Thursday, August 15, 2013

Double Lace Twist


This is literally a 3-minute hairstyle! If you like, you may begin with only one twist which is very cute as well!
Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, 1 bobby pin, 1 small hair elastic, hairspray {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 2-3 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Step-by-Step Instructions:
  1. Part off a medium size section of hair in the front bang area, close to the part line {if you have bangs, include them in this section to incorporate the bangs into the twist}…
  2. Now, divide this section into two strands and to twist them, the front strand over the back strand first…
  3. As you complete that one twist, add a small strand of hair from the top of the head {this creates the “Lace” effect to the twist as you go along}…
  4. Continue twisting and adding in hair for another 4-5 stitches, and then finish off the hair with a rope braid.
  5. Pin that top twist behind the head, out of the way, by using a bobby pin to keep it tight on the back of your head…
  6. Now grab a similar size section of hair in front, below the first twist, and repeat steps 2-4 to create a second lace twist…
  7. Finish off the second twist with a rope braid as well…
  8. Using your free hand, unpin the first twist from behind the head….
  9. Take both twists and connect them with an elastic at the end…
  10. When you let go of the rope braids, they will naturally twist together a little creating the illusion of a complicated 4 strand twist…
Enjoy!

Double Lace Twists | Cute and Easy Hairstyles

Lace up Braid


Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, 2 hair bands, 1 small hair elastic, and hairspray {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 3-5 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Step-by-Step Instructions:
  1. Begin by deciding where you want to place the braid. I wanted mine over my daughter’s shoulder, but you can also do it straight down the back if you wish.
  2. Separate the hair into two nearly equal sections…
  3. Now pull a 1-inch strand of hair off of one of those two sections. You should now have three strands {2 large equal sections and one small 1-inch section in the middle of the two bigger sections}…
  4. Using elastics secure one large section and the small section out of the way…
  5. Working with the left-most hair section {one of the large ones}, divide it into three equal strands and create a normal inverse 3-strand braid, and secure the end with an elastic…
  6. Now release the right-most hair section, the other large one, divide it into three strands, and create a normal inverse 3-strand braid, and secure the ends with an elastic…
  7. You should now have two inverse simple braids with a small 1-inch strand of hair in between them…
  8. We now want to lace them together. Taking one braid poke your index finger and thumb through the edge piece and pull the “lace up” strand through it…
  9. Go to the second braid and using the same fingers, poke a hole through the top section of stranding and pull the lace up strand through it…
  10. Now pull that strand tight and the two braids should lace up right next to each other.
  11. Continue to work your way down the braids, switching sides and lacing as you go down, from right to left. Each time, you poke your two fingers through a stitch of braid and pull the “lace up” strand through. {Think of as  lacing up a shoe or a boot.}
  12. When you reach the end of the braid, pull the laced strand tight so that the two braids stay together, and secure the entire braid with an elastic…
  13. Remove any extra elastics.
  14. Pancake the outside edges of the braid, by tugging on the elbows, for added flair.
Lace-Up Braid | Cute Braids

Single french braid into round braid


Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, 1 large hair band, 1 small hair elastic, hairspray {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 3-5 minutes
Skill Level: Medium
Step-by-Step Instructions:
There are many ways to style this braid. Here, I have used a single Frenchback into a high ponytail, but you can use it in any variety of hairstyle combos.
  1. Begin by pulling the hair into a high ponytail, and secure it with a hair band…
  2. Now divide hair into 4 equal sections, laying each section between one of your fingers on your right hand….
  3. The hair should lay like this: Strand #1 {outside pinky finger}, Strand #2 {between pinky and ring finger}, Strand #3 {between ring finger and middle finger}, strand #4 {between middle and index finger}…
  4. Now, take the index finger on your left hand and use it to hook Strand #3. It should now lay between your pointer finger and your middle finger.
  5. Take your middle finger and hook Strand #1. This will now lay between your middle and ring finger…
  6. Take the last two pieces and twist them once {so they cross over each other} and place them so Strand #4 lays between your ring finger and pinky and Strand #2 lays outside your pinky…
  7. All strands should now be sitting in your left hand and will be numbered 1-4 from left to right…
  8. Take your right index finger and hook Strand #2. This will now lay between your index and middle finger…
  9. Next, take your middle finger and hook Strand #4. This will now lay between your middle and ring finger…
  10. With the last two remaining strands, do a half twist so they cross, and then place them so Strand #1 now lays between your rink finger and pinky, with Strand #3 laying outside your pinky…
  11. Repeat Steps #4-10 until you run out of hair…
  12. Secure with an elastic and add accessories as desired.
Frenchback into 3D Braid | Back-to-School Hairstyles

Fun Things To Do When Your Bored


  1. Read online articles like this one. The fact that you’re reading this article is a telltale sign that the boredom’s getting to you. So one of the first things you can do is to fire up your computer and surf the web for articles that spark your interest.
  2. organized closet
    2. Organized closet (Photo credit: Rubbermaid Products)
    Organize your closet. If you’re like most people, then you probably don’t spend a lot of time and effort into organizing your closet. As a result, your closet looks like a tornado has been hitting it since the dawn of time. Well, now that you have some hours on your hands, you can start changing all that.
  3. Tidy up your entire room. While on the subject of cleanliness and orderliness, you should probably go all the way and just clean your entire room. It’s probably looking like a miniature archaeological dig by now, especially if you haven’t been too diligent about keeping it spotless.
  4. Try a new recipe. Trying out a new recipe is another great item on this list of things to do when bored at home. Forget about settling on Chinese takeout. You can do that any other day. Why not give yourself a break and cook up a storm?
  5. Do your laundry. Okay, so this doesn’t seem like much fun, but you’ve got to do it. Who else is going to take care of the piles of dirty clothes and underwear on your floor? The sooner you accomplish the task, the sooner you’ll get to engage in more pleasurable activities.
  6. Play video games. Video games can be extremely addicting. However, if you are bored, video games can be the perfect remedy to your boredom.
  7. Read a novel. Unless you’re a book lover, reading a novel isn’t really the first thing you think of when you’re trying to figure out what to do when your bored at home. For a more interesting experience, try reading genres or themes you don’t typically attempt.
  8. Build miniature models. One of the best stuff to do when you’re bored at home is to build miniature models. It could be a model of anything – a cottage, a castle, a modern building, or whatever else strikes your fancy. The intricacy of the work will surely ward away the boredom.
  9. 9. Climb a tree (Photo credit: camknows)
    9. Climb a tree (Photo credit: camknows)
    Climb a tree. Remember that tree you used to conquer when you were young? See if you can still face the daunting challenge now that you’re quite a bit older. Be sure to use some caution, though.
  10. Write your very own book. Sure, reading is fun, but writing your very own book can be even more so!  This can be a huge undertaking, but if you actually finish authoring an entire book, then it is an accomplishment to be mighty proud about. It is easier now than ever to publish a booksince online platforms removes the need for a publisher.
  11. Give yourself a makeover. There are plenty of things to do when bored at home, and one of these is to give yourself a makeover. Whip out the latest fashion magazine, and copy the looks of multiple celebrities. That should give you something to do until the next brilliant idea hits you.
  12. Catch up on your favorite soap operas. Watching soap operas, which are almost always long-drawn-out, can take up hours and hours of your time. If you’re hooked, then you’ll never get bored as long as you have the remote control in your hand. Don’t forget to have snacks by your side. You won’t want to miss a single second of the show.
  13. Be a social butterfly on social networking sites. There’s plenty to do when you log in to your social networking sites – upload pictures, comment on statuses, converse with people, and even “stalk” your latest love conquest!
  14. Daydream. If you don’t feel like getting up and doing anything productive, you can still escape boredom by actively daydreaming. Imagine what it would be like if you won the lottery. See in your mind’s eye a life entirely different from your own. Let the fun begin!
  15. Sing your heart out. One of the things to do when you’re bored at home is to sing your heartout. Even if you’ve got a voice that will scare the living daylights out of anyone, that shouldn’t stop you from belting out the lyrics of your favorite songs.
  16. Dance like there’s no tomorrow! If singing isn’t your thing, you might want to give dancing a try. Turn up the music, and dance away!
  17. Create a home video and upload it on the internet. YouTube has given birth to a lot of up-and-coming stars, and if you want to get your fifteen minutes of fame, then one of the ways to do that is t to create a home video and upload it.
  18. Paint your nails. Painting each of your nails a different color or design is sure to keep your attention for the better part of the day. While you’re at it, you might also want to try giving yourself a foot and hand scrub. Your hands and feet will certainly thank you for it.
  19. 19. Wash your vehicle (Photo credit: bark)
    19. Wash your vehicle (Photo credit: bark)
    Wash your vehicle. No, driving it to the local carwash, which will take up only a little of your time and a considerable amount of money, isn’t the same thing. Since it’s your car, you wash it.
  20. Mow your lawn. The waist-high grass on your lawn is crying out for you! Give it some love!
  21. Enjoy a relaxing bath. When was the last time you just took pleasure in a simple but relaxing bath? Most likely, it was a long time ago. So take out the bath salts you got for your last birthday, fill the bath tub with water, listen to soft music, and enjoy!
  22. Make a list. It could be any kind of list – a list of things to accomplish next week, a list of crazy party ideas you’d like to try, a list of people you’re going to shop for next Christmas, or just about any type of list you can think of.
  23. Organize your garage. You’ll never know what type of things you keep in your garage until you organize it. Who knows? There might be a thing or two there that you can sell for a huge amount of desperately needed money.
  24. Figure out how many strands of hair you’ve got.  It isn’t so exciting, but at least you’ll have something to do.
  25. Teach your dog a new trick
    25. Teach your dog a new trick (Photo credit: redjar)
    Teach your dog a new trick. Teach your dog to pick up the newspaper. Train him to put the toilet seat down. Of course, you can only progress to these advanced tricks once the mutt learns the basics.
  26. Give your home a fresh lick of paint. It’s probably been ages since your house last got painted, so pick up the painting brush (or spray) and give your home a fresh and seemingly new appearance.
  27. Bathe your dogs and other pets. It is not only your hygiene that gets neglected in times of chaos and frenzy, but also the dogs’ and your other pets’. Get rid of the stink you’ve been ignoring all this time by giving them all a bath.
  28. Start a vegetable garden. Among all the other things to do when bored at home, this is perhaps the most rewarding. Growing things and being able to eat (or sell) them is a feeling like no other. Give it a shot.
  29. Create your own comic book. Even if you can’t draw anything more than stick figures, thisendeavor is a chance to see how creative you can get. Brainstorm for the plot of your story; create the art that depicts the tale, and let your comic adventures begin.
  30. Do an inventory of your cupboards and pantry. Are you out of milk? Have you run out of cereals? Survey the items found on your cupboards and pantry, and make a list of the things you need to get on your next trip to the supermarket.
  31. Put together the ultimate sandwich
    31. Put together the ultimate sandwich (Photo credit: Jiuck)
    Put together the ultimate sandwich. Lettuce, tomatoes, meat strips, homemade sauce, bacon, and whatever else you like on your sandwich – gather all these ingredients and start assembling them into the perfect snack. Of course, you may need more if you plan to share with the rest of the family.
  32. Fix things around the house. There is always something to fix around every house.
  33. Brush up math. Math is valuable but it is the thing we first forget when we leave school.  Brush up on it and you will begin to see how valuable math is in your daily life.
  34. Pluck your bush-like eyebrows. Be very careful with this one. You might get so into it that you end up plucking all of your eyebrows.
  35. Pick out and learn five new words from the dictionary. To get you started, here are 5 works you can look up: acrimonious, denizen, onus, reticence, and zoophile.
  36. Clean up your computer.  Be on the lookout for vital files. You don’t want to delete them by accident.
  37. Learn a new hobby or skill. Knitting, gardening, or cooking, anyone?  Learning a new hobby takes up a huge amount of time, especially if you want to get good.
  38. Pick up an entirely different language. French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin.  Take your pick!  Try using programs such as Pimsleur to help you out.
  39. Put together a scrapbook. It will come in handy when you have Alzheimer’s.
  40. Play a childhood game. This will definitely take you on a nostalgic trip.
  41. Watch a documentary.  Expand your mind by watching a documentary, whether online or on television.
  42. Catch up with long-lost friends. Exchange life stories and determine who has had the worst year so far.
  43. Bake a cake. To make the process longer, start from scratch.
  44. Make your own pizza pie
    44. Make your own pizza pie (Photo credit: Howard Walfish)
    Make your own pizza pie. Indulge and don’t scrimp on the bacon and pepperoni!
  45. Brainstorm for new knock-knock jokes. If you can, try to think of not-so-cheesy ones.
  46. Write a poem about boredom. Who says you can’t be bored and creative at the same time?
  47. Start a daily journal. There’s no better way to reflect on your boredom than writing about it.
  48. Throw a themed party. Call your friends over for the party of the century.
  49. Blow up some balloons. You can always sell them later on at a carnival.
  50. Go see a movie. Go to the theater and see some of the newest movies.  If you don’t want to leave the house, see movies on Netflix and Hulu.
  51. Howl at passersby. Don’t overdo it. Someone might call the police. 
  52. Act out a scene from your favorite play. To derive more pleasure out of this activity, invite the budding thespians in your neighborhood to join you.
  53. Sew the loose buttons back on your clothes. You don’t need a tailor to do this. It’s as simple as one, two, and three.
  54. Water the plants. Count this out if it’s pouring outside.


  55. Wash the ever-growing pile of dishes. You’ve got to do it sometime, right?
  56. Get rid of stale/rotten items in your fridge. No need to wait for molds and other nasty creatures to start taking residence in your fridge.
  57. Dress up as your favorite superhero. Don’t forget to take pictures!
  58. Follow the neighborhood cat all day. This is going to be a totally out-of-this-world experience.
  59. Run up and down your stairs. Exercise has never been this challenging.
  60. Organize and host a Wii tennis tournament. Tennis, friends, and some competition are the makings of a fun afternoon.
  61. Master the basics of chess. The game’s complicated enough to occupy you for hours.
  62. Make a collage. People don’t make collages anymore.  Try it—it’s a good stress reliever.
  63. Go on Chatroullete. Video chat with random strangers.


  64. Walk around the house naked. This has got to be liberating!
  65. Polish the silver. You can always polish your wall of trophies as well.
  66. Develop principles to live by. Most people do not have principles to live by.  Don’t be one of those people.  While you have some spare time, develop some unshakeable principles to live by.
  67. Make paper flowers. You might even be talented enough to open your own paper flower shop.
  68. Take a picture every hour. Document your hourly struggle against boredom.
  69. Arrange your books in alphabetical order. You do know the entire alphabet, don’t you?
  70. Create a budget for the next month. Who says you have to stick to it anyway?
  71. Decorate your room with recycled materials. Having time to kill is the perfect opportunity to help Mother Earth.
  72. Go online shopping. Try not to go over your credit limit, though. Otherwise, you’ll be working yourself to the bone the next couple of weeks.

  73. Go camping in your backyard. 
    Set up a tent, build a campfire, and have hotdogs on sticks!
  74. Make a bucket list. Make a list of things you want to do and accomplish before you die.
  75. Make puppets and do your own show. Entertain the kids in the neighborhood while you’re at it.
  76. Watch reruns of your favorite cartoon show. Who can get enough of Tom and Jerry?
  77. Learn origami. You don’t have to be Japanese to be good at it.
  78. Hold your breath as long as you can. Remember to stop short of a fainting spell. 
  79. Learn how to play a new instrument. Bagpipes, maybe?
  80. Practice writing with your non-dominant hand. You’ll surely get a kick out of being ambidextrous.
  81. Pretend you’re blind and walk around the house with your eyes closed. Steer clear of the stairs.
  82. Translate a foreign book. Ask help from Google!
  83. Draw up a list of the to-die-for delicacies in your locality. Doesn’t your mouth water just thinking about it?
  84. Call people and hang up on the 2nd ring. You’re lucky no one does this to you.
  85. Recall all your classmates from high school. Take note of the bullies who made your life a living hell!
  86. Learn how to make a website. Everyone has a blog or website nowadays.  Join them.
  87. Challenge yourself to stay motionless for an hour
    85. Challenge yourself to stay motionless for an hour (Photo credit: naraekim0801)
    Challenge yourself to stay motionless for an hour. Give a catatonic person a run for his money.
  88. Chauffer your friends around. Ask your friends and family if they need a ride anywhere and drive them around.  Make sure they pay for gas.
  89. Do a crossword puzzle.   A hard crossword puzzle will take hours out of your life.
  90. Try some logic puzzles.  Logic puzzles also take hours out of your life.  You can’t do too many of these though as it will definitely exhaust your brain.
  91. Brainstorm for cusswords that will make your mom cringe. Try to put a sock in it when you’re speaking to her.
  92. Go troll online forums. Just don’t get too personal. Some people hold life-threatening grudges.
  93. Sunbathe nude in your own backyard. Slather on some sunblock. You don’t want to burn.
  94. Set up a lemonade stand
    94. Set up a lemonade stand (Photo credit: EvinDC)
    Set up a lemonade stand. Earn money while you interact with the folks over a cup of fresh lemonade.
  95. Volunteer to be help someone out for the day with their work. Pick someone who’s not a slave driver though, even if it’s just for a day.
  96. Try out different hairstyles. Don’t do anything radical like cutting off all your hair. You’ll regret it.
  97. Make homemade ice cream. Finally, that ice cream maker gets to be used!
  98. Prepare the entire week’s menu. No more rushing to get home to make dinner.
  99. Make up your face to look like a clown. Still recognize yourself? You must be doing something wrong.
  100. Count your visible pores. How many are they?
  101. Think of another 101 things to do when you’re bored at home. If that’s even possible.
If you think about it, there’s plenty of stuff to do when you’re bored at home. Next time you’re wondering when to do when your bored at home, give the suggestions in this list a shot. You’ll definitely find your boredom slipping away.