Hair Transformation

Recently was stuck in a hair rut. I'm blessed to have long healthy hair that for most of my life has been dark brown/black. So after a run in with my stylist -- Miss Julian Bryce from Mixed & Co -- at the super market (inspiration can be born anywhere) I started thinking about doing a major hair transformation...and the wheels in my brain started going....

So, I jumped in with both feet and a full mane of hair and went for the ombré/balayage. Check out the process...

After three hours of dying, glossing and blow drying. Here's my new look!!

What do you think about the lighter shade? Leave your comments!!

In the chair with a ton of clear wrap

and more color....

Viva Las Vegas, Viva la Mala Suerte!!

Last week I was fortunate enough to attended the Latin GRAMMYs in Las Vegas for a work project. While it sounds glamorous, it was really hard work.

As part of the activities, I had the opportunity to walk the carpet with La Mala Suerte -- who was recognized by all the fans!! At one point the crowd became so crazy around La Mala Suerte that my award show dress ripped as they tugged me to get his photos. MANIA!! I still don't know how I was able to run in my 4.5" heels while I scurried him away from the madness.

Don't get me wrong, QQ still managed to have a little fun...Check out video and photos from the celeb carpet, award show.

'Cause we Like to Party!!

This might be news to you all,  but I love Beyonce! She's a sweet, kind hearted woman by day who transforms into Sasha Fierce on the stage. Not to mention, our stars crossed during birth (her bday is just one day after yours truly...)

Anyway, Bey's latest video "Party" reminds me why I love her so...She has KILLER Fashion access!!

Check out Beyonce in the most ABFAB Garbs...Gold sequined dresses, Givenchy, colored furs, straight from the runway Louis Vuitton. Shoot, I'll go to a trailer park party any day if Beyonce was the host.
Check out the video...

Fabulous Black & White Bathroom

Ever since Kim K's wedding, I've been obessing over black & white. At first I was thinking of redoing my bedroom area in a black, white and gold theme and quickly realized that it was going to be too gaudy for a bedroom. Then I started thinking about redoing my bathroom and that's when it all clicked!

I started building a Pinterest board to sort all my idea. I really love this site -- you can create baords and share ideas. This is the inspiration...

Source: digsdigs.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I promise to put up pictures of the finished bathroom, in the meantime I leave you with song.

Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

Adventures & Antiques

Today my girl G and I ventured off our fabulous downtown abodes to Andersonville for some antique shopping.

Clark street in Andersonville host a ton a inspiring and stylish design shops.

I love the idea of using old books for decoration and this is a cool way to display your old hardcovers.

Qurious Q is also searching for all things Q. Check out this cute glass that I'm going to use as a makeup brush holder. Love it!!

What do you guys think about the antique finds?

Fall into Autumn

Hola Hola!

After many months of living la vida loca, QQ is back on the grind and better than ever!

The summer was a blur of late nights, airplanes and one too many sun dresses. I'm so excited fall is finally here and we can start wearing layers, boots and jeans.

I'm digging this season 70's vibe and Bianca Jagger is my style inspiration. You might just see photos of QQ Bianca-fied wearing furs, sequins, and turbans.
Check out Bianca's look: FUROSH!

I recently gifted myself a fantastic faux fur jacket and have been waiting for the temperature to drop to rock it out. Here's QQ's interpretation of Bianca's look:

What do you guys think?

xo

QQ

Life Lessons from The Jersey Shore

There are many things that have come from The Jersey Shore: A little nugget known as Snookie, The Situation and my favorite GTL. Gym. Tan. Laundry. GTL gets you ready for the weekend and for me, it takes an entire week to complete my GTL.

G -- Summer is right around the corner…well, more like two months away. Which makes this the perfect time to get your G on! The G is an essential part of the GTL…Without it the rest is no-bueno. I like to keep track of my Gym going days with this cool calendar…think of it as a personal check-in. I've started once a week boot-camps at 6AM. I hate waking up for it; I hate the sprints, push-ups, squads, etc...but I LOVE the way I feeel after!!!

T -- Monday is usually my T-day. LA Tan in The Loop has a great spray tan special for just $12!! Getting my Tan on puts me in a great mood for the week. It’s something to look forward to on dreadful Mondays. I <3 Versa Tan because it’s not streaky and it fades after a few days ***DISCLAIMER*** Don’t go overboard with the tanning! A healthy glow is all you need. You don’t want to look like an oompa loompa.

Finally, the L. The most dreaded part of my GTL. I detest doing laundry and it usually takes me a couple of weeks to get to it and once I finally get around to it, it takes me a while to finish…hours and sometimes days.

There you have it! That’s how QQ gets down with GTL. Do you GTL?!

Xo QQ

Bella...Bella...Bella

Spring is right around the corner...you can feel it!! I'm so ready to ditch the coats, scarfs, hats and boots for bouncy dresses and open-toe shoes. While we wait out the few weeks for spring, let's brainstorm the latest beauty and fashion trends and how you can use them in your everyday.

Fashion:
Get ready to wear your brights! Spring is all about LOUD colors. Check out Katy Perry sporting all her favoriteson the cover of Elle this month. Spring is about having fun with your look! Get rid of the drabby winter wear and jump into a technicolor dream.



Nails:
I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to having my nails done. I love to try out new colors and different trends. For spring I am loving the nudes trends. It looks chic, clean and best of all if it chips, no biggie...





Eyes & Lips:
Bright eyes and coral lips are on the radar. Pucker and add some color to your make up routine. Add a little bit of gold and shimmer accents and watch the magic happen with a bat of an eyelash.

What are you're favorite spring trends?

Cupid's Arrow

To be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day. Yes, its a cheesy holiday and as a child I loved getting cards and candy on this Hallmark holiday. Now, Valentines day is about high expectations and major letdowns . That's why this Valentine's Day I'm making it about my girlfriends. The ladies that have always been on my corner. Always.

I thought the best way to let the girls know how much they mean to me is by hosting a Ladies VDay Brunch. A successful brunch must have the following: Mimosa's, great food, and fabulous company.

Here are a few ideas for a great VDay Brunch:

Flowers:
To create a cute, yet inexpensive flower arrangement go down to your local supermarket and grab a bunch of baby roses, white or pink. Save a couple of white wine bottles and wash them to with hot water to peel off the labels. Place the flowers in the bottles and add a drop of red food coloring. The water will turn a bit pink and add an extra touch of love.

Food:
I love Martha Stewards Everyday Food magazine, and in it I found amazing easy recipes like a great veggie tart and mini quiches. Check out these recipes:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/perfect-asparagus-gruyere-tart

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/mini-quiches-delicious

Drinks:
One word...Champagne!! You can make mimosas, add a raspberry or just have it as it. Its classy, chic and delicious. Cheers!

At the end of the day -- and after many bottles of champagne -- Ladies Vday brunch is a great way to show las señoritas how much you appreciate their friendship.

Happy Valentine's Day!

xo
QQ

Upgrade! New Apartment

I recently upgraded my life and moved from my tiny apartment to a more comfortable slighty bigger space. If I could have tele-ported all of my things from one apartment to the other and not have to physically move it - trust me -I would have done it. The thought of moving, packing, unpacking and reorganizing is exhausting. But it must get done.

There is a silver lining to moving: it's a good way to overhaul your closet space. The move forced me to throw out stuff I haven't worn in years. I was able to give some of the lightly used items to my cleaning lady and made a bag for my mom to send to Colombia. I still had a truck load worth of stuff, which made filling up my new HUGE closet an "easy" job. Check it out!

The move itself was quick thanks to awesome friends who helped pack and load up the Uhaul. It takes a village, people!
My apartment is coming along, mostly everything is unpacked and now the fun part starts, decorating. Stay tuned for blogs on deco ideas for small spaces.

xo

QQ

Welcome Back to QQ

Hi Friends,
Ta da! I hope you are enjoying the new look for Qurious Quiñones.

QQ has great new posts in the works this year. Everything from crafts, and decorating ideas to looking your very best while doing everything you love to do.

Feel free to say "Hola" in the comment section, follow me on Twitter @MeliQ or grab the link to my button.

xo

QQ

ps. Many thanks to Carolyn who designed this wonderful space for QQ!