Aug
08
2014

Beat The Heat: 5 Summer Ponytails For Every Occasion

Sexy, sophisticated, and super-easy Summer Ponytails

Beat The Heat: 5 Summer Ponytails For Every Occasion

Beat The Heat: 5 Summer Ponytails For Every Occasion

Although my favourite thing about summer is the warm weather, my hair doesn't always feel the same way. Even early in the mornings, it's already so hot that I can barely imagine blasting hot air at my head and even if I do, humidity makes a mess of everything in half the time it takes to straighten it. Plus, there's almost nothing worse than having your hair stick to your neck, all sweaty and lank.

And so enters the summer ponytail.

Now, I need you to erase the thought of the ponytail your daughter wears to softball practice, and think sexy, sophisticated, summer, and SIMPLE because if there's one thing you don't want to do on a sunny day, it's spending time styling your hair! Thanks to Goody hair accessories, I've come up with some super-easy ponytails for you to rock this summer — from chic office-appropriate styles to relaxed looks for a day on the beach or poolside.

The Occasion: Anytime

  The Look: Simple

I haven't been wearing my hair up as often since my big chop, but when I do, this is my go-to. I've dressed it up with a blazer for interviews and dressed it down with a soft tee for a trip to the park with my son.
 
 
  1. Start with tangle-free hair and then just whip it up into a ponytail — wherever you want it to sit — and secure with a Goody Ouchless Elastic of your choice. Perfect is not the goal here, gals!
  2. Now that it's tied up, you can wrap hair around your elastic, braid your pony tail or take a page out of my book and tease your hair, wrap it into a messy bun and secure with a second elastic.
  3. Mess it up a little more, pull out some random pieces, and enjoy keeping your hair out of your face and off of your neck.

 

The Occasion: Long, hot days at the office

  The Look: Chic, Sophisticated, Simple

  1. Brush your hair beginning at the ends and moving toward the roots to avoid breakage.
  2. Once your hair is free of snarls, pull hair back gently using your fingertips using a brush to smooth out bumps.
  3. If doing a regular, low-slung ponytail, secure with an elastic at the nape of the neck.
  4. For a side pony, secure behind ear.
  5. Dress up the look by twisting or braiding hair, and covering elastic with a strand of hair. Finish with a spritz of hairspray, and take on the day!

 

The Occasion: Day at the Beach/Pool

  The Look: Get that hair out of my face

Since wet hair is prone to breakage, I'm a big fan of braiding my hair before I dunk my head — and with Goody Slip Free Elastics, I know my hair will stay in place after swimming and being hit with Nova Scotian winds.

  1. If you have really long hair, smooth it back into a mid-high ponytail and secure with your elastic.
  2. Braid the length of your pony tail and secure with a second elastic. Gently rub your fingers along the braid to loosen and soften.
  3. If you have shorter hair or are growing out bangs, halve your hair horizontally at hairline. Secure bottom half with an elastic just above nape.
  4. Halve the top half of your hair, and French braid or twist each side back, wrapping ends around elastic band. Secure with Goody bobby pins.
  5. Loop length of ponytail into a messy bun if desired, and secure with your elastic.
  6. When it’s not possible to avoid tying your wet hair up, don’t despair! Grab one of Goody’s thicker elastics and gently loop hair into a ponytail or messy bun, or braid it and let it dry naturally for easy, heat-free waves!

 

The Occasion: Date Night or Girls’ Night Out!

  The Look: Unintentionally Sexy

Necks are sexy, there’s just no two ways about it. Sweaty hair stuck to your neck? Not so sexy. For second day hair, use a spritz of volumizer or dry shampoo for extra oomph. If you’re starting from scratch, work texturizer into your hair and dry. Volume is key here, gals. Messy pony or bun, with volume — no need for smooth lines or perfection.

  1. Option 1: Gather your voluminous locks into a messy ponytail and secure. Leave it as is, or go one step further and make it an undone bun.
  2. Option 2: Want to make it fancier? Twist or braid random sections of hair and secure with Goody bobby pins. Gather the remainder of your hair into a messy bun.

Regardless of which option you choose, loosen it up and pull a couple of random, face framing pieces out and go!

 

The Occasion: Outdoor, Summer Wedding

  The Look: Classy but effortless and fun

  1. Begin with second-day hair (you'll want that natural grit), and brush hair to remove tangles. If you have straight and/or fine hair, work a bit of texturizer in and loosely curl hair from mid-length to ends.
  2. Run your fingers through a bit to break up curls, before halving hair horizontally at the ear-line. Secure bottom half of hair loosely. Gently backcomb or "tease" hair beginning at the crown. Once the desired volume has been achieved, release the lower half of hair.
  3. Gather all of your hair into a loose, but smooth, pony tail at the back of your head and secure with an elastic. Gently pull a few strands loose, and spritz with hairspray to hold style.
  4. OPTIONAL: Wrap hair around the base of the ponytail to hide elastic. Secure with Goody bobby pins.

Looking for summer ponytail ideas for your daughter? Learn how to create kid-friendly ponytails to get her through every summer activity.

Aug
07
2014

Style Tips to Make Packing a Snap: You Won't Need Much

Four Steps To Your Best Dressed Vacation, Ever

Style Tips to Make Packing a Snap: You Won't Need Much

I despise living out of a suitcase.

I had to do it once for a week when my apartment was robbed, and my mom and I had to bunk down in a hotel room in Halifax with Finley during my first week of class. The term "shit show" comes to mind, but I survived and now break out in hives at the mere thought of packing for a night away from homemuch less an entire weekend. As a woman with a full (read: overflowing) closet, I feel like a fish out of water when I don’t have the entirety of my pant collection to choose from.

THIS Is How You Pack A Suitcase

The entirety of my pant collection is, however, the bane of my existence at 6:57 am, Monday through Friday, when I’m surrounded by twelve discarded pairs and feeling anxious because I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.

But I digress.

Outfit planning is key when packing for a trip, but there really is a trick to it. With summer vacations, sleepovers with Mr Hockey Coach, and BlissDom Canada on the horizon, I feel like I should just leave my suitcase out from here on out. Whatever the occasion, these tips are sure to help you pack and look smart on vacation.

I’m gonna go ahead and use my list for BlissDom Canada here, because I’m a psychopath and planned what I’d be packing early. Like, four months early. (Judge not, sisters, judge not.) Go forth and pack!

Start with versatile pieces that are appropriate for your travel activities.

1. Fitted Dress, Smart Set, $39.00

2. Knit Ruched Sleeve Blazer, Ricki’s, $79.50

3. Double-Breasted Jacket, H&M, $49.50

4. Western Tencel Popover Shirt, Gap, $64.95

Stick to colours and fabrics that layer easily.

1. Dark Wash Skinny Crop, Ricki’s, $29.99

2. Rib Knit Top, H&M, $19.95

3. Striped Boat neck Sweater, Joe Fresh, $29.00

4. Skinny Ponte Pant, Smart Set, $39.90

5. White Button-Down, Banana Republic, $64.50

6. Raglan-knit Cardigan, Gap, $54.95

Thin knits take up less space and keep your suitcase light!

1. Silk Cap Sleeve Blouse, Joe Fresh, $49.00

2. Striped Jersey Top, H&M, $12.95

3. Jersey Top, H&M, $12.95

4. Women’s Lattice Back Tank, Walmart, $12.00

5. Textured Skater Skirt, Smart Set, $35.90

6. Textured Yoke Shell, Ricki's, $39.50

Choose comfortable and functional footwear (and wear the biggest pair while you travel to save space!).

1. Helina Flat, Naturalizer, $90.00

2. Suede Women’s Desert Wedge Highs, Toms, $110

3. Black Ivanka Boot, Chelsea Crew, $65.10

4. Leopard Print Flats, Steve Madden, $79.95

Accessories increase your outfit options and help play up your personality!

1. Raw Stone Studs, Humble Chic, $24.00

2. Filigree Leaf Necklace, Humble Chic, $41

3. Owl Hinge Bangle, Ricki's, $20.50

4. Owl Earrings, Simons.ca, $9.00

5. Kintla Crossbody Bag, Matt and Nat, $158.00

6. Ombre Damask Scarf, Forever 21, $10.80

7. Black Wide Buckle Belt, Old Navy, $14.00

8. Handbag, H&M, $49.95

9. Pietramelina, Aldo, $15.00

For BlissDom Canada, I’m packing:

  • A sweater dress
  • 2 pairs of jeans
  • 1 pair of dress pants (because you never know)
  • 1 pair of leggings (WHICH ARE NOT PANTS)
  • 3 t-shirts
  • 2 tank tops
  • 1 button down blouse
  • 3 sweaters (at least one pull over and one cardigan)
  • Skivvies, because obviously
  • A bra (see previous list item)
  • Socks
  • One pair of flats
  • One pair of heels
  • 3 scarves
  • Two jacketsBlazer plus outdoorsy one
  • One pair of boots
  • 3 necklaces
  • 3 pairs of earrings
  • Watch (I always wear the same one)
  • 2 belts
  • My favourite Little Black Dress

I’m also packing my toiletries, business cards, iPad, phone charger, and probably some other random stuff I haven’t thought of yet. I’ll be picking up a new suitcase, too, I think. #FashionistaProblems

If you’re headed to BlissDom Canada, too, consider your bags packed. See you there, Yummies! 

Check out colour combos to try this season, and find out the best skirt style for your body shape.