I was standing at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change the other day. My dress was completely sticking to me. My hair was frizzing more and more by the second. And when I closed my eyes, I could have thought I was in an oven. Not Union Square.
This heat wave thing is not fun. It’s seriously hotter here than it is in Florida and it’s a different kind of hot too. Plus, the air conditioning isn’t as a great and we don’t just get in our A/C-on-full-blast cars to get around.
High ponytails and super tight (hair sprayed) buns are great for the summer. But I’ve been kind of getting sick of those… especially when I have to go somewhere after work. There’s no way that I’m going to wear my hair down all day.
My solution. Braids. Pretty much every single day.
I learned how to braid on my American Girl Dolls when I was in elementary school and then perfected the braid when I danced and everything. It’s turned into one of those skills that come in handy at the most random times.
Here are five braid tutorials on Youtube that are great and perfect for summer. If you’re not a braid expert, you may have to get a friend (or a mom!) to help.
Lauren Conrad (have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE her?) has a website called The Beauty Department and it’s a super great resource.
(ONE)
The Beauty Department | The Classic French Braid
This tutorial is really just a simple introduction, but super great for learning the basic braid. (The classic French braid is what I typically turn to on a daily basis.)
Yes, I love Dance Moms. This braid is seriously quite easy… once you get the hang of it. And there’s so much you can do with it. Bring it into a bun, pull it into a pony tail, pin it back with your hair down… etc.
(THREE)
LetsMakeItUp1 | Spencer’s Braids from Pretty Little Liars
This is the tutorial I watched to figure out how to do my hair like Spencer’s. #TrueStory. If you know how to do a dutch braid, Spencer’s braid isn’t that hard at all!
(FOUR)
LuxyHair | Everyday Fishtail Braid
Fishtails take a little bit of practice, but I think they’re SO cute. I typically braid mine super tight and then have to pull apart and separate the sections a little bit to really get a full looking fishtail.
(FIVE)
Cute Girls Hairstyles | The Crown Braid
This is hard. So you definitely need a friend for this one!!! OR you can go to Dream Dry and get your hair braided there. A bunch of girls at the office have been getting their hair braided in the morning and then keeping it for a few days!
I love this post! It's so nice to see that we all agree that wearing hair down in the summer is just not logical! I'll often just throw my hair back into a ponytail, or wear a side braid! Great post!
P.S. I learned to braid on my American Girl dolls too!
Braids really are the perfect hairstyle for sweltering, hot days! I usually wear a side braid as I'm terrible at doing any other kinds of braids on my own hair. I'll definitely have to give these a try! Thanks for sharing!
I absoloutley love the idea of braids to keep your hair out of your face! I found your blog when looking for new hair ideas for work actually! So glad I did! You have a new follower, check out my blog im just starting out
I need to watch a couple of these, I tend to stick to waterfall braids and french braids for summer. Love Maegan has a great tutorial on how to braid your hair across the back of your head and then tuck and pin it into an updo. I wear my hair that way a lot too.
I love this post!! I am obsessed with braids they are my go to for every day hairstyles when I'm not in the mood to curl or straighten my hair. This post definetly has given me some new ideas to try… I love how there are so many different braids you can do. Anywho love this post and hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
I love this post! It's so nice to see that we all agree that wearing hair down in the summer is just not logical! I'll often just throw my hair back into a ponytail, or wear a side braid! Great post!
P.S. I learned to braid on my American Girl dolls too!
xoxo, Katelyn
preppydaily.blogspot.com
Braids really are the perfect hairstyle for sweltering, hot days! I usually wear a side braid as I'm terrible at doing any other kinds of braids on my own hair. I'll definitely have to give these a try! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo,
Christine
there will always be a special place in my heart for the classic french braid! it has always been a favorite and stays in place all day!
xoxo
makeshiftmunch.blogspot.com
love the new layout! esp the tortoiseshell + pink you mentioned previously ~ great post
this is a great post!!! i love braided hairstyles.
🙂
Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/
the fishtail braid is always fun!
I just love these styles! One of my favorite braiding styles is the french braid! It is so classic!
Hunter
preponabudge.blogspot.com
I have the blonde version of this print 🙂
braids are such a cute go to hairstyle for me! They always make an outfit look more done up even if its just jeans and a tshirt.
Annie
A College Confession
These braids are all great solutions. I really like the Spencer inspired braid!
Katlyn
youngclassyandsassy.blogspot.com
I absoloutley love the idea of braids to keep your hair out of your face!
I found your blog when looking for new hair ideas for work actually! So glad I did! You have a new follower, check out my blog im just starting out
xox
dTm
holyprepter.blogspot.com
I need to watch a couple of these, I tend to stick to waterfall braids and french braids for summer. Love Maegan has a great tutorial on how to braid your hair across the back of your head and then tuck and pin it into an updo. I wear my hair that way a lot too.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
i love these braids (especially that painting!)
bellesinbows.blogspot.com
I love this! I've started to braid my hair too because my hair is long and way too thick for a pony tail.
Nice! I love Spencer's braid. I love her whole look. 🙂
–Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
I love this post!! I am obsessed with braids they are my go to for every day hairstyles when I'm not in the mood to curl or straighten my hair. This post definetly has given me some new ideas to try… I love how there are so many different braids you can do. Anywho love this post and hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂