TUTORIAL THURSDAY: Fancy Side Inverted Ponytail (Topsy Tail)

Happy Thursday loves! Today's tutorial is a simple way to spruce up a basic ponytail. This hair style is great for work, school or even a date night. It uses one of my favorite tricks -- the topsy tail to create a cool pattern. The steps are below:
Side Inverted Ponytail:

1. Put all of your hair to the side, create a ponytail, and secure with a small elastic
2. Pull the elastic down and create a hole
3. Pull all the hair through the hole and pull tight to secure
4. Repeat steps (2-4) until you complete the length of the ponytail
5. Pull the ponytail apart for a fuller look
6. Secure any loose pieces with a bobby pin

I'd be happy to answer any questions so shoot me yours via twitter at @simplysabrina I'd love to see any photos if you try out this braid! Please send them to my via Facebook or Twitter! 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Stay tuned for more tutorials every Thursday!

TUTORIAL THURSDAYS: HOW TO DO AN EASY FISHTAIL BRAID

It's Tutorial Thursday!
I've gotten so many requests for a tutorial every time I wear my hair in a Fishtail braid. As all hair styles, there are many different ways to achieve this looks-- and the truth is that this one looks a lot harder than it is. The steps are simple:

For a Side Messy Fishtail Braid:

1. Take all of you hair to one side
2. Separate your hair into two equal pieces (be sure that the length of your hair is equal too)
3. Take one piece from either side (I like to start with the left) and this piece to the other side. For example:
1. Take a one inch section from the back of the left side and cross it in front of the same left section and over to the right side. Grab this piece with the other hand and pull tight.
2. Then take any piece from the back of the right side and do the same thing, cross it over the entire right portion of your hair and add it to the left side. Grab this piece with the left hand and pull tight.
3. Repeat these steps till you get to the end of your braid.
4. (Optional) Pull the braid apart to give it a thicker & messier feel.
5. Secure any loose pieces with bobby pins.
6. Voila!

This Fishtail Braid method is best done with longer hair, but works great even on hair with layers. 
Here are a few tips & tricks to get the best braid:

• If you have layers, curl the ends of your hair so that they will stay together and avoid sharp hairs sticking out of the braid.
• When you take one piece of the hair from either side, choose a one-inch section from the back, then take that piece and cross it over to the other side. This creates the "fishtail" illusion.
• Choose larger pieces for a looser braid and smaller pieces for a very tight fishtail braid.

Once you master the fishtail braid there are so many other cool variations that you can do. You can make a fishtail bun, fishtail topknot, even a fishtail updo! If you would like to see any of these let me know if the comments below!

I'd be happy to answer any questions so shoot me yours via twitter at @simplysabrina I'd love to see any photos if you try out this braid! Please send them to my via Facebook or Twitter! 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Stay tuned for more tutorials every Thursday!
Linking up with Glitz & Gold, Her & Nicole, Tres-Chic Fashion be sure to check them out!

TUTORIAL THURSDAYS: How To Wear a Dress Like a Skirt

If you have been keeping up with my blog lately (pretty proud of how consistent I have been - If I do say so myself) You know that i'm trying out a few new features here to see what you guys want more of. I've been doing more wishlists (every Wednesday! See here, here, and here), more fashion posts (did you catch this adorable rose gold cuff here?), and more incredible fashion finds (like '5 Shift Dresses Under $50' or '5 Jean Styles for Fall'). I even tried out a "look for less" celebrity style post (here) that got wonderful feedback. Lastly, I had been toying with the idea of creating quick 15 second Instagram video tutorials on fashion, beauty, and a few tips & tricks that I have in my pocket. Last week, I showed you how to do a Ballerina Bun (here) and you guys were so responsive (highest blog views - ever.) This week, I wanted to show you the ridiculously simple way to wear a dress as a skirt. There are so many tutorials out there, but this is my favorite way to remix your wardrobe and get the most out of a purchase. 

Please let know what features you would like to see more of in the comments below or through Instagram (@simplysabrinan) or Twitter (@simplysabrina). Be sure to follow me to keep up with all of my style features on the blog!

I really wish Instagram would allow you to upload in HD, because the video quality is pretty awful here. Hopefully the (pin-able) tutorial above gives you an idea of how easy this trick is. All you need is...wait for it... a belt! Preferably a wide belt that fits snug on you. I chose this sweater/dress combination because I wanted the dress to look like a longer skirt, therefore I paired it with a crop sweater. You can use any combination you want! 

PRO-tip: You also have the option of using a longer blouse and tucking it into the belt or even allowing the belt to show. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to let me know what you would like to see next week! Swing by tomorrow for one of my favorite fashion looks! Happy Remixing!
This post was featured on Canopi here & linked up at The Tiny Heart -- be sure to swing by there!

TUTORIAL THURSDAYS: How to Make a Ballerina Bun

You've seen my ballerina bun. (here, here, & here) Oh yeah, and here. 

& now it can be yours. 

Here's to the first of many 15 second tutorials! 

To get the look, simply watch the Instagram video below & continue reading for more instructions!

Happy bunning!

p.s. Be sure to follow me on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/simplysabrinan for more 15 second tutorials!

A hair donut (like this one!) - $4 - Different size bobby pins (here) - $3 - Hair Tie (here) - $3


I have received a few comments that you can't really see how to begin the ballerina bun (sorry!), so here is a quick 12 second clip showing you how to wrap your hair around the hair donut & create the first flip. 12 seconds glory. Ready? Go. 

DIY-tip: If you want to style and don't have a hair donut, you can use a sock! Follow the steps below:
- Take a long dress sock (steal from father, brother, husband or boyfriend) and cut off the toe
- Now, roll the sock outwards from the ankle end to the toe end, creating a doughnut shape
- Ideally you won’t see the sock but, just in case, use one in a similar shade to your hair color 

PRO-tip: If you have mastered the ballerina bun then spice it up by leaving on piece of hair from the ponytail out of the hair donut / sock. Continue creating your ballerina bun and when you are done, braid that one piece and circle it around the bun. Pin in place! Voila!

Have you tried the ballerina bun? Tweet me your hairstyles @simplysabrina