The big chop.

Somehow between getting married and life and remodeling a house I sorta forgot to get a hair cut. For 2.5 years...yikes! At about a year in, I realized this and figured, "Hell, if I've gone this long, let's see how long I can go!" So I did.

And here's the hot mess I had on my head:

Is that not the most where's-her-denim-skirt ridiculous hair ever? It was past my waist and was driving. me. crazy. I knew I had to schedule a cut before I cut it myself.

I put out a cry for help on Facebook and learned one of my friend's sisters works for Blades Salon here in Louisville. They do hair donations and make wigs for kids - that's so awesome! After an hour in the chair, here's my after:

Say goodbye to 11-12 inches of hair! I can't believe she cut off A FOOT OF HAIR and I still had long hair. I call that a win-win situation. I get a great new 'do (which was $Free.99, by the way) and got to help out a good cause.

I haven't missed my hair for a second and only wish I had cut it sooner.

They always say blondes have more fun...

Blonde Hair and Bangs: The Chopping Block

Madras Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Cami: Old Navy

Skirt: The Limited

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Steve Madden

I've been feeling in a rut, which I usually address with my favorite mood enhancing drug of choice -- the salon! I went in wanting change and left with it!

Most people who read this blog probably have no clue that, up until about 3 years ago, I had heavy blonde highlights (from about the time I was 12 til I was 25). I was wanting change then, went to a new colorist and we took my hair to a warm chestnut brown where it has stayed, give or take a couple shades, for the past 3 years (my natural color is an ashy brown).

Well, my hair fades horribly in the sun and I wanted a change so I decided to just go back to the blonde just for the summer months (as well as add some pixie like bangs across my forehead as opposed to side swiping them like I always have--which is making me crazy, just for the record).

Reaction has been mixed -- some of my family members have always hated my hair dark (I always loved it so I told them I didnt care!) so they were overjoyed with the return to blondeness. But some people have told me that, while change is always good, they prefer me as a brunette. I have to say, I lean towards agreeing with the latter. I just feel warmer and more "me" with chesnut hair.

Below is another picture taken the next day at Churchill Downs in natural light so you can see the color better--and see that Im already trying to shove the bangs to the side!

But that said...some of my most fun times in life have been as a blonde...so it cant be all that bad!

What do you think? Blonde or brunette?

Wednesday -- Ally

Happy Hump Day! We've had some beautiful, cool fall weather and I couldn't be more excited. The mornings are much cooler than the afternoons (25+ degree difference most days) so it's been a guessing game on how to dress. However, I have strong opinions about "seasonal" dressing and will rant about that another day (in short: We work and live in temperature controlled environments...why all the bundling in the office? Why?).

Shirt: JCP

Pants: Old Navy

Scarf as belt: vintage Echo (via ebay)

Shoes: Cole Haan











You might notice something a little different...I had my hair cut! I average about 4 haircuts every 3 years so this is a big deal. The last one was in early January 2008 and I made it until October before I got the itch to change it. For what it's worth, I don't heat style or do anything to my hair so my ends don't get icky and ratty. The girl who did my hair was shocked to learn it'd been nearly a year and said she couldn't tell - so there! :)

However, I still needed a cut and wanted some sort of style. Tracey's hair is the cutest (you'd see it if she ever posted...hint hint!) so I went to her gal at Z Salon. We talked about my current 'do (or lack of) and how much effort I'm willing to put in for styling (5 min tops) and all my crazy requirements (must go in pony tail, no weird layers by my face, no short bangs, must look good on days I wash 'n dash). Fortunately, she didn't kick me out of her chair and went to work. She gave me a cut that's cute but takes all of 5 minutes in the morning. Thanks, Trae, for guilting me into getting my hair did. :)


See...it's not THAT drastic to most (Hell, Al didn't even notice I had it cut. No words, ladies. No words.) but to me it is. She gave me some swoopy bangs on both sides of my part and a shorter layer about mid-way through.

Tameka (the hair goddess) said my hair would look longer and she's right! I've had several folks say how much longer it looks and how they didn't know it was this long before. Tameka cut about an inch off the bottom too and put layers in it as well. She did magic I say.

Oh and honey, even the stinky UPS guy noticed my new 'do. Just sayin'. I know you said my hair looked cute (and it did), but when you buzz off all your hair w/clippers I notice that. Same difference, right? :)



As an aside I wanted to post a pic from the weekend. Al and I met up with some friends for the Trolley Hop and before I could bitch about how hot it was in the gallery (OMG HOT), a friend pointed out our Congressman, John Yarmuth, standing behind us. He's running for re-election and evidently we walked into the gallery who was hosting him for the evening.

Anyway, we met with him and shook hands and chatted for a bit and then all were major nerds and had our pics taken with him. Regardless of where you lie politically, it's always cool to meet someone who's in DC and representing you and this was no different. He was very friendly and said he's having the time of his life up there.

Thursday -- Ally

The longest day of the week is the Thursday before a three-day-weekend. I'm ready for the weekend!!!

I thought this would be a nice, casual, tomorrow's-a-holiday look.


Sweater: American Living (JCP)

Skirt: Land's End

Necklace: Walmart

Shoes: Crocs











Please excuse the goofy, no-neck pose. I was completely exhausted from the day and it was all I could do to crack a smile. In fact, I was leaning aginst the wall a little!


Wearin' my Michelle Obama pearls!!!

















And guess what I did? I colored my hair for the first time in YEARS. I was inspired by Kimberly
and E and Kasmira. My hair is naturally a dark strawberry blonde but I've colored it much redder in the past and it looked great. I used Natural Instincts in Spiced Tea because it washes out and will fade gradually. It was a sheer fiasco coloring it and what should have taken 30 minutes took almost 2 hours. UGH! Thankfully Al helped me out :)

What do you think? It's REALLY bright but I hope it'll fade and look better next week.

What's funny is NO ONE NOTICED except the cable guy at work and Trae. I took her to the airport yesterday (I'm the cabbie around this joint! First Les and now Trae! haha) and she noticed how much redder it was right away. It's really red on the ends of one side but I think it's just because I need a trim.





I hope you all have a great holiday weekend!! Leslie and Tracey will be back in town soon so expect more regular posting then!

Monday Funday -- Ally

I have a personal love for 80 degree temperatures before 8am. *rollseyes* My office doesn't like to cool off (AC issues) so every day that it's hot outside, it's scorching in my office too. Yay!

Sweater: Merona

Skirt: Mossimo ($6 on the clearance rack @ Target!)

Wristlet: Devi Kroell for Target ($9 on clearance rack)

Shoes: Sofft via Zappos outlet (I think I paid $45)












I love the pockets on this skirt! They're not on the seam so they don't add unwanted bulk to my already-bulky hips.
















Leslie already mentioned the Zappos outlet and I'm here to profess my love as well.

I love shoes. Love love love. I have some pairs I hold delicately like a newborn and others I wear and abuse. Most get abused :) I'm very hard on shoes and walk a lot for my job.

The Zappos outlet was once a very closely-kept secret but now it's advertised and there are even coupons. That's great and all, but I liked it best when everything was $29.95 and the store was small. Now it's HUGE (10K sq. ft) and prices vary and there's always a complicated color system for the sale prices. Hell, they even give you a reference guide to carry w/you in the store. Just mark it all cheap and let me give you money. I promise I'll spend more than I should regardless!

This was a real after thought. Tracey had sung the praises of this line but none of the bags really spoke to me except this one. By the time I decided I had to have it, they were out of the stores. Magically, they appeared at one of Target stores in a less-desirable (yet loved by me) neighborhoods in town. FYI - all the good stuff is at that Target! I snatched it up @ $9. I love how you can put your hand through the strap on the side to carry it also. That's usually how I carry it, but today I left on the strap.




I'm thinking I need a haircut. I'm fortunate and have bone straight hair. I rarely use a blow dryer and never need heat styling. That means I get a haircut/trim about twice a year. I got a hair cut in late January and let her cut some bangs. To most that's not a big deal, but for those who remember 1998, y'all know I had some serious bangs. Fortunately, I bought a vowel and grew those suckers out. Amanda, my hair goddess, gave me cute sweepy bangs. I loved them at first, but after the first week, they began to grow out and poke me in the eyeball. Now they're long enough to go behind my ear.

I keep wanting to do something different but I know I shouldn't bother. I am FAR too lazy to commit to a hair style that will require anything other than combing out the tangles after I shower. I will not flat iron, dry, curl, condition, treat, color, or do anything to it. I guess it's good b/c it makes for healthy hair, but seriously. It's kinda boring.

Any ideas/suggestions?