a lighter shade of me

new year, new hair color

Shades of Brunette

I’m a natural brunette. That’s all due in part to you know…heredity, genetics and the fact that I got more than my fair share of Italian genes from my father. In recent years my level of “brunetteness” (not a word, but go with it) has varied from shades slightly deeper than my natural color, all the way to almost black. Recently, however, I have to admit that I’ve been slowly going, gasp, lighter!

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, 2009 was a blah year for me in almost every aspect imaginable. So in December I decided to make some changes, first starting with my hair! Since I’ve been growing it out for what seems like eternity (I blame the even more blah year of 2005 for the drastic hair cut that ensued), I wasn’t about to chop it all off, so I took in a magazine picture that caught my eye (Oliva Wilde incase you’re interested) and started down the path towards lighter hair.

After 4 hours at the salon and treatments of bleach, dye, highlights, and toner I walked out with slightly lighter hair. This past weekend, I trekked back to the Salon for highlights part deux. Now my hair is noticeably lighter.



Once I snap a pic of the results I'll post a comparison!

Note to Self

From 9-5, or 8-6, or whatever hours I’m working that day – I am an Executive Assistant – and as such I wear the appropriate business/business casual (no denim, never denim, my office hates denim) attire. This means every morning, sometimes night if I’m attempting to get a leg up on the day, I search my closet for an outfit which is both work appropriate and fits my personal style.

Today my argyle sweater vest caught my eye and after some back and forth I paired it with a blue button-down shirt. In my head I like button-down shirts. They’re crisp, professional and I can wear them about hundred ways. Well that’s all in my head, cause in reality, they wrinkle, come unbuttoned and gap. It is the gap that’s driving me insane today as my necklace keeps getting caught up in that annoying little crevice between buttons.

So note to self: You don't like oxford shirts, so quit wearing them to work!

pause

My life has been on pause the past few weeks, as I’ve been preparing for the 6th and finale season of LOST. Now you might be thinking, “Preparing? Why do you need to prepare?” Well the simple answer is because I’m obsessed, completely 100% obsessed. Hence why I am partaking in an entire series re-watch prior to the premiere Feb. 2nd. This means my life has been reduced to the following: get up, go to work, workout, watch LOST until exhaustion and repeat.

And seeing as I’ve been into making goals lately (1, 2, 3), I set a 2 episode minimum for each day. Yes folks, I’m full on crazy, I realize this. At this point, I’m nearing the home stretch and I couldn’t be more excited!

the things that keep me entertained

Per usual, the first thing I did this morning was check my Google Reader. Most days, I sift through haphazardly, only skimming the content, but not today. Today was a good day, as one of my favorite blogs, 20-Nothings, was updated. 20-Nothings is one of the blogs I am religious to. Religious is not a word I throw around lightly, but if you can be religious to a blog, then 20-Nothings is my version of the Bible. If you don't read 20-Nothings, please check it out. I love slash concur with about 99.9% of the posts.

But I digress, today’s post was about another 20 something blog/social experiment, 100girls100days. And here I am almost 8 hours later, having read all, yes ALL, 68 days (+ the few other posts). Not sure I'm any wiser, but I am (was) entertained. I wonder if any females out there haven taken on their own version of this social experiment. If Cincinnati wasn't the pit of despair of dating, I would think about giving this a try, but alas Cincinnati IS the pit of despair and who am I kidding, if I went on even A date that would be miracle.

Today reminds me of when I found Ruminations and instantly became preoccupied for a week, only this time it lasted a day. But nonetheless, thank you 100girls100days for helping make this Friday much more enjoyable.

Pack your bags?

Resolution # 3: Evaluate my life and decide if and where I should move

Background: I’ve been mulling over whether 2009 was as stagnate and boring as I initially thought. Or if perhaps my current location was the source of my discontent? Several discussions were had with friends, namely E, about the idea of “the big move”. To legitimize the idea to myself and others, I shared my plans with the fam over the holidays and just recently with my co-workers.

Timeline: As of January 1, 2011 I will evaluate my life here in Kentucky and as objectively as possible decide if a move is in my future. After serious reflection if the answer is “yes-move!” then start tentatively planning a move for June 2011.

Flashing Lights

Resolution #2: Take More Pictures

Background: I’ve wanted to do a Project 365 (1 photo every day for 365 days) for a while now, but the entire idea seems a little daunting to me. I have an office job, live in a city that I find, for the most part, rather boring, and visit the same assorted 5 places regularly. I was (am) afraid of repeating photos/struggling to find 365 pieces of inspiration so I’ve modified Project 365 to something slightly more manageable.

Timeline: 1 year. My modification has spurred Project 52– 1 picture per week for every week of the year.




1[52]


You can also follow along via flickr **

oh snow, how i love thee

due to some rather large, fluffy snow hitting the Ohio/KY border my work has been closed early! Yay! And on my late work day too. Double YAY!

A New Leaf

It’s January! Which means for the majority of the world, me included, it’s resolution time. Just like 99.9% of people, I’m known to make resolutions every January and like those 99.9% I am also notorious for letting those goals fall to the wayside. Not always entirely, but nonetheless it happens. So a major goal of mine for 2010 is to determine a few solid aspirations and stick to them.

So today I share with you Resolution #1: Read More

Background: After a recent trip to Borders with my most well-read friend E, I realized I have a library catalog similar to most tweens and yuppie young adults (read Harry Potter, Twilight and Nicholas Sparks’ books, with an occasional John Grisham novel). After listening to her talk about of all the books she’s read and loved, I resolved that I must indeed read more!

Timeline: 1 book per month, which simple math tells me is 12 books for the year, including at least 3 classics.

Book No. 1: The Reader

Contenders for Books 2-12: The Lovely Bones, Jane Eyre, The Lost Symbol, The Red Tent.

Please feel free to offer, ideas, suggestions, recommendations, what have you. I'm open to suggestions!

Part 3: All That Remains (aka Fall/Winter of 2009)

I had intentions of completing my year in review prior to the New Year but that didn’t really happen. So here we have Part 3, better late than never I suppose and Happy 2010!


Per usual (at least pour moi) the fall/winter months slowly become more and more boring. The weather changes, tv shows start to premiere and I naturally become a hermit. This year was no different. In 2005 I became obsessed with foreign films, in 2007 I was too busy living out of a suitcase to know any better, and in 2009 I found new TV shows to catch my attention, most notably Mad Men and True Blood. And now when every show known to man is in winter hiatus I have a series re-watch of LOST to keep me occupied.

As for actual events, my dad was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame and yours truly was given the task of introducing dear old dad. Absolutely nothing noteworthy stands out from November other Thanksgiving and the enjoyable extra days off from work. That and of course, the annual Thanksgiving Day tradition of venturing to the movies. This year the selection: New Moon This tradition also carried over to Christmas Day (Sherlock Holmes & Up in the Air).

So that's 2009, for better and for worse. As for 2010, I'm hoping to spend more time writing, take more pictures and as always embark on some notable road trips. First up Chicago this weekend for the one and only Gaga. Details, I'm sure, are to follow.