Friday, September 30, 2011

Clean Hair {less damage!}

This post brought to you by TRESemmé. All opinions are 100% mine.

Washing my hair is nothing less than a chore.  First I shampoo it, then I condition it, next I add my products and blow dry it.  Finally, I either flat iron it or curl it with the curling iron.  It takes me forever and I can see the damage the heat causes (split ends, fly aways, etc.) What's worse is that a day later my hair starts to look a little greasy so I end up doing it all over again!

I have been looking for a way to go longer between blow drying and heat styling, and I think I have my solution.

I found TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo at my local grocery store and it was exactly what I was looking for.  It is designed to absorb excess oil, remove odor and rejuvenate hair without a drop of water (which means no blow drying!)  The citrus extracts leave my hair with a clean, fresh scent.  It really revived my hair style's look and feel on days I skipped shampooing. 

Let me share some tips on how to use TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo:

  • Shake vigorously before use and in between spray bursts for best results.
  • Lift sections of dry hair and spray lightly at roots
  • Spray in short bursts, holding 8-12 inches from head
  • Don’t spray it like hair spray (all over and continuously)
  • Leave in for 1-2 minutes.
  • Use your fingertips or a brush to distribute the product evenly
    If clogging occurs, remove nozzle and rinse the nozzle under warm water, then reattach
     

Easy peasy, right?  Another great thing about TRESemmé is the number of products in the dry shampoo line.

  • Strengthening Dry Shampoo: The formula, with B12 vitamins and keratin, helps strengthen hair and leaves it full of healthy body.
  • Volumizing Dry Shampoo: The formula, with mineral clay and citrus, removes oil while injecting hair with salon-gorgeous volume.
  • Smoothing Dry Shampoo: The formula, with Vitamin H & Silk Proteins, refreshes your straight style by removing excess oil, impurities and odor to ensure your smooth look lasts.
  • Moisturizing Waterless Foam Shampoo: The formula, with Witch Hazel, Citrus, and Aloe Vera, refreshes your hair by removing excess oil, impurities and odor while moisturizing hair.

TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo was named one of the Top Hair Products for School.  You can also check out this tutorial on how to properly use dry shampoo by Elle Fowler.

I love going longer in between shampoos and knowing that I am not putting my hair through the stress of heat styling as often as I used to.  Have you tried TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo? If so let me know what you think!

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Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #3

On Monday we posted a few photos of fall fashions from our Pinterest board.  Our challenge (and yours) was to create similar looks using only items we already own or have bought second hand.  So how did we do with the Floral Challenge?  You tell us!

Original inspiration:



Our recreations:




Each of these outfits were recreated using items found in our closets!  No shopping this week!

We want to see how you recreate these looks!  You have until Sunday to post a link to your photograph in the comments section of this post or email us the photo using the subject line FLORAL.  We will feature our favorites on Monday along with the new outfit inspirations for next week's challenge.  If you need a reminder of the rules or details, click here.




AquaSeventy6


Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!




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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Creepy Crawly Bucket Hat

October is so close I can taste it! And with my oldest begging for a "fishing hat" I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use the spider-camo fabric I had picked up!

I am planning on making some spooktacular pj pants for the boys with this fabric as well, but for now, I am digging the hat.

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It's even reversible...

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Stay tuned for the pants and more creepy crawly goodies!

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Follower Features Tuesday

Time to check out some super cute projects from a few of our followers!
Click the pictures and links to browse their sites to get inspiration for your projects!

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Pumpkin plate from Whitney at No.3709

Make a DIY sunburst mirror over at Shannon Sews

 Meg@ My Cup Runneth Over painted these birds in our favorite color - AQUA!

Hope you all enjoy these projects as much as we do! And remember followers:
email us links to your projects so we can feature you too!
 
If you have been featured, stop by our Button Up tab and grab our "Loved By" button!

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Monday, September 26, 2011

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Floral Challenge and Features

Thanks to all of our readers and followers who participated in The Stripes Challenge last week!  Before we premiere this week's challenge, here are our favorite link-ups from last week.

Sydney from Chic Stripes sent in these two HAUTE looks.

Anh-Kay and her mini-me combined black and white striped tops with
jeans and brown boots (all from their closets!).  We love Mini's pop of  color in the hot pink scarf.
Minh brought some color to her black and white dress
with a lime green cardigan all from her closet.



Marcy from k.a.i-y.a. made a statement with her blue stripes
(which happen to match her fab armoire!)  These are items she's
had for "a million years". ;)

Geekmum from Half Cocked Living sent us
a photo of her little muse rocking the stripes!
Thanks again for your participation!

Now on to this week's challenge The Floral Challenge:


 via Pinterest



Bonus Accessory:

Here is a reminder of the rules:


  • Recreate a similar outfit head-to-toe.  This can mean that you recreate 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the looks featured this week.
  • Create your very own look inspired by the photos we have posted
  • Use the bonus accessory in your completed look
  • Create an outfit inspired by the bonus accessory
This is where the FRUGAL part comes in.  The looks you create must be made up from:
  • Garments/accessories you find at a thrift store/consignment store/yard sale/etc.
  • Garments/accessories you already own.
  • Garments/accessories you create.
You have until this Friday to recreate the outfit(s) and blog about them. Make sure to tell us where you found the pieces and how much (little) you spent on them. Don't forget to add the button below to your blog post, and we would LOVE if you became a follower.

Come back to AquaSeventy6 on Friday to see how we have recreated the looks, as well.  You are invited to add the link to your blog post on our comments section and the following week we will feature our favorite looks on our site and our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Don't have a blog, but you still want to join in?  NO PROBLEM!!  Create your look, upload the photos to a share site (ie: Photobucket or you can pin your look to Pinterest) and add the link, as well as the purchase/cost details, in our comments section on Friday for a chance to have your look featured.  You may also email your look by clicking on the email tab in our sidebar and using the word "FLORAL" in your subject line.


AquaSeventy6


If you were featured, please pick  up a button on our Button Up tab!



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Friday, September 23, 2011

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #2

On Monday we posted a few photos of fall fashions from our Pinterest board.  Our challenge (and yours) was to create similar looks using only items we already own or have bought second hand.  So how did we do with the Stripes Challenge? You tell us!

Original inspiration:


 

Our recreations:
This outfit was created using pieces we already owned.
The top in this outfit was a Forever 21found at Goodwill for just $2!  The rest of the pieces were in our closets.
The top in this outfit is a Gap piece found at Goodwill for $2
(love those 50% of tag colors!) The rest of the outfit are pieces we already owned.  You might remember our
DIY infinity scarf we used as the BONUS ACCESSORY.
Three fall outfits, total cost $4!  We want to see how you recreate these outfits!  You have until Sunday to post a link to your photograph in the comments section of this post or email us the photo using the subject line STRIPES.  We will feature our favorites on Monday along with the new outfit inspirations for next week's challenge.  If you need a reminder of the rules or details, click here.


AquaSeventy6


Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!


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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Flash Back in Blue

Speaking of drop leaf tables...my very first furniture revamp was a $6 score from Goodwill. I was with Yvette (ahh...the good ole days of living in the same city and rock bottom prices at Goodwill) and she forced me to buy the table. She pulled the tag and said "if you paint this and you hate it I will give you your $6 back...but I bet you are going to love it."

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This is what it looked like before me and 3 cans of spray paint got ahold of it.
This is what it looked like after.

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It's nice to see how far I have come and the tricks techniques I have learned. But Yvette was right - I do love this piece!
It is symbolic and fun and memorable.

It is currently serving as my sewing table until I find the one of my dreams.
I also picked up a little mail sorter that day and optimized my spray paint purchase.

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Having these projects around my home give it is a sense of soul and flavor.
I wouldn't have it any other way!

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Sneek Peek: Drop Leaf Table

Ever since I moved to Richmond, I have been searching high and low for the perfect drop leaf table for my dinette area.  For months, the best deal I could find on a second hand drop-leaf dinette was $195.  The frugalista in me wouldn't allow such an expense.  I knew if I kept searching I would find what I was looking for, at a price closer to my budget.

One day, after begging my husband to pull over at one of the grungiest thrift stores (my favorite kind!) in town, I found this beauty:

I'm pretty sure the heavens opened and choirs of angels started to sing.  This is what I had been waiting for!  

So, how much do you think I ended up paying for this fab table?  Tell me in the comments.  The answer will be posted as soon as I am done giving this bad boy a well-deserved makeover...


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Monday, September 19, 2011

Follower Features

Us Aqua Gals sure love our followers! Their support means a ton and their talent is inspiring.
Here are a few projects from some of our fab followers!

Wall decor project from Champagne Taste Beer Budget

DIY kid's room canvas from Room with a View

Fall inspired shelves by Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
PS- be sure to check out the close up on the book covers - brilliant!
 
Thank you, ladies, for sharing these ideas. They are truly smart and inspiring!
Follow or "Like" our blog? Email us your projects so we can feature you too!
 
If you have been featured, feel free to pick up a button from our Button Up page!

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Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Stripes Challenge and Features

Thanks so much to those of you who participated last week in the Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The White Challenge!  Before we go on to this week's challenge looks, here are our favorites from last week!

You can tell that Florida is ready for fall.  Each of our featured looks are from readers in our home town of Tampa, FL.

 Marcy, designer and blogger for the site k.a.i-y.a put 
together this sweet outfit from items in her closet.

Marcy's little muse even got in on the challenge!


Minh looks great in this outfit put together from 
items she already owned!  We adore that sweater!


 
 Anh-Kay rocked her look by adding in HOT 
cowboy boots!  Way to use the BONUS accessory!!


Now on to this week's challenge:  The Stripes Challenge

Source                                       Source                                  Source


Source                              Source                             Source

Bonus Accesory:





Here is a reminder of the rules:

  • Recreate a similar outfit head-to-toe.  This can mean that you recreate 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the looks featured this week.
  • Create your very own look inspired by the photos we have posted
  • Use the bonus accessory in your completed look
  • Create an outfit inspired by the bonus accessory
This is where the FRUGAL part comes in.  The looks you create must be made up from:
  • Garments/accessories you find at a thrift store/consignment store/yard sale/etc.
  • Garments/accessories you already own.
  • Garments/accessories you create.
You have until this Friday to recreate the outfit(s) and blog about them. Make sure to tell us where you found the pieces and how much (little) you spent on them. Don't forget to add the button below to your blog post, and we would LOVE if you became a follower.

Come back to AquaSeventy6 on Friday to see how we have recreated the looks, as well.  You are invited to add the link to your blog post on our comments section and the following week we will feature our favorite looks on our site and our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Don't have a blog, but you still want to join in?  NO PROBLEM!!  Create your look, upload the photos to a share site (ie: Photobucket) and add the link, as well as the purchase/cost details, in our comments section on Friday for a chance to have your look featured.  You may also email your look by clicking on the email tab in our sidebar and using the word "STRIPES" in your subject line.

AquaSeventy6




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Friday, September 16, 2011

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #1

On Monday we posted a few photos of fall fashions from our Pinterest board.  Our challenge (and yours) was to create similar looks using only items we already own or found second hand.  So how did we do with the White Challenge?  You tell us!

Original inspiration:


Our recreations:

This entire outfit was created using items we already owned!

This outfit was mostly owned items.  The only piece purchased for this outfit was the sweater
which we found for $3.99 at the local Goodwill.

This item was also made strictly from items we already owned.
Three outfits, total cost $3.99!  I say that's a deal!  We want to see how you recreate these outfits!  You have until Sunday to post a link to your photograph in the comments section of this post.  We will feature our favorites on Monday along with the new outfit inspirations for next week's challenge.  If you need a reminder of the rules or details, click here.





AquaSeventy6




Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!


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