Happy New Year!

I dont know about everyone else but I find new year a very reflective time, looking over the last year and either being happy with what has happened or looking back with regret.

I did so many things last year that at the begining of 2012 I didnt think I could do. Mainly going to Italy to work for 2 weeks. For some people this doesn't seem like much but to me, someone who hated doing things alone this was a massive challenge. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I made some great friends and gained the cofidence to realise I can do anything and go anywhere I want.

This is me on the far left with the people I worked with at Claudio Erre in Como, Italy.

 

Some of the people I went to Italy with.

The last night dancing on the tables.

 

 

It seems so long ago now, but I am determined to make 2013 even better, do things I haven't done before, go places I haven't been and meet new people.

 

As for new years resolutions I have been given one by my boyfriend, this July I have to cycle from Manchester to Blackpool a 60 mile ride. I currently do no exercise so this is going to be a massive challenge. But the best part of this is if I complete it then he is going to pay for my ticket to a festival. This is why im going to do it because I havent been to a festival and I have been saying for years I want to go so a chance for a free ticket is a big insentive.

 

I have other big plans for this year when my college course finishes, I will let you know all about them as they happen.

 

Im also determined to start blogging more regularly this year too, so fingers crossed that works out for me and I have the time to do that.

 

I hope your 2012 was a good one? but remember this is the perfect time to start again and to change the things that you want to, you just have to beleive that you can do it.

 

 

Until next time

 

Charlie x





Vintage Vixen!

At college we sometimes take part in different events to promote the services we offer at the college salon. Today we took part in a college event which I really looked forward to doing, a mend don't spend fair, where the fashion and textile students and different stalls sell vintage and upcycled products. Not only was there that but there was a tea party and my class were offering the vintage hair styles to match.

I think I possibly was one of the only excited people in my class, and got called a geek when I said I might go a bit earlier than my shift to go and have a look around. But this is what I sometimes do on a weekend anyway, look around vintage and craft fairs finding bargains and one off treasures so to me it was just another chance to shop and in college time which was a definite perk. 

I love vintage hair too, I don't really do much on myself to be honest I feel a bit like I am dressing up when I have tried it before, even tho I think I kinda suit the look. What do you think? That's me in the middle.

This was such an easy look to create,

1. Firstly I curled my hair with my ghd's to create a tight curl. leaving out a triangular section where my fringe (bangs) are.

2.  I took this front section and curled it backwards.

3. I gently brushed out the curls to bring them together to create a vintage glamour wave.
4. The front section was lightly back combed to give lift and to shape the quiff look.

Here are some more pictures from today.

This is the Auntysocial stall, their mission is to create a vibrant, active and diverse community in the Fylde Coast area through positive, sustainable arts and cultural activities, tea and cake. At the mend don't spend event they were selling some of the things they had created.

You might be seeing more of this room in pictures soon, for my level 3 course we have to complete a show. I have put myself forward to be one of the coordinators which means I have to help organize everything including venue, fundraising, music and marketing. We were struggling to find a room which would be suitable and that was in the price bracket we were after, but after spending the day here I think we all decided it would be perfect.

Until next time

Charlie x

Mirror Ball

Today is my first full day off in nearly 3 weeks and I am making the most of it by still being in bed with a sleepy Edgar next to me.

This is my beautiful baby, Ed

Thought I would just do a quick update of things that have been happening in my life recently, I have not done this before so I hope you like it.

It was my work Christmas night out on Saturday, this is a picture of me (middle) and the other juniors gem (left) and Luke (right).

My friend Tasha got a new job so naturally we had to go out and celebrate, Muzzi and Fiona shown in the picture came out too. Fiona has a blog too where she writes about her life (Just Fi) she thinks and looks at things in completely different way to anyone I know, she has a very positive view of life so go give it a read.

This is me and Tasha, I think she is possibly on the phone to my drunk boyfriend while this photo is being taken. 

My best friend's sister got married a couple of weeks ago, they looked so happy.

We had a Parkinsons event at college, we went to a hotel in Blackpool and styled peoples hair that either suffer from Parkinsons or their carers. It felt good to give something back.

So that is my last couple of weeks in pictures, I hope that my life isn't too boring for you. My plan for later today is to go find some interesting hair products to review. I suppose now I had actually get up and get ready to go out.

Until next time

Charlie x

Wishlist #1

Hi everyone, so its not too long till Christmas, just over 4 weeks! and I thought I would do a little wish list post to show you some of the cute things out there I have my eye on that I thought some of you may also like to put onto your wish lists to Santa too.

 

1. Teddy Robe (Topshop)

How cute is this with its little ears, it looks perfect for snuggling up on the sofa watching Home Alone, Love actually or Elf. Oh how I love Christmas films.

 

2. Ipad case (rabbitdream, etsy)

This one all depends on if my parents are really really kind this Christmas and get me an Ipad. This case is from etsy so is homemade, I like the simple and classic design.

 

 3. Delaware Fur Lined Boots (Topshop)

Ive been looking for the perfect pair of knee high boots for so long. I have one pair of suede boots from next that I have worn winter after winter but they are looking very worse for wear and the hole in the sole doesn't help to keep my feet warm. These could be a nice new replacement. Plus they are fur lined for that extra warmth for the freezing northern winter.

 4. Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (Amazon)

After using Moroccan Oil for over a year now I am keen to try the shampoo and conditioner out. They are sulphate and paraben free which are the new buzz words in the industry at the moment, and hopefully these can tame my frizzy locks.

5. Emily Reindeer Soft Touch Jumper

So I am totally Jumping on the Christmas Jumper band wagon. I think the cheesier the better, plus you don't want to spend too much on one because come the 26th December your not likely to wear it for another year. This one looks nice since its soft touch and slightly over sized for that cosy winter feel, but I think instead of ordering online I might just nip to good old Primark for a cheap and cheerful alternative.

This post is quickly going on my Facebook for family and friends to see, to give them a couple of hints. I really should be up and ready to carry on with my Christmas shopping today but after my works Christmas night out last night I'm still in bed and I cant see that changing for at least an hour. 

In the last week I've had confirmation for the theme of the level 3 hair show at college its...(drum roll please)... Past, Present and Future! from that I have chosen the future. The hair show is taking place at the end of January, in about 8 weeks, my mission before Christmas is to create a mood board for my look. You would think that wouldn't be too difficult but finding images which show your own personal view of the future is actually quite difficult. I think Pinterest could  become my new best friend.

I hope this has given some of you a little inspiration and that your day is more productive than mine. 

Until next time

Charlie x

One day baby, we'll be old!

Well I did it a whole 30 days without any heated stylers on my hair. I am actually really proud of myself I honestly didn't think I would do it. I cant say that its been easy but over the 30 days it got easier. I would say the health of my hair has improved quite a bit, it doesn't feel as damaged and it doesn't snap as much as it did before. Since starting using straighteners again I have been so much more cautious of them, the first time someone curled my hair at college last week I sat there cringing, I could feel the damage happening as I was sat there. I am now a heat protection nut and I am not using them anywhere near as much as I was before.  

I had one day (one night really) that tested me to my limit but I stayed strong and found a way around this. What don't you need straighteners or curling wands for? Hair ups thats what. Wearing my hair up became my saving grace. Here is the way I styled my hair for a works night out. 

Sorry about the picture quality, I was home alone and these were the best I could get of the back, I was as always running late.

I actually got a few compliments on my hair that night, which just proves I don't actually need my straighteners to get my hair looking good.

I got this look by:
1. Splitting my hair in two down the back,
2. Then starting at the front German braided (a french plait but taking sections under instead of over) to the nape of my neck, plaiting to the end and securing with a small hair band.
3. I repeated on the other side
4. Crossed the plaits over at the back tucked the ends away under the opposite sides plait and secured with bobby pins.
5. I pulled the plaits a bit too so it was more relaxed and slightly messy.
6. I sprayed all over with hairspray.
( I suggest doing this look on hair washed the day before to give it a bit more grip)

After my 30 days I thought me and my hair deserved a treat so I had my hair coloured and I had a trim. My ombre look has now gone and I have gone slightly darker with blonder sections through the front and scattered throughout to create a more natural look.

Very serious face!!

On a separate note its nearly Halloween, I wasn't really in to Halloween until I spent it in St Louis, Missouri in America 2 years ago, now I love it. Unfortunately this year I haven't had a chance to dress up or go to a party. Last year at college we had a competition to create Halloween hair.

What do you think? This was my entry, I was very proud of this, it was one of the first hair ups where we were aloud to do whatever we wanted.

Once Halloween is over its time for the countdown to Christmas.
Its only 56 DAYS!!! 
I am already excited, I'm thinking, wishlists, Christmas hair tutorials and present ideas what do you think? If there are any hair tutorials you would like to see on the run up to Christmas leave me a comment and I will try my best to show you.

Until next time

Charlie x

One Way or Another!

Hi, everyone. Today at college I had an epiphany. So I was having a conversation with my friend while she was trimming my nasty split ends, I said just in passing, that I should have a heat styling detox. When I thought about this I decided it could actually be a good idea, my hair is so damaged from over bleaching and using heated stylers nearly every day. So from today I am going on a 30 day straightening detox. Thats right, I am not going to use my straighteners for 30 days, I can’t quite work out whether this is a good idea or if I am completely mad.

Over the next 30 days I am going to have to blow dry my hair on a low heat setting, and find ways to prolong this blow dry so I don’t have to use any heated stylers, by heated stylers I mean straighteners or curling tongs.

I’m not quite sure how I am going survive these 30 days, I use my straighteners probably every day. I think to get through this up do’s are going to be my saviour. Top knots, plaits, buns and rolls all will need no heated styling and should hopefully look good. Here are just some of the looks which I hope to recreate over the next 30 days.



So tomorrow is day 1, wish me luck. I will keep you updated on my progress.  

 

Until next time

Charlie x

Kiss of Life!!

Hi everyone, I’m sorry it has been a while. It has been a busy couple of weeks. I went to Barcelona for a long weekend, then spent the next weekend working then going camping on a very wet Saturday night for a friend’s 21^st birthday and have spent the last week working and getting ready for college.

Yes! I am back at college tomorrow! I am so glad to be going back it has been about two and a half months since I left and I am defiantly missing it. I went in this morning to arrange my finances and uniform and hadn’t realised how much I had missed it until then.

This year is all about combining the basic skills I learnt last year and using them in a creative way. I’m really excited to be able to use my creativity this year and cannot wait to get back to cutting and colouring client’s hair.

The reason I am telling you all this is because I know since I started this blog I haven’t really kept my promises on what I am going to post about. I don’t really know why this is, but with working and going out taking up most of my time I think I have neglected my poor little blog. So I am hoping that with going back to college my focus and enthusiasm will come back and with spending more time on here it will flourish.

A little bit of fear is also a reason why there hasn’t been any tutorials, the thought just scares me. I am not great at speaking in front of people so the thought of doing a video tutorial to everyone out there is a scary prospect, so I have been trying to think of ways to show you how I do things without a video post. I have been researching and I like the way Lauren Conrad does her tutorials on her blog, she uses step by step photos with explanations on how to do each step. What does everyone think about this idea?

I hope to blog more often from now on, I have been told blogging is very addictive so once I am hooked I am not gonna shut up.

Until next time

Charlie x