VACATION: KELOWNA

So we are still on vacation, and off the grid.
We've made it as far as Kelowna.  Today we hit a winery for lunch.  AMAZING!

I promise promise promise I'll tell you all about it soon!

SUNDAY QUOTE

THRIFTY THURSDAY: DIY BANGS

Hi Team!  Happy Thursday!

So, this post is exactly what it sounds like … home haircuts.  I’m talking standing-in-front-of-the-mirror-with-your-scissors-like-you’re-10-and-school-pictures-are-tomorrow kind of home haircutting.  Real amateur stuff.

All you hairstylists stop reading NOW!

Also, if your philosophy toward hair isn’t “meh, it’ll grow back” then this is seriously not for you!

It was however, totally for me!  A few Sundays ago I was feeling bored and feeling like a change.  I wanted to do something a little more drastic than adding milk to my usually black coffee and something a little less crazy than a new tattoo. 

Poof – lightbulb.  I’ll cut myself some fun bangs.

Giving yourself a trim or some new bangs is a great way to save a (sometimes costly) trip to the salon.  It’s also nice if you want a small change that doesn’t involve taking a few inches off of your whole hairstyle.

What do you think?

BEFORE

AFTER

I didn’t do a step-by-step for this because I was too busy cutting willy-nilly and breathing in fine hair through my nose.

 

*DISCLAIMER:  Although I was happy with the end result, this is not a glamorous undertaking.  Do not do this in front of anyone you are trying to impress.

I do have a few tips for getting started, though:

• Check to see what you’ll look like with bangs if you’ve never had them.  Hold the tips of your hair on your forehead in the length you think you might like.  Check it out and think really hard about whether or not you want that style.  Its also super important to know what you want and have a clear idea of that when you start.

• Cut slowly.  Seriously, slowly.  Start with really small sections and work your way up slowly from the bottom.  This way you are always in control and you never have that “oh crap what did I just do” moment.

• I mean it.  Cut slowly.

• Put down a towel.  There will be hair everywhere.

• Keep your hair dry.  Wet cuts are for the pros.  If you do it dry, you know exactly what length it’s going to be.

• Have fun, its just hair!

What do you think?  Would you cut your own bangs?  Have you?  Are you a home dyer?  What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your own hair?

Have a great Thursday, thrifty friends!

PS - sorry for the poor quality of the pics.  Ipad, not good.  

VACATION: BRITISH COLUMBIA

It’s Happening! 

via vanaqua.org

We’re going on vacation!  A real, honest-to-goodness, summer vacation.  I’m so excited.

Next week we’re leaving Montreal and heading to Vancouver.  Over the following two weeks, we’ll spend time in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kimberley.  We’re got lots of family visits planned, and a wedding to attend, but other than that we’re free to explore and relax.  I’ve never been to Kelowna or Kimberley so I’m extra excited for that.  It’s been a few years since I’ve visited Vancouver and I’m looking forward to seeing my family and the city post-Olympics.

These are my musts for Vancouver:

Vij’s – We have both cookbooks and are absolutely obsessed with the recipes from this Indian restaurant.  Hell-o … lamb popsicles.  I’ve never been and the excitement is killing me.

Lululemon Factory Outlet – You never know what sort of discounted treasures you may find at this magical place.

Vancouver Aquarium – This is a staple in my West Coast visits.  I usually go with my dad, and it’s where I fell in love with Beluga Whales.

Other than these things, we don’t have many plans.  Any suggestions?  I’m so curious about this neck of the woods! 

Where are the best places to eat, drink, shop, walk, and take in the sights?  More importantly, what the heck should I pack?

TRADING TUESDAY: NEW TRADE

Hiya!  Happy Tuesday.

Also a big Happy (belated) Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends!  How did you spend your long weekend?  Cottages, camping, the beach, fireworks, concerts, regattas, BBQs?

I hung out with Tom’s family and got to see his little niece, Maggie, enjoy her first bouncy castle AND parade.  It was pretty magical.  We saw lots of friends, big and small, young and old, and had a great time walking around waving our flags.

I hope that the weather was great wherever you happened to be and that you had a wonderful weekend.

In other news, I have made a trade!

Say what?

A TRADE!

That’s right, the baking package is no more.  It’s gone to a happy home where I’m sure it will be put to good use.  I’m imagining that a lot of banana bread ingredients will be measured out with the heart spoons and that the TIBS gift certificate will not go to waste.

Who is the mystery trader and what is on the block now? 

My friend and teammate Emilie Fournel just moved in to her brand new condo and found something that she wasn’t using and wanted to trade for.  Em is an amazing kayaker and is currently in Europe training for the upcoming London Olympic Games.  She is super fit and sporty, so it’s appropriate that she would want to trade something that relates to paddling.

You may also remember Emilie from this post about beach running.

Behold the new trade item(s):

Your eyes no not deceive you. 

Pretty awesome eh?

The new item(s) up for grabs are:

• Red Oakley Endure frames with Vr28 black polarized (actually dark brown in colour) lenses and one pair of G30 (rose coloured) replacement lenses.

• 2 sets of Oakley Radar replacement lenses:  one clear, and one G30 (rose coloured) set.

• A soft white carrying and cleaning bag.

The frames and lenses are lightly used but are in near-new condition and look great.  This could really be an amazing deal for someone!  It took a lot of willpower to put these puppies up instead of keeping them for myself.

The polarized lenses alone are worth around $165 new so this is a huge trade up for thelittleredpaperclip!  I am so excited to have made such a big jump and am thankful that Em kept he trading project in mind as she was going through her moving boxes!  Thanks again, Emilie – you’re the best!  All of us at thelittleredpaperclip (“all of us” meaning only me) hope your training is going well and are wishing you the best of luck in London!  Sending positive thoughts your way.  If you’re interested in sending Em some love, check out her new website here and follow her on twitter @minifournel.

As promised, Emilie walked away with all of the baking goodies as well as a batch of chocolate chip squares made by yours truly.

What do you think?  Want to make a trade?

thelittleredpaperclip@gmail.com

or

@Red_paperclip