Refinery 29 Beachy Waves Insta-Makeover

I teamed up with Refinery29 and Aveda here in NYC to shoot a hair tutorial~ how to get sexy, beachy waves!

Click through to the video!

This is definitely not the easiest and fastest way to achieve beach hair!  The technique takes a bit of practice to get it right, and using so much product really weighed my hair down.

It was cool to learn a new method from a stylist though, and I also got some free Aveda products!  Definitely can't knock those, they're really great and each of them has its own specific use.

By the way, I really want to say how grateful I am for my wonderful group of readers.  Your comments always make me smile!  You only ever have nice things to say, and I feel really lucky to have attracted such lovely people to my blog.  I'm totally aware that my roots are really ugly in the video, and I apologize!  It's all people seem to be able to talk about on the Refinery29 page...I know it's difficult but they should just ignore it and SHUT UP! Thanks!

What to Wear With a Fedora

New York Magazine has recently deemed the fedora as "despicable."  As the proud owner of an absolutely adorable fedora (admittedly, I had to do a lot of searching to find it), I just cannot agree!  There are so many fashion trends that quickly rise and fall, but I don't see how a hat can ever be "out".  Heck, there are times when even trucker hats can look good!

While there have been numerous fashion offenses and no-nos involving fedoras, I think that when done correctly they can be the perfect accessory to complete an outfit and bring it all together.  I'd even go so far as to say that the fedora is timeless!  Just to prove it, I've put together a few outfits where I think a fedora is essential!

Topshop dress, Forever 21 fedora, Sam Edelman shoes, Nasty Gal bag, Forever 21 earrings, OPI Fiercely Fiona nail polish

Modcloth dress, Aldo fedora, Topshop shoes, Forever 21 necklace, Aldo rings, Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color #301

Topshop romper, Forever 21 fedora, Delia's top, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Calvin Klein bag, Jessica Simpson sunglasses, Forever 21 bracelet

How do you feel about fedoras?

Love Letter

I've been having a lot of fun with my nails these days!

 

Sally Hansen "Love Letter" Salon Effects & Essie "Mint Green Apple"

I've already given Sally Hansen's Salon Effects a 5/5 review, and I still stand by it!  The Salon Effects adhesive strips are the quickest and easiest way to give yourself a really cool, unique, high quality-looking manicure.  I recently tried out the "Love Letter" design~

"Love Letter" is simple on its own, but when mixed together with another nail color it looks really elegant & chic.  I think it's a great, romantic design...so perfect for summer!

BK and JIO Review & Giveaway

BK and JIO sent me their Infinity Ring and Braided Satin Bracelet~ I really love these two pieces!  They're both so incredibly elegant and understated.  They are absolutely perfect for mixing & matching with other jewelry. (even though I wore them alone here...they're just so dainty that I didn't want you to miss them!)

Design and fashion marketing graduates, Bk and Jio, started out making & selling bags, clothing, and jewelry at the Brick Lane market in east London.  After gaining popularity they moved to Seoul, where the tools and materials needed to make jewelry were easier to find.  Bk and Jio find inspiration everywhere.  "Minimal and simple, but different" is what they like to create, and this clearly comes across when looking at their collection.

BK and JIO would like to offer a giveaway to my readers open worldwide.  You can win either an Infinity Ring or Braided Satin Bracelet of your own (in your choice of color)!  Also, 10 lucky readers who favorite BK and JIO on Etsy will win a 30% discount code!

RULES

Mandatory entry:  Comment with your name and a valid e-mail!

For extra chances to win, you can...

-Visit BK and JIO on Etsy and tell me your favorite piece
-Favorite BK and JIO on Etsy  
-Click the Facebook 'Like' button on BK and JIO's Etsy

-Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, bloglovin', etc

-'Like' my blog on Facebook

-Follow me on Twitter @hachidork

-Follow BK and JIO on Twitter @bkandjio

-Tweet the following message on Twitter: "Time for a @bkandjio #giveaway! @hachidork http://tinyurl.com/783d2gt" (you may do this once daily)

-Blog about this giveaway 

-Comment on any of my other blog posts

Please be sure to do the mandatory entry first!  Each method of entry should be submitted in a separate comment.  ANY COMMENT NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES WILL BE DELETED!

 

The giveaway ends on Friday, June 24th at midnight EST.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and contacted by e-mail.  If the winner does not respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer:  I received a product in exchange for this post.  All opinions stated here are 100%  my own. 

Minted

TOP; Zara JEANS; zipia.net SHOES; Urban Outfitters WRISTLET; Express ACCESSORIES; BK and JIO, sunglasswarehouse.com

The past few weeks have been really low-key for me, I'm certainly getting into that lazy hazy summer mood.  After the stressful few months I've had, it's nice to finally kick back a bit and just breathe.

I don't really have any plans this summer, the next few months are wide open.  Most of my friends are doing their own things.  It's a little depressing to not have much of anything to look forward to, but rather than just feeling bad about it (which is so easy to do) I'm trying to focus on the positives...even if it does feel kind of uncomfortable and weird, I think it's a feeling that I have to get used to.

Maybe this will be a summer of reflecting and growing!

Atelier Indigo June 2012

Very excited to announce the launch of Atelier Indigo, an online fashion magazine which I am contributing to and collaborating with some other wonderful bloggers on.  Our first issue just dropped, after months of hard work I'm so pleased and proud of what we've put together.

Our June issue focuses on fairytales, exploring the fashion dreamer's wonderland.  Hope you enjoy it!

Like Atelier Indigo on Facebook

Follow Atelier Indigo on Twitter

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover Pads

I don't know why, but summer always gets me into the groove of doing fun things with my nails.  I'm back to trying some cool new nail art and nail polish trends.  Expect to see lots of nail-related posts from me this summer!

I'll start off with a little review~

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover Pads

"Safe for sensitive and artificial nails, vitamin E & chamomile promote strong, healthy-looking nails and cuticles.  Just 1 pad cleans 10 nails!"

  These nail polish remover pads quickly & easily remove nail polish, leaving nails feeling super clean, smooth, and strong.

Even though 1 pad is supposed to clean 10 nails, I was only able to clean 5.  The pads are more than big enough to potentially clean 10 nails, but I think the problem is that the nail polish remover gets concentrated in one spot on the pad.  So by the time I'm done with 5 nails, the nail polish remover is all used up.  Still, 5 nails is pretty good!  Normally I only get at most 3 nails out of 1 cotton ball or pad.

The nail polish remover pads are mess-free, and convenient enough to take with you on the go or while traveling.  Their scent is also a lot less harsh than regular nail polish remover somehow. 

Overall: 4/5 

I won't rate them a 5 just because I wasn't able to clean all 10 nails with 1 pad, like the product claims.  Otherwise, these are pretty great and absolutely perfect for travel!  

The Crochet Monokini

Speaking of swimwear, how perfect is this crochet monokini from Free People?!  I love the color, and look at those cutouts...so perfect for my tat~

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I'm dying to hit the beach!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Bikinis

It's that time of year again...bikini shopping season!  June has brought us some scorching heat here in New York, I'm dying to hit the beach.  Now that I have the sick tattoo I've always dreamed of, I can't wait to show it off!  I really want to choose a bikini that complements it~

Here are some of my favorite bikini picks for this summer!  I'm digging reds & blacks to go with my fresh red ink.  I'm really into some bright colors & whimsical prints too!

What bikini style are you looking for this summer?