On a whim, I dyed my hair pink 2 weeks ago. I was smitten, it was awesome, I felt like a bad ass, and it was the perfect pastel color for spring.

Unfortunately, I am already back to blonde. Despite buying some fancy shampoos and conditioners and loading up on dry shampoo to avoid washing it, the color didn't even last for a full week after 2 washes. Very depressing. And expensive. Wahhh.

Any of you have a good experience going the DIY route and dyeing your hair a fun color at home? Or is that just a really, really, really bad idea? The process looked pretty fool-proof when we did it in the salon....but maybe that's just something a fool would think!?

Kyle Schuneman for Apt 2B // Following the smash success of his first upholstery line, this small-living-big-style expert has a new summer upholstery line that just made its fancy debut on Apt2B. I am particularly smitten with that cheery robin's egg blue sofa...though that rich navy will always be calling my name. Uh oh....dare I say it's time to redecorate?

Mara Hoffman 'Cosmic Fountain' Lace-Up One-Piece Swimsuit // I've been intrigued by one-pieces. This one is rad. I officially dub Mara the queen of cool prints. I have a weird obsession with every piece of clothing and swimwear she creates.

Warby Parker // I've been rocking the Huxley glasses for 4 years now, and I just got the ol' eyes checked out and have a couple new styles on order to try out because I have absolutely trashed my poor lenses. I can't wait for the home try on box to arrive. I'm curious if I'll stick with my trusty Huxleys or go with something different, plus it's time I got some rx sunnies because squinting is so last season. We shall see! 

Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique //  I effed my long hair up so badly with curling irons and blow dryers that a good ol' fashioned chop was the only remedy. This stuff came with stellar reviews from my co-workers, and let me tell you....I definitely notice a difference when I blow dry with and without it. It's sleeker, softer and protected from the heat. It is legit and worth every penny. Adios, damaged hair.

Reverse Through The Meadow Kimono // Kaftans, kimonos, or whatever else that is flowy, begins with a K, and is perfect for casual days at work and hot summer afternoons at the pool....I'll take one in each color, thankyouverymuch!

J.Crew malta mirror metallic sandals // Simple, classic and just modern enough with a gilded finish. These would be super cute with everything from jean shorts and a tee to a little sundress. Or a kimono. Obvi. 

Austin Maker Pop-Up // Three super talented and local ladies will be debuting their latest collections at West Elm this weekend. As you all very well know, I love me some crafty goodness from jewelry designer Christine Fail, the super cool illustrations from Leah Duncan, and leather trinkets from Natalie Davis of Canoe. Be there or be square on June 14th, 12-4 pm at West Elm Austin, 1011 W 5th St.

Now that the polar vortex is history and Austin is spoiling us rotten with this glorious spring weather, I've been in cleaning and makeover mode. With the exception of a dramatic bang job that I got a couple years back, the only changes I've made to my long layered mop have been switching up my part. That's kinda pathetic. And unadventurous. And I'm just over it. My basic cut has been a security blanket of sorts, and it's time to grow up and go short. Now, I'm not going to promise any dramatic Elsa Pataky pixies, even though I literally fantasize about her amazing cut all the freaking time. Baby steps, y'all. I'm thinking the long bob is the perfect compromise to avoid any regretful salon aftermath. Here lies the question though....to add a bang or not?

I picked up a variety pack of glitter ribbon from HomeGoods, figuring it was one of those purchases that would 'come in handy in the future.' Well, after sitting on a shelf looking all pretty and sparkly for a few months, the future is now. The project? An easy way to glam up the humble bobby pin so you can coif your hair into party perfection for the holidays.

Gather your bobby pins, hot glue gun, scissors, and glitter ribbon in whatever color you want (I chose gold and silver because I'm predictable like that).  I found the exact pack I bought on Etsy if you want a rainbow of colors to hoard/stare at/wear in your hair. The instructions are probably obvious and super easy...like I almost feel a little silly typing them out.

How to Make DIY Glittery Bobby Pins

1. Cut your ribbon strip slightly longer than the bobby pin.
2. Place a thin line of glue down the center of the ribbon. I used hot glue because I had a feeling I would superglue my fingers together. ;)
3. Lay the flat side of the bobby pin on the glue, being careful not to let the glue overflow so the prongs can't separate.
4. Gently press down to make sure that there's a secure bond. Let dry.
5. Style it up! Secure twists, buns, and braids with these glittery pieces of hair bling.

If you know me, you know I'm a little obsessed with watching hair tutorials on Youtube. Chignons, braids, halos, fishtails, buns, Hollywood waves, pin curls....you name it, I've watched it at least 2242345 times. Ironically, I pretty much suck at doing my hair on the regular (hello, rushed mornings and thank you, dry shampoo!!!) and usually blow-dry it straight-ish. Time to step up my game a little bit, because it's getting B-O-R-I-N-G. Not even a recent (and good) haircut was able to spice up my same-old-same-old style rut.

Let's talk milkmaid braids. From the front, I l-o-v-e them. From the back? Not so much. I actually would go so far to say I despise how it looks from the back, and never wear my hair that way because of it. Some gals can pull it off with flying colors, but those gals don't have weird shaped heads topped with super fine light hair that has absolutely crazy wild untameable curls that start at the root underneath the crown area. Ugggghhhhh.

Enter the Dutch halo braid. It gives you the same effect as milkmaid braids, but without the icky center part in the back. Instead of having two pigtail braids that you cross over each other at the top of your head, you essentially Dutch braid (reverse French braid) a braided halo around your head. You start at the part in front, and add in hair as you work your way around. After watching this video tutorial about 9 times and this one about 7 times (I wish I was kidding), I finally felt like I 'got' it. I gave it a whirl on my sweetheart of a niece over the 4th of July, and gosh...she looked so beautiful in this simple updo! Gotta love a hairstyle that looks fab on gals of all ages. I haven't tried it on myself yet going all the way around my head, but definitely hope to soon...gotta keep working on my "I can't see the back of my head, and hope I'm not making huge knots" finger nimbleness. Despite that, this 'do is a definite keeper.

As I was perusing Pinterest this morning, a pic of the beautiful Hanneli popped up on my feed. At first, it was the gorgeous yellow color of the dress she wore to the CFDAs that caught my eye. Then, I saw it...THE  haircut that I have been searching high and low for. It's not quite a bob, but it's not what I'd call long hair either....a loose and layered "lob," if you will. The ends of my hair are permanent residents of split end city, so chopping some of the length off is a necessity at this point. Bummer since that seriously limits all the braided hairdos I was hoping to rock this summer, but oh well....this cut is pretty darn cute and seems fairly low maintenance.

{Photo by Jamie Beck}

I am pretty useless when it comes to styling my hair (though I have recently mastered beachy waves....booyakasha), but this simple messy updo is basically fool-proof and, therefore, my new go-to now that it's heating up here in Austin.

To get the look:

1. Loosely part hair into two sections - the looser in the back, the better. Try not to have a really hard part line in the back of your head.
2. Braid the two sections however you like - regular or fishtail would both look great.
3. Bring one braid across the back of your head, and then curve it back around. Tuck in the loose ends, and pin. Repeat on the other side, positioning the second braid over the other one and tucking in the end under the first braid.
4. Pop in a few extra pins to make sure it's secure, and you are good to go!

That's it. It's basically milkmaid braids, but reversed. So easy, even a caveman could do it.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

It's happening again. The bangs are beckoning. Like clockwork, I get this itch to snip snip snip when the weather gets chilly (forehead insulation??). I regret it after a month and my family (specifically my nieces) don't hold back their "sans bangs" preferences, but perhaps if I get the long, fringed kind it won't be so bothersome?? HA. What am I talking about?? That's the worst kind for a 'four eyes' like me. Under the glasses, I look like this. Over the glasses....and I look like this. Perhaps this is one of those 'loved from afar' looks for moi?

PS Yours truly rockin' some bangs...what say you, sartorially savvy munchkins?

Hair Tutorial: Bohemian Twist Updo (Great For Summer, Weddings and Prom!) from Kirsten Powell on Vimeo.

This romantic, twisty, bohemian updo literally takes only 4 minutes to style...and I have video proof! Trust me when I say I will be wearing this 'do all around town....during hot and stick summer days, at my friend's wedding, at home, at work (aka the same place as home....drats). Oh, and about that tiny little rat tail that didn't make it into the twisties? Don't worry...I pinned that up pronto.