Haul: Fall Booties

Hello!

Since middle school, my shoe wardrobe has consisted of dozens of classic black Converse Low Tops, aka Chucks, and flip flops. During my senior year, I fell in love with utilitarian style boots, ie: Steve Madden Troopa Boots. Back then, I didn't have any source of independent income, so I bought a pair of look-a-likes from Forever 21 and wore them to death. And then I bought a pair of moto-style boots from Target. And then I bought more boots thereafter. Lots of them. Now that I'm older and have my own money, I snatch up any pair of good quality shoes that I can find. While I do like my snazzy riding boots from the likes of Nordstrom, I get just as excited for shoes that I buy from TJ Maxx or Target. Below are my first and second pairs of booties! I figured booties wouldn't suit my body type (short legs in comparison to my torso), but they look pretty darn good in my opinion (which is all that matters anyway). Sooo, yeah, casual, cute, comfortable. The 3 major Cs. 

White Mountain Icon Chestnut Booties 

White Mountain Icon Chestnut Booties
You can find them here:
White MountainAmazonMacy's

I found these bad boys at my local TJ Maxx for about $35.00 before tax. 

Mossimo Supply Co. Kaden Strap Ankle Boots
You can find them here:
Polyvore (Sold Out)

And then I found these black beauties at Target on sale for $24.48! 

So moral of the shoe story, buy good ones. Not all good quality shoes are hundreds of dollars! You can find some cheeky treasures if you do some digging. And if you're trying out a new style of clothing or trying out a seasonal trend, try to buy whatever it is you want at more affordable stores. If you end up not liking what you bought, you probably won't feel too gutted. Alternatively, if you're successful in your fashion endeavor, you can do as you please knowing you tested the waters, and whatnot. So, yep!

Yay! Excited for Fall now!

:) AL

Hair Story: Ombre + DIY Hair Toner

Hello! 

I've ombred my hair on-and-off since I was about 16, and in the beginning of Summer a friend of my friend mentioned how much she liked my ombre hair in high school. After her lovely compliment, I thought "why not do it again?" So I went to good old Target the next day, bought some hair dye, and proceeded to damage my hair until it lightened! After the first round of dying, my hair was not very brassy (and to my liking) but then my hair started to turn brown.

(Initial result)

(A few days after I dyed my hair => brown. Sadly not aff. w/ Despicable Me)


(Brown)

Two weeks after, I did a touch up and my hair was lighter again! 

(Touched up)

About 2 months later, my hair looks like this now: 

(Current hair color. Poopy photo quality.)

As you can see, my hair's pretty frizzy now; but I am happy with the color (the poor pictures don't do it justice. it's actually pretty blonde). In attempt to prevent inevitable brittleness, breakage, brassiness, and color fading, I've been using Joico K-Pak Color Thereapy Conditioner and a DIY Purple Toner. Of course, I try not to wash my hair too often, but these are the two main products I've been depending on. 

                                                 

All I do to make the toner is fill up the container (which is just an empty ~3 oz container) with a white-colored conditioner (I use intense moisturizing conditioner, ie: the ones that come with hair dye packs, or the Joico K-Pak) and mix in a pea-size amount of semi-permanent purple hair dye. Once in the shower, I apply the toner to my hair; starting at ear level and concentrating the product at the ends. I leave the toner in for at least a minute. Ultimately, you can decide how much semi-permanent purple dye and conditioner you want to use depending on what your state of hair is. You can also mix in dye with shampoo if you've colored the upper region of your hair. I personally don't shampoo my ends and condition my head, so I only need toner for the bottom portion of my hair. 

Whew! So, I hope this has helped out anyone who is interested in ombred hair. Once California enters Fall, I want to try to tone down the lightness and transition my hair to a darker ombre. Anyway, thanks for popping by!

 xo AL

Wee Bit O' Hauling

I stopped by Target the other day and picked up some products!  

Suave Dry Shampoo- an essential! I don't wash my hair everyday, so this can of magic gives my hair volume, removes oil, and offers texture to my flat, straight hair.

Biore Deep Cleaning Pore Strips- I don't have particularly large pores but I use these strips when I feel like it's time for a deep cleaning.

Alba Good & Clean Pore Purifying Mini Peel- I went to the Alba section to restock on Acnedote Deep Pore Wash, my current face wash, but decided to get this bad boy! This contains AHAs, which I've never used before, so I'm excited to see how this will effect my skin. (ps: I've used it twice already, and holy cow. It's the Queen Bee's Knees.)

Sorry about the lighting! Took this photo in the afternoon.

:) AL