Back To School Clothes - High School Dress Code Friendly!

Hey guys! It's that time of year again!  We wanted to share what we picked out during "back to school" shopping in a school clothes haul / try on / lookbook video.   Be sure to leave a comment letting us know which grade you are in this year and which dance move is your favorite. ;) My daughter will be going to high school as a Sophomore this year!

Back to School Clothes Video: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)



Our goal was to purchase reasonably priced items (we love sales, coupons, and the clearance rack) but we still wanted to find cute, fashionable, modest, and high quality clothes that will hopefully last throughout the year and work with the dress code in our area!  (P.S. We realize not all dress codes are the same.)

Where we shopped:

Outfit #1
White embroidered flowy boho top - TJ Maxx
Tan corduroy button up skirt - JC Penney
Boots - JC Penney

Outfit #2
Flowered/striped t-shirt with ruching on the sides - Rue21
Necklace - Rue21
Ripped jeans - JC Penney
White Converse - TJ Maxx

Outfit #3
Oversize sweatshirt / hoodie - ROSS
Distressed ripped jeans - JC Penney
White Converse shoes - T.J. Maxx

Outfit #4
Levi / jean jacket - The Children's Place
Sleeveless floral dress - TJ Maxx
Gladiator lace up - tie up sandals - Payless

Outfit #5
Boho lace / floral blouse - ROSS
Skinny jeans - TJ Maxx
Ankle boots - JCPenney

PS: We have more back to school hairstyles filmed and ready to go. Watch for them in the near future!

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3 Back To School Hairstyles!

Since many of you will be going back to school soon, we wanted to share some quick and easy hairstyles for busy school mornings. Each of these are simple and heatless "half up half down" hairstyles that would be great for girls and teens of all ages (elementary, middle school, junior high, high school, and college!)

3 Back To School Hairstyles, Video Tutorials: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)



The first hairstyle in this series is our favorite... a fun double twist technique with connecting braids which is much easier than it looks.

  The second hairstyle is a cute and simple french braid in the center with accent braids on each side and hair wrapped around the ponytail to finish it off.

The 3rd hairstyle continues on from the second by adding some lace braids on each side, connecting in the middle.

Hope you enjoyed! We will be posting more back to school videos soon!

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3 Braided Hairstyles For Summer!

Today we are sharing 3 cute and easy half up hairstyles using braids. These are all heat-less, 5 minute hairstyles! These 3 simple styles are all similar and each utilize some of the same steps, but end up looking slightly different, giving you 3 different options for those of you who love half ups.

3 Half Up Braided Hairstyles, Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




These 3 styles leave your hair mostly down, but still out of your face... perfect for many summer activities. These braids would not only be great for summer, but for back to school too!  My daughter is always on the "look out" for easy, quick and cute hairstyles for school mornings, so we will be adding a part 2 and 3 of this series coming soon! All of the tutorials in this series will be DIY hairstyles and quick styles that can be worn on a regular basis. A fun collection of braided hairstyles and every day hair styles.

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TESTING BENDABLE FOAM ROLLERS FOR BIG HEATLESS OVERNIGHT CURLS

Today we are testing "Big Curls Bendable Rollers" by Conair. Watch our video (below) to see how our curls turned out and what we thought of the rollers!  We also mention some tips and tricks to hopefully get the best results.

(Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




These foam rollers claim to "Turn heads with your hair! Provides the confidence great hair brings with affordable, high quality styling tools. For curls and waves with body and bounce, our rollers create style that lasts! The easiest hair roller ever! When we say Roll, Bend, and Set, we mean it, it's as simple as that. Big Curls- create soft, loopy curls by taking large sections and rolling hair to create your desired effect. Big Curls are perfect for night sets, as they are soft and bendable with no hard plastic parts to keep you awake! Wake up refreshed with natural looking curls without a dent or crease in sight. Big Curls can be used on damp or dry hair." (Quote taken from the original packaging on the box.)

Directions on the box:

*Smooth hair by brushing or combing. 
*Section the hair that you are curling and add a small amount of styling product. (Note that we did not do this step.) 
*Roll the hair all the way up in the direction that you want curl. 
*Bend the roller to hold it in place, the wire inside will maintain the bend. 
*Leave rollers in place for at least 20 minutes and if using on damp hair, please leave in until hair is dry. 
*Gently remove and finger comb curls in place. 
*Can be used with a blow dryer. 

Overall we feel like these curlers mostly lived up to their claims. It was super easy and quick to roll up her hair using the rollers and taking them out was very smooth since there are no clips or pins. We did not get quite as much curl as we would have liked but partly this was caused by user error. We did not apply any hair product before placing the rollers (as mentioned in the instructions) and her hair was not completely dry when we took them out (which I believe was the main problem.) I would be very surprised if these actually would've stayed in overnight without using our elastic trick (as shown in our video above.) Although we did not test them on their own to confirm. We definitely plan on using these again just for the fact that they were so quick and easy to take in and out and were relatively comfortable to sleep on. I'm hoping we will get a better result next time by not adding quite as much water to her hair before applying the sponge rollers. These can be found in stores as well as online (affiliate.)

*This is not a sponsored video.

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How To Make A Faux Hawk Fan, Half Up Hairstyle

Our hairstyle tutorial this week features a trendy dutch braid faux hawk look with twist braid "fans" feeding into each side of the half up braid.

This would be a great style for all ages (teens included) and would be cute for many occasions: School, work, concerts, dances, dates, church, etc.

This hairstyle is inspired by a similar braid we posted on our blog back in 2014 called the "shooting star" which is still one of our all time favorite hairstyles.  This time we wanted to go for more of an edgy look!

Faux Hawk Fan Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the tutorial directly on YouTube.)

Tips for recreating this hairstyle:  Stretch the sides of the main braid for a more voluminous faux hawk.  Also, you may need to tighten the accent braids as you go (to prevent them from slipping out and becoming loose.)  I would recommend applying hair product before making the micro braids for a smoother finish.  This style can also be made using all of your hair in a full dutch braid instead of a half up style if you prefer.

Supplies needed to recreate this style:

• 3 small hair elastics
• Temporary hair ties or clips to hold the braids while you are working
• Hair product to help prevent flyaways

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4th of July Hairstyle! Elastic Star And Pull Through Braid For Teens

Another star hairstyle for the 4th of July!

Our hair tutorial this week features a fun star design accent on one side of her head, combined with an edgy pull through braid faux hawk ponytail look using the rest of her hair.

Over the years we have shared many star hairstyles on this blog for the 4th of July.  Most of these styles would be adorable for younger girls... "star pigtails" anyone? But today we wanted to show a star hairstyle that will hopefully work for teenagers too!  I think this trendy look would be so cute for a barbecue, fireworks, watching a parade, or hanging out with friends and family.

4th Of July Hairstyle, Elastic Star And Pull Through Braid Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)



As mentioned in our video, you can end the pull through braid at the base of her neck for a ponytail look like we did.  Or, you can continue the braid all the way down to the ends of her hair if you prefer.  Stretching out the edges of your braid will make this style very voluminous and beautiful.  I would also recommend tugging slightly on the bangs area for more volume and style in the front (if you like the popular pompadour look.)

Supplies needed to recreate this hairstyle:

• Small elastics to create the star.  We used Goody Ouchless Elastics (affiliate.) 
• Medium size elastics for the pull through braid.
• Pomade, gel, hair wax, or other product to help control flyaways.

If you are a teen or tween, tell us in the comments: Would you wear this hairstyle on the fourth of July?

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6 Easy Toddler Hairstyles

Today we are showing 6 fun hair tutorials for little girls!  These are all simple hairstyles that are fairly quick and doable even on a squirmy toddler.  These hairstyles would be cute for older girls as well! Particularly the elastic hairstyles are great for gymnastics, sports, dance hair, thin hair, short hair, or for growing out bangs.


6 Cute Toddler Hairstyles, Video Instructions: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




Hairstyle tutorials included in this video:

1. Shoelace Knot Hairstyle Tutorial 0:05

2. Elastic Braid Pigtails 2:13

3. Criss Cross Braids Hairstyle 3:30

4. Diagonal Flipunders Hairstyle 5:01

5. Quick Pony Knot 6:29

6. Twist Link Hairstyle 7:37

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Checkerboard Dutch Braids Hairstyle Tutorial. Easier Than It Looks!

This checkerboard braid is easier than it looks and is so fun to make! Hope you love it.

We have shown several "checkerboard type braids" on this blog that you may have seen in the past...

The 5 strand checkerboard braid with ribbon,

5 strand checkerboard french braid,

and Checkerboard fishtail braid.

As you might have noticed, we love woven hairstyles! For today's style we tried to come up with something that has the woven checkerboard look, but isn't as difficult to create as some of the 5 strand braids or complicated zipper braiding techniques necessary to make most of these checkerboard braids.  If you can make a feathered dutch braid and simple 3 strand braids, you should be able to accomplish this one.

Checkerboard Dutch Braids Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)



Although fairly simple to create, this hairstyle looks so intricate and is sure to bring compliments and attention!

Supplies needed to recreate this braid:

• 2 clear hair elastics.
• Several hair ties and clips to temporarily hold the braids while you are working.
• Gel, pomade or other product to help control flyaways.

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How To Make A Graduation Lei Using Gummy Worm Braids!

How to make a cool lei for graduation, a luau, or other celebrations using gummy worm candies!  This is an easy, inexpensive, DIY, homemade graduation gift that every graduate would love to wear... and eat!

Our oldest son is graduating from High School today actually. (Congratulations class of 2018!) So, we wanted to share a fun Hawaiian and Polynesian inspired candy lei we chose to make him for his graduation ceremony.  And since this is normally a braiding website, we thought this would fit right in!

Graduation Candy Lei Using Gummy Worms Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




The awesome thing about gummy worms is that they come in all different colors and varieties, so you can pick out the worms that match your school colors or event.  You could also make a pretty multicolored lei using random colors if you want.  These necklaces would be great for both boys and girls.

Supplies needed:

*Plastic wrap / Saran wrap.  2 pieces, 40-80 inches each (depending on how long you want your lei to be.)

*Gummy worms.  We only needed one bag.  If you are going to be picking out certain colors from a multicolored bag, you will probably need more than one.

*Scissors

*Ribbon (Matching your school colors.)

*One clear elastic, or you can tie the plastic wrap in a knot if you prefer.

We want to thank our friend who showed us how to make these fancy leis several years ago.  We have used them for several parties since!  

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Greek Goddess Ladder Braid, Wedding and Prom Hairstyles

Today we are sharing a beautiful "Greek Goddess" inspired hairstyle tutorial featuring braids, twists, and curls, creating a lovely Princess Hairstyle!  This would be a pretty hairstyle for weddings, Prom, Homecoming, recitals, school dances, church, communions and other special occasions.


Greek Goddess Ladder Braid, Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




We have combined a lace french braid feathering technique with rope braids (or twist braids) to create the vertical ladder braid on this half up hairstyle. We love how simple and elegant this style turned out.

As mentioned in our video, we used our curling wand to create her loose curls for this hairstyle. Click here for our curling wand tutorial.  You could also crimp or wave your hair if you desire to achieve texture and volume. If you want your style to be more voluminous, you could tease her hair before placing the ladder braid.  A bubble effect between the braids could be achieved by using a rat tail comb as shown in our video tutorial (above.) Bobby pins placed under the twists would help to hold your bubbled hair in place if you decide to go for that look.

Supplies needed to recreate this hairstyle:

• 1 medium size, clear hair elastic
• Several clips or hair ties to temporarily section and hold the hair while you are working.
• Finishing hairspray 
• Curling wand, crimper, waver, etc. (affiliate)

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Braided Bow Fan Bun - Easy Messy Bun Tutorial

This easy bun is so simple and quick to make, you'll love it! A dutch braid, combined with a popular fan messy bun technique gives this standard rolled double bun a fun bow look!

This cute hairstyle could be worn for casual occasions, or for more formal events.  It would be great for cheer leading, dance, gymnastics, soccer, track, etc.

Braided Bow Fan Bun Video Tutorial: (Click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.)




My daughter often wears this tucked bun (without the braid) as a quick hairstyle for school. It is a great option for second day hair, or hair that isn't looking so great and is perfect for putting your hair up quickly for after school sports.  But recently she was wearing a dutch braid (as shown at the first of our tutorial) with her hair down. When she pulled her hair up into her "go to" bun after school, this cute style was created.  We both noticed the top of the bun looked adorably like a bow with the braid in the center!

If french braiding or dutch braiding isn't your thing, or you don't have time for that... You could start with a standard ponytail and add a regular 3 strand braid accent before making the bun for a similar look. And, as mentioned in our video, you could place the braid so that it shows in the bottom layer of this bun as well for a double braid look. This bun can be made to look sleek and smooth or more rough and messy, depending on your event and preference. 


Supplies needed to recreate this hairstyle:

• 1 medium size ponytail holder or hair tie (similar to your hair color would be best.)
• 1 small hair elastic for the bottom of the braid.
• Bobby pins (optional.)
• Finishing hairspray (optional.)

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