Getting Ready

It really doesn't feel like Christmas is so soon. I mean, there's been so much hard stuff to deal with lately in the news and closer to home that it's difficult to feel like celebrating. But I have these children who know nothing of the dreadful things in this world and it is my job to spread around all the Christmas cheer. 

Tonight was the company Christmas party. So I got ready while the kids napped this afternoon. (Aside: We've had some great days around here lately. Lots of playing and cuddling and reading and talking and cooperating, thus good naps.) I got done with everything I needed to do (chores, etc.) and had time to curl my hair. After all this, I ended up with my old standby, the braid crown.

A Break?

After that long weekend of nothing but school and work, I am glad today is over.

I honestly did not know if I could get everything done. Plus James was sick and Bea had a cough.

Today all that work was due in my classes and I turned it all in on time. Now I can relax and enjoy all of tomorrow with NO homework! I think I'll take the kids out somewhere and take photographs.

In my photography class, we are doing a section right now on landscape photography. I'm going to read the essay on it tonight and look at some Sally Mann images.

Do you like my dress?

The Amazing Braid

I am so proud of myself for not chopping my hair off a few months ago when the urge hit! Oh, I was so close. Plus, James likes me best with short hair. BUT now I can do this ^ all by myself!

I think it is amazing and beautiful. James says it looks like a shower cap.

What do you think? Is it a DO or a DON'T?

Red

Hey, I did it! After a good deal of research and with the help of an expert, I took the plunge. 

Somehow, I feel like it's a better reflection of my charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to have red hair. It is a wild, fiery red. It is more of a ginger, in-your-face redhead red than a mature auburn. My natural high and low lights remain so that it looks more believable. 

We (Lucy and I) used the L'Oreal dye for dark hair. I need to get some color safe products because now I feel like it's going to fade if I look at it...

Any tips for the upkeep?

What I Wore :: Use It Or Lose It

I am out of school for the summer, so no one is forcing me to practice. But I only have one semester's worth of Photoshop under my belt and I need to work on it. So I played a little with layers and adjustments to change this picture:

into this picture:

I think I might go back and give the dress a little more depth, but I think otherwise it came out ok. I kinda really like my hair that color...

The dress is from Asos and it is really shorter than I am comfortable wearing out. Maybe just for a date? 

I can't even believe how dorky I look in that last picture! And I don't care.