Growing Out A Pixie Cut and Five Things You Can Do To Promote Hair Growth

It was one of those moments. You looked at yourself in the mirror, unimpressed with your deep-fried mane. With celebrities like Emma Watson, Rihanna, Halle & Victoria Beckham ruling their industries, how could you say you weren't inspired?

Or maybe it was an accident, a hair "trim" gone wrong. Maybe you wanted a fresh start. 

Well... you did it, and here you are. You've enjoyed it while it lasted (or maybe not) and you're ready now more than ever to take care of some long, precious locks. 

It won't be easy, but it's possible. After all, hair only really does one thing - grow. 

GROWING YOUR PIXIE

First, some reality checks. 

• Your hair will grow a maximum of maybe 1.5 inches a month. The average is 1/2 an inch.
• Hair grows faster in the summer than it does in the winter. 
• Your hair is a result of dead skin and a few nutrients - healthy hair reflects a healthy diet and lifestyle.
• GROWING HAIR REQUIRES PATIENCE and TIME!

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE HAIR GROWTH

1. Massage your scalp everyday. In the shower, or before you go to bed, for 5-10 minutes. This stimulates the blood flow (blood circulation delivers nutrients) and can be really relaxing.
2. Eat healthy and get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Foods that are incredibly good for your hair are NUTS (ALMONDS), SALMON, GREENS, and EGGS. A balanced diet is best.
3. Trim your hair only when required. The idea that trimming your hair makes it grow faster is false, all that does is get rid of split ends that you may not have therefore slowing down the growth process.
4. Use essential oils on your hair to keep it strong and healthy. I recommend coconut oil (love), but almond or even castor oil is good too. 
5. Always make sure your hair is never excessively greasy or excessively dry! Use organic conditioners and shampoos to prevent damage from harsh chemicals. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR PIXIE GROW OUT

not even kristen stewart can pull off the kristen stewart mullet

The easiest way to make this as least painful as possible, is to visit a trusted hair stylist. But that can be expensive, so here's my way of going about it.

Grow your hair out as much as you can, and trim only the back. Repeat until you have one straight hairline (a Bob hairstyle). Here, I recommend visiting a hairstylist only to properly fix the ends. DO NOT take off any length. From here, it's easy sailing. Just keep letting your hair grow! Trim your hair a maximum of maybe twice a year after forming your bob.

trim the bottom/back and let the top layers grow

And there you go. It can be as simple as that. 

But what about those bad hair days? 

• Headbands work wonders and can work all year round. I wear velvet twist-ties from American Apparel during the winter, and switch over to their chiffon variety during the spring-summer. 
• Hats, fedoras, beanies, tuques, and berets are all your friends. 
• Bobbie pinning the back to one side can lessen the mullet effect. 

tease the top of your hair, wrap a scarf/twist tie around your mane and
you're ready to go

It should take you anywhere from 3-6 months to get to the "short bob" phase, but from there it's easy. So it really is just 3-6 months. From there, time'll fly and you'll have your long hair in no time.

Julie from joveschild keeps it real in her video "Growing Out a Pixie"

I may post a couple of pictures every now and then to show my hair growth journey. Leave a comment! Until next time, stay strong & good luck!

xoxo léonora

Little Known Ways to Improve Your Life (2012 Guide)

It's 2012, where has the time gone? You look at yourself and you realize that now is the time to work towards a better lifestyle. This is a list that was forwarded to me via facebook, I thought I'd share it. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did in 2011.
7. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
8. Sleep for 7 hours.
9. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

10. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
11. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
12. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
13. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
15. Dream more while you are awake.
16. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
17. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
18. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
19. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
20. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
21. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
22. Smile and laugh more.
23. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

24. Call your family often.
25. Each day give something good to others.
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
28. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

31. Do the right thing!
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. The best is yet to come.
36. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

"one life - do it right, and once'll be enough."

good luck

xoxo Léonora 

The Secret to Thrifting (How to Shop at Thrift Stores)

If you're here, it's probably because you've had enough. Enough of the "hey-where'd-you-get-that-oh-a-thrift-store?" from your friends and the occasional fashionista that crosses your path with that gorgeous purse or blouse. You want to find your own one-of-a-kind vintage staple pieces - but how?

Look no further! Grab yourself a pen and paper (or bookmark the page) and get ready to be schooled on the secrets and how-to for shopping at thrift stores.

HOW TO SHOP AT A THRIFT STORE

"nice cardigan, where'd you get it?"
 "from value, it's chanel and was only 4 bucks"
"curses!"

1. LOCATE your thrift store(s) of choice - it's best to thrift two or three stores in a day, to maximize possible findings. Type in "thrift store", "Value Village", or "Goodwill" and your city into Google and you'll be on your way in no time! Be sure to take mental note of closing times, thrifting can be time consuming!

2. DRESS SIMPLY, and ready to change as you'll probably have to try a few pieces on to be sure of size and fit!

So you arrive at your local used clothing store.. now what?

Go though the store isle by isle. Determine what type of garment you'd prefer to find and start there! I tend to start on shoes, then outerwear, then tops, then bottoms - try what ever I liked on, then end with looking through accessories.

Here are a list of things to keep in mind while pulling items:

• Are there any imperfections on this garment (that aren't too tedious to fix with a quick DIY)?
• Is the item from a designer label? (i.e. Chanel, D&G, Guess)
• Does the item look too warn? (discoloured, stretched fabric)
• How often will I wear this?

SECRETS, TIPS, & HINTS

dirty tings

• SHOP WITH A FRIEND and pile up your discoveries together. This can cut thrifting times in half - but double your findings!
• CONSIDER ALTERATIONS for every item you pick up. Is the hole something you can patch up? Would it look O.K. oversized? Would cutting the sleeves/length/pant work? How about if you added a belt, or tucked in the ends? Layered with a cardigan? Paired with your favourite Jeffery Campbell boot? Maybe turn it into a DIY - glue some studs onto the collar of an oversized denim button up, or grab a pair of scissors and make yourself a unique pair of high-waisted light-denim shorts. That being said...
• KEEP AN OPEN MIND! Probably one of the most important tips. Never underestimate what you find til you try it on!
• SHOP AT POPULAR LOCATIONS, ones downtown or near artsy areas in your city. Your trying to think of areas where trendy people donate their trendy things! 
• FIND DISCOUNTS, places like Goodwill or Value Village have special deals every now and then (Goodwill does half-price Fridays, VV has discount plans). 
• BE COMFORTABLE. Dress comfy, ready to change. Don't be tired, impatient, or hungry!
• BRING SOCKS in case you want to try on shoes.
• BE SURE TO CLEAN ANYTHING YOU BUY! I'll spare you the gross, terrifying stories because you already know they're out there. Throw your new finds in the washer, get them dry cleaned, and wash those shoes! 

Jenn from Clothes Encounters shows us her findings from a Goodwill, and how she wears 'em!

Good Luck! Let me know if you find anything or if you have any questions.

xoxo léonora