I’ve had the same hair stylist for the last 7 (7!) years.  I always kid Nikki that she’s my longest relationship (well, sort of true).  When I was 21 I got my hair chopped to my chin and it’s gone through various short lengths since then.  After the break up last September, I started to grow my hair out (a slow and arduous process) and it’s finally (almost) to my shoulders (le sigh).

I love that I can put it in a teeny, tiny ponytail which I now dub “the comma”.  But it is bothering me!  I have a hair appointment tomorrow and I know that I’m not ready to go ultra short yet (I will one day, but I want it longer so that it’s a huge difference when I do), but I do know I need something different.  I was thinking an angled bob, but then worried I wouldn’t have enough hair in the back for my beloved “comma”.  My hair is very fine and pretty straight (pre-flattening iron), but it does get these little flips at the end – especially in this weather. 

Me, at this very moment (pardon the blurry camera phone image):

Here are a few pics I printed to show Nikki.  I’d love your input.  Let me know if you have a favorite or feel free to send me a link to a pic in the comments section.  Thanks!

This is what I’ve been attempting to do with my hair (minus the length).  I want the straight across bangs, but once mine start growing, they sweep to the side so I think I have to abandon this dream and move on.

For the record, I am not a Paris fan, but I do happen to love her hairstyle in this pic.

I think I’ve brought a Katie pic with me the last 4 times I’ve gone to get my hair cut.  She has gorgeous hair!

Her hair looks fine and wispy like mine so maybe (just maybe) this look is attainable for me.

Comments?  Thoughts?  Spill the beans!

Photo courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg

I’m thinking I should have written this post pre-lake getaway.  Let me explain…

 I met bachelor #2 on the beach the day before we were set to leave.  I had just taken a long walk alone and left my sister sleeping in her chair by our stuff.  On my way back to my sis, I took a quick dip in the ocean to cool off.  As I walked up the beach toward her, I noticed she was talking to some random dude.  Enter bachelor #2.

 B#2 is loud, witty, and charismatic!  He lives the Charleston area and at this point I believe he’s unemployed.  And did I mention very complimentary?  Within half an hour of meeting him and his group of friends he invited my sister and I on a sunset cruise on a 10 person boat.  (Not his, mind you).  This kid asked one of the girls in his group to take a picture of us and then whispered in my ear “One day we’ll show this to our kids and tell them this is the first day we met”.  I mean, who says this shit!?!?!  A totally cheesy line, but Ididn’t care.  I just laughed.  Then he asked if I knew how to pretzel and then we started dancing on the beach.  At 4 pm in broad daylight in front of my sister, his friends, and all random beachgoers who got to see how low I could be dipped. 

Even though this was all fun, I was still a little skeptical on going on a boat with a bunch of strangers (who doesn’t remember Natalee Holloway?), but B#2 was persistent.  He said he would ask my dad’s permission.  Yes, I am 30 years old and yet this line was still spoken.  I said “Buddy, I haven’t brought a boy home in 8 years.  You don’t know what you’re getting in to.”  But he insisted and off went to our beach house.  After meeting everyone in my family except my father, the three of us were off to our sunset cruise.

More dancing on the boat ensued.  Stories off our education, past loves, and current life activities were exchanged.  This kid has lived and worked in London, Korea, and owned a store for a few years in Charleston.  It’s amazing the number of stories that are passed in a mere 4 hours.  We saw about 2 dozen dolphins at sunset and he laughed at me because I was so amazed by them (I forget that he sees this everyday).  We had a nice little smooch before I left and the promise that when he comes to Atlanta in a few weeks he would take me out on a date. 

So all last week he kept popping into my mind.  I’m attacted to the carefree spirits.  Probably because I am not that way in the least.  Anyway, I texted him last Friday just to say hi and he texted back saying he’d call me when he gets his Atlanta trip set and he asked me to come to C-town a day early when I go back in a few weeks. 

I go to the lake and am in bed when my phone wakes me up at 12:30 am.  It’s B#2 and he’s a bit lit.   He asks again if I’ll come up early.  My impending trip is a long girls’ weekend with some friends of mine.  In my head I start to consider this option.  I was convincing myself to take an extra day and drive up solo for a date with B#2.  And then full on lewdness ensued and he started to tell me all the things he wanted to “do” to me.  Now, I must admit, I was a bit intrigued/shocked that this was where the conversation was going.  It’s been a minute since I’ve had any major action and this guy is sexy as hell, but I’ve never really been a fuck buddy kind of girl.  I wish I could be all Samantha Jones like and just get mine and go, but the problem is I always want more.  I know this because I’ve been around the block a time or two (read: I’ve been a fuck buddy) and I know that only the beginning of it is good and once the glitter rubs off you just feel like shit.  Kind of like how the sexy, smokey eye make up from the night before makes you look like a domestic violence victim in the morning if you don’t wash your face.  

Admittedly, I am a little bummed.  I did think our chemistry extended beyond just sexual/physical chemistry, but I can’t quite ignore that fact that I did indeed receive a long distance booty call (or does that equate to just a run of the mill phone sex request?).  Alas, I’d rather be lacking in the action department than feel hollow and angry. 

If anything this little experience reminds me why it’s called a summer fling ~ you keep it short and fun and sexy and then end it before you see the dark side of people.  That’s why I wish I had written this post pre-phone sex call.  Then I could at least have a sweet, nostalgic recap instead this one of a horny guy and cell phone!   

I know I promised to spill the beans on my bachelor #2, but I am leaving for a lake weekend in a few short hours with my dear friend Emme and have a shit ton of work to attempt to get done before I go. 

But I do have a little jewelry highlight for you guys – I bought this beautiful spoon ring on Market Street last week when I was in Charleston.  The ring has an inscription on the inside and was made in November 1910.  The pattern is call “orange blossom” and I’m simply in love with it.  In fact, when the vendor put it on my finger I exclaimed “I do!”.  He looked at me strangely and said “That was easy”.  I said “No kidding, buddy!  You didn’t even have to buy the ring!”

Ugh, wish I had a better camera – had to use my cell phone.  Still haven’t bought a new one!

When I got back from the beach I decided to check on ebay for some vintage rings and found a pretty one with a rose (one of my favorites) in my size for only $5!  I won it and it came in the mail yesterday but it’s smaller than a 5   I think it can be expanded though so I’m going to work on that when I get home.  Here’s what the new one looks like (it needs a good cleaning/polishing):

Have a wonderful weekend, Darlings!

p.s. Speak of the devil – bachelor #2 just texted me – woot woot!

What summer vacation story would be complete without a little romance action?  Now don’t get too excited or you’ll be let down, but I did meet two misters on my Folly trip that keep sashaying across my mind.

Bachelor #1 was a one-man band at the restaurant my sister and I went to when seeking refuge from our family one night for dinner.  Always a fan of live music, I emphatically applauded and woohoo-ed this bachelor after every song.  Have I mentioned before that I have a penchant for guys who play guitar and sing!?!?  After he saw sis and I get some tequlia shots, he made his way over to our table before he was to start his last set.  Unfortunately by this time my older brother and two of my older cousins had arrived and joined us.  This wasn’t so bad since the trip was intended for family togetherness, but it’s hard to mack on someone with half of your family at a table – I was just waiting for one of them to throw salt in my game.  Anyhow, bachelor #1 was a fan of the fam and kept telling me how cool we are were (yeah, as if I didn’t know this already , but I did appreciate the confirm).  A few stats on the man – he’s 13 years my senior (a year shy of the biggest difference in age that I have dated), he grew up on the beach in NC, and is a fairly new resident to SC.  During his last set he let us (my family) dictate the playlist but he wasn’t afraid to say “no!” or “hell no!” to songs he was sick of  playing (I got vetoed when I shouted the song that shares this blog post title by Don Henley as a suggestion).

He told my family and I that a friend of his bartends at the hotel bar a mere 2 minute walk away and that he would be heading over there once he was done packing his gear.  My crew went over there and was on drink two when bachelor #1 appeared.  He was so cute!  A bigger guy.  Very tan, of course, and great laugh lines.  He smiled a lot.  And the best thing?  He just wanted to know about me!  (Attention local talent – girls like when you ask them questions about themselves!!!)  And not just the hum ho “where do you live?  what do you do?”, this was almost therapy/life coach caliber of questions: “what makes you passionate?  what are your dreams? what’s preventing you from doing that?”.  Just a very cool cat.  I offered to walk him to his car (for a smooch of course!) and he declined.  Then I realized it and said “Oh!  You love me but you’re already taken!”.  He nodded and said he I was right on both accounts so I smiled and said good-bye to him.  I don’t mess with taken men – bad karma, I think.  But I’m glad I met him – I wasn’t really surprised he was taken – he had such a good, sweet spirit about him, I just knew he was a good guy.  A good guy who I’ll count as one of my boys of summer!

I have to catch my bus shortly so Bachelor #2 will be up next

Today is my first day back in the office (yea for WordPress access!) and consequently the first day in a week where I had to slather on make up and force my previously flip flop adorned feet into a pair of 3 inch heels.  I’m not ready to say good-bye to beach just yet (perhaps that explains my dirty hair this morning that I tried to “fix” using baby powder).

Anyhoo, suffice it to say I had a fabulous time at the beach and am seriously wanting to move to the Charleston area like tomorrow.  I’ve already done some job searching today (yes, while at work).  Also, I thought today would be super busy after being gone a week, but it’s been very agreeable!  Thank goodness!  This little gift has given me some time to catch up on lots of blog reading and my oh my, so much has happened in a week!

A few quick updates:

• The lovely AsianCajuns have revamped their blog (and moved to WordPress).  You can check out their new site here at http://asiancajuns.com/.
• The beautiful and talented fashion maven Karina over at Anywhere But Here has opened her very own online store: Wanderlusting Style Store where she cleverly pairs wardrobe pieces to exotic cities.  I love this shop and can’t wait to see more!
• And perhaps the biggest and happiest change, Lisa at Lemon Gloria gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Jordan.  Congrats to Lisa and her husband Nick!

And now back to me!  Yes, while normally a girly-girl who will rarely leave the house without a smudge of make up, I must say that I do miss the boho persona I took on at the beach (wearing only flip flops, maxi dresses or jumpers, and Carmex being my only “make up” staple).  I only blow dried my hair twice and straightened it once.  I hid my crazy hair in hats (I bought two while there – the fedora below and straw cowboy hat that I’m itching to take the tags off of!) or by scarves. 

Got some good munchkin love from my niece and nephew.  I miss them already!

So now it’s back to reality for me and the rest of my family (who, by the way, are all alive – I was worried there may have been a casualty with 12 of us in one big house).  But I must admit that I do feel refreshed.  If only I can make it last…

Oh and one more thing!  As I was loading my pictures onto www.shutterfly.com last night, I noticed they had an offer for a *free* 8×8 in photo book.  I made one of these last year and loved it so I made another one of my family’s beach trip.  It is adorable and only set me back about $9 for shipping.  If you are interested, go to shutterfly and use the promo code summerbook to get this deal.  But hurry- offer ends on 8/26/09!

Front and back cover of my book:

Oy!  But it’ll be worth it   Have a wonderful weekend!

my bed

So I got my birds in the mail yesterday and they are so pretty!  I started looking for frames today on ebay and have narrowed it down to these two wooden white distressed (one more than the other) ones both from ebay seller theframeguys:

Super distressed

vs. ornate and distressed

I can get three frames of either style with shipping for under $45.  Have an opinion on which you like better?  I want to hear it!  Let me know what you think.

Onto our second “B”: the beach!  As in I’m leaving for Folly Beach (outside of Charleston, SC) this Saturday and am staying there a whole seven freaking days!!!!  I can’t wait.  I’ve planned this trip for my immediate family and a handful of cousins.  There are 12 of us staying in this awesome house on the beach.  The only potential drawback is, of course, family drama.  But I’ve already decided if I need some me time, me and my trusty bottle of Malbec will just find our way to secluded spot on the beach.  In preparation for this trip I bought a lot of cute (and cheap!) dresses from Forever21 and will probably make my sis take lots of pics of me sporting my threads.  So next week you can definitely count on a few outfit posts – I’m looooooong overdue!  I will have these two adorable companions to play with the entire time (they love their Aunt PLT):

And the last, not so good “B”: blocks.  As in my company has blocked a lot of my favorite blogs   Wicked Courtni, I miss you, Darling!  On some that aren’t blocked, I’m getting errors when I try to comment.  I’m still reading – promise!  I miss not being able to respond so I will try to be better about doing so when I get home.  And if that doesn’t work, well, I guess I’ll just have to find a job that doesn’t have quite the firewall.  Yeah, I’m not kidding.

So back to the pesky New Year’s resolutions again.  I’ve actually done pretty well so far.  The biggest one on my list is the process of revamping my bedroom to look more like an adult lives there rather than a college kid.  I finally bought the leaning bookcase at Crate & Barrel and can honestly say I no longer have any cardboard boxes in my room (in plain sight anyway).

There are a lot of items on my room revamp list: make curtains, make duvet cover, make a dog bed for Frank, get some furniture (big mirror and chair), some painting, and the biggest  (and most expensive) of all: a closet makeover.  All of these projects are a bit overwhelming so I decided to start small – put stuff on my walls.  I bought the following 3 prints from etsy shop owner Hadley Hutton for my room (all photos via Hadley Hutton’s etsy site):

I can’t wait for these to come!  Now I’m in search of some frames.

Revamp 2 is the curtains.  I’ve picked the fabric and now I just need to take measurements and make the order.  I’ll try to remember to do some before and after shots for that.  Baby steps

Speaking of baby steps, I’m planning a baby shower for my best friend and I so  want to spill all my details here, but she sometimes reads my blog so I have to keep it off the interwebs for now.  Grrr.

Ok, so that’s only funny if you watch The Soup on E!, but this is the phrase I exclaimed to my sister after my Walmart trip on Monday night.  I went for household items and came across this cute little number (but I bought the one in light gray):

I’ve been looking for a cute ruffled shirt all summer and loved this one…not to mention the price at $12.  I had heard a few weeks ago on the radio that Miley Cyrus was starting a line at Walmart.  I immediately recalled when Mary Kate & Ashley did the same thing.  I remember when that happened, but I honestly couldn’t remember the outcome. I’m sure it was successful, but not being a tween at the time, I didn’t notice “MK and A” items.  Anyhoo, what I didn’t know about the Miss Cyrus line was that she was buddied up with Max Azria!!!  I didn’t really check out the other items of the line after I was smitten with this shirt, but I’m sure I’ll peruse the juniors section my next time in Walmart.  But for now I’m a fan.  I wore my new shirt tucked into a high waisted pencil skirt and got many a compliment.  No pictures though because apparently I suck, but hopefully I’ll remedy that soon!

ps – so sorry for the sporadic postings and comments – my work has blocked a lot now and by the time I get home I’m sick of being in front of the computer.  i’m working on it though…  miss you guys and i am reading your blogs, promise!

I went to the library yesterday to pick up a book I had on hold.  When I left the house I was telling my sister I was a bit worn out from reading.  I’ve been burning through book after book off my list (yes, I know I haven’t been writing the book reports to prove this claim, but I promise they are coming).  Lo and behold, for not being in the mood to read I left the library with six books in tow!

Only one of the books I left with was on my original list.  The others are for the most part non-fiction *gasp*!  I am not a huge non-fiction reader.  The one I started last night and finished today is called “Other People’s Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See”.  And it is exactly that – full and partial love letters (emails and texts included) from various people and various generations (I think the oldest letter in the book is from 1911!).  But not all of the letters were of the gushy variety – some were of love lost or love in trouble.

While not an earth shattering or thought provoking book, I did *love* this book!  Much like blogs, there’s something exciting about the voyeuristic view of someone else’s life and when it’s someone else’s love life, well, that just makes it all the more juicy! 

One thing that struck me was how many love letters were via email (one was even on a blog!).  Of course electronic messaging is our primary communication these days, but it got me thinking….when was the last time I had received an actual, tangible love letter?  Off the top of my head I’d have to say right after college when my boyfriend at the time was in officer candidate school.  I have held onto every love letter ever given to me.  They reside in a box in my closet and are neighbors with various birthday cards and pictures.  I don’t look at them often, but I do find some joy in reading through them from time to time.  The thing about love letters is that at the time the person wrote them to you, they were seeing you at your best self.  It’s nice to be reminded of your best self.  It’s also nice to remember that someone cared so much about you that they wanted to express it so bad and to put it down in writing.  Sometimes I wish I could get back the love letters that I have written so that I can be reminded of the passion that I once had for someone.

All this love talk.  I miss having a boyfriend.  Ever since I wrote about M getting a new girlfriend back in March I haven’t really dated at all.  Nor did I want to.  The funny thing was that it didn’t bother me.  I didn’t mention it at the time, but I was seeing someone when I learned about M moving on.  I broke it off with the guy after I heard about M because I realized I would never have that type of feelings towards him. 

Recently I met a guy …and two of his friends (a couple).  We have been hanging out here and there (the four of us) for the past couple of weeks now.  I know this guy likes me, but my jury has been out on him.  1. He smokes (I am not a smoker) 2. He drinks… a lot.  Now, I know for number 2 here that’s the pot calling the kettle black, but this is a different kind of drinking than I do.  This past Tuesday we went out on a real date and I surprised myself by having such a good time.  Now I’m in questioning mode.  Normally when I’m with someone I am physically attracted to them right off the bat – can this part come later?  I’ve been worried about my motives because I kept meeting them out knowing that he likes me when I wasn’t really interested in him – is this me settling?  Something I said I’d never do.  I hate when my actions don’t match my thoughts and I’m afraid I’m going to end up hurting someone.  Wow, this isn’t how I thought this post would play out, but thanks for bearing with my stream of consciousness.  Maybe I should dig up some of those old love letters for a pick me up now

If you are lucky enough to have someone special in your life, why don’t you take a moment and scratch out a quick note and let them know how much you are in love with them.  Nothing fancy, it could be on a post it note or a napkin.  I promise it will make their day…and then in return it’ll make your night!  Happy weekend, Darlings and thanks for bearing with me through this sappy post.