MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Bolton, braids, and bike rides.

Long weekends are the best, no? I got out in the woods near Bolton on Sunday afternoon, after watching some friends run the marathon. It was nice to escape the city spectator crowds and walk around the woods later that day. There were people swimming (okay, skinny dipping) down the river. I have NO IDEA how they stood the water temp? I put my feet in the water but it’s still frickin’ freezing.

I went down to watch the marathon with Jen and we played with braids in our hair. I never do anything with my hair except wear it down or in a ponytail. I’m thinking of challenging myself to do more braids! I found this site and it’s fantastic, as is Barefoot Blonde’s hair tutorials. This is the Dutch side braid.

Bathroom selfie. Ooooh, quick curly hair routine update. This isn’t the best photo, but lately my hair has been curlier than it has been in years. My sisters and mom were even surprised when I saw them last weekend. It could totally be hormonal – my hair didn’t get curly until I was 13, then around 23 it got less curly, and now at 33 it’s finding its curls again – OR it could be my updated hair routine. Who knows? I’ve started to use all the DevaCurl products: no-poo shampoo, one condition conditioner, their defining gel. And I’ve even stopped using a comb when it’s wet, preferring to just use my fingers. So no brush, no comb, NO TOWEL, and no heat. In the shower, I’ll “shampoo” (except it doesn’t lather), then add some conditioner (letting it sit for a few minutes, while I shave), then I rake my fingers through any knots, briefly rinse with cold water (my least favorite part), flip my hair over and scrunch in gel while I’m still in the shower. I’ll let it air dry or wrap a t-shirt around my hair to soak up excess water. The downside is that my hair takes EONS to dry, so this routine is easier at night. I wake up and it’s super crazy curls.

**Speaking of shower routines, have you read the recent NYT article about going 28 days sans soap? Fascinating. I had a laugh at this line: “I started to smell a little bit and then, later, a lot. It turns out my natural odor is something between fresh-cut onions and pungent marijuana, and I would never have discovered that otherwise.”

Jen watching the marathon.

Perfect running weather and I had fun being a spectator instead of a runner. Lemonade and sunshine helped!

Some other random fun weekend tidbits: yoga, my first kickball game, long bike rides out to the Causeway, creemees, lilacs, and raspberry baked goods.

Jen made her mom’s raspberry pie one day and then I used leftover filling to make homemade crepes on Monday. Smitten Kitchen recipe OF COURSE.