From the South and Proud of it...I think.

Ok, Let's talk about Southern Hairstyles. Since it IS my profession, it lies close to my heart. And I see it done so gracefully all the time. Just look:

Oh wait....that isn't graceful. Damn you Billy Ray Cyrus! Well, that was in the past and we haven't all had the luxury of perfect hair. Let's catch up a few years and see where Mr. Cyrus is today:
Ewwww....Nevermind. I'm pretty sure I have had this haircut AND color before! Apparently me and Mr. Cyrus have the same style. Mine was inspired by Catherine Bell. I'm not sure what his excuse is. 

I absolutely HATE mullets. There is no reason for that hairstyle to ever have been created! Unless a stylist was interrupted and not able to finish the back. One time, when I first started doing hair and was working in the mall, there was a bomb threat. I had to stop cutting a ladies hair and we all had to evacuate the building. It took several hours before we could reenter the building. Needless to say, she was starting a new trend by walking around with a half haircut. But yeah, I hate mullets.

Interestingly enough, I can easily transition to my next topic of Nascar. Seriously, I googled Nascar Fan and this is one of the images: Gross. However, I will say that I do not love but do not hate Nascar. I do like looking at some of the drivers. There are some cuties!
Yep. I can sit watch Nascar without complaining. ;) Now, I won tickets on the radio once (I know, I know, bug surprise) to the Busch Race in Lebanon. That was one of the funniest experienced I have ever had. I took my girlfriend Chrissy. I had never been to a race before so I dressed pretty cute. We were like 10 rows up from the track. So by the time we left we were covered in tar. I would wipe my face and it would smear tar everywhere. I wasn't expecting that. Another thing I wasn't expecting was when and older, shirtless gentleman who appeared to be a little sauced came up to us and was hitting on us. It was funny and flattering until he made a comment about me being Chrissy's mom. Keep in mind that I was 21 or so, and Chrissy was actually a year older than me. Yikes! I could have picked his scrawny butt up and heaved him over that fence. My fun day was over. But there were definitely some sights to be seen that day. I will never forget it.

Well, that's all for today. Until next time....

LOVE Y'ALL

Negative Assumptions

So let me begin with saying that I am proud to be from the South. I love my great state of Tennessee! I am more than happy to say that I was born and raised in my hometown, in Middle Tennessee, where I still reside. I couldn't imagine ever living anywhere else. This is my home and I love it. 

Now, with that being said, let me say that there are some down sides to being from this great state. People from all over the world have the biggest misconceptions. We are constantly stereotyped by society as hicks, rednecks, hillbillies, uneducated, inbred, etc. Now this just not true, at least not for all of us. Believe me, I know a few of 'em out there that are a few crayons short of a box, married to a 3rd cousin, or that still look forward to going the "Big City" on the weekends. And we love and accept them all the same. We just say "Bless their heart" when speaking of them. Side note: When a southerner says "Bless Your Heart", it is NOT a good thing. It is a backwards compliment. I once heard Joy Behar say that if a southern lady says. "Bless your heart, you have the biggest head I've ever seen." that it makes it acceptable to tell someone they have a big head. And it's true. But I digress....

I am not a college graduate however, I do have some higher education. That includes two semesters at a University and a completed license in Cosmetology. I am not one to leave something unfinished, so I intend to go back and finish a degree at some point. I may be 80, but by golly, I'm going to do it! My point is that we are educated. And if you ask me, we have some of the BEST schools in the south! Look at the University of Tennessee, Sewanee aka "The University of the South", Middle Tennessee State University (Where my husband is currently a student!), and more. ( I will refrain from naming others so I don't make my husband mad by implying that some of those "other" Sec schools are decent. We must only say that UT is the best Sec school in our house. It is an unspoken rule. )  But my point is, we ain't dumb.

As I transition to this next subject, just bear with me. Incest is not something to joke about. I have heard of some very disturbing stories (on the news, not anyone I know) of uncles marrying nieces, kissing cousins, etc. But I will tell you that I have experienced some places, near my hometown, where there are only a handful of last names. When that happens, someone is bound to be related! It happens more so in small town where no one ever leaves and very few come into the community. Don't worry all you yankees, we think it's gross too. And that is all I have to say about that. 

I will add that we wear shoes too. I once met some boys from New York, when I was in the 8th grade (so, a million years ago), who thought that we all wore overalls and walked around barefoot. Are you kidding me?! That was the craziest thing I ever heard. We have ample clothes, shoes, socks, shirts, coats, underwear, etc. 

I would like to end this post with something for you to look forward to in my future posts: Billy Ray Cyrus, Nascar, Football, Beer, Pearls, Baby/Wedding Showers, Sundresses, Food.....

Now I bet you CAN'T wait for the next can you?! See you again soon. Until then....

LOVE Y'ALL!!

Being a Southern Lady in a Modern World

So I have seen all of these pins on Pinterest with quotes about being southern: 




I love it! But I got to thinking about all of the assumptions that go along with being southern. I was also thinking about how things have changed over the years and being a southern woman now is so different than in the past. Our culture is slowly changing and we are adapting. It is really something that ladies of my generation understand. I have read several of The Sweet Potato Queens novels, which I LOVE. I suggest them to every southern lady I know. Jill Conner Browne makes it so much fun to read and very informative. It gives insight into the life a Sweet Potato Queen, which is fascinating, as well as advice on love, child rearing, friendship, etc. My goal is to use the same humorous approach while introducing the "New" Southern Women's way. I hope you enjoy! P.S. This might be in multiple parts, so stay tuned.

Welcome fall

This week begins my new work schedule. Generally working Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 2 Saturdays a month (3 Saturdays in September). I am so thankful that I have the flexibility to be able to do this. I have worked anywhere from 30-45 hours a week since giving birth to my Phenomenal Preslie, nearly 5 years ago.  I truly envy the mothers who are able to spend those precious moments with their sweet babies. I wasn't able to do it then, so I am making up for it now. And what a great time...she is so much fun right now. She keeps me on my toes and I NEVER know what is going to come out of her mouth. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.) I have many things planned for my time off with her. She has never been to the zoo, to a pumpkin patch, on a hay ride, to story time at the library, etc. I can't wait! It will be as fun for me as it is for her.

I also look forward to being home in the afternoons to help Holle with her home work, make dinner, and take the dog out on walks. Hopefully I can organize the house and keep it clean too. Who knows, maybe there is even some exercise in my future. I know, I know. I have some big expectations. We'll see how far I get.

So this fall is getting underway. I am sooooooo ready. I love the cooler weather, smell of pumpkin candles, Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks, deep chocolate brown haircolor, boots, sweaters, bonfires, etc. Bring it on!!!

Before and After

Have you ever stood in front of the mirror, after a shower, and thought "If only people could see the miracle transformation I go through daily just to leave the house."? Well, I recently did. Of course I have my off days, like today, where I put little to no effort (aside from showering). But on the days that I do try to look presentable, it takes about an hour for the beautification process.

My Hair....dear Lord. I am so grateful to have the head of hair that I have, don't get me wrong. After being a hairstylist for 8 years I have learned how blessed I am.  However, it has been a while since I have had long hair and I forget how long it takes to blow dry and style on a daily basis. My husband loves my long hair so much. But he isn't the one that has to style it. You know what makes me sick? The other day I started blow drying my hair at the same time my husband got in the shower. He showered, got dressed, brushed his teeth, and was completely ready and my hair STILL wasn't dry. Seriously?! So not fair...

My Makeup....well, there has to be a lot of it. During my teenage years I struggled with acne, and much to my disgust I still do. There is something about turning 30 that has brought it out of it's hibernation. I probably had the best skin of my life at 25, while I was pregnant. I don't know it was the hormones or what. And let me clarify, this was ONLY at the beginning of my pregnancy. At the end, I was a hot mess. But that is for another day. My 13 year old thinks I'm the wicked stepmother for not letting her wear foundation, but I don't want her making the same mistake I did. Instead of trying to learn the correct way to clean my face as a preteen, I just covered it up and didn't wash it off at night. And that made for an even worse complexion. Therefore, I now have to have full coverage foundation. Yuck. So in the summer when everyone is at a bar-b-que or or birthday party I am sweating and look like my face is melting off. Double Yuck. So needless to say, my makeup routine takes some time every morning. And it doesn't even look that great. But hey, I'm not trying to walk out without any makeup on. I'm not trying to scare any small children. 

So....the point of this blog is because I did the whole Tyra Banks thing and took my before and after picture. I want to share with the world the me that I see when I look in the mirror as well as the me that YOU see. Enjoy and don't be afraid. ;)

BEFORE

AFTER

Fifty Shades of..........

So it has been quite some time since I've blogged. Ahhhhh.....it feels good to be back at the keyboard again. Sure there has been lots of changes in my world since then, but I do not wish to speak of that today. I have much more important things at hand. Like Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James. I completed the three books, with a mere five hundred pages each, in a week and a half. This is....well, unheard of for me.

I understand why so many people are up in arms over the "subject matter" of these novels. However, having read them, I find that the story line makes up for the actions that some find so offensive. And the truth is, there are so many worse things going on in the world for me to worry about a fictional story line. But I digress......

So having been more than obsessed over who will play the characters in the upcoming theatrical rendition of the books, I have compiled a list of people I would love to see in the films. They are, as follows:

Christian Grey = Ian Somerhalder

There is NO other option in my mind. And I couldn't pick just one picture. :) 

And Here is in the Christian Grey uniform: White Button Down Shirt and Pants that hang from his hips.

Anastasia Steele (Ana)

Alexis Bledel                                                  Felicity Jones                        

Kate Kavanagh

Blake Lively                                               Amanda Seyfried                                  

Candice Accola

Elliot Grey

Armie Hammer                                      

















Kellen Lutz                                          























Liam Hemsworth

Ethan Kavanagh

Alex Pettyfer                                                            Chase Crawford

Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey

Susan Sullivan                                         Christine Baransky

Carrick Grey

Victor Garber                                                           Richard Geere

Mia Grey

Lucy Hale                                                      Lily Collins

Mrs. Robinson (Elena Lincoln)

Sharon Stone                                                    Ellen Barkin

Leila Williams

Leighton Meester                                       Zooey Deschanel

Jose Rodriguez

Jesse Metcalfe                                   Michael Trevino

Jose Rodriguez, Sr.

Jimmy Smits

Ray Steele

J.K. Simmons                                            Ed Harris

Carla (Ana's Mom)                                       

Katherine Keener

Jason Taylor 

Jason Statham                           Joe Manganiello                              

Josh Holloway

Christopher Meloni

Mrs. Jones

Helen Mirren

Dr. Flynn

Colin Firth

Jack Hyde (Ana's Boss)

Dean Chakvala                                                      

Alright. So now I have wasted way too much time on this. But, it is for your enjoyment. So I hope you consider my choices and discuss whom you agree with or disagree.

If you haven't read it, you should. It is a very easy read that sucks you in. Since I have finished, I want to go back and reread starting at the beginning.

Laters, baby. ;)