Before and Immediately After Procedure

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Ashlyn Bausman of Sulimay's Urban Salon for a full hair make-over featuring Hair Talk Extensions. Ashlyn is an excellent stylist specializing in tape in extensions.

I've used the clip in versions most of the summer, but I have to say, it was becoming increasingly annoying to have to take them in and out morning and night. You can see my post HERE all about clip-ins.





I love these extensions! Ashlyn made the process super easy and it really didn't take a long time to complete the install. If you are considering extensions, here is everything you need to know...



These extensions are so light weight and feel very natural. To care for them make sure you follow these rules:

1. Sulfate and Silicone free hair products (Ashlyn recommends Living Proof)
2. Avoid conditioner near the roots
3. No alcohol (hair spray or perfume)
4. Brush them out at night and put in a braid or two buns to keep them from tangling
5. Have them adjusted every 6-8 weeks (use this time to touch up your color while they are out)

Spring! There's no better time to tidy up and organize! I've been going crazy this winter with the amount of clutter accumulating in our mudroom. Being a family of five, at any given time each of us has four to five pair of shoes lying around, leaving me to trip over 15-20 sets boots and sneakers. Don't even get me started on the backpacks, hats, coats and gloves! It was time to get this mess under control!

The mudroom is space I've thought about for a while when building our home. I always tell people-- you can NEVER have too much storage! I added a full wall of additional closet space in the mudroom, but knew I needed a cubby system to tackle the everyday mess that always ends up on the floor. 

A professional was needed and I reached out to Jon Paul, of Superior Renovations LLC for his expertise and craftsmanship. Together we collaborated on a great design that is beautiful and functional for my family. 



With any project, I try to focus on value, design and functionality. Everybody has a budget, but the challenge can be getting what you want and sticking to your number. There are definitely ways to save when embarking on a built-in project and here are the top five we came up with for homeowners:

1. Plan Ahead: Knowing what you want saves time and time, of course, saves money. Houzz.com is great resource to gather inspiration which you can then relay to your contractor. It's much easier to have a solid plan instead of having to make changes along the way.  
2. Get three bids: This is a general rule for all building projects, but also consider pricing materials yourself and get three bids for that as well.
3. Wood Species: Pine being some of the least expensive, then oak, to walnut and then you have your exotic woods. If you are painting the piece use a quality wood that has a lower price point, like poplar, and then invest in a nicer wood for the bench. We choose walnut and finished it with an Oil to make the grain really pop. 
4. Design Smart: Consider the details--the more of them, the more expensive. We went with a simple shaker style for the doors and drawers, but added exposed hinges to create a subtle detail that adds a lot of character. Little things like this can really add a nice touch without spending more money. I tend to prefer this style so it was a win-win for me.
5. DIY: If there are some areas of the project you can tackle yourself, go for it! Painting would be a good place to start, but choose a high quality paint, such as Benjamin Moore. You can also hire a professional to come and give you advice and get you started on the right track if you have a larger project that you want to tackle yourself. This consulting role is something Jon has done and hopes to do more of in the future!

I worked with Jon to come up with the design, but my list was pretty simple. 

• Five cubbies- one for each member of the family
• Drawers for shoes
• Three hooks in each
• Overhead storage

Thank you Jon for all your hard work! The cubbies are a wonderful addition to our home.