Our First Appointment

February 12th, 2018

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This day could not have come sooner. Our longest appointment we will have till delivery, but probably one of the best. 

 

We got to hear our little Baby Peanut Sprinkle Bailey Russell’s (there’s a lot of opinions on the name at the moment) heartbeat. I will never fully be able to explain the feeling that over whelmed me hearing those quick thumps come from the Sonogram today, but I can tell you, it resulted in the happiest of tears, my mom consoling me and Ryan asking if she could show him where the penis was located. (God help himπŸ™πŸΌ) 

 

You’re really really real and this is really really happening. 😭😍😭

 

6 weeks and 4 days.

6 weeks and 4 days.

You’re going to be an October baby! All the pumpkin spice lattes for you πŸŽƒ 

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Sorry about your daddy and, πŸ‘†πŸΌthis. I don’t know where he comes from. The good news is, I’ve never seen him more excited and involved in anything before. As much as he embarrasses me by snooping through your baby and mommy health bag before it’s even been given to us, or takes a seat behind our PA’s desk instead of standing like a normal human, or even goes through all our doctor’s drawers in the examination room putting on rubber gloves and pulling out tampons telling me he is doing my exam today, I could not have asked for a better significant other to be doing this new adventure with. You are one lucky sprinkle to be getting this jokester of a loving man as your daddy. 

 

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Let the battle of the sexes begin: can you tell who’s on what team πŸ™„  

πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•Β 

πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•Β 

Confirmation: We have a Sprinkle!

February 1st, 2018

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     Confirmed.

We’re pregnant

 

 

 

 

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Our appointment at North Florida OBGYN went well. No sign of how far along I am yet but, February 12th, at my first β€œreal” doctors appointment, they should be able to tell.

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Let the guessing games begin!

πŸ’•πŸ’™πŸ’•πŸ’™

 Our thoughts are around 4 weeks, fingers crossed for an October Baby! πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸŽƒ   

Β 

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 As for now, all the prenatals for Baby Spinkle 🍩 (fitting name being that we think that’s the size of the little babes today!)

Β P.S. These are the best AND they’re Gluten Free!

Β P.S. These are the best AND they’re Gluten Free!

Bump In The Road

January 28th, 2018.  

 

The excitement is beyond expression! Our work for a Brush wedding is done, it’s Sunday and we are free for what is our β€œweekend”! 

First thing Nicole says to me as we get in her car, β€œlet’s go to Saucy for Margaritas!” Nicole had been going through more than I knew how to handle so, how could I deny a coconut marg at 11am when the girl had been house bound for what felt like days? 

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Two margaritas in, and we are laughing hysterically about swinging pineapples, clearly the tequila was setting in. The conversation went from belly ache laughs to sorrow tears but all with the ending result of a healing heart. 

 

By the end of our second margarita, the realization of a delayed period set in. For a peace of mind on both of our brains, we went to Nicole’s for reassurance these silly drinks could rest easy in our tummy’s. 

Now, keep in mind, we were two drinks in and when I tell you I swear that thick, black, negative line was clear as day with just a faint, almost non existent, vertical line behind it, I fully believed the test was faulty. There’s no way random lines were telling me my future on a piece of plastic and on top of that, I thought maybe the alcohol had something to do with this positive looking test because there’s no way that could be true.

So.. to Walgreens we went, with a giant cup of water to chug. 

 

Clear Blue seemed like a much more reliable brand being that you get clear as day words, β€œpregnant” or β€œnot pregnant”. After a long reassuring talk and cuddle with Nicole, she dropped me off at Ryan’s, where I now was 3 hours late coming home. He clearly was annoyed with me for my tardiness as he couldn’t make eye contact because building a rocket for Colbi was far more important than looking up at me to say hi. I said my hellos to both and went straight to the bathroom. Couldn’t be bothered with him at that moment. 

Twenty minutes went by. The longest 20 minutes of my life. I cried, sobbed actually. How in the hell am I going to be able to have a baby this year? The trips I have booked and the plans I have for work, I can’t. I sat on the side of that bathtub terrified of the unknown, fearful of disappointing my dad, and dreading even the thought of getting fat (I know, but it’s true.)  Never once did I fear telling Ryan though. I needed him in that moment, more than I ever had before. 

I finally made my way off that tub, out the bathroom door, and to the dining room table where Ryan was still fuming as he continued to build that rocket. My heart sank, I had disappointed him for being so late and now I’m about to tell him he’s about to be another dad. Fabulous. 

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He followed me back into the bathroom where I immediately began opening the flood gates. My words were lost and the best I could do was hand over that Clear as freaking Blue test while the Nile River continued to stream down my face. 

Have you ever seen two people in the same room be given the same news and react so polar opposite, it’s laugh worthy? That was us. This man could not wipe off that beautiful ear to ear grin on his overly ecstatic face. He scooped me up and just held me, squeezed me so tight it forced more tears to come. He couldn’t contain himself. I don’t think I could have presented him with anything better than the fact he was going to be my Baby’s Daddy. Thank god for this man and β€œhis glass half full” attitude because at that moment, I was one miserable human being and all I wanted him to be was miserable with me.

 

Ryan asked we hold off on telling family and friends till we took another test in the morning. Of course I listened to none of that. I was freaking out and needed some serious mental support. I called three friends who I could not be more thankful. I had one who cried and empathized with me, I had another who reassured me of her support in whatever I decided and left me with an β€œemail” giggle and lastly, I had one who was so excited for me because she herself had been in the exact same situation just two years ago. 

 

 That night Ryan and I went to my parents house for dinner. I’ve never felt so needy in all my life. Every person who walked by me got a hug, someone got up from the couch and I followed, it became so obvious to both my mom and grandma something was wrong. Mama thought I was becoming sick and without skipping a beat my mom went straight to the big question β€œare you pregnant”. Surprisingly, I kept my composure and left that evening without saying a word; however, I don’t know how, but deep down my mom already knew without me saying one word. 

 

January 29th, 2018.

Ryan and I woke up together and first thing we did was take the 3rd pregnancy test. Sure enough, it just kept saying the same thing: pregnant. Guess the margaritas had nothing to do with a positive result. It was really real.  

 

First person I told was my sister, Alexis. I waited outside for her in Ryan’s truck. It took a lot of convincing on my part to get her to come outside that morning. When I saw her, I jumped out of the truck and made Ryan stay. The tears started again. She thought I had just gotten engaged. Nope. After some encouraging words from her, a nice birdie flipped to Ryan and a β€œjust call me Auntie A” exist line, we made our way to tell my mom and grandma. 

I walked upstairs and just starred at my mom, more tears of course. And again she knew. She didn’t know she knew until she really knew. My grandma was SO excited, squeezed both Ryan and I in pure joy while my mom was still trying to collect her chin off the floor. Literally speachless. I think the word β€œgrandma” was taking her breath away.  

I had to wait till that night to tell my dad. This was the one that was creating so much stress for me. I knew he would be supportive and say all the right things but the slightest bit of disappointment from him, was enough to make me want to melt away in a pool of quick sand. I followed him to his room after dinner, again making Ryan wait outside, I just needed my dad to tell me everything was going to be okay. The words never fully came out, I maybe said what led up to taking the test and then went blank but my dad asked β€œAre you?!” in an excited voice and I knew everything was going to be okay just by those two words from him. Our 30 minute talk was so reassuring and he signed off by saying β€œI don’t know if you know how much I truly love you, but I think now you will.” Sobbed. How could you not with a statement like that?

The best part was coming out of the bedroom and have 4 sets of eyeballs starring at me. Waiting for what just happened. I realized my brother didn’t know yet so as I sat down I casually said β€œI’m pregnant”. Immediately Teegan responded, β€œno you’re not” and the room went silent. Took him a minute. 

Ryan patiently waited for my dad, he needed the reassurance just as I did. Again, my dad’s wisdom appeared and told Ryan there’s nothing better than bringing a child into this world who is wanted and clearly you two are happy and have a strong lengthy relationship, and that he could not be more happy for the two of us. 

The stress was gone, the excitement set in and the doctors appointments began! We’re having a baby!! 

Teegan in the corner though, still scratching his head.  Bless him πŸ˜‚

 

CAMOUFLAGE

It's been almost a year since my last blog post and I have to say, I am very excited to be back! This past year was insanity and as much as I wish I had documented it, it's probably best I didn't πŸ˜‰ 

 

πŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’š 

This weekend I'm heading to McRea, Georgia to meet my boyfriend where the weather is freezing compared to our Florida sunshine state. Believe it or not, this is a hunting trip 😳, something I said since Ryan and I started dating I would never do.  Well... here we are 5 months later. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜­πŸ™ˆ

As much as I am not a fan of hunting gear, any opportunity I get to match my nails to my outfit, I'm in.

Castle Nails on Racetrack always does an amazing job and this week I get army green with glitter camo πŸ˜πŸ’…πŸΌ 

OPI Polish || Suzi - The First Lady of Nails OPI Glitter || Baroque... But Still Shopping

OPI Polish || Suzi - The First Lady of Nails 

OPI Glitter || Baroque... But Still Shopping

While my nails are up to par for hunting (πŸ˜‚), I don't know how warm they will actually keep me. Thankfully, my friend Courtney lend me some of her cozy pink camo gear so I won't die of frost bite sitting in the tree stands of Georgia for 27 hours.

 Dramatic? Probably.  

Probably from a camo store Β πŸ˜‚

Probably from a camo store Β πŸ˜‚

 

But on a serious note: while I may be invisible with nature, camouflaged and all, I will not, I repeat, will NOT be killing a deer. I'm excited to get away for the weekend with my amazing man to some fresh air and beautiful nature views! 

  πŸŒ³β„οΈπŸΉπŸΏπŸƒ

Have to wait till next week to see if he gets lucky with a deer, but more importantly, what this camo actually looks like on.

Till then..

Happy (not so) hunting!  

Sincerely, B🐝

Silver Slate Canvas

Surprise!

My 50 shades is back but this time by accident! 

I wasn't going for a stony, grey blonde but I have no complaints on the color we discovered! Provana has such a wide variety of products and clearly, we've had a lot of fun dipping into their express toners! 

Β 

Enlighten Hair to level 10+Provana Express Toner: Violet (10mins)Β 

Enlighten Hair to level 10+

Provana Express Toner: Violet (10mins)Β 

Embrace the Grey! Β 

Sincerely, B🐝 

Curl Up & Dye

Brunette to Blonde 

Heather, my "blonde" twin, realized somehow her lightness in her hair had disappeared. Obviously, after the Salontourage crew all agreed Heather needed her blonde locks back, we came into the rescue! Heather and I had a hair date Tuesday and after 3 hours of balayaging every single hair strand on that girly's head, I got my blondie look alike back πŸ˜‰

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Happy Coloring!

Sincerely, B🐝 

Before

Before

After

After

30vol Goldwell enlightener Β Toner: Ice Scruples Power Blonde Β 

30vol Goldwell enlightener Β 

Toner: Ice Scruples Power Blonde Β 

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Curl Up & Dye

Courtney came to me with bleached out ends she's been letting grow out to get the health back into her hair.

Before

Before

Using Goldwell 10 volume enlightener, I went into her mid section and balayages pieces up, being sure not to overlap her previous blonde. Β 

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After Β 

After Β 

I could not be more happy with the results. And the best part, there's no filter on those after pictures! 

Β 

Happy Coloring!Β 

Sincerely, B🐝 

Curl Up & Dye

Color Melt, OmbrΓ©, SombrΓ©, Balayage... We love them all but today we discovered the BombrΓ© because this fall transformation turned out so well! πŸ’£

Before

Before

During Β 25vol englightner defused through all her ends

During Β 

25vol englightner defused through all her ends

After Β 

After Β 

Thanks Kelli Pierce for letting me play! xx

Love your fierceness 😘 

Kardashian's would be proud πŸ’πŸ½

Β 

Sincerely, B🐝 

He Went to Jared

Every 2-3 weeks my brunette twin and I head to Castle Nails for our over-needed nail date. (This week was a rough one as I was still rocking my Minion Halloween colors from a week ago... Yikes.)   

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Winter has been on my mind lately, even though Florida has thought otherwise- it's November and thermastats are still reading 92 degrees? One point Jacksonville πŸ˜’

At least my nails can somewhat represent.

My nails guy was all about my color choice of white and silver, even the 3-D nail art!

As he's finishing up my gel polish, he told me he would be right back, that he had to go to Jared for my diamonds... Such a gem that man is. πŸ’Ž

 

I'm Chicago ready now! 

Sincerely, B🐝 

Alpine Snow|| OPI GelPirouette My Whistle || OPI Gel SparklesDiamonds || Obvi JaredΒ 

Alpine Snow|| OPI Gel

Pirouette My Whistle || OPI Gel Sparkles

Diamonds || Obvi JaredΒ 

Beto Beto Beto🚨

My favorite time of the year has returned! I love getting creative with costumes. This year I went with my favorite little yellow characters and made an upgraded version of Kevin the Minon.

I think I maybe spent 25 dollars on the whole thing too. 

Β 

  • Β Cut off overalls || Walmart $4
  • Yellow Bandeau || Walmart $3
  • Yellow Tutu || Dance Store $15
  • Goggle Glasses || Dollar Store $1
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I popped out the lenses of the glasses and cut up an old pair of jeans into strips for the top layer of the tutu and ta-da: Minion. Β 

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The whole group nailed it πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

  • Mermaid and South Park
  • Black and White Swan
  • Cookie Monster with her Cookie
  • Ring Leader and her Lion Β 
  • Mini, the Minion and the Black Angel 

Happy Halloween!Β 

Sincerely, B🐝 

NOLAπŸŽ©πŸƒπŸ’œ

We are off! πŸš₯🚦πŸš₯

Cat Club: Cougar, Kittens and our Fur ball

Driving from Jacksonville to New Orleans, Jenean, Nicole, Joe and I are headed to this years Behind the Chair Color Show for 2015! We had to take a detour in Biloxi, Mississippi in hope to win some mula back at the casinos. It was a success! πŸ’°πŸ’°πŸ’°

Mother's || NOLA

First day in Nola and we are off seeking a restaurant called "Mothers". Clients of ours back home raved about the food and we now understand why.

After waiting in a line that wrapped around the building, we finally got into this hole in the wall cafeteria style Cajun joint that had the best jambalaya I've ever had.   

Jerry's Jamabalaya Β 

Jerry's Jamabalaya Β 

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Cafè Du Monde

Cafè Du Monde

After lunch we ventured to CafΓ¨ Du Monde for the famous Au Lait and Beignets. Yes, the glutards tasted the little poof of heaven, tasted like funnel cake!  

 

Β 

Streets of NOLA

Streets of NOLA

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Voodoo And Magic

Voodoo And Magic

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After our afternoon snack, we roamed the streets and eventually found ourselves surround by heaps of people. Of course we followed the crowd. I'm not sure if it was the crazy drinks in people's hands, ridiculous outfits or the rancid smell of vomit and urin combined that gave it away: we found Bourbon Street.

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Here's a little something something I learned about Bourbon Street:

  1. The hand grenades turn you into actual grenades πŸ’£ #1greneade2greneadeFLOOR
  2. Laying on the bathroom floors is a great way to pick up all diseases  πŸ˜·   
  3. No means yes & yes means "I do" πŸ’πŸ™…πŸΌ #didijustsignmylifeaway #stayawayfromme
  4. Beer cans make great tap shoes 🍺#watchyokidz
  5.  Voodoo is real πŸƒ
  6. You earn beads by doing absolutely nothing #stoptalkingtome #illtakeyourbeadsthough
  7. Undies can actually be worn as swimsuit bottoms πŸ‘™
  8. If you breath wrong in the casinos, you're getting yelled at πŸŽ²πŸ’°πŸ“ž#gotmyphonetakenawaybyjoe
  9.  Po-boy sandwhiches are for the poor boys and if you get called baby you're doing good for yourself πŸ‘ŒπŸΌ
  10. Men with baby powder 😳 #sniffhair
  11. Da da da, you don't love me, I don't love you  
  12. 3 P's: puke😷, peeπŸ™…πŸΌ, and pucker upπŸ™Š #classycatclub
  13. Wife beaters and gym shorts save lives ❀️ 
Wanna explain how you earned all those beads?No.Β 

Wanna explain how you earned all those beads?

No.Β 

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We can all check off nightlife in NOLA. 

Completed βœ”οΈ

 

 

 

The next morning we all slowly made it out of bed and got ready for the first day of the 2015 hairshow! Nicole and I had an amazing yogurt parfait that tastes like Marscapone cheese πŸ˜πŸ‘ŒπŸΌ 

 

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We arrived at the Hyatt Hotel and couldn't help but to notice the over abundance of black clothes and colorful hair- for sure in a building with all hairstylist.  With coffee in our hands, we took our seats and got ready for the show to begin. Behind The Chair kicked off with Goldwell, followed by Aveda. Both incredible but, I have to say Ian Michael Black, representing Aveda color, was hilarious. He had the audience dying πŸ˜‚ on top of having awesome techniques to share!

Ian Michael Black || Aveda

Ian Michael Black || Aveda

 BREAK

Chargrilled oysters

Chargrilled oysters

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For lunch, we made it to Acme's Oyster House. Again, another highly recommended place by our clients. We started with the chargrilled oysters for an appetizer and they were so good, I ended up ordering them again for my main meal with a side of jambalaya of course! (Mother's still had the best)πŸ˜‰

 

Night 2

Night 2

Bourbon Street: Round 2.

​Pictures speak louder than words...

Water moccasins

Water moccasins

Can someone please tell me whose paws those are... no.

Can someone please tell me whose paws those are... no.

All I can say is we were beyond ready to get home...  

  

Β 

 Goodnight Bourbon Street, good morning Hairshow day 2.

We can thank the gunck of Bourbon Street for my dirty braids and messy pony tail πŸ’πŸΌβœ‚οΈΒ 

We can thank the gunck of Bourbon Street for my dirty braids and messy pony tail πŸ’πŸΌβœ‚οΈΒ 

 

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Our last day at the hairshow was awesome but before we went, we stopped for lunch at the Hyatt Hotel and had yummy oysters and somehow ended up with bloody Mary's in front of us... Did not finish those πŸ™…πŸΌ

 

Part 2 of Behind The Chair was so inspiring! Each company set up a booth to represent their bran. It was awesome for networking, picking fellow stylist's brains and watching in on men's cutting and up do workshops. 

Β Behind The Chair Color Cut & Style 2015

Β Behind The Chair Color Cut & Style 2015

 

By the end of the show we were sad to be leaving but itching to get in the rental and make our 8 hour venture back to Jacksonville! 

Thanks Joe for being the best driver in a Monsoon! Thanks Jenean for keeping the kids hydrated and feed! Hate mail goes to Nicole and Brittney for cackling Joe's ear off, Bourban Street blackouts, being fashionably late and not driving home once πŸ™ˆ

Da da da.

Rough. Β 

Rough. Β 

Dealing with our problems 

Dealing with our problems 

Nola: 1

Cat Club: -10 

Β 

 We'll get 'em next year.

Sincerely, B🐝 

Salty Sufer

As much as I love stying hair, I don't always have time to actually style my own. I'm more of a wake up, mascara, protein shake, & go kinda girl so, easy peasy speaks to me. 

Beachy hair... Easy!

Bumble and Bumble || Surf SprayArrojo || Shine Luxe Oil

Bumble and Bumble || Surf Spray

Arrojo || Shine Luxe Oil

These two products are heaven sent! Once my hair is towel dry (about 50%), I use 2-3 pumps of the oil all over to create smoothness, then use the Salt Spray to create texture.  

At about 75% dryness, I braid my hair into a simple loose three stranded braid and round brush my bangs so I don't wake up looking like Cameron Diaz from "Something About Mary" 😳 #notcute

Safety first 🚦 #beepbeep

Safety first 🚦 #beepbeep

Take the braid out in the morning, reapply salt spray, scrunch your beachy waves and walah!

Β 

Easy peasy lemon squeezey.

Sincerely, B🐝 

Do You Lilac It?

The crave for crazy color hair has returned and we've found a gentle, nonabrasive way to achieve the look without having to deal with the color being permanent! After 10 washes, this purple will disappear and you can move on to you're next favorite color! 

Before

Before

😈 

😈 

Color || Royal Purple Β Colorist || Nicole Duffy

Color || Royal Purple Β 

Colorist || Nicole Duffy

I can only imagine what my next pick of the rainbow will be β„οΈπŸ‘ΈπŸΌ...😏

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Happy coloring!  

Sincerely, B🐝 

I Can't Focus In Flats

Clients are always asking the famous question while sitting in our chairs: "how do you work in those shoes?!" Meanwhile, us stylists, are stumbling over our thoughts and mumbling out some convincing words about our wedges being comfortable...  Ha.. Haha.

...They're not always comfortable...Β 

...They're not always comfortable...Β 

We also get the other famous question of "Your hair looks amazing, how do you get your fingers to braid like that?" 

 ... This hair, you're so graciously complimenting, hasn't been washed in 4 days and I threw it in this braid right before you came in to make it look a little more presentable...

 ... This hair, you're so graciously complimenting, hasn't been washed in 4 days and I threw it in this braid right before you came in to make it look a little more presentable...

Well! Finally I have found the answer to both of our lovely clients' questions!  

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Clearly we can't focus in flats so wedges must be the only other option πŸ’πŸΌπŸ‘ πŸ˜‰ 

And...

A braid-less braid! 

It's called a topsy terby hair tool and it takes all the stress away from your fingers!

It's called a topsy terby hair tool and it takes all the stress away from your fingers!

All you need are clear elastics and this fun little hair tool to give you this braid-less look!  

 

  1. Gather your hair into a pony tail and secure with an elastic.
  2. Place the Topsy Tail, (loop side up) through the ponytail, behind the elastic and thread the ponytail through the loop.
  3. Pull the Topsy Tail firmly down through the hair, making sure your hair is firmly in place.
  4. Repeat going down the ponytail till you run out of hair. 


Happy 'braiding'!

Sincerely, B🐝

Β 

Accessorize by the Babes

I arrived at work today, after a morning gym sesh, and totally spaced on packing any jewelry in my gym bag! Thankfully, our salon sells custom made pieces for clients to purchase and there just so happen to be a rose gold and pink bracelet calling my name! I thought, 'what better way to advertise our accessories than to display them first hand?' Like a 'help me to help you' situation πŸ˜‰

I embraced it! Β 

Jewelry Designer || Tammy Dimitri 

Jewelry Designer || Tammy Dimitri 

Go figure, after I dress myself up in my arm candy, our manager comes in with a surprise visit and brings the ultimate accessory for me without even knowing... πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸŽ€

I mean really, we match perfectlyπŸ’•

Lexi Rose Eskucha || 1 month oldRose Gold Bracelete || Tammy Dimitri

Lexi Rose Eskucha || 1 month old

Rose Gold Bracelete || Tammy Dimitri

Sincerely, B🐝 

50 Shades of Steel

Blondes, Blondes, Blondes.  

There are pleanty of us blondes with so many shades and finding the right one for each of our skin tones can be a challenge! Being in the salon world, I'm surrounded by the temptations of changing my blonde quite often whether it's a ray of golden sunshine or a vanilla bean ice queen (fittingβ„οΈπŸ‘ΈπŸΌ), I'm always dabbling into something new.  

Well here's the newest of them all: Silver! Yes, I embraced the granny hair and turns out, it's a big hit! 

Thank you Nicole Duffy for tending to my obsession with change!  

Β 

Sincerely, B🐝

 

Scruples Power Blonde Conditioning Toner || Steel & Platinum

Colorist || Nicole Duffy