Rapunzel, Rapunzel

If you're like me, you have that type of hair that gets to a certain length and grows as slow as molasses. This means you also envy every girl with long flowing locks -- you know, the kind that most certainly has to be extensions but they claim they are not.

I've spent years searching for the best hair growth treatments on the market. I spent my first 3 years in the working world as a receptionist a hair salons, so that is a lot of products! But then one day, I was slapped with the harsh truth. I hate to break it to ya'll but....

There is no such thing as a product or treatment designed to make your hair grow faster.

The reality is, products that claim to make your hair grow faster really, in most cases, are just making your hair healthier. It's not putting hair growth into overdrive, but just making your hair stronger. Stronger hair = less breakage = more hair on your head and less in your brush.

If anyone has put their hair through the wringer, it's me. Blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons, bleach, bleach, and more bleach. At one point, all of that damage really caught up with me. My ends were breaking off and my hair was just stuck at that awkward length. So I decided to start taking good care of my hair again. Here are some products that have nursed my hair back to health, allowing it to grow.

Biotin. I'm sure you've all heard of this wonder supplement. Not only is it great for providing necessary nourishment to your locks, but it will make your skin glow and your nails grow. I take the maximum strength biotin (usually Target brand because it's cheap!) daily for the last year and I've noticed a huge difference in the health of my hair, skin, and nails.

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment. I have not been using this product very long, but I already love it! After the first use, my hair was unbelievably soft and shiny, and the benefits just continued from there. This treatment is meant to be used in between shampooing and conditioning. It is full with protein, make the hair shaft stronger, as well as nourishing your scalp -- an important aspect of hair growth. Just like the packaging says, "Remember, if the earth is not nourished, you'll never grow beautiful flowers." You can find this treatment at Ulta.

Redken Extreme CAT Protein Treatment. Protein is necessary for healthy hair. It strengthens the hair shaft from the inside, preventing breakage. I always do a protein treatment after highlighting my hair (BLONDIES--- very important!) and every 2-4 weeks after that. You do not want to do protein treatments too often because too much protein will make your hair brittle and break easily! This treatment is usually not sold in stores or hair salons due to its intended professional use. I buy mine off of Amazon or you can ask your hairstylist to order some for you!

What products do you love for healthy hair?

Happy Wednesday!

DIY Wedding Invitations

Good Morning, lovelies! It's been a while! I had the entire week last week off from work and, quite frankly, I just didn't really care to post much. But now that I'm back on the work grind, you get me back.

Since I didn't had the week off of work and Michigan decided to be overcast with a side of monsoon, I had a lot of time to get some wedding planning done and out of the way. The biggest accomplishment? Finishing invites and sending them out. A while ago I shared that I was making the invites myself. Listen, I saved a whole lot of money doing it myself, but would I do it again? Hell no. Unless you have all the time in the world and the patience of a saint, I would recommend just paying to get them done.

I had originally started to search for invites on Etsy, my place to go for creative wedding ideas, and I found this listing.

They were almost perfect -- super simple, rustic-chic -- the only problem was the price. The invite shown in the picture above costs $2 alone! (And now I know why she charges that much...sheesh!) I knew I could make these invites myself. I downloaded the Lavanderia font and created the invite and the RSVP postcard. I then bought some brown cardstock, a small paper-cutter, lots and lots of glue, and paper doilies from the cake decorating section at Michael's.

Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom. A million and twelve hours later and several trips to different Michael's (I bought all the doilies at the Michael's near my house) our invites we're created.

I am really happy with the way they turned out. I just wish they hadn't taken me so long! If you are wanting to make your own invites -- a great way to save a ton of money -- I suggest making them waaayyy ahead of time. That way you won't be rushing to get them done and sent out in time.

Any DIY brides out there?

Did you make your own invites?