Hair Identity Crisis: Part II

Back in February I wrote a post about my "hair identity crisis". Hopefully you've read it, if you need a refresher or if you missed it you can catch up here: Hair Identity Crisis

My mane was, and is still, going through a massive amount of changes this year. Though my undercut is not completely grown out, I am finally content with my hair color. As I had previously posted I had dark brown/black hair for all of my 20's and I wanted to go back to my natural blonde roots. 

The process all together took about 9 months because I wanted my hair to remain healthy and continue to grow. I am extremely happy with the end results, after stripping out some of the dark allowing it to grow out more, toning it and finally putting a gloss to get rid of orange tones I look like my old self.

Now all I need is Rapunzel long hair to experiment with braiding and I'll be set ;)

Share your hair changing adventures and journeys in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe via email under "Stay Up To Date" or with Bloglovin' over on the right side. 

Christine and the Queens

If you're a lover of all music like I am you'll appreciate Christine and the Queens. Christine (birth name Nantes) is a French singer/songwriter who happened to blow my mind last Saturday. My adorable father came across her one late night on MTV Live and decided he needed to see her himself. Her music is not a typical sound to the average American ear but I think if you're a fan of Michael Jackson you'll see the similarities in her dance style and beats. Even my S.O. is not a huge concert person no matter the music type but he really enjoyed Christine and the Queens 

Besides the amazing show I witnessed the Theatre at the Ace Hotel was unbelievable. The architecture inside - the walls, the mirrors, staircase, and ceiling... all just jaw dropping. It was hard to capture a great picture due to the dim lighting but if you're ever in Los Angeles I highly recommend checking out the Theatre and the Ace Hotel itself.

Check out my favorite song Tilted from Christine and the Queens below.

Share in the comments your favorite music so I may broaden my musical horizons.

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Fall Humbug

I feel like I am the only woman not excited for fall. 

I don't do PSLs (or Starbucks in general for that matter), I don't wear my Uggs out in public and I'd much rather not wear 15 lbs. of clothing to stay warm. 

They say Fall is "here" but in California it's been hotter than it was all summer with triple digit temperatures. Next, we don't get the leaves changing colors and all that fun the East Coast gets. The weather suddenly decides to gets colder and because we're spoiled anything under 65° and I'm freezing. 

Although... despite my Fall Scrooge-like ways I will admit I'm excited for three things

1.) Halloween... it's literally just around the corner, anything that pertains to the holiday has my inner creep doing back-flips.

2.) Thanksgiving... it means lots of food (and time with family) and that makes my inner fat girl cry tears of joy.

3.) Pumpkin Seeds... I really like baked, lightly salted pumpkin seeds.

Share with me what your favorite things about Fall is in the comments. Don't forget to subscribe and you can see my updates directly in your email.

the Life & Styles of a Petite Girl

As you may have noticed I had a change of heart (name) when it came to my blog. I wanted to be a little more specific and hopefully spark some interest with a cute/clever name because let's face it, if it doesn't catch your eye when skimming you won't follow the link to read. Now after blogging inconsistently for a little more than year I feel it needed re-branding... so allow me to reintroduce myself.

Having blogged about life, small adventures and a little bit of beauty I realized I was never going to be a "fashion blogger" I am much more of a lifestyles blogger with some fashion, beauty and random nonsense thrown in there. I wanted to keep "petite" in the name because it's kind of my identifier. I've always been described as the small girl, the short girl, petite girl or whatever other synonym that fits.

So "La Petite Viee" is dead and gone but risen from the ashes like the phoenix is 

the Life & Styles of a Petite Girl. 

New and improved, and hopefully you think so too. I've already impressed myself by posting three times last month - that is a record! Please take the few seconds to subscribe by adding yourself to the email list, it's over there on the left under "Stay Up To Date" or there's Bloglovin' over on the right.

I promise I'll make it worth your while :)

Top 5 Lip Faves

Every girl has her go-to products to achieve the desired look of soft, plump, pillow-like lips.

Here are my top five lip favorites that I use regularly and highly recommend.

1.) e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator - I exfoliate my lips every seven to ten days just to slough off any dry skin. This exfoliator comes like a lipstick so it's not messy and works wonders! Check it out here!

2.) EOS Visibly Soft Coconut Milk Lip Balm - I don't think I have to do much explaining here, who doesn't love EOS lip balm? It's goes on so smooth and comes in a cute ball shape. I own like 10 of these but this is my favorite flavor. Get it here!

  

3.) Burt's Bees Hibiscus Tinted Lip Balm - again, no explanation really needed. Burt's Bees is the bees knees.... BUT for a girl who loves a little color tinted lip balm is the answer. I love the Hibiscus tint, a perfect purple/pink. Take a look here!

4.) Vaseline Rosy Lips - this was an impulse buy a couple years ago at the check out and I fell in love. Vaseline provides excellent moisture so now with this pretty, light rosy color it's absolutely perfect for an understated look. Try it here!

Last but certainly not least;

5.) Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme - this makes the perfect pout without the needle. If you're like me you want the results without the pain and recovery time and this is just unbelievable. It tingles a little once applied but within a few minutes your lips are pouty and plump. Must buy HERE!

Share with me your go-to lip products and what works for you to get the look you love in the comments below.

Eyebrows on Fleek.

Agreeing to be the guinea pig for a friend learning a new trade is always.... gutsy. Luckily I have a very talented friend and I got eyebrow microblading done. It is the future of the brow game ladies, I tell you! Take a look at my before and after pictures above.

What is microblading you ask, well I'm here to explain. "Microblading is a semi-permenant makeup that provides a means to partially or fully camouflage missing eyebrow hair with the appearance of simulated hair using fine deposits of cosmetic tattoo pigments." (I googled that.)

Your esthetician should apply numbing cream to your brow first before blading starts... FYI it still hurt like a "mutha" because it is literally tiny slices/cuts being made to your face. I don't have a high pain tolerance but I survived and I do love the results!

Ask your esthetician or hairstylist if they offer this new trade, you will not be sorry!

If you have more questions contact my girl @melpinon on Instagram.

Obsession: Subscription boxes

Hello, my name is Ashley and I am obsessed with subscription boxes. At the beginning of every month a few packages arrive and my S.O. laughingly asks "Another one?" My response is always the same, "It's only once a month!" FabFitFun, Birchbox, Ipsy, Dollar Shave Club, just to name a few. If it's a subscription that comes in box I've most likely signed up for it.

FabFitFun is an amazing quarterly box ($50 every three months) that gives you everything you'd need for the season - hair care, beauty products, work out gear, popsicle molds, microfiber beach towels, ETC.

Birchbox and Ipsy are perfect at $10/month for a girl who loves make up and is the adventurous type when it comes to trying new things. 

Dollar Shave Club ditches the expensive girly razors that media forces us to purchase for a crazy amount. Instead for a low monthly or bi-monthly cost you get 4 fresh blades that you can switch once a week - SO much better for your skin might I add.

Share your obsession with me or what you're subscribed to to make your life easier in the comments below.

OC Fair Fun

Growing up in a small town the county fair was one of the highlights of the summer. Now living in the city I haven't been to a county fair in years so when the S.O. saw a billboard for the O.C. Fair and suggested we go I had a hit of nostalgia and was all for it!

In the heat and humidity first stop was to get refreshing adult beverages. After that, as I am a completely unbiased thrill seeker and lover of all roller coasters it was time for some rides. They had all the classics, some with new names, and my all time favorite "carnie ride" - the Zipper. I got to experience some new attractions that I feel need mentioning for all you fellow fair lovers, definitely check out Insanity and Speed. There's only one way to describe them as crazy drop, flip-you-upside-down swing type of rides.

With so many things to see at the fair I was happy to come across a booth selling sterling silver jewelry and I decided to bring toe rings back! I feel like I wore toe rings constantly in the 90's and had the urge to purchase a couple. Like I said, nostalgia!

Now, one of the main reasons I think anyone goes to the fair is for the amazingly greasy, artery clogging fair food. I controlled my #innerfatgirl and limited myself to one bacon wrapped turkey leg and one powdered sugar covered funnel cake - YAY for self control!

If you're feeling a little fun-loving and don't mind the dust and the pigsty smell OR you just have a hankering for a turkey leg as big as your head and deep fried everything - you know where to go.

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ALL SUMMER '16

Can you say breathtaking? Just got back from a lovely time in Cabo San Lucas to watch a couple of lovebirds say their "I DO's" and it was truly magical.

Now being back in Southern California and summer is officially in full swing there's so many wonderful things to do outside. With the sun shining and the breeze lightly blowing there's no other place I'd rather be.

Here's my top 5 favorite things to do "ALL SUMMER '16":

1.) Amusement Parks - we have some options between Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and 6 Flags Magic Mountain. This year I went with a membership to 6 Flags and I forgot how much I really love roller coasters and funnel cake.

2.) Dodger Games - I know I'm a broken record on this one but you can NEVER go wrong with watching the Boys in Blue live. Fireworks on Fridays, free gifts and deals on the weekends and Dodger Dogs all the time!

3.) Rooftop bars - a nice rooftop bar on a beautiful evening is one of the many perks of Los Angeles. A small few that are worth checking out are: the Perch, the Standard, E.P. & L.P., Ace Hotel and Skybar. Although Skybar doesn't fully qualify as a rooftop it has an amazing view.

4.) Coastal Road Trips - not sure if it counts as a road trip but being from the Central Coast I love going back to visit family and friends in the northern 805. The drive ain't that bad either, ocean views on one side and rolling hills on the other.

5.) Wine Tasting - this is an activity I usually do in San Luis Obispo County when I go to visit but I've been hearing wonderful and amazing things about a few Malibu wineries so now I'm dying to try. Nothing spells "fun" like sunshine and a few bottles. #cheers

Share with me what you've been up to this summer and what your plans are! :)

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First Days of Summer.

Today is officially the first day of summer and I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am. 

I love everything about this time of year for numerous reasons.

First off, I am a summer baby - my birthday is just 3 short days away.

Secondly, summer includes pretty much all my favorite things and just to name a few; 

Sunshine. Bathing suits. Salt Water. Beach concerts. Sunglasses. 

I believe no truer words have been spoken, reference the quote above. I have a collection of sunglasses that range from the cheap gas station pairs to my favorite name brands. Last year, I realized I had so many I need a better way to store them and purchased a wholesale sunglasses display case - I have downsized and thrown out some of the cheap ones to make room for my S.O.'s sunglasses but with my obsession the case may need to be upgraded because now it's full.

Although, I'm a die-hard black frames girl I love the diversity in the style of my sunglasses, and most recently I've tried switching up the color of the lenses themselves.

I have my tried and true classic Ray Bans, my re-found obsession with cat eyes and undying love for aviator style. I've been purchasing quite a few pairs of Quay Australia - totaling 4 now, also a HUGE fan of ZeroUV.com if you have not checked them out you should you will not be disappointed.

To kick off my summer, besides my birthday, I'm headed to Cabo and I can't wait.
Share with me what are your big plans for summer.





Glasses From Top to Bottom: ZeroUV, Quay Australia, Quay Australia, ZeroUV

Off the Grid

I have abandoned my blog yet again, though making my way back... again.

 I have since abandoned social media as well, all profiles have been deleted or deactivated - insert shocked emoji here. I was "social media queen" as my friends would lovingly tease. Indeed I liked being constantly connected but it started to feel like more of a distraction from real life. There are times when I miss it.... like when I'm eating and I can't share my delicious looking meal, *wink emoji*. Really though, it's been very freeing not checking my phone a million times a day.

Like breaking any habit it was a little weird the first few days - repetitively pulling out my phone to look at Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, etc. but I've appreciated all the free time I had forgotten I had. Thankfully I enjoy my life enough to where I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Off the grid with no social media, next step is to move into a tree house!

Let me know your thoughts on social media and giving it up in the comments.

How hard would it be for you to get rid of? Could you, would you do it?

I personally recommend it.

With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

 "The Last Bookstore" is quite literally my favorite place in the world. 

Growing up as a kid with no cable might sound like a tragedy but I enjoyed my escape with my nose stuck in a book. Unfortunately I lost my desire to read while in college due to being forced to read tedious textbooks. In the last year, I've been able to pick up again in my neglected hobby thanks to this store. 

If you are anything like me you will fall in love with the novelty of this place. 

Bookshelves upon bookshelves, a book arch tunnel, the Labyrinth, a special vault for all my favorites like Stephen King, Dean Koontz and other authors of horror, suspense, murder and other worldly. Then there's the classics, historical fiction, celebrity biographies, children's, rare books - the list goes on, you could lose a whole afternoon roaming the aisles. In a world of technology with iPads and Kindles, I absolutely love being able to hold a physical book.

Our most recent haul

Besides the plethora of books, one section of the second floor is dedicated to art and creative shops. There are few art showrooms, displays and an area where occasional classes take place. Not only is it the Last Bookstore it is a place where the creative juices can flow.

If you are ever in Downtown Los Angeles, this place should be one of your stops.

You can thank me later.

 Share with me what you've been reading or dying to read in the comments.

Empty Promises & Daylight Savings are the worst.

Valentines Day Pretties

I feel like my blog has become a bad relationship. Making empty promises saying I will follow through and then inevitably abandon for a few weeks, just to pop back up at the worst time when my blog is over me. Thank God for my "annoying blogging nag" fairy - she knows who she is. 

I've read a few blogs and I realize a lot more are just simple, straight to the point entries. Short and sweet - like me, ha! Maybe that's what I need to do, keep it short and sweet. There I go again with the empty promises, anyways....

Spring is upon us and Daylight Savings is this weekend. Who came up with this idea that we should lose an hour of sleep once a year?! I don't know about you but I have a hard enough time catching enough Zzz's in general.

Soon to be longer days and warmer nights, despite the horrid time change I'm most excited about dusting off my shorts, floral skirts and bright colored tank tops. My girl Tana wrote a great little piece on what the ladies should pull out of their closets for the new season (check here: Spring Fever). The sun just pulls me outside to run to the beach or hike a trail. Unfortunately LA's ever popular and beloved Runyon Canyon will be closed most of the summer but there's always Griffith Park or the Hollywood Trial... OR if you're up for an adventure go on a hunt for the Abandon LA Zoo. If you're really feeling active you can always brave the Santa Monica Stairs, which might kill you if you're not careful - that's my goal for the summer.

What are you all most excited for this Spring? Share with me in the comments.

xx Ashley

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Hair Identity Crisis



"The Flash" Wing

It's not a mid-life crisis but almost as serious is a HAIR Identity Crisis.
I never know what I want and once I've made a decision I see a different style/color/cut to make me change my mind - it is a constant battle I know all women (and possibly some men) are familiar with.
I am currently in the middle of a very painful hair transition.

I mentioned before that 2016 is my "year of transition", I'm growing out the undercut and struggling with going back to my natural roots - not so patiently waiting for my blonde to come back without damaging my hair has become excruciating to say the least. For a little hair history, I began coloring my hair darkest brown/black at the age of 20, so I've pretty much spent all of my 20s as a brunette. As for the undercut, I started shaving the left side of my head in 2011 and continued to do so until July of last year, which is also the same time I decided to stop coloring my locks. I've made it roughly six months. They say hair grows half an inch a month and I'd say my outgrowth is at about three inches give or take a little, I like to give.

Progression Photos:

My brunette to blond transformation:
 

 As you can see it was long and dark and then I chopped it thirteen inches or so and let it gradually do its thing as far as color. I'm trying to decide whether or not to help it along and strip the dark color out and keep it short to minimize damage. My roots always start of a light brown/dirty blonde and lighten as the sunshine gets to it (I am not a towhead). Of course, my roots appear darker when there's product in it or when it's dirty... and to be honest it's usually a mixture of product and dirty. Let's hear your two cents, I usually don't want it but I'm dying to know so help me out. Let it grow on it's own or help the blonde process along??

SHARE with everyone! You know how people like to give their opinions... and this time they're welcomed ;)

Til Next Time,

xx Ashley

Personal update: I got a job about a month ago at a corporate office for a holistic skin care line called Jurlique. I'm enjoying it and you all should check out their products #amazeballs. Also, starting a series of blog posts about "Places to get drunk with your man" - like when you feel like getting turnt up but don't want a whole group... OR your group of friends are being bums so it's just you two. Be on the look out!

LASTLY - Can I just say... At least I did post ONCE in January?
Haha, life is too hectic and I'm easily distracted by "shiny" things.

New Year, Same Me - because I'm already freaking fabulous

Welcome to 2016... MY YEAR; or so I've decided. 

Last year was a whirlwind of unexpected change and I'd have to say overall I thoroughly enjoyed the way it all played out. Starting a relationship was probably one of the bigger changes of the year but finding a someone I truly enjoy spending my time with, doing everything and anything together has been really amazing. Turns out he felt the same for me and we moved in together, an even bigger change for a girl who's never had roommates, and that has turned out to be just as amazing. I wasn't actively looking for or expecting it to happen so I love that it did and I love who it happened with. Next big change would be is I abruptly quit my job that I held for a year and a half. It was startling, even to myself, so this is a year of transition. 

I've been trying to think of a non-cliche way to do a "New Years" post but unfortunately I drew a blank so after almost four days of deliberation - here I am. I hate New Years resolutions, I rarely make them but like most at the start of a new year it feels like starting fresh, somewhat with a clean slate. I usually try to give up my vices and attempt to do certain things (like the gym) more consistently. To start, most of the population can't function without coffee while I have a hard time without a kick in the ass from Redbull. I'm officially a week strong without my "wiiinnnggsss" as of today and I've also gone to the gym four out of the last six days - GO ME!

Here's the remainder of my goals I will be working on throughout the year:

- WRITE weekly or every other week (hopefully I'll have interesting things to talk about).
- Experiment with new recipes
- Learn and experiment with my hair and make up
- Read more! I just finished The Good Guy by Dean Koontz and started the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
- Hike every other week.
- Try to attend/go to more art shows, concerts, sporting events and museums.

As I mentioned this is a year of transition. I will be documenting my transition from dyed black/dark brown hair to my natural dirty blonde color, I'm extremely impatient so I might be helping it along with stripping the dark color. Also, I have shaved the left side of my head for almost four years and in July I made the decision to grow it out. You will be entertained with photos of the outgrowth and what I do to hide it - it resembles the Flash "wing". If you don't know who the Flash is - Google it, you'll laugh. My biggest and nonphysical transition is looking for a new job. I don't want just a job, I want a career where I can I apply my degree that paid thousands of dollars for, I know I probably shouldn't be so picky but I refuse to be one of those people who aren't working in their chosen field or aren't using what they learned. 

All in all, I'm excited for this year. It's the last year before my thirties and I couldn't be happier at this point in my life even with the hardships. Stay tuned for more and share with me what your resolutions and goals for this year are in the comments :)

Lastly, if you're not subscribed to the blog do it now, it will be fun! Also, if you're not following me already on Instagram or Pinterest - you should be! Click the follow buttons @lapetiteviee

Until Next Time,

xx Ashley