Let's talk hair care.

*I have total hair envy of this gal!

Before I was lucky enough to start finding a couple of really good hair stylists, I was always completely lost as to how to properly care for my hair.  I didn't know what products were good for my type of hair (thick, long, but fine hair), and so I'd sometimes find myself using shampoos or conditioners that were totally just not right for me.  And as for after-shower product?  Forget it- the only after shower product I'd sometimes use was hairspray!  

All of that changed about a year ago, when my little sister referred me to the cool salon near her loft downtown.  The stylists there knew what they were doing, and they taught me something new about my hair care regimen every time I was in.  Here are my favorite discoveries so far.

I think I've mentioned on here before how much I love this awesome shampoo/conditioner combo that my stylist introduced me to:

+ Davines Melu Shampoo + Melu Conditioner.  This stuff works wonders on repairing my dry and previously-damaged hair.  I can tell a big difference when I have to use an alternative shampoo.  And this stuff leaves my hair with a really nice, subtle smell all day.

My after-shower hair routine looks something like this:

+ I spray Beauty Protector Protect + Detangle all through the length of my hair.  This stuff is a heat protectant, a leave-in conditioner, detangler, and it smells so darn good.

+ One pump of Aquage's Silkening Oil Treatment.  Not only does it add shine and smoothness, but it also makes my hair dry a lot faster!

+ I swear by my CHI Turbo Low hairdryer...I've had it for going on seven years now, and I never travel without it.  On the few occasions where I've had no choice but to use a regular hairdryer, my hair definitely doesn't turn out anywhere nearly as smooth and put-together looking as when I use the CHI.  My mom and my sister have also both jumped on the CHI wagon after using mine, and they love it as well.

+ If I want to have a semi-wavy hair day, once I'm about 75% dry, I spray in Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray.  After applying the spray, I'll twist my hair, shake it out, or even put it in a loose bun for 10 minutes, just to secure some bend in my hair.  I have really thick hair, but it's pretty fine, so this spray works wonders for adding some texture to my mane.

And for days when I am in a rush, just want to wash my bangs, and spray some dry shampoo in my hair:

+ I use this puppy: Water Killer Dry Shampoo by evo.  It makes my hair look and feel clean, and it smells awesome.

:::

What hair products do you swear by?  Shampoos, sprays, oils...I'd love to hear!

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Summer Cocktails.

A few years ago, my friend Allison was visiting me in New York, and we paid a visit to the famed Ear Inn.  It was one of those hot, sweltering, sticky New York summer nights, so we were aching for a cocktail that would quench our thirst.  We were super lucky to snag two seats at the cozy bar, and Allison proceeded to order us each a gin and tonic, which I'd never actually tasted for myself before.  With the first sip, I deemed it the "drink of the summer", because I found it to be so refreshing!

Last summer, my favorite concoction was a vodka soda, with mint.  The mint just made it feel that much more special to me :)

In the past few months, my girlfriends and I have been pouring ourselves the traditional vodka soda, but with a splash of grapefruit juice, which is so refreshing.  I prefer the Tropicana Simply Grapefruit, because it has less sugar.  (Is it apparent yet that I don't love sweet cocktails?)

Do you have a go-to summer cocktail?  Do share!

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(image.)

Friday jamz.

Friday jamz is baaaack!

Cheers to Friday, the weekend, and to the gorgeous warm weather that so many of us have been experiencing lately.

What are ya'll up to this weekend?  I'm thinking a hike in Malibu, an overdue haircut, and some good yoga classes.  I can feel summer on the horizon, and I just can't wait for those summer weekends ahead!

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Robin Thicke:

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Recipe : Summer Jicama Salad

Earlier this week, I promised you the recipe for a great summer salad.  Unfortunately, I didn't remember to snap a photo of said-salad before it was all eaten, but trust me on this one, yah?

Summer Jicama Salad

Ingredients:

1 medium sized jicama plant (looks like this)

1 regular sized organic cucumber (I find the non-organic can get really big, so I specify organic for finding the right size...organic or non-organic is up to you)

1/2 red jalapeno (green will also do)

1 can garbanzo beans

cotija cheese

juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Peel jicama plant and chop plant into small cubes.  (It was my first time chopping fresh jicama, so I watched this how-to video.)

Peel cucumber skin with a potato skin peeler.  Chop cucumber in half lengthwise.  Cut cucumber pieces in half lengthwise again so you have four long strips of cucumber.  De-seed the cucumber slices so that all gooeyness from the inside of the cuke strips is removed.  Proceed to cut cucumber into small cubes.  

Chop jalapeno into tiny pieces.  If you are sensitive to heat, I suggest removing the seeds before chopping.  The hotter the better for me, so I left my jalapeno seeded.

Chop desired amount of cotija cheese.  (I don't use a ton, but it's all your preference!)

Combine jicama, cucumber, jalapeno, can of garbanzo beans and cotija cheese in bowl.  Mix.

In a separate bowl or cup, mix the honey, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar.  Pour over salad and mix to coat.

Add more lemon juice and white wine vinegar as desired.

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(Recipe courtesy of my friend, Emily.)