Summer Hair Inspiration

natural curls / beachy waves / cute short / casual up-do / forehead braid / messy

Summer to me screams natural hair. It is a time when everyone seems to embrace their own texture, color, and style. And I love this. One, because it is easy and realistic (given the summer heat) and two, because it is beautiful. This is the longest my hair has ever been and I'm struggling a bit as to what to do with it all. I still want to grow it out, but this time of year is when I always reach for the scissors and chop it off all over again. All this dark, thick hair is keeping me toasty; my sun hat has quickly become my saving grace. The fact that messy hair, or that beachy look, is desired this time of year is perfect because most days I don't have the patience to do anything with it. I'd sure love to experiment with new braids and up-dos, to get it all off my neck, but it is great to be carefree about my hair as well. Just air dry and go.

Summer is a perfect time to wash your hair less. Way less. You may remember me mentioning that I don't use shampoo on my hair. Well I wash it even less in the summer. Put it up, braid it, tie a scarf around, or put a hat on if you have to! Give your hair a bit of a break from all the damage it has been collecting the rest of the year from styling and give it regular deep conditioning treatments to protect it from the sun. I would recommend investing in some coconut oil.

Embrace those natural locks, lovelies.

  

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June Wishlist: Summer Dreamer

crop top / skirt / dress / sandals / lights / feather print / plant

I am excited for summer and all the opportunities warm weather brings. I'm just not ready for the melting heat. I think a pretty skirt or dress would make me feel better about it :) Now that I'm working out regularly, my upper body is getting fairly toned; I'm ready to show off my hard work with a crop top or a backless dress. I'm also desperately wanting a new pair of casual sandals. My poor Cachos are getting pretty worn and don't always go with everything. Despite the heat, this time of year usually has me feeling inspired. I've been inspired lately by plants and all that is growing and blooming around here. We've got lots of plants in this house, but there is always room for more. Another thing I have quite a bit of is feathers; I've been collecting little pretty ones for quite a while. I'm always looking for ideas for what to do with them. I'd also like to add some nice lights to our room (perhaps a DIY?). We had some string lights in our bedroom in Moscow and they were the perfect ambiance that I am missing.

What are you wishing for or dreaming about doing this summer? Just about every bone in this body if mine is aching for some adventure. I want to spend all day outside with a sun hat and a flowing skirt. We're hoping to take another camping trip here soon with some dear friends; that may just satisfy me for a while.

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Lately in Pin-land

sunglasses / artichokes / mug / braid / kitchen / overalls / galette / garden

I'm inspired lately by blues and greens and summertime things. I'm feeling extra creative lately. I want to do things with my hands. I want to start my garden and watch things come to life. And spend time in the water. Or in a cool, airy kitchen. A girl can dream, right? I'll probably be sporting a braid of some kind all summer thanks to my long, thick, dark hair. I'd love a pair of overalls, too. Oh, boy those take me back. Let's all start wearing overalls again, okay?

Also, cheesy vegetables forever always (I'm getting pretty tired of this detox).

Are we pin-pals? You can follow me here to see what I'm getting inspired by.

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Exciting News and (Another) Midweek Favorite Finds

After that heavy post from earlier today, can I share something exciting? If you have visited Oh Whimsical Me lately, you may have noticed a new page link up top (titled Fitness Journey). I was contacted by the social media consultant (Tara Smith) for Revolt Fitness to trial their program and share all of my results with you! I'll be starting the program April 29th and sharing my progress here (with photos even! kinda scary) once a week for the next 12 weeks. As someone who has recently begun to embrace my own health and fitness, I could not be more excited. Revolt seems like such a great program with lots of structure, serious workouts, and a clean eating extravaganza! I think Revolt will be just the kick in the rear I need to finally reach my fitness goals. Here's to a stronger, healthier me! Check out a video featuring Nichole Huntsman, Revolt's founder, and the Revolt Fitness Manifesto, below:

Without further ado, my Midweek Favorite Finds:

1. How Sweet It Is's recipe for Spiked Almond Joy Poundcake had me drooling, majorly. I may just have to make it this weekend.

^image via How Sweet It Is^

2. I'm a longtime reader if The Sartorialist, I just think he is brilliant. I love seeing and being inspired by fashion from all over the world. His post from yesterday, If You're Thinking About Walking Shorts, is lovely. I'd love to find a pair. Do you know where I can get some? Please share if you do! Perhaps I'll have to hit up the thrift stores.   

3. This Beside Table DIY over at A Beautiful Mess? So cool! Those girls are so crazy talented, and so is everyone who works for them (I'm pretty sure they're, like, everyone's favorite blog). This homemade table has got me brainstorming about all kinds of wood-working projects I could do!

^via A Beautiful Mess^

4. Probably the thing I am most excited about, Eisley premiered the song Drink The Water (listen below) from their upcoming album Currents (dropping May 28th) for Nylon Magazine. I can't even begin to describe how excited I am for this new album. I've been a long time fan of Eisley, my obsession with their dreamy music began all the way back in their early days when I was in Junior High! And I love love love everything they put out. And I really love love love Stacy's other group Sucre. It's been 2 years since their last full length album The Valley. Their new stuff is sounding better than ever. How do you keep getting better and better, Eisley? How?



Hoping your week is nothing but lovely so far.

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Midweek Favorite Finds

I want to try something new today. I guess it is my blog, and it is pretty freakin' new, so I'll just be trying all the new things. I do what I want. Muahaha. Just roll with it.

Like any normal, introverted homebody, I spend my far share of time browsing the internet and my favorite blogs. And I've had lots of browsing time today between snuggles and tea making sessions; the William is home from work all sick and in bed. I mean, I guarantee I have more time to spend on the internet than you do, any day. And I figure, why not share some cool things with you every so often?

Favorite Finds:

1. Smitten Kitchen shared a recipe on Monday for Lentil and Chickpea Salad with feta and tahini, and oh my. This is right up my alley, flavor wise. My flavor alley?

^image via smitten kitchen^

And it looks so good. I can't stop thinking about it, that's how badly I want to make it. Brb, going to go track down some tahini so I can.

2. As I told you yesterday, I've been getting excited with the prospects of started up a garden this year. I've been reading up, and especially since this house is a rental, I think container gardening is the way to go.

^images here, here, here, and here, via Sunset.com^

Plus, they supposedly have higher yields versus planting straight into the ground. Cha-ching! I do have some gardening experience, we had a garden growing-up and I volunteered for a bit with a great organization in Moscow, backyard harvest. But I've never built a planter box before. Sunset.com has a step by step guide for doing so here. I am excited!

3. Yesterday, The Inspired Room revealed her full kitchen remodel. Oh my god; it is amazing, gorgeous, all those good words!

image via The Inspired Room

Do yourself a favor and go look at the whole post and all the images because it is so lovely. Total dream kitchen, right there.

4. Did I mention I won a giveaway!? For reals. You know those cool blogs that actually have people who read them? Haha.

^images at Modcloth^

A lot of my favorite blogs host giveaways from their sponsors every so often, and I tend to enter when I do see them. Because, why not? And I actually won something. Chelsea, of How I Dwell Now gave away $30 to my favorite online shop, Modcloth, on Jenny Highsmith's blog. I was going to pick out a cute, cheap dress, but ended up getting some things I actually need: these sunglasses and these earrings (remember them from my thrifty thursday?)

That's all for today.
P.S. I already have something exciting planned for a giveaway for when (if I ever) I reach 100 readers for my blog. Get excited! And share the love, maybe? :)

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