Guess What!? We're SHIPPING!!! \(^-^)/ !!!!

** This post contains links to our own brand and online store. I may be compensated if you purchase the products found at these links. For a full explanation, please see my complete disclosure HERE! Thank you!!!  **

Guess what!? We're SHIPPING!!!! \(^-^)/ !!!!!!!
I'm thrilled to let you know that pre-orders have gone out and and we're up and running and ready for more! Thank you so much for all of your support, patience and kindness. I can't wait for you to try our products. It's just a dream come true and I'd love nothing more than to help you sparkle and believe in yourself. With lots of love! xoxoxox, Lauren 😊

Growth

Growth, it's one of those elusive things that just kind of sneaks up on you. Unless you're a teenage boy, growth doesn't happen overnight. In fact, you can grow so slowly, whether it's your maturity or your character or your  HAIR, that you don't even realize that anything changing! Well, that is, until one day you say: "HUH. Something is different..."

This is exactly what has been going on with my hair. Silver sisters, I think a lot of you might know the struggle- you're slogging through your gray hair grow-out and it just feels like it is taking FOREVER! Right? You've been there too?

Even after our hair is all one-ish color and we've got some length, at least to me, it still didn't feel like my hair was growing as quickly as I wanted it to. 

Last spring I walked into the salon and asked my sweet, wonderful, super-gray-hair-cheerleader of a stylist Lydia to just give me the chop! Luckily for me, every time I come in with a major over-haul idea, she patiently talks me through what I might or might not like, gives me alternative ways to achieve the look  that I'm going for and lets me decide from there. This is also known to me as : "A.K.A. Keeping me from cutting all my hair off when it's 85 and humid in Detroit, but seriously regretting the move 12 hours later."  (Thank you Lydia!!!)

So last spring, when I turned up with a bunch of short, short hairstyles, Lydia helped me to realize what I would like the most is a bit longer, angled bob. That cut is the photo above in the upper left hand side.  Fast forward to this spring, about a year later, and it hit me that my hair was actually starting to get longer. In fact, when I compared two photos, one from the day of my cut and one from this spring, I was amazed to see how much my hair had grown! It just kind of snuck up on me.

The reason that I'm telling you all of this is because I thought maybe, just maybe the multivitamin that I began taking last year, helped to speed up my hair growth.  I'm putting it out there that I am not a scientist or a doctor or a nutritionist, so I don't know for sure, but I do think that after taking the SmartyPants Women's Complete with fish oil and Biotin, that my hair began to get longer and stronger and my nails did as well.

I know there is a lot of controversy out there as to whether or not you actually need a multi, or if they are good for you. I know there is controversy over ingredients, dosages and even the fact that these are "gummies." You need to do what is right for you, and if you're up for trying them like I did, much luck to you! I happen to think they taste yummy and never miss a day.

At any rate, what I take is SmartyPantsWomen's Complete. You can find them on Amazon and at Target, really all over. As a Silver Sister, I find that when we share from our experiences, it helps to make this journey a little easier. 

Until Next time!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,

Lauren :)

It's Ok NOT to Be Gray

There is supposed to be a short video that I made right here. ↑ (You can see my new haircut!) For some reason though, Blogger's video platform is malfunctioning at the moment. Until the new video gets up, or even just because, please run over to How Bourgeois' Facebook page to see the video and join in more How Bourgeois fun! 😃

Hi Silver Sister! Long-time- no see! I just wanted to pop in an have a super quick, little chat with you. Just something that came to mind and I wanted to share!

For as long as I've been blogging about going gray, I've received regular emails from fellow silver sisters about the trials and tribulations of growing out our hair. Often these emails made me feel sad because the sweet women writing me were themselves sad. Some didn't love their newly gray hair and were unsure of what to do. Some felt terrible guilt for deciding to color their hair after a time of growing it out. There has been a lot of talk of being a "failure" over "just not being able to do it." 

I want to tell you, although I often sit here and cheer on the "Silver Sister," I hold just as much respect, admiration and love for all of our Silver Sisters who just happen to be silver underneath their brunette, blond, black and red hair. It's true! It is absolutely, 100% ok to just be the version of YOU, that works the best for YOU! 😊

In fact, I often find myself responding to these emails with the truth- the truth that, if my gray hair had grown out all those years ago, and I didn't like it enough, I'd be searching to the ends of the earth for a brown hair dye that I wasn't allergic to. I'd still be brunette today!

So, gray or not, short hair, long hair, no hair, it's all ok. Go easy on yourself know that you are great just the way you are. 💖

Until next time!

Love,

Lauren 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Patiently- Impatiently......

\('o') Ok, raise your hand if you've ever regretted trying to "give yourself a little "haircut," or figuring that "baby bangs" would be an awesome choice! ;) It's so much fun changing up our hair. Thankfully, cut or COLOR, it's all reversible eventually. LOL 

A Gray Hair Update!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. For a full explanation, please see my complete disclosure HERE. Thank you so much!!! 

Hi silvery-haired friends! I know that it's been "long-time-no-see" over here in the How Bourgeois house. We're just chugging along, trying to get the school year rhythm off to a good start, and enjoying the warmth and sun while it lasts.

In fact, as I write this, there is the cubbiest, most adorable ball of a chipmunk, sunning himself on my patio. I just want to hug him, he's so cute! He must know that colder days are coming sooner or later to Michigan.

In addition to homeschooling, we've had a few outings and a trip to see the fall colors up north. We just had the exterior of our house painted and I've made some decorations to go with the festive new paint, but more about of all that another time.

Today, instead of apple orchards and crockpot recipes, I'm here to talk about GRAY HAIR!   Woo hoo! 

You guys have been doing such a wonderful job of bravely going forth with your gray hair plans. I've been receiving the most beautiful, inspiring updates from so many of you. They remind me all of the time of how quickly the"grow-out" phase becomes a memory in the past. I know for those of you in the early stages, it might seem that your new hair grows at a snail's pace. Rest assured though, I PROMISE , once you get past the "skunk Stripe Slump," it just gets EASIER and FASTER! Soon you'll feel more like YOU again, and you'll go about your days barely even thinking about your hair color anymore. 

I'm wanted to pop in and share my own gray hair update with you. This is especially because I think I've finally found my groove for keeping this silvery mop of mine in good shape. There's been lots of trial and error and experimentation with products, and now I've got my routine down.

So this is what my hair is looking like these days after washing and drying and straightening it.....

This is the flatter, non-poofy version of my hair, but some days I leave it fluffier and add in waves  hot rollers. 

My hair is still pretty short from the haircut that I had in the beginning of summer. I've decided to grow it out again, but the cut was well worth it to get my yellowed ends off. I regret, as I do every time, deciding to cut bangs! Those will be grown out too. I'm envious of women who can effortlessly wear bangs and look great in them. I feel on me, they're just not my best look.

So here's the scoop -  Joico's Color Endure Violet Shampoo and Conditioner has been a total GAME CHANGER for me!!!! Not only has the giant 33.8 oz bottles lasted me for FOUR MONTHS, but this sulfate and paraben-free duo has made my hair softer and brighter than it has ever been! 

I promise, this is my true and honest opinion. I haven't been gifted these products or asked to review them. They've helped my hair to stay whiter and full of light, and I wanted to hopefully help you too!

If you are someone who struggles with brassy tones and dullness in your gray, like I do, Joico can really help. I've tried so many "purple" shampoos and conditioners, and this one has worked better for me than any other has. I've found the conditioner to be moisturizing enough for my hair type, and it does a nice job with frizz and tangles.

The only draw-back that I've seen in the past four months is that sometimes, IF I leave the shampoo on for too long while in the shower, my hair takes on a slight purple cast until the next time I wash my hair. This can be easily remedied by simply leaving the shampoo on for a minute or two instead of longer, or using a clarifying shampoo. You can find a clarifying shampoo at any local drugstore. I use one from Pantene once in a while. All-in-all though, Joyce's violet shampoo and conditioner is absolutely worth it and definitely effective! Not to mention, I LOVE not having to go out and buy shampoo and conditioner very often. The 33 oz. bottles are great! (By the way, for those of you who are unsure, you can also purchase each in smaller size bottles.) Beyond all that, this shampoo and conditioner is sulfate-free and paraben-free, which is not super easy to find.

So, if you're anything like me and regularly do the "no-no" of heat styling to cut down on frizz or if your snow white hair is yellowed by frequent use of hair products- Joico is a lifesaver for your gray hair! :)

That's the hair update! I hope all my Silver Sisters are doing well and enjoying this favorite, lovely month of mine. More again soon!

With Lots of Love,

Lolo

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

My Hair Isn't Long and Gray Anymore! The Magical Power of Facing Your Fears. Plus, A Hair Product, Nail Polish and Lipstick Review!

** This post contains Amazon affiliate links. For a full explanation, please see my complete disclosure HERE!Thank you!!! :) **

Well....

I've gone and done it! Yes I have! I absolutely can not believe it but I finally went and had my first real haircut since this whole gray hair adventure began back in AUGUST OF 2011. I've had tiny trims along the way, and then a normal sized trim last year, but never a true haircut.

(This is the longest my hair has been since I stopped coloring. This picture was taken in March of 2014. I stopped dying my hair in June of 2011, so it took just over three years to go from gray roots to a pixie cut in August 2011 to this length. )

I'm still a little shocked that I let go of my attachment to the (self-imposed) thought that I personally HAD to have LONG gray hair to look and feel pretty and to not age myself even more. But when I truly think about it, taking the leap to cut my hair and to not "hide" behind the false security of long hair equalling youthfulness, it's the same thing as when I said: "Oh forget it!" and stopped coloring my hair!

Ok, so going gray is probably a little more scary to most than cutting one's hair, but still, I was able to push past one of my limiting beliefs last week when I once again realized that IT'S ONLY HAIR AND IT'S OK! 

Would I rather have long, luxurious flowing locks? SURE! Absolutely. I know though, that my hair only looked like the picture above one time, and that was for the twenty minutes after I had left the salon and gotten home to take a photo. Then the curls slowly fell out and through the day my hair began to puff up and frizz. 

Soon my old ends were yellowing and no amount of purple shampoo or clarifying shampoo could get the brassiness out and that's not even thinking about the split ends. Nothing short of a trim could truly remedy things.

Even with trims, as soon as March would creep in with rain, I'd be putting my unruly hair back in a ponytail as ten drops of water would make it go PUFF! And then as the temperatures (and humidity) would rise, I'd find myself with little options but the ponytail, straight through to August and even September. 

I love styling my hair. I love curlers and rollers and hair products and braids and barrettes, but this alone was not enough to make my long, prone to frizz and BADLY overdue for a cut hair worth the battle.

And so, it popped into my head last month that maybe....just maybe.... I should have my hair cut into a bob for the summer. Something to get the old, old, yellowed and split ends off. Something that would be cooler in the summer heat, something that took less time to coax into a "look." A cut that was polished, something that I've almost never had and kind of wanted!

I found a haircut on the internet, a picture of Christina Hendricks from Mad Men in a long, tousled bob and I thought: "Wow! She makes that length look fun and interesting." I know I'd never look like Christina or Christina's hair for that matter, (I AM practical sometimes) but it gave me some haircut courage.

For the next week, I went back and forth, back and forth, trying to decide if I should cut my hair or not. I just couldn't make up my mind. One day I'd think I'm going to do this! And then the next day, I'd be completely resolved to keep my hair! 

That was until...and I'm sort of embarrassed to admit this, I saw a video on Buzzfeed. It was called "Powerful Hair Makeovers That Transform People's Lives." You can watch it below. It wasn't so much that I saw one of these makeovers and was inspired to copy their look, it's that I was reminded that we as human beings find comfort and safety in what we know. You're not going to know at the beginning that you with gray hair will be TOTALLY fine in the end. And I didn't realize at first that it didn't matter if I cut my hair shorter, that I'd look FINE and if I didn't like it, it would grow back. What I failed to remember is that sometimes jumping out of our box and into the new unknown can be so incredibly rewarding! So I watched the video and then went to have my hair cut the next day.

The reason that I haven't posted photos yet, is because I'm still learning how to make this haircut look good and the look changes everyday depending on how I blow-dry and style it. I've been waiting until I've got things just right, but now I've come to think that this is a learning process and there's no use hiding away until I find my look.

So here it is, my new haircut. :)

I like it. I miss my long hair, but I truly like it. What I love the most is that I challenged my belief that I wouldn't be pretty or feminine without long hair, just like I challenged my belief that I wouldn't be ok without dying my grays. 

Remember this my newbie Silver Sisters, and I'll keep reminding myself too. 

And see, it does look different everyday. This was straight from the salon. Playing with my new haircut is fun! (I have not tried the 'Christina' look yet, but will soon)!

So when all has been said and done, I can say that I was super scared, but I've been left with softer, more manageable, less yellow-y-ended hair. It's soooo much nicer in the heat and I feel a bit more grown up, a little more polished. I'm so glad that I took the leap. \(^-^)/ 

And that my friends is the hair scoop!

I have three new hair and beauty products to tell you about. None of these products are sponsored, I just came across them since last blogging and SWOON!!!!

The first one is Paul Mitchell Super Clean Flexible Style Finishing Spray . I learned about this hair spray/ finishing spray from my hair stylist Lydia. I asked her to recommend a product that I could use to give my hair volume and hold and that would deal with flyways. She said that her favorite hands-down was this Paul Mitchell spray because it never builds up. You can use it days in a row and your hair never gets hard or sticky. This is REALLY GOOD for us white-hair gals because it seems like that might mean there is less product to turn yellow.

So far I've used it everyday. I live how this finishing spray holds down most of my sticky-uppy hairs and it helps to keep my hair curled and styled in the "shape"that I want it to be in. I've never ever been one to use hair spray regularly and I still am tiny bit wary because it's not "natural", but I have to say, even if I only use it on special days, this finishing spray has been a game changer for me!

The nest two items that I want to tell you about were inspired by my on-going fondness for the Mad Men series and the mini-shopping spree for them was probably spurred by my sorrow over the show ending this week. (Hold on, I need to go sob).

This is the truth, honestly, other than maybe The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel, there have been about zero television programs that I have followed and watched regularly in about a decade. I like watching shows here and there on Netflix and Hulu, but I'm not a big television person except for Mad Men. There would be seasons when the adulterous antics of Don Draper or the cold cruelty of Betty would just make me angry, but I kept coming back, time and time again on Sunday nights, to see the sets and the costumes and to imagine that I knew more of a time back then. 1960 -1970. Which, I've never lived in, so I know only what I do through books and movies and Nick at Night reruns. 

I liked Betty's nails and her lipstick colors. They remind me of colors that I imagine my Grandmother or  Jon's Bubby wore in the 50's. Coral colored nails, THAT'S what I want!

My Grandma gives me her old copies of  Good House Keeping Magazine after she reads them. (Isn't that cute)? Just the other day I received one, and  Sally Hansen Miracle Gel nail polish was written up in it as one of 2015's best, new beauty products. They said it was similar to a gel manicure, minus the UV light. You're left with a longer lasting, chip-resistant manicure.

Recently I've gotten into painting my nails for some reason. So when I saw this, I was intrigued and thought it was worth a shot. I chose Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Malibu Peach because I thought it looked closest to that coral color I wanted to find! 

Now, just ignore my totally poor manicure skills. The cuticles, the unevenness.... the color is the point to pay attention to. So, two coats went on and it's pretty opaque, but not 100% and I didn't quite get that, but I still really liked the quirky color, but NOW I GET IT.......

DOH! No WONDER the display said TWO STEP and showed a picture of a nail polish bottle AND a black bottle....... You need to also purchase the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat !!! I guess I totally missed step #2 in a two-part process!!! While I did use my own top coat, now I'm seeing online that the special gel top coat must make the color look shiny like a gel manicure. So, I'm going to have to try that soon, now don't I? Lol. I feel silly, but at least I'm rocking fairly opaque peach nails. Ha!

And finally, I know.... I know I am obsessed with these Burt's Bees Lip Crayon's. I have four now, but they are the BEST natural, drugstore bought lipsticks that I have found, and in fact, eco or not, department store or drugstore, they're some of my favorite lipsticks that I own! So, in the past I've talked about these lip crayons in the perfectly pink nude, "Sedona Sands" , the pale, icy pink, "Carolina Coast" and the bright, rosy color "Hawaiian Smolder." Now I have a Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Niagara Overlook, probably my most favorite color of all!!!! \(^-^)/ Here is how I would describe it....it looks a little less pink than these pictures that I see here. (Sorry, I tried). Niagara Overlook is closest to my Hawaiian Smolder, but less pinky, more red. It's not completely opaque, but also not sheer. Niagara Overlook is soft, not over-powering. Think of a rose lipstick with a hint of red and a bit of shine. I love it!!! :)

Oh my gosh, Phew! And that's that! Now I have to run, it's time for bed and my fingers have been pecking away at this keyboard all night! :)

Until next time, know that I believe in your so much, and that gray hair or new haircut or anything else for that matter, whatever you set your mind to, YOU CAN TRULY DO IT!

 \(^-^)/

xoxoxoxoxo,

Lauren

White Hot Hair Products, I'm in LOVE!

Friends, Silver Sisters, this is so exciting!!! THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!! 
I've FINALLY found gray-specific haircare products that I truly love, work wonders and don't make me feel older than I want to feel! Win-win-win!
I'm thrilled to introduce you today to ................WHITE HOT! 

When White Hot's wonderful box from the UK arrived, it was like opening gifts on my birthday. GOOD gifts! The nicest woman named Charlotte, from White Hot's PR & Marketing division contacted me a coupe of weeks ago. She'd come across the blog and wondered if I had ever heard of White Hot's products and if I would like to try some! I was absolutely ecstatic because I HAVE heard of White Hot before and I HAVE been to their website, drooling over their range and wishing that they were also sold in the US. (Good to note that you can have White Hot shipped to you outside of the UK for 10 pounds!)

I was really happy to get this generous offer from Charlotte and White Hot. I told Charlotte that I'd be happy to write a blog review and she said that I needn't feel obligated to, that she just wanted to start a conversation about gray hair.  I have had such a great experience with White Hot's shampoos, conditioning mask, daily conditioner and styling products though, that I would really really  like to share with you. These are too good NOT to talk about!

First, here's a bit of back story about the White Hot brand, because it's just wonderful.
Founder Jayne Mayled had given up coloring her hair, and was encouraged by her hairdresser, Nicola to first "change what was in her head before she changed what was on her head." By this Nicola meant, that Jayne needed to learn to embrace her naturally gray color and learn to love herself first. Isn't that a great statement!? It's true, going gray and daring to show your white hair to the world, it can be such an emotional journey. That's what I love about White Hot's philosophy, it's not only about a group of products made to care for women's gray hair needs, but the company also aims to support and celebrate this beautiful way to be in the world! They are actively starting dialogues about what it means to be gray in our society, and to work against some of the old taboos associated with letting your silvers shine through.
You can read more about the White Hot story HERE, and if YOU want to join in on White Hot's positive, poignant conversations about your hair, please visit their wonderful Facebook page, just as I have!

My beautiful box of products arrived smelling wonderfully. That's the first thing that I noticed, the soft, powdery scent was so nice. Each item was wrapped in lovely tissue paper with a sticker, and there was a sweet note tucked inside. HOORAY! It felt like my birthday AND Christmas!
Here's what I found........

White Hot carries six products, each of which I've tested. 

First, there are two shampoos, Brilliant Shampoo and Glorious Shampoo.  Brilliant Shampoo is meant to be used once or twice a week when you need some instant brightening of your hair. You know, when the whites start to look a bit dulled, brassy or yellow? Well, if you're like me, you've tried "purple" shampoos before to lift the dullness.... Brilliant Shampoo was DIFFERENT though! Forget your Grandmother's purple shampoo from the 50's, Brilliant Shampoo was luminescent and smelled wonderfully! Nothing old about this shampoo, only sparkle. I couldn't believe how bright it made my hair, taking away the yellowing from layers of hair styling products and using my curling iron. Not only did my hair brighten, but it was soft and shiny. This shampoo is the best!I truly have yet to have as much whitening and brightening with a gray-hair specific or clarifying shampoo until now.

I also tried with my Brilliant Shampoo, White Hot's Intense Lustre Mask, a deep conditioning treatment that left my hair more tangle-free, softer, bouncier and shiny than it's been in a while. This is a wonderful, regenerative product. I highly recommend! It feels luscious and hydrating. The perfect way to pamper your hair and look your best.

After washing and conditioning my hair, I've been applying the Lifeshine Oil. A few pumps, warmed in your hands is all that you need to make your hair shiny and smooth. It also heat protects which is a big deal! I love this oil, it feels like another conditioning step, one that doesn't weigh your hair down at all, only helps to make it sparkle and shine!

Now comes the fun part. Once I've washed and dried and styled my hair, I use the product with the great name - Shooshing Creme! It's a luxurious whipped mousse of a cream. It smells wonderfully. Shooshing creme works to style and hold everything in place without adding dullness to your hair. It even, as they say, adds "Oomph in a flash!" What more could you ask for? Shooshing Creme works for all styles by the way. For days when you want to look sleek, and other times when you're going for body and curls.

After using the Brilliant Shampoo and Intense Lustre Mask, I chose to try the Glorious Shampoo and the Luminous conditioner together the next day. The Glorious shampoo detoxifies your hair, but is gentle enough to use daily. It had my hair feeling squeaky clean and again bright and shiny!
The conditioner made my hair soft as can be, and smooth too. Together, the Glorious Shampoo and Luminous Conditioner left me with more luster and manageability than any other daily shampoo/conditioner combo I have tried. It was really that great.

So my verdict: YES!
I truly feel that White Hot has a unique product that does what it says it will, truly cares about the spirit and emotions of those living with gray hair, AND delivers everything in a way that says: HOORAY! GRAY IS GORGEOUS TOO! You nourish you hair and your soul!   And who wouldn't want that!? :)

I've tried for days now to get a decent shot of my hair after using White Hot to share with you. Unfortunately, the combination of having a week's worth of super hot and humid days, and rain, and the fact that we fairly unexpectedly became the parents of a PUPPY last weekend, it just hasn't been conducive to any "good hair days" style-wise. There's been little time to do my hair and I've been outside morning, noon and night in the misty weather.

But, it's important to me to show you how much White Hot's products have brightened my hair. I really love what they do. So I'd like to share this photo from this morning in some natural light. Ignore the NON-style of my hair, and rather focus on brightening and softening that the White Hot products have done for me!
Also ignore the puffy-eyed exhaustion. This is what happens when you're outside begging a puppy to go potty in the middle of the night for days. :)

And there you have it my friends! I hope you found this review helpful and can enjoy your own experience with White Hot products too!

Oh! And a very nice reader asked a GREAT question.....White Hot products are luckily paraben-free and not tested on animals! :)

Until next time......I've got to go take the puppy out!

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Lauren :)

*** For full disclosure....White Hot Hair has not paid me for this review. They did generously offer to provide me with free samples of their products so that I could give them a try. All of my opinions about the White Hot Hair products are my own. ***

I Cut My Hair! Life Eventually Goes Back to Normal After You Grow Out Your Gray Hair.....Really.

I've been figuratively pulling out my hair in frustration for weeks. It's a wonder that I still have any hair left to take a picture of to show you! I've been frustrated because every time I think I'm going to have some down time to blog, something else pops up needing my attention. So now, really, truly, honestly this time, I am going to attempt to master the art of the quick, not-so-rambling post. I'm not sure that I can do it friends, but I will try.

So, I cut my hair!!!!  *I* cut my *OWN* hair.....

Please beautiful, wonderful, amazing hairstylist of mine Lydia don't be mad at me, please!

It was born out of a moment of pure horror and weakness. When the salon was closed. Or about to be closed. I had no choice! There was desperation involved.

I was at Macy's looking for some clothes, when I went into the dressing room to try on a dress. To my complete and utter embarrassment and horror, my butt was so big and also, the ends of my hair, straggly and yellowed. (I'm sorry, but this is the truth. ) Also, it all sounds too superficial for me to really want to care, but somehow, I totally do care! It was bad.

I went scrambling out of the dressing room, (with clothes on of course) close to tears and headed straight home. Too embarrassed to be seen out in public. I was in a tizzy! A true panic.

For the past two years, once my gray hair had just about grown out, and the pixie cut too, my hair stylist Lydia has done an excellent job encouraging me to keep my hair long, and helping it to be trimmed and healthy. The only thing that had been bothering me was that I felt as though my hair, especially the end, seemed thinner than I'm used to. I think my hair must be thinner now, than when I was younger, but I'm guessing that more so, I've always worn a pretty blunt hair cut, but now, I had lovely layers. The layers though, at the ends, they started just looking...straggly. Scraggily. You know, like wispy spaghetti!

Last time I went into the salon I was really tempted to have Lydia cut a whole bunch off, but she encouraged me not to go crazy and gave me a perfectly respectable trim. A month or so went by before that fateful day in Macy's and in that time, my hair had morphed into a limp mop with yellowed ends.

At home I thought: "Ok, I'll just give myself a wee, little blunt cut. Just chop off a few inches. How hard can it be!?"  

And so I did. And you know what? It ISN'T difficult to cut your hair into a block shape! So now I have an odd looking, blockhead look! (That I've been tooo lazy to go have corrected by Lydia yet!) But also though, now my hair, at least to me, looks twice as thick at the bottom! AND the best part, no more dull, yellowed, straggly ends!

I'm not advocating for you to cut your own hair. Really, don't do it. What I am saying is that after growing out your gray hair for months and months or even years like I did, one day everything goes back to normal and you'll even be getting haircuts for your gray hair, just like you did for your colored hair! Eventually, all of the stressful memories of the time when you had a 2" wide white skunk stripe on top of your head will be a thing of the past! 

So hang in there, really. Your gray....it just becomes part of you and won't always be a daily source of worry. I promise!

Here's a picture that kind of shows how straggly my ends had been getting, and some of the discoloration. I've used clarifying shampoo and purple shampoo and even treatments at the salon. There just comes a point where nothing is as good as a haircut and starting a little anew.

I definitely prefer my hair at the length in this picture as opposed to shorter, but after growing out my gray, I understand and know now that it's "just hair", and that in the grand scheme of things, it only matters some and it will always grow back!

And here's my big old head now! (I kind of look like a muppet with this expression. Also, where do you look with the laptop camera???)  Nothing spectacular, but I'll take it! It's nice to have thicker feeling ends and some of that stubborn dullness off. My hair is curled up a bit, but I would say I cut off about two or three inches.  

And that my friends is the latest in my HAIRVENTURE!

Did you know that this is what it's called now, when you grow out your socially unacceptable hair color? A HAIRVENTURE! Say it proudly! (I just made this up. But still say it proudly.)

And one more spot of EXCITING GRAY HAIR NEWS! (If that even exists. Is that an oxymoron? Exciting gray hair news?) 

I was just THRILLED when the most lovely, sweet, friendly people from White Hot Hair in the UK approached me to see if I would like to try out some of their hair care products! I was so excited!!!

White Hot is a range of AMAZING looking shampoos, conditioners and styling products made just for those of us sporting our silvers. Not only that, but White Hot's line is all about being vibrant and gorgeous and full of life. They actually celebrate the brilliance that white can bring! No more purple shampoo that's been around for decades, making you feel old, White Hot's products are all about the sparkle!

I offered to do a blog review once my products arrive, but White Hot said that isn't even necessary, they just wanted to start the conversation about hair care for gray hair. I'd love to let you know about my experience with their products though, so I'd really like to do a review on How Bourgeois once I have a chance to try out the range. And for disclaimer's sake, I am not being paid by White Hot for my opinions or a post. I'm being given some complimentary products and then I will share my honest experiences with them. In the meantime, you can share in my excitement to be learning more about this great company, by browsing their website and joining their great Facebook group as I did! You can find them on Facebook HERE.

Fun stuff, right!

I would say that this post is at least 30% shorter than most of them. I think I did an ok job! ;)

Alright, coming up........ more posts including a summer wrap-up with pictures, a back-to-school celebration that we threw, some autumn clothing shopping reviews, including a favorite things post! And of course, more hair news to come. I'd also like to get back on track with the "Year of You" soon.

Until next time, don't cut your own hair!

Love, 

Lauren :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A Gallon-full of Grateful

Today I was making Noah lunch when I accidentally ripped open an entire bag of frozen french fries. Darn! I thought, I only needed a hand-full and now the bag was completely torn in half.
(If you know me well, you will also know the twenty-five year old running "joke" that I can't seem to escape. The one about the sub-par way that I open cereal boxes. I always try my best, it just rarely works out for me.)

So when I inadvertently shredded this bag of french fries, my first emotions were shamefulness and self-disgust. It quickly turned to "shoot, what am I going to do with the other 90% of the french fries?"

That's when I went over to the cabinet, hunched down, and started looking for a gallon-sized Ziploc bag to solve my problem. Sure enough, they were there. (As were the sandwich size, the snack size, and the printed with measurements, 1 cup sized Ziploc bags.)

And then, it hit me! An emotion that kind of felt like what I'd imagine a Care Bear cloud would feel like if it were an emotion. This feeling of happiness and gratitude and rainbows and sunbeams!

Which is weird, I know, coming from a Ziploc bag, but suddenly, I had this overwhelming feeling of "MAN! I am SO grateful that I could come to the cupboard and there was the gallon-sized bag that I needed." And the feeling just grew from there as I stopped, motionlessly bent over. "I'm so thankful." "How did I ever become this lucky, to have such abundance in my life?" 

For many, a gallon-sized Ziploc bag might not often illicit such emotions, but I think that this moment was precipitated by a lot of small occurrences earlier in the day. Each one that I felt gratitude for.

First, it was freezing this morning, and I was thrilled! I saw my neighbor on my daily walk, and she declared this to be "Duluth" weather. She said in Duluth, if it gets near 80 degrees, people start wilting from the heat. I thought in that moment that I'm rather particularly suited to Duluth weather myself! Days like these, with their high, barely reaching 70, I had the rare chance to wear something cozy in the summer. So I'm spending the day in a super soft terry cloth tunic and leggings. It's like pajamas, but better because you can go to Target in them. And, the best part about it being freezing, is that I could almost pretend that it's fall. The season that I live for.

Before I realized how cold it was, early this morning I tried on a summer dress that I had sewn a couple of years ago. Even though it's a little strange looking and a little crooked, I felt so happy and proud that I had made it myself!

And then I topped the dress with a crocheted shawl, that I had also made myself. Complete with rosettes and bubble stitches. It was all too much of a "look" for errands I thought, but none-the-less, it brought me joy knowing that I could outfit myself and my family, should the entirety of the retail clothing industry implode. (Jon and Noah would be wearing floral, crocheted shawls.)

Also this morning, I received an email that camp was closed due to a power outrage from last night's storms. I thought, "Hooray! A chance for Noah to sleep in, and for us to have a quiet day together. 

Noah woke up, refreshed from a long night's sleep, in a good mood. He didn't fight me when I mentioned that today would be a day for pants instead of shorts. He even agreed to be a "helper" and go along with me on my two, regular Monday errands - the grocery store and Target. 

At the grocery store, Noah, finally being tall enough to see over the handle of the cart, insisted on pushing, and he did a great job. He found his snack seaweed and chose lunch items without hassle. We bought a bunch of fresh flowers. I felt so thankful for being able to bring food home from the store each week.

When came back and put away the cold food, Noah readily agreed to the weekly Target run. Some things are essential, mainly cat food and shampoo and toilet paper. You don't want to run out.

Noah asked if he could buy a small toy with some of his saved money. I agreed. He dumped out his little, miniature safe, and we sat on the floor counting quarters. I thought: "Wow, I did this as a kid too. We are making a memory for both of us." And how grateful I felt for this unscheduled moment.

At the store, we purchased everything on the list (Except for the liquid dish soap which I have forgotten). And when I paid the cashier, I thought: "How appreciative am I, that I can purchase the odds and ends in life that we need without worry.

Basically, it was just a lovely day of small reminders of just how thankful I am. There are always the big things in the front of my mind that I hold gratitude for..... a wonderful husband, a great son, a cozy home, a community of the most wonderful friends, and so on and so on and so on. Sometimes though, it takes the littler things, all added up, to just stand in awe. If that makes sense.

Even if you're missing out on some of the "bigger ticket items" that you'd like to have in your life to be thankful for, if you can, for the time being,  acknowledging the small joys can be amazingly rewarding too.

Here are a few of my "small gratitudes" from the past few weeks. What are yours!?

Thankful for finding new ways to dust, and having helpers!

For the pretty, little gifts that Noah makes me at day camp. Like this beautiful glass fusion earring and necklace set! :)

Grateful for Grandpas that stop by for a few hours on the hottest day of the year so far. And for a mini-pool to dip our feet in.

Thankful for the opportunity to cook for my family when I want to express my love. Snickerdoodle recipe HERE!

And for finding the BEST crisp cucumber and dill salad recipe yet! Perfect for warm summer evenings. (This one was from a cookbook. Let me know if you want the recipe. Basically it was two English cucumbers sliced, salted, left for 15 minutes and patted dry. Some sour cream, a bit of red onion, lots of dill, salt and pepper, white wine vinegar and sugar. Leave in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Delicious!)

Thankful for the times when it's too cool to turn the A/C on, but too warm not to throw open the windows. A perfect opportunity to make a window seat for a cat. 

Appreciative of family bike rides and fire engines sitting outside the station.

Oh! Did I mention gratitude for boys with haircuts, so they can stop getting upset each morning when their Moms try to comb their long hair!? Noah decided to get a short haircut for a change. I think he looks nice! Noah and I are trying to get used to it. I think we secretly both miss his long hair. But something else that I'm grateful for - hair that grows back and the ability to change one's hairstyle up any which way!

Feeling really lucky for husbands that go along with any cheesy photo op.  :)

And for ice cream in an old farmhouse in one of my favorite places around: 

The Town That Time Forgot!

And how could one forget my gray-haired readers. I'm TOTALLY thankful for YOU, and for having the chance to  share this strange hair-color journey with new friends! Actually, I am feeling lucky to have white hair. It has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone and to just go with the flow. Something that I've never been good with. Having this experience has changed my life for the better in so many ways! (Also, I have to tell you, I'm thankful that now I'm done with "growing out" my hair. I have some brown still mixed in there, but the gray has grown all the way to the ends. There is something so settling about being past the growing out phase. I PROMISE, for all of you who are going through this process now, one day, you wake up, and your new color feels just, "normal".  It feels like it's "you" and it's not a huge deal anymore. So hang in there, things get a lot easier! )

Riiiiiing! What's not better than the jangly ring of a vintage phone? I'm appreciating this ebay find that arrived this week. Not only was coincidentally sent from Toledo, Jon's hometown, but when the packaged arrived with the return address on it.....the previous owner is living on Jon's old street!!! WHAT are the chances? Toledo is a BIG place! 

I love that this little pond resides at the bottom of our street, and that right now, the Lilly pads are in bloom! Big, hot pink flowers. I also love that the pond is home to hundreds of koi looking fish, some snapping turtles, frogs and even....... A FAMILY OF GREEN HERON!!! I saw the young Herons just the other day. It was nerdily exciting. I tried so hard to get a good picture, but they were up in the tree and sadly, none of the pictures came out well.

And finally, I am grateful for sweet cats who are happy to see their boy when he gets home from camp.

Until next time, remember the little things are special too!

With Love,

Lauren 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo