Thursday Randoms

• The week is finally coming to an end. Well. Actually this has been an extremely low key week, but I'm ready for a break.
• I'm doing the Photo A Day April, here's what I've got so far



April 1. Your Reflection
I forgot to take a pic of my reflection, but this is an action shot of the cat and mouse battle in our bathroom Sunday night. I wish this was an April Fools joke....



April 2 Color:
 Loving my bright new Banana Republic Sweater

 

April 3 Mail:
My stationary for some thank you notes



April 4 Someone who makes me happy:
Silly Oliver on a walk, rolling around in the grass. Love him



April 5: Something Tiny
My to-do list today!

• I can't decide if I want to go to yoga tonight or do a happy hour. #lazypeopleproblems
• I bored with all of my nail polishes right now, but I have so many I don't want to waste money buying new ones. Here my look of the week... and yes, those are Gator colors... I know. Sorry UGA.

• I have no plans for easter. Trying to figure out something fun to do, brunch maybe?
• I need to start planning my birthday party (April 24, the party's on Cinco de Mayo) but I'm not motivated.
• I'm feeling a little stuck today. Wondering if it's time to make a change. New Job? New city? Go to school? I don't know what to do.
• It's baseball season again! Can't wait for the Nat's to come to town in a week so I can hit up the ball park!

I guess that's it. Hope y'all are having a great day!

Politics 101: Super PACs

I'm sure you've tuned in to any of the 2012 election coverage you've heard mention of Super PACs. I know a lot of folks outside of the beltway that don't know what a PAC is, let alone a Super one. A political action committee aka PAC is essentially a group of people who come together pool their contributions and donate money to a politicians and candidates. PACs are generally focused on a single issue and thus are a more effective means of influence because a candidate will be able to recognise the cause. If I wrote a check to a candidate he/she wouldn't know the issues I care about or what's important to me, but if I join a PAC that supports environmental protection and that PAC writes a check to that same candidate you can be sure they'll know what I care about. Most companies, trade associations and even interest groups have a PAC now a days. There are literally thousands of PACs out there, if not hundreds of thousands.

The FEC (Federal Election Commission) has created strict guidelines for PACs to follow. The maximum a PAC can contribute to a candidate per election is $5,000. PAC's have to report ever dollar they spend and it becomes public record. Any lobbyists who use the money to attend events are also reported and monitored closely. And any individual who contributes more than $200 to the PAC also has to be listed with receipt reports to the FEC.

Super PACs are a different story though. Based on a Supreme Court case decided in 2010 (Citizens United) Corporations are people too. For the first time corporations can create "Super PACs" and contribute unlimited funds to elections. There are not necessarily people behind these Super PACs so that information does not have to be disclosed. There is NO limit to what a Super PAC can contribute to a candidate. No Limit. They are free to make their own advertisements where they can blatantly disperse lies, but who cares? because no one's name is really attached to it.

In the 2010 election cycle over $4 billion dollars were spend by candidates, party committees, and Super PACs. That's the most in history, and 2012 looks to far exceed even those numbers.

It's really sickening how out of control this spending is getting. If you think lobbying is bad  just think about what these politicians will do after being propped up by a Super PAC. $5000 is nothing now. It's scary really.

Unfortunately in these highly partisan times we are unable to tackle real reform, but now is when we need the reform the most. What to do what to do. Does this all just infuriate you? I am beyond tired of it all. I might need to pick a new industry to work in and leave politics as a hobby.

Hope you're having a great Wednesday!

Beauty Tuesday's: Getting the Hair You Want

Happy Tuesday! I want to share with you a little about my hair history. I'm almost always been blonde. Naturally I have what we in the South call dishwater blonde aka not quite a brunette but not blonde either. I started dying when I was 12 and I've never really gone back. I tried being a red head for a bit, but while it was fun it wasn't quite me. I've also died my hair darker to a medium brown, but I never really felt like ME with dark hair.



Winter 2006

Winter 2007

Spring 2008

Fall 2008

Spring 2010

Spring 2011

Fall 2011

Spring 2012

Okay... so I didn't want to inudate you with pictures, but there were a LOT of blonde moments in between those brunette winters I've had the past few years. So now that you know I change my hair color a whole bunch, let me tell you a story.

It's the Summer of 2011. My hair is extremely damaged. I have crazy split ends, horrible flyaways and a general strawlike texture I can't seem to get rid of. Fast forward 9 months and I couldn't be happier with my hair. It's long (for me) but not too long. It's soft, it holds a curl for more than a few hours, no fly aways, no more straw growing out of my head. Yay!

I did a LOT of research on how to fix my hair and consulted with my trusted hairstylist (Krystal, who has since left my salon and I can't find her!! But thats a story for another time) this is what I did.

Clear Glazes

 Are translucent, demi-permanent or semi-permanent haircolor that can do a lot in less than 15 minutes! Available in a full range of sheer colors, as well as clear, this deposit-only, ammonia-free salon treatment lasts from two to six weeks (depending upon application and the condition of your hair) and boosts color but will not lighten it. If you’re not interested in color, but would love long-lasting shine, ask your stylist for a clear shine glazing treatment after every haircut. It makes hair feel thicker, too!

A Good Hair Cut

Cut off as much of your damaged hair as you can. You need to stop the cycle of split ends before it gets worse. Your hair will grow back eventually, and look healthier imediately. 

Use Heat Sparingly

This was the source of my problems. Daily blowdries, curling irons, straightening we put our hair through the ringer. Give it a break when you can.

Use Heat Protectant

I'm sure you all do this already, but I didn't and I can't believe the difference it has made.

Rock a Dirty Hair Style

I always thought I had super oily hair that needed washing daily, but if you avoid brushing it throughout the day (with a brush or your hand) and use a little dry shampoo the next day you'll be amazed how it can last. My go to 2nd day doo's are the top knot, a poofalishous pony or the "Sarah Palin"

Products

I DIE over its a 10. If you buy one product for your hair, it needs to be this. It claims to do 10 things: repairs dry damaged hair, adds shine, smooths and controls frizz, seals and protects color, heat protectant, detangles, prevents breakage, creats silkiness, enhances natural body and prevents split ends. Honestly it really does all this. They aren't paying me to say so *but feel free to send me more!

Amika Oil Treatment

Birchbox: "Obliphica and argan oil pump hydration into damaged strands, smoothing the outer cuticle for noticeably sleeker, shinier strands. This nourishing formula also improves overall hair health, from elasticity to dehydrated ends." First off this smells amazing. I use this on days where I'm giving my hair a break from all other heat and styling products. Its silky smooth, a little goes a long way and it add a ton of shine.

That's all I've got for you today. I'll save my other styling products for another post, but try these steps and see what your hair is like in a month or two. I promise you won't be disappointed! Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to improve the condition of your hair!

Happy Monday

Oh do I feel better. It's amazing what a weekend with no stress and good friends can do for your mental well being. As I mentioned before I went to Williamsburg, VA with my two roommates BW and KJ to visit my bff and her wonderful husband. I need to settle on a nickname for her (because she has several: LoPro, LoRay, Lars, LoProRay and the Lawfully wedded wife) but Lauren is a wonderful hostess. After a not so horrible drive down 95 with the obligatory stop at Chick-Fil-A we were greeted by the LWW with a variety of the most amazing individual tartlets. Our options were coconut lemon curd nutella cream. Obviously my obsession with chocolate won out and I opted for the nutella. They were so good.

Saturday was wonderful. We hit up this AMAZING Spanish (as in Spain) food store called La Tienda. I did my study abroad in Spain a few years back, and miss it terribly, so I jump for any opportunity for authentic Spanish food.

They did not disappoint. Amazing olive oils, HUGE wine selections, jamon serrano, machego, and some yummy bread. Unfortunately everything was a tad high for my budget, but I picked up some amazing pimenton which is a smoked Spanish paprika that I can't wait to try out once lent is over.

Then we headed off to Alewerks, a local brewery to do a tasting tour. Day drinking is the best, am I right?

 
The highlight of the weekend though was finding my new child. I have been rocking a Longchamp for a while now, and I love it. but it was time for a new bag. I'm at a point where I  am spoiled appreciate nice things so I wanted to invest in a bag that I can enjoy for years to come. I've been crushing over a Michael Kors Hamilton.

  

and a Kate Spade Quinn

but I knew there was an outlet for both in Williamsburg so I was holding out.

After much though, a pre-purchase scouting trip on Saturday I settled on an amazeballs satchel from Kate Spade called the Melinda. I love her so.

  My own personal photographer took a few pictures of me showing it off. For your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

*all photos courtesty of the Lawfully Wedded Wife and Google Images

 And in true fashion blogger style: Sweater: Banana Republic, Cami: Forever 21, Top: Michael Kors from YEARS ago, Jeans: INC, Shoes: Vintage, Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: Kate Spade Melinda

Hope y'all have a great day. To read more about the weekend go here.