What I've Been Pinning Lately

I've been so obsessed lately with creating a new capsule closet. However, I have yet to actually purchase the pieces... See, while I love the idea of keeping my colors basic, there is a part of me that really wants to create a capsule closet that is both minimalistic yet bohemian. Possible? With plenty of pinning, I have found some inspiration and ideas for my future closet. 

I'm essentially channeling my inner Stevie Nick.

Alright, so merely inspiration here. Still coming up with a list of definite pieces. 

Here is the list thus far: 

1. Black Barrette 

2. Shawl/Kimono  

3. Vintage Lace Dress 

4. Witchy LBD 

5. An Immense Amount of Bohemian Jewelry 

Anyone else out there with a Stevie Nicks inspired capsule closet or suggestions? 

New School Year, New Goals

Classes officially start today. Pretty late in the season, huh? Third year at my university, where did the time go?

first day of school outfit

I always feel like I'm starting over at the beginning of the school year! New classes, new notebooks, I'm so eager to for what the next year will have in store. Usually people like to set new goals for themselves on the first of January. However, I always loved to set my goals for myself at the start of a new school year.

With that said, I put together a list of goals for myself that I hope to reach this year!

1. Study abroad in Ireland. I just put a crazy-tedious application together. I should find out within the next six weeks if I made it into the program. However there are only 20-some spot and nearly 300 applicants. Wish me luck...

2. Learn how to save and budget my money better.

3. Spend less time on Buzzfeed and Netflix, and more time reading, creating art and learning the guitar.

4. Make my official transition to a vegan lifestyle.

5. Be an avid writer for my school publications.

6. Participate in an Olympic distance triathlon.

7. Create a capsule wardrobe.

8. Score a rad internship.

8. Grow The February Collection. Consistent posts, better photography, fabulous content, design updates, and better marketing. 

I've got this, right? Of course I do!

Happy new [school] year, everyone!

Quick Review // Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar

I don't know about you, but I've always been a little skeptical of drug store medicines. I mean what is in them anyways? Maybe I just never gave them the time of day, but I always figured the safest and most effective remedies come from the Earth. I mean, these herbs are here for a reason!

Sorry for the low quality

Something I've always wanted to get into was creating my own herbal medicine. Not too long ago, I finally I decided to look it. I scoured the internet and came across Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide. I ordered it off Amazon for roughly $11. 

I started reading it as soon as I got it. I was hooked! This 217 page guide gives a great short-but-sweet summary of what it means to create your own medicine. Right of the bat, she discusses the creation of teas, syrups, oils, salves, tinctures, and herbal pills. Also everything you need to create your own in-home pharmacy! Pretty sweet, right? 

Next, she dives into 9 of the most familiar herbs: basil, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, rosemary, sage, thyme, and turmeric. For each herb, she give a two-page summary. This includes, the best approach to growing it, how to use it medicinally, its nutritional value, and its safety factors. After that she will usually supply a recipe or two. After the 9 familiar herbs, she depicts how to use 24 other herbs. Aloe vera, lavender, elder, and nettle, just to name a few. 

Overall, this beginner guide definitely set me on the right path to becoming my own herbalist. It taught me everything I needed to know to get myself on my feet: what type of medicine I can make, how often I should take it and dosage, and how to use the herbs to make myself a healthier person. 

I'm very excited to make teas and tinctures! The guide discusses lunar and solar infused tea. Doesn't that just sound so mystical? I'm never excited for the cold season. However with the opportunity to make my own medicine, I am almost looking forward to it! 

Cheers to herbal medicine!  

DIY // Essential Oil Defuser

Before I moved, I really wanted to purchase a defuser for my essential oils. I went through endless articles trying to find which one was right for me. However, after picking up one new item for my new place, and then another, and then a couple more, there was no more room in my budget for that perfect essential oil defuser.

However with a little research, I figured out I could make my own. It is a quick, easy, and cost efficient. It cost me under $5 to complete, not including the essential oils, of course.

Here is what you'll need:
- Depending on your budget, you could get a type of carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, etc. Carrier oils can get expensive though, if they are not in the budget, then baby oil would work as well!
- Skewers
- Rubbing Alcohol (over 90 proof, it helps the oil move through the skewers quicker)
- A vase with a narrow neck (I found some beautiful vases at Goodwill)

First take six skewers and chop the ends off; it opens them up to absorb the liquid faster. Next you're going to mix 1/4 cup of the oil of your choice with 1 tsp. of rubbing alcohol into the vase. Then add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil(s) to the mix. With a skewer, blend the mixture together. Lastly, add the skewers and let them absorb the blend!

At first the mix will smell mostly of the rubbing alcohol, but that will subside within the next day. On day two, flip the skewers over to let the liquid absorb into the other side.
That's it!

I made two, a eucalyptus mix for in my bathroom, and a lavender-lemon-rosemary mix for my bedroom.
Enjoy!

Review // Manic Panic: Purple Haze (on non-bleached hair)

UPDATE: This is a vintage post from my old blog. The original post date was in January of 2015. However, I still find the information was useful, so I thought I'd revive it on TFC.

So my friend Lydia and went to Sally's Beauty Supplies and bought the dye. We each grabbed two containers (around $9 ea.) each . I chose two of Purple Haze, and she chose Rockabilly Blue.

We went back to my house and the process began. We skipped bleaching our hair, so it would not become damaged (again) and went straight to smothering our hair in in approximately 1 1/2 containers of dye. We then jankily put a plastic bag over our heads and let it sit for 30 minutes.

This is how our process went:
(Photo cred: Mom)

Our final result:

Here is a picture of the back of Lydia's hair. This cool chick had an ombre, so it turned out even more awesome!

 But I've got to be honest, it was short lived. Here is my hair only one week later, after three washes. A greyish-purple with brown poking through every now and again.

 

Final Statement: It was fun while it lasted. I have been dying the underneath of my hair bright colors for the last six years and have ALWAYS used Manic Panic and have been pleased with long lasting color. However, my hair was bleached. This time it was not. I had read some reviews that Manic Panic worked well on brown hair, but I'd say otherwise. During every wash, my shampoo would turn bright purple. My hair left stains on my pillow, sweaters, and my Mom's vintage suede jacket! So sad. Lydia says her hair still blue on the bottom (where is was bleached), but is turning a greenish color on top. But there are some factors to take into consideration. Other than rinsing with cold water, I did not use a color protecting shampoo (other than the conditioner after the initial rinsing of the hair) and our hair dying process was a little... unprofessional to say the least. But even if we had done everything correct, I'm sure the color would not have lasted much longer. I think the bottom line is no matter what brand of dye you have, if you want a bright color and for it to stay long, bleaching is necessary. 

Maybe one day. 

But for now, I'm thinking adding a few dreads again;)

-Shannon

My Simple Cure to Keratosis Pilaris

I've had keratosis pilaris ever since I could remember. It has plagued my arms, legs, and bottom for years. After trying every expensive lotion and creme in the book, I finally made a trip to the dermatologist. That is when I learned it was a condition influenced by genetics, which made sense because both my sister and my dad had it as well. It was also in that same visitation that I learned there was no actual cure for keratosis pilaris. To me, that was a huge blow. While I was use to the condition and it was never painful, I was fairly fed up with it.

What is Keratosis Pilaris? 
Mayo Clinic defines it as, "a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms, thighs, cheeks and buttocks. Keratosis pilaris bumps are usually white, sometimes red, and generally don't hurt or itch." More specifically, it is dead skin that has built up around the hair follicles. 

However over the past two years I have experimented immensely with my dry skin. Through the process of trial and error, I have come to a conclusion of what works best for fighting my keratosis pilaris!

Quick & Easy Fix
1/ Drink plenty of water
2/ Avoid as much dairy as possible 
3/ Take baths frequently. Relax and give you pores some time to open up. I like to put coconut oil in my baths to moisturize and soften my skin.
4/ Scrubadubdub. According to Wellnessbin, normal skin is advised to be scrubbed and exfoliated at least twice a week. However for my dry skin, I have found that exfoliating it with either a dry brush or scrub during each shower/bath (3-4 times a week) helps immensely.

The Miracle Worker: Tea Tree Oil & Jojoba Oil 
The most important thing I could have ever done with my skin was this simplistic combo.

1/ In an amber or dark colored bottle, mix a 1/4 cup of jojoba oil (or argan, coconut, etc. I'm sure baby oil would work as well!) and 15-20 drops of tea tree essential oil and mix well. I found my amber 2 fl. oz. at my local co-op. I've also seen them at Whole Foods, health food stores, and the internet, of course. Also be careful not to add too much tea tree oil, for too much can be toxic to the skin. 

2/ With a cotton ball, use the mixture on fresh-out-of-the-shower skin and wipe the surface that is dry and rough.

The cotton ball will sloosh off so much of the dead skin and unclog the pores, while the oils will both moisturize and disinfect the skin. I do this after every shower. Feel free to skip some days if you skin is too dry. Then just moisturize with an natural oil. 

Hope some of these tips help you with your keratosis pilaris!

Any methods of keeping you keratosis pilaris away? Comment below!