hair therapy: in praise of the top knot...

bonjour and happy friday, loves! hope your week has been good to you!

it has been for me.

after a 3 week holiday break {yes, three weeks} my kids went back to school. so, as you can imagine, i've relished the quiet hours alone. it was nice getting back into the school routine, not to mention having a date day with my husband.

but enough about that; i'm here to dish my new love of a very popular hairstyle. you are probably a fan of it, and you might actually find yourself wearing it at some point over the weekend, regardless of your plans ~

it's the top knot.

ok, so i'm {sort of} late to the party.

sure, i've piled my hair on top of my head to wash my face or go to sleep, but since i'm more of a wear-my-hair-down kind of gal, i've never taken the time to wear this particular style on purpose.

i know this isn't a new thing, nor do i think this style will ever go away, but since it has become one of the most popular, and quite versatile, way to wear your hair {it's everywhere!}, i don't feel the least bit guilty for not jumping on this trend right away.

why the sudden love? i have no clue. i guess it was just my time to finally give it a try.

it's fabulous because it can be worn messy {as seen in the pics above}...

or arranged perfectly for special occasions.

{Kerry Washington at the paris premiere of Django Unchained; Amanda Seyfried at last weekend's Golden Globes} 

it's recently been worn on the red carpet...

 and, depending on your mood, it can be created with lots of texture or as sleek as you please.

needless to say, it's a style i've become quite fond of. it's still a bit out of my comfort zone, but that, especially when it comes to beauty, can be such a freeing and fabulous thing!

tell me: are you a fan of the top knot?

total beauty: 2012 hair trends...

from layered bobs and face-framing highlights to braided updos and warmed-up tones of hair, there are more than a few hair trends to choose from. this is especially fabulous if you're looking to change up your look in a subtle way or want a completely different look.

Total Beauty has complied a list of 2012 hair trends worth checking out. take a look...

10 New Hairstyle Trends to Try This Year

Ombre tips and faux bobs are so 2011. See the trends that stylists say will rule in 2012

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article If you're itching for a change this season, these new hairstyles will inspire you. Hint: The faux bob gets prettier and the ombre look gets a more natural-looking makeover for 2012. If you're looking to change up your hairstyle this season, read on. Get trends

which one do you want try?

Hair Trend Alert: Long Braids

one huge trend, seen both on the runways and red carpet, is long braids. celebrities Blake Lively, Diane Kruger, and Jennifer Lopez have all donned this glamorous look.





at the Cannes Film Festival, Diane Kruger donned a romantic, chic braid at the photo call for Inglourious Basterds...




at the VMA's Jennifer Lopez stepped out in a slick braid that fell into a loose ponytail...




at the Emmys, Blake Lively looked ultra glamorous in her glossy, long braid stemming from a tight ponytail...




and at the Alexander Wang spring 2010 collection, models sported long and loose side braids (also shown in the first photo).


"these long braids are a modern take on an effortless goddess look," says Renato Campora (pictured below) for Frederic Fekkai. "they are for a woman who wants to be chic but still having a little bit of fun."



xo