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10 Year Anniversary!

Coco Channel was right about the power a little black dress can have.  She probably just didn’t expect it to have the power I found it to have.  Try to put into words what looking back over a decade will make you feel and you either need to write a book or you feel at a loss to do so.  I can’t believe it’s been ten years since I started my 100 day dress project to raise money for orphans in India.  It feels surreal to know that we raised $100,000 when professional fundraisers told me I would never even get to my original goal of $50K.  It feels even more surreal to know that the children who were my motivation and inspiration to keep going are now in college. I had hoped my project would change their lives.  I had no idea how it would change mine but that’s some writing for another day.  India will forever hold a piece of my heart.  You don’t have to travel around the world to make a difference. You don’t have to go across seas to show big love.  You can do it from right where you are.  You all showed me that.  Every person that gave demonstrated that to me.  From the pennies poured into my hands by children to the call that someone was going to tip us over my original goal with a $4,000 donation….it mattered.  An individual can do some pretty incredible things but doing it in collaboration with others means you can have unreasonable goals.

As I sit here contemplating all I wish I could spill onto the page I feel gratitude and amazement at God’s faithfulness with this dream and project.  He was the one that put it in my heart and who was with me every step of the way.  While I have drastically changed in the past decade He has not.  He is still faithful and good and calling me to step outside of my comfort zone to reach new depths of joy, experience, wonder and freedom.  You don’t have to be qualified.  I was absolutely, in no way, qualified to do this project.  But God.  He most definitely equips the called.  What is he calling you to partner with him to do?

Thank you for all of you who have been here for this journey, both past and present.  I can never tell you how much it’s all meant to me.  One donation may have seemed little but just like a pebble dropped into a lake creates a ripple effect, so to your generosity and contribution did the same.  Don’t be afraid to have unreasonable goals.

If you want to help with the current Covid crisis in India you can do so here.  Again, thank you.  You help change the world.

Posted on May 1, 2021 by |

Easy chignon

Easy low chignon hair | Misselainious blogLadies, this easy chignon is a good one to know because it literally works for any type of event/day.  Bonus: You can do this on dirty hair or freshly washed hair!  Thanks to my beautiful friend Michelle for modeling this for me! 🙂

Step 1: Part your hair to one side and bobby pin back a portion of the side with more hair.
Step 2: Pull all your hair into a very low ponytail at the nape of your neck and don’t pull all the hair through on the last loop through.
Step 3:  Take the ends sticking out and wrap them around the base of the ponytail.
Step 4: Give it a little hairspray, put a flower in it, and you’re good to go!  (It’s okay if some of the ends stick out since it helps make the look softer.)

We used a fresh dogwood flower but feel free to throw a fake flower in your hair!

Posted on June 6, 2016 by |

Three twist hair style

Three twist hair style | Misselainious blogI don’t know about you but I like simple, easy to do hair.  This three twists hair style literally takes less than a minute but instantly makes your hair feel pretty.  It’s also a great option if your hair is a little dirty. 🙂

Step 1:  Part your hair to whatever side you prefer.
Step 2:  On the side with more hair you’ll want to take a small front top section and gently twist it back.  Bobby pin.  Repeat this step 2 more times with the hair on that side below the first twist.
Step 3:  Holding all three twists remove bobby pins and add in some cute ones.

For fun bobby pins I like these darling sayings here.  Cute bees here.  Stars here and druzy ones here!

A huge thank you to my beautiful friend Michelle for modeling this look for me!

If you try this I’d love to see it so please tag me on Instagram with #misselainioushair.  What’s your go to look?

Posted on May 11, 2016 by |

Half up top knot

Half up top knot | Misselainious blogHalf up top knot | Misselainious blog -2“My hair hasn’t been washed in two days…okay maybe three.” “Perfect!”  My friends this half up top knot hair style is literally so easy and is the perfect option if you haven’t washed you hair in a few days.  In fact it’s so simple I threw my hair up too while shooting these pictures and we snapped one of me.  Thanks to my lovely friend Michelle for modeling this look for me! (I have the prettiest friends!)

Step one:  Section off the top part of your hair starting about the highest point of your eyebrows.

Step two:  Pull that section into a ponytail and on the last pull through only pull a tiny bit through sot hat you have a little loop.

Step three:  Wrap the ends around the base of the ponytail and secure with some bobby pins.  The messier the better! That’s it! So easy my friends.  If you want to add a little softness to this look add some flowers. 🙂

If you try this I’d love to see it so please tag me on Instagram with #misselainioushair.

Posted on April 20, 2016 by |

Easter outfit inspiration

Easter outfit inspiration 3-16 | Misselainious blog Easter outfit inspiration details 3-16| Misselainious blogEaster is a big deal in my house.  It’s the celebration of everything I believe in.  I’m not talking about the bunnies and little chicks.  I’m talking about Resurrection Sunday.  So in celebration of Christ rising from the grave we love dressing up. Back in the day my Yia yia would buy us Easter outfits.

I still remember the year I got an all powder blue/navy ensemble.  There was a a powder blue shirt, flowered skirt, and jacket.  Someone had just given me navy clogs and I thought that head to toe blue was so chic which just makes me laugh now.  I was beyond thrilled that I got a little plastic coin purse (also blue floral) and that was also the first year I got my first lip gloss.  When I think about it I can still remember the smell the vanilla lip smacker fragrance.  To me it felt so grown up but it was as sheer and as light as they come lol!  It’s doubtful that anyone could even tell I was wearing it but I adored it.

This year I wanted to either rework something from my closet or thrift a piece to create my Easter outfit.  I’m hoping that showing you this will inspire you to create a special look using pieces you already own or adding something thrifted.  Not only does thrifting mean you don’t have to worry about whether or not it was made with slave labor but it’s also less expensive and better for the environment when we recycle! If you’re having a hard time though finding something I’ve added some links to similar pieces. 🙂

When I found this skirt at my thrift store I was really excited because it looks Grecian to me with the canvas fabric and gold threads.  Since I’m half Greek that I enjoy finding things that remind me of that.  Simultaneously though I loved that it also looks like a piece of fabric you’d see on a sari from India.  I have kiddos in India that I love dearly so it makes me smile when I wear this skirt because think of them.  The shoes and shirt I’ve had since high school!  The slender bracelet was a gift and my dad made the other one.  Yes, he’s amazing.  My earrings I got at a vintage store.

I love that you probably have a lot of these items in your closet already: white button down, gold bracelets, brown leather sandals.  It’s pretty easy to find skirt this shape as well and they are really flattering.

Skirt (handmade) / Shirt here (this company is very upfront about how their products are made and you can see pictures of the factory and such) or here (made in the usa) / Shoes here or here / Earrings (made in the usa) / Bracelets here and here or this DIY version (closest to what I have) /

Tell me, did you have Easter outfits growing up?  If so what was your favorite one?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. 🙂

Posted on March 16, 2016 by |

Simple, elegant updo

Simple elegant updo | misselainious blogHave you ever just wanted to have a simple updo that isn’t a lot of work but still looks elegant?  Yeah, me too.  This hairstyle is so easy! I think it took me less than 3 minutes to do on Cleo who was modeling this for me.  Oh and stay tuned because that Anthropologie inspired hair comb is a DIY project coming to the blog next week!

You’ll need:
+  Dry shampoo or texturizing spray
+  Comb
+  Bobby pins or tiny claw clips

Okay, so for this simple elegant updo you’ll first want to spray the hair with dry shampoo or some texturizing spray.  Create a side part.  Gently tease the front section and around the crown.  Section out two pieces on either side of the head for a later step.  If you have normal or fine hair lightly tease the remaining part of hair down to the ends.

Now take that section and twist it into a rope and then continue wrapping it in a circular motion creating a low bun.  Bobby pin in place all around the bun.  If you have thick hair you’ll want to use tiny claw clips.

Next take one of the side sections you left out and braid.  Repeat on the other side.  Take each braid and gently pull it apart and rub it between your fingers to create a fuller looking braid.  Then take one braid and cross it over the top of the bun to the other side of the head and pin underneath.  Cross the other braid over the top of the bun and pin it underneath as well.  If needed pin the braids down on top too.  There you go!

This elegant updo would be a cute idea for a date night, wedding, or even just because!

Posted on February 3, 2016 by |

I heart velvet

Misselainious_valentinesdayoutfit2016-3 Misselainious_valentinesdayoutfit2016 Misselainious_valentinesdayoutfit2016-5 Misselainious_valentinesdayoutfit2016-4 Misselainious_valentinesdayoutfit2016-2Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!?  I really like this day because I’m reminded of how beautiful love is.  Love isn’t just a romantic thing.  In fact true love is sacrificial and considers another before itself.  So I hope that whether you’re single or have a special someone that you celebrate.

I wanted to show you that it is possible to create a cute and whimsical outfit from thrifted items.  I got this dress for just a few dollars at a local thrift store and when I saw it I knew I couldn’t pass it by since it’s covered in hearts and just made me smile.  These boots I purchased at a consignment shop.  The clutch was my Yia yia’s and the ring was a gift!

I hope this inspires you to put together a look for Valentine’s Day that has some edge to it and then go give balloons to someone who might be feeling discouraged about love.

If you want to recreate a similar look here are some suggestions:

Velvet dress  (made in the USA) / Boots  (made in Italy) / Clutch  (handmade) / Ring (handmade here or here or diy here)

{Also mad props to Malia for not only convincing me that we should shoot in freezing cold weather but for taking the photos as well.  Yes, that is snow on the ground.  Yes, we are crazy.}

Posted on January 27, 2016 by |

Easy, beautiful half updo

EasybeautifulhalfupdoThis is so simple and fun!  If I can do this easy, beautiful half updo then you can too.  Don’t believe me?  I was the girl that couldn’t do her hair for the majority of my life.  My older sister always did my hair as a child and then, I kid you not, my next door neighbor did my hair all the other times.  I would literally call her and she’d come over and French braid my hair every Sunday.  Yes, she was a good friend!  All that though to say that you can do this because I can do it without even looking in a mirror and it turns out.  Here’s to making your hair look pretty and not taking a lot of time doing it!

  1. First section out the top part of your hair leaving both sides out.  Add in some dry shampoo if your hair is fine or slippery.  Then lightly tease this section.  Now put this section in a ponytail using a clear elastic.  Make a small hole right above the elastic and flip the ponytail through the hole.  Your hair should look twisted at this point.
  2. Divide one of the front side sections into three strands and braid.  Repeat on the other side.  Pull apart the braids so they look thicker.
  3. Then take the braids and secure them together with a clear elastic.  You are now going to flip that through the first hole you made in the original ponytail.
  4. Now take the braided ponytail end (this should be under your first ponytail) and wrap it up and around your fingers turning it in on itself and then bobby pin in place covering the first ponytail and making a little rosette or swirl.
  5. If the front looks a little flat gently pull on the hair around the crown to loosen it up but you don’t want to pull too hard.  You’re done!

See, easy! It shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to do this easy, beautiful half updo.  I love that you could wear this with jeans and a t-shirt or with a beautiful dress to a wedding.  It’s so versatile and it will work with shorter hair styles as well if your hair is at least shoulder length.  If you try this I’d love to see it so please tag me on Instagram with #misselainioushair.

(Thank you Cleo for being such a wonderful model!)

Posted on January 20, 2016 by |

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