In the Details

Lately I've really been enjoying menswear-inspired clothing. Sometimes the great joy I get from an outfit is just in the details. A button-down collar here, a check-on-stripe-on-leopard-print there. 

red + white checked shirt: Land's End

purple + navy sweater: Forever 21

leopard Timex: gift

red skinny jeans: Forever 21

How do details make your look stand out? How do they inspire?

Revisiting the Ol' Buffalo

Oh January. You of cruel weather and even more cruel reminders of how much we've overindulged in food, drink, and spending from last month. January for many people is a time of austerity. Not this girl. I like to think of my spending habits as thrifty enough to last even through the slimmest of times. Saturday I spent a little 'me' time browsing at my local Buffalo Exchange and was reminded at how many gems that can be found there.

Not everyone has the constitution for thrifting. Wading through a sea of moth ball-y crap with shot elastic and a 'vintage' section that looks like my 1990s high school wardrobe. Buffalo Exchange is a different breed. You may remember I worked there in the 90s, but this doesn't take away from how I feel about it now. I loved BX before I worked there, while I worked there, and now as a regular consumer again it's just as great. They've managed to spice up the regular influx of used clothing with some choice new merchandise, priced very affordably. Think along the lines of Forever 21 or H&M, pricewise. They also have new belts, tights, jewelry, and other accessories that maybe you'd prefer to be brand new instead of used. This mullet dress in particular grabbed my attention and the neon belt I paired with it just cinched the deal.

dress: Everly, new at Buffalo Exchange in Berkeley

belt: no brand, new at Buffalo Exchange in Berkeley

faux leather jacket: silence + noise, Urban Outfitters

boots: Bass, bought used at Pretty Penny

necklace: made by Mom

leopard Timex: Christmas gift from husband

I've also decided that the two bun look is coming back. What do you think? Worn with the right bit of toughness, it can be pulled off without appearing too twee. I'd also love to hear what you guys think about Buffalo Exchange or other buy/sell/trade clothing stores these days. I always manage to sell my old stuff, walk away with a few new/new to me items, and maybe some extra cash in my pocket! Sounds good to me.

Fringe Advice: Deep Conditioning

If you're anything like me, you've spent at least a few days on a plane this last month, or cozying up to some extra warmth like a fireplace or radiator. Or how about all that extra time you've spent blowdrying your hair because it's too cold outside to let your hair air dry? If you're incredibly lucky maybe you've even seen some ski slopes and have enjoyed some snow. All of these winter activities have one thing in common: drying out your hair. This is what today's Fringe Advice is all about.

It's time for some winter deep conditioning.

But Nicole, you say, I'm using conditioner every time I wash my hair. That's good [it's what you're supposed to be doing, even if you have oily hair], but the winter climes for most of us mean bringing out the big guns. I'm talking hair masks, people.

But Nicole, you say, I don't have extra time for all these shenanigans. Do you have five minutes once a week? We all have five minutes to make our hair shinier, softer, easier to comb, and more luxurious looking. Yes. 

So here's my favorites, in no particular order:

Kerastase Age Recharge: don't let the name fool you, this isn't just for aging hair. This is a mask used to refortify your hair, building it up from inside. Stronger hair absorbs moisture more readily, therefore stronger hair means more hydrated hair.

TIGI S Factor Serious Conditioner: this one has a great minty scent and intense moisture from sunflower seed oil. Comes also in a tub if you're looking for a bigger size, and the price point can't be beat.

Davines NouNou Pak: a step up from the NouNou conditioner, this nourishing mask repairs, moisturizes and protects, all in one container.

Kerastase Masquintense for Thick Hair: the minute you apply Masquintense to your hair, you notice a difference. This has the ultimate moisture delivery, and comes in a formulation for fine hair as well.

Now that we know what to use, here's how you use it.

1. Shampoo your hair using your favorite nourishing/hydrating/strenthening shampoo.
2. Rinse shampoo out, squeezing out excess water. Use a small towel if you've got it handy near the shower/tub.
3. Apply the mask beginning with the ends of the hair. Work the product up the hair until you reach the scalp. Hair is healthiest at the scalp, it doesn't need nearly as much conditioning as the ends do.
4. Comb through with an extra wide tooth comb.
5. Pin your hair up if it's long enough using a hair clip. Put a shower cap on if you've got one.
6. Let the mask soak in while you soak in the tub, or do whatever else you need to do in the shower, for five minutes. I like to take this time to apply a nice facial scrub or shave my legs.
7. Rinse and fall in love with your newly silky hair!

Easy, yes? I know this is going to produce the best head of hair you've had in years, so let's not waste any time. Get to masking!

Holiday Sparkle

Here it is! The week of Christmas is upon us. I've just finished a very busy week in the salon, so it's time to head out of town tomorrow. But before I go, I wanted to let you guys in on a sparkly secret: I don't wear sequins just for festive occasions. I like to wear them any day of the week! Today's look is a mix of my new silky Gap blouse from a few weeks ago and this amazing sequined tank that I don't wear nearly enough.

blouse: Gap

sequined tank: J Crew

flared jeans: J Brand

booties: Madden Girl [Zappos]

I'm loving these flared jeans once again. Somehow I take a few months off and then put them on again and fall head over heels all over! Makes me feel like a cool 70s chick [plus flares can be so very slimming, yay!] This blouse/tank/jeans combo feels so fun I might even wear it for Christmas dinner... but just know I wore this a few days ago when I had nothing more on my calendar than a few errands like grocery shopping.  So go ahead, give that shiny thing in the back of your closet a moment in the sun, aside from New Year's Eve. Have a lovely holiday, everybody. See you in 2012!

Heavy Rotation

Today's outfit is a bit of a mish-mash o' stuff. These Gap cords from a recent post, this Forever 21 top I bought around my birthday, and a grey sweater that made the rounds last winter during the 30 for 30 madness. I've also thrown in my daily outerwear and shoe/bag choice that's on heavy rotation this month.

Striped top: Forever 21

Green-yellow tank underneath: Target

Cocoa skinny cords: Gap

Faux leather brown booties: Madden GirlZappos

Yellow bird scarf: H&M

Nylon parka: H&M

I can't seem to stop wearing these boots. They're actually a brown version of last year's boots that I wore into the ground. It's time to get the black ones re-soled, so I've been making more use of these brownies. The parka has been great: warm but not too bulky, and roomy enough to wear bigger layers underneath if it's quite cold out. The bag, well what can I say? I get compliments every where I go about it, and it's a no-label Buffalo Exchange find! Can't get better than that. If I could only have one purse, this might be it. I've been using it non-stop for weeks.

Are you ready for the holidays? I've got just two more days in the salon before flying home to Arizona for Christmas. I can't wait!

Winter Woolens

Oh goodness. I managed to inadvertently take a three week break from this blog. It wasn't intentional, I swear. In that time I did get to visit Idaho twice: once to celebrate Thanksgiving with my 98 year old grandfather [yes, he lives by himself, yes he's still with it], and the second time to teach a two day course at the Toni & Guy Academy in Boise. In the course of 6 different plane rides, I think I caught some sort of infinite loop cold that has been a real bugger. So the style 'round these parts have been maybe not-quite-blog-worthy. Today is different! I am pulling out a vintage wool suit from the 60s that was given to me years ago. I get to wear it really only on the coldest days, and this morning it was 36 degrees in Oakland. Time for warmth!

I'm still really enjoying my copper penny hair. And loving how the violet roots shine in the light! So rich for winter. I paired my copper hair today with MAC's Russian Red lipstick and magenta sparkly tights from Free People. Just going to show you once again that matching isn't necessary. Sweater is from Arden B, the vintage suit label says Gibi, made in Italy, and the coat is from a clothing swap, made by DKNY.

I hope you all have booked your holiday hair appointments, all the parties, open houses, and festivities are just around the corner!

Style tip: these waves were achieved by brushing out yesterday's washed/air dried curls. To finish it off, I used Candy Fixations Mega Whip by TIGI to scrunch back in some definition and smooth out any fizzed hair. The result is soft sculpted waves and a yummy marshmellow-y aroma!

Fringe Advice: Winter Warm Up

I realized that my last post was the first time I was showing off my new hair color, yet it was up in heidi braids, so you couldn't really see it. I managed to color my hair myself on Friday night, somehow the inspiration for change usually strikes when I'm as far away from my salon or someone who can do it for me can be. So hello new copper + violet color! I'm going to continue my warming trend from the last Fringe Advice.


It's getting cold out there, so let's warm up that hair color.

the sunlight catches this color perfectly

vintage dress [Alameda Flea Market], F21 belt

I used a dark violet brown, let's call it raisin, on my roots. It's got such a lovely purpley sheen to it in the sun, I love it. It mostly reads as dark brown, which is great for winter months. Then about four inches out from the root I applied a fiery copper shade [we'll call that hot cinnamon] all the way to the ends. It has given such a beautiful shine to my hair that was really lacking, and I love the way it makes the whole look of my hair and waves more noticeable. Warming up my hair is something I think was just about right when I'm starting to switch to cooler and darker clothing for winter. Ok, now your turn! Warm tones in hair color can suit almost any complexion, just ask your color expert.

All color done by me using TIGI Colour. If you'd like to book your winter warm up color, you can email me at graphpaperheart at gmail dot com.