In Mourning (aka) Why I Hate My Hair (aka) Why I'm an Idiot

Hello blogging world. I have been away far too long.  I know, I know.  Hopefully this behemoth of a post will make up for my disappearance.

My absence is due to several factors. First of all, I opened my first Broadway show. It's been an amazing experience, and I'll catch you all up in that category and all the individual projects it entails. Secondly, I've been extremely disheartened by the enormous changes in my appearance. My hair has been an ongoing topic in this blog, and when I made this drastic change and was struggling with it, I just didn't have the heart to come whining to you all. You've already put up with an ongoing blog-o-drama about my hair, "do I dare change it" and all that crap, and for that I apologize.  I had no idea that something so trivial could occupy so much of my brain.  And since everyone around me is positively sick of hearing about it, I decided to spare you all.

So I will keep the hair nonsense down to a minimum. After this post. Just this one. I promise. No, really. Promise.

DISCLAIMER: After looking over all these photos I struggled between posting the ones that made me look good and the ones that more accurately describe how I feel. Usually I chose the ones that look good, purely out of vanity. BUT in doing so I feel like an idiot for complaining about my hair, which generally looks good in these pictures. Oy. And also let me preface with the fact that I'm no slouch with doing hair.  I've cut my own hair, and other people's hair plenty of of times, colored it a bunch and could style it to perfection in any period.  This is why I feel like an idiot.  I should have known better.

Ok. So, I started out with this.

A couple of months after this picture was taken, I felt like my hair was strangling me at night and I couldn't freaking get it to hold curl for some reason, which I thought had to do with length. So I had my favorite hair stylist cut and color it red.

(Pardon the puppy yawn.)

It looked even better in hot rollers...

...but it still wasn't light enough for me.  I was going for this:

So we took the red up a notch.

And as red is wont to do, it faded...

And THEN, because of this picture...

...and because I was struggling to find a style I wanted to rock every day, I decided to get bangs.  

We cut bangs and touched up my roots and color.

I never quite took to the bangs.  They were constantly in my eyes, which annoys the heck out of me.  My fault for being so damn stubborn.  I mean, didn't I remember the LAST time I thought I wanted bangs and sternly told myself never to do that again?  

And after only two weeks, when the color had faded to where I liked it, my hair regrowth was ruining the effect I was going for.  I wanted the light and pure feeling of this photo...

...but my regrowth made it look muddled.  And it still wasn't holding curl.  Which told me I needed to change my product.  Now my bathroom is full of products that didn't work.  But obviously it wasn't the length dragging it down.

Every day I tried a different style, hoping that the next would be better, would take less hairspray to stay in place, less time in the morning, less futzing in general.  After a while I just got tired of trying to "make it work."

I realized at some point that I was coveting the long brown hair of girls I would see on the subway and walking around the city.   I had to come to terms with the fact that I associate with brunettes, and that for some reason being brunette is important to me.  It feels more natural, and less forced.  I don't have to work so hard to feel pretty.  And the upkeep is much less expensive and time consuming. Between that and my eye doc telling me to wear my glasses for a month, which I hate, I didn't know who I was anymore.  I had to wear different clothing colors, and felt muddy and washed out.   And with the opening night of my first Broadway show coming up, I wanted to feel like myself again.  Time to go back to brown.  I started documenting with my iPhone on the days I really didn't like my hair.

I set up an appointment with another stylist, because my close friend/stylist extraordinnaire had gone on tour.  I decided to go back to brown, and let the whole damn thing grow out again.  

I took some pictures of my final day as a redhead, and the first time in months that I'd actually liked my styling.  You can pretty much guarantee that the best hair day I have in months is the day I go to the salon. What's up with that?

Little did I know that taking a picture of Angelina to the stylist....

...asking for a "rich espresso" would saddle me with BLACK HAIR!  And I mean buh-lack.  I washed it SIX TIMES with dandruff shampoo BEFORE taking this picture...

...and boy do I look pale all of a sudden!  I mean, that is BLACK.  But I do feel more myself.  I can always lighten it up a bit, right?  Almost there.  

Now the only thing I can complain about is the latest cut. I'm still trying to get some of the color out, but it's better.

It looks good in a roller set, but my set won't last more than a day.  And it looks polished if I straighten it.  She gave me a good cut for sure, but as you may have guessed by now, I'm slightly picky about my hair.  She gave me a shag, folks.  A long shag, perhaps, but it's definitely the 'Rachael' shag from friends, but with Courtney Cox's color.  

Okay, maybe I'm being a bit harsh.  And the following pictures actually make it look pretty good.  So let me be clear.

What I don't like:

1.  The ends are "shagged" which  to me looks "straggley."

2.  The bottom half feels so thin.  I wanted the bulk to be on the bottom, aka "retro."

3.  I am not in the habit of going to business meetings.  I mean I can go to work in pajamas, why do I need to look so conservative?

4.  The bangs.  Oh, the bangs.  Constantly in my eyes.  Which are already irritated. 

5.  It looks good enough when it's straight, but as a tall, broad-shouldered woman I desperately try to create softness and feel like it's too edgy at times.

6.  It doesn't last more than one day.  On the second day it sticks out every which way.  When I try to fix it with a hairdryer or curling iron it falls completely flat and lifeless.  

The bottom line is that I have always dreamed of having long luxurious brown hair, and instead of changing the products I put in it to get back the luster, I cut it and dyed it.  And now I am regretting it.  Because everyone in my life will attest that I never seem satisfied with my hair.  And for the last couple of years, before this fiasco, I was actually reveling in my hair.  It was finally long and glorious.  And I went and cut it off.  This is where the mourning part comes in.  

I just miss my hair.

So now I wait.  Because hair is just hair.  It grows back.

Okay, I'm done.  Thanks for reading and being patient.  I will now commence shutting up about it.  The next post will be much more uplifting. 

Much love and good hair karma,

V

The Hair Files: Problems of the Past

I've had my hair long for quite some time.  For several reasons.  While I enjoy long hair, the main reason I keep it is because I've had a couple of disasters in the past.

Several years ago I went to a stylist and asked for this cut:

And got this:

As you can tell from the photo, I am NOT HAPPY!

Bad haircut?  Or just a bad picture?

I pretty much started to think I just didn't look good with short hair.

It took forever to grow this sucker back out, and I never really achieved that Juliette Binoche thing I was going for.  Now every time I watch Chocolat, I long for her beautiful 'do.

Of course, part of the attraction could be the clothing she's wearing as well.

But that's a whole other post!

The Hair Files: Hair Inspiration Board

I created this inspiration board in Photoshop to explain to my brilliant stylist the look I was going for.  I even Photoshopped my little face onto Marcia Cross in the upper left corner to give the color a try.

Thanks for putting up with all my hair posts!  I wish I could promise this is my last....

The Hair Files: Sexy Pincurl Action

I love the super-retro look that came out of setting my hair in pincurls while wet.  I could use some practice, though.  They were a bit krinkley.

The Hair Files: Redheads Have More Fun

Well folks, I've done it.

I've been boring my friends and husband to death with talk of dying my hair red.  I don't think a friend date went by without talk of my hair, and now I've finally taken the plunge.  I cut about 6 inches off, and went the way of the redhead.

Old hair....

New hair...

Special thanks to Jeri, and Amy Adams.  :)

Past Projects: Dream Catcher

In honor of the closing night of The Marvelous Wonderettes, I thought I would share one of my favorite creations while in the Wonderette world.

One of my fellow actors, Bets Malone, is one of the biggest supporters of my jewelry store on Etsy.  She helps me work on ideas, and tells everyone she meets that she's wearing one of MY pieces.  So I made her this little charm based on the Cootie Catchers from the 1950s, affectionately called a "Dream Catcher" in the show.

First I cut 16 TEENY triangles of glass.  Then painted hearts or letters on the back with glass paint, then painted over the hearts and letters with red glass paint.  Then I cooked the glass in the oven to seal the paint.  Then I wrap each piece of glass in copper foil tape and solder the pieces together with my soldering iron.

Then I attach the pieces together with mini hinges so it can move back and forth like a real dream catcher of old.

The letters on the inside spell "L-O-V-E".

Every Six Months

I've noticed that many of the awesome bloggers I support have caught a little cold this week.  And they are not alone!  I have yet another sinus infection.  So I figured I'd join the ranks and show you what I wear when I'm sick.

Sadly, I'm not nearly as fashionable as most of the lovely ladies that I read about, but I'm a sucker for extreme comfort.

I've been wearing this awesome One-Zee that I made last year.  I stole the idea from my friend Katherine who actually sells them.  But as usual, it's cheaper for me to make my own, so I did.  

It's made out of polar fleece.  It's not exactly flattering, but it's the most comfortable thing I've ever, ever worn.  And I mean it.  Naturally I put a whole bunch of detail on it, like writing my name on the butt, but it doesn't really stand out all that well.  Ah well.

   

I originally made this to wear at the theatre while I'm getting dressed, so I can get out of it easily without disturbing my wig or makeup, and made it extra long so I can keep my feet nice and toasty.

So I've been wearing my One-Zee for almost a week straight, and it hit me that I could use another one.  So I decided to use my Christmas break to make a more stylish one.  I originally thought pinstripes would be fun, but I haven't been able to find any pinstripe fleece, so I went to Joann Fabrics down here in Philly where we're visiting family, and tried to get creative.  I eventually came up with the idea of a sailor suit.  It would not only be slightly more sophisticated, but it would satisfy my fascination with vintage fashion.

I came up with some different sketches...

And went to work on my in-laws living room floor, using the HUGE cutting mat I got for Christmas.  There's elastic around the waist and bust, and even the stripes are made out of little strips of polar fleece.

   

I wish you all the happiest of New Years!  Much love to all! And thanks for reading!

I'm Back, and Merry Christmas!

Oh it's been so long!

I have certainly been busy, but that's no excuse.  Now that the holidays are over, all the Christmas presents are finished, and the family is gone, I have some time to reflect and get back in gear.

I have a bit of a cold today, so I have set aside all the projects I've been planning and parked myself in front of the computer with water and vitamin C.  I've been wanting to find more vintage/fashion inspired blogs, so I set about finding some.

Some of my favorites are:
Casey's Elegant Musings 
The Freelancer's Fashionblog
Q's Daydream Vintage

I have a long list of projects that I would ultimately like to feature on my blog, but I am sorely behind.  And the list just keeps getting longer!  One trip to Joann Fabrics and I suddenly have 6 new projects.  Most of them are for fun, or projects around the house, so now that I have finished making everyone's Christmas presents and gotten my Etsy orders taken care of, I don't feel quite so selfish working on some of these things.

I did manage to make a fantastic green wool skirt (Burda 8155, thank you Gertie) for myself just in time for Thanksgiving.  I also wore it on Christmas Eve...

Here is a snapshot (a bit wrinkley around the middle, ah well).

Isn't this the classic Christmas Portrait?  We look so festive!  

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday!

Past Projects: Back Injury

I made this collage in the Summer of 2007, when I tore a disc in my back.  The doctor gave me Prednisone, which turned me into a crazy person.  I barely slept for almost 2 weeks, and kept all my friends and family members on the phone for hours at a time talking nonsense.

Luckily there was a Hobby Lobby (the greatest craft/fabric store EVER, and I mean, seriously) less than a mile away.  I could barely walk, yet I was so freaking bored out of my mind I dragged myself over there (in a car, yes) at least once a day and hobbled around finding random crafts.  And this store is as big as WalMart.

For this piece I printed out quotes and images that inspired me during this trying time, and some reminders to embrace the moment so I could relax and heal.

My soldering work is a bit shoddy, but I chock that up to the drugs, as they made me restless and impatient.

It now hangs at my desk as a reminder to take care of my back, and my body.  And to sit up straight.

I should hurry up and make a lot of money so I can buy a franchise of Hobby Lobby for New York City.  If you live near one of these wondrous establishments, please frequent the store so they stay in business!

I Want a Pencil Skirt!

This gorgeous lipstick red pencil skirt is from my favorite blogger, Gertie.  She has yet again inspired me.

I've been dreaming of making this pattern since the moment I saw it, and finally made the decision to make it.  So I ordered the pattern, Burda 8155, from Etsy and I can't wait till it arrives!

I set off to Mood fabric store yesterday to browse and drool over the amazing array of fabrics.  As many of you know, this is where the Project Runway designers shop.  It's three floors of bliss.

Not only did I find the perfect lipstick red wool to make this fabulous skirt, but I fell in love with two other wools.  Since I was in pencil skirt mode, I immediately thought of these two woven wools in the same pattern, and love the idea.

The colors are a bit different than the picture really captures.  The yellow is so warm and buttery with cream and orange flecks.  The orange is just the perfect shade of orange, without being too Halloween.

Now keep in mind that I at this point have no idea if this pattern will even look good on me in a muslin, let alone the 3 other versions I have in mind.

But that butter yellow keeps whispering my name.

Last night however, I thought to myself, "Do I really want to drape my butt in butter yellow?  How good will that REALLY look?"

Since I am the Queen of Justification, with a capital Q, I figure it's only around $25.  I could spend that much at a bar in a night and still have a terrible time.  So why not?

I'm going to try the pattern in a material I already own and make any adjustments, then dive into the red one first.  If that works out, maybe the frivolous yellow pencil skirt.

But wouldn't it look just dreamy with a creamy chiffon blouse?  No one else would have one!  I would be a walking ray of sunshine.  I keep thinking of that Chanel suit in Pepto Bismol pink.  If Chanel can do a pastel skirt, then why can't I?  (Yikes!)

I'd certainly be in some good company.

  

And a quick Google search reveals....I wouldn't be the first...

I want it!  And the beige knit top....fantastic!  (squeal!)

Coincidentally just after leaving the fabric store I brushed past a hurried Chrisitan Siriano, Project Runway winner.  Not wanting to bother him, I sent him a silent "Fierce!" and went on my way.

Past Projects: 3rd Grade, 1957 Necklace

I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the larger projects I've done.  So I created the "Past Projects" segment, and here we are.

This necklace features the kids from my moms third grade class...Hamilton School, Mary Hammer, Principal, Grade 3 - Mrs. Carey (pictured row 1, 3rd from Left).

My mom is in the first row, 2nd from Left.

I made this a few years ago.  Thought it would be a fun way to remember childhood friends.  It took forever, but it was fun!

What I Did This Weekend

Since our house has been visited by the Swine Flu, we have spent quite a bit of time at home.

We're all feeling much better, thank you.

Between mandatory mealtimes and 13 hours of sleep a night, I personally spent a lot of time online, specifically on Etsy, one of my favorite sites.  I like to check up on my favorite sellers to see what new amazing items they have in their shops.

One of my favorite sellers is theblackapple.  She is a painter who sells prints of her work.  I have been admiring her work since the first time I looked around on Etsy.  I am attracted to her work because it's similar to the paintings I used to do.

But I think theblackapple has taken this idea to a much more sophisticated level than I had.  I haven't done any painting in a long while, but looking over her work I was inspired to go back to it.

Hence my weekend activities.  :)