Picture Day Puff!

Here in Michigan the kids haven't returned to school yet.  They go back the day after Labor Day.  But they did go in last week to get their school pics taken.  Due to some time constraints I had to take out V's current braids, wash her hair, and put in the new style all in the morning before going to school after lunch!  When I told V that we had to do something simple, she excitedly suggested a big puff!  Brilliant girl!  I hadn't even thought of that!

Of course just a puff isn't quite exciting enough for me, so we needed to jazz it up a bit.  I don't really stress about school pictures though because I don't buy them.  They just go in the year book.  I always take my own pictures of the kids every fall that I make prints of and give to family and friends.






As you can see.  I decided to add these little twirlies all the way around her hairline going up to the puff.  There is probably a better name for these like single stranded rolling twists or something, but I like twirlies.  After all, that is how I did them.  The hardest part of this style was parting out the puff.  Trying to make a nice round circle on a not so perfectly round head is tricky.  But after that, I just made triangleish parts, twirled each section, and stuck the ends up under the ponytail holder that was holding the puff.  Simple!

The next day I wanted to get all that free hair tucked into something more protective, still wanting to keep things simple though because it will be time to do Back-to-School hair soon.  I chose twists.  We have been doing a lot of braids lately.  I also didn't make these the rope style twists (you know the kind where you twirl the hair as you twist) I wanted these to be loose and fluffy.  Well, fluffy they are, and they are great!  I just reused the triangle parts that were already in and than sort of randomly made more triangleish parts all over.  This wasn't a meticulously planned out style.  And I LOVE it!

I am afraid with the twists being so loose they won't last long.  Although they have been in about 5 days now and are still holding up pretty well.  It is funny when a quick easy style turns out to be a favorite!

I am still undecided about how I am doing V's Back-to-School hair.  What are you all doing?

Katie

Not Always Picture Perfect

Today's post is to let you all know that HAIR is NOT ALWAYS PICTURE PERFECT IN THIS HOUSE!  You all get the benefit of seeing freshly done styles, but the reality is that that only lasts so long.  And I am the queen of stretching a style.  It took me years to get comfortable with the idea, but fuzzy hairstyles are no longer my worst enemy.  I surely have occasions when I want my kids to look their best.  And I also have my moments where I find myself suddenly wishing my girls were looking a bit tidier - eek!  But for the most part, I have learned to let go of obsessively caring about what other people were thinking about my kids hair.  It's a good feeling.

So after 5 1/2 weeks with V's second set of box braids I decided to take them out because it was one of those moments where I wanted her looking her best.  We spent last weekend in Illinois visiting with family that we only see every couple of years.  I needed to do something simple due to time restraints so I went with an old favorite, 8 large cornrows into a ponytail.  Click the link to see the last time this style made a blog appearance.  The difference this time is that I wanted to show off Miss V's big beautiful puff!  So instead of braiding or twisting to the ends I only braided up to the ponytail and than banded off each cornrow.  Which I then gathered into one ponytail holder for a GIANT puff!  Gorgeous!  This is a picture perfect moment.

Our second day in Illinois was a beach day.  I was not keen on the idea of this much free hair playing at the beach.  That is why I banded off each cornrow individually.  It made it easy for me to go back and continue each cornrow into a hanging braid.  It was a pretty fast process and looked cute.  Also fun to be able to sort of show off 2 different styles in one weekend.

Now for the not so pretty part.  These bigger cornrows are only meant to last a week - TOPS!  V was pretty rough on them over the weekend, I had her wear a swim cap at the beach because I still have fears of sand and seaweed, but unfortunately I think putting the cap on and off can mess the hair up a bit.  Then she had swimming lessons on Monday, where we have NOT been using caps.  I am proud to say I am no longer afraid of water!  On top of all that I have been super sick the last few days and she has not been getting her hair sprayed daily.  So this is how V looks after a week of all that....

Thank goodness I am feeling better.  Looks like tomorrow will be hair day.

Katie