My bad haircut experience

Before I tell you the story about my terrible hair cut experience know it is the experience that upset me not the haircut, luckily.

*

I made a hair appointment with a hair dresser at Ulta that two of my friends recommended. I showed up for my appointment right on time and the woman tells me that the stylist I had book with is out on medical leave. She then tells me that all of his clients were called already. It's pretty obvious by this time that I have no idea what exactly is going on so she offers to have my eyebrows waxed. I had plucked my eyebrows right before my appointment so I was a little apprehensive but I figured why not get them cleaned up.

*

Before the waxer even started I told her I was so confused as to what was going on so she said she would go check for me. She came back and said the woman I talked to was the manager and that she would cut my hair when we were done.

After my eyebrows were done she gave me a slip to give the front desk when I check out. It was at this time I realized I'm suppose to pay for this. I obviously didn't plan on getting waxed nor ask for it and now I have to pay $20 plus a 20% tip. I was beyond uncomfortable on top of not having the stylist I knew would give me a great cut.

*

I mentioned it to the manager who was about to cut my hair and she replied with "well what did you think was going to happen?" Then she was so busy switching my former appointment on the computer that we never got the wax resolved.

The person who had made my appointment spelled my name wrong, put in my phone number incorrectly and had made my appointment the length of an eyebrow wax not a haircut so that's where all the confusion started.

*

The appointment was the most stressful haircut I have ever gotten. There was no conversation, the entire time she talked and talked and went on. A manager from another salon came and they both ranted about work for at least 30 minutes.

*

I realized I was running late and left before my hair was completely done. I mentioned again that I wasn't planning on getting my eyebrows done and she said "I know you feel uncomfortable about it so I will take care if it." She pulled the store manager aside and I know from her personality that she bitched about what had happened.

*

By the time I got to the car I had been so overwhelmed for over an hour and a half that I started to cry. I was looking forward to a little pampering and the entire experience was not what I had expected. The friends who had recommend their hairdresser warned me that he was so focused on the cut he won't talk much. They also said that he would give me some great tips on the best ways to style my hair. I was expecting a relaxing peaceful experience and a great haircut and I left in tears. I had always thought it was crazy when I heard of people crying over a haircut, before yesterday.

*

I got a decent haircut but it is way more layered than I asked for. We talked about gradual layers that would blend in and mine are choppy at best. It isn't as bad when I curl the ends under with my straightener.

Love 21

I promised last week that I would visit the store that carries the new Love 21 line at Forever 21.

I made the hour long drive and only left myself half an hour to shop. I didn't realize that I was going to what has to be one of their biggest stores. I was going to take a photo in the store but it wouldn't do it any justice, showing you the map of the mall is better.

It's the bottom store if you didn't find it already.

It was the size of a department store.

*

It took a few moments to really get my bearing in such a big store but I soon figured out it was divided into sections by line. (They carried all the lines including the plus size and men's line.) I was pretty impressed by the Love 21 line but I would say the pieces offered are better online. The items I went looking for were exactly what I expected them to be though!

*

I got some amazing winter staple pieces that I am so excited for!

I picked up a great pair of skinny dark jeans for only $30 and a great black sweater that looks great belted. My favorite item though that I purchased was a stunning belt for $3.

It isn't as big as it may look in the photo. It really looks the best on...

The front reminds me of the Sex & the City belt that Carrie wore almost the entire movie.

I know you can't really see it in the photo but you can get an idea of how big it is. I think my favorite part is how classic belts are right now but how unexpected the back is.

I would have never guessed I would find something so great for so cheap.

*

Take note of my hair before my super stressful hair appointment today. In two words it was a complete disaster. I will tell you all about it tomorrow when I have more energy, this post is already too long.

I asked your opinion two weeks ago on what exactly I should do with my hair.

Right after I asked this picture was taken...

I was in a huge hurry and didn't have time to blow dry or curl my hair and it looked terrible.

If my hair is dried and curled it can look more like this photo which was taken the same week as the above photo.

*

You girls gave me some great advice, thanks! For now I am going to get a good trim and a reshape from a bad haircut. Nothing new or fancy just a major trim.

My appointment is tomorrow afternoon with a new guy that my friends use!

Forever 21

Has anyone else lately been so excited to find something cheap and fun at Forever 21 but sadly left empty handed, uninspired and frustrated?

I know the store overwhelms some but I have to say I have found some of my favorite pieces there. I love to splurge on classic pieces that will last forever and add in some fun accessories and tops from there. The price is right and if you know what you are looking for you can find the perfect item. One of my favorite purses is from there; I get compliments on it and asked if it is a designer purse all the time. I get more comments on it than I do on my designer ones. I even bought skinny jeans there last winter for $12.

*

Now that you know my love for it I have to say I have been very disappointed with them lately. I leave the store without trying anything on and feeling like everything was way too extreme. Even the high school girls I have gone with feel the exact same way.

*

Tonight I was on their website and found a great new line of theirs!

It's called Love21 Contemporary and it's made for people our age not the teens!

How cute would these be for the office?

Isn't that jacket great for only $27.

This skirt is only $17

I linked both pictures if you are interested in the items just click on them. Also if you want to browse just this line you can click on the link on the top right of the home page.

If you do order something know that they have changed the size chart for this line, they don't run as small I believe. Sadly the line isn't carried in most stores yet but for something so cheap it can be worth the gamble. There is a store in Colorado that carries it so I may make the drive to go check it out. If I do I will of course fill you in!

I just had a thought and I wondered if I am alone in this.

How old are the people you work with?

I am a Realtor and I am a good five years younger than any other person in my office. Even then there are only one or two who are five years older than me. They assume I am in my early 30's because I am married and my life is stable. This week our front desk girl who is 32 called my husband my boyfriend since she is seven years older, still dating and happens to knows my real age.

*

Did I get into an older profession or are most offices like this?

Boots and fall weather

Since the weather has been so yucky here for the past few days I have started to pull out my fall and winter clothes! I was getting tired of my summer clothes so I'm really not sad that the weather is so cold. I loved pulling out this jacket that I got last year...

It's a terrible photo but you get the idea.

*

To complete my fall wardrobe I have been searching for the perfect boot. I picked these up from DSW this week. I am looking for something that is a little more casual than my pointy toe high heeled boots.

I love them but I am a little worried that they are a little too edgy for me. I plan on wearing them with skinny jeans tucked in so you will see the entire boot.

Should I keep these or keep looking for more of a riding boot? I am having trouble finding ones that will fit over my calf with room for tucked in jeans.

Is it fall?

Today is the first day of fall right?

Not winter...

See that at the top of the screen?

It is snowing here right now. It's not even October and we are already getting our first snow.

What I'm reading

Last weekend we got to spend the weekend at the stunning Crooked Creek Ranch for a leadership retreat.

Our YL team.

*

God really spoke to me there to just spend time with Him.

I have made sure to be very purposeful with what I am reading so that I am seeking Him and spending time in His word.

Here are a few book currently on my night stand.

This series has been one of the most inspiring I have ever read. I am also learning so much about myself and my purpose through women of the bible. We have all heard the story of Mary but reading it like a true story really brings it alive like nothing else. I also see things in such a different light now that I also know the surrounding story and what was going on at that time.

Plus Francine Rivers is amazing!

Next on my night stand is Sex God.

Yep, I typed that correctly. It explores the endless connections between sexuality and spirituality. I would have never picked this book up but I overheard two people my age talking about how amazing it is. When I picked up the book I realized it was written by Rob Bell who makes the NOOMA videos. If you aren't sure what I am talking about they are 10 minute videos on a wide range of topics. I have added a full length one at the bottom of this post. It is crazy how a 10 minute video can do more for me than an entire church service.

Last but not least I have this book by the also amazing Beth Moore. I was looking for one of her bible studies over a year ago and picked this up instead. I did one of her studies last summer, she was so insightful that I can't wait to read a book she wrote.

TONIGHT, YES TONIGHT

We had our very first Young Life club last night of the school year!

The first club is always very exciting but a lot of work to pull off. We combined all three high schools in the area for one huge event. The big draw of the evening was a Chick-Fil-A nugget eating contest. Luckily for us one of the local store was nice enough to donate 500 nuggets for our event...

Yep TONS of nuggets. We also had the cow taking pictures with the kids!

There were well over 100 kids there crammed into a little basement. One of the other highlights was two member of the band The Heyday came to play a song for us. I had never heard of them before but after hearing them live once I can't wait to hear more.

They are from Denver and were a part of YL at one of our local high

schools so they wanted to come play while in town.

Given up

I have finally given up fighting with my hair over what color I naturally am. For at least 10 years now I have been getting highlights that have slowly gotten blonder and blonder...

The above photo was taken around a year ago. I love the color but I got so tired of paying over $100 every six weeks to maintain the color (that was with a big discount because it was done by a friend).

This is the state that my hair is currently in...

Not terrible but the ends are definitely lighter. When I pull my hair back though my hair looks really dark, this is most likely the best photo to show you what it looks like up...

After so long I am really enjoying seeing what my natural hair color is and that I naturally have a few highlights as you can see above. I am trying to decide though if it is time to take the plunge and just dye it all the same color. I have gone dark before but it always turns out so dark that it really washes me out. I am scared that they are going to change my natural color that I have been working hard to grow out. I could always cut the blond off but I am no where near ready to get rid of my long hair.

Gross

Do you own one of these water bottles?

I love mine and use it all the time. I am very careful to hand wash it and make sure it doesn't make it's way into the dishwasher because I have heard it's bad for the plastic. I always take off the straw and make sure it is clean but I never thought about taking off the blue mouth piece... until today.

I was playing with it and realized that when I pulled off the mouth piece that it was full of gross black stuff. I am not 100% sure what it is but I know it is bad news.

New gear

I hope that you all had great Labor Day weekends!

We had a very laid back day, just the way we like it. We were planning to go to Taste of Colorado but first we had to stop by and pick up snowboarding passes on our way. We figured it would just be a quick stop but as soon as we walked up and saw the huge line we realized we may be there for a while. Today was the last day to buy the passes so we really didn't have any other option. Passes were $130 for 5 days rather than upwards of $90 for just one day. I was so excited for the upcoming season that I almost forgot that I needed snow pants that don't come off when zipped and boots that don't make my feet go numb after 5 minutes.

*

After an hour wait in line we started shopping for new gear. I found a pair of pants I love and really cute new boots that feel great. We of course had to pull out all of our other boarding gear to make sure it all still fits and matches.

The new pants are folded over the top of the board, I also have a white hat and gloves. It doesn't matter what you look like but it's fun to look cute right?

After two hours at the snowboard store we decided to just go home rather than brave another big crowd in the hot sun.

Cowboy boots and dresses

A few weeks ago a friend came over and borrowed a few dresses. She was on her way to Texas for a wedding and needed a few dresses for the different events. For the rehearsal dinner they were suppose to wear boots and a dress, she borrowed mine and I just love the way she looked in them...

I have been looking for an excuse to wear something like this but I haven't found one yet.

Would you wear something like this without having a theme party to go to?