I have gotten so many comments and questions about my hair over the last few months and I am so happy that I am finally getting a chance to write about it! I thought it was too much information for one post so I'm breaking it up into two different parts; the first one will be more about the products I use for prepping my hair before styling it, and the second post will be more about the techniques I use to curl my hair and the whacky ways I keep my curls intact all day.

If you have any specific questions, please send me an email [astoldbystacy@gmail.com] or DM me on Instagram because I'd really love to get all your questions answered! Also, do you guys like videos or step my step blog posts more on these types of topics?

Before I get too far into this post, I am going to step onto a little soapbox real quick and say that not all hair is created equal. The products and techniques that I use may not work for you. And what works for someone else may not work for me. For example, I know the "popular" or most common way I've seen to curl hair is by drying and straightening it before curling it and there's no way I have time for that. Plus, my hair is naturally wavy and very thick so just thinking about blow drying it, straightening it, THEN curling gives me anxiety. I curl my hair a little differently than what the norm is and it works for me so that's all that matters. Play around with different techniques and do what works for YOU!

With that being said, here are the steps I take from pre-showering to the beginning of curling my hair...

My outfit may have been a little plain today, but thankfully my hair was not! Wishing my hair could be this nice to me everyday...

I have been doing it like this for years and I love it.. Except for waiting for it to dry. I don't like going out looking like a wet mop so I wash my hair on nights when my husband and I have no plans.

So after reading some blogs and talking to friends, I decided to take on a little different tactic on my hair. I don't think it is a drastic change, but it was different enough for me. So the alternative hair regime is shower, wash with the same shampoos, blow dry all of my hair, sleep on it and curl with a curler the next morning, but use the curler as a wand. I don't clamp my hair, I just wrap the hair around the curler, just like you would do with a wand. It took me an HOUR to curl my entire head. An hour. That's a long time to be curling hair! I've done it twice and then I was over it. However, I do like the way my hair looks...

Like I said, not a huge difference, just different timing. So here is my dilemma..

- I can either shower and mousse, wait 6+ hours to dry but curling only takes 20ish minutes

OR

- I can shower and blow dry and have instant dry hair, but take an hour to curl.

I just realized I don't even know why I am posting this.. I'm sure no one cares about my different hair processes. Soooooo.. Happy Thursday. I have no life. Goodbye.

Today has consisted of church and lunch at Maggiano's - delish! Kelly packed up her stuff and headed back to Searcy... I miss her already. Good thing we will be seeing her again this weekend along with the rest of the Florida fam :) CAN'T WAIT!

Could life get any more busy? I feel overwhelmed by the amount of blogging I am behind on so therefore, I am doing a speed post of the last week!:

I wore this outfit on my second interview for Ciao Bella Boutique. I haven't worn these jeans in about a year and I dressed them up with this collared top and shiny necklace.

Necklace: Lia Sophia

Top: Thrift Store

Jeans: Forever 21

Flats: Payless

This was my first day of work outfit! Again, these were pieces that I've had for a while and decided to pair them up. With the addition of a belt and cheetah sandals, I think this look came together great! This entire outfit is brought to you by Forever 21 and Payless, of course!

Another work outfit! Since going to work for me means going to a home office at Amanda's house, the need to dress up isn't really that high so here's a casual "work" outfit.

Necklace: Lia Sophia

Dress: Express

Sandals: Target

On Thursday I met Amanda and Lacy at the Dallas Market Center downtown. It's was an enlightening experience and I'm glad I got to go with them! We got some really cute jewelry and scarves for an upcoming photo-shoot and to put up on the boutique website. Speaking of the website, I made my modeling debut! LOLLLLLL, just kidding. Kind of. Not really. I am "modeling" on the website but that's only because we have no one else. There are only 3 of us working for Ciao Bella and two are pregnant sooooo.. that leaves me. I don't mind doing it but I am no where near model status. Check out the website - we are adding cute, new fall items every few days!

PHEWWWWWW, long post! Almost done. I drove by this on my way home from the market and couldn't help but take a picture. Dangerous? Maybe. Worth it? Yes. I LOVE DALLAS.

Hope everyone has a safe and great Labor Day weekend!

So I got a hair cut a few weeks ago… 6 inches off! “Nobody can tell but you!” is all that I’ve heard since then but I may or may not have cried the first night I got it cut. Insert my salvation and hero: One ‘n Only Argan Heat Ceramic Taper Curling Iron. (Woof, such a mouthful).

Coincidentally enough, this is my favorite wedding present. My hairdresser of 16-ish years got my me and my husband a gift card but also got me my own present. At first glance, kind of random but I must inform you about my curling iron problem. I have been an avid curler user for the past 3 or 4 years. I always thought my hair looked pretty great but kind of fake (I guess that’s the best way to describe it). The curls were perfectly twirled and did not blend in with the rest of my hair. I had heard and read about curling wands and how great they are for the past few months but was content with my old school curler so I never gave any thought about trying them. When I got this gift, I was excited and yet hesitant about it. I never used one before and figured I would burn myself using it. Well, one boring day in Searcy changed all of that. I decided to do a practice run with my new wand and fell in love! Seriously, possibly a girls’ best friend (if done right). The trick is to not start curling at the top of your head, but a few inches down. Otherwise you end up looking like an unflattering version about Shakira. Example:

Now if that’s the crazy hair look you’re going for, have at it. Personally, I like a little more tamed look. Anyways, this post is getting longer by the second… All in all, the wand is wonderful. It blends in with my naturally wavy hair, it’s a great investment, and you should get one.