by The Perennial Style | Aug 31, 2017 | Beauty
Before I went from brunette to blonde (and now back to brunette), I had never heard of purple shampoo. Why? My hair required little to no maintenance before being color-treated. My hair was healthy and silky, and I really only used conditioner to get rid of tangles. That all changed when I made a drastic decision to play around with color, and my hair journey taught me A LOT about haircare and the importance of using the right products.
[ Intersted in going from brunette to blonde? Click here to read my tips! ]
The most shocking thing I discovered as a new blonde was that my hair naturally had a brassy tone despite how many hair appointments I scheduled. While I love a deep maroon hair color, the unflattering orange tone between appointments left me frustrated and disappointed. The brassy color washed out my skintone and left my hair looking dull and awkward – quite the opposite of the glowing blonde I had envisioned! In search of desperate advice, my (natural-ish) blonde friends introduced me to purple shampoo, and it was an absolute game changer!
Why Purple Shampoo?
If you take a look at a color wheel, you’ll notice that purple is the opposite of yellow and orange. Because of this, the purple tones neutralize the golden/brassy tones and bring out the cooler colors of your hair. Aside from getting rid of the brass, it also brightens up your blonde and helps stretch out the time between your hair appointments – which cuts back on hair appointments and saves money!
How To Use
In order for the purple shampoo to take effect on your hair, you’re going to have to let it sit for a bit. After rinsing your hair with warm water to expand the hair follicles, apply the purple shampoo and let it sit for 1 to 5 minutes. The longer the product stays on your hair, the more effect it will make. Since I was pretty pumped about my new love of hair color, I let mine sit for about 15 minutes from time to time to add a lilac hue to my hair – the shampoo can be quite drying, so I don’t recommend this length of time!
To avoid lilac hair OR serious dryness, only use this shampoo 2-3 times per week.
Don’t Forget To Condition
Most of the time, purple shampoos are sold with a purple conditioner – makes sense, right? Unlike an everyday shampoo, the purple shampoo can be extremely drying, so I recommend skipping the coordinating conditioner and going for something with extra hydration to offset the dryness. Try using a deep conditioning hair mask twice a week to give your hair a little TLC.
My Favorite Purple Shampoo
A lot of times people believe the best product is the one with the highest price tag, however that’s not always the case. The product that made the most impact on hair and really got rid of the brassiness was Clairol Shimmer Lights. It’s inexpensive, plus you can find it at your local Sally’s Beauty Supply. Note: it is one of the most drying products I tried, but my hair really channeled orange without it. This is where the conditioning hair masks came into play.
So whether you’re a brunette going blonde, or simply a blonde who wants to add some luster to your locks and cut back on highlight appointments, purple shampoo really makes a difference! Interested in trying purple shampoo? Shop some of my picks below:
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by The Perennial Style | Aug 29, 2017 | City Guides, Europe, Slovakia, Travel
My love for Europe is never-ending, so today I’m sharing a city in Eastern Europe that needs to be on your radar: Bratislava, Slovakia. While this capital city rarely tops the charts of European getaways when compared to cities like London or Paris, this historic city has a special charm that you must experience.
Bratislava lies along the Danube River and connects Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria. It’s only a short drive from both locations, so it’s easy to visit. We spent a couple nights in Bratislava on our way from Budapest to Lake Bled, and driving through Slovakia was one of our favorites. The journey was filled with charming, quaint towns and the countryside was absolutely beautiful!
Once you arrive in Bratislava, you can valet your car and pick it up when you leave. Though it’s the capital of Slovakia, it’s a small city that’s easy to navigate and very walkable. From castles and cathedrals to fine restaurants and theatres, Bratislava is a beautiful city that has something for everyone! Keep reading for our recommendations about what to do, where to stay, where to eat + more!
What To Do:
- Old Town – Stroll through the charming streets lined with shops and bistros
- Grassalkovich Palace – Visit the official residence of the President of Slovakia and walk through the serene French gardens, which are now open to the public
- Blue Church – Officially known as the Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary, this beautiful blue church is absolutely beautiful and a must-see
- St. Martin’s Cathedral – This is the largest cathedral in Bratislava and is located in Old Town
- Bratislava Castle (Hrad) – This is the main castle of Bratislava and is the home of many of the Slovak National Museum collections. If you only visit one castle in Slovakia, visit this one. Plus is has amazing views of the city and UFO.
- Head to Aupark for a bit of retail therapy – This entertainment hub is packed with 250 shops, restaurants, a movie theatre and more.
- Devin Castle – Though this castle was actually blown up by Napoleon’s army, it remains a Slovakian monument with rich medieval history
Where To Stay:
- Tulip House – This was where we stayed and loved it. It’s in a great location, and the suites are HUGE. Click here to read more about our stay!
- Hotel Albrecht – This is another one of our favorite hotels in Bratislava, and we will definitely consider staying here next time to switch it up. If you love a luxury hotel, this is the place for you!
- Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel – If boutique hotels aren’t your cup of tea, check out the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel. It’s next to Hviezdoslav Square in the Slovakian capital’s historical quarter.
Where To Eat & Drink:
The food in Bratislava is definitely meat-heavy, so be prepared to try a lot of new dishes.
- UFO – If you only go to one restaurant in Bratislava, go to UFO. This spaceship-shaped restaurant, bar, and observation deck is located high above the “new” bridge (separating old and new Bratislava) over the Danube. Great drinks and best views of the city. If you aren’t too terrified of heights, climb up to the outdoor deck for panoramic views of Bratislava.
- Albrecht – This is a great spot for date night – It’s on the formal side, but has a great menu and ambience!
- Houdini – Located in the Marrol’s Hotel, Houdini offers a mix of Central European and Slovak cuisine. We visited for lunch, but it’s also great for dinner!
- D Steakhouse – If you’re craving a heavy steak and wine night, this is your spot. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it.
- Fou Zoo – No matter where I am, I’m always craving sushi. Fou Zoo has a great mix of sushi and Pan Asian cuisine that really hits the spot!
- Sky Bar Bratislava – After a long day of touring the city, we loved stopping by Sky Bar for happy hour at sunset. The terrace overlooks Old Town, so it’s a great spot for winding down before dinner.
- Grand Cru Wine Bar – Looking to ease into the night? Stop by Grand Cru Wine Bar for the best Slovak wines before heading off to dinner
Fun Facts:
- Slovakia is well-known for it’s spa-towns, ice caverns, and some of the largest caves in Europe – so be sure so plan day trips to explore!
- The Danube River runs through Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, so you’ll see lots of river boats stopping through the city.
- Be on the lookout for hidden bronze statues throughout the Old Town. One of our favorites was the Man at Work, which was a construction worker popping out of a manhole.
- Did you know Bratislava is known by three different names by three different ethnic groups? It’s known as “Bratislava” by Slovaks, “Pressburg” by Germans, and “Pozsony” by Hungarians.
- Slivovica is a strong plum brandy shot often served during dinners. Once your shot is empty, it will be refilled – so if you’re looking to call it quits, leave your shot half-full.
- Bratislava is the only capital city that borders two countries: Austria and Hungary
- Be sure to try the Bratislavsky rozok – it’s a crescent-shaped pastry that is a Bratislavan favorite.
Have you been to Bratislava? What were some of your favorites?
For more information about Bratislava from the locals, click here.
by The Perennial Style | Aug 28, 2017 | Style
The older I get, the more I appreciate versatile style. Sure it’s fun to have a closet slammed with sparkles, bright patterns, and ornate detailing – but I’ve learned to appreciate the quality over quantity when it comes to dressing. Over the years my occassions have transitioned from late weekend outings to more sophisticated occasions (is it crazy to admit I LOVE this?), so my wardrobe has definitely followed along with these changes.
While I still believe it’s absolutely necessary to have a sassy little black dress for a festive night out, I LOVE finding a chic yet conservative LBD to toss on for any occassion. Whether you’re dressing for a wedding, charity event, dinner with the parents, etc, it’s always great to have a go-to on hand to eliminate the stress of deciding what to wear. This new Alice + Olivia peplum fit and flare dress is my favorite of the season. It’s so flattering and hides any imperfections (perfect for a big dinner, wink wink) – plus the fabric is so comfy with a bit of stretch! Also, the slit front is a fun update on a classic shift.
I paired this dress with my all-time favorite Christian Louboutin Heels and a hot pink Saint Laurent clutch for a date night look. Pair it with a simple nude heel and pearls for a classic look, or add some colorful lace-up heels and statement earrings for a fun occasion. Mixing and matching accessories can transform this dress for any event!
Check out my look below and shop the links to get my style:
Alice + Olivia Dress // Christian Louboutin Heels (similar) // Saint Laurent Clutch ℅ // Tassel Earrings // Mejuri Rose Gold Diamond Ring ℅ // BudhaGirl Bracelets // David Yurman Bracelets
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by The Perennial Style | Aug 21, 2017 | Europe, Hotels, Slovenia, Travel
Have you ever visited a place so magical that you never wanted to leave? A place that sweeps you off your feet and makes you wonder how you’ve gone your entire life without this experience? For me, this was Vila Bled – a luxury hotel on Lake Bled.
Visiting Lake Bled in Slovenia had been on my bucket list for quite a long time, so finally booking the trip and exploring this beautiful destination was even more magical than I had even imagined. While the colorful beaches of Positano or the incredible views of Santorini are constantly flooding my Instagram, Lake Bled remained a mystical gem that I knew I had to experience for myself.
What makes Vila Bled so spectacular is that it feels almost like a time warp in a sense. The hotel was originally former Yugoslavian President Tito’s summer home, and the design and traditions have been maintained throughout the years. While I generally prefer modern hotels, the traditional decor was what made me fall in love with Vila Bled even more.
Unlike many European hotels, the hotel rooms at Vila Bled are huge – and absolutely spectacular. Since we decided to extend our stay at the hotel, we switched rooms mid-trip, but we were blown away by both of our suites – imagine grand entry ways, separate living rooms and bedrooms, gorgeous antiques, and crystal chandeliers throughout. I honestly can’t explain how peaceful it was to wake up to views of the church on Bled Island and the crisp Slovenian Alpine air! If you’re looking for the ultimate treat, reserve the presidential suite to stay in Tito’s two-bedroom suite.
To explore more of the area, rent a bike from Slovenia bike tours to soak in the best views of Lake Bled and pop into local restaurants to authentic Slovenian cuisine!
One of the highlights of our stay was our boat ride to Bled Island. The hotel offers free row boats to guests, so we spent an afternoon paddling around the lake before exploring the Bled Island. Aside from the famous church, you can see also see Bled Castle atop one of the mountains – which you should definitely visit during your stay. The hotel also has a private tennis club for guests, as well as a private beach during the summer months. If you travel during the winter, be sure to ski the Alps!
Another highlight of our visit was dinner on the terrace every evening. The menu was absolutely delicious, and we loved having an excuse to dress up and enjoy a formal affair. For happy hour, we recommend having a cocktail and cream cake (Tito’s favorite) at the Belvedere Pavilion, designed by famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. The colorful sunsets over the lake are truly breath-taking!
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or simply a peaceful escape, I highly recommend visiting Vila Bled on Lake Bled, Slovenia. It’s my favorite hotel to date, and I know you will love it as much as I did!
While this post was in partnership with BRDO, the opinions expressed are my own.
Scroll through the gallery to see more photos from our trip:
by The Perennial Style | Aug 17, 2017 | Dallas, North America, Texas, Travel, United States
We Said Yes To Dallas, And You Should Too!
What many of our readers (and surprisingly a handful of our friends) don’t know about us is that we are actually from Dothan – a small town in south Alabama. Though we’ve been in Dallas for ten years now by way of SMU, we’ve fallen in love with Dallas and have completely embraced the Texas lifestyle. Though we consider ourselves lucky for choosing a college that opened the doors to a perfect city and region, we’re continuously recruiting more friends to move to Dallas – so today we’ll share why!
Read our previous post to learn Why We Said Yes To Dallas
First of all, we always talk about millennials – but who exactly ARE millennials?
Millennials make up one of the largest generations in history (and 25% of the US), and this group is comprised of individuals born between 1980 and 2000. What makes millennials so unique is that we grew up in a period of rapid change, therefore we have a different perspective on life than previous generations. We’re the first digital natives, we’re getting married later, we’re having children later, we’re changing jobs more often, and we’re letting technology change how we do almost everything – including shopping and traveling. Millennials are changing the economy in all sorts of ways, and truly we love what’s happening!
So why should millennials move to Dallas?
As much as we love being a millennial, there’s no denying we’re in an age bracket that raises a lot of questions – What kind of job should I seek? Where should I live? Should I buy a house or rent an apartment? The list goes on and on. While we can’t answer those questions for you, we will say, move to Dallas.
JOBS
What we love most about Dallas is that it’s a city and region of opportunity. The area is home to a range of companies from Fortune 500 to non-profits – and of course, fashion as well. Dallas constantly ranks as one of the top 10 cities for job opportunities, as well as job growth. Also, Dallas millennials are making about $800 more than the average US millennial household.
What we find so inspiring about the city and region is that (most) everyone is driven. Being surrounded by so many go-getters keeps us motivated, and we love following the success of so many of our fellow Dallasites – especially fellow SMU grads Amber Venz and Baxter Box of rewardStyle.
HOUSING
Let’s be real, there’s nothing fun about paying rent – but living in a city and region that offers affordable housing alongside all of the perks of living in a metropolitan area makes it so much better! Dallas is ranked as one of the top 10 most affordable cities to live in with area home prices 24 percent lower than the national average and 50 percent lower than many other large metros – meaning you can enjoy all of the benefits of the city and region, without paying an arm and a leg to live here.
The Dallas area and region is made up of so many different neighborhoods and suburbs. Though Janie and Ellen both rent in Uptown and Blair owns a home in the M Streets, there are so many great areas (each with their own personality and charm) to consider when looking to rent or buy.
Some of our favorite neighborhoods to consider if you’re moving to Dallas: Uptown, Knox-Henderson, M Streets, Devonshire, Highland Park, or Victory Park.
CULTURE
Aside from the financial aspects of living in Dallas, we think millennials should move to Dallas for the culture itself. Dallas is such a social region and a melting pot of individuals, so it’s easy to make friends and find your own circle by joining one of the many social or philanthropic groups, becoming a member of a local church, stopping by a lively happy hour, or simply getting to know your neighbors.
There are so many fun networking events and clubs to get involved with to expand both your social and professional circle. We suggest checking out the Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals, Salvation Army Echelon, Young Texans Against Cancer, Junior League of Dallas, The Think Ahead Group, and more! (Hint: these are for a great cause too!)
Though Dallas can get extremely hot in the summer, we love taking advantage of outdoor activities. To unwind after a day of work, we love running on the Katy Trail, which spans from Victory Park through Uptown to Highland Park. It’s a great trail for exercise, plus we always run into so many friends along the way! We also love swinging by Klyde Warren Park during the week for one of their free workout classes – or a bite to eat at a food truck or Savor.
While you won’t find a beach or mountain in the area, Dallas is home to two major airports that offer easy and affordable flights to SO many places. As three sisters who used to drive HOURS from our hometown just to catch a flight, having direct and affordable flights right around the corner makes traveling (and travel blogging) SO simple! As for transportation, driving in Dallas is fantastic – very little traffic, easy to navigate, and parking is simple. For those of you that have lived in other major cities, you’ll understand why this is so important!
Though we could go on and on about why you should move to Dallas, one last reason is because it’s a city and region that never stops. There’s always a live concert to attend, a new restaurant to try, a trendy fashion pop up to shop, and more. It’s impossible to get bored here. So next time you’re faced with a major life question about what to do or where to go, pack your bags and move to Dallas. We’ll welcome you with open arms and a MiCo margarita in hand!
While this post was sponsored by Say Yes To Dallas, the opinions expressed are my own.
