This Will Be My Hair Tomorrow...

Ok, I've blogged about changing my hair before, last time was here, and now I'm finally ready to just go for it. I've thought about ombre for a long time and have always chickened out last minute. Now, I want to eventually darken my hair up a little bit closer to my natural color (dark blonde/light brunette), but I'm not ready for a full on plunge. So I've found a great example of what I'd like to shoot for to ease the pain change. 

Here's my example:

Perfect right? I love that it's very subtle, it's not black/white ombre, but super gradual and natural looking.

Here's some more pics I found of the lovely Miss Duff (Mrs Comrie):

So what do you think? Yay or nay? Are you over the ombre trend?

The Wedding is Over, Here's my Advice

1. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
When you're getting married so many people volunteer themselves to help, so let them! It's easier on you and you can get a lot done! I had a craft day a few months before the wedding and we were able to put all the invitations together and address them, roll silverware, put together smaller decorations for the reception, and the bridesmaids put together some details for the bridal shower. It was so much fun to get together and it gives people a chance who aren't in the bridal party to be involved.

2. Try everything out before hand- and PHOTOGRAPH it!
This applies to your hair, make-up, dress, jewelry, centerpieces etc. Anything that you can attempt to do before hand- do it! AND photograph it! For example, a cute side pony can be perfect for your dress, but it only looks good photographed from one side. A necklace you bought might be too simple to show up in pictures or may overwhelm your overall look. Try a nail/hair/make-up salon BEFORE your big day appointments. I went to a brand new nail salon thinking how difficult can it be for nails? Boy was I wrong! I ended up having my nails done and re-done a total of 3 times. It's such a small thing, and I easily could have done it myself if worse came to worse, but was such a headache. These things, might cost money, but it's well worth it so there's no surprises or meltdowns the day-of.

3. No matter the cost, get two photographers.
I love, LOVE, love our pictures, but I consider myself a "picture" person and would have loved to have 1000s of pictures instead of 100s. There were a few pictures we missed out on because we didn't have two photographers, but our one photographer got some amazing shots. We didn't have two because we just couldn't afford it, but looking back now I would have picked up some extra shifts or started serving again to make the extra cash.

4. Have a first look
Unless you're BIG on not seeing each other before the wedding or surprising him down the aisle, I recommend a first look 100%. It was the only time Matt and I had to ourselves, a few moments to talk and share our love. We didn't even notice our photographer, he gave us our private time for each other. It was wonderful, like our little secret. Also, you can get some great pictures and aren't in as big of a rush before the wedding as you are between the ceremony and reception.


5. Make sure to go over your day-of itinerary with your coordinator.
You need to both be on the same page, and not just think that you are. Also make an itinerary for all of your bridal party, family members, and parents of your ring bearers/children. This makes it easier on you if everyone has all of the times, addresses, phone numbers etc. and know where to be and when and how to get a hold of you or the groom if they need to.


6. On the day of your wedding, be calm.
Everyone couldn't believe how calm I was on the big day. I wasn't freaking out, anything that went awry I had let it go. That week, we had a death in the family and the funeral was the day of our rehearsal dinner. It was a horrible time for everyone, but there was nothing we could do. I wasn't able to be there for any set up or explanation to others on what needed to be done. Which wouldn't have been a problem had I used a venue for the event, but we were having it in a backyard of my family's home. I had to have a lot of faith in my family and friends that things would get done without me. Trust me, there was a few things that didn't go as planned, but they were so minimal to the whole picture. There's nothing you can do about it anyways. Think about it, if you show up at your venue and the flowers or linens are wrong- what are you going to do? Absolutely nothing. So don't sweat it.

I think those are my biggest pieces of advice that I learned from my own wedding. If possible, ask all your friends who are married what they wish they would have done or what they would have done differently. Even better, ask your venue or wedding coordinator for references, ask the brides who have used them before what advice they have for working with them.


So married ladies, what's your piece of advice for future brides out there?

**Don't forget to enter my giveaway for 250 flyers that can be used as announcements, invites and more enter here**

Hair 911...

Ok, so maybe not 911, but I've been dying to switch up my hair for months, but couldn't because of the wedding. I mean, I didn't want to try a new cut or color on a day I'm taking 1000s of pictures, what if it turned out fugly?? (my hair stylist is bomb.com so I'm sure it wouldn't, but it's still risky to try something new before the big day).


So again, I'm dying for a change. A new cut? A new color? I love my hair and color now, but I need something different. I've been rocking this look for a while and need to switch it up. Years ago in my man-eating party college days I had a different cut or color every appointment. Purple streaks? Yep. Mohawk short on top of long hair? Yep. No I didn't style it like that, it was just crazy layers. I would seriously go to my stylist with some punk rock look and tell her, "can you do this in a sorority girl way? ok, thanks". No joke.


Here's some looks that have caught my eye, mind you I may just go into my appointment and say "do whatever you want N, I trust you!", I might say "the usual please" or go in with some awesome photos and tips from my blog friends.


Here's my ideas:


For a cut: I'm thinking of taking just a few inches off. I love the "lob" (long bob) and have rocked it several times over the years, even before it was hip. Here's where it gets tricky though. I LOVE short hair, but then I LOVE really long mermaid hair too. I always cut my hair with the thought of "why not? that's what extensions are for". Which would be my theory now, but my hair is almost to the length I want. Only 3 more inches to go- I even busted out a ruler to double check. So cutting it now would kind of feel like giving up. After that argument with myself I think, "well K, what are you going to when it gets that length? Cut it then?". See? It's a constant inner battle. So check these cuts, but think my current blonde color.

 

Here's a pic of me when I had a "lob", sorry it's such a small pic

For the color: I am in love with the ombre look (wasn't feeling it at first, but it's really grown on me). I'm scared sick to try it though because there's so many bad dyes out there trying to get this color right. If I went ombre, I would want a more natural color change, and not a horizontal line where the magic happens. Maybe just bleaching out my tips? Here's the colors I like, let me know your thoughts. Cameron and Spencer's colors are my most fave, a really nice blending of shades.

Then, here's short crops I would love to rock if I had the guts to go this short again. The hubster may have a heart attack if I came home with these cuts, he's a die hard fan of ultra long locks.

 

So far, the Hub and my Mom want me to do nothing, just keep it as is.
My gf's want me to cut it.

So ladies, please dish. All comments and opinions are welcome!