hair envy

I fully admit that I have hair envy. My hair is fine, but also naturally curly, so it freaks out in the humidity. 

Like on this day last winter, when my hair decided to completely ignore what I wanted it to do. (But Mary's pictures still came out so great!)

I'm going to keep working on my hair skills, but in the meantime, check out these three ladies who have it figured out.

Okay, yes, she has a full-time entourage to fix her every wisp, but how incredible is Khloe Kardashian Odom's hair? At my best friend's bachelorette party this weekend, her sister had similar casual curls going on and I loved it. Someday I will master this look of just enough volume on top with a "oh this just happened" curl at the bottom.

Mackenzie of Design Darling has gorgeous red locks that always seem to be voluminous, even on the muggiest of days. Here's that casual curl thing again that I'm in love with.

And don't even get me started on Tara of Jimmy Choos and Tennis Shoes. I love, love long red hair but don't have the patience to grow my hair out this long without chopping it. Again, casual curls. Again, love.

Do you ever wish you could have a heart to heart with your hair?

weekend must-do: how to clean a flat iron

I often use hair spray and a flat iron together, which is probably not recommended by your favorite hair stylist. And it leaves a nasty residue on the plates, which then makes the bathroom smell like... well, burning hairspray (not on Yankee Candle's list of potential fragrances, I'm sure).

After trying some methods that didn't work so well, I finally found one that cleans off all of the hairspray gunk! Make sure your flat iron is fully cooled prior to doing this- and, of course, unplug it.

1. Mix about 1/4 cup of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide until you have a paste to work with. 

2. Use some elbow grease to rub it into the plates, making sure that you aren't getting it into the straightener itself. 

3. Wipe down with a wet cloth. 

4. Repeat as necessary.

hair jewelry inspired by Downton Abbey

Since learning that Downton Abbey is coming back to PBS in January, I'm getting excited about the costumes and hair styles for the new season. If only it was normal these days to wear bejeweled headgear to family dinners every night... but why not dress up your bun or updo for special events?

{images via 1, 2, 3}

{images via Etsy stores - clockwise, starting top left - 1, 2, 3, 4}

There's no shortage of Etsy stores that will make custom pieces for your wedding day, prom, or any old Wednesday when you feel like dressing up your white t-shirt.

all tied up in bows

I wouldn't say I was a girly girl growing up (don't get me wrong, I loved my dance recital tutus, but I definitely also played with trucks in the sandbox), but there is something about a neatly tied bow that I can't not love. I'm drawn to any item of clothing or accessory that has those loops present. I might even start wearing hair bows again, just because this green one looks so darn cute on this girl's topknot.

Images via: shoes // bag // hair bow // dress // gown