Curly Hair How-To

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/hairtut-1-4_zps3ee75b56.jpg" /><br />I'm really not that good at hair styling so I tend to have a few default settings: milkmaid braids, natural (which is straight) and curled. I'd love to figure out more vintage styles eventually like victory rolls or pin curls, but for now I'm just sticking to what I know. I've received a few requests for a tutorial on how I curl my hair so here you go.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/hairhowto_zpsb66ad155.jpg" /><br />I think my bangs/fringe work best with straight hair, so I start by hiding the bangs before I curl my hair. I take a small section of longer hair from the left pull it across my forehead and secure it in place with a bobby pin.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/hairhowto2_zps544c764d.jpg" /><br />I use a 3/4" curling iron and turn the iron towards my face. Hold the curling iron perpendicular to the ground to get the best ringlets. Even if your hair isn't layered, work at your hair in sections to give it variety. I curl larger sections of hair on the bottom and separate small pieces of hair on top to give it more movement. Once you've done one side of your head repeat on the other. For this style it isn't important that the curls are consistent or neat, it looks best when there's variety.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/hairtut-1-5_zps557d8a71.jpg" /><br />That's it you're finished! Another trick is to turn your head upside down and shake out the curls a bit so they're less uniform and have more body while you apply some hairspray (I actually tried to photograph this but couldn't get the camera to focus so...). Anyway it's pretty simple, it just takes patience if your hair is thick.<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">*wearing <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/p89iehu7e" target="_blank">this dress</a> & <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/76040957/handcuff-and-heart-key-gold-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=handcuff" target="_blank">this necklace</a> </span><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a></div>

Curly Hair How-To

I'm really not that good at hair styling so I tend to have a few default settings: milkmaid braids, natural (which is straight) and curl...

Read more »

Milkmaid Braids Tutorial For Medium Length Hair

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids12of13_zps5bb27f67.jpg" /><br />I've gotten a couple of requests for an updated milkmaid braids tutorial with my shorter hair, so here you go. I'll probably try to shoot a video of it sometime, but hopefully the photo format is also helpful.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids1of13_zpsda74415f.jpg" /><br />First off: you don't need long hair for milkmaid braids. Approximately shoulder length and with a few shorter layers will work--like my hair. If your hair is slightly shorter or you have more layers then try styling your hair when it is damp.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids1_zpse6459db8.jpg" /><br />Start by dividing your hair into two parts and then braid each section. You want to braid your hair tightly at an angle pulling it towards your face/the front of your head. My braids typically go over my ears and sort of stick out at a angle.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids6of13_zpsec67f5f0.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids7of13_zps43ae59bd.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids2_zps71e43b65.jpg" /><br />Once both sides are braided, use some bobby pins to pin them to the top of your head. I put bobby pins in from the back of the head towards the front. It usually takes me around five bobby pins to get everything to stay in place. If you hair is longer you can tuck the unbraided ends under the braids, but if it's slightly too short for that (like my hair) just bobby pin the ends together.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/braids10of13_zps470d821b.jpg" /><br />That's it--you're set! If it feels unsteady then you can use some hairspray to secure it all in place. But as you can see it's still pretty simple even if your hair isn't Rapunzel length. To me this a very functional hairstyle; I like wearing it on hot or windy days when I don't want to deal with my hair getting in my face or super tangly, so I think it works even if your braids aren't the smoothest or longest. It's about convenience rather than elegance.<br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a></div>

Milkmaid Braids Tutorial For Medium Length Hair

I've gotten a couple of requests for an updated milkmaid braids tutorial with my shorter hair, so here you go. I'll probably try to ...

Read more »

DIY Two-tone Cardigan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/_MG_7833_zps480705a1.jpg" />When Modcloth asked me to DIY their <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=761928&b=417942&m=43745&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Emodcloth%2Ecom%2Fshop%2Fsearch%3Fkeyword%3Dcharter%2Bschool" target="_blank">charter school cardigan</a> I instantly knew what I wanted to make. Because the charter school cardigan comes in a variety of colors (and patterns) it was the perfect choice for a “court jester” or two tone cardigan. I like the idea of using a striped cardigan and a solid color one, but for this DIY I went with two more basic colors that I knew would work with a lot of items in my wardrobe; specifically <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=761928&b=417942&m=43745&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Emodcloth%2Ecom%2Fshop%2Fcardigans%2Fcharter%2Dschool%2Dcardigan%2Din%2Dcamel" target="_blank">camel</a> and <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=761928&b=417942&m=43745&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Emodcloth%2Ecom%2Fshop%2Fcardigans%2Fcharter%2Dschool%2Dcardigan%2Din%2Dpeacock" target="_blank">peacock</a>. <img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/image1_zps908a91e0.jpg" /><br />What you need:<br />-2 cardigans<br />-seam ripper<br />-pins<br />-scissors<br />-needle + thread OR sewing machine <img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/_MG_7722_zps9b065f53.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/_MG_7725_zps5e81b649.jpg" /><br />Step 1: Using a seam ripper remove the labels from both cardigans.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/cut1_zps3ef7bc3a.jpg" /><br />Step 2: Pin a line down the center of your cardigan--pinning was always the step I liked to skip when I was younger but these help ensure straight lines which are essential to having your two cardigans match up. Cut along the line. Repeat for 2nd cardigan.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/cut2_zpsdd942efd.jpg" /><br />Step 3: Now that your cardigans are both halved, pin two halves of the cardigans together. Pin them from the inside and be certain to choose the left side of one cardigan and the right side of the second one.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/image8_zpscadea1b6.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/image9_zps0f673366.jpg" /><br />Step 4: With your two contrasting cardigans pinned together you are ready to sew. One option is to use a machine; for this material I used a zigzag setting with the stitch length between 2.5mm and 3mm. Your second option is to hand sew--I used an overcast stitch to prevent the material from unraveling. <img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/image10_zps3028756e.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/_MG_7844_zps21e532f1.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1z/_MG_7793_zpsfac65c06.jpg" /><br />You're finished! Perhaps the best part of this DIY is you have the potential for two cardigans in the end, which is perfect this season--I’m giving my second cardigan to a friend for Christmas.<br />P.S. The dress I'm wearing is by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/168867922/rose-dress-black-mini-dress-sz-xs-s-m?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Rusty Cuts</a>.</div>

DIY Two-tone Cardigan

When Modcloth asked me to DIY their charter school cardigan I instantly knew what I wanted to make. Because the charter school cardigan com...

Read more »

Easy Holiday Nails

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x019/ScreenShot2013-12-01at40130PM_zps59bf2bfd.png" /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">*<a href="http://instagram.com/aclotheshorse" target="_blank">my photo from instagram</a><br />I started doing this easy nail style a few months ago and since I frequently get asked how to achieve the look I thought I'd share a quick tutorial here. The style is inspired by vintage "half moon" nails you'll often find in advertisements from the 50s and 60s and more recently, often worn by Dita Von Teese. And I think the red and gold combination makes for perfect "holiday" nails--the type of nails that go with party dresses. The best part is while these nails look very old school Hollywood, they're one of the easiest styles to do yourself.<br /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2881_zps18b04a15.jpg" />What you need: two colors of nail polish (I'm using OPI's Mr. Right Now and Sephora x Pantone Latte) and reinforcement labels.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2884_zpsec5f3e44.jpg" />Apply your base coat; while any number of color combinations will work for this tutorial I suggest you apply the lighter shade first. I applied two coats of my gold polish and allowed my nails to dry for five minutes. (For Dita Von Teese style nails, skip the base coat and apply the stickers to bare nails.)<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2902_zpsf19cebe5.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2908_zps328f137e.jpg" />Once your nails are dry apply your reinforcement stickers. You don't want your polish to be tacky or the stickers might pull some of your varnish off. Be sure to push the sticker firmly against the nail to prevent any nail polish leaking in the next step.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2914_zpsea7cfde0.jpg" />Apply your second nail color; I used two coats of the red.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1x/1x018/_MG_2931_zps72dab07f.jpg" />Let the nail polish dry for a few minutes and then remove the stickers. You can apply a clear top coat to make the style last longer and you're done!</div></div>

Easy Holiday Nails

* my photo from instagram I started doing this easy nail style a few months ago and since I frequently get asked how to achieve the look I t...

Read more »