{hair how-to: sexy & tousled}

. . . before dashing out the door with a latte and mile-long to-do list, a very favourite way to wear my hair {besides a chignon, of course!} is in soft, loose waves, a little tousled, a little sexy and a little '70s -- wonderful for the work-week, but especially so for the weekend, but whether it's a downtown lunch meeting or a late sunday brunch, it's always perfect for breezy april days . . .

......................................................................................................

b e f o r eoy o uob e g i n,op e r f e c tot h eos e t
three essential steps, for just enough volume & bounce to be the building block of any style:

o n e
begin with freshly shampooed hair, for a beautiful, natural shine

t w o
massage volume & body mousse through the roots, then blow-dry hair smooth, using a large round brush if your hair is naturally curly, or a paddle brush if your hair is naturally straight

t h r e e
for body, you can use hot rollers, velcro rollers, or a large curling iron; for a curling iron, randomly twist slices of hair around the barrel and carefully pin up until cool, and you're set for any of the sexy, tousled styles below...




e a s y t w i s t
a ponytail on top, pulled up in the back, then turned over on itself like a bun--but only half done; one elastic band (and a couple of pins if your hair is really thick) should do the trick





u n d o n e u p - d o
a random parting, a few loose tendrils left out and a tiny bit of back-brushing on the crown, gently lift the top and sides, ease it all back and hold with an elastic band





s o f t b u n c h e s
let hair fall into a natural, off-centre part, then gather the lengths into two ponytails and fasten very loosely with ribbon just below the shoulders







n a t u r a l b o d y
or, if your prefer, for an even less laboured look, after hair is set, simply brush out just enough that it looks a little lived-in, being careful to not straighten ends, keeping a few relaxed a curls

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous how-to's:

h a i r
* a side chignon
* a classic chignon
* a double-knot

e v e r y t h i n g e l s e
* a braided brass hex nut bracelet
* a sweet nothings garland
* a classic english hand-tied bouquet
* summery ombé napkins



{images: from glamour uk, fashion editorial, the big easy; model: lindsay lullman at next models, london; photographer: simon emmett; creative director: charlotte-anne fidler; hair: sam mcknight at premier; makeup: mary greenwell at premier; nails: andrea fulerton at emma davis via fashionising; steps adapted from glamour uk}

{weekend inspiration: bar carts & blossoms}

. . . for the weekend, a perfect bar cart with cut crystal decanters, gilt frames and fuchsia roses, champagne and cobalt stemware . . . and flowers in your hair . . .


{images: 1 - from atlanta homes & lifestyles, jennifer boles' bar cart, photography by david christensen; 2 - the bottom of the ironing basket}

{style inspiration: pretty pleats}

. . . currently playing with the notion of a quick trip to new york -- {only pause for consideration being, taking the trip without p, who is has always been my constant travel companion} -- there would be meetings & appointments and catching up with friends, as well as a launch party, meaning, of course, much planning and dreaming up ideas of what to wear, and imagine something floor-length and with sleeves, cinched with a bow and flowing in pretty pleats a whispery shade of champagne-drenched honeysuckle may be just the thing . . .







* CLICK TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

{two lovely things: red hair & lipstick}

. . . often thought to clash, red hair & lipstick actually looks rather fetching, don't you think? . . . and despite the myriad of beautiful options for taming winter tresses, still clinging to a chic and messy topknot or a classic chignon for simplicity's sake, although now may be a little inspired to weave a tangle of braids . . .

{photography by ellen von unwerth, via a glamorous little side project}

{winter hair how-to: the double knot}

. . . have had this fun tutorial planned for well over a week now, as a follow-up to the ultra-chic and wildly popular side chignon, {which some of you had great success with}, but in all this week's excitement, hadn't a chance to post until now . . . perfect for unruly winter hair, this look is a beautiful, more casual alternative to the sleek classic chignon and goes easily from a day at the office to dinner reservations at seven . . .


* CLICK TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

{elegantly chic: the classic chignon}

. . . for an evening out, often prefer flowing and softly skimming just above the collarbone, tousled and sexy, but at the office and for meetings and appointments, swept away seems best for a busy day, and beautifully swept into an elegant and always classic chignon is best of all . . .

{p.s.} more classic chignons & a side chignon

{image: lopp}

{holiday hair how-to: the side chignon}

. . . for late lunch dates and last-minute meetings, it's been mostly chic & messy topknots, and sometimes, even, a classic chignon -- but as the holiday invitations begin to pile up, something a little more sophisticated is in order for those elegant dinner parties filled with sparkling crystal champagne flutes and conversations that last long after the crème brulée has been served -- and of course, the perfect solution is the always lovely side chignon . . .



{one}
using a round brush, blow-dry hair smooth and straight, focusing on the top sections

{two}
once dry, use a large-barrel curling iron to create waves from the ears down

{three}
build height and volume at the crown by teasing hair gently with a fine-tooth comb

{four}
gather hair into a low ponytail; twist it along the nape of your neck, pinning as you go

{five}
once you reach your ear, shape the remaining hair into curls, and pin them back over

{six}
red, red lips and platform peeptoes and you're set!

{p.s.} previous how-to's:
* a classic english hand-tied bouquet
* a driftwood table lamp
* a fun weekend project
* a glamorous guide to champagne

{images: martha stewart weddings via hip hip gin gin; instructions via martha stewart weddings, with the exception of step number 6; numbered image sequence composed by this is glamorous}

{a hazy tuesday in september}

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

. . . hello! a new week and the unofficial end to all things summer, sun-kissed faces and bare shoulders, lunches on terraces and leisurely midnight swims . . . but with every end there is always a beginning, and always beautiful things to look forward to -- skinny jeans and tall leather boots, camel coats and nights by the fire . . .

hope your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} first evening of the season by the fire at the country house this past weekend -- so romantic!

{also:} how wonderful: {sexy & updated} beehives are back {via}

{and:} if you've only just arrived, new & wonderful things:
* colour inspiration: shades of hèrmes
* two lovely things: black & white
* happy september: live it up in a delicate dress
* at the shops: satomi kawakita, new york
* a fond farewell to summer

{images: editorial - diva; laetitia casta by marcin tyszka for harper's bazaar russia, september 2010 via fashionising}