My Lasts by Lindsay Asta; TCOT owner

As the delivery of my new (and last) baby approaches I am having such mixed feelings. So excited to meet this beautiful, perfect little one and yet willing the days to slow down at the same time. My three oldest children (2, 4 and 8) are just growing up way too fast. I love each new and exciting chapter with them and love to see the amazing people they are turning into. With that said, it's all the lasts that are making me heavy hearted.

My oldest son just lost his last front tooth. He picks out his own clothes. He gets himself ready in the mornings. I can't remember the last time he wanted to snuggle up and cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. When I tucked him in and kissed him goodnight on the eve of his 8th birthday a few weeks ago I cried like a baby! I wonder, how much does he really need me for these days? When will he be too old and too cool to hug me and tell me he loves me before leaving for school? When will I be completely uncool to him?

With my four year old son I just keep wondering...is this his last nap? Is this the last time he will cuddle up and ask me to hold him so he can fall asleep?  I can't believe this fall he will be in pre-k and it will be his last year of preschool...unbelievable, it feels like he were just born. Will he even need me to hold his hand on his first day of kindergarten? He plays soccer and goes out to play with the "big boys". He goes to preschool and then surprises me with everything he learns...(insert sigh here)

And my baby girl, I am unsure how she is already two! She tells me we are best friends, will she always say that? Right now she need your mama to fall sleep, comforting arms to hold you tight, when will be the last time until you too, won't need your mama so much? All this little girl wants to do is play babies and make-up, Minnie Mouse dress up and do hair and nails...with me! Will she always love to spend time and share all her favorite things with me?

I know we have so much to look forward to, but am I alone in missing all the lasts? We get so excited about the firsts in life...baby's first smile, their first words and steps...first day of preschool and kindergarten. How about the last diaper you changed or the last bottle you gave them or the last time they nursed. What was the last bedtime story you told them. It's all these things I will miss with my older children as I prepare to welcome our last baby.

So, I will continue to try to live in the moment. Enjoy each and every thing, because even in that moment I might not be having very much fun, but because it just might be their "last".

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Enter our latest Giveaway!!!

Well friends, we rolled past 1800 fans...holy cow!!! Big thanks to all of you who share us with your friends and family, it means the world! Soooo, to show our appreciation, let'...s do a giveaway!

This time we are giving away one of our Maternity Sashes (a $30.00 value!) If you aren't expecting you could give it as a gift, tell your friends who are or use as a prop if you are a photog.

 All you have to do is "Like" this post, "Share" this post and then "Comment" below with 3 of your friends names. Easy Peasy right? The more names you comment with the more entries you will have! Also check our Twitter, Instagram and Blog for more ways to get your name in the pot.

Winner will be chosen on Sunday Tuesday!

Ready, Set, Go!

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Valentine's Day Hair Ideas for every Length! -Krista, Quad City Hair Stylist

Quad Cities Hair Wizard, Krista 

            Ahhh, it’s that time of year again where women crowd around the TV on Sundays to watch what they have been looking forward to since last year.  Sorry guys, it’s not the Super Bowl, it’s award season.  This month’s blog is going to be talking about what we are seeing on the red carpets and how easy it is to transform these looks into everyday styles. Just in time to jazz it up for Valentine’s Day with that special someone. 

            I love how easy, breezy the styles have been so far.  I’m a big fan of less is more, and your style should represent that.  I feel like with a softer style, people can focus more on your natural beauty instead of focusing on your over hairsprayed, over backcombed, and over curled style.   You want all eyes on you, not just your hair.  I’m going to go over 5 styles that are easy, trendy, and appropriate for all occasions. 

            My first look is a hairstyle that I lightly talked about last month, which is Jennifer Lawrence.  Once your hair is cut into this style it is very low maintenance.  I’ve been cutting this style on a ton of women!  They all love how easy yet trendy this cut is.  Just a light styling product when wet to give it some volume, and then when dry a texture product to rough it up to bring out the layers in the haircut. Voila!  You’re ready to go. 

            My second style that I am seeing on numerous celebrities this award season has been around forever, and is a timeless style.  It is a classic bun.  This can be worn from the office to cocktails to a wedding, and is just as appropriate for all occasions.  I suggest teasing the hair and pulling it straight back like Mila Kunis did, or doing a deep side part for some added drama into the hair like Emma Roberts and Emma Watson.  When doing this style you can make the bun very clean, or mess it up a little to put a more youthful vibe to it. 

            Our third look to discuss is one that is so simple once your hair is cut like this all you have to do is smile to look good.  It is an asymmetrical bob.  It can be cut at a variety of lengths, and looks great with or without frontal fringe.  This cut can work with all medium hair lengths.  From chin length or collar bone.  My model was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s haircut but wanted a shorter version of it.  The trick to achieving this fabulous cut is to have the longer part on the opposite side that you part on, or also known as your heavy side.  Then for the finishing touch, tuck the shorter side of your hair.  This will lift and bring out your cheek bone while also showing off the haircut.  I recommend finishing off the style with a shine spray.  This haircut looks best worn down either straight of curls.

 

    One of the top trends right now is to wear your hair with a loose wave.  This can either be down with a curling iron or a flat iron. Next month’s blog will go over how exactly to style your hair to achieve the perfect wave.  An easy way to up the ante on this already crazy popular style is to push it over the should to one side.  This style is best achieved with those who have longer hair (hair that is passed the shoulder).  All you have to do is style hair into desired texture, and then push the non- heavy side of your hair behind your shoulder, or push it all over to the other shoulder.  Make sure you use a  flexible hold hairspray to ensure that the curls stay in place!  You are ready for your night out on the town.

 

            Our last look that I’m going to touch base on this month is another fancier way to wear those loose waves that we are all already wearing.  This style is good at any length, and will instantly add drama to your hair.  I recommend curling hair with a curling iron.  Start with a deep side part, and make sure you are using a heat protectant because you are putting heat on the hair.  We don’t want to be damaging our beautiful locks. Once hair is curled, you want to insert comb into curls starting at the bottom and push upward in a vertical direction, to create a tighter curl.  This adds fullness at the bottom of that hair and gives a more glamours look to the hair.  If you want more glamourous look like the picture on the left, curl hair and DO NOT run fingers through curls before combing upward.  If you want a messier, tousled look, you would curl your hair.  Then DO break apart curls with fingers before combing each section of curls upward.

            That’s my blog for this month. I hope you all enjoyed it, and this helps you come up with some new, easy ways to style your hair no matter what length of hair you have.   Until next month, I hope everyone stays warm and fashionable. 

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