Inspired Home: Gardener and Marks White Natural History Cottage

White, shabby, natural, light filled, old, rusty, sparkly, vintage, ethereal, industrial... some of the words that come to mind when I see these lovely images from Gardener & Marks, an Australian design firm, that also specializes in renting out props for a myriad of uses. This home was once a 1900's mattress factory.

Seriously, between the plank floors, exposed beam ceilings, natural history vibe, powder coats of white paint on the beadboard and brick for this industrial cottage feel, when can I move in?

Easy and Simple Hair Style Tutorials

Messy low side ponytail tutorial via A Cup of Jo

As a hairstylist, you may find it amazing that I only blow dry my hair about 10 times a year.  I usually pull it up, or let it air dry in loose waves. I do apply product and help sculpt those waves, but my hair is much healthier without the constant heat damage. Since it's already getting so hot here in Texas, and frizz season is upon us, I found it fitting to post some of my favorite casual hair styles that can be pulled off the face from fashion bloggers, that are easy and stylish. Ponytails are so blah, so make it a bit more fun!

I used a thick strip of lace to accent this bun.

I made a loose ponytail, then pulled out the front crown area, twisted it and pined it in.

I did the same thing here, just with a bun. Pulling the front and twisting it gives a little more style and volume.

Braided top bun tutorial via Cup of Jo

The perfectly messy french bun  tutorial via Experience Parisienne

Three cinnamon buns three buns hair tutorial via Cup of Jo

Triple bun can be seen here on Ashley too.

 Ashely from I Believe in Unicorns has amazing long hair style. 

 This ponytail roll is so cute.. looks very easy to do as well. After you secure your ponytail, take a thin section of hair and wrap it around the elastic and pin in place. Then, take your tail and roll it under, also pinning it in place.  If you do a bit of backcombing prior to doing the ponytail, your pins will stay more secure.

 Her loose side updo is perfectly unperfect.

  

 Love Ashley's hair bow. I don't think I have long enough hair to attempt it.

 Love Kristine's hapahazard bun. It's clipped back at the bangs and loosely pulled back low on the side.

 Kristine's floral headscarf is tied in a knot over this loose bun.

Kristine's high side bun is unusual in that it's tight, but it's so cute on her.

 Kristine's low, side ponytail is loosely wrapped under the elastic for a full effect. 

It looks like she has a twist going on near her side part as well..

 Sydney has a simple braid one one side of the hairline, and pulled into a low, side wavy ponytail.

 Sydney's famous bun that sparked her Bun turorial video.

Also, Elaine from Clothes Much has a super cute crown braid tutorial here.

Personal Style: Sailor Minnie

This looks reminds me of a Sailor and Minnie Mouse love child. I wore this length of elastic lace as a little scarf one day, and decided to use it as a headband bow, resulting in the Minnie Mouse ears reference.

 jacket: thrifted/ shirt: ?/ jeans: vanilla star/ shoes: steve madden/ bag; thrifted/ earrings: handmade

I love this bag. I bought it at Goodwill, left it there on accident, then drove back the next day to see if it had been purchased again. Fortunately, they believed me that I had bought it the day before and let me take it home. They kind of know me and my kids there, should I be embarrassed by that?

 

I felt like doing a fresh face this day. Make-up consists of a small hint of blush, light ivory eyeshadow under the brow and black eye shadow as a liner. I used it on a very small, dense angled brush to line my lashline and pulled it out about a half inch at an angle for a very subtle cat eye effect. I used a bit of black liner in the waterline of the eyes as well. Lipstick... I can never find a really good nude lip color that isn't too pink/orange/brown/matte/shimmery.... so, I used a touch of concealer (Maybelline Dream Mousse) and Carmex on top. Perfect nude lip stain.

*Linked to: Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday

Personal Style: A Family Easter Weekend

 (wearing my mom's vintage dress and some thrifted, red vintage shoes, necklace f 21. love them)

Our Easter weekend was busy and wonderful. Our church (edited to add: I discovered is a lie) had a temple outing and then headed off together for a little bbq and Easter egg hunt, followed by a slide show of everyone. A very lovely, very pleasant, somewhat stressful, very exhausting day. Our Sunday was full of reflections on Christ, chocolate, salsa and naps. I hope everyone's Easter was wonderful!

 

*Linked to: Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday