Doing The Do

Ear update: Those "miracle" drop are in my hand and currently in my ear (four times a day no less) and still the bulge remains. Before I heard nothing because the bulge was caused by air. Now I hear a sloshy sound when I move my head. It really is fascinating the noises your body can make...especially when you're tuned into the sounds. Everyone knows you hear things when you can't hear right?!

I have it on good authority that it is certainly okay to devote numerous posts to beauty routines. The following is just such a post. I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. That in and of itself isn't exactly blog worthy, but I'm going for a new style. Currently my hair is grown out (slightly past my shoulders at the longest layer) and in desperate need of a trim. I really like the bang look too, but I had to do some training of my hair before bangs would work. My hair now parts on the side of my head instead of right in the middle so I think we're ready!

Thanks to my dad, I've got some natural wave in my hair so I have a variety of ways to fix my hair. I usually go for the blow dry it straight look, but last week I wanted to sleep more than I wanted my hair to look good so I did a lot of letting it go natural and taming it with a headband. Take a look for yourself.



Oh, and yes Mama (and anyone else who has something to say about those eyebrows...another hairy gift from my dad) I'm getting a wax too.

Okay, here is the after picture...my new do!



So, what do y'all think?! I might be misleading you when I say "new" do as this is basically my same hairstyle just with bangs. But when a look works for you then you should stick with it right?! It's taking a little getting used to having something on your forehead when you haven't had something on your forehead in a while. But, overall I really like the cut. The only thing missing is the shaped eyebrows. Apparently the wax warmer got fried so it looks like me and the tweezers are going to get very friendly.

"Mama, My Nails Are Wet..."

Before I start, let me just say that my brain is fried. Yesterday started the pre-school starting meetings and frankly a lot of it is boring. Not your average boring but let-me-bang-my-head-on-the-table boring. Today was just such a day. It was day two of a professional development that we did in the spring. Today was basically a repeat of that...which was the latter kind of boring then!

Anyway, I was very happy about the fact that I had a nail appointment this afternoon. A great hand massage always makes the stresses of the day fade quickly. I used to get gel tips (the few guys that read...feel free to fall out right here!) but I didn't like the way my nails looked when I took them off. So, I'm going back to just a normal manicure with a shape and polish. The only down side...when I leave her shop I leave with wet nails. I usually take forever getting my self buckled in (I don't think the cop would fall for "...but my nails are wet!" excuse) and adjusting the radio.

That always reminds me of that line from Steel Magnolias where Shelby says "Mama, my nails are wet!" when she's asked to do something. I love that movie...could probably quote every line. Anyway, since our meetings (you know those boring ones) are in a lodge that is right across from my house I told a few people that if they wanted to brown bag it to my house tomorrow for lunch they were more than welcome. I should probably finish up those last loads of laundry, give the toilet a quick scrub, and run the vacuum, but I feel like just sitting back with the Everybody Loves Raymond reruns, Big Brother, and my book and just say..."Mama, my nails are wet!"

These Toes Are Ready...

for the beach! As a matter of fact, all of me is ready for the beach, the sun, the surf, a few days of freedom to relax and just enjoy myself. Yesterday afternoon I went and had my feet pampered with a deluxe pedicure. These toes of mine are ready.

Now if only my suitcase was ready! I've really put off getting ready for the trip. Don't get me wrong I'm excited about going on the cruise, but where I'm normally packed up and checking my list twice I haven't even made a list this time. My mom says it's because I've become an experienced traveler. I'm not so sure. I think I'm just ready for the fun part. Unfortunately my suitcases won't pack themselves! So, I know what I'm going to be doing today.

Y'all take care and enjoy yourselves this week. I know I'm going to!

I'm A Little Altered

It's that time of the year. Ladies, you know what I mean...time to get a new swimsuit. Did anyone else just get the shivers? I don't know about you, but I tend to wear out my swimsuits each summer. I hardly ever get to wear them two seasons in a row. Anyway, since I was going to be near the sun and surf so much this summer I decided I might need a couple of new ones. And there in lies the problem.

Finding the swimsuits isn't the problem. It's getting them to fit my body the right way that provides the frustration. This year I have a black with pink flowers tankini, a black and white one piece, and a turquoise with white straps one piece. They are really cute...well except for the turquoise one which is more functional than cute.

I've been blessed...well how else to word it...with a pear shaped body. My hips and bottom are bigger than the top of me. So while these swimsuits fit well on the bottom (staying put and being flattering) the tops are rather large. That or I'm rather small up there. My mom usually has to wag out sewing machine and pull and pin me up so I don't end up on some Girls Gone Wild video.

Well, this year was no different. The black and white swimsuit (which has turned out to be my absolute favorite!) has some gathers around the bust which makes me look fuller on top. I'm all about that! After shortening the straps and tacking the V neck together a little more it fits perfectly. She also criss-crossed the straps on the black and pink flowered tankini in the back. I think I have a pretty back so I like the extra little detail back there. Again, it was all in an effort to keep those girls from falling out. Ever wish you could rearrange parts of your body? I'd definitely move some stuff north!

As for the turquoise one...well it was fixed but by the end I think both of us were frustrated with it. But, my mom seems to be a miracle worker with the sewing machine because it now fits right in the bust and the straps keep it up where it should be. As my mom said, "It won't ever be your favorite, but it does work."

So, I'm ready for these next few summer vacations. I've got my beach towels, the Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning lotion, and three swimsuits that cover me up and look pretty good on me. So, speaking as someone who has to work for the perfect swimsuit I wish all you the best of luck when it comes to finding the perfect suit.

Look out ocean...here I come!

Curl Up And Dye (Updated)

***Update....my hair is still in the same condition it was yesterday when I wrote this post. Unfortunately, my eyebrows and eye lid can't say the same.

I'd like to start this off by saying that I'm not snobby when it comes to my hair. I use Pert, I don't do fancy updos, and I don't spend upwards of $75 on hair cuts. I'm pretty simple. When I was growing up my mom took me to a little salon where I got a haircut for under $10. The same lady has been cutting my hair (and when I started waxing she did that too) for a long time. She was great. Up until I moved away I could walk in and she just knew what I'd want done. Okay that was probably due to the fact that she'd been doing the same cut for years but you get the point. When you get a great cut and good service for under $10 why complain or go some where else?

I mentioned that my beloved hairstylist had moved away, but I decided to give the same salon a shot. I walked in and I should have walked right back out. Anyway, there were only two ladies and a man (a very gay man...I'm not being judgmental but just saying the man was gay). One of the ladies had at one time given my mom a very BAD haircut and style so I wasn't letting her touch my hair. The other lady was someone I'd never seen and was in the process of coloring someone else's hair. When the lady asked if I was ready I told her that I'd changed my mind about the cut, but that I still wanted to get my eyebrows waxed. She said she didn't do waxing, but she'd let the guy know.

Now, I should have grabbed my purse and ran from the salon when he said "Are you Steffany? Well, hi sugar...go jump up there on my couch and I'll be right with you." I didn't...much to my regret. Anyway, I got over there and he comes over and tells me to close my eyes. I explained what I wanted done and he half listened. I'm sure he thought he knew more about what I wanted than I did.

Well, he got started. He dripped wax cream all over my forehead and eyes. Some of the cream even got in my eye...that stuff stings. Then he literally ripped the wax off. I'm used to waxing so it doesn't bother me anymore but it did smart. Then he left to go gab about someone's color job. I was starting to get peeved. He came back and again made a mess with the wax. He explained my questioning of why it was all over my face away with a short (and sing-songy gay tone of voice) "Well honey some times the wax is runny...you never know what you're going to get." Well thank you Forrest.

I was already starting to flinch (this guy was rough!) and I'd had it with the wax all over my face. I put my hand up (probably to grab his wrist but I'll never know) and the next thing I know he's laid a cloth over my eyelid. Now I know I have several male readers so you probably don't know that you'd never wax or rip cloth off your eyelid, but the ladies will understand. He rips the cloth off...along with about an inch long length of skin cells. I had tears in my eyes it hurt so bad. I gasped out that he'd hurt me and he replied with "Well, I'm trying to hurry." I pointed out that I wasn't in a hurry, but he just swabbed the open abrasion with alcohol. I almost came out of the couch/chair thing. At that point I just wanted to leave. My eye was throbbing and frankly I was shocked at the treatment I was receiving.

He handed me a mirror where I discovered that he'd completely made a mess of my face. One eyebrow was crooked, there was still stray hairs he hadn't managed to rip out, and the strings from the cloth were in my hair, eyebrows, and face. I wiped my face and he said that he'd meet me at the front.

I shouldn't have paid, but at this point I was ready to burst into tears so I just paid and left. I didn't say a single word to him and didn't make eye contact. I cried all the way home (well to the grocery store where I had to pull it together but then again when I was back in the car all the way home.) I couldn't understand why my eye hurt so bad until I got home and got a good look. He had left about a one inch strip of burned skin on my eyelid from where he'd waxed. And then I figured the alcohol bath was also causing the stinging.

My mom took one look at my face and told me to put an ice pack on and to hand her the phone. She asked for the name and number of the owner. The guy (the same gay, sing-songy voiced, couldn't wax his own butt guy) hung up on my mom. She's way too nice and said they got disconnected but I think he just hung up. Anyway, they wouldn't give out the number but they did say the owner would be there Friday. My mom is planning on calling then. I love it when she's on my side and kicks butt for me!

Anyway, while my eye isn't stinging it sure is ugly looking this morning. The burn now has a reddish brown tint to it so it's very noticeable. I was aiming to be noticed (with the new hairstyle) but this isn't exactly what I had in mind.

I normally don't put names and places on my blog, but if you're in Abilene please...DO NOT go to Abilene Hairlines. ******

Tomorrow I'm making a huge change...I'm getting my hair cut and highlighted. For all of you out there that probably doesn't sound like such a big thing or even a bloggable thing, but for me my hair is my safety blanket. So this is a big thing.

I've had the same hair style (shoulder length with extremely long layers so it has a gentle flip at the end) for many years. Actually five I think. I grew my bangs out so they are the same shoulder length as the rest of my hair. I like this cut...I really do. It looks great with my face shape and it's easy to maintain. It's also versatile...sleek and shiny when worn down, soft waves when not blown dry, and for days when I'm just not in the mood to mess with it...looks great in a pony tail. My hairstyle works!

So, if this one works...why the change?

Well, did I mention this is the same hairstyle I've had since I started college? I'm beginning to look dated. It needs a little life thrown into it. It took about a month to come to a decision about this and decide what I wanted. I'm getting highlights (probably reddish toned ones...I don't think I'd look good blond but I'm reserving judgment until I meet with my hair stylist) and going back to bangs as they seem to be "in" right now. I think I'm going to stick with the same length, but I'd like to try shorter layers...kinda of that spiky look. Well, a soft spiky look.

Now for the dramatic portion of the story...isn't there always a dramatic portion of the story with me??? I have a friend whose sister I like and she does a great job with hair. She in my new town, but since I was going to be home I thought I'd let the lady who has always cut my hair do the job...considering this is a major thing. I called while I was driving in Friday afternoon to make my appointment. The lady that answers hurriedly tells me that she no longer works there (or even in this town for that matter) but would I like to set up the appointment with someone else. God, no! I hung up, almost in tears about who was going to cut my hair now.

When I got home I started calling around asking about prices and the such. Did you know that when it comes to highlighting there is a cap and foil choice? I didn't either! Anyway, the last place I called I asked if there was someone there who did really great hair...you know...someone with a great customer satisfaction rating. She informs me that they are all good. I didn't leave my name (that could have been considered insulting) but I am planning on walking in there tomorrow afternoon.

Wish me luck!