I am Moving to Wyoming!

I am in the process of moving to Wyoming so I will be taking a break from writing for a few weeks. During this time, I will be answering emails; looking for ways to improve Bagley Beauty Shoppe; setting up social media outlets for BBS; and continuing to work on great material for you, the reader. I would love to hear from you so take a minute to drop me a line! If you would like me to promote your blog or business please contact me at skybagsgirl@gmail.com.

Happy Mother's Day

I remember my English teacher in high school said "You think you are busy now, just wait until you are older." I couldn't even begin to comprehend what she meant because, in my mind, I was already really busy. I think what she meant by this was "... just wait til you have kids." Now that I am a mom, I understand. I feel like I am constantly doing something from the moment I get up in the morning to the second my head hits the pillow at night. I have to take advantage of every second of my day and I am sure most moms feel the same. I wouldn't change it for the world but it's hard work. Mothers definitely deserve a day to celebrate themselves for all they do. I deeply appreciate mothers, especially my own. Mothers, after all, are our first influence of style and beauty. My mom taught me how clothes should fit; she was never afraid to tell my sister or me that our clothes were too baggy or too tight. Now I have a sense of proportions and fitting. My mom has big beautiful thick hair. Because of her, I prefer texture and curls over sleek and straight. She probably has influenced my style more than I realize. My mom is an amazing woman who has taught me so much more than just style. She is always thinking of others and I hope I can be as selfless and giving, as she is, someday.

Mothers Have The Ultimate Career

5 Wardrobe Essentials When Your Expecting

You won't be pregnant forever (as much as it feels like it) so there is no need to buy a completely new wardrobe. You do, however, need a few pieces to make sure you are comfortable while your body undergoes some big changes. Comfortable is the key word here because when you are nine months pregnant that is all you will care about. You will want your maternity clothing to fit from the time you are starting to "show" til the end when you feel ready to pop.

Nice Jeans- There are some amazing maternity jeans out there that are flattering and stylish. I personally loved the maternity jeans with the huge band that came up over my belly; they fit perfectly and really accentuated the best parts of a pregnant body. Invest in some nice jeans. Jeans go with everything so you will get good use out of them.

Plain T- It's important to have some plain T-shirts or tank tops. You can wear non-maternity jackets and cardigans to dress them up and give variety to your wardrobe. Also, if you are hot all the time, like a lot of pregnant women are, it's nice to be able to have a light shirt or tank top to throw on.

A Nice Dress- Every pregnant woman looks beautiful in a nice dress. Get yourself a dress that fits and flatters your figure. A dress made of  light material that flows will make you feel lighter than you are.

Maxi Skirt- Maxi skirts are very in right now and they look so cute with a little mama belly! Maxi skirts are feminine and comfortable. Plus, when it gets hard for you to shave your legs you won't have to worry about it with a maxi skirt. You need a maxi skirt!

Flip Flops-You need some flip flops or comfortable shoes that you can slip on. They may not be the most stylish shoes but your feet can swell up and flip flops might be what works for you. I had my baby in July and all I wore towards the end was flip flops. I love the Old Navy flip flops because they are so cheap and provide a little more support than some of those really flat T strap sandals that are popular right now.

 

Fashion: Maternity

Mother's Day is around the corner so I thought I would create an outfit for all the expecting mothers out there. Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life but there are a lot of challenges including finding clothing that fit and flatter your new figure. Investing in a few pieces of quality maternity clothes and comfortable shoes is recommended.You will be glad you did! I paired this navy dress with a cute wedge heel. Wedges give you more support and are more comfortable than an actual heel but you still get that lift you need. When I was in my third trimester it was almost impossible for me to walk around on a pair of heels.  Wedges were my best friend!

Click here to read about 5 Wardrobe Essentials When You're Expecting

How to Find a Great Hairdresser and Colorist

Finding a hairstylist can be a tricky and daunting task especially if you have moved to a new place or have had some bad hair experiences in the past. Here are some helpful hints to help you find the perfect stylist for you.

Ask Around - It may take you out of your comfort zone but don't be afraid to ask where people got their hair done. When you see someone who has a hair texture or shade similar to yours and has a great cut or color, ask them where they get their hair done and who their stylist is. Finding out the stylist is important because not all stylists in a salon do the same kind of work. Make sure you tell the stylist who recommended him or her, there may be a referral program in which you or your friend will get a discount or free service.

Get a Consultation -  Consultations are so so so important. A good hairdresser will not skip over a consultation. A consultation allows you and your hairdresser to get on the same page. You can discuss your concerns with your hair, your likes, and dislikes as well as the stylist's training and background. You will also be able to get a feel of the stylist's personality. A lot of times, you can get a consultation with a hairdresser before you commit to going to them. To ensure that you have a great consultation with your hairstylist, be on time for your appointment; have an idea of what you want; and if you worry about being able to express what you want, bring a photo.

Start Subtle - When trying a new hairdresser, don't request a dramatic cut or dye job. Test them out first with a deep conditioner, blow dry, or trim and go from there. Make sure you don't make your appointment before a big event or when you are stressed out, you don't need one more thing to worry about.

What are some tips that have worked for you in finding the perfect hairdresser?

The Great Gatsby Inspired Fashion

I am super excited about the new Great Gatsby movie that is coming out. The Great Gatsby is an excellent novel and the original movie is one of my favorite classics. I have high expectations for this new movie especially the timeless fashions that will be represented. The 1920's was an amazing time for new trends and styles. It is, by far, my favorite era for fashion. Here are 6 styles that are inspired by the Roaring 20's!

1. Short bobs- The 1920's were a time of liberation for women, cutting their hair super short was sort of a way for them to rebel. Now, it is chic and stylish to have a short bob haircut.

2. Cloche hats- I have seen these hats quite a bit lately and they are adorable. They look good on almost everybody and there are tons of styles out there.

3.Brooches- Brooches are so fun and can add a little pop to any outfit. You can even put them on your handbag. They are a great and easy way to dress up an old tired wardrobe.

4. Vintage jewelery- I am in love with vintage jewelery, especially vintage earrings. Long dangle necklaces and earrings are beautiful accessories that first originated in the 1920's.

5. Turban headbands- Turban headbands are so cute and they are great for those days when your hair just isn't cooperating. Here is a great tutorial on how to make a turban headband out of an old t-shirt.

6. Beaded hair pieces- Beaded headbands and clips are elegant accessories. The 1920's fashions were all about sparkly sequins and beading. One can always use some sparkly accessories!

Easy Pieces That Make You Look Richer Than You Are!

These are five easy classic pieces that can give your wardrobe more mileage and help you feel a little more... luxurious. Investing in these pieces will be money well spent!

Classic Fitted Blazer- A nice blazer is an easy way to tie any outfit together and can have an instant slimming effect. Choose a neutral color so that it can go with many outfits. Also, make sure it cinches well at the waist to show off your figure and has well-defined lapels.

Dark Denim Jeans That Fit Well and Make Your Butt Look Amazing- Dark jeans are dressier and more slimming than lighter jeans. Invest in a good pair of dark jeans that fit well!

Faux Diamond Studs- Diamonds can add sparkle to any ensemble and you don't have to break the bank for the real thing for them to look good. Just be sure and don't get them too big, it will give it away that your bling-bling is fake.The earrings should be no bigger than the size of a pencil eraser.

Stylish Bag- A great purse is an easy way to way to pull an outfit together. You can opt for a classic neutral one or a bright flashy one. The perfect bag will have some structure to it so it doesn't look sloppy and big enough to fit your life.

Black Slingbacks- Slingbacks are sexy and classic. They are also professional looking and an easy way to dress up any attire. Just be sure to not go higher than a 3" heel, anything higher can start to look cheap and you want to be able to wear these with a nice skirt or jean depending on the occasion; you want them to be somewhat comfortable.

What are some things you do to feel like rich?

Anniversary

"If you want something to last forever, you treat is differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don't expose it to the elements. You don't make it common or ordinary. If it every becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by"
F. Burton Howard

I love this quote so much and feel as though it applies greatly to my marriage. 5 years ago today I married my best friend. I love him so much and appreciate the trials we've been through together. I know we have a good life ahead of us. He complements me and we both have grown so much over the years. He supports me in my endeavors and I believe in him. I know together we can do great things and I am so happy to share my life with him. Here is to another 5 years of love and happiness!

To celebrate our anniversary we are going to a local Italian restaurant called Luciano's. It has been a fun tradition of ours to eat Italian on our anniversary. What are some special things you do for anniversaries?

Why I Love Ombre!

A trend that is very hot right now is hair that looks "grown out" with dark roots and light ends. This color technique is not lazy people who haven't seen their stylist in a while, it is a color technique people are paying hundreds of dollars to have their stylist create and it's called ombre. Let me tell you a little bit about ombre hair colors and why I love them.

There are as many varieties of ombre hair color as there are people. Everyone has different desires with their hair and with ombre color techniques most can be achieved. With this technique, you can have anything from a dramatic and hip color contrast with very light ends to a subtle "not sure if there is ombre" look and anything in between. There are also other options such as bright or pastel colors to the ends and reverse ombre with light roots and dark ends (reverse ombre is personally not a favorite)

As a hairdresser, I love doing ombre because each one comes out a little different giving each person a distinct and unique color.There are also many different techniques for ombre hair coloring. I love being able to change the pace and use different techniques to give clients the look they want.

Ombre is low maintenance. As you can imagine, if you have dark roots already, when your hair starts to grow out you won't be able to tell which means less trips to the beauty salon. I love to see my clients often but if they are like me, it's hard to find time to get your hair done every 6 weeks. Having ombre hair coloring allows you to go a little longer between hair services.

Call your stylist today to get some color and tell me what you love about ombre!

TIPS FOR APPLYING BLUSH

Years ago blush was called rouge. Rouge is a french word that means red. I kind of wish people still called it rouge; it sounds so much more sophisticated and posh, nonetheless blush is probably my favorite make-up of all time. I feel naked if I am not wearing enough of it. It can give you that extra lift you need and help you look more awake and happy. Here are some helpful hints to help you blend your blush and get that fresh happy look.

If you can, always try on blush before you buy it- Shades look different on your skin then they do in the bottle.

Use two shades of blush to help blend- the darker one for contouring and the lighter one for highlighting. The lighter one goes on the apple of the cheek which is about two fingers width below the eye. The darker one goes just underneath that to contour the cheek bones. Use them together to blend into your skin.

Always, always blend thoroughly- Blush should fade gradually into your hairline. Applying blush lightly at first then going back when all your makeup is complete and applying more can help you avoid using too much or too little. If you do apply too much take your make-up brush, sponge, or clean fingers and blend away the excess. (I like to use my fingers)

For a natural look, use blush where the sun hits your face- When applying blush or bronzer, don't just use it on your cheeks, use it everywhere the sun would hit your face if you had been playing outside all day. Once you have applied blush or bronzer to the cheeks, lightly use it on the top of the nose, directly above the eyebrows on the forehead, and anywhere else the sun would naturally hit your face.

Don't apply blush too close to your nose or eyes- Getting blush in too close to your nose can make your features seem crowded and applying blush too close to your eyes in the temple area can make your eyes seem red, swollen, or puffy.