5 Things I Learned From My Year Long Hair Challenge

Happy Tuesday! We're over two weeks into the new year and there's this elephant in the room, I'm just going to address it now. My hair challenge, I was still doing it, but The Blended Blog came up with a new fashion link up on Wednesdays, and I wanted to have that link up on my blog, so while I was still doing my hair challenge, I wasn't doing the link up. It's been a full year since I started the challenge and I'm going to share with you the 5 things I learned while doing my hair challenge.

Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. By purchasing through Foxy's Domestic Side, you're helping me to continue creating fun things for this space.

Learning to do your hair is super frustrating. I'm not here to paint it all rainbows and unicorns, it's straight up hard. There is this huge learning curve, and all the videos on youtube, while I got good ideas, if you don't know what you're doing, it's hard! What takes them 5 minutes to do would take me 45 minutes to get it looking nothing like the video, haha! 

This waterfall braid took me three different tries on three different days because after 20 minutes of trying I would give up. I wish I was kidding. But now a year later, I think, wow that isn't that hard anymore, or intimidating to try it.

My advice: It gets better, I mean it's getting a little easier now that I've learned some of the basics, but you really have to stick with it and practice.

But good quality bobby pins, do not, I repeat do NOT buy the ones at Target or the grocery store, they do not work! Here are the ones that I buy,  these are the same but in bronze. Also make sure that you are using your bobby pins correctly, bump side down, not up like I thought it was. The bumps help to create a little friction so that they stay better in your hair. I had no idea until I started doing my hair.

A simple bobby pin can go a long way, like this twisted do, I put my hair half up and go, but it looks like I put a lot more effort into it.

My Advice: Buy good bobby pins, either from a beauty supply store or ones online, avoid drug store brands.

 

The dirtier your hair is the easier it is going to do your hair. Same goes for, if you're doing an updo then it helps to have your hair slightly curly so that when you're trying to manipulate your hair, it always has body to it. Sort of hard to try and bend hair in place when it's stick straight. If you have recently washed your hair, no fear, Amika Un.Done Texture Spray spray is here. Helps to put some "grit" in your hair without making it feel dirty. Plus it gives you a little lift at the roots.

I've used a lot of products since I started this, I started out buying these things initially.

Let's start with the Bed Head products

TIGI Bed Head Manipulator - Pliable fiber-forming cream that separates, twists, spikes for funky hair. Gives body and tames fly-aways for a more natural look. Good for any hair length and texture. How To Use: Work this fiber-forming cream through clean, damp or dry hair. The more you use, the more texture you get! On damp hair blow-dry or let hair dry naturally.


Bed Head Control Freak Serum - This light, greaseless and humidity resistant formula delivers a straight-up glossy finish. Conditions and moisturizes hair, seals hair and adds shine. Acts as a thermal protectant. How To Use: Apply evenly to damp hair. Use a round brush or large paddle brush to pull your hair tight while blow-drying for a straight finish or dry as desired for frizz free curls and waves.

Bed Head Superstar Blowdry Lotion - Pumps up volume to unbelievable heights. Builds body and holds style. Conditions, repairs and helps protect from heat styling damage. How To Use: Pour a generous amount into palm of hand and work through damp or dry hair and blow-dry.

TIGI Bed Head Up Front Rocking Gel Pomade for Men, 3.35 Ounce - Designed to create sleek and shiny ponytails, sculpted coiffs, as well as any styles that require great shine and hold, WITHOUT the stickiness! How To Use: Apply this aqueous pomade to damp or dry hair to get sheen separation, and hold - without the sticky business!

My thoughts: The Manipulator didn't really work, but the pomade did. It helped to tame those fly aways when braiding. I would section my hair to braid and then use the pomade to take the fly aways before I started braiding. I don't have extremely frizzy hair so the Control Freak didn't particularly work on me, but I do think that it would work on someone with frizzy hair. The Superstar Blow Dry, it's actually quit runny, which was surprising, I thought it would be sort of thick, but it has the consistency of baby oil, but not greasy, I applied in my hair before blow drying and it did give my hair some volume and made it smell really good.

Now onto the KMS products

KMS California Hair Play Gel Wax - Provides the support and control of a gel and the flexibility and shine of a wax. How To Use: Work through towel dried hair. Blow dry for weightless sculpting and moderate hold. Use in dried hair for strong hold and separation.




KMS California Hair Play Dry Wax - Achieves a "perfectly undone" look with tousled definition, flexible hold and matte finish. How To Use: Shake, spray into towel dried hair and blow dry. Use in dry hair for a textured finish.




KMS Free Shape Shampoo & Conditioner  - These I just wanted to try out some new shampoo, cause why not?




KMS California Tame Frizz Taming Creme - Adds definition and style manageability. Provides humidity resistance and heat protection. How To Use: Work through towel-dried hair. Air or blow dry. Add to dry hair for extra definition and control.

My Thoughts: I liked the gel wax and it does really work, but it's just a bit too messy for me. The dry wax on the other hand is a game changer! Seriously if you have to get just one of these things to start doing your hair, I would get this. I would do my hair and then spray this wax onto my hair and it just tamed all of those fly aways on the top of my head, didn't really help with the ones in the braid, but everywhere else, it calmed the hair down, so I only had to do a light coat of hair spray. For me the shampoo and conditioner were great, but it didn't make for long lasting washes, I would have to wash my hair after 2-3 days instead of my 4-5 days. It smells really good, and makes my hair super shiny and soft, but the formula doesn't work for my hair. I have normally greasy hair, so if you have dry hair I would highly recommend this product. The Tame Frizz product, didn't work at all for me. We don't have much humidity here, so I don't think I can give this a real review since I wasn't able to use it to the fullest.

My favorite products that I bought are:

Hands down my favorite shampoo is the Hair Food Volume Shampoo & Conditioner you can also find it at Target. Unlike the shampoo above, this one makes my hair be able to go 4-6 days without washing, using the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo of course. And then the texture spray...on my goodness, amazing, especially if you've just washed your hair for an event and you want to do it up, spray this stuff on, you get the added texture without feeling the dirt, amazing!

Those are the 5 lessons I've learned during this year long hair challenge. I was thinking of doing a short series on some simple tips and tricks to doing your hair, like how to pancake a braid, how to use a bobby pin, etc. Thoughts? Something you would be interested in? Now who's ready to do their hair?! If you want to start somewhere, try my Easy Way to French Braid Your Hair. I've had several people, even strangers, email me and tell me that they've never been able to French Braid their hair until now! So I hope you really do give it a try!

Linking up here

3 Tips To Start Planning A Budget

Happy Monday Foxy Friends! If you are coming from The Blended Blog, thank you for stopping by! It's another Monday, which means another Nuggets for the New Year. This time we're talking about Budgets.

I've talked about how we budget here and here. But in case you're in a hurry I'll give you a summary. 6.5 years ago Mr. and I decided to take the Dave Ramsey approach to finances, and let me tell you it's changed our life! I wrote about it in depth here, but to sum it up, to get yourself out of debt there are 7 steps: $1000 emergency fund, pay off debt using snowball method, 3-6 months of savings, college savings for kids, pay off home early, build wealth and give. Now that we have that out of the way I'm going to share 3 tips to budget planning.

| ONE |

 

 Don't pay for anything unless you saved for it. Now and days we're all about instant gratification. But that's almost always short term. If you want a new couch, save for it, don't use those 0% finance deals. It's not worth it, it will mean even more when you can pay for it in cash. You know you'll need to buy a new car in X amount of years, save for it each month so when the time comes you'll be able to pay for it in cash. Decide how much you want to spend on a car, when you need to buy the car, divide and that is how much you'll need to save each month. Instead of paying each month towards a car payment, buy a cheap used car and then save what you were paying for a newer car. Point being however you do it, save for what you want. In the end it will mean more when you can buy it in cash and won't have to pay for it for the next 5 years.

Bottom Line: Save for what you want, don't finance, in the end it's more gratifying knowing that it's paid in full then having a monthly statement.

| TWO |

Use a cash system. Decide how much money you want to spend on specific things, such as clothes, entertainment and food. Then take that amount of cash out and spend only cash. It's much harder to spend cash than it is to use a credit card. I know when we did the cash system for food, we would almost always decide to go home for lunch on the weekend, then spend the money, so we could save it for a more special outing. Eventually you will learn how to spend way less on random things when you're actually giving someone your cold hard earned cash. Trust me, it works. Just do it for a few months and see what happens.

Bottom Line: Spending real money instead of using credit cards will make you spend less

| THREE |

  

Just like in tip #1, you always want to save for things that might happen in the future. For example your car will always need maintenance. Every year you always have car registration and insurance. You know what those numbers are, divide by 12 and that's how much you need to save. Your car is also going to need regular maintenance, i.e. oil changes, new tires, you want to save for that as well. So when it does happen, you're not left scratching your head, wondering where the money is going to come from. You just tap into that maintenance bucket and bam no worries.

Another big one is house maintenance. A good rule of thumb is to save $1 per square foot of house that you own per year. I.E. If you're house is 2000 square feet, you should be saving $2000 a year for house maintenance. We've been in our house for 7 years now and we find this to be true. If we don't use it all that year, then it rolls over to the next year and can go towards a new roof, re-piping your house, leaks, etc., down the line. It's nice when you get a slab leak and need to re-pipe the whole house, that you have savings for this exact thing and don't have to wonder where you're going to get the money, especially during maternity leave and have a 4 week old, true story.

Bottom Line: Save for the future, know that you will have future expenses and save for that.

 Let me know in the comments below if you want some more tips and tricks or any other advice!

 Now hop on over to Deena's blog to see what she does for budgeting!

Linking up here



Friday Favorites #100

Happy Friday Friends! What how have I been doing this for 100 weeks?! Crazy...well actually more then that becasue I've missed a few Friday's here and there. But happy 100! I have today off, woo hoo! I get to take Mini Fox to her second ballet class, get her ready and all that. Last week Mr. got to take her, don't worry someone else got her ready, lol. Can you imagine Mr. trying to do a bun in Mini's hair? LOL. He can barely put a barrette in.  On to Friday Favorites!

Monday: How I Use My Paper Planner
Tuesday: New Years Resolution
 Bonus Tuesday Post: Kids Behind The Blog
Wednesday: The Little Black Dress With A Twist
Thursday: The Stroller I Wish I Had + A $50 Give Away


Enter the giveaway! Here, I'll even put the code here so you don't have to go looking for it :) Just comment on this post then enter the name you commented with and hit enter in the rafflecopter. Thank you so much for entering!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

My little ballerina. I've been waiting for this day for FOREVER, I never did this as a kid, but am so happy that Mini Fox loves it so much. I could just die she's so cute.

 

In case you wanted to know...this is the BEST white wine. So good available at Costco, I went to two different ones and they were available at both of them.  It was the only one that was almost gone in the wine isles, so must be good right? Actually Mr. already knew it was good and sent me to Costco to get more of it. For the price point, excellent.

Some other random happenings:

I took Tuesday off, and went on some errands with Mini Fox while Baby Fox was in school. She wanted to carry everything...you know the Hawaiian rolls and the donut. Yep that's all we got, we have priorities over here.

Then took the kids and my parents to lunch, it was great!

Tuesday night I went to my favorite Amp Cycle Class, I was feeling super lazy, but since I ate a plate full of Mexian food I felt like I should really go, at least to try and counter some of the calories.

It's actually raining here, so of course the rain jacket and boots come out right?

I think she's watched me take outfit photos one too many times, haha!

 

 

So I was trying not to spend money, but that just doesn't work...We're going to Utah next month and of course I need a pair of warm boots right? I don't have any and I can't justify the price of Uggs, just yet...so I got these from Target, super cheap, warm and affordable. The other stuff is from Loft and I just put the order in yesterday, but they are having a 60% off of clearance and 40% off of everything else, it's like they are trying to give it to me right? And then of course I had to get to free shipping...no way I'm paying $8.95, hehe, #girllogic.

Target Boots

Red Shirttail Tee / White Curvy Jeans / Graphic Tank / Basketweave Sweater

Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. By purchasing through Foxy's Domestic Side, you're helping me to continue creating fun things for this space.

That's all I have for today, make any good purchases lately that I have to know about? hehe...let me know in the comments below!

Linking up here

5 Reasons You Need a Baby Jogger As Your First Stroller + A Giveaway

This is a sponsored post brought to you by Nakturnal. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Hello Foxy Friends! It's Thursday, woo hoo! I have tomorrow off, so today is my "Friday" yay. I don't know about you but the days at work seem to be passing at snail pace, seriously!

I was thinking about it a few months ago when we were cleaning out our house and garage that we have entirely too many strollers! At one point, I wish I was kidding, we had 6 strollers at our house, no joke! Looking back I wish I had done more research when we got our very first stroller, I think it would have eliminated several of those strollers, and we could have gotten it down to 2.

Back when we got pregnant with Mini Fox, we...and I really mean me, was vacillating between two strollers. One of them being an umbrella stroller and the other a expandable stroller. I had no idea these were a thing, when we had Baby Fox. In the end I figured that Baby Fox was almost out of the stroller game and I didn't want to invest that much to buy two of everything. I wish I had known sooner. Boy was a I wrong, they fight every time I just bring the umbrella stroller, then end up like this, every single time.

Little did I know that Baby Fox would in fact always like to be in a stroller and the kids would constantly fight over who gets to ride in it. Should have just invested in the expandable one right? So here I am telling you 3 reason why you need to invest in a Baby Jogger System with the first kid!

| One |

Our first stroller was a click and go but with this stroller system, you can have the click and go mentality and then change it over to a seat once they are old enough without having to get another stroller. This almost eliminates one of my strollers that I had to buy. This is set up to have another seat under the infant seat, which is optional, see reason #2.

| Two |

This is expandable to more than one kid! You just keep adding on pieces to the base frame and you're good to go, no adding more strollers to your arsenal of strollers. I know Baby Fox LOVED when we had our Sit and Stand stroller, so in this case we could have added the kick board to the base and called it a day, stroller #2 and #3 eliminated. This is configured to three kids, how amazing is this, one stroller, three kids. And all you did was buy the first stroller when you had your first kid. It's the stroller that keeps on giving!

| Three |

Super light weight and can be broken down into with one hand. It can't get any easier then that right? I know my umbrella strollers are more than one hand break down and somewhat difficult. Most of my friends had this stroller and I was so jealous of them when they got it, kicking myself for not getting one too!

 | Four |

There are 16 different configurations, so if you have one kid that hits the other, you can just flip the seat around and voila no more hitting because they can't see each other. Really if you add the glider board in there, you could get more than 16, but these are the advertised configurations.

| Five |

When you have it in the single mode the seat can lean all the way back so your child can get a nap in while you are out and about. No need to rush home.

The best part? I'm teaming up with Nakturnal to give away a $50 gift certificate! How awesome is that? If you're already a follower, then all the entries are easy ones, no easier way to enter then that! Can't win if you don't enter! Giveaway will run until Monday January 23rd at 11:59pm PST.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up here

A Twist On The Little Black Dress

Happy Wednesday. Yesterday I had off, it was a nice break in the week, and I have Friday off, so basically I worked 4 days last week, 3 days this week, next week is 5 days, I might die, haha (dramatic I know). Anyway, I know you got a peek at what I wore for  Christmas, but thought I would show you the whole outfit. It's actually a skirt and top, the skirt also comes in maroon, which I contemplated getting instead, but thought I would get more use out of a long black skirt.

 

Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. By purchasing through Foxy's Domestic Side, you're helping me to continue creating fun things for this space.

In case you are wondering, I'm wearing this adhesive bra. I love it way more than a regular strapless bra, mostly because I'm not having to tug it up all night long, me and regular strapless bras do not get along! If you are bigger chested then this one will work better for you.

 

 

 

Random fact: The lady in the picture wearing this skirt looks like a midi...haha, not on this shorty.

 

I actually did my hair as well, I was watching the second season of Fuller House and Stephanie had this really cool hair do, but when I tried to figure it out I couldn't so it morphed into this. Which I think is actually pretty perfect for this outfit.

 

 

 

What are you wearing in your closet? Next week I'm taking the style prompt to heart and wearing something I previously never would have put together, but ended up totally loving it. Now go check out your closets and put together a completely new outfit and post it down below or next week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up here

Kids Behind the Blog: January Edition

It's that time again, Kids Behind the Blog with Crystal, Beth, Meghan, Jessica, and Stephanie.  I just love this link up and look forward to seeing all of the other kids answers. I feel like I'm watching all these kids grow up right before my eyes! Click here for all of the other KBTB posts.

Baby Fox: Age 6 Years

 Mini Fox Age: 3 Years 3.5 Months

Baby Fox

1. What's your favorite thing to do or play inside?  
Umm...play with family.

2. Have you ever seen or played in snow?
I've seen and remember a long time ago we plays in the snow. I've seen it and played in the snow.
If so, what is your favorite snow activity?
Throwing snowballs at my Dad.

3. What was your favorite Christmas you received?
All of them. 

4. What's your favorite winter vacation you went on?
Two weeks off.
Why?
Because I'm with family.

5. Would you rather live where it's warm all year round or have the seasons?
Seasons because I want it to snow here.


Mini Fox

1. What's your favorite thing to do or play inside?   
ummm.....Watching Movies

2. Have you ever seen or played in snow?
No. When it's a snowy day I do play in the snow.

3. What was your favorite Christmas you received?
My broom

4. What's your favorite winter vacation you went on?
I think I like Cabo because ummm....because it was Barby's birthday

5. Would you rather live where it's warm all year round or have the seasons?
I like it warm outside so I don't get cold.