Hair Challenge 2016 - Week 1 + Link up

If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll participate in my hair challenge at least one time, if not for a month, see how you like it. Last year I really wanted to concentrate on make-up. I was completely lost when it came to make-up, so I spend some serious time on Youtube and practiced a ton. I now actually enjoy putting make-up on for just a regular day, instead of reserving it for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and those very special holidays.

This year I want to focus on my hair, trying to figure out those soft curls people keep talking about, or just doing a messy bun that looks effortless, they keep telling me, "messy bun in 10 seconds" I'm more like, huh? What?! How is that possible?! Try more like 10 minutes...no make that 20 minutes. So this year is all about intentionally doing my hair more and maybe in the process I'll be able to show you how to do a "quick half up do in 5 seconds" haha, j/k, but you get my point.

Once I decided I was going to turn my One Week Hair Challenge into a full year, I was on board and even did my hair for Christmas. Go me!

So I still have to work on how the front of my hair looks. I have such a defined part that it's hard for it to want to stay together on top of my head, if that makes sense.

But at least the back looked pretty darn good.

I'll go ahead and pat myself on the back...hehe.

This is the tutorial that I sort of copied. Her's is fuller, how does she do that? I will figure that out! I'll keep you all posted.

I went back to work on Monday, I actually had to go into the office instead of sitting on my comfy couch, so I decided to try and do my hair. I had about 2 minutes before I had to leave to catch the vanpool and at 4:30am I just don't think you're thinking all that straight. I got to work, thinking my hair looked okay, then around 9am, I decided to get breakfast and take a photo...and boy did I get a surprise, it looked awful!

I immediately took it out, left it down and after breakfast I ran to the bathroom to try something else. This looked much better. Nope I don't wear any make-up to work. Actually I do, I wear concealer, powder and a hint of blush, so I don't look totally dead. Imagine what I would look like without those things, yikes! Maybe one day I'll do my make-up before work, my problem is that I have NO eyelashes, seriously, I put on mascara and you can't even tell I'm wearing it and then by hour 2 it's gone and then I just look like I've either been crying or been out all night, neither option is a good look. I love fake lashes, but don't think I could do those everyday. What do you all do?

For a first go, no brush, or hair products, I think it turned out pretty good. Now to just get thicker hair so those big spaces don't show up....hey it's the first week, hopefully I'll look back at this at the end of the year and just laugh.

Link up what you try and do, even if it's a fail, we'll all learn something in the process right? Like this weeks lesson, don't try and do your hair in 2 minutes at 4:30am. Doesn't have to be fancy...just something out of your usual style. Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up

Also linking up with Andrea and Let's Be Friends Blog Hop, Tucker Up, On Trend Tuesday, Cappuccino and Fashion, Sydney Fashion Hunter, Pampers and Pearls, Happiness at Mid Life, The Pleated Poppy, Shopping My Closet,  Let It Shine, More Pieces of Me,  Pumps and Push-Ups,  A Lovely Little Wardrobe, Grace,  Leanne and Lisa 

My December in Numbers

 I'm a day late, but today I'm linking up with Deena for her Month in Numbers. See my other monthly numbers posts are here. I just got a new computer for Christmas and so far I'm loving it! Actually this is my first post that I'm writing from it, Mr. just put my December pictures on it, so I could get started. He's in the process of transferring all of my other photos, it's going to take 6.5 hours to transfer everything, that's a crazy amount of photos.

1051 - The number of Spritz cookies I made over the holidays.

20 - The number of allergy shots I got

No she doesn't give me my allergy shots, but she pretends she does, looks like a pro right? I think she's been to one too many appointments with me

 1 - Birthday Tree, Cake and birthday boy

 

 

5 - How old Baby Fox just turned, I can't believe he's 5! Where did the time go?

140 - How many Christmas Cards we sent out.

 

 28 - How many selfies I took...okay that's not true.

 

I didn't add pictures like this

 

 

and this

 

 

 

because it was text messages between friends, and embarrassing, although not enough that I didn't tell you about them.  I told them that that curling wand made my hair look super funky, you can imagine the conversation we were having. Hilarious.

 

9 - The number of times I went to Physical Therapy.

 

 

5 - The number of days this girl spent sick, poor thing, but happy to report she's finally back to normal.

 

 

4 - The  number of Carolers that my cousin hired to sing at the cousin party, talk about fancy, and the kids LOVED it!

 

 

27 - The number of cousins at the cousin Christmas party. Only 3 were missing, pretty impressive.

 

 19 - Well technically it was 17.5 since Mr. and I were trading off who got to eat with everyone.

 

 

500 - Approximately how many gifts the kids got this year, no joke.

 

Not Measurable - The amount of fun we had these past few weeks. Such a blast and we're ready to welcome 2016!

 

 

Also linking up with Tuesday Talk

Best Break Ever!

Hi, Hi! I should have just said I'm taking a break instead of thinking that I was going to blog last week, oops! Sorry about that. We just had the BEST break ever, we are relaxed, slept in till 9am most days and did so many things. In fact I won't even try to show you all of the pictures, but just a few of the highlights. I'm super tired and I'm actually going back into the office starting tomorrow, so hello 4:30am...boo! So this is going to be short and sweet and I'll be back on Tuesday with my December in Numbers with Deena.

We went to LEGOLAND.

Stayed in the hotel (full review coming soon!) and had a blast!

We had a great Christmas morning.

We had to wake her up...she was slow to wake up

Baby Fox got an iPad for his birthday!

We hosted Christmas for 19 people, and Mini Fox got the stomach flu just as people were ringing the doorbell. But that didn't get us down, we still had a great time celebrating with great friends.

and singing Happy 5th Birthday to this guy!

 I made that cake for him too, looks normal on the outside.

But a party on the inside! Woo hoo, he loved it! Tutorial coming soon!

This girl spent some time being sick.

But got over it in a few days

We got to see some friends

Went to the park a few times

Rounded off with New Years Eve with our favorite Persian food.

And Mr. made some homemade whipped cream

And then they ate ice cream, whipped cream cookie sandwiches.

Then headed to Knott's Berry Farm with some old friends, so much fun!

These two are only 10 days apart and were so cute together.

So much packed into such a short time but it was so much fun! I'm almost ready to go back to work tomorrow! Yikes, speaking of which, I'm not sure my body is going to know what to do when I have to wake up in 7 hours...I should be sleeping. See you tomorrow! Don't forget to link up with me on Wednesday for my 2016 Hair Challenge!

Linking up with  Erin for Weekend Snapshot4, B Loved Boston and Champagne & Suburbs  for Weekending,  and Ashley at A Cute Angle for Monday Madness

Blog Year in Review - Part 2

Happy New Year! Some of us at The Blended Blog decided that it would only be appropriate to recap the year. Everyone probably has a different take on it, but I decided since I already did a review on my favorite DIY projects this year that I would review what I wanted to accomplish this year.

 

I never really said this out loud, but a few years ago I wanted to work on upping my jewelry game. I never wore any jewelry, ever, surprising I know right? 2014 was spent working on my wardrobe, along with this year. I got a LOT Of help from Alison, but while doing the challenges I think I sort of found my style a little bit and realized that I was growing out of the Style Challenges*. As much as I love them, two of the 4 seasons just weren't for me. I might go back and do another Spring Challenge, but for the most part California only gets one season, and that's mid 70's. This year besides focusing on clothes, I also wanted to try and focus on make-up and really learn how to apply it. I watch a TON of youtube videos.

Some of my favorite Challenge outfits this year were:

Spring 2015 Challenge  Outfits

 Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 12

Summer 2015 Challenge Outfits

Day 4 / Day 7 /  Day 16 

Fall 2015 Challenge Outfits

 

Day 4 / Day 7 / Day 12

Some of my favorite outfits that I put together.

I found a love of jean vests this year, I am definitely going to incorporate them more next year!

My first pair of camo pants, I wasn't on board, but the more I saw them, the more I wanted them, and I finally found the perfect pair. They are oh so comfy and I want to wear them all the time, and they really do go with everything!

And then of course I discovered plaid shirts this year. I had one last year, but I didn't really start wearing them until recently. I love them oh so much and I want them all!

And of course all of the Walking Boot Outfits

Outfit 1 / Outfit 2/ Outfit 3

That's my outfit review of the year, in one post. I can't wait to see what I put together next year. Now go check out all of the other ladies!

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and Their Mama | Making the Most of Everyday | Foxy's Domestic Side

Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Mishaps & Mayhem of Solitary Life | Nick & Nik

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | Daily Style Finds

Have a great New Years tonight! We're keeping it low key, since Mini Fox is getting over being sick. Everyone stay safe and I'll see you in the new year!