I Think I’m in Love: Crocodile Creek Puzzles

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The Whoorl family heartily endorses these puzzles by Crocodile Creek. We have almost all of them – the vibrantly-colored illustrations are adorable and they are super easy to put together. Overall puzzle size is 20″ by 30″, and each puzzle piece is the approximately the size of a toddler’s hand. Best of all, Wito can finish them on his own, which gives mama some much-needed resting time on the couch.

Not to mention the darling lunchbox-type carrying case!

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Is that the cutest or WHAT?

So, here’s the deal. These puzzles retail for $22 at most locations, but for some reason, Barnes and Noble sells them for $14.95. If you have a little one on your Christmas list, I highly recommend them!

Update — Heather

Here’s an update from Heather!

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She took HT advice and got a smooth, slightly-angled bob.

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Isn’t it amazing what an inch and a different shape can do? Look at Heather’s cheekbones!

From Heather’s email:

I wanted to thank you so much for picking me and for the advice. I went with the cut you suggested and also tried out an at-home blonde color. I wasn’t too fond of the blonde though, so I redid the color as a Medium Chestnut Brown. Both colors had an orange tint…I had a lot of red/orange and gold in my hair naturally so the blonde came out really bad.

At first the Chestnut Brown was orange but it has since faded and my hair has taken on a really nice, almost like maple syrup, color…everyone loves it! I get compliments left and right! So I’m definitely sticking with the brown family. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to show my photos!

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So glad you love your color, Heather! I do agree that the above shades looked a little brassy, but I’m sure the chestnut has mellowed into a gorgeous color. A word of caution to those of you wanting to apply an at-home color. The word “golden” can be very misleading at times. Hair guru Jason Backe recommends using Natural Instincts Brass Free color to get rid of those pesky orange tones. Here’s a great post by Jason showing how a brass-free color can eliminate brassy tones completely.

Thanks for your update, Heather!!


First Trimester Faves

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Hello! Quite a lengthy break I took there, but trust me, you wouldn’t have wanted to hear the ample amounts of complaining coming out of my pie hole. I’m in the 11th week of of a much queasier pregnancy, although this comes as no surprise to those who follow my Twitter updates. (The benefits of Twitter – I can announce to 3,000 followers that I’m pregnant in 160 characters or less! That’s not weird at all, I swear.)

(We’re so excited for another whoorlito/a! Hoooooray!)

Although I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel, my energy levels have been next to nothing for the past two months. Here are some favorites that helped me feel halfway decent and attractive throughout the barfdom.

1. Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection – This is the greatest eye shadow palette ever. EVER. If you don’t believe me, read the 517 5-star reviews on Sephora. I love the middle row (I think it’s the “classic” one), and it has helped to make me look presentable, even in the midst of feeling like complete dog shit.

2. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo With Oat Extract – Non-Aerosol Pump – There were actually a couple of weeks when DRYING MY BANGS made me winded. This dry shampoo is the best! It doesn’t leave a residue or smell funky – just makes my bangs look freshly washed.

3. Salads – Trust me, nothing would make me happier than to say that cravings for doughnuts/snickers/pizza were on my agenda. (It’s the baby! I can’t help it!) Alas, NO. Those things sound AWFUL. Give me some cold baby carrots and celery. In fact, watch me take down a head of iceberg lettuce right here and now.

4. Slouchy cardigan wraps – I’m currently in the not-quite-showing-but-horrifically-bloated stage and slouchy cardigans have been my saving grace. Both of these were bought at Ideeli, which has had a massive hold over my wallet for the past few months. (Can’t Stop Buying Things at Ideeli Help.) Click here for an invite if you are interested in making your wallet cry as well.

5. Hansen’s Natural Cane Soda – The carbonation makes my tummy feel better, and these sodas contain no high fructose corn syrup.

6. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar – Oh, you guys. Pair this with the above-mentioned eye palette and you’ll be looking good. The Rockstar shade is a deep eggplant purple. Looks great with brown eyes. (By the way, if you are interested in any of these Sephora items, they are having free shipping today for Cyber Monday. Enter code SHIP4FREE at checkout.)

7. Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer – I live by the beach. I don’t want to deal with melasma. End of story.

8. Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-On Illuminator – Totally covers my dark circles resulting from random middle-of-the-night wakings.

9. EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit – This balm smells GOOD. And how could you not love the round design?

10. Trident White Gum – My least favorite pregnancy symptom so far? No matter how many times I brush and floss my teeth during the day, I can’t STAND the taste in my mouth. THIS SUCKS BEYOND BELIEF. Enter constant gum chewing.

11. Bumble & bumble Curl Conscious Defining Creme – Screw drying my hair straight. This creme really enhances my waves and saves me about 30 minutes in drying time. Hallelujah!

Bang Inspiration

I’m a little under the weather, so I won’t be writing much of a makeover post today, but I did want to address the most frequently asked question by my makeover participants.

Should I cut bangs?

It seems many of you are looking for a change that involves NOT taking a lot of length off your hair. Being a gal with long locks myself, I totally understand that dilemma. Well, bangs could definitely be the answer! Whether it be a subtle, long sideswept bang or a thick blunt bang (I’ve had both), here are some photos I found on Bumble and Bumble’s beyond awesome website. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration!

(Also, if you are wondering about what type of bangs look best with your face shape, check out this article.)

(Although, honestly, I don’t think those rules are the be all and end all. Do what you love!)

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Hey, it’s Jen!

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Jen’s hair:

Natural color is dirty blonde/light brown
Oily condition, must wash every day
Straight, thick
Needs a relatively low-maintenance hairstyle
Uses no product
Lots of ponytails

From Jen’s email:

I don’t want to spend more than 15 minutes on my hair, because I simply don’t have that much time to devote to it now that I’m a working mom. If I’m going to keep growing it out, I’d like to be able to pull it back in a ponytail, and I’d like to avoid blunt bangs. Side-swept bangs/layers are OK, however. People have told me I look great with short hair, but my husband loves my hair long. I’m just so … tired.

Oh, girl. I feel you on the tired thing. And did I mention that Jen’s 9-month-old just LOVES to pull her hair by the fistfuls? No wonder she dons ponytails on most occasions.

Jen has successfully rocked several different looks in the past.

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Hmmm. First things first. I really like the shorter looks on Jen. Her long brown hair looks lovely, but when I envision her wearing it in a ponytail 75% of the time, I just think she could become really bored with it. She looks downright sexy with cuts shown in the middle and on the right. I don’t think she could go wrong if she revisited either of those styles, but I feel like I’m cheating her without adding some other options into the mix. (It’s going to be hard, though. I love those styles on her!)

What about these options?

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Be sure to check out other gorgeous celebrity hairstyles at Daily Makeover!

Jenna Elfman‘s short, side-parted hairstyle has swoopy bangs and delicate volume at the root. I think this would look great on Jen, although it would be the higher maintenance of the two options. (Yet, with Jen’s naturally straight hair, this style wouldn’t take as much time as some others.)

Josie Bissett‘s low-maintenance look flaunts side-swept fringe and a piecey texture all over. This cut is the best option for what Jen is looking for in a hairstyle (no maintenance, much shorter, toddler-friendly), but I’m telling you, I still love her previous short cut too.

Have I confused you yet? Because I totally am.

Help Jen. (And me!) Which option do you think would fit best into her working mom lifestyle?

Update — Sara

Remember Sara from two weeks ago?

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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?

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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.