Bulbous Bouffant . . . Macadamia

I got to see my twin sister Lisa in Utah this past November. Okay, so she's not really my twin. In fact, she's nine years younger than I am. In other words, she's like fifteen--or something close to that. But whenever we get together with the family we are undoubtedly called by the other's name. All.The.Time. Especially by Mom. So, we decided to have a little fun with it. Lisa straightens her thicker-than-mine hair every day. Every Day. This was the second time in my life I had straightened my hair. I am just too apathetic--and lazy, I've concluded.

What do you think? Can you see the sisterly resemblance?

Lisa straightened my hair the night before I flew back home. That day I enjoyed the silky smooth feeling of my new hair and looked forward to seeing what Brett thought about it.

As you may know, Winter has passed us by this year. We have been enjoying the season called "Humid" for months now, with very brief reprieves. The night that Brett picked me up from the airport in the convertible was no exception. By the time we got home, there was only a hint of the formerly silky smooth hair. By morning, all traces of it were gone. Ah, Florida.

I got three inches of my hair cut off this week, and we haven't had a dry day since. Which means that somehow I am sporting what I can only describe as a modified bouffant.

It's not exactly a bulbous bouffant, but when considering my hair this morning I couldn't help but think of this "song". The first year that Brett and I were married we lived in Tallahassee and drove "home" once or twice a month. Sometimes on the drive we were rewarded with a little Dr. Demento time on the radio. That is when I discovered this gem. Just saying the word "bouffant" brings back memories.

Be forewarned. It's catchy.

(And, just for fun, here's another one of Brett's favorites.)
(Why stop there? Brett, this one's for you.)

In the Market

To my sisters more hair-and-fashion-conscious than I,
[In this case I mean "sisters" literally, not just the general "sisterhood" of women--although any of you are welcome to comment.]

Since our genetics have handed us similar hair that is prone to be dry and frizzy with a little wave thrown in for good measure, I am relying on your experience and good advice. [You don't mean to tell me that I'm the only one who got the dry, frizzy hair...?]

Coming back from my two holiday trips this year I have discovered that the wall-mounted hair dryers provided in the hotels did a better job with my hair than the one I have at home (which is also the same hair dryer I have had since high school!).

Needless to say, I am in the market for a new hair dryer, but don't know where to start.

I don't get out much when it comes to hair and beauty supplies. Only in the last year have I started making more of an effort with my hair (not that I have much to show for it). I am still just as cheap as ever (forget "frugal"--I'm cheap when it comes to hair products). I really don't want to spend $100 on a new hair dryer (please tell me a good one doesn't cost that much...). I don't even want to spend $50 on a good hair dryer. Can I find a decent one for $30? Have you found a good one you like that might be in my budget? What should I look for when purchasing a hair dryer? Or does it really matter, because any new hair dryer will be better than the twenty-year-old one I currently have?

Anxiously awaiting your replies.

Only Cosmetic

No, I didn't burn myself with a curling iron.
Yes, I have noticed this weird stuff going on with my forehead.
It started about a year ago with one small light strip that really did look like a curling iron burn. Of course, I haven't owned a curling iron in at least a decade. [It's so weird that I can say that about certain things. I mean, a "decade" may just as well be "half-a-century" for as long as it sounds.] With time the marks became longer and darker.

I had an appointment with my dermatologist who confirmed that these brown spots are completely harmless and most likely a result of changing hormones. (Like it took my body four years to figure out that I'm not pregnant anymore?)

The other good news is that it can be treated with good results. The bad news is that the whitening cream can be very expensive, has to be applied every day, and has to be covered with a minimum SPF 30 every time you step out of doors or it can come back. Since these spots are completely harmless, I think I'll skip the treatment for now. It sounds like more effort (and money) than I am willing to spend for something that isn't bothering me. So, get used to the face above. This is me--spots and all.

Now, the treatment for the red eyes you see in this photo is easy and inexpensive: Go To Bed!

[Yes, I do love my Turbie Twist. I would recommend it to anyone with longish hair. I can't even consider my hair "longish" anymore, and I still love it.]

Side-By-Side Sisters

Lisa: I know what you mean. I too fall into that category of the self-critical woman: the smile, the eyes, the hair....just never looks right in photos. I'm posting this one, though I was hoping to find a more flattering photo of the new "do". I couldn't get your photo to go larger without losing quality, so I just shrunk myself down a bit to get the side-by-side.

Now I need to take a picture of Jen. Not long after I cut my hair Jen stopped by. She had cut about a foot of her hair off with almost the same cut as mine: same length, similar layers. Of course, Jen's looks cuter because she takes a little more time with it. Also, I think my hair has more natural wave and resists being tamed more than hers.

To the rest of my readers: who else thinks family resemblances are fascinating and just plain awesome? I do! If I enjoyed science and biology more I think I would like to have studied genetics. It was always one of my favorite sections in science.

Big News!

It's almost old news now; it's taken me so long to report it. I got my hair cut last week--short! with layers. In fact, it's so short that I can barely pull it up into a ponytail anymore (...gasp!). I have been relying heavily on headbands around the house, and have even resorted to pigtails once in a while.

The good news is that I really like it. I don't think I've had hair this short since I was a toddler. I do miss my ponytails. Oh, do I miss my ponytails. But I don't expect it to be too long before my hair grows long enough to make a decent one possible.

I don't have a self-portrait with my new hair cut, but I will post one as soon as I find a decent photo. I think I probably look more like my sister Lisa than ever before. [Lisa, you'll have to send me a good self-portrait so we can compare ourselves side-by-side. Then I'll really be able to see how old I am!]