Remember Sara from two weeks ago?
This is the best update yet. Although, I KNOW. I’m totally turning into Chris Harrison. (Stay tuned for the most dramatic transformation yet!)
I’m serious. Sara’s new photo makes me want to chop my hair off right this very minute. Are you ready?
Um, yeah. Amazing.
And if you happen to live in Oklahoma, might I suggest making a visit to Kelly Hodgson? He’s obviously a genius.
Make these NOW, but don’t eat half the pan or you’ll feel a little sick. Trust me.
Heavenly Pumpkin Brownies
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. In a large mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs well, add in the sugar and butter and mix well. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and mix. Add the flour and spices and mix well. Spread in a 9 X 13-inch greased pan.
2. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
3. To make frosting: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until just mixed, careful not to over mix.
When the brownies are cool, frost. (I only needed to use about 1/2 of the frosting.) You can sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the brownies, if desired. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy.
I can count on one hand the times I’ve written something negative about a celebrity’s hair on this website. However, this is an instance in which I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut.
When I saw Katharine McPhee’s platinum blonde hair for the first time, a little part of me died.
To this day, when I see that blonde photo, it triggers some sort of blinky-eyed, vapid response in which my body becomes totally unresponsive. Please tell me this was not a personal decision. For the love of God, SOMEONE TELL ME IT’S FOR A MOVIE ROLE.
WHY, KATHARINE, WHYYYYYYYY?
Keneesha Hudson, the CEO of Urbanbella (the curly, kinky, wavy hair apothecary – it is seriously amazing), has some great tips for keeping curls gorgeous throughout the winter.
HYDRATE
As the weather starts to cool down, curly hair (already prone to dryness) gets even drier due to the crisper hair. Counteract this by increasing hydration hair therapy! Pump up moisture by giving your hair deep treatments more frequently than you normally do. Extremely dry textures can even do daily treatments. It’s also not a bad idea to head to the salon for a professional steam hydration therapy.
For an at-home recession friendly (but still spa-worthy) experience, towel wrap your deeply conditioned tresses for 20 minutes after at least every other shampoo before rinsing.
Moisture-Rich Product Favorites:
Ouidad 12 minute Deep Treatment
Phytokarite
Miss Jessie’s Rapid Recovery
UPDATE YOUR LOOK
Everyone loves to rock a new look as the season changes. Try a new play on color by leaning toward the cinnamon and bronze hues. Have 2 to 3 tones foiled in at the salon blending both highlights and low lights for a more natural look. Don’t be afraid to throw a splash or two of honey blonde to pick-up the beautiful colors of the fall season!
LONGER LASTING STYLES
Cooler weather means that ladies rockin’ the curls, kinks and/or waves like to spend less time washing hair and airing dry. Some of the best ways to avoid this is to “preserve” your style at night and refresh your look each morning. For loose waves, twist hair in large (cigar size) or larger plaits/braids at night. For tighter curls and kinks use clips or bobby pins to secure hair close to the head or twist at night. Remove clips in the morning and fluff hair at the roots. Be sure to use a firm styling gel or styling cream on wash day to help preserve your look.
Is your hair prone to frizzies and fly-aways? For dry, loose curls spray a light refresher spay that contains a balance of oil and water and twirl curls with finger to pull frizz together for a defined curl. Tighter curls and kinks need a heavier refresher blend of water and glycerin product to hydrate the ends and then simply finger comb curls to de-frizz.
Product Favorites for Refreshing Curls:
Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz – Create Hydration with minimum hold
DevaCurl Set It Free
Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Spray
CURLS Quenched Curls- Use daily or alone as a second day curl refresher
SCALP
The cool crispy winter air is a trigger for scalp problems for those who typically never have to worry about scalp issues, and it is torture season for ladies who battle with it all year long! Before the temperature dips from low to lower, start a regimen of regular scalp treatments. Treatments like these balance out the scalp flora preventing fungus and also provide excellent hydration. Use a good blend of essential oils such as Phytopolleine or Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew prior to shampoo and your seasonal dry scalp with be a thing of the past. For the flaky, itchy dry scalp, pump up the treatment by using Phytosquame or Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum. These potions exfoliate the scalp and eliminate flakes associated with eczema, psoriasis, and cradle cap, all conditions aggravated by the dry fall and winter air.
Thanks to Kaneesha for all of these fantastic tips!
