5 Festival Hair Styles

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I love the summer season for so many reasons. The obvious first, is sunshine which leads to lots of amazing live music festivals nationwide. The hair styles we get to rock during these shows are a close second for sure. We get to relive the summer loving vibes of Woodstock while putting our own modern twist on it. It's important to embrace the culture when attending these shows, but not to the point that you look like you are wearing a Halloween costume (check out these do's & don't post I wrote).

I've rounded up 5 of my favorite hairstyles to wear during festival season. However, I fully intend to wear these looks for more then just concerts. 

1) Floral Crown paired with beach waves

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2) Floppy hat with boho braids

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3) Half-up with waves and braids

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5) Half-up top knot

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Stop by Monday for a festival-inspired style OOTD! What is you go-to hair for festival season?  Do you see any styles above that you would wear on a regular day? 
I know I'll be rocking Vanessa's top knot weekly and full disclosure, I wore the boxer braid pig tails yesterday! ;) 

Peaked my Pinterest: Pull Through Braid

I am so in awe of this style braid. OK, so it's not actually a braid at all, but a series of rubber bands and pulling the hair through. I not only love how it looks, but I also love how you can form this style in any direction on your head. (Check out how Kaitlyn wore it like a faux hawk here...pretty much my all time favorite.)

 Here is what you will need:
(I linked all of my favorites below)

Brush
Dry Shampoo (optional)
Hair Spray
Teasing comb
Elastic ties

I got everything on the bathroom counter and then kept my phone set to the above video. At this point, I had watched the video once already, so I decided to use it the second time through as a step-by-step helper.

Here is my first attempt:

You guys, it was SO easy. The video was so helpful and it only took me about 25 minutes from the moment I began teasing the top to the last bobby pin. I can't wait to wear my hair like this again and also to mix up where the braid starts and ends. I think a faux hawk on myself will my by next attempt. I can do it...it may take a few tries, but I can do it! ;)

Is this a style you would wear? Have you ever tried a pull through braid?

Plaid PINspiration

Women (and men) alike are all about plaid this season and we are no exception, as some of our favorite daily accessories include plaid flats and blanket scarves. Can we talk about how handsome men are in plaid flannel (especially when paired with leather or shearling and 5 o'clock shadow..."hey girl," are you drooling yet?) 

For your weekly outfit Pinspiration, check out some of these plaid combos:

Shop these items and more on Because I Shop Too Much & Because They Grow Too Fast

What are your favorite go-to plaid items this season?

DIY Vanilla Body Scrub

Using this recipe, I made my own sugar body scrubs for the ladies who join us on Christmas morning. In addition to all the gifts I enjoy shopping for, it makes me happy to create something from scratch because it's personal and a little more meaningful because it comes from the heart. 

These are perfect for exfoliating! All you need is a palmful... just rub in a circular motion, rinse off and moisturize as usual. Use 1-2 times a week for soft glowing skin.

The scrubs were SUPER easy to make and assemble...

(all purchased from Hobby Lobby)

The mixture smells amazing (good enough to eat!) and the cinnamon sticks added a special touch. I think the ladies enjoyed them so I'd like to to try these lip scrubs next -- the vanilla cranberry looks amazing! 

Did you DIY any Christmas gifts?

Boyfriend Style (With a guys POV!)

When it comes down to it, us Midwestern kids just want to be comfy and cozy during the polar vortex months. As opposed to summer crop tops, instead we choose over-sized sweaters and anything that feels “lived in.” A sweater with a little extra room paired with distressed boyfriend denim is the “basic” winter uniform…just throw in a Starbucks red cup for Instagram, please ; )

But like so many other fashion choices, this one leaves us wondering what the guys think...We THOUGHT they didn't think anything baggy was cute, but we decided to ask our husbands, just to be sure…

Ryan (Lisa's husband): I've always thought the idea of a girl wearing my old t-shirt, or sweater was pretty attractive, in kind of a "college sleepover" kind of way. As for a girl wearing my jeans, I think it could work with some of my tighter, more-tapered jeans, but maybe not so much my more-relaxed, "weekend" jeans, ha.  Lisa, you may start  to find more of my clothes "laying around" the house (well, more than usual, at least). Maybe you should try some on!

Lisa: Will do, babe! I never do think to borrow from your closet, but I bet I could get some use out of quite a few items. The wheels are turning...I, however, am obsessed with this style. I love relaxed/boyfriend denim paired with cozy knits and heels. It's great for everything from everyday wear to weekends and even dinners out.

Mike (Kaitlyn's husband): I'm not a fan of the boyfriend jeans. Girls generally look more put together than us men, and wearing those, you would look like you woke up and threw anything on - in this case, however, I realize you would have put much thought into getting that "I woke up like this" look. The sweater is fine with me - it looks comfortable and I'm not one that needs a woman to wear tight clothes to look attractive. Plus, it balances nicely with the girly shoes.

Kaitlyn: Can we just talk about how my husband references heels as "girly shoes?" I think that's both cute and endearing. I also enjoy that you're on board with comfort because this girl isn't worried about showing skin in Chicago temps!

Thanks to our men for sharing their thoughts! Stay tuned for the next guy's point of view...

Get Pinspired: The Print Pant

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We love a great print pant styled super chic for a night out with the girls. What fun inspiration to see them styled with a cozy knit, great necklace and bag, and don't forget the killer heels. We are always stalking Pinterest to find inspiration for our outfits but you know what we love even more? A great deal!

Find this pair or pants in Zahra's closet and the rest of these items currently selling on Because I Shop Too Much.

For more inspiration, see how fellow #fbloggers wear the printed pant:

Media Marmalade 

101 Things I Love

 Bows & Sequins

The Chriselle Factor

 Sportsanista

Love Zahra 

Crashing Red

How do you wear the printed pant?

Peaked My Pinterest: Top 10 Pumpkin Picks

When you eat a pumpkin bagel (WITH pumpkin cream cheese) for breakfast and pumpkin pasta for lunch, you really start to question that declaration you made that you are anything but basic. Rewind to Thanksgiving a few years back when I couldn’t even stand the smell of pumpkin pie and now? Now my house looks like the famous fall vegetable hosted a party and forgot to clean up after its guests. 

For me though, I think it’s more about feeling like you’re experiencing every bit of the season rather than actually LOVING every single pumpkin flavor you try. Example, I tested pumpkin nut butter on toast the other day and opted for cereal minutes later so even I have my limits. But for the most part, it warms me up, literally and figuratively and isn't that the best fall feeling?

Here are my top 10 pumpkin Pinterest recipes:

1. Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt via A New Bloom 

2. Pumpkin Beer Chili via Lake House Lyn

4. Pumpkin Pasta via Lakeshore Lady 

5. Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Protein Cookies via Girl Loves Glam

6. Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte via Dashing Dish

7. Pumpkin S'mores via Something Swanky

8. Tuscan kale and Pumpkin seed risotto via Cupcakes & Cashmere

9. Two-ingredient Chocolate Pumpkin cupcakes via Picky Palate

10. Pumpkin ice-cream sandwiches with Ginger Snaps via Our One Acre Farm

What is your favorite fall recipe? We love to try new things!

Peaked My Pinterest: Homemade Twix Bars

My husband has been on a Twix binge lately - he found a bag of them at our lake house and it started with 1 after dinner and turned into 3 for breakfast. He exclaimed, "I haven't had a candy bar in years, this is amazing!" so I took note of this, as I was in charge of a dessert for a surprise party we threw for him. 

I am known for making cupcakes of some sort so I wanted to mix it up and try a homemade version of one of his recent favorites and I must say…I might have outdone myself this time. Future warning: They are addicting!

Better Than Twix Bars (adopted from this recipe)

You need:

• 1 stick (4 ounces) butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 10 ounces caramels, unwrapped (I used 35 Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels)
• 1 tablespoon, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons heavy cream
• 8 ounces milk chocolate
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable shortening (I used vegetable oil), optional

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 300º. Line 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick foil or greased regular foil.
2. Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add the flour. Press evenly into pan…you may need to flour your fingers to prevent sticking. Prick crust with fork. Bake 35-45 minutes till crust is golden.
3. Immediately after removing crust from oven, run knife around edges to loosen crust. Cool completely.
4. Melt caramel and cream gently in microwave or in saucepan over low heat till smooth. Pour over cooled crust and chill for 30 minutes.
5. Gently melt chocolate in microwave or in double boiler over low heat. Add shortening or oil if too thick to pour. Pour over chilled caramel and spread to edges. Chill till chocolate is well set. Cut into squares to serve. Store covered in refrigerator, but remove a few minutes before serving.

Have you ever baked homemade candy bars? 

Get Pinspired: Layered Up

Fall fashion is on the brain and I can't stop thinking about all the fun we will have layering this coming season. Being girls from the Midwest means we are all about the layers to stay warm, but who says it can't be stylish at the same time?!

We all love a great Canadian tuxedo, but leave it to blogger Sincerely Jules to put a great animal print twist on the normal denim on denim look. 

Here is her outfit that inspired us and the items currently selling on Because I shop too much to recreate the look at a fraction of the price:

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Jacket // Bag // Chambray top // Jeans

Are you a fan of this outfit? Is this something you would wear this fall?

We also looked around and found many more great pieces so you can style the look yourself:

Peaked my Pinterest: Shop the Look

There is so much style inspiration to be seen on Pinterest. I love adding looks to my folders to go back later and recreate these outfits. I do this by using what I already have in my wardrobe or I do some shopping ;) 

Here are two looks that I can not wait to recreate this coming fall:

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Do you look to Pinterest for inspiration as well? Would you wear either of these looks?

Peaked my Pinterest: Watermelon Cake

The minute I came across this image on Pinterest, I knew I had found the ultimate recipe for our annual 4th of July party. I have been out of control obsessed with watermelon lately -- like, I'm concerned I might sprout seeds if I eat one more piece (#sorrynotsorry). It's so refreshing and makes such an easy lunch when combined with arugula, feta cheese and balsamic dressing...my mouth is watering just typing about it!

You can usually count on me for a party dessert (cupcakes specifically), so I wanted to stick with a healthier option this year, as I knew there would PLENTY of sweets to go around. How cool that this looks like a typical cake from the outside but provides a shock factor when you cut in and realize it's made of fruit...

Check out how easy this process was...

1) Cut off all watermelon rinds

2) Cover whole watermelon in lite whipped cream (or if you have more time, make this vanilla version)

3) Coat entire watermelon in sliced almonds

4) Add blueberries on top of watermelon for festive red, white and blue look

 If you're skeptical of this strange combination of flavors, don't be! The sweet, juicy watermelon; crunchy almonds; tart berries; and fluffy whipped cream taste refreshing and light together. It was the perfect summertime dessert! 

What do you think of this recipe? What is your fruit of choice this season?