Beauty / Rag Roll Curls

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetThe most frequent comments and questions I receive are about my hair, so I thought it was due time I teach you guys a few of my go-to hairstyles. Now, when I first started blogging I did a tutorial on rag rolls, but I thought I should probably update it since my hair is much longer and I’ve learned a few new techniques since then to ensure some pretty stellar curls.
Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetThis is my hair in it’s sort-of natural state. I’ve got really straight hair – those slight waves are likely from being in a braid – so I’m hoping I can show you that even if you have pin straight hair, you can also have voluminous curls with little effort.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • your beautiful hairs
  • an old t-shirt, towel, whatever.
  • scissors
  • tape measure, if you want to be precise

FIRST STEP: Weeee! Time to make our rags! My rags are from awhile ago (maybe gross…I don’t care), but I originally cut up an old sweater into about 20 rags, from what I can remember. I only use about 8 in my hair now, but it really depends on how you want your curls to turn out – I prefer mine a bit thicker, so I use less. I cut my rags to about 1″ in width and 7″ in length – you don’t have to use those measurements, but they have always served me well.

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetSECOND STEP:  Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’. I like to roll my hair dry, but when I first started out I liked having it a bit damp because it is a little tricky getting the hang of rolling that hair up when it’s not very malleable (hair sometimes has a mind of it’s own). Take your desired amount of hair to be rolled – whether that be a clump, chunk, bundle or strands does not matter, this is your life – and wrap the end of your bundle around the rag and start rolling upward. Once you reach the top (also subjective), tie your rag into a single knot.

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetEt voila! Your first rag was a success, now onto the rest of that head!Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetTHIRD STEP: I often like to give my rag bundles a little spritz with hairspray. I have found this helps immensely since my hair often likes to stay curly for a few hours and then slowly go back to it’s straight, boring life. Take that hair! I’m the boss!Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetEventually, you will look darling like this. I used to call her spider head because I had so many rags in that resembled a plethora of spiders, but now I call her perogie/dumpling head, for what I feel is obvious reasons, but maybe I’m insane.Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetFOURTH STEP: I usually do my rags in the evening so I can sleep on them and wake up with excellent hair in no time at all. I find giving your hair many hours in the rags is important…especially if you have thick hair. You could also do your rags in the morning if you are going out at night and are planning on spending the day inside…unless you want to walk around in public with these…if so, you are brave and you are my new best friend. If you are concerned about your rolls coming loose while you sleep, you can also tie a head scarf around your head so as to not upset the rolls. I’m too lazy for that shit so I just sleep as is. Don’t worry, it’s not really uncomfortable.Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetFIFTH STEP: In the morning I often use my blow dryer on the little bundles even though they are not wet because the heat will help to keep the curls intact. Make sure if you do use the blow dryer to let the curls cool down before taking them out. Now, un-tie your knots and slowly pull the bottom piece of the rag downward so you don’t upset the curls. Once I’ve taken out all the rags I give my curls another spray with my trusty hairspray just to be sure they don’t get out of line, then I just give the top, uncurled part of my hair a little brush (since I slept on it) and I’m good to go. You could also tease a bit of the hair at the top of your head to get that ultra 60s look, which sometimes I do.Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetCongratulations on a job well done! Now go take on the day looking and feeling fabulous as ever.

Following Nature

031_8I met Heather Wells, designer of these exquisite headpieces and the creator behind Heart of Gold Designs, through instagram last summer. Her headpieces are made from vintage and precious materials crafted into these incredibly romantic and ethereal pieces that would make any gal (or guy) feel like an elegant, otherworldly creature. I knew I would want to shoot some of her pieces at some point and luck would have it that Meaghan and I had envisioned a shoot like this almost one year ago (except with a lot more snow…snow, she’s never there when you need her), so Heather’s pieces felt like the perfect fit once we finally brought this shoot to fruition. I’m pretty happy with how the images turned out. Meaghan and I took turns behind and in front of my pentax on this somewhat mild winter day.

Photography: Alex Spence and Meaghan Kelly
Models: Alex Spence and Meaghan Kelly
Headpieces: Heart of Gold Designs
Nightgowns and sweaters: personal wardrobe, except for the blue nightgown via Larkspur
Patterned blanket: Cambie Design
Footwear: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine and personal wardrobe

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The Life of a Dress

DSC_2316I have such a hard time feeling okay about buying clothes that are not vintage or thrifted (this excludes independent designers). I’m not sure why – maybe they just don’t feel special…maybe I don’t like the idea of fast fashion – whatever it is, I actually feel like I have something against new clothes. Recently Forever 21 opened a location really close to my house and I thought, “okay, cool, I can take a peek, maybe they’ll have some cute things.” But the second I tried them on, I didn’t want any of them. It just didn’t feel like me. But say I were to find that same item in a thrift store and I liked it, I would probably buy it. Maybe hunting for clothes is part of my love for vintage and thrifting.

So it’s odd for me to say, but the only thing that is vintage in this entire look is my hat. This dress may look vintage – what with it’s 50s shape and fun novelty print – but it is indeed new. And it had me wondering…will I love this dress? Why shouldn’t I love this dress? I mean, when I saw it online, I fell for it almost immediately. But as soon as I knew a ton of others could purchase it, or that it doesn’t have an interesting past, it’s like my brain tried to sabotage my initial like for this dress, as if it was less special because it hadn’t been worn by another. But I’m glad I do own it. I am very fond of this dress. I no longer have any dresses with this silhouette in my closet – I sold all my 50s dresses with a similar silhouette long ago because I’m not really a 50s kind of girl (usually). But the length of this dress feels very 60s and it can act as a pinafore, which we all know I love. It may not have a history, but I’m the first home along it’s journey. I hope one day it will make some others girls happy. After all, all those vintage clothes I love so much now started out as new.

Hold do you feel about buying new vs old? Do you even care? I’d love to hear.

DSC_2289DSC_2305DSC_2326DSC_2287DSC_2294DSC_2324DSC_2307DSC_2277DSC_2332DSC_2306DSC_2327DSC_2284DSC_2317Dress c/o Larmoni
Blouse: H&M (old)
Socks: UO
Hat: vintage via Common Sort
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine

Epilogue

Processed with VSCOcam with m5 preset“In a nightmare, I am falling from the ceiling into bed beside you.
You’re asleep, I’m screaming, shoving you trying to wake you up.
And like before, you’ve got no interest in the life you live when you’re awake.
Your dreams still follow storylines, like fictions you would make.” – Epilogue by The Antlers
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Dressing gown: thrifted vintage

Belle Vie / 31

DSC_2163DSC_2154DSC_2141DSC_2143DSC_2151DSC_2144DSC_2142DSC_2147Processed with VSCOcam with n3 preset1. Old books.
2. My new-to-me pink 1950s flour, sugar, coffee and tea canisters.
3. iPhones are addictive, guys…especially when you have two.
4. We finally got curtains for our livingroom. Ryan decided to put his polar bear figurines (Ryan has loved polar bears since he was young) on the windowsill, on top of the curtain, to create a snowy scene for the bear…ya, I dunno either.
5. I see a pattern here…another 1950s pink kitchen item…this time a mixing bowl, with a happy little pineapple inside (we also got a juicer recently, so we have fruits galore).
6. We are looking after Ryan’s family dog, Beans, for the next few weeks. Aren’t they cute together? Like salt and pepper. (iphone)
7. Our livingroom is kind of filled with guitars and guitar amps. I’m still trying to figure out how to make the livingroom feel equal parts me and equal parts Ryan…it’s very Ryan right now.
8. A sleeping cloud baby.
9. We need to fix the frame on this picture so Bob Dylan can find a home on the wall. Also, maybe I should paint it a better colour.
10. Messy bed, that I’d very much like to be in right about now. (iphone)