30Dos : Day 19

I like Day 19's Do...and I really classed it up with the tee shirt. Ha!

The first step of this do is hilarious...three low pony tails with rubber bands, all really close together. Very sexy...maybe on another planet.

Then twist one of the ponies while holding it straight. After it is fully twisted, allow it to wind around the rubber band and pin it in place. Repeat for the other two ponies. Simple as that! You could make the twirls more obvious, or let them go all loosey-goosey like mine.

Time investment : 8 min.
Product investment : Rubber bands, bobbies
Money investment : $.05


Words of Wisdom : Theme : Priorities:

True wisdom is to know what is best worth knowing, and to do what is best worth doing. ~Edward Humphrey

Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Being overwhelmed is often as unproductive as doing nothing, and is far more unpleasant. Being selective - doing less - is the path of the productive. Focus on the important few and ignore the rest. ~ Timothy Ferriss

Hilton Head or Bust, Part 2

Even off the beach we had a grand time in Hilton Head last weekend. (You can read about the beach in Part 1.)

We fed ravenous turtles :

We rode 14.8 miles on cruiser bikes to tour the island!

You read that correctly. On vacation, 15 miles, on single speed bikes.

We tried to go crabbing (unsuccessfully):

those are chicken necks in my hand!

We ate seafood :

Left : Low-Country Boil at Tom and Sheena's, Right : Snow Crab Boil at the Crazy Crab

We boated through the marshlands :

We saw dolphins and osprey!

And generally had a crazy good time.

A screamer, a crabber, a driver, and an invalid walk into a bar...

Here are our recommendations if you travel to Hilton Head, SC :

1. Stay in Palmetto Dunes

2. If you decide to go crabbing, do it off of a pier, not on the beach.

3. For drinks in a great outdoor atmosphere, try the Tiki Bar at the back of the Hilton.

4. Map your bike trail before you set out so you know how far you are about to go.

5. Feed the birds and the turtles, but not the alligators.

Mmmm, adventures.

The Three Muscles of a Designer

This is a great vid with insight into the mind of Michael Wolff...big time corporate identity and branding player. If you are creative in any way, you may find this inspiring.



Some of his clients include BP, Shell, the Barcelona Olympics, Jaguar, Apple, Citigroup...and the list goes on.

30Dos : Day 18

This is another vacation do. A little teasing, a double knot, and some bobbies is all this one took. Oh and a straightener that could have been used a little more generously!

 

Time investment : 8 min. (for straightening hair)
Product investment : Hair straightener, Bobbie pins, teasing brush
Money investment : $.10

Words of wisdom :

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present you requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6, 7

Hilton Head or Bust, Part 1

The Beach.

I have been absent yes...on a grand adventure in Hilton Head, SC!

Last week, Husband and I saddled up with our friends Dave and Cath and hit the road for an extended weekend stay. To put it plainly, it was just what the doctor ordered. I think for all of us. Particularly, the beautiful beach. We all agreed that, apart from good times with good company, it was the best part of the trip.

I'll share some more pics of other activities in Part 2. For now, soak this in.

My morning jog!

 

And this is the turtle that Hubs and I crafted on the beach with shells for a shell. If you have ever built

something on a beach you will know what fun it is to have people stop by and talk to you, first about your sand creation, then about whatever! We got a lot of marine lessons and restaurant tips this way. 

 

Here are the boys biking. Notice we all had little front baskets. Pretty cute if you ask me.

The girls and the beach

Check out Part 2 for more photos!

30Dos, Day 17

I am officially behind on posting my 30 Dos! Vacation interrupts things (I'll tell you more about vacay later). I'll do my best to catch up and quickly!

This do was a beachy style that my girl Cath helped me out with. She has similar hair texture to mine, and has been caring for it more consistently than I ever did, so she has all the tricks for medium thickness, fairly curly hair. She was generous to play salon with me and give me a hair care lesson.

The steps involved to boost my curl:
1. Root Boost wet hair (Tigi Catwalk Root Boost - $14.99)
2. Apply Curl Booster gel (Tigi Catwalk Curls Rock - $13.99)
3. Scrunch
4. Diffuse until about 60% dry, upside down, and continue to scrunch
5. Use two large butterfly clips to secure hair loosely at the top of head**
6. Let it air dry

I really like the way this looks! I haven't seem that many curls on my head since the 7th grade.

Time investment : 30min.
Product investment : Root booster, curl gel, diffuser, butterfly clips
Money investment : I didn't spend anything because I was borrowing products. The prices are listed above, but I'll estimate $0.75 total, if I purchased all products.

**Although Cath has received much teasing for her use of clips this way, I have to say, it works!


Words of wisdom :

Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way.  ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You

The Theory of Cost Per Wear Shopping

I do not like shopping. Don't get me wrong; I love wearing new clothes and I love love love feeling awesome in whatever I'm wearing. But every single time I spend more than 20 minutes at the mall I fantasize about having a personal shopper/stylist. Someone that would wisely select on-trend items based on my body type and personality and make sure they arrive at my doorstep at the beginning of each season.

My sister would be that someone. Annie has always had not only an eye for trends, but also the ability to make clothes express a personality and the ability to find those clothes at awesome prices. She can create complete, fashionable, classy wardrobes from discount and thrift stores efficiently. But sometimes there are other options to consider.

Annie recently told me her theory on what to buy and where. Annie is the guest blogger today, and she is going to share her expertise! Thanks Annie! You can see more of her style on her awesome blog Anne Charlotte Pumpkin Scarlet.

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Anne Charlotte Pumpkin Scarlet :

I get a little over-excited by clothes.

I get extremely over-excited by good deals on clothes.

 My favorite word is SALE and my favorite past-time is wandering through endless thrift store racks in pursuit of the next sequin marvel.  Shopping "thrifty" is not just about the thrill of the deal- it's a necessity for me financially.

Because of my thrifty ways, I shop often.  I buy lots, but at a low cost.  My closet has the propensity to take the form of an actual clearance rack; all ruffles and lace with tags covered in red stickers...tags that are still on the dresses months later.  I find myself purchasing clothes simply because they are a steal,  not because the item suits my wardrobe or fits like a dream.  i'll buy something just because it's six dollars, and who knows?  maybe someday I'll wish i had something made of yellow polyester bows that may or may not be three sizes too small.

Truthfully though, what am I going to do with ten party dresses that cost $10 each?  That's $100 closet-dollars that may never see the light.   With this in mind, I'm learning to base my decisions on other criteria.  I'm trying to focus on function, color, and wear-ability when i shop.  Every piece should flow into my existing wardrobe and present looks and alternatives to outfits currently in my lineup.  I want to consider those things before the price.
 

So basically, I'm using the principle of CPW.

CPW, or, cost-per-wear, is a tool that determines the worth of a purchase over time.  Simply divide the price of the garment by the amount of times you wear (or think you will wear) the item.

So often, we try to skimp on buying basics in order to afford dazzling one-off pieces.  However, the CPW suggests the opposite approach.  For example, Havainas flip-flops are $18 (verses the $3.50 old navy or target versions), yet they will last through many summers and end up costing mere pennies per wear.   The CPW suggests that designer jeans are a worthwhile investment for those women who spend their lives in, well, jeans.   $150 for trouser-jeans from Emersonmade?  That seems like a lot of money at first glance.  But, they happen to be the most lovely jeans on the planet.  Versatile enough to wear to work and for play.  can be worn with heels or flippies.  A multi-seasonal staple.  I will wear them upwards of 30 times- that's $5 per wear.  chump change!    Comparatively, what is the investment payoff for a $300 dress that I'll wear one time?  That's 300 divided by 1; three hundred dollars per wear. 

So, I've started entering stores with an open mind; keen to find items that work in my wardrobe, bring freshness to a look, and speak to my personality.  I might end up finding some incredibly versatile staples that can be worn time after time- items that I'd never purchased without the CPW point of view.
In the end, I think I'll end up saving money.  If anything, my daily outfit costs will be in the neighborhood of $5  because I'll get so much more out of thorough purchases and cost analysis before I buy.  That's a good feeling!  Plus, there's nothing better than finding the occasional item that qualifies as "low CPW"...on the clearance rack.   It's the challenge of shopping smart - not just thrifty.

happy hunting!

ACPS 

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