February’s Best Fashion and Food

Head Over Heels: Love is in the air!

You saved your appetite for Thanksgiving, your money for Christmas, and a special toast for New Year’s…but the last thing you’ve been thinking about this month is saving the date for Valentine’s Day. Well, fear not this February! Give this month a rich, flavorful update by incorporating forget-me-not pieces into your wardrobe and healthy treats into your diet.
Lovey dovey
Many people associate Valentine’s Day with sweet candy hearts and cliché sayings like “be mine.” Instead of tossing back that cheesy, chalky treat, try indulging in Dove Chocolate. Don’t worry about whether he loves you or loves you not — cocoa has anti-aging polyphenols that keep your skin looking gorgeous, which is something everyone loves. Want to show affection to more than just one person this holiday? The Dove website offers fun recipes and products that will make your Valentine’s Day filled with love. The Chocolate Turtle Martini is an easy recipe that anyone would desire.
For those who prefer to eat their chocolate, try getting creative with your candy. I like to think of Dove Chocolate as therapy wrapped in foil. The wrappers have encouraging sayings such as: “Be your own Valentine,” “Take a moment to appreciate others,” and “Enjoy the moment.” The delicious chocolate can also create laughs when you personalize the wrappers with funny inside jokes or sayings you and your friends have. Filling a martini glass with a variety of chocolates is an easy way to decorate and entertain while having friends over.
Candycoat It
Love is all about feeling warm on the inside. We’ve all committed the crime of purchasing a super chic outfit that we feel sexy in, only to shiver and shake later on in the night…and I don’t mean on the dance floor. Having a guy offer his coat is an adorable gesture; however, it’s probably not the sexy look you were going for. While the fuss and the focus might be on the Valentine’s Day dress, you don’t want the cover-up looking frumpy; after all, the coat is the first thing people see you in when you enter the room! Make a sweet statement in an adorable blazer or coat this Valentine’s Day.
This pink ASOS Longline Blazer is a great look for the in-between season and the length is perfect to go over your Valentine’s Day ensemble.

Another amazing buy is this Calvin Klein Wrap Coat with Notch Collar. The belt on the sophisticated red coat pulls you in at the waist and is definitely a figure-flattering one of a kind.
Whether you are a free bird or in a relationship this Valentine’s Day, know that it can be as sweet as the candy that symbolizes it!

OMBRE HAIR IS HERE TO STAY!

Ombre Hair is here to stay! I've been following this trend for over two years now, and have been practicing it behind the chair for three. I love that women of any age can get this fantastic and trendy service done to her hair, and every woman can have it her way!

Just like snowflakes, no two ombre hair coloring services are the same, and that's what makes it so fun!
I just feel personally, from a professional stand point, it can help me remain creative and technical all at once. I even have to fix ombre coloring that another stylist did because they did it just as a highlight, only about four inches away from the roots, and did no creative design or structure.

My clients always love watching me do their ombre color on their hair because they think it looks so easy, but really it isnt! I always do ombre coloring the way I feel works best for their hair cut, hair texture, and skin and eye coloring.

You can't just make anyone blonde right? So when I do an ombre coloring, I go above and beyond to create something they can't do at home; after all, they pay me anywhere from $65-$115!

Here are some hair ombre coloring I did at the salons I work at currently.
I can run by what type of ombre they are and let you know what the price would be.

EXTREME OMBRE

This Ombre is probably the most extreme for an average client

I highlighted her hair to a medium brown from her natural coloring which was a jet black.

*I washed and treated her hair with a Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditiong oil and roughed-dried her hair. I did this because color sits better on clean hair 

(forget what people say to you having to have dirty hair, believe me, stylists don't want to touch it if it's dirty, and sometimes there could be chemicals from hair sprays, other hair products, hard water, or even medication can alter the hair so you have to have clean and clarifyed hair before a color service.)

*I used lightener and 40 volume and stuck her under the dryer for 30 minutes. 

*I wash the hair again with a protein-based shampoo. I mix the coloring she selected which was Pravana permanant Mahogany and a Pravana permanant Violet mix with ten volume and applied it to the hair at the shampoo bowl. 

*I put her under the dryer for 35 minutes.

Mind you, it's been about an hour or so since I've done this, which makes me an artist considering I've used this much time on one person's head! 

Even though it is time consuming, I love doing it! 

I usually do two or three ombre services a week!

*After her color has cooled, I rinse her hair with lukewarm-cool water, and seal her hair with a gloss and conditioner combined and let her sit at the bowl for about 10 minutes.

*afterwards, I blowdry the hair with a thermal blowdry treatment (organic) and an oil. Then I style her hair as she sees fit!

This kind of service takes about two-three hours with people who have a lot of hair.

BLONDE OMBRE

This doesn't take too much time, but it can be just as damaging.

I still do all the necessary steps in washing and treating the hair before coloring.

*I then, depending on the natural level of the hair, or if I am lightening pre-colored hair, I always use lightener and the necessary volume of peroxide needed.

*Usually, this takes about 30min-1hr. since I am only lightening the hair to the client's desired level.

*I have fun with this because i can paint certain pieces of the hair to create a fun contrast or progression!

I usually charge about $75-100 for this because I almost never need to tone the hair after lightening.

BROWN/COPPER/GOLD OMBRE

This is a more natural ombre coloring.

I once again, wash and pre-treat the hair.

I forgot to mention, I also wash the hair before coloring, because usually my clients come in and want a fresh hair cut to go with it. I insure this a good idea, becasuse not only will it show off the color and style, but all the dead ends will be gone and you can start the color on clean, healthy hair.

I can lighten the hair to desired level the client wants, and tone her hair to what she selected in the color book. 

*I am very careful to make sure the color fits her skin tone, and eye color.

*I lighten the hair with lightener and put the client under the dryer for 10-30 min depending on how fast her hair lifts.

*I then wash her hair a second time and add the toner, going back under the dryer for 10-15 min.

*I then rinse the hair and condition.

*then I dry her hair and style as desired!

So you see, ombre can come in many different colors and tones! I can make that happen for you if you are interested! I love what I do, and I am one of the few stylists in Chicago, and the only stylist in the area I work at the does this amazing color service! I work in two locations:

Salon Heaven & Spa

1505 S Michigan ave

Chicago, Il 60605

Sorelle Boutique

1905 w Division

Chicago

Hair By Megan B!<~~~~~click here to see all my hair pictures!

HOW TO: Fishtail-Plait

SPRING RUNWAY 2013

1. Capes

The cape is such a perfect winter layeringstaple that it can be hard to imagine wearing one in spring. But capes can not only work, they can be a pleasant and unexpected surprise in the warmer months. Burberry Prorsum’s runway was the perfect example of that: capes in Duchess Satin in seasonal colours proved that the cape was here to stay, and more desirable than ever.

Salvatore Ferragamo F/W ’12, Burberry Prorsum S/S ’13

2. Oriental-inspired clothing

You known when Miuccia Prada jumps onto something, it’s here to stay… for a while at least. Prada’s Japanese-inspired runway of modern Geisha girls brought the oriental fashion fascination into the coming warmer months. And it wasn’t just Prada – the likes of Etro, Issa and Behnaz Sarafpour bought Asian influences of their own. So those kimonos and oriental-print silks you got for fall, are more than welcome to stick around.

3. Leather skirts

Leather is just for winter – said no-one ever who actually knew what they were talking about. Leather works across the seasons and those leather skirts we loved so much for the colder months aren’t precluded from working in spring and even summer. Lighter weight leathers and in lighter hues will of course be ideal, but don’t forget that you can always head out at night – once the sun has gone down – in your black pleated leather skirt even in spring.

Akris F/W ’12, Rag & Bone S/S ’13

4. Playful retro pieces

If you’ve found yourself indulging in some playfully retro pieces – like 1950s stylecostume jewellery, pencil skirts, vintage-style hats and anything that takes its cues from the bold, bright side of 1960s fashion, fear not: there’s no reason you can’t keep playing dress-ups with it. Spring brings ample opportunity to show off legs in micro-mini mod dresses, or to cinch waists and layer on the attitude like a retro bombshell babe.

DSquared2 F/W ’12, Moschino S/S ’13

5. Metallics

The spring 2013 runways shone with metallic hues: bronze, gold, silver, leather, silk, lurex… If it was metallic, odds are you could spot it on some runway or another. You’ll also find that, come spring / summer 2013, metallics will be on many a shop shelf. Keeping any metallics you’ve invested in through 2012 is not only a good idea, it’s a must.

Got It in the Bag

5 purse essentials for the girl on the go

Hello Beautyqueen, My purse is always full, but I never seem to have what I need. What are your on-the-go essentials? Monica 

Dear Monica, 

Receipts, gum wrappers, loose change.

It’s true, us ladies like to hang onto every useless item until our purses are overflowing like an episode of Hoarders. And yet, we constantly find ourselves in a pickle while we’re out and about and need something ASAP. 

So I am all about being prepared — without having to carry the kitchen sink in a Mary Poppins-style bag! Here are my totally totable purse must-haves that have come to my rescue onmany occasions!

	A Portable Cell Charger How many times have you been out and panicked because your cell phone was on 3% battery life with no electrical outlet in sight?! Well hold the phone and take a deep breath, because a portable device charger can truly be your lifeline. The Anker Astro Mini is only the size of a lipstick — but will keep your battery alive!
	Mini First Aid and Sewing Kit From broken straps to broken nails, a mini first aid and sewing kit will keep you prepared for any and every mishap. This gift set from The Container Store includes a first aid kit with necessities such as bandages, cotton swabs, nail clippers with a file, scissors, tweezers, and safety pins. The sewing kit includes needles, five colors of thread, buttons, scissors, safety pins, a pop-up thimble, and more tools just in case!
	Eye Makeup Remover Sticks Some days I run around from set to set, and by the end of the day my makeup is running too! So I’m in love with these Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks to keep my eye makeup looking fresh from day to night. Whether you need to remove smudges or want a whole new look, these are perfect to have on hand.
	Multitude Headbands If you’re going straight from the office to a yoga class, this mix of sparkly and matte headbands is vital. The gorge, versatile bands come in sets of four and can be wrapped multiple times to create a hair tie in a pinch!
	Sunscreen Towelettes Ever been at a ball game and smelled something burning only to realize it was your own unprotected skin? Yep, leave the charbroiling to the grillmasters, and keep the harmful rays at bay with these mess-free, portable sunscreen wipes. This pack by Sun-X comes with 50 of the little skin-protecting cloths!

Alluring Apps

Beauty is in the iPhone of the beholder

We all know what Heidi Klum says about fashion: one day you’re in and the next day you’re out. Well, the same is true for beauty trends, and it can be overwhelming and time consuming to keep up with the latest looks.
You can say auf wiedersehen to stressing about whether winged eyeliner and beach waves are here today or will be gone tomorrow. Look and feel like a supermodel with the help of these free apps. Saving money on apps means you can spend your money on your beauty products that'll have you looking runway ready.
Bangstyle: Magazines are so 2012. But that doesn’t mean you need to have a hairstyle as outdated as the Mayans’ end of the world prophecy. Because both customers and stylists can upload photos to showcase new ’dos, this means you can crowdsource your newest hairstyle with the inspire button. It acts like your personal Pinterest for your mane, saving your favorite hairstyles to feed your “I need new hair!” urge. Bangstyle also helps you find the nearest salon when you get the urge to trim your tresses. 
Beautylish: Beautylish is a one-stop app for everything a glam girl on the go could possibly need: product reviews, video tutorials, and articles on the latest beauty trends. Need a quick makeup lesson on how to perfect a smoky eye or nude lip look? Want to find a blush that will transform you from dull to doll without making you look like Raggedy Ann? Whether you’re searching for a new look or want to share your makeup maven skills, you can do it all on Beautylish. 
mySkin: Aside from “drink lots of water” and “wear sunscreen every day,” the number of differing theories on how to keep a clear complexion can be frustrating. But now you have your own esthetician in your pocket with the mySkin app. Factoring in your skin type, your skin problems, lifestyle, and health history, it recommends the best finds for your face. You can also create a skin care wish list and connect with other users to discuss various skin conditions and fixes.
GoodGuide: It’s just as important to take care of your insides as it is your gorgeous outside. Scanning products with the GoodGuide app shows you whether they’re healthy, green, and organic. In addition to beauty products, GoodGuide has info on all sorts of items from food to baby products. Plus, create personalized shopping lists of the highest-scoring products. 

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Expert advice to break the mid-winter funk

This time of year can come as a bit of a shock to the system. What, no more endless parties, free-for-all goodie buffets, or welcome breaks from the office? It’s like the zombie apocalypse has officially begun!
Though it helps to keep a carrot dangling at all times — for example, a little staycation or 3-day weekend vay-k — it can be hard to maintain pre-holiday happiness levels once the new year sets in.
In an effort to counteract this effect, I turned to experts in a variety of health and wellness-related fields for some simple advice on their “magic” mood-boosters that are def worth a try!
“Burn sage with the windows open to refresh the air in more ways than one; try some flower remedies (Alexis Smart Flower Remedies are my favorite) — they are as harmless as water but as powerful as drugs; add (or make) a giant piece of abstract art filled with bright fire colors to the room you spend the most time in; incorporate pure rose essential oil into your life — take a bath in 10 drops, wear it on your wrists, mix it into massage oil or into a pure moisturizer for face and body.”
— Dana Claudat, founder of The Tao of Dana
“Jump up and down a few times! Sounds goofy, and it is, but it will give you an instant jolt of energy and cheer. Also, listen to your favorite upbeat music. This is one of the easiest, quickest ways to give yourself a lift.”
— Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project
“A brief and moderate bout of exercise holds tremendous power to transform your mood and mental state. A 5-10 brisk walk will absolutely nudge you out of any funk!”
— Holly Perkins, women’s strength training expert
“Slowing down and connecting with our body and mind through a regular meditation practice is a proven mood booster. Meditation enables us to rid the stresses that affect us on a daily basis. When we relieve ourselves from past and present stresses, we open space for greater self-awareness.”
— Shel Pink, SpaRitual Founder and leader of the slow beauty movement
“Put on your favorite song and march in place, then do a 2-minute light jog; step outside, place both hands on a wall, and do eight pushups; hold a towel in both hands, lift your arms overhead, and stretch side-to-side, remembering to breathe naturally. This is your feel-good mood elevator!”
— Lauren Piskin, founder of Chaise23 Fitness Studio
“Green juice: Celebs sip it. Trendy yoginis drink it. And you can make it at home. Blend organic kale, pear, lemon and ginger; adjust proportions to taste. This makes a great liquid shot of nutrients for a fast energy boost. Too bitter? Add more fruit. Also, Coconut Hot Cocoa: Chocolate is always a pick-me-up, and this "candy bar in a cup" version of hot cocoa actually won’t act heavily on your blood sugar levels.”
— Jared Koch and Jill Silverman Hough, authors of The Clean Plates Cookbook
What are you waiting for? Whether you feel like moving or meditating, happiness is just a “magic” moment away!