Daily Outfit: Gone Baby Gone

This is one of my favorite outfits of the entire summer...maybe it's the bold print, my fuss-free waves, the silhouette...or it could be that it was worn for a night spent with good friends at a beautiful wedding. All's I know is, this dress was the very first thing that caught my eye at Banana Republic, and although I continued shopping and tried on a few different styles I just couldn't let this one go. 

How do you rationalize leaving the store with two dresses when you're on a tight budget? Well you can hem 'n haw about it...put it on hold and take a breather (you may realize you don't want it after all)...or look for advice from your friend who graciously spent her time watching you try on said dresses. What about all of the above? When all else fails, consider the cost per wear. Take a peek at the price tag and then get real with yourself about its versatility. How many times will you actually wear this piece- weekly, monthly, or yearly? Is it work-appropriate and can it also transition into evening? Do you already have multiple events on the calendar that will call for a look like this one and can you change it up successfully by adding a blazer or different accessories? 

The summer's gone baby, gone. To me it was time well spent. And I'm taking the dress with me into fall! What was your favorite summer look? xoxo Becca

(Vintage Sequin Applique Hairclip- MavenFresh, Printed Silk Dress- Banana Republic similar, Necklace- Luanne's, Bracelet- Vintage, Kelin Sandals- ShoeMint, Antique Gold Clutch- Sample Sale)

PFM Obsession: Becca's Beauty Fresh Five #2- Hair

image via Spirit Beauty Lounge

Hi beauties! Bringing you #2 on the Fresh Five countdown today...it's time to show some love for your gorgeous locks! I'm a firm believer that your hair is your cheapest accessory (thank you Beth Jones!) and you have plenty of opportunities to use it to your advantage. So we should take good care of it- right? 

Summertime means I'm either fighting frizz or creating beachy waves (usually both at the same time) and I wanted to find an all-natural hair product that can help. After making the conscious decision to green my beauty routine, I discovered the Yarok line of hair care products online at Spirit Beauty Lounge. Yarok means green in Hebrew, and their mission is to make the greatest positive impact on hair and scalp health with the least negative impact on the natural environment. Don't you just love that? The glowing reviews pushed me to try out Yarok Feed Your Roots Volume Enhancing Mousse on my naturally wavy hair. So glad I did! I'm a huge fan of letting my hair air-dry in the summer, and this product has been a lifesaver. I dispense about 2-3 pumps of this lightweight mousse and then use my fingers to squeeze, scrunch and define. My long hair becomes shiny, bouncy, and not at all crunchy. It gives me loose waves that are soft and full of body...no frizz! I've also used it to amp up the volume after my hair was already dry and styled. This is what I consider "hair care"-  a 100% natural plant-based product that actually nourishes my hair, makes it healthier, and *gasp* makes it look good? More please. xoxo Becca

image via

I leave you with this...feel free to share it someone special!

PFMs Do It Better: Getting Carrie Bradshaw Waves

It's no secret to anyone that knows me...I love Carrie Bradshaw and her signature hairstyles. One of my faves that's so easy to recreate is her big messy waves (hair-did here and here.) Best part? Whether your hair is fine, thick, frizzy, or pin straight- you don't have to master a curling iron to own this style!   

1. After showering I prep with two pumps of Pantene Split End Repair in my palms, and work it into my damp hair starting at the ends. It works wonders. I stop halfway up...and there's no need to comb it through. 

2. Then I spray Bumble & Bumble Styling Lotion with abandon, concentrating at roots. Blow dry with a diffuser, while lightly scrunching. This styling spray gives you soft volume and adds to the textured-piecey-disheveled look that we are going for. Try to keep ends free of product for more movement.

3. Once hair is dry, the real action begins. I was a loyal curling iron fan until my hairstylist turned me on to the Hot Tools Deep Waver and now it's become an addiction. This is one purchase that you will never regret! My hair is thick so I like to adjust the heat setting under 400 degrees and section my hair half-up before making waves.  Just clip the top layer of your hair up in a loose bun and start underneath. We are going for deep beautiful waves...grab (approx) 2 inch section of hair and start several inches down from your roots with the first clamp. Repeat. Repeat again, if you're hair is at all on the longer side like me. Three clamps per section is my motto. Keep going till your entire head is full of waves! If you have bangs- play with what you like best. Most times I just blow dry them straight, but if I'm in between bang trims I've been known to clamp 'em!

4. I love CHI especially in the winter time when my hair is dry. So put a tiny pea-size amount in your palms, and smooth onto hair. You can play with this to get rid of flyaways, add shine, or run your fingers through sections to define. If you have fine hair, take care to use less of this product.

5. My secret weapon for volume- Graham Webb Thick Infusion Weightless Body Spray. Spray it (a little goes a long way) around the roots/crown of your head till about half-way down. We are going for lift, volume, and thickness here ladies...just like the name says. This stuff delivers. Using hands, gently push up at ends of hair a couple of times so that you have lift from roots to tips. Think fluffy.

6. Then grab your teasing/lifting comb. I like the inexpensive Conair comb, and using the metal teeth I pick up and lift wherever volume is needed. Focus the action around the top of your head where we just sprayed in step #5.  Now if you are in the mood for Glamorous Soft Wave Carrie...gently brush out your waves. If you would rather do Chic Textured Wave Carrie (very me!) leave as is.

7. Finish it off with Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity Hairspray. It's brushable and touchable, but still adds control...yay!!!!!!!! 

Hope you enjoy your waves for days! 

xoxo Becca