2012 Season's Inspirations: Natural Beauty

April is shaping up to be a big month for styling: I have two large wedding parties scheduled for back to back weekends. I'm so excited to get back into styling for the 2012 wedding season. Nothing excites me more than being able to make others happy and feel beautiful--not to get all corn-ball on you guys, but really it warms my heart to see you smile!

This season, I've been noticing some huge trends in natural, outdoor beauty. Less structure, and more emphasis on using the original texture of the hair to create style. And, one of my favorite accents, braids, are everywhere!

In preparation for styles in the upcoming weeks, I've been feeling really drawn a few images (below).

What styles have you been drawn to? 

Side swept, imperfection making it perfect

With curly hair, this is a very forgiving style to try to achieve.

Sinatra Night and San Jose's "Page 6"

Each year, a good friend of mine throw's his annual "Sinatra Night" at the gorgeous De Anza Hotel in San Jose, CA. It's a good excuse to dress up in your finest digs and remember what it was like when men wore suits to impress the ladies (instead that sweaty Giants hat worn backwards), and girls wore their favorite heels (instead of their stank Ugg Boots) to woo the gentlemen.

Against my own fashion rules, I re-wore a dress I purchased for an old work party--but it just shouted Sinatra night (and let's be real: a re-wear falls nicely in my budget these days).

Low and behold, this girl makes it in The Metro back page. Now, I know what you're thinking. It ain't Page 6. I get that. Second thought: that's a lovely cocktail in your hand (nice nod at my lush status). But really, this was my crowning moment as an official socialite of Silicon Valley...in my own head.

Now, for the point of this blog. THE HAIR.

Kung fu grip on my Cosmo.

For the first time, I did what I never thought I'd do: watch YouTube how-to hair videos for Marilyn Monroe styles. I found this video since she has about the same length hair I do and altered it a bit, since I didn't have the time to set pin curls -- a girls' gotta work hard and play hard, right?

I went in with a 1/2 inch curling iron to set it, pinned it in place while I took a whore bath (you read that correctly), and applied my make up.

I used a baby brush (you can buy them at Longs, no joke) instead of a comb like she used. A comb would have been suicide to my thick, normally curly hair. I pinned back my hair on my better side, taught with some bobbies, locking them in place with my favorite "x" bobby pin pattern. I added some Fredrick Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Cream to whip it all together and shape.

I shellacked it in place with good hair spray. I warn you against cheap hairspray--can't save the planet on this one. You have to absolutely go for a great aerosol spray for light, solid hold.

I hope you explore videos to teach yourself a new style. I challenge you to try at least one new style a week!

Loren's Final Photos and Slide Rock

Well it's been a hot minute, hasn't it!? With my new full-time gig at Google in full swing, the holidays, roller derby, my dog and so many cups of coffee to tackle, I've been busy. In all this madness, I realized I never posted any of the final images from Loren's big day last summer.

I had a wonderful time in Sedona, and had some quality time with a bestie. Not only did we share the big day with Loren and her family, but we visited Slide Rock and slid down some rocks (duh).

Probably one of the funniest pictures of all times. If you could only see the aftermath of the large Hawaiian man that ended up on top of me at the end of this slide. Hope that mental image made your day as much as it did mine.

As far as Loren's styling, what an afternoon! I ended up styling most of the bridal party. Some of the most gorgeous, thickest, longest hair I've styled, which you know takes a great deal of time. Combined with some Arizona heat, and I was cookin'!

Below is a great shot of Loren's hair later in the day. Don't mind the fly-aways--roll with it ;) Between her and Dan and Vanessa, I'd say this picture is officially categorized under "adorbs".