[Styling Essentials Class]

Some girls from the salon & I had an Aveda Styling class in Winnipeg today, and we all enjoyed it! It's always fun to learn new things, and I can't wait to try out some of the techniques on my clients.

When we took a break for lunch, one of the girls suggested we go to a little place (on the same St.) called Bonfire Bistro, and I'm glad she did! It was amazing. It's such a warm and cozy atmosphere.  They make the pizzas from scratch and woodfire them, *so* yummy.  I had the Artichoke, Red Pepper & Feta.  One of the girls had the Prosciutto, Pear & Arugula.  Will definitely be going there again!

It was fun to get out of Morden for the day, learn new things, and eat fabulous pizza. :)
Hope you all had a lovely Monday as well.... and Happy March!! (Spring is almost heeeeeere!)

[Mobile Photo Fun] & Giveaway winner!

Since getting my Android phone, I've been sort of addicted to the RetroCam App. Here's a few photos from February. Most of them are of Delilah, lol. Like the one of me wearing Simon's backpack? Silly..

And for the Black Shatter giveaway.. the winner is....

Sarah! Please e-mail me (holly.neufeld at gmail) and I can ship your Shatter to you asap! :):) Thanks to everyone for entering! It was fun to hear about all of your favorite polish shades.  A lot of you have the same favorite as me! Lincoln Park After Dark. <3

Happy Sunday! I'm off to watch the Oscars with some friends.

Girls Night.

I'm heading to a surprise Girl's Night/bridal shower/Stella & Dot Trunk Show tonight, so I wanted to try something different with my hair.  I went with a "Victory Rolls" 1940's 'do. I feel very rockabilly. ;)

Happy weekend!

[Friday Fashion Favorites] - Orla, LAMB, and RV s/s Dresses!

Happy Friday! I've been browsing the web and reading a ton of articles featuring new looks for Fall/Winter from Fashion Week (New York & London).  So many beautiful looks, and fresh designs! I'm really inspired.  Here's my favorite from London..

[images from Vogue UK]

Orla of course! The color palette is beautiful.  I love the bird theme, and all of the details... even the socks! (ps: loving the socks & heels trend). The model has a windblown, unkempt hairstyle which seems to be showing up in a lot of runway shows and lookbooks this season. I think it fits these looks perfectly. The collection feels sophisticated-stylish to me, with a hint of youthfulness. Love.

From New York, my favorite show was Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B Collection:

I love the beige leather pants in the first look, and the pattern for the top in the second look.  (I've been really drawn to the Navajo "eye dazzler" patterns lately, and am working on some cross-stitched necklaces inspired by the design.) I think the best part of the show was the finale when Gwen walked the runway with her cute little guy! She's a total inspiration, and a fantastic role model. Love her!

Staying with the fashion theme, let me just share with you how IN LOVE I am with Red Velvet's new Lookbook Video!

Red Velvet Lookbook // Spring 2011 from elsie flannigan on Vimeo.

Don't you just want every single one of those dresses?? I can't wait for March 1st when the Dress Line will be available. This whole week, Elsie has been featuring one of the new dresses each day on her blog, with 3 ways to wear it!  Click here to see them all. (if you haven't already!)

Hope you all have a fashionable and inspired weekend! 

[GIVEAWAY] - Black Shatter Polish! **closed**

Sharing my love of Black Shatter with my blog readers!! The salon is sold out (more is on the way!) but I have 1 bottle of it in my possession that I would love to share with one of you! This trendy nail lacquer has been selling out everywhere, so I'm excited to give it away. (oh and I heard that OPI is releasing a SILVER shatter polish with the release of their Pirates of the Caribbean collection this summer! fun.)

Leave a comment and tell me what your go-to nail polish shade is right now, and I will pick a winner at random on Sunday! XOXO

ETA: the winner is Sarah! Thanks for entering!

[Trend Love] - layered bracelets.

This isn't a new trend, but I've never really been into bracelets until recently.  I love stacking them up! A mix of silver/gold, leather, beads... it's fun to mix and match.  It's so easy to change it up for different looks.

[Holly's wearing: Stella & Dot]

-Revival Bracelet

-Clover Double Wrap Leather Bracelet

-Vintage Twist Bracelet

-Gold Nugget Wrap Bracelet

[Hair Inspire] - Rodarte at Fashion Week.

[source]

Rodarte does it again. I am always a huge fan of the styling for their shows (not to mention the garments!).   At fashion week, Odile Gilbert styled the models (with Aveda products!!) to have a naturally windswept look. So pretty! The braid detail is totally gorgeous.

Gilbert gives these tips for the style: [via Modern Salon]

HAIR STEP BY STEP BY ODILE GILBERT FOR AVEDA:

1. Apply Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam to damp hair for weightless volume. Blow-dry while using hands to scrunch and twist the hair for texture.

2. Use your fingers to create a strong, slightly imperfect, left side part for a natural look.

3. When hair is partially dry, take a two-inch piece from the front, right side of the hair—at the hairline—and twist it so that it swoops loosely over the right eye. Secure with a bobby pin just above the right ear. Finish drying the hair, continuing to use fingers to add texture.

4. Release the pin from above the right ear and release side swept hair. Add a generous amount of Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam for an ultra-textured, wavy look. Spray that piece liberally with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray for flexible hold and blow it dry.

5. Gather all hair on the right shoulder. Take a two-inch section from the hairline on the back, right side of the head and gently twist it while pulling it over to the right side of the head, at the ear.

6. Pull a two-inch section of hair from the hairline in front of the right ear and twist with the section pulled from the back to create a small, two-to-three-inch herringbone braid. Secure with a clear elastic.

7. Tie the section of hair coming from the clear elastic into small knots, concealing the elastic and adding texture to the look.

8. Pull the ultra-textured section of hair from the front and drape it over the right eye. Tuck the ends of that front piece between the braid and the hair that is down and secure on the right side—at the ear—with a bobby pin.

9. Coat hair with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray for hold.

10. Add texture to the look by rubbing small sections of hair between the thumb and forefinger. Arrange all remaining hair to the right so that it falls over the right shoulder. Scrunch ends of hair with fingers for extra texture and finish the look with a generous mist of Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.

Love it! xo

longing for warm sunshiny days....

...and a pair of Orla Kiely sunglasses. Love these so much! (especially the 2nd pair)

xoxo

Style Inspiration: Jean Shrimpton

I love these photos of Jean Shrimpton from the 60's.  Isn't she stunning?? The hair is beautiful, the eye make-up is perfect, and I just love the styling of the photos overall, so classic.

favorite eyeliner!!

Who is your current style icon?

I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend... I'm spending the day snowed in tomorrow with my kiddos, and Ryan and I have a movie date once the kids are in bed (watching the new Robin Hood).  I'm only working in the morning at the salon on Saturday and then my SIL has offered to take my kids, and Ryan is working so I have the house to myself for an entire afternoon!!! Can't even believe it.  I plan to get Red Bull, deep clean & organize my bathroom, dress up Talula (my Blythe), and cross-stitch! Holy cow. So excited.  Happy weekend!  

[Shout out to my inlaws in Florida! Hope you two are having a great time. I gave Simon & Delilah squeeze hugs for you. ;)]

[Look to love] Silver & Gold

silver loves gold. by HollySarah. featuring sleeveless tops

Lately, I've been drawn to combinations of silver with gold.  I used to think you couldn't combine the two, but now I love it!  I also like the pairing of neutrals like grey with beige, or shades of brown/cream with black.

This is a look I would love to wear this spring. :) Metallic and edgy with a slight feminine side. xo

you're so sweet.

[airplane cookies baked just for Ryan. They're his favorite.]

Do something sweet for the ones you love this Valentines Day.

lovelovelovelove. <3

playing with straws.

Simon's new favorite toy (for today anyways) is straws. Not just any straws. Bubble tea straws.  He's always loved to count and sort and organize, so he's been having a blast with these straws today!  He sorted them by color, counted them, lined them up in a perfectly straight line, and then asked me what else we could do with them....

We spelled words, and made letters.  Then we stuck them together to see who could make the longest "sword" followed by numerous "sword fights" in which Simon was always the champion.   Then when the swords kept breaking apart we made a big mess and threw then all over the living room like confetti.

Then we each chose our "favoritest" straw and shared iced tea. :)
I love watching his creative mind grow.

6 Confessions [via Freckled Nest]

for fun.

1. Yesterday & today's breakfast = big chocolate cookie + big mug of french press coffee.
2. I still love hardcore music, and listen to it while I drive by myself.
3. I stay up way too late playing Angry Birds. That's one addicting game! :P
4. Even though I'm a hairstylist, I don't do my hair everyday.
5. I don't enjoy cooking anymore.
6. I bought a gym membership, and have only gone 4 times.

Check out LA's list on her blog. :)

Let's talk nails.

I always get excited when the box of new polishes arrive at the salon with the release of a new collection!  This year, the Spring/Summer collection by OPI, Texas, has so many great shades! Here's my choices for a February pick-me-up manicure. :)

1. San Tan-tonio - this fawn shade is sophisticated and such a pretty neutral.

2. It's Totally Fort Worth It - This subtle grey shade has the perfect amount of shimmer, and a "barely there" feel.

3. Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? - So bright! This cheerful orange just screams warmer weather!

4. Guy Meets Gal-veston - this glossy candy pink is perfect for Valentine's Day! (Try it with Black Shatter!)

"Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?" and "Guy Meets Gal-veston" are Sorbet-like shades, which are more translucent and give them a candy look. So pretty!

Another fun polish that has literally *flown* off the shelves at the salon is the new Black Shatter that was released with the Katy Perry collection of polishes.  It's so fun, and adds a bit of edgy appeal to your outfit. (I'm wearing the shatter polish over top of It's Totally Fort Worth It in the top photo)

Two of my cold-weather must haves for hands are Aveda's Hand Relief, and All-Sensitive Body Formula.  Rub a small amount of the Body Formula oil into your cuticles and around your nails where your skin gets the driest and follow with a pea sized amount of Hand Relief, and your hands will thank you! (I'm serious, so silky soft)   :)  

Hope you're all having a great week, and treat yourself to a pre V-day mani!

Shop Love!

[above images from the Red Velvet Lookbook]

Today is the day the new Red Velvet Online Shop went live!  The shop has a whole new look, and I love how fresh and beautiful it is!  The Lookbook for February is so pretty and inspiring... I can't wait to see the video!  

Be sure to browse through the many fabulous dresses in the Dress Shop.  So many one-of-a-kind pieces to beautify your wardrobe! 

 One of my favorite features of the new site, are the mini shops for our favorite items.

 Click here to visit my favorites!

I just wanted to feature the fabulous new site, and all the hard work from Elsie, Emma and the crew at RV.   Thanks for reading, now go shopping! ;)

XOXO