little twist and pinned it after I was done with the braid. Easy!!

Here is the tutorial:

Tutorial: Fishtail Braid

My fave

My favorite haircut:

So easy, so cute.

Her hair is so long now, but I also loved it on Ava. She's always been a little pixie, so it fit.

And... by the way... I'm SO not a pro at hair; it's more like a fun hobby. Or I see something cute on a little girl at church, so I go home and try it on Ava or Sofia. I pretty much am limited to what kind of hair  I work with, but I think my ideas can be used on most hairies. :)

Soon to come... the PARTY BUN! (Off of hdofblog.com). My favorite for early mornings on-the-go.

Especially Sundays. AND she looks FABULOUS. ;)

Sick of bangs in your eyes?

When we decided to grow out Ava's bangs, I was apprehensive, because I always give  in when they're driving ME crazy, and trim them again. Thus, we usually start over a couple times in the process. I love the little elastics for girls' hair. They provide endless creations!:) 

I loved this because she couldn't tear them out easily, and it stayed put for a few days.

Just make a straight part across, start tiny. Repeat two or three times- not too far back on her head. Add a bow! 

*(It helps to have a spray bottle handy for fine hair to have better control of the fly-aways). 

This is another version... not as nice-looking, but adorable cousins!:) We were at the cabin with family, in & out of snow gear all day, and I was tired of the static. So was Ava. We took the dirty snow-hair and put it back! Quick fix!

It's the same idea as above, just parted it first like I was going to do pigtails, and only did a few elastics on each side. Then pulled everything nicely into a low, easy hat-on-&-off ponytail.

Romantic Wedding Hair

Since I'm on the subject of flowers, I thought I'd add this little idea. I took some pictures for a very impromptu wedding, and the bride was gorgeous to begin with, and I loved her hair too. I didn't actually DO her hair, but it just looks like it was curled, rat- combed a little for volume, softly swept to the side, and pinned with roses. Sooo pretty.

Satin Flower Clips

You'll love these EASY satin flower clips. I bought a few strips of satin material at Hancock's and then cut them into circles, gradually big to small. Burn the edges with a lighter to make them curl, and then glue each petal bottom to top (biggest to smallest). I sprinkled tiny gems or carefully placed bigger jewels to the centers.  Glue a ribbon on the back, and slip in a clip, or glue the clip onto the flower. Voila!!

I found the tutorial for these clips on http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/08/blog-post.html. 

I have found some really fun ideas on this site. This one I made slips instead of headbands, since headbands seem to slide or disappear out of the hair a lot faster! I added some tulle to one just to add a little something too.

Zig-Zag Part

I used to part Ava's hair in a zig-zag ALL of the time. My favorite was when she would request pigtails.

In the front, I'd french braid her bangs across the larger section of hair... zig zag from top to bottom down to her neck, then use little plastic bands for the piggies. I left the ends of her hair in loops in these pictures, just for some cute craziness. Then add a headband!

For my brother's wedding, it was a hot day in Boston, so I knew after a long day of twirling and running around in her flower girl dress, Ava would need her hair up and outta the way!!

This is a halo of some sort...any name suggestions??

This looks hard, but it's EASY. You'll ned lots of color-coordinated plastic elastics, bobby pins, and a flower clip. 

I start from the right side (hers and mine), and pull the hair into a section, like you're starting a braid, or just pulling the hair back into an elastic. Does this make sense? (I may have to take more pictures and add to this one or do a tutorial!) Keep pulling the hair back, including the hair from the section before. Continue around the head until you get to the left side. I twisted the end into a little bun and pinned it. Finish with a flower or bow!

Welcome!!

Per request by my sweet friend, (and because it sounds kinda fun!), I am going to blog about hair and probably other things sometimes. :) YAY! I LOVE :Hairdresser on Fire | A blog about styling hair, and hair generally. She is a stylist in New York that has super fun ideas for hair-dos. Ava watches the tutorials and then we try 'em out! 

For now, here are some crazy hairs... a few years ago, we were on vacation, and my Father in-law shopped the streets of Mexico- after we spent the day at the beach- looking like this: I couldn't stop laughing!!

And this is the view just about every morning of my almost-two year old:

...and after nap time:

hahaha! Love it!!