gingefringe moved

I've moved HERE. Far more attractive.

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Shamphree - week 5

HEY! This blog has moved. Loads more Shamphree info at CAREFUL KIM.

Today marks 5 weeks since I first Shamphreed my hair. It's been an interesting adventure. Saturday night just gone was the first time that I considered just giving it all up. I was getting ready for a night out and just considering how to work around my kinda greasy, kinda bicarby hair, whilst at a friend's house. In the end, I sucked it up, straightened and plied my scalp with dry Shampoo. My hair was perfectly presentable. Soon, I'd consumed enough rum to make me forget all about it.

My biggest peeve right now is the bicarby residue that Shamphreeing seems to be leaving behind. I've tried more bicarb, less bicarb, more vinegar, more brushing in the shower. Right now, I have just drying hair and its at this stage I begin to feel the salty kind of sea hair roots. The first time I Shamphreed, I just had clean hair, now it seems to be clean at the top, the front but just a bit gross underneath. (Update: my hair is now dry and actually, the bicarb gunky roots are nowhere near what they were. This is an improvement!)

I'll do a little more research from How To Hair Girl to see if she's answered the question. She probably has, she's dedicated.

I ordered some shea butter from Amazon last week and I'm just awaiting its arrival. I'm excited to give 'liquid gold' a try. It's a mix of shea butter and coconut oil to soften and moisturizer your hair. My bleached ends are starting to look and feel a little rough. They need a trim and some love, which I'll get to this week.

On the back of this adventure my friends got me some cute little natural treats to take on my trip; oils and deodorants and creams. I'm trying to decide if I'll be able to maintain a Shamphree routine in Brazil. My immediate thought is 'no'. Unless I could get the bicarby root sitch under control, I think I'll just go for an easier option. I'll be busy and hot and won't have much space or luggage so some solid Lush shampoo bars may be a good option. I'm really looking forward to my blonde growing out and enjoying natural softer hair for a change. I have some established roots just now, a couple of inches, and I don't think I'll be sorting those out before I go. It's just delaying the inevitable. Inevitable ginger hair, a million miles from the shade it once was.

In other news I've been regularly enjoying my daily Emerald Street fix. It's a free email newsletter from a sister publication of Stylist magazine (my absolute favourite). There's a dedicated Manchester edition too and I'm constantly impressed by its up to date reviews and recommendations. Find it here: Emerald Street

I stumbled upon a lovely web design company, with beautiful and clean layouts... Square Space

They create the design of this site: Kenko Kitchen. It's a delicious recipe blog full of healthy and interesting food ideas.

I went to my cousin Lee's wedding last weekend, which was just lovely. I love an excuse for the whole family to be in one place. We were missing a couple of new mothers and their partners but otherwise it was fantastic. Many, many pictures to follow!

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Birthday Raspberry Picking

I visited Corby for my birthday this year. I met my cousin's new daughter Aurelia. She is tiny! I picked raspberries with my Mum and Dad and we ate scones at a local buttery. It was a low key, family affair.

An awkward looking experiment in self-timer photography.

 

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Pop!

This is kind of special pop music. Double hook pop music, gets in your head pop music, makes you sing out loud against your better judgement pop music. It's a hit and I'll admit I'm reluctant to share.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - "If You Didn't See Me (You Weren't On The Dancefloor)"

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Shamphree - week 2

HEY! This blog has moved.

Loads more Shamphree info at CAREFUL KIM.

I've made it through another week of Shamphree. This week was interesting and a small variable threw a spanner in the works. It was my birthday and I travelled home to stay with my parents for a few days, from Manchester to Northamptonshire. A mere 3 hours on the train but enough to seriously mess with my experiment. I'm putting it down to the water.

After a bit of research (just now, I just googled 'hard and soft water', ha!) it seems that Manchester (where I live) has 'very soft' water. In Northamptonshire the water is 'hard', meaning it is rich in minerals. That will explain why the tap water at my parents' house tastes really good and the water in Manchester tastes like chemicals. I found that the 'hard' water at my parents was RUBBISH at washing the bicarbonate of soda from my hair. Useless. 

I Shamphreed my hair twice in the second week, compared to 4 times in the first week. This was because I had so much hard work, and just couldn't be bothered. Also because the bicarb didn't really come out, so my hair was kind of bulky with it. In a way, it was alright, I had thick hair that had a lot of body and it would kind of 'stay' when I tried to body it up with my hands. But I couldn't run my fingers through it. It looked good, but it didn't feel good. It also didn't feel greasy as quickly as in the first week, probably because it had the bicarbonate just sat it in for days. 

Both times I washed it at my parents' house, I had to re-rinse afterwards. This didn't help much. It was frustrating, I felt like I had ocean hair for days, without the lovely ocean. On the plus side, I found peppermint oil at my parents' so I tried this with my 'conditioner', and it smelled incredible! My head felt so fresh and tingly. The only other change was instead of cider vinegar, I used lemon juice. That could possible be the reason that it was so hard to get the bicarb out, but I don't think so. Of course, I'm no expert. There could be complicated reasoning for my Shamphree headache in Northamptonshire, it could be down to the composition of the water and way that reacts with the alkali bicarbonate.... but I don't know for sure.

Also, I've lost my camera cable, so no lovely pictures of my trip, my caked in bicarb hair or my birthday. 

I've now just done my 7th wash, the first of week 3. I'm sat here with wet hair waiting to see what this wash will bring! It's always an adventure. It's hard to tell, because of the bicarby hair I've had for almost a week, but it seems like the greasiest hair I've ever had (wash 3?) is behind me. I'll keep you up to date.

Oh, I have this picture already, a delicious whisky and lemon cheesecake I made last week. The recipe is a James Martin one... from here. It was very.... indulgent, calorific and delicious. 

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Shamphree - week 1

HEY! This blog has moved. Loads more Shamphree info at CAREFUL KIM.

It's been one week since I first washed my hair with the Shamphree method, all by the guidance of How To Hair Girl. So 7 days and 4 washes (4!) in, I'm feeling a bit mixed bag. 4 is a lot of washes for one week and I was looking forward to washing my hair less often with this method. However, after doing hours of Shamphree research all over the internet this week, it seems a common issue that new Shamphreers get some seriously greasy hair. Wash 3 was a highlight... I've never seen my hair as greasy in my life!

Ugh! I can't believe I'm even putting this on here.

But let's start at the start, shall we.

Wash 1 was a pleasant surprise. It was easy and I enjoyed it. I bought my mini collection of tools and potions for washing my hair (I'll post the list after this) and got to work. I made the recipe according to the standard recipe HTHG uses, ignoring her adjustments for colour treated hair. My hair is super bleached, but there is no colour to lose (which is her main reason for a different ratio) and I often get comments that my hair looks healthy considering all it's been through! I visited one hairdresser last year and she didn't agree, but I find it easier to remember the compliments.

I followed this recipe. One tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to 5oz. water for the 'Shampoo' and one tablespoon of vinegar to 5oz. water for the 'Conditoner'. On my dry hair I sprayed the little spray bottle of 'Shampoo' at my roots and brushed it through with the paddle brush. I didn't use all 5oz. and my ends weren't wet with the mixture (as HTHG says, your ends aren't usually in need of a clean). I got 'Shampoo' all over my roots and the top half of my hair. I slicked it all back to look like Mystique from X-Men.

I left it for 5 minutes, got in the shower and with my paddle brush, gently brushed out the 'Shampoo' under the running water. I spent about 10 minutes brushing, until I was happy that everything was gone, and then I sprayed the 'Conditioner' vinegar mix (with a few added drops of orange essential oil, so it smelled delicious) all over my hair. Again, I didn't quite use all of it, but I did spray it all over my hair. I turned the water temperature down and rinsed the 'Conditioner' out with a few brushes. This didn't take anywhere near as long as the bicarb mix, I suppose because it's purely liquid.

My hair dried (eventually, took a lot longer than with a normal wash) and smelled and looked incredible. I couldn't believe my hair was actually clean and looking good with some bicarb and vinegar.

Some pointers!

• I bought 2 matching cheap spray bottles (69p each!) for the applications. The vinegar one still works great, but possibly because of the gritty nature of the bicarb mix, the other bottle stopped spraying altogether on my second wash. Until I replace it, I'm using an old, clean shampoo bottle but the application isn't as neat and my head gets a bit soaked.
• My bathroom smelled like a chip shop for a while afterwards, with the salt and vinegar hair going on. I quite enjoy this. The orange essential oil made the vinegar mix smell so good on my hair and when my hair is dry it smells fresh, not chemically and makes me think of post-sea swim hair.
• Even during my first wash, in the shower, my hair felt fuller, thicker and more voluminous.
• Hair takes longer to dry and, when damp, doesn't brush through as smoothly as with a regular conditioner. However, when my hair is dry, it brushes like normal, tangle free.
• My hair sits just above the top of my bra, and I found 5oz. of water to be a little too much liquid. Maybe start from there and adjust accordingly.

On Wash 2, I used less water so as not to waste any bicarb, vinegar or oil. I didn't spend as long brushing out the bicarb mix and my hair felt heavier for it later. I think I still had some residue in my hair so my hair didn't feel as light or as fresh. It was only a slight difference, but noticeable to me.

On Wash 3, I spent more time brushing the bicarb out. A day after wash 3 I noticed my hair was greasier than normal (than a regular wash or a Shamphree wash). The second day after Wash 3 my hair was insanely greasy! It wasn't the usual greasy hair though. In a way, it was nice. It felt far more natural and almost like the oil was lighter. I followed HTHG's advice and brushed my hair to get the oils down to my dry ends. I did this at a few points during the day and I was tempted to leave my hair unwashed on the third day after Wash 3, just put it up and let it do what it had to do. But I caved. 

Wash 4 was my least favourite because my hair had gotten so greasy, I just wasn't sure if Shamphree was working out for me. I did some research before my wash, to see if I should try a different ratio, or application etc. HTHG's site mentioned that very oily roots are common when you first change to Shamphreeing your hair and recommended just to ride it out. So I haven't changed my recipe or method just yet. I'm going to give it about a month before I do that, just to let my hair get used to this standard method and recipe.

After Wash 4 I noticed my hair didn't feel as clean as the first time. It seemed like I hadn't cleared all the oil from my greasy roots. But actually, today is the day after Wash 4 and my hair doesn't feel greasy (yet), it feels fresh and clean and not flyaway. I also used some coconut oil on my ends last night, slept with them greased up and then washed them this morning with hot water and the vinegar spray. My over bleached hair feels lovely right now. 

Coconut oiled up ends!

One more thing. I've been off work this week, so I've enjoyed having time for my experiment. I will definitely continue, even when I'm back at work, although I'll probably rely on my dry shampoo again when I have a regular schedule. It can take longer in the shower, since you have to brush the bicarb mix out. I haven't been blow drying or straightening my hair as much, because I'm off work and I know I don't have to and it's just nice to give your hair a rest. But generally, I think I'll be able to manage this routine fine with my normal life. 

Altogether, I've noticed interesting things and changes with my hair and I'm happy and excited to continue, see what comes next!

I'll be back with my equipment list...

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Pop!

Getting ready to go out, 5 minute tidy up, getting the tram to town pop music. Satisfying, does what it says, easy relief pop music.

Parquet Courts - "Borrowed Time"

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Shamphree - Thanks to How To Hair Girl

HEY! This blog has moved. Loads more Shamphree info at CAREFUL KIM.


My friend Jill and I are really cheap. Like, really, really cheap. I'm in the process of saving for my trip to South America and Jill did the same thing last year for her trip to the same place. We've both experienced intensive money saving and frugal living. Regardless of what you have planned, everyone can do with saving money and usually the key is trying something a little different! Also it helps if you shun convention and have no shame (which suits me fine).

Living on the cheap, budgeting and home made frugality are really popular right now. There's nothing as satisfying as a hobby that saves you money! We both get excited at the prospect of a previously unheard tip, a cheapo blog or a marathon of SuperScrimpers on TV. I wanted to document a few of things I employ to save money, things which seemed hard work before I'd tried them, but now I couldn't live without. I also wanted to keep track of some of things I've never tried, but wanted to.

So here's the first.... going Shamphree.

I haven't yet tried this, but I read about it from How To Hair Girl. She's a hairdresser who blogs tips and style advice. She's started shunning conventional shampoo and conditioner for something cheaper, more natural and kinder to the world. It's a concept that instantly grabbed my attention.... homemade, cheap, possibly gives you incredible hair. So today I'm off out to get my bits. Here are the things you'll need...

Baking Soda (or more commonly, Bicarbonate of Soda in the UK)

Apple Cider vinegar (available from health food shops), or else lemon juice or regular vinegar

Spray bottle (x 2)

Paddle Brush

Boar Bristle Brush

Essential Oils (so you don't smell like vinegar)

Funnel (for adding ingredients to your spray bottle)

Just click here for the full list and further links to Shamphree information from How To Hair Girl.

I have 2 weeks off from work as a long overdue holiday, so the perfect opportunity to try out some intriguing frugal trials. If I have a clogged up, bicarbonate of soda scalp for two days nobody will notice but my housemates and Oliver. Perfect.

I will endeavour to keep track of my progress, the ups and downs of my Shamphfree experience. If you're curious, try out this quick video showing the method involved from How To Hair Girl herself!

PS. I have taken all this information from How To Hair Girl, and her blog. I totally recommend her as the Queen of this stuff, there is so much information on her blog and I encourage you to visit HERE.

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Mum and Angie come to visit... part 2

These are a few more pictures from my Saturday afternoon wandering the Manchester city streets, Mother and Auntie in tow. Fascinator shopping got old, and I got carried away. There was a lot happening in the Northern Quarter it seemed... wedding parties, guitarists and trumpeters, good smells and busy streets.

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Mum and Angie come to visit... part 1

Last weekend (I'm really behind schedule) my Mum and her sister Angie came to visit in the middle of the Mancunian heatwave. They arrived late Friday and I managed to get the Saturday off work to spend a lovely 2 full days with them.

I always enjoy a day or a weekend tour of places in Manchester, my favourite places, for the benefit of visitors. This weekend was North Star Deli in Chorlton and a tram ride to town on a never ending search for a fascinator. My Mother tried on every hair decoration in the city and bought nothing. She better have something spectacular in her hair come Lee and Dani's wedding in August.

We ate at Simple, NQ for lunch and Bar San Juan on Beech Road, Chorlton for a tapas dinner. All the food was spectacular. 

Here are the highlights from Saturday morning....

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Pop!

This is moody, summery, riding your bike in the heat pop music, your very best sunglasses pop music, passenger seat in a car abroad pop music. Passenger seat because that's all I know. I'm sure it'd work if you were driving too.

The Neighbourhood - "Sweater Weather"

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Iced Coffee in this Manchester heat.

In addition to cold beer and home made cocktails, we've been guzzling iced coffee. Oliver has decided he's not crazy about this recipe, but I am. We used this one here, from the effortlessly creative A Beautiful Mess blog. We halved the recipe and it fills a litre glass bottle that we keep in the fridge. It's good with cream, because I'm always after an excuse to consume cream. It's good with or without sugar/syrup/condensed milk.

Forgive my shoddy pictures, nowhere near as glam as the Beautiful Mess girls.

Posted with Blogsy

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Curry in the park. Obviously.

The weather has been so beautiful recently. This isn't normal for England. It's rare and it's so wonderful. It makes everyday feel like an opportunity, which is something that passes me by when it rains. I want to wake up in the morning, I love not drawing my blinds because the sun bursts in everyday and I'm so glad for it.

Last Sunday I finished work at 7pm. I don't usually work a Sunday, I'm usually cooking or reading or napping. I cycled home and Oliver and I spent a little on a curry and took it to the park. We ate a tasty lamb karahi, saag paneer (spinach and cheese) and rice and naans and poppadoms. My favourite place in Chorlton is Asian Fusion. Their interior is a little old school so we decided Chorlton Park was a better setting. It was a peaceful evening, aside from the gangs of kids lining Barlow Moor Road, but we left that behind.

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Mojitos!

Sunshine and a day off calls for homemade cocktails. Thursday, I perfected these mojitos by myself and drank them at my doorstep. Then when Camille arrived, we made them in Chorlton park and got very sticky in the process. The original recipe is here, and here's what we did...

You need, per glass...

1 1/2 capfuls White Rum (I like CHEAP!)

1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar

6 Mint Leaves

Quarter of a Lime

150ml Water, still or sparkling

A few ice cubes.

Muddle the sugar, mint leaves and lime wedge in a sturdy glass or a mug. It's kind of easier to squeeze the lime juice in, mash up the juice, mint leaves and sugar with the end of a rolling pin and then add the remainder of the lime wedge back in afterwards. Add the rum; swill. In a fancy tall glass, or whatever is clean, put in your ice, add the rummy, lime, mint, sugar mash up and fill to taste with the water.

A mint leave to garnish is fancy, but probably a waste. Add more sugar/rum/water to taste.

Couple of notes: granulated sugar is best because it helps to release the minty flavour when you're muddling with the rolling pin, anything finer will dissolve too quickly. You can up end your fancy glass if you're feeling plush, dip the rim in lime juice or honey and then in sugar. Looks pretty, tastes good, makes up for the cheap rum.

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Camille came to stay, Part 2

Saturday, we had brunch with Katie and Jill at Tea Hive in Chorlton. A pricey ricotta, banana and chocolate toastie was on the specials menu. It was tasty, but I'm glad I split one. Then we headed to town to meet Alan and sat in Picadilly Gardens with the masses. We gorged on Rice and cheap China Town snacks.

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