SUMMER HAIR TRENDS: RETURN OF THE CRIMPER

It's been far too long since we last had a crimper revival. 

Remember that old crimper you had in middle school? Dust that thing off and get crimpy with it.

 I was delighted to re-discover mine after weeks of searching.  Though it was fun rummaging through all of my middle school drivel, (an array of bright notes passed between classes, gel pens, sparkly smiley face stickers, a Furby and a stack of old year books) my most pleasant discovery was my long lost crimper. 

The end result = mermaid hair. Jealous? 

You should be. Need some tips to pull off the perfectly crimped coif? Check out these six easy steps!

Crimping Iron $130 / Forever 21 Hair Brush  $3.80 / Bumble and Bumble - Holding Spray  $21 / Kiehl's Shine Spray $16 / Target Fine Tooth Comb $10 / Fekkai Advanced Thermal UV Protectant $25 + Bobby Pins! 

1. Dirty hair always works best.  The day after a shampoo will provide the most volumous results.  

2. If you need to crimp the day of a shampoo - apply generous amounts of dry shampoo to roots then spray in a good bit of hair spray throughout the entirety of your hair and start crimping. 

3.  Invest in good product! Cheap hair products get cheap results. Ya dig?

4.  Three very important words: HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY. 

5. If you're the type to only wash your hair every 2-3 days, switch up styles to keep your crimps looking fresh. An up-do with some bobby pins or a tight pony will give you a sleek business look if you've got a 9-5er and have to appease your boss by down playing your crazy tresses. 

6. Be bold! Many crimping irons have various plates you can interchange to make your crimps larger or smaller. Some even have metal plates with heart shapes on them. Mind blown, I know. 

Need some crimpspiration? How about these sassy crimped styles as seen on the runway! I'm in love with that wrapped pony. How great would that be on a hot summer day? 

(Images via Getty)

SIX SWEET FESTIVAL SEASON SUNNIES UNDER $100

Norma Kamali Black Cat Sunglasses, $98 / ASOS Orange Sunnies, $18 / Sarah AGhili Retro Round Frame, $11 / Sarah Aghili Floral Print Sunglasses, $25 / ASOS Mirrored Reclaimed Vintage Sunnies $23 / Norma Kamali Clear Cat Sunglasses, $98

GOING FOR THE GOLD // ACCESSORIZING THE PERFECT T-SHIRT DRESS

Alexander Yamaguchi Dress $55 /  Juicy Couture Canvas Bag $158 / Kala Eyewear / Korres  Lip Butter $13 / Chanel Body Lotion $50 / Madison Harding Wooden Platform $100

LOCAL HONEY // SPRING FASHION SHOW 2013

You really, really missed out if you weren't here. 

 +TUFT+

+TRVLR+

+NONO+

+BLOOMING LEOPOLD+

+TEENGANGZZ+

+TIDWELL and PERRYMAN+

+EPICENE+

+THE BALEE COLLECTION+

EXPLORING NASHVILLE'S APRICOT LANE + CLUTCH GIVEAWAY!

Are you ready for one of Nashville's best kept secrets?  

Apricot Lane in the Gulch is one of the most adorable boutiques I've visited thus far - and it's safe to say I've been to quite a few - it's stocked full of everything you might need to get your spring and summer wardrobe started off right. Need a pair of denim cut offs for under $45? How about a perfect spring dress? You'll be ready for festival season in no time. 

You can find all of these beautiful things and more at Apricot Lane. You'll have a hard time leaving without purchasing everything, I promise. So be prepared. 

*Spring Dresses Under $100*

Pink & White Dress: $75 + Color Block Dress: $47 + Bird Print Dress: $60

Studded Carry-All Purse: $51 + 

Peach Woven Clutch: $39

Can you believe these adorable floral shorts are only $26??

The most important part of my shopping experience anywhere I go is how pleasant and helpful I find the associates - and you won't find a sweeter more helpful bunch anywhere! I had such a good time browsing through all the beautiful pieces and was so impressed by the quality and selection. 

Thanks, Apricot Lane!

Now for my favorite part:

VEGAN LEATHER TURQUOISE CLUTCH GIVEAWAY

You know you need this for your stylish spring wardrobe. You'll be the envy of all of your fashionable friends!

How to enter:

"Like" Apricot Lane Nashville on Facebook HERE

"Like" Le Minimalist on Facebook HERE

And be sure to leave a comment below letting me know you've done both. 

Contest ends May 1st! GOOD LUCK!

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK NIGHT TWO // ROLLING MILL HILLS TROLLY BARN

WEDNESDAY 4/3/13

I'll try and contain my excitement, but please forgive me if I use too many exclamation points this post, but I mean it! It was so exciting! See. 

I'm still a bit irritated with our ever fluxuating "spring" weather here in Nashville. Let's be frank. It SUCKS. I guess I shouldn't be doing much complaining today since it's a beautiful, sunny, seventy degree day  but Wednesday was a far cry from warm.  I am sometimes a bit ding-batty and didn't realize the show was going to be held outside this year - packing only a windbreaker when I should have bust out the fur. 

Oh well! Pain is beauty. Or something silly like that.

Aside from my intolerance to cold, the Trolly Barn was a great little space to set up a runway. The brick buildings that sandwiched us in the middle kept the wind at bay for the most part and really made for a great background for photos. It was chic, simple and fun! Cold too, but luckily, as I mentioned in my Industry Panel post - thanks to all of the free Red Bull - I couldn't really feel my face or my feet anyway. Or wait, I guess that could have been due to the cold. Either way. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++

KAT SEATON

Kat Seaton has an amazing eye for mixing textures and prints, something I'm super into right now. Everything from her line was feminine and used perfect flouncy, flattering shapes. Any one of her pieces would be a welcome addition to any successful woman's wardrobe. Everything was so wearable and flirty, but could translate nicely from a work environment to date night.  I just keep hearing "LIKE A BOSS!" in my mind the entire length of her runway show.

TUFT

I've been creepily stalking TUFT for a while now. (Just realized how often I talk about being a stalker, but it's true!) An amalgam of wearable art meets fairy tale acid trip, TUFT is the definition of cool. I haven't said cool since the 90's, so you know it must be true. I mean what isn't cool about ruffles or metallics or super sexy mini dresses and skirts? One of my favorite parts of her runway collection was that she spray painted / glittered all of the model's shoes. Brilliant and a creative crafter. I'm in love.

 BLACK BY MARIA SILVER

How much bad-assery can one collection possibly contain? The answer is - a hell of a whole lot - especially in designer Poni Silver's case. I see hints of a 1970's ultra-chic 'disco isn't dead but rock and roll is better' vibe, which I can't help but associate with two of my favorite movies, Dazed and Confused and Almost Famous. The color palette she used was magnificent. I want all of it.

Pink Elephants by Truly Alvarenga 

Truly knows exactly how to create the perfect fairy tale princess wardrobe. She uses elegant fabrics in dainty, girly colors and silhouettes that look like they belong in a Disney movie. She also had a great take on embellished leather jackets and faux furs in her signature color, pink! Just like her hair and design line! I feel a Disney sing-along coming on. Who's with me?

T.RAINS

Oh, T.Rains, you never fail to surprise me. Traver Rains (co-creator of iconic brand Heatherette) is one of the crowd favorites every year for his outlandishly fabulous designs and signature speedos. (Although I felt bad for the boys in speedos this year since we were outside in forty degree weather! Poor guys!) This year he really stepped up his game with some fierce gowns, great prints (American flag dress, yes please.) and interesting fabrics - not to mention how incredibly ferocious his models looked sporting sleek black ponies and dark black eyes. Work it.