Hair Obsession

Tova was in town this weekend proving to the government she should be allowed to be a US citizen so someday she can come back from Canada. It was so incredibly fantastic to see her even though it made me wish she was still living in Oregon. We decided to do some fall and winter shopping on Saturday and stumbled upon the accessories department at Nordstrom which, in case you didn't know, is filled with the most shiny and fun stuff. The girl working there showed us how to do this...thing. It's a fantastic way to wear your hair up without looking like you don't care about doing it. Even if that's totally the case.

I tried to explain the whole thing to Trista over Google Chat the other night and came up with this.

I sort of doubt she actually understood what I was talking about but apparently she did. And I can't really figure out a better way to explain with the exception of maybe weeding out some of the 'like's and 'sort of's. Here is a picture to help. You can ignore the fact that I am driving in it.

The whole thing seriously takes like 30 seconds and makes you feel like a princess. I've worn my hair like this the past two days and gotten tons of compliments. I have a feeling I'm going to be headband binging soon as well. Here are a few I'm currently lusting after.

Knotted Silk Headwrap, $38, Anthropologie

Ball and Chain Headwrap, $28, Nordstrom

Zina Stone Headpiece, $38, Free People

Back to Brunette

I once said I would never die my hair blonde again. And then I did. I've also done this with cutting my hair short and dying my hair from a box. Sometimes you just have to make the same mistake twice.

But I learned my lesson. I'm not a blonde girl. It's fun but fidning the right blonde is like a never ending quest and I just don't have time for the adventure. And I don't like having a stripe of roots down my head every month. It was impulsive but I decided to dye my hair back dark. I thought my hair guy was going to be grumpy since we just got it light but he was fine and started his thing. Miss Tova came with me and we were chatting the whole time and it wasn't until he started applying color that I noticed he was using two different colors, one on the under side and one on the top part. I trust him tons so I didn't really worry about it or ask too much. And when he was done I ended up with an awesome ombre effect. I love it.

Shake Your Tail Feathers

I'm currently obsessed with feathers. I've always had a thing for peacock feathers but recently my love has grown to include all kinds of fowl. I can't get enough. In fact, today, I am wearing these. Shoes covered in feathers. Practical? No. Awesome? Absolutely.


Later this month I'm getting feathers put in my hair. Similar to the ones going on here...


To celebrate all this feather love I'm going to give away a pair of feather earrings. All you have to do is tell me the best ice cream flavor you've ever tasted. What do feathers and ice cream have to do with each other? Nothing, but I want to make ice cream and want ideas and since I'm the one running the show here the rules can be as arbitrary as I want. Next time whoever washes my dishes will win!

So, let's start today (May 3rd, 2011) and end Friday (May 6th, 2011). I'll announce the winner on Monday (May 9th, 2011). Remember, if you're going to play you might win and that means giving me your address so I can send you your prize. If for any reason you're uncomfortable with that it's probably best you sit this one out.

If you win, these will be your prize!


P.S. I really don't want a lecture about how people putting feathers in their hair is taking feathers from fly fisherman and blah, blah, blah. If I start putting bald eagle feathers in my hair you can sit me down and have a talk.

It's Valentines Day! And this has nothing to do with that!

I know there are a lot of single people who get all worked up about Valentines Day and feeling lonely and blah blah blah but I like this holiday. I like the decorations, I like celebrating something positive, and I just love love.

Unfortunately I don't really have anything exciting to offer you that has anything to do with the holiday. Probably because I am single. I do have hair inspiration photos to share though because, whatdayaknow...this girl wants to change her hair. Again.

The Stone Soup of Blog Posts

I've been very blog neglectful this past week due to some silly life drama stuff so I'm basically going to throw all this nonsense together and hope it counts as a post.

First, I'm bored of the photo month. I thought it would be fun and it's sort of not so I think I quit that one.

Second, I'm ridiculously excited for two things. First, I'm taking a trip to Seattle with Lana for the sole purpose of shopping. It's just a weekend trip but I can't wait. It will also be the first time I take my cute car anywhere farther than the coast. Last week it was making pretty much the worst noise ever in the entire world. It was like a metallic whine when I braked in reverse. Yeah, only in reverse. I was pretty sure that I was going to need to basically buy a new car or at least replace all the brakes or something but turns out it was a rock. So that was good news. Lana and I are having a road trip music selection party on Wednesday.

We're also staying at a super adorable hotel.


The second part of point number two, the other thing I'm so super excited about is that the internet has brought me together with a real live Portland chef who I've been emailing with and who has offered to cook with me. This is where I just smile like an idiot because I am that ecstatic. She even said I have "skill" so I've been bragging about that one to a few people. I'm also in love with the fact that I can ramble like a crazy person to her about food and restaurants and cooking and cookbooks and she hasn't once rescinded her cooking offer in fear that I am possibly ADD and on speed given I never shut up. So that's nice as well.

The Free People January catalog is out and gorgeous as always. There are a few things I like a lot. Two of which I stopped into the store and bought yesterday.


Sunburst Maxi Dress By Free People in Washed Black (which means navy in real people words)

Convertible Crochet Halter by Free People in Ivory

I also made a fairly amazing shoe purchase but it deserves it's very own post.

Oh, I'm pretty sure that I am going to make my hair a lot more blonde this week. Which I sort of swore off a few years ago but hey, if it's bad I can always go back. I would like this hair color exactly please.


Craig and I are having dinner tonight and I am so looking forward to it. I haven't seen him in probably a whole week. We're going to eat cajun tater tots and burgers (mine will be veggie) and I'm going to tease him at every opportunity.

I leave you with this. Which is what I wake up to.

A New 'Do

Once upon a time I was blonde. I mean really blonde. After awhile though I got tired of the upkeep and how I felt I needed to wear serious clothing to be taken seriously and the kind of boys who are attracted to blondes specifically. I went brunette and swore I would never be blonde again.

Then I started craving red hair. And I've done it a few times, usually a very dark red or a brunette with some red in it. I've never just gone full fledged red head. The other day I was looking for sweaters online and I found a picture of a strawberry blonde haired model and I knew I couldn't resist any longer. I had to try it.

I already had a hair appointment set up so I decided instead of my regular root touch up I would request a hair makeover. Luckily my hair stylist thought this would be really fun rather than annoying. After three hours of bleaching out my hair, correcting roots, adding highlights, and then all over coloring and having my hair washed and blow dried three times, I ended up with this:



I think any time you make a drastic hair color change the first reaction is to not like it, and true to form, that was mine. I spent Saturday and Sunday stressing about how I could pull off this hair color and worrying I looked ridiculous. This morning though, I woke up and decided I may just be okay with this.

Winter Wish List

Winter is coming! While often times Fall and Winter wardrobes get combined into one group of things to wear that falls under "warm and dark" I think there's a real difference in feel to the two seasons. Winter is celebratory and you see it in the fabrics available and the influx of sparkle. And while Autumn is about feeling crisp and cool Winter is about being cozy.

These are the things I'm craving this season.

This dress is whimsical and sweet without coming off as young. I love the neckline, the detail at the waist, the hem...but most of all, I love that deep, rich, purple.

Goddess Dress by Free People in Aubergine

I'm not a person who takes weekend trips. My weekends are usually spent doing all the things I'm too busy or lazy to do during the week. If I owned this bag though, I may find some places to go.

Bear Creek Weekender by McFadin in tan, sold by Free People

I don't care how unflattering this may turn out to be in real life. I want to live in this sweater.

Waffle Knit Cardigan by Hinge in Stonehenge

This is pretty. And I want it. It also comes in about ten other colors so you could wear it alone, with other bangles, ooooor even with the same bracelet in other colors as well.

Grete Filigree Bangle by Rachel Leigh in Palm, sold by Free People

This just looks so soft and comfortable and perfect for a snow day spent inside.

Velvet Trim Slouchy Tee by Ella Moss in Mushroom

Nails in Winter are always dark. You've got all those colors with "noir" tacked onto the end, why not mix it up with some gold?

The Full Monty by Butter London

The lovely Miss Lana was on a mission earlier this season to find crushed velvet leggings in a color other than black. While crushed velvet reminds me of the bad Christmas dresses of my childhood spent in the late 80s/early 90s, actual velvet makes me fall in love. There's something about a fabric that begs to be touched that's so fitting for the cold months. And I love black.

Velvet Leggings by Gap in black

I'm all about this dress. It's perfect for a party or you could take a worn brown leather belt, belt it, throw on a denim jacket, and wear some boots with bare legs. I'd probably be wearing it with a cardigan, tights, and flats to work.

Beaded Jersey Trapeze Dress by Suzy Chin Maggy Boutique in Taupe

Melissa Joy Manning is my most favorite jewelry designer. This woman is just incredible. If you're looking for perfection this isn't it. And that's what makes it wonderful.

Champagne Diamond Slice Ring by Melissa Joy Manning

I'm pretty proud of myself for this pick. They're weather practical, cute, easy to pull on, and versatile.

Pull On Duck Boot by Bass in tan, sold by Free People

Also I'll take this haircut. With or without the sparkles.

"People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is."

So I did it. I'm officially a redhead.

It's the kind of red that's dark and deep and rich. One of those colors that doesn't scream what it is. My hairdresser did a better job than I can describe getting me to a color that's definitely red but not so far away from where I was that I suffered shock. This photo doesn't demonstrate truly how red the color is but the sun is nearly down and also I'm too lazy to go outside and take a photo. Perhaps tomorrow though.

I feel like a new woman. A new sassy woman.

Update: My hair in the sun.

Hair Extrordinaire

I change my hair a lot. Not drastically but I like playing with colors and bangs and lengths. My most recent hair obsession is red. I'm thinking I want to try this thing out. So far these are the colors I like. Feel free to give any and all advice/criticism. Better before than after right?

For reference you can see me here.


I think this is my favorite and would look great with some highlights the color of Isla Fisher's hair in the other photo.


This would be a little more daring for me but would be a more true red which could be fun.


I really like this sans the dirty boyfriend.


Love, love, love.


This might be a little too edgy but could also be really fun.

Fall Wish List

I cannot wait for it to get cold. I am so looking forward to tights and boots and it being acceptable to wear black during the day. I'm also looking forward to cocoa and pumpkin flavored things and Glee and Gossip Girl and holidays that get me time off work.

Whenever a new season comes it's hard to not notice a shift in mood, dress, activity, and more. I think some people get sad the summer has passed but there's so much to look forward to in Fall and Winter. Including these lovely things.

Pants! We can wear pants again! I love a great dark skinny jean. I live in them all year with the exception of Summer. They go with anything, look fantastic with flats, fit into boots, and can be dressed up or down. Don't listen to what anyone says, skinny jeans aren't just for skinny people.


Lola jean by iT! Jeans in Core Blue

I love wearing black opaque tights with boots in the winter. This dress would look fabulous with black tights, a black pea coat, and some brown leather or grey suede boots. Bonus, there are snaps in the back of this dress to make it fit tighter or you can leave it all loose and boho. Or belt it! Oh my goodness...the options are endless.


Solid Locker Room Crush Dress by Free People in Fushia

Oh hi, I'm just going to stand around looking effortlessly sexy. Don't mind me.

I would very much like to wear this with some slouchy brown leather boots.


Wild Horses Dress by Free People in Black

What is more fun in cold weather than a hot red lipstick? This one is by Dior and stays true to their magical formula that deposits color yet feels and acts like a gloss. I would actually trust myself to put this on without a mirror or liner and be fine.


Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Runway Red

I've tried the whole not being girly thing and it doesn't work for me. I love ruffles and lace and sparkle, albeit in a sophisticated way. This top is my ideal way to work a ruffle without looking too young. Throw a cardigan on with some skinny jeans and metallic flats and you've got yourself an outfit.


Sleeveless Layers Top by Free People in Plum

Well, this looks like pretty much the best hoodie ever.


Cosy Cinch Hoodie by Free People in Black

Boots, I loooove you. Seriously. Please be mine.


Billy Stud Boot by Frye in Maple

I would love to throw this on over a black tank dress with some brown leather boots and bare legs on a sunny fall day when it's not so much cold as crisp...perfection.


Cable Pullover Sweater by Free People in Blue

Can you ever have too much nail polish? Can you ever have too much Chanel?


Nail Polish by Chanel in Paradoxal

So, according to the Free People website this scarf is eight feet long. Which sounds about perfect to me. I hate buying scarfs that end up with these weird short little ends hanging down once you wrap them around your neck. This seems just right for snuggling into on those days when you are wearing a scarf for a reason.


Cable Ground Grazer by Free People in Violet

And, last but not least, I would like this haircut. But with bangs. And brunette.