^^^I have the cutest cousins!!!^^^

Hello Followers!

I want to discuss my newfound passion for art! This past semester, I decided to take Art for Elementary Education as an elective. This course changed the way I think about creativity and helped me develop many new hobbies. 

In class, we learned about how students are often told by fellow students, parents, or teachers that they are either really great at art, so they stick with it, or they are told that they are not very artistic, so they give up on creating art. Growing up, I had always enjoyed drawing and taking pictures, but since I wasn't the best at either of those things, I shrugged it off and decided to leave art to the people who were born with the natural artistic ability. Well that is where the problem is. Artistic ability is not a gene that some people are born with and others without. Artistic ability is developed over time with a lot of practice. Yes, some people grasp techniques faster than others, but that does not mean that they are better at art. Children (and adults like myself) need positive reinforcement and encouragement so they can develop a passion for creating without the embarrassment of not being the best right off the bat. 

One thing that I strongly believe is that everyone has a desire to create things that did not exist before. Whether it be creating tasty foods, sewing a blanket, playing music, or painting a picture, we all have talents that we can develop if we put in the effort.

 ^^I drew my best friends wedding dress for a wedding present^^

I am so grateful for the ability to create things that make my life more beautiful. I may not be the best artist or photographer but I enjoy practicing my skills and showing my progress. Have a great week!

P.S... Go create something! :)

College Checklist

About one year ago, I flew the coop and moved to Provo, Utah for college. It was the most exciting and terrifying time of my life. After 4 months of summer I am getting excited to go back up to BYU! 

Many of us are going to be starting college in less than a month and, if you are like me, you are procrastinating the packing. It is stressful trying to decide what to bring and what to leave behind. For the most part, you will probably remember to bring everything you need, but I wanted to help by sharing my ULTIMATE College Checklist. Of course you don't NEED everything on the list, but this can help you get organized. Good luck! 

Here are a few pictures of my first few days at BYU!

7 Hair Tips and Tricks

Hello Friends!
Today I want to share with you a few of my hair tips and tricks! I am often asked about how I do my hair and what I do to help it grow. My sister and I have very different hair so we handle our hair differently in some ways and the same in others. Bridgett has thick/coarse hair that is dyed blonde, whereas I have thin/fine hair that I haven't colored in over a year. So here are some of our simple and effective hair tips and tricks!
 

1. DO NOT TRIM YOUR HAIR as often as the professionals tell you to. Us Saxton girls only trim our hair every few months and when we do, we only trim off 1/4 inch! When you go into the salon every month to get a "healthy trim" and they cut off an inch of your pretty locks, you're not making any progress... Also, Bridgett and I only layer around our faces because we hate when our hair is thinned out too much by adding layers in the back.
 

2. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS! Every morning, we take Biotin pills because it helps to promote healthy skin, hair, and nails by nourishing cells throughout the body. I am also a strong believer in eating food rich in omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin D&A, and protein which is why I am always eating salmon, eggs, and sweet potatoes! 
 

3. DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR EVERY DAY! Stripping the oils out of your hair on a daily basis will make your hair brittle and dry. Throw your hair in a bun and shower everyday without washing your hair. I can go 2-3 days before my fine/thin hair needs to be washed whereas Bridgett can wait longer because her coarse/thick hair doesn't show oils. Plus, second day hair is perfect for holding better curls and really pretty updos/side braids. Dirtier hair holds in place better and is easier to control. Which leads me to my next tip.
 

4. BUY SOME DRY SHAMPOO! It baffles me that some women have never used dry shampoo! It saves my hair nearly every day! After one day of not washing my hair it is flat and oily. Dry shampoo is a spray that is essentially powder that soaks up the oils and lifts your roots to add volume!   You spray it on your roots, let it sit for a few minutes and then rub it onto your scalp and brush it out. Other people I know use baby powder which has a similar effect, but for me, baby powder shows too much in my dark hair and is too heavy for my fine hair. My favorite brand is Suave and you can find it at most drug stores.

5. LEARN HOW TO BRAID your own hair! This is still a huge struggle for me, especially since my sister is a pro and I have her braid my hair nearly every time! Knowing how to do a quick fish tail side braid or french braid your bangs will keep you from always throwing your hair in a ponytail when you're running late. Also, to keep your braid from looking like a kindergardener's hairdo, keep it messy! Pull apart the braid. The messier, the better. Here are a couple braiding tutorials to use when learning: Fish tail, Braided bangs 
 

6. PROTECT YOUR HAIR! I use BioSilk- Silk Therapy. It is a weightless, leave in, silk replenishing, and reconstructing treatment that repairs, smooths, and protects all hair types. I use it on my wet hair before styling and it really works! 

7. BUY A WAND to curl your hair. I only use a medium wand, large wand, and flat iron on my hair. You can use a wand to get perfect ringlets or soft waves depending on the size and length of time held on the wand. Someday I will post a tutorial that explains all the different types of curls that you can create with a wand curling iron. My favorite one is the Bed Head 1 1/4 inch wand.

I hope these tips and tricks help you reach your hair goals! Have a great Monday :)