Hibernation

Oh, you found me. I guess I haven't been hiding well enough! I'm pretty sure I'm in hibernation mode these days...just waiting patiently for warmer weather and SPRING! This cold is for the birds...literally I saw a flock of Canadian geese the other day hanging out by the edge of Keuka lake, probably mad that they left Florida so soon. :]

BUT.

I painted my toe nails today for the first time in months. I basically leave them alone during the winter to breath and cause you never see them anyways. I picked Turned Up Turquoise, a fun springy color + green for St. Patrick's Day. [shout out to all my lovelies who have birthdays today!!]

I also spent some time sweeping/vacuuming/mopping because the lovely sunshine beaming in this morning showed me a couple scary floor spots. oopsie!

Tomorrow I am going to Canandaigua to hang out with one of my besties, and restock on salon supplies, and maybe do some other shopping. I'd like to get some fabric to try use this pattern and make myself a maxi skirt!

This recipe is in the crock pot today...There is something awesome about having dinner virtually ready at 9 am. :] I saw this one while I was looking earlier and it looks DEEEEE-licious. I will definitely try it some time!

I have a wall in my living room that I envision being a cool collage wall, but right now it only has 1 lonely little hoop on it.  I keep checking prints and posters on Etsy for something to JUMP OUT AT ME, but so far my cart is empty.  The problem is I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. So I guess that's my issue, and not Etsy's.  I'll work on that. (maybe something like this, this and/or this)

This post doesn't really make sense, but that's OK. I just wanted you all to know that I'm just hibernating, not dying. :]

BUT.

There is just something about that 'but' word that I like to leave on a line of it's own. :] since I've been such a debbie downer about the weather lately I'm going to challenge myself to find some outside beauty in the next couple days.  Maybe I'll check back in for a WYBDW post with my results, which will probably be phone quality pictures...beware!

WYBDW

Heyy! I hope you drove safe on your way over here...it's crazy out!  Yesterday, was like 50 degrees into the evening, and the day before was similar I think.  Today, not even close! I'm pretty sure it's been snowing since I woke up! Like, not-giving-up snowing.  Like, I cancelled my Chinese lunch date with my girl-friend & baby-friend. THAT makes it serious. :]

There's proof! I guess I'll be doing some shoveling this afternoon!  Anyways...

WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING?

This week, I've mostly been recovering from a busy weekend.  Our church hosted a youth event called The Gathering. It usually lasts about 24 hours but this year there was a group of 60ish kids who stayed a little longer.  I was in charge of meal planning, so leading up involved planning the menu, getting volunteers to help serve the food, making lists of food and grocery shopping. Luckily I had some awesome help so it made the load seem smaller.  It went really well, it seemed organized and like no one went hungry, which was the goal. Monday was the last morning we fed them, and then I had a pretty busy salon day, which is always good! So here I am, kinda enjoying being snowed in. A tiny bit. :)

WHAT HAVE I BEEN WATCHING?

a show I found on Netflix from the Animal Planet called Pitbulls and Parolees. :] Both categories are often not given a chance and pretty misunderstood I'd say, so it's nice seeing a lady who sees past that! She has a Pit rescue center where she has roughly 200 dogs that have been rescued and she hires ex-cons as workers on her farm. Their ultimate goal is to get them to the place that they can then be adopted out.  Why don't you go adopt this one or this exception to the Pit rule or this one . The only draw back is you'll have to go out to CA to get them...but you could visit Gina while you are there!!

WHAT HAVE I BEEN MAKING?

I am back to a crocheting phase. Secretly it's something I really love doing, but I am afraid if I don't set my needle down every once in awhile we'd all be walking around wearing crazy crocheted vests...including Tards. So I try to limit myself. Anyways, I saw a blanket like this on Instagram, and looooved it! This wasn't the original one but they are all on Etsy for quite a bit of moola. So..I decided to try to find a pattern and make one! I've had to become creative (story of my crocheting life since I don't know how to read a pattern) and I think I may end up cross stitching the heart on top. So I'm using some yarn I have on hand to kinda do a trial run, and then if I like how it turns out I'll probably go get some chunky soft fun stuff. 

WHATS UP WITH MY HAIR?

ha. welll my roots are getting pretty noticeable, but I think I'm done with the red. Sooo for now I'll just continue squinting at them so they don't look as bad and see what happens. This is where it's depressing how slow hair grows, cause seriously if I was to do the "natural thing" it would take yeaaaaaars to grow out. Unless it I chopped it. My other option is dying over it to match my roots, we'll see. I have a couple of wedding this year that I'd like to look presentable for soo it might just be a matter of time. I haven't been too creative with hair styles these days, I blame it on cold weather + lots of sweaters static problems.  But I did try a french twist on my hair last Sunday and thought it was pretty successful! 

Probably kinda hard to see but I didn't think to get a better picture. Oh how I hope this blog evolves over time..especially in the photo category! 

I think it would be fun to try This 'do sometime, kinda edgey but not at the same time. Any hair model volunteers? :]

WHAT AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO?

My trip to NC!!! Now that The Gathering is behind me, that's what keeps popping up in my mind! I have some new VIP to meet! 3 that have arrived in the last couple months, and one still in the oven. I. CANNOT.WAIT!!!! Not to mention, I would love a little dose of Southern weather!!

WHAT IS COMING FOR ME IN THE MAIL?

A book, a beanie, and a new phone cover.  It's about time I set myself up to get some happy mail. :]

WHAT AM I DOING THE REST OF THE DAY?

I think there is probably snow shoveling on the menu, although since the snow hasn't stopped it would seem pointless at this point to shovel cause it's just gonna fill in again soon. Probably more P&P, and crocheting. It's a hard knock life. ;]

WHAT IS MY ADVICE FOR THE DAY? 

Don't let your dog sleep on your feet, cause you will get gassed out numerous times. Also, don't let your husband get a clacky keyboard. unless you like this clackclackclackclackclackclackclack CLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACK clackclackclackclack. You get the point. :]

**snowy day horrors!** We lost internet for a couple of hours juuust when I was going to publish my post. Pheww..it's back on. :] aaaaand....Publish!

Hair 101 // Top Knot for long hair

Hey Kiddies! 

Well, here is my first hair tutorial, as promised.  I'm sorry about the quality of my pictures, and the switch between normal and lesser quality forward facing camera images. But I figured if I waited for "perfect" pictures, I'd just never get this post done.  Sooo...hopefully there will be improvements as more tutorials come.  Now...bring on the selfies!! :]

Start with combed, knot free hair.

Oops, I mean this is what I look like waking up and before I get ready for the day. Duuh.  

Here are the ingredients you will need. I just grabbed a handful of bobby pins for this picture so you wouldn't see the Altoid tin I keep them in that is dated for 2006, but I had to use more. Also, this would work with a sock or a bun maker, I won my bun maker at a bridal shower, and have been using that since because it's a bit lighter. 

Put your hair in a super high pony tail.  I usually use a comb to smooth out the back and top. You could probably go for a more messy look if you wanted to, but for now I'm hooked on the sleek look. 

Put your pony through your bun maker and let it rest at on your head.

An alternate way I've used before it putting the pony through the bun maker, but keep it at the tip of the pony.  Then you would roll it down towards your head, and the hair is suppose to wrap around the bun maker.  This way doesn't work as well for me because of how long my hair is (I think), and ends up a little more messy. But, if that's what you are looking for, maybe it would be the way for you.  You wouldn't have the ends to wrap around the base, you would just kinda stick bobby pins half in the bun and half in your head to secure it and keep it from wiggling around. The picture below is trying to demonstrate how you would roll the hair around the bun maker. That's a hard action to catch. :]

So back to the method we are ACTUALLY using.  Fan your hair out so it covers the bun maker. If your hair is long, you will become visually impaired so you will have to use your hands as feelers to make sure it's fully covered. I didn't take a picture of the back, but it should look similar to the front.

This is what your hair will look like once it is fanned out.  Doughnut style!

 Take your second hair tie and stretch it over your doughnut. 

 Eww weird eye. Anyways, there is your doughnut hair secured. 

Now. Here is where I always had trouble figuring out what to do with all this extra hair! It's kinda what steered me away from Top Knots. BUT. Here's the trick.  Separate the hair into 2 sections and wrap them in opposite directions, that way it won't be all bulky on one side, and then dwindles down to a tail on the other.  No one likes a lop-sided Top Knot. ;]

 So grab one section and twist, I usually twist in one direction, and see if it lays right, if not, I twist the other way.  Also, I don't twist it very tight at the thick part, just because that's my preference.

 The hair thins out at the ends of course, and those I keep twisting before I pin because it is easier to keep them tucked away.

Here is me inserting a bobby pin. Comment below if you need me to do a tutorial on this step... ;] 

You can sorta see my ends are 100% tucked away, but that's OK with the first section, because you will be twisting the second section right over it in a minute. Just make sure you pin them enough that it won't unroll and fall away from the doughnut. (See those fuzzy baby hairs at my hairline? We will take care of those later. I guess they could be done right after the pony tail step, but I forgot.)

Do the trial and error thing as far as which direction to twist for the leftover section, and start rappin' (imagine me launching into 16 bars here...) 

Again, you wanna twist the end a little extra to try to get all the pieces tucked away and bobby pinned. You might wanna be a little fussier with this one since there won't be any hair to cover it.  I usually try to tuck it under a fatter section before I pin.  

And now you check yo' self out, and see if you like it.  See how that section looks like it's not quite touching my head? I didn't like that, so I stuck a bobby pin in it and coaxed it to become one with my scalp. :] 

And there she is.  All doughnut-y in the middle, and tire-y around the edges.   

Here is the part where we tame those strays (the step I mentioned could be done after the ponytail). Grab your hairspray of choice, and spray. I also sometimes spray the doughnut part and  use my hands to smooth down with the shape to make sure through the day you don't grow some sprouts! 

You can use the back of your Husband's beard comb to smooth them...

...Or sometimes I find it easiest to spray and then just hold them down with my hand for  20 seconds or LONGER...JK.  Cue images of this video running through my head. :]

The end! Admire your top-of-the-day-to-ya Top Knot!  I feel kinda silly since it took me like 20-something selfies to explain this...but hey. Hopefully it's forever ingrained into your head now.   

Ta ta for now!

Blogger Tips

Don't let the blog title fool you.  I can't take credit for most of these tips...but in the last week or so I've come across a few different posts with some good tips for bloggers, especially newbies like me! So I thought no time like the present to pass them along to you, I know I have some friends who are recent beginner bloggers, and some who are contemplating starting one.  So you guys will be lucky to get this knowledge from the get go! :]

Meagan blogged about some great tips here . Below I will add some thoughts about a couple of her points.

- #3 the comment thing. I think this is so true.  I read so many different blogs, and I have to be honest.  The ones that are well known, or already have 50+ comments, make me not wanna bother leaving any myself. It just seems like, there's no way I would say something that hasn't already been said, and I don't wanna sit and read them all to double check. BUT some bloggers will answer most of their comments, which would mean they might click over to your blog, and maybe like what they see? Idk. It sounds "selfish" to be so worried about "followers" haha, but I guess it's just part of it! It isn't too fun to think you put lots of time and effort into posts and no one reads them. When I first started posting regularly, I felt silly to "announce" my posts in social media, but really, that's just giving people a heads up that there is something new, if they are interested! It's not tooting your own horn! So, if you've had these thoughts, you aren't alone. :] I also think it's important to write because you want to write, and how you want to write, and what you want to write. The focus can't be ALL on your readers, or how many comments you get, because you will burn out quick.  There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere. And I don't think it's as hard as maybe I'm making it sound.

-#3 side note. I'm with her on turning off the word verification thing. I usually do follow through and post my comment, but it's annoying not easy, especially from a phone! Go turn it off. You won't regret it.

- Patty sidenote. I had people telling me that they weren't able to comment on my posts. I think maybe it has something to do with not having a google plus, or gmail account (secretly I have no idea, I just know some people could and some couldn't.) So I was nosing around in some settings and found one that I think fixed it.  So let me go figure it where it was so I can share it with you. Hang on. :]

Hey! I'm back.  It's actually in the same place that you would turn off the word verification.  So when you are on your blogger dashboard home page thingy, to the right of the little orange pencil where you would write a new post is some white paper with a drop down arrow.  Click the drop down, and select "settings". The page it takes you to will show the "settings" in orange to the left of the page, and it will be in "basic" settings. Click the one below that, "posts and comments". Then change 'who can comment?" to "anyone". I'm pretty sure mine was originally on "registered user". Boom.  Now Abe Lincoln could comment on your post if he wants to.

- #8 I'm excited that she mentioned Blog Lovin' ...cause it's one of my new favorite things! It's a website you can visit to see all the blogs you follow (at least the ones that have a Blog Lovin' account) in one place! My friend and I were talking today about how we couldn't tell you the websites for the blogs we read, we bookmark them or whatever and then always access them that way. SO this way you don't have to remember them! Plus you  have the option to scroll through and read all the blogs you follow starting with the  most recent posts and going back.  And there is even a mobile version. It's great. You'll love it, I promise! Kinda like Instagram, but like Blogstagram!! HA! Finally a way to describe it!

- Last Patty tip (for this post anyway!) If you are thinking/wanting to start a blog, do it. It's easy to feel like little hummingbird in a big huge eagle's nest, but really.  We all have slightly different things to say, and different ways of saying it! Something that seems "daily life" to you, might touch someone else in a way you would never imagine.  USE YOUR VOICE, and the opportunity to reach more people than you would think possible.  Share your beliefs. share your story. share your joys and your heartaches. share your encouragement. Share, share share.  Isn't that one of the first things our parents teach us anyways?

SHARE.

Wintery World Photoshoot

Finally, here it is! As promised, that fun photo shoot from one Sunday afternoon.  Before hand I was talking to Lyndsi, and she was like "I just wish it would start snowing a little, but be sunny!" and by golly, she got her wish! I'm not gonna tell you that it was warm, because it definitely wasn't. But it was totally worth it. :] The girls met at my house & I did their hair and make-up for the shoot.  It was a fun opportunity for me to practice my do's & face painting (haha).  Thanks for being my guinea pigs girls! 

SO.  first off we had an amazing photographer, my very own Sister in law!  Check out Lyndsi Photography & peep her mad skills!  Shes a beauty buuut unfortunately is more often behind the camera then in front of it! I thought about making up fake alias' for the models (I was thinking Tia & Penelope??) so they wouldn't get bombarded by paparazzi and modeling contracts, but then I remembered that I did ask their permission to do this post, so meet Ria & Stephanie. :]

I just love Ria's curly fun hair.  Pretty much any time I get a chance I make it as big and curly as possible. 

These girls work together at the local bulk food store/cafe (in the cafe part).  If you stop by there, say hello. 

 I love these kinda pictures.  This was perfect weather for these snow blowy pictures!

This was one of my very favorite pictures of the whole day.  I just love the little 'tudes & the white out & the glimpse of the trees off in the background. 

It looks like things may have gotten a little out of control buut I think they are still friends. :]

I was just loving the black and whites from this shoot. I think I usually gravitate towards color as a general rule, but I love when black and white shots turn out as great as these did.

See that girl in the middle? That's Lyndsi, the beauty behind the camera.  I was behind the camera for this shot, and since I'm not a fab photographer, I made Steph blurry. Buut I did make the barn look texture-y. (Do you like how I have to explain/make excuses for my pictures? ;])

Stephanie has got some uuuuuh-mazing eyes, if you hadn't already  noticed!

This day was so great for a photo shoot. am I sounding repetitive?  I just love these portraits (I hope that's the right term...I was trying to think of the opposite of selfies...) that even catch the snow that was falling softly. 

 ...before

...after Steph told me her Israeli joke.  Lets just say there are about 10 pictures I didn't include where I am dying of laughter over this girl's witty two-liners. :]

 Oh heey there.  That's me. With my giant glove hands because I was too cold to take them off. 

Recognize this one? Hint: Tiny circle on the right of my blog. Thank you Lyndsi for the great head shot! 

At the end of the shoot we went in to warm up and drink some hot chocolate...and shoot a couple more pictures obvs. :]

Sorry about the picture overload, but I seriously was having trouble narrowing them down, and this is as far as I got. Hopefully you enjoy these as much as we did!