Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sock Bun Phenomena

O.K..... have you guys been holding out on me???  I have been suffering from tiny bun head for years now.  Even though my hair is longer, and I have a lot of it, it is very fine.  This makes for a tiny knot of a bun, and I have had bun envy for as long as I can remember.  How does J-Lo do it?  Now I know!  It's called a Sock Bun. So just in case you've been in the dark, like I have, I'm going to share it with you now.

First, find a sock that you don't want.  If you're like me, you have a mysterious sock eating dryer, and you constantly lose one sock.  Trouser socks work well, or your husband's dress sock.


Next, cut just the toe end off of this sock.  It doesn't need to be neat, the ends will not show.


Now roll this sock up into itself, and make what looks like a sock bagel.


That's all it is.  Now to put your sock bun in.  Put your hair in a regular ponytail with a rubber band.  Place the ponytail where you want the bun to go.  So cute high on the head, or low at the nape of your neck, or low and off to the side.  My daughter is my model, and although she has thick gorgeous hair, I assure you this works with all hair textures.


Now pull the end of your ponytail through your sock bagel.


Roll your hair down towards your head several times, until your sock bagel and hair are down around your ponytail holder.  If you have layers, just keep pushing the layers into the roll as you go down.  Here is how your beautiful sock bun will look.


A perfect, big juicy bun that is SO comfortable, and we didn't need any bobby pins.  It stays put as is!


And here is another tip.  Last night I washed my hair, and put the sock bun in and slept in it.  First of all, CRAZY that it stayed put all night.  Secondly, when I woke and my hair was dry, I had some cool looking "beachy" waves. Here is how it looks.


Beyond excited about finding this little gem, and so happy to share it with you.  Now hurry up... go find you a sock!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Retail Therapy

I remember being in high school, and having such intense feelings about my accomplishments, my setbacks and my relationships.  The world could be the most amazing place, and the place I wanted to escape more than anything, all in one day.  As crazy as those ups and downs were to experience, they were nothing compared to watching your child go through them.  It's twice as euphoric, and twice as painful.

My daughter is almost 18, and has been making some very difficult and important decisions for her life.  She is so much smarter than I was at 18.  She can see the big picture, and knows what she needs to do in order to make the most of her life.  In this case it means going to college all the way across the country.  Such a difficult and brave decision.  She has to say goodbye to family, friends and even a boyfriend.  She has already begun to say some of these goodbyes.  She and her boyfriend decided to break up now, rather than wait a few months down the road when they will physically be parting.  I realize that this must be excruciating for her.  I want to be mommy and kiss it and make it better like I used to,  but I know this will no longer do the trick.  So I gave her the one thing that makes me feel even just a little better in bad times.  A little retail therapy.



I know what you might be thinking... buying things is not the answer.  What am I teaching her?  I thought about that too. But it's not really about the things in the brightly colored shopping bags that we were collecting that day.  It was about the conversations in the car to and from the mall, which is a good 45 minutes from my house.  It was about laughing at the clothes we both found ugly, and the excitement we felt when we found that cute pair of jeans in her size.  It was the anticipation we both felt about her going to college when we talked about what kinds of clothes she will wear when she starts school in the Fall.  The shopping isn't an answer or a fix, but for this day, it helped us both feel a little better.

I can't believe my daughter is turning 18, and will soon be off to college.  This is the way she will always look in my eyes.  She is one of the very best parts of my life, and I would do anything for her.   


Even let her go.  I will be there whenever she needs me, and we can take on all of life's troubles, one shopping trip at a time.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day


 Many believe Valentine's Day was created by greetings card companies just to sell cards and candies. There are more historical theories to the start of this holiday of love, however.


According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today.
-from History.com

That is pretty romantic! 

  I have heard seasoned couples say that Valentine's Day is for amateurs, and they no longer celebrate. I still love the holiday though, and why not have a day set aside to remind each other that you are still in love? I would love to hear how you feel about V-day.  Do you celebrate it? 

This is what my Valentine left for me this morning. :)






Thursday, February 9, 2012

Reconciling After Huge Break-Up

We've all been in a failing relationship before. Neither one getting what they need from the other. Just going through the motions, and not putting in the time and effort it takes to maintain a good relationship. Your time together grows shorter and shorter, until finally you break up and no longer see each other at all. About six months ago, this is what has happened to me and my gym... and it's very sad. In the last few weeks though, we have been flirting shamelessly. I've smiled, and winked at the gym as I drove by. My gym card was left around my house where I would find it, just staring at me. We've entertained the thought of what it would be like to reconcile. Most recently, we've been on a few dates. This morning was one of those dates.

I woke up feeling happy and motivated. I dug down deep in my drawer, and found some gym clothes balled up at the bottom. I put them on, and felt energized, and ready to move forward.






















As I drove up, I was so happy to see my gym.  I think it was happy to see me too, as it was glowing in the sunlight. I took this picture just before going in to start my workout.


I had a pretty good session. I worked on my abs and arms, then I ran a few miles. Not gonna lie, it was
exhausting. It sure is easy to fall out of shape. About an hour and fifteen minutes later, I got back into
my car and wondered if this was a good idea after all.


By the time I got home, and back up to my shower, I was already sore. Getting back into shape is going
to be a very long and hard process. But any good relationship is worth fighting for, and I'm going to do
my best to continue to see the gym, and give it the attention it deserves. 


Wish me luck! I hope it doesn't kill me!






Monday, February 6, 2012

L-U-V-Madonna?

L-U-V- Madonna, Y-O-U, youwanna!  Yes, I wanna!  I've been a die hard Madonna fan since I was 16 years old. She has always been controversial, and it has never bothered me before. Cut to last week when I first saw her new video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'".  I posted on my facebook page that I must be getting old because I just watched the video, and found it disturbing. 



In the video you can find Madonna dancing with pretend high school kids. She seems to walk all over the football players, while the cheerleaders are making out and laying around what look like vodka bottles. Then to completely throw me off, she pretends to nurse a baby doll, which she throws for a touchdown at the very end. Maybe I just don't get it. Maybe because I have high school kids, I'm a little sensitive and worry about what message the video is sending. 

Of course I didn't mind her controversial ways back when I was the young and impressionable one. I loved dancing to the racy music and singing her sexy lyrics at the top of my lungs. I don't know who I'm kidding, I still love singing and dancing to her tunes. But now I feel a little different. Today I think about the messages in our pop music a little more. I hope that the kids listening and mimicking will be mature enough to know that the lyrics are sensationalized, and are just for fun. Madonna and I were pregnant at the same time, and we have daughters at right around the same age. I'm surprised that she wouldn't be feeling a little different, as the mother of a teenaged daughter too.  

                          

I'm sure everyone watched Madonna-bowl yesterday. She put on quite a show at half time during the Superbowl. That woman is 54, and can still get her groove on. The music took me right back to my youth. It made me feel happy and bop my 41 year old bod around the room. Perhaps I shouldn't begrudge today's teenagers that same happy feeling.  After all, her song "Like a Virgin", didn't cause me to lose my virginity. "Papa Don't Preach", didn't get me pregnant. Maybe I should have a little more faith in teenagers today, and allow them to get "Into The Groove" without worrying so much about what messages are being put out there.

I'm torn. What do you think?

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My Favorite Day



Many of the ladies are rocking the long, wavy hair styles that are so popular right now. There was a day when it was sad and a little pathetic to see a woman trying to pull this style off at our age. Not today. The women who opted for shorter styles were not looking out dated either.They were getting beautifully sculpted hairstyles with fun color options that keep them looking fresh. All of these women looked strong, beautiful and confident. I felt empowered being surrounded by them.


Of course beauty comes from within, and no hairstyle or color can make the woman. Still, a fresh mane always puts a little bounce in my step. Isn't it just about time for your favorite day?