Hair Issues from Well Water

When we moved into our house in Texas we went from city water in California to a well in Texas. I grew up on well water, so I never thought I would have issues with my hair. I was in for a surprise between the humidity of South Texas and the well water. 

In California I used conditioner once or twice a month after I washed my hair. I have been using BeautyCounter Daily Shampoo to wash my hair twice and then I use Maple Holistic Sage Shampoo. I started using the Maple Holistic Sage Shampoo when I was pregnant with Cash and experienced ridiculous dandruff. The dandruff was definitely a pregnancy thing because once Cash was born it all went away.  Danielle Walker from Against All Grain had mentioned she used this shampoo when she was pregnant with her daughter.  It was a game changer for me. It helped my dry scalp and took the dandruff away. I have continued to use it ever since to help with my dry scalp. 

When we moved to our Texas home I was struggling so bad with an itchy scalp. I felt within 2 days my head had build up even though I wasn't using any hair products. A blogger Lauren McBride mentioned she had started using Living Proof Triple Detox Shampoo to help the build up she was experiencing from her well water. I bought some to try because I was desperate. This helped my hair for a little while. 

I was still having issues with build up on my scalp. I did some research and found out it was most likely from the minerals in our water. I bought a water system to filter our drinking water and a shower filter. My scalp and hair GREATLY improved by adding the detox shampoo and the filter. 

I mentioned early I rarely used conditioner in California. My hair was very healthy. Between the well water and climate changes my hair over the past year has become dry. I had started to notice it was more difficult to comb my hair our after I washed it. I had my hair trimmed and the lady told I would need to use a hydrating conditioner every time I washed my hair. I went back to using the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask. I use this each time I wash my hair now. I only wash my hair about every 6-10 days. 

I have started using the Honest Company Detangler Spray before I brush my hair out with a Wet brush. The detangler spray really helps condition my hair as it is a lightweight leave in conditioner too. I love the smell of the wild orange vanilla scent the detangler spray has too! My hair spells amazing for a few days from it!  My hair has greatly improved by making all these changes. It took me over a year to figure all this out. 

The hair products I use to wash my hair:

BeautyCounter Daily Shampoo

Maple Holistic Sage Shampoo

Living Proof Triple Detox Shampoo

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask

Honest Company Detangler Spray 

Shower Filter

When I was trying to figure out what shower filter to buy I did a search on Amazon. I found the one with a lot of reviews for hard water. The title of the shower filter I went with was 

AquaBliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter - Reduces Dry Itchy Skin, Dandruff, Eczema, and Dramatically Improves The Condition of Your Skin, Hair and Nails. Well that covered all of it right there! It has worked great for us. I replace the filters every 3-4 months. By the end of month 3 I can start to see a difference with my scalp and I know it's time to replace it. 

Hopefully this post will help someone who is struggling with water changes to find some products that will work for them.

Homemade Sea Salt Spray!

I have been straightening my hair for the most part since I cut it back in February. Once in awhile I will curl it with big loose curls. And a lot of time I just throw it back in a ponytail. Ok let's just be honest it's in a ponytail the majority of the time. The shorter my hair the less I do it.

I have been wanting to make my own sea salt spray. I have seen recipes on Pinterest how to make your own. I can't handle the sea salt sprays from the store because of the fragrances in products. I will get an instant headache and sometimes a migraine. If you don't want to make a sea salt spray BeautyCounter and Honest Beauty each sell one. I didn't want to spend $18-26 for a spray I felt I could make at home. I also wasn't 100% sure I would like the spray, so another reason I didn't want to spend the money.

I had a travel size spray bottle that wasn't being used. I put a little under a tablespoon of sea salt and BeautyCounter kids conditioner each into the travel size spray bottle. I filled up the rest of the bottle with water. I shook it all together really well. I let it sit on my counter for a couple days. The mixture doesn't stay incorporated very well while it is sitting on the counter. Before I used the spray I shook it really well, so everything mixes again.

I washed my hair in the morning, left a towel wrapped around my hair while I put my make up on, brushed it out after I was ready, scrunched the ends and then I sprayed it with my homemade sea salt spray.

Here are the results from the spray after my hair had dried.  I really like the results. My hair isn't stiff like when you use hair gels hair spray. It was very easy to make! I can't imagine it cost me more than a $1 to make. I already had all the items in my house, so I was using things I had. 

Recipe:

2.6 ounces squirt bottle

1 tablespoon conditioner

1 tablespoon sea salt

Fill bottle with water once you have added the conditioner and sea salt. 

Shake to mix all ingredients prior to each use. 

You can also use this mixture to help bring back hair you have curled the day before. Spray it lightly after you have combed your hair. Scrunch the ends and revive your loose curls. 

Let me know if you make your own sea salt spray and how it works for you! Have a great weekend! 

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Homemade Sea Salt Spray appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant.  

Monday Thrive!!!

It's crazy to me that it is May already! I feel like this year is just flying by. I was going to say I felt like April flew by, but I feel March also flew by. Last week we had some amazing summer weather! It was in the 80's for a few days. We wore shorts almost all week. Shorts and flip flops are my favorite things! 

1) I have been uploading some of my posts to Pinterest lately. I go in stages with Pinterest. Sometimes I go on there a lot and other times I just go on to find a recipe. I do look for meal ideas and paleo type recipes often. I pin a bazillion projects I would like to do that never happen. If you want to follow along with me on Pinterest you can find me under MrsPost08. My goal is to complete some of those projects in the month of June. G will be going to preschool. My goal is to go to yoga a couple times a week and work on projects the other days. You can follow along with me on Pinterest by clicking the Pinterest button on my blog page upper right corner. 

2) BeautyCounter has a beautiful new gift set out for Mother's Day. It comes with a lip sheer, blush, mist spray and a white make up bag. I have talked about how much I love the lip sheers in the past. I love their blush too! I wear the powder and cream blushers. They just are fabulous at staying put! If you add the mist spray to your make up it really helps set it for the day. 

3) I usually keep a blanket over our couch cushions to help with spills and dog hair. I keep seeing these pet covers that covers. These things kind of remind me of the plastic covers that people in North Dakota use to keep over their couches. I remember sliding off couches as a kid. Or in the summer you would get stuck to it. It sure kept those couches from looking brand new even after the springs were worn out. I decided to order one from Amazon for less than $25. 

I just love this thing! I wish I had bought it years before. It keeps all the pet hair off the couch. Sammy likes to lay on one couch which annoys me. It's our newer nicer couch. I have just got done fighting him over this couch and now keep it covered. I also feel like a granny now that I have this. lol

4) I have been on the hunt for a non-toxic and fragrance free dry shampoo. I have been using an organic baby powder that was just not doing anything. I have felt frustrated because I have needed to wash my hair way too often. I HATE washing my hair! I decided to try LuLu Organics Hair Powder. It is a little pricey. I decided to try the 1oz size just to see how I liked it. I have been using it for a couple of weeks and I really like it. I sprinkle it on my hair at night before bed. I pat it into my head, but I don't brush it in. I let it soak in over night. It really helps soak up any greasy hair. I can now wash my hair once a week. 

5) Can we talk about Birkenstock's? I bought a pair of the Gizeh's last summer. I wore them on and off since then. They are the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever worn in my life. I have tried to break them in, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I keep hearing people rave about how comfortable they are. Is it just my pair? Or my feet? I want to love these. I want them to be comfy. I need some comfy mom shoes for summer. I tried to wear them the other day and within 5 minutes I took them off. I went back to my Tory Burch flip flops instead. I seem to wear my Tory's or Havaianas all summer. What are your go to summer shoes? 

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Monday Thrive Ideas appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant. 

Donating my Hair

In the middle of January I decided I wanted to cut my hair and donate it to Wigs for Kids. Wouldn't it be amazing if some child was able to have a wig because I donated a bunch of my hair? I contacted my hair girl to see when she could fit me in and told her what I was planning. I made my appointment, showed up with the instructions and she quickly got to work. 

Here is my hair freshly washed and air dried. 

Measuring to see how much exactly 12 inches would be! Wigs for Kids requires 12 inches to be donated. 

Ashley sectioned my hair into 4 small pony tails. 

Then she cut eat pony tail. eeeekkkk!

Here is the pile of hair afterwards! 

The final cut! I am still adjusting to this short hair. The first time I washed it I felt like I was bald. lol 

I put soap in my hair and it felt like nothing was there. 

I am not a fan of the bob haircut. I like it much better when I curl the sides. This picture is hard to see how I curled it because it is dark. I curl it similar to when it was long. Honestly in the future I will probably wait until my hair is down to my butt to cut it to donate. I just don't like short hair on me. Shoulder length hair is fine for me, but anything shorter and I have issues. One thing that was important to me is that my hair was long enough to still pull back into a pony tail. Thankfully it is. I need to be able to pull it back when I work out. I can't stand hair flying in my face if I am jumping around. lol I also like to pull it back to sleep and when I am feeling too lazy to actually do it. I am glad my hair went to a good cause. I don't regret cutting it at all! 

Hair Routine

I get asked questions often about my hair routine. I am very vocal about my hatred for washing my hair! It is a chore I really dislike right up there with dusting and matching socks. I am always looking for the best shampoo that doesn't have a bunch of harmful chemicals and doesn't dry out my scalp and hair.

I tried BeautyCounter shampoo about a month ago. It was a GAME CHANGER! I talk a little about my experience with the shampoo in an earlier blog post found here. I have now been only using BeautyCounter shampoo. My hair and scalp feel amazing. It has changed my hair washing routine from washing about every 3-4 days to once a week. Sunday or Monday of each week I will wash my hair. I used the BeautyCounter shampoo and the kids conditioner. The kids conditioner comes in a set with the kids body wash and shampoo. George doesn't need conditioner, so I use it. 

I soap up my hair 3 times. The first time I just put it on the top of my scalp. Second and third times around I put it all over my head except the ends of my hair. I don't ever put shampoo on the ends of my hair. I only put shampoo around my scalp to the nape of my neck. Under my hair or the nape of my neck is usually what starts to itch me. I really get in there and scrub with the shampoo. The third time when I lather up with shampoo I add the conditioner to the ends of my hair. I then let it all sit on my head while I wash my body. You really have to rinse your hair really good to get all the soap out while using BeautyCounter shampoo. The third rinse I rinse about double the time. 

Shampoo

I wrap my hair in a towel for about 15-20 minutes. I bought a microfiber towel to wrap my hair in at TJ Maxx. Similar to this one on Amazon. I then take the towel off my hair and let my hair air dry. I don't brush it out or blow it dry. I have found the tangles in my hair brush out a lot easier when it is dry. I like to wash my hair at night and let it air dry as I sleep. When I wake up in the morning my hair is dry. Using a blow drier dries my scalp and hair out more. I have found since I stopped using a blow drier my ends don't split as much and my overall hair is much healthier. 

Once my hair is dry I will take a little coconut oil and run it through the ends of my hair. It helps with frizziness and also protects it against the curling iron heat. I use maybe the size of a pea. I scoop a pea size amount out of my container, melt it in my fingers and then run my fingers through my hair. My hair is really long. I maybe go about half way up my hair with the coconut oil. I don't ever put coconut oil on the top of my head. This helps the grease stay away from the roots. 

I curly my hair probably 2-3 times a week. I either curl it or braid it following it being washed. It all depends on time. Most of the time I like to curl it. The following day after I curl it I am able to brush it out, I take a little coconut oil in my fingers and run it through the ends of my hair. I might have to just curl a few pieces around my face. The curls are revived and my hair looks good. 

If it is rainy or I am short on time I have started braiding my hair or in a low ponytail at the nape of my neck. My hair is the longest it has ever been in my life. I cut about 1 inch 1-2 times a year. My ends don't split as much either. I haven't dyed my hair since I like the end 2011 when I went from blonde back to my original color. 

On day 3 or 4 I will sprinkle some baby powder on the hair around my face and on my part. I recently started using Nature's Baby Organics Silky Dusting Powder, Fragrance Free. I found it on Amazon. I think this bottle is going to last me an eternity. I have found since I made these changes to my hair routine I don't use as much powder/dry shampoo. Day 4 and day 6 I use it. The rest of the days I my hair is pretty good. 

It does take some time to train your hair to go between washes. When I first started I would use dry shampoo on day 2 and 3. Then I would wash the evening of day 3 or morning of day 4. Slowly I have added in more days. It's been the past month where I have worked up to a week. I work out 4-5 days week. I don't think you need to wash your hair after a workout. Add some dry shampoo. If you feel you need it rinse your hair while you are in the shower. 

I would be happy to answer any questions about my hair routine or if you have any questions about the BeautyCounter products! 

OOTD

I tried a messy bun last weekend. I put my hair in a pony, rolled my hair and pinned it. It was super easy. 

Tank: Old Navy

Cardigan: Loft

Boyfriend Jeans: Gap

Sandals: Target

Necklace: veryjane.com

Jacket: Old Navy

Tshirt: Gap

Skinnies: Marshalls

Shoes: Bass

Cardigan: Gap

Blouse: Garage Sale

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Bass

Necklace: Lane Bryant

HCG Diet Update

I started the HCG diet 14 days ago. As of yesterday (day 13) I was down 14.5 pounds. I have finally lost all the weight I gained since surgery. I can't even tell you how fabulous it feels to finally be down to where I started and for my clothes to fit again. My clothes have been fitting, but they were tight. My skirts were tight across my stomach which hiked them up. Those 14 pounds sure make a big difference. Finally one thing is back to normal. The rest of my body is a long ways from getting back to where it use to be, but at least my weight is under control. My goal is to lose another 8 pounds. Hopefully I will be able to do that in the next 7 days. 

Last weekend I went to Costco to buy some new sunglasses. Costco now accepts VSP, so I was able to use my VSP benefits. Why is it as soon as I found a pair and checked out the sales people start bringing out new styles. They had a super cute pair with a bow. Next round I am getting the bow pair. 

In the picture below you can see my scar. I have been putting vitamin E on it each night and rubbing the scar in a circular motion. Around the scar use to be all raised and half of that is gone. The skin is smooth and is fading a little. I have been very diligent with making sure my scar is always covered when I am outside. I have been wearing a scarf 98% of the time. The other 2% I have used my hair to cover my scar when I am outside. I have decided not to cut my hair. I need to keep it long, so it will cover my scar until it fades. 

T-shirt & Cardigan: The Loft

Skirt: NY & CO

Shoes: Sears

Necklace: Etsy

Sunnies: Costco

Hair Routine

Well the hair routine has changed yet again. In February I posted about a new hair routine. I do not like spending a lot of time doing my hair. My morning routine is 30 minutes on non-hair washing mornings and 40-45 minutes on hair washing mornings. So if a hair routine can't fit into that time frame it is not going to last. Unfortunately that is where the last hair routine ended up.

I have been using coconut oil in my hair for probably close to a year now. It really is amazing stuff and I can't stop raving about it. I have started putting coconut oil in my hair and letting it air dry. I am trying to avoid blowing it dry as much as possible. In the past 3 weeks I haven't used the blow drier once. I think it really helps my hair not feel dry. I have been washing my hair at night, letting it air dry and curling it in the morning. Or I have been doing my hair curly and washing it in the morning. 

I discovered how awesome coconut oil is on curly hair while I was letting my hair air dry a couple weeks ago. The curls just came alive from the roots all the way to the ends. I put some coconut oil on my fingers, scrunch my hair, spray some hair spray and wa-la my hair is ready to go.  Hair spray is something I will probably not ever give up. I really need the extra hold no matter how I do my hair. 

Drastic Hair Cut

I am thinking of cutting my hair and drastic....like a pixie. I don't know why, but I just have the urge to cut my hair really short. I know it will grow out again, but I am worried I will HATE it super short. My face is thinner now, so I think it would look cute. I am ready to try something very different. I was thinking of trying to cut my hair to my shoulders and then shorter and then shorter. 

Cut my hair to my shoulder with some layers

then shorter

and then.....

super short!

I won't be cutting my hair until after Amber wedding in May, so I am thinking of cutting my hair in June. I need to start adding blonde back into my hair, so it will be blonde for my new cut. 

New Hair Routine

I had read Veronika's Blushing tutorial on how she does her hair and wanted to try it. A couple weeks ago I headed off to Sally's to buy velcro rollers, clips and a round brush. In the past I have not had good luck with rollers. They have gotten stuck in my hair or made my hair really frizzy

I learned you can't put the rollers in your hair when your hair is wet. That is why I had issues in the past with frizziness. You need to blow your hair dry really well, take a round brush to the areas you are going to put in the velcro rollers and then put the velcro rollers in your hair. I think I need to buy some smaller rollers for the top of my hair, so my hair curls more. 

I followed the tutorial to a T the first time. The results were GREAT! I actually love it more on the second day. The second day I brush my hair out and curl the ends. The volume is amazing! 

Day 1 - Round 1

Day 2

Day 1 - round 2 

I am wearing a new lipstick from Mary Kay. I forgot that Mary Kay lipstick is my very favorite. 

I really love the results and plan to do this every 3-4 days. I am still trying to go at least 3 days before washing my hair. Baby powder is the best dry shampoo. Suave dry shampoo is great, but baby powder works just as well. I go through a bottle of dry shampoo every 2 weeks. I have a very small bottle of baby powder I have had for months. It is just cheaper and easier to use. 

5 Favorites from Last Week

 5 Favorite Items from Last Week!

 

 

 

1. Cheryl's Cookies

 

Have you tried these mouthfuls for happiness? Cheryl's cookies are super soft, buttery, delicious cookies. Last week a vendor sent me a box of theses cookies. The day I opened them I put them away in my office because I wasn't sure I could share them. lol  Well I shared them with my staff. Everyone LOVED them!

Sock Bun

I actually tried a sock bun! I LOVED it!!!! It was SUPER easy. I used a sock, rolled my hair around it and wa-la I had a bun! This is going to be my go to hair do for days I want something fast.

Hair Mask

My hair has been REALLY dry lately. I have been HATING my hair! It looks dry, doesn't curl right, looks like a mess by the time I get to work. It is just UGH! I need to get a trim. I just am trying to hold off until about a week before I leave for my cousin wedding. 

Fitnessista has guest posts for fashion. Recently Meg posted about a Hair Salad. I bought everything this past weekend at the store. At this point I am ready to try anything. 

I took a half avocado, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mixed it all in a bowl. I trekked off to bathroom to put the gunk in my hair. I put it all through my ends and then covered my entire head. Pieces of avocado were falling and landing around the sink in the bathroom. blech. lol You could feel how thick the mask was on your hair. After awhile it starts to dry and get a little hard. 

I left it on my hair for about 40 minutes. I washed my hair and let it air dry. A normal day if I let it air dry I look like I have an afro.  My hair just had a little frizzy to it. The next day after I styled my hair it finally looked decent! There wasn't any frizzy, the ends didn't look dry and it stayed styled nicely throughout the day!

Unfortunately I forgot to take my daily Sunday picture. Every Sunday I take a picture and send it to my mom & sister. Here is a picture with my hair mask. If you look closely you can see the chunks of avocado. 

I am going to do it again in 2 weeks. Next time I am going to put it on my ends for about 30 minutes and then put the rest of through my hair for about 10 minutes. Try it out and let me know what you think of it!

Saturday Pinterest = Hair

I am loving the long hair & loose curls. I think 2012 is going to bring the brunette in me back.

I think I am going to try loose curls here soon.

New Hair Cut!

I decided this week it was time to cut my hair. I loved my hair long, but it was sooo damanged. Plus it was time for a change!

Before

After

This isn't a great icture that I took with my cell phone, but here is the new hair do!

Libby & My New Hair

Here I am with my new hair do and introducing Little Miss Libby...isn't she a doll! Libby is modeling her very first outfit.....I bought it for her when Cindy told me she was pregnant. Green turtle sleeper.

I decided the other day I was going to cut my hair....I cut 4 inches off and added a lot of layers. Here is the new hair do! I am not sure what I think of it. I haev gotten a lot of compliment and people thought I only added layers. Oh Lord hellooooooo didn't you see my hair was down my back??? People are oblivious!

Libby in another outfit I bought her. How cute are those leggings. She is just so adorable!!!! I bought one of her Christmas presents tonight. I am not sure I will be able to not give it to her right away.