Time for a Change

We've all experienced those days: the kind when nothing in your closet looks fit to wear, you hate all of your shoes, your hair looks drab and mundane, and you simple lack that confident glow. I had 7 of those days in a row, and decided it's time to shake things up a bit. On todays agenda? Tackling my mess of a closet and freeing it of all it's unfashionable items. I'm in no way the most fashion-savvy woman, but some hoodies from college, tops that show stomach, and sweaters from 10 years ago have got to go! And why do I have 3 pairs of running shoes? I replace them every few months because their worn out and hard on my feet. In the garbage they go!

Old skirts, pants that don't fit, shorts a 26-year-old should not be seen in, tiny t-shirts and the like will all be donated and hopefully reused. It's time for me to start dressing and looking my age. And along the way I'm sure I'll find items I forgot I had that would love to be worn again.

I've started wearing make-up to work everyday, too. In the past I would shower, put my hair up into a messy bun, get dressed, put on flats and head to work with a bare face. The last few weeks, however, I've made it a point to put on at least mascara and blush because it really does make me look older and more professional. It also makes me feel pretty and will help when Im having the above mentioned type of days.

My final step has been the most drastic so far: changing my hair. I debated for weeks on what route to take. A cute bob? Drastic bangs? Maybe just change my part. Highlights? Or low lights? And then I decided to go dark. Darker then I've ever been. I set the appointment and anxiously waited. My hairdresser was excited when I told her I wanted a dark chocolate brown, the color of my father's hair, with lots of layers for extra body.

An hour later my hair was DARK RED! Yup. A color I'm not sure I've ever seen before. If it would have been fall I could've gotten lost in a see of changing maple leaves. My hairdresser explained that they always mix red in with the dark brown color in order to cover up the lighter parts of a client's hair. We had no idea that my hair naturally pulls red because of the red undertones I acquired from my mother. She reapplied the brown and within an hour I was darker, but still with a tint of red.

I have to say, it looks pretty bad-ass. But I'm not sure about the red. I have a few days to decide if a return visit is necessary for another brown application.

One thing is for sure; the changes have made me feel fresh and new. It's exciting and playful to try new things, and I'm loving it. The next step will have to be a shopping trip. Maybe I'll tackle that next month.