new favorites

I've recently come across some new favorite things-some were items I've purchased and some were gifts.

I've put a new interest on my hair lately.  Although I'm not too adventurous, I've tried a few new products and new styles.  My inspiration comes from one of my favorite blogs.   The Aquage Uplifting Foam and Kenra Volume 25 Hairspray are both recommendations from this blog.  I've only used each of them a few times, but they sure work well!  The foam adds volume and texture, which is necessary because although I have a lot of hair, it's fine and flimsy.  The hairspray is for use when you don't want your hair to move.  It's not for flexible movement, and I use it only when I put my hair up/back.

While getting my hair cut a few weeks ago, the stylist and receptionist were commenting on how their hairstyles would last for at least 3 days.  What?!  I wash, dry, and style my hair every day.  How is that possible?  I asked them what they used to keep their hair from looking oily, and they said the secret is sea salt spray.  When I went back a few days ago, I purchased a product called No.14 Sea Salt Primer.  I've only used it a few times, and I love it!  It adds texture to my hair so I don't have to use hairspray when I want to leave my hair down.  I'm not sure I'll be able to use it as a second-day shampoo substitute, because my hair gets too sweaty at the gym, but I may be able to do that once or twice a week.

These were a Christmas present to me and from me.  They are versatile enough to wear with jeans or dresses and neutral enough to wear with a variety of colors.  I ordered them from one of my new favorite websites, Sole Society.  They have some crazy shoes that I would never wear, but they have simple ones, too.  These are my second pair from that site, and I've had great luck with both!

My Kindle cover was a gift from my grandmother for Christmas.  I found a website where you can customize/monogram your own tablet cover.  I played around with several different patterns and colors until I was finally satisfied with the black and white stripes and red "H."  Thanks, Gran!  :)

My favorite new item?  The Kindle Fire HD!!!  I asked for it months ago, thinking I would really enjoy it.  Well, I got it from my parents 10 days ago, and I absolutely love it!  Luckily, I received a couple of Amazon gift cards so I immediately purchased 5 books that I've had on my list for months now.  I first read The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, definitely a new favorite!  It was an easy-read and very intriguing. I highly recommend it!  I also read Bossypants by Tina Fey.  There were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments, but there were also some TV-business jokes that flew right over my head.  I have Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult (one of my favorite authors), One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, and The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski.  I can't decide which one to read next! 

A big thanks to my mom and dad for my new favorite item!  I can't put it down...unless the Kardashians are on :)