You guys…I don’t even know how to begin this post, so I guess I’ll just dive right the fuck in. I’m moving again and I’m stressed as fuck about it; I can’t even find another adjective to use other than “fuck.” Moving BLOWS. And it blows because it’s a sneaky bastard of excitement, fear, urgency, and dread all combined into one hasty shuffling of garbage movement. It starts off so exciting and somehow warps into a state of utter disarray and panic. You know I’m right.

It starts off awesome: you decide to move and you start dreaming of your future home.

And then you realize you get to tour all these apartment complexes while the tour guides make you feel at home so you’ll rent with them!

And you get to pretend like you have actual demands other than “I don’t want to live in a garbage can anymore.” One such demand might be, “there must be a constant flow of ice cream in the lobby at all times.”

But then the inevitable happens. One of the tour guides is like, “you have to make three times the rent to live here” before even saying, “hello.”

She’s a bitch and so without even knowing the rent, you’re like, “Not. A. Problem.”

But now there’s some gloom over your search…because you’re now kind of terrified that you’re going to be treated like shit again and have to deal with another bitch.

And after what feels like the MILLIONTH tour, you kind of feel like you’re going in circles.

But then finally…FINALLY…someone’s like, “Yeah we accept large dogs. No floor limitations.” And you’re shocked.

This place is everything you’ve been looking for…

After they reassure you that they’re telling the truth and this isn’t a trap, you’re like:

But then they mention the rent and in your head you’re like:

But you realize it’s not so bad, so you fill out an application and pick out a new place.

But then the true reality hits: now you have to pack up your current place and move all your shit to the new one. And then you’re forever like:

Happy Friday!
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I have always been a little curious about the world of interior design. For a brief time I considered becoming an interior designer. Until I took a class in it and realized I could care less about whether a room matched a painting perfectly…but I digress. Today my curiosity is aimed more towards my own home and of course Pinterest, because, let’s be honest, that is really where all of my times goes. So, for my home related post I give you some of my favorite rooms that use color in an interesting way. Enjoy!

Image Credits: Featured; Post: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

The liberals and environmentalists were wrong; there IS oil worthy of a few world wars, drone strikes, and dead baby seals.  COCONUT OIL.

Coconut oil is the end all be all of hair oils – it’s economical, smells fantastic, and is one of the few oils that has the right combination of molecular size and shape that can penetrate the hair shaft.  Its chemical structure (lauric acid derivation) has an affinity for protein, assisting in reducing protein loss in your strands.

Story time: I just recently dyed my hair. I haven’t had virgin hair for awhile. Performing a bit of math, I realize the lower 5 inches or so of my hair has been processed at LEAST 4 times (not counting likely, accidental re-dying when I touch up my roots). That’s 4 different full applications of permanent dye. You don’t have to be a stylist to know that this is the hair equivalent of attempted murder. But, aside from those times when I’m months late for my regular trim, my hair seldom looks like a cheap Halloween witch wig. And it doesn’t feel like steel wool.  It’s not witchcraft – put away that newt’s eye, that cauldron, and that wizard’s hat-shaped bong because that shit is crazy and pot makes you lazy. And like weirdly numb. Or is that just me?  Either way, you don’t need that – just get a big ass jar of unrefined virgin coconut oil  (found frequently for less than 75 cents an ounce) and follow my instructions.

Before at LEAST one shampoo a week, do a pre-poo (love that phrase) and give it time to set:

1. Separate your dry or slightly damp hair into sections.  I prefer treating dry hair, because then there is no absorption competition between your tap water and your beloved coconut oil. But this preference is psychologically-driven, not result-driven; I noticed no real difference between the two options.
2. Scoop a few teaspoons of coconut oil into a separate container. How much oil you’ll need will vary with length, moisture levels, and thickness of your mane.  It will be solid at room temperature, but can be transformed into liquid gold in the palm of your hands or by letting it melt/warm up in your sink full of hot water.
3. Coat your hair sections – gently massaging and focusing on the ends.  Unless you have fine hair or an oily scalp, go up to your roots.  Mid-shaft is usually enough for me.  You don’t need it dripping in oil, just saturated as if you haven’t washed in like 3 weeks.  Gross image, but you pre-poo is going to smell way better than that would have.
4. Comb your hair without tugging with a wide-toothed comb.
5. Gently put your hair up and in a shower cap or other head covering you don’t mind getting oily.   Find a way to apply some heat to your oily head (another ewww).  For the relatively unprepared, a towel fresh out of the dryer or a towel being heated up by a blow dryer are good options.
6. And now the hardest part: the wait.  Heat does not have to be constantly applied, but you have to let the oil set for anywhere between an hour and 14 hours.  Times can vary and still elicit results, but hair care gurus all agree that longer is better.  I always try to leave it in overnight – not the full 14 hours, but ain’t nobody got time…meme meme meme.
7. Shampoo as usual or slightly more thoroughly.  Your hair will vary in what it needs after an oil pre-poo.  Some ladies just rinse it out.  That would be madness for someone like me.  I’d look like Betty Spaghetty.  Feel free to condition as well.

I also coat my hair with CO before I dye my hair. That’s right – it won’t affect hair dye uptake!  BLACK MAGIC.  Aside from not being a hindrance to the processing, CO contains compounds that chelate iron and copper, which prevents the iron and copper that has been absorbed into your hair from tap water and some hair products from reacting with the peroxide in dye and producing free radicals. These free radicals produce a great deal of damage and dryness in hair, but with the CO as a pre-dye prophylactic, you can nip a lot of damage in the bud and rock a new color.

Fair warning: damaged hair is damaged hair. No matter how many photoshopped actresses vouch for it, NO product can REVERSE damage. But you can improve the general moisture level and prevent its further demise. When I’ve slipped up on my pre-poo regimen, my hair definitely feels different and my ends cry for a quick death.

Another warning: you wannabe gingers out there, red dye fades faster than me after a big dinner and two glasses of wine, especially with frequent oiling (the red dye apparently is very small molecularly, so it leeches out fast). I’ve had no problems with my medium golden blonde, strawberry blonde, or honey blonde post-dye color. My light auburn did seem to fade a bit fast.

Get good and oily, ladies. And feel free to use your coconut oil for other things too. I can vouch for almost all of these and add a rumored one: apparently, coconut oil is the lubricant of choice for many ladies in pornography (not mixing it with latex, of course). It apparently helps reduce yeast infections (a major job hazard). Turns out we women CAN learn something from porn. Who knew?

Image Source: National Geographic Found Tumblr (Pretty Rad)

Growing up in Oregon, “being green” wasn’t so much a conscious decision as it was a societal norm.  Everyone reduced and reused and everywhere recycling bins were bigger than garbage cans.  I did my part, but living in such a place (or similarly intensely green cities like San Francisco), you can start to feel a little inadequate, you know? I, for example, do not have a bucket to collect the cold water from the shower as it’s warming up (I do in the kitchen sink though…) nor do I ever remember to bring reusable produce bags with me to the grocery store (gasp! I know…).  However, there are a few simple, more subtle things I’ve incorporated into my life that are easy ways to make your routine a little more green.

| Line Dry Your Laundry | Especially with the warmer weather coming, you can air-dry clothes no matter where you live – often cutting your energy bill, reducing your carbon footprint, and preserving your favorite clothing (you know all that lint in the lint trap? Yeah, that used to be part of your shirt…) all at the same time. And who doesn’t love that fresh-air smell? Plus, there’s some really great eco-detergents out there: Seventh Generation, Meyers, or my personal favorite, BioKleen, to make your laundry smell even better. (I do however stick with drying little things like socks and underwear in the dryer and use lavender dryer bags from Trader Joes…oh so good)

| Reusable Bags | Yes, everyone knows you’re supposed to use these bags, but it’s often so hard to remember!  I keep one of those little stuff sack bags in my purse at all times, which is good for quick stops at the grocery store or unexpected finds at thrift shops.  And, for the love of all that is clean, please remember to wash them!

| Buy Locally and in Season | Farmer’s markets or veggie boxes are the best for this kind of thing – but you can also do it in your local grocery store.  Checking to see where things are from and knowing what fruits and vegetables are in season is not only good for your local economy but also for you – things taste better when they’re fresher and don’t have to travel so far!

| Give Used Gifts | Thrift store finds and vintage clothes are so in right now – so you’re probably already doing this, but it’s always fun to go gift shopping at garage sales, second-hand stores, or even your own closet.  The presents make for good conversation plus you’re finding a great home for that used item.

| Put a Timer on Your Water Heater | This is a little bit more of a big ticket item, but I discovered this recently and love it!  Water heaters usually keep water hot 24-hours a day, but you really only use it in the morning and the evening if you’re working regular hours.  So some companies have this thing so you can set your hot water heater to turn off at night and during the day and then only turn on again during those hours you need it.  Genius right? (Same thing goes for your thermostat.) Saves money and energy…

| Repurpose Old Jars for Bulk Items  (Also, Buy Bulk Items) | Head for the bulk bins for spices, grains, granola, etc. and store your goods in non-toxic, stylish jars. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors and can be found pretty much anywhere (I’d check your recycling bin first, and then head out to the flea markets)

| Grow Your Own Herb Garden | Herbs are a delicious way to spice up any dish, and they’re so easy to grow in something as simple as a window box.  Just reach over and clip a few sprigs before dinner!

Images Courtesy of: Minna May