My New Ombre Hair & Salon Review

For every girl out there that has tried to grow her hair out, you know what a long (and sometimes boring) process it can be! One starlet rocks her newly cut-off coif while walking out of a coffee shop and before you know it, you’re in the chair having your locks chopped off again… Well, this time, I made it! For the past year or so I’ve been enjoying all the cute braided up-dos and top knots 😉 Lately though, I felt that old urge to chop it all off again and Emma Stone’s wavy bob at The Golden Globes did not help matters. So, instead of scratching that old / familiar itch, I went the way of a color job and chose an ombre 😉

Before and after ombre hair
Before & After

When I was preparing for my first shoot for the blog I knew I wanted a little something different, so I consulted with Xada at The Back Porch Salon & Spa in Redfern Village on St. Simon’s Island, GA. Xada seemed to really “get” me and what I was looking for. I’ve always been a pretty “natural” girl… I just started wearing make-up the last couple of years (which I only wear maybe three times a week) and I usually just use a hairdryer on days when it’s really cold. So, I thought an ombre would be good for me and she agreed. She was so sweet and really took the time to tell me what she thought would work best for me.

She also recommended their “Sunless Tanning” service where you lay on a massage table while someone scrubs and polishes you before massaging an awesome green-based tanning lotion from head-to-toe to give you the perfect summer glow… It was great!!!

The salon is a treasure unto itself… I’ve been to large luxury spas and petite booth style salons as well, but The Back Porch Salon & Spa is the most dreamy and relaxing salon I have EVER been to. From the outside and lobby it looks like a funky little place: Back Porch Salon & Spa - St. Simon's Island, GAThe Back Porch Salon & Spa // St. Simon's Island, GAThe Back Porch Salon & Spa // St. Simon's Island, GA

But then, someone from the incredibly friendly staff leads you through the lockers and it’s like being transported to a mediterranean spa with gauzy sheets blowing in the cross-breeze from the back porch. Though the gorgeous view of the marsh is so beautifully “The Golden Isles” it feels like a mini-vacation… which is an incredible treat from time to time 😉 IMG_2375 The Back Porch Salon & Spa // St. Simon's Island, GA IMG_2379 The Back Porch Salon & Spa // St. Simon's Island, GA

If you find yourself in need of a little pampering during your time on St. Simon’s Island, I strongly recommend setting up an appointment for one of the many services provided by this beautiful, relaxing, and truly unique salon & spa. The Back Porch Salon & Spa // St. Simon's Island, GA

 

OOTD: Longwood Gardens

It’s a beautiful day in Kennett Square, PA and you can’t think of a better way to spend it than a stroll through the pristine Longwood Gardens. With over 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows you are able to fully lose yourself in the beauty around you. When the sun starts to set you make your way through the fountain gardens and back to the parking lot so you can take a short drive to Portabello’s to enjoy the creative dinner using the locally-grown mushrooms Kennett Square is known for.

Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Nautilus Shell Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Copper-plate Crystal Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Copper-plate Crystal Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Copper-plate Crystal Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Copper-plate Crystal Necklace
Wild Souls: Longwood Palazzo Pants, Crop Top, & Copper-plate Crystal Necklace

OOTD: Traveling Highway One

Today’s Outfit was inspired by my trip to Big Sur, CA. Not only because I was wearing these pants on the drive there , but because the colors of the palazzo pants were reminiscent of all the brilliant and beautiful scenery of Highway 1: the wildflowers growing on the hillside, the purple sand in the beaches, and the brilliant blues and greens of the ocean. We saw so many beautiful scenes as we whirled up the Pacific Highway… and I was super comfortable in my Palazzo Pants for the whole drive.

Blouse: Ivory Hi-lo Cropped Tee

Pants: Floral Print Palazzo Pants

Jewelry: Blue Stone Necklace

Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants - shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Days – shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants - shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants – shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants - shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants – shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants - shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants – shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants - shopwildsouls.com
Big Sur Floral Print Palazzo Pants – shopwildsouls.com

Day 1: San Diego, CA

My whole life I’ve had an insatiable wanderlust. I would live in a shack if that’s what I had to do to travel when/where I wanted. However, I do have a husband I must factor in to the equation so the shack is somewhat out of the question. I am blessed to have someone by my side that not only loves to travel, but loves to travel the same way I do… When we go somewhere together we divide our trip in to thirds: 1/3rd activities, 1/3rd relaxation, and 1/3rd eating – drinking.

The Hotel: Marina Inn & Suites  – At $80 a night, the Marina Inn & Suites was definitely a “get what you pay for” hotel. It sits in a great location – you can see the marina from the parking lot and it’s right on the fringe of Little Italy so you can walk to a lot of great restaurants. We were fortunate enough to be placed in one of the newly remodeled rooms (Room #200) so everything was clean. I can’t attest to the rest of the Inn, but our room was fine – though the bed was not very comfortable. The room we were in faced a small alley, so we didn’t have a great view, but it was very quiet. It also seemed like a safe area and if you like to fit in a workout on your vacation, there’s a great place to run on the sidewalk along the marina.

Bali Hai Fishbowl San Diego, California

Having spent some time in San Diego before, my main goal was to see my friend Sarah (who now lives there) and for her to show us some great places to eat and drink. She TOTALLY came through! We started off Saturday (April 26th) by meeting Sarah in our hotel parking lot and she led us on a short walk to Queenstown Public House for brunch. The pineapple orange mimosas were very good and so were the Chicken & Waffles. Since we expressed our love for a good beer, Sarah took us to Thorn St. Brewery I don’t remember the name of the beer I had because I couldn’t get over Sarah’s beer called “Chilecabra” that was SOOO good! Finally we moved on to the Bali Hai Restaurant for a little Polynesian inspired cuisine in the San Diego Harbor. Sarah and I split a fishbowl cocktail and we chowed down on the Wasabi Fries that were great (this comes from a bonafide french fry addict). Overall, it was a great beginning to our trip 😉

What I wore: I knew that we would be walking so I wanted to wear something comfortable.

What I Wore San Diego California
What I Wore San Diego California

Red Tank: Wild Souls – Cool and comfy for walking around in the awesome weather
Grey Capris: Fabletics – These capris are awesome! Move over lululemon – Kate Hudson’s coming for you!
Shoes: Black Crochet Tom’s

Underpinnings: Champion T-Back Sports Bra & Warner’s “No Wedgies, No Worries” Hipster

Lenny & Eva Bracelet: Quote Sentiment & Grey Suede Bracelets

Lenny & Eva Bracelet