Beauty Parlor | Twisted Rope Updo

Presenting our first hairstyle in a fabulous new how-to series!  :non-commital grin: 

Here, I demonstrate how to create a gorgeous and simple twisted rope braid updo to a chorus of chickens and goats.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra band does it's best to keep them down in the background.  

I felt rather ridiculous talking to myself while little sisters were schuckling at me in the background, though I'm used to that:)  My voice is very quiet.  Sorry about that... I constantly have people in real life telling me that I speak too quietly, yet at home I don't think I'm the quiet one.  Quite the contrary.  Especially when I'm singing musicals... 

This hairstyle is wonderfully suited to the holidays, as it combines simplicity, ease, and a touch of glamour.

I just love that word, glamour.

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Step by Step Instructions:

1) Smile gaily!  You'll need hair long enough to put up in a bun.  My hair is in a side part.

2) Section off a portion of hair just above one eye, and push it forward to form a little pouf.  Bobby pin in place.

3) Run your finger under one ear and gather a section of hair, twisting upward.

4) Adding sections of hair as you go, twist one half of your hair into a continuous roll.

5) Repeat steps 3-4 on the other side of your head.

6) Divide your loose hair into two equal sections.

7) Form a rope braid by twisting both sections of hair one direction, then twisting them together in the opposite direction.  Fasten near the end with a band.

8) Coil the rope braid into a bun at the back of your head, pinning in place with bobbies or octopus clamps.

9) Mahvelous.

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And there you are!  I know you're just wild to go try this on yourself, so when you do, grab a picture and share it with me, alright?  I might be able to do some sort of reader's feature if you help me out... what fun!

So, just for fun, what kind of hairstyles would you like to see me do next?  I'm hoping and planning to keep these coming, and though it might take awhile to find time for the next feature, I'd love to hear your ideas!

Beauty Parlor: Rope Crown Tutorial

I've finally found the time and gumption to attempt a hair tutorial for you!  The photo quality is terrible, and I suspect my expressions might pass for a Study in Ten Parts on Achieving the Cheesy Smile...

...But all that aside, I do hope you enjoy!  My next goal is to get a video tutorial series set up, but for now... Well, it's for now. ;)

You will need:

Hair long enough to wrap around your head at least halfway

hair bands

bobby pins and/or hair clips

Time:

It takes approx. 5-10 minutes to do this style, depending on how much hair you have to braid!

Text Instructions:

1. With a side part, section off a portion of hair from the top of your head.  This gives a bit of pouf and volume, making a more vintage silhouette.
2. Pin in place - I like to use three bobbies in a criss-cross for stability 
3. Separate your hair into two equal sections.
4. Divide each section into two once more, keeping both halves of your hair apart.  You may want to clip up the side you're not working on, out of the way.
5. Take both sections of hair and twist them to the left.
6. Keeping both sections tightly twisted, twist them together to the right.  It is important to twist both sections together the opposite of the way you twisted them individually, as this is what forms the rope.
7. Continue twisting to the right, clear to the end of your hair.  Fasten with a hair band.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 on the remaining side.
9. Giving each rope strand an extra twist or two to make them smooth and even, wrap them, one at a time, around your head in a crown.  Tuck the rope ends underneath the main rope, and pin or clip in place.  My hair is so heavy that I've found only octopus clips will keep it up, but hairpins might be the perfect invisible solution for your hair!

That's it - what takes so many words to describe is truly quite simple, once you've mastered the concept of rope braiding.  

Be sure to let me know if you try this style - and if you have any questions!

Stay tuned for more!

Outfit: Gathered Together

mint striped boat neck tee...thrifted  ~  heart locket...gift

folk roses print Walk in the Woods skirt...made by me  ~  Italian leather belt...thrifted

My Thanksgiving outfit.  This is such a fun ensemble to wear, with it's whimsical mishmash of folk print and nautical stripe, while the gold accents of the locket and buckle lend a simple, woodsy touch.

I did my hair in a very quick, go-to method for putting some curl in my 'do, and though I didn't get a picture of the finished result, I have some quick snapshots of the method I used.  I have plans for some hairstyle tutorial videos in the near future - just as soon as I get some recording equipment set up;)  When then happens, I'll do this style properly from start to finish, but till then, enjoy this simple step-by-step for inspiration!

The night before, put your hair in a simple braid, tying it off with the elastic band about 6-7 inches from the end.  Section off the remaining hair in 4-5 strands using foam rollers.  Apply hairspray if desired...=)

Enjoy your lovely night's rest - this method is so nice to sleep on!

Next day, 

 

carefully remove rollers, and fluff the individual curls into separate ringlets with your fingers.

  

leave loose, or style as desired!  Yesterday, I twisted all of my hair into a half bun, leaving the curled ends free, but semi-confining the bulk of my tresses in anticipation of preparing food and playing wild games of Pictionary later on;)  

I didn't get a picture of the finished style, but I'm planning to do a video soon...

We spent the day at some dear friend's house along with two other families.  It was a wonderful day of feasting, fellowship, and merriment - besides Pictionary, some did puzzles or Scrabble, some read and discussed scripture passages, some went hunting (no luck:) and some *ahem* had multiple blissful napping sessions... There was a giant paper tree taped to the door, and everyone wrote things they were thankful for on leaves cut from construction paper.  The door was soon a crowded blaze of multi-colored emblems of gratitude.

 

And this morning, my sister and I got up early, before anyone else was awake...

...snuck over the to the trailer, and loaded up on delectable leftovers!  We picked up another early-bird sister on the way, and all rushed in a group back to my tent for a party.  The stove once blazing, we snuggled up with our stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, hot chocolate, and pumpkin pie to watch The Moon-Spinners. =D

So much nicer than squirming through frenzied crowds to empty my wallet... though one of these years,  I think it would be fun to brave town on the third Friday in November;)

I hope you all had an absolutely wonderful day yesterday, full of joy and gratitude.

Have a wonderful evening, y'all!

Special Sleepover

One night, little sister came over and spent the night with me in my canvas home.  We had a simply marvelous time.

Embroidering, soft flannel nightgowns, and listening to the crickets chirp were on the programme.

And Clara had her hair done in curlers.

In the morning, she ecstatically put on her "most fluffy" dress and asked for a photo shoot - "like Kellie".

I was happy to comply.

The Lady Jeanne-Marie... and Her French maid

The other day I tried out this amazing pompadour on a nothing-loath Ellen, and the result, though not so amazing as I had envisioned, (It fell out, so to speak, a short while afterwards;) was quite lovely.  

 

“Jo’s nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but dear me, let us be elegant or die!”

 -L.M. Alcott

 

I only used fifty-six hairpins, rest assured.  I counted.

- Miss Kellie Ann

 

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"Now, Ellen, look very haughty.  Supercilious.  Perfect!"

Au Reviore!