Hellooo!!

I'm here, I didn't forget. I've had so much going on, I just haven't had time to organize my thoughts and put a post together with some photos. It's the photo part that's hard too, because I can't pick!

I'm making mosaics to make it easier.

First of all, the Spring has been gorgeous. So many flowers. The pollen hasn't been too bad, as we've had a couple of rainy days to wash it all away.

                                     

 

The flowering trees are so pretty here. I love seeing the progression of Crab apple, Tulip magnolia, Star magnolia, Bradford Pear, Dogwood, and Crepe Myrtle.

 

Wisteria, Carolina Jasmine, flowering quince, all making the world a more colorful place.

Spring is just the best for flowers, colors, and smells. :)

Anyway, the new salon is AWESOME! I love being there. The girls are all nice, and the atmosphere is way better, more fun, and buzzing with good energy. I have been getting many more referrals and I'm getting busier each week! Yay!

I got my new glasses, and the progressive thing is good, but takes some getting used to. Pretty much tho, your brain takes over, and you just look in the right place. They are a bit heavier tho, so I worry about them hurting over time. I tell you what tho...it sure is nice seeing up close! lol


I just got back from a fun birthday weekend in Savannah and Beaufort with my friends, and it was So much fun! We met up with the lovely Georgianna, and went to Savannah to our favorite shops, photos, and lunch at the cool Sixpence Pub.

They were all so nice, and I got some wonderful gifts that I will treasure, but the best, of course were the handmade gifts from Josh (age 7) and Ben (age 4). :) So sweet. Then there was the "Death by Chocolate" cake!!! omg....SO decadent.

It was a fun party. And a memorable birthday.

The next morning was a major thunder storm and got me up at 5:30 am. But after blueberry pancakes and some REALLY strong coffee, we took Georgianna around Beaufort for more pictures and fun.

                                                                     

It was nice to have some fresh eyes there with us, to see the places in new ways. She focused more on gardens and we saw back behind many houses and found some pretty scenes.

Now that I'm back it's ALL about packing and moving. We are renting a house about a mile and a half from my work, about 5 miles to Chris'. It's a 4br 2ba, 2 story with a 2 car garage. It's got a lot that needs to be done to it before we move in, and that has us a little worried, but we are trusting that it will be all set for our Apr 23rd move in! We are really most excited about not living in an apartment anymore and underneath the incredibly inconsiderate, belligerent neighbors.

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes smoothly!

So, today I did my first "official" photo shoot! A friend of mine works at a salon in a neighboring city. They asked me to do some group photos for them. I learned a lot! (now that I'm editing..)

And it's really interesting....for those that know me...I got a message today about 'baby steps'...we take them first to see how badly we want something... I just don't know how I feel about 'shooting' people. It feels pretty natural and not super stressful (with this group), but I don't think it would be so bad. I DO know I do NOT want to be a wedding photographer! lol

Anyway, it's my first paid gig! *nodding* cool. :)

swooning

swooning, a photo by Flair4hair on Flickr.

OK, I know I said I would tell you more, but I get home and start doing 80 other things to get ready to move!
I kind of like being able to upload one image and write a little bit.
I am going to Beaufort and Savannah this weekend to meet up with some friends, and meet a new one! :)
Miss Georgianna Lane from Washington (State) is here visiting!
I am so excited to be spending my birthday in Savannah with girlfriends! It's going to be fun!

After all that, I will put up some more photos, and do a proper post about us moving into a house!! (renting)
If I can find time between packing. ;)
What are you up to?!?! How is Spring treating you?!?!

doubledaff1

doubledaff1, a photo by Flair4hair on Flickr.

Hmmm
Trying out a new feature from Flickr where I can post images to my blog.
This is a double center flowered daffodil from the Botanical Gardens. I think they are so pretty and different. I have lots to tell to catch up, but it's late and I'm tired.
I have lots of gorgeous flowers to show you. Spring has sprung around here!
I have ordered new glasses with progressive lenses, and I will be moving into my "aging eyes" phase...
I am SUPER busy at the new salon! YAY! It's just so incredibly better, I can't even tell you....
I have booked my trip to CA in the Summer! Yay!
It's April tomorrow, and that means it's almost my birthday! Yay! lol
Ok...that's a good teaser.
I'll be back!

I know, it's been an age again since I've written.


I'm sorry, but I kept thinking something was going to happen and I was saving myself! lol
Well, now I have a lot to report, and as usual, I am playing catch up!

So, we got another snow in January, and it was fun, but this time we had ice the next day, and while it makes for pretty pictures, it's pretty dangerous too. We ended up having 3 'snow days' of no work. (Chris had 3, I had 2)

My hunt for a new salon was on, and I was going on interviews and searching in earnest. It really is different out here, and I was excited and then disappointed with some options. Others were good, but too far away, and not exactly what I needed. People don't realize all the factors involved in moving. They just know when I move, and don't know the planning and painstaking that go into the decision.

January marked Chris' Birthday, and my 3 year Anniversary in SC!

Then it was Happy Valentine's Time!

There is nothing really pretty outside this Winter, so I had to make my own pretty inside to take some pictures. Even the Botanical Gardens had cut WAY back!

More than I have ever seen. I guess the snow/cold was too much?

Something that keeps coming up for me even before I left CA, was the idea of teaching hair or representing a hair color/product line. Since moving here, the message has become stronger, and I have heeded the call. I became open to it, and started looking into it, figuring that if I was meant to, the doors would open.

There are a group of educators here in SC that do the CEU (Continuing Ed) classes I take here to renew my license. Everytime I see them, I think THEY have what I want! I want to be THEM! Great energy, multi-line representation, Good hair, PRACTICAL applications, fun approaches! I want that! So, I found out that they will let you shadow them in their salon, and I made an appointment to do just that. It was a fun, but long day, as I had to get up at 5 to be in Charleston by 8:30.
I spent all day with them, asking questions, watching and talking about hair and teaching. I found out some things, and hope to work with them at the end of the month as an assisitant for the Hair Show in Charlotte! We shall see. I'm staying open to it, and researching.

I searched some more, and there were a couple of conversations with my salon owner that let me know the end was near, but it came down to her finding out I was unhappy that she hired an hourly employee when we didn't have shampoo at the back bar, or retail to sell our clients. She let me go that day, and I was glad to go.
Within the next 3 hours, I had an interview, and a new salon to go to! :) It was all divinely guided, I'm sure, and it worked out perfectly!
I moved my stuff in the next day, and I will NOT look back!

The new salon is great! Professional atmosphere, 6 stylists (including me), massage, facials, nails, and even tanning! Here is the website if you want to see! It's called "High Maintenance Day Spa & Salon"!! :)
http://www.hmdayspa.com/

Chris and I are going to move for sure this time. We are looking to rent a house, and that is going to take up most weekends looking. I'll let you know when we find something!

All part of the "Better" plan for 2011. I'm really hoping my business takes off here at the new place. I will be much more proactive now that I am proud of my shop!
When that is good, everything falls into place.

We are off to Beaufort this weekend, for a little family fun, and I will see my photo friends. Maybe a little photo excursion!
Spring is starting to spring here, and the trees are blooming!!  I think I will do a separate post for that! They are so beautiful!

I love and miss you all. I hope to set some California Summer plans in motion soon! Maybe I will see YOU in July!

XOXO

Ushering out the old....

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

I was thinking about making a post for a couple of weeks now, but I kept getting stuck.  I wished I had some poignant words, a poem, or  something deep, but honestly, 2010 wasn't really my favorite.

Don't get me wrong, there were some bright spots.
We got SNOW!! :) 
I adventured to Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, Savannah, and Myrtle Beach. 
I entered a photo in the Fair for the first time.
I got my tubes tied.
I won an online photo contest.
I got an iPhone, AND a macro lens!
Those are some pretty awesome things.

But the parts I didn't like seemed so much larger.
Ann Cunningham passed away.
KJ Bentley passed away.
It was the hottest Summer in years, and that made for poor flowers and photo ops. (Not to mention less excercising and being outdoors.)
I had to get a root canal.
My photo didn't get hung.
I didn't get to California.
Work has been slow, and co workers made life miserable. 

I am definitely ready for a new start. 
I have been inspired by my friend Kim Klassen to chose "one word" for 2011. 
Last year my word was Focus.
I did pretty well, but my word for 2011 is BETTER. 

I looked it up in the dictionary just to be clear...
"To improve upon, surpass, exceed. Increase the good qualities of.
Of superior suitability, desirability, or acceptableness. Larger/greater. To a greater degree. Improved health, completely recovered in health.

Preferable. Superior quality or excellence."

In 2011 I want to have Better health, eat Better, have a Better job, Be a Better Hairstylist, Girlfriend, Friend, and Photographer.
I want to travel to see Mel in Ohio, and home to California.  I hope to see some family and friends who come to the South!  I am open and willing for change and for Better to come into my life!

A photo contact put up this quote, and I wanted to share it with you:

"I wish you Health...

So you may enjoy each day in comfort.
I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.
I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.
I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.
I wish you Generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.
I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.
I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve"

(I don't know the Author)

I will leave you with a review of my year in photos:

 
Happy New Year to you all!!
With Love,
Kelly

Happy Hollydays!!

Hi!!!

Just a quick note before I have to go.  I know it's been too long, and lots has been going on.

First, I have to tell you that woman at the salon quit! She left on Black Friday!

It has been so much more peaceful at work, and I have been SUPER busy! :)

Next, I Finally got an iPhone!! YAY!  I love it. I got the 3GS, and had to change to AT&T, sorry Verizon, I couldn't wait any longer.  If you're an iPhone user, and you play 'words with friends' let's play! :) (it's a scrabble game app) My username is Imskrappy.

I can finally get rid of my Palm Pilot, (it's been a great tool).

Not too terribly much time to take pictures, but I've managed a couple here and there. 

We had a lovely Thanksgiving in Beaufort with Chris' Mom and family.



Hi! :)



It's been literally FREEZING here. Most of the country is colder than usual, and it's REALLY cold for us in the South. Lows in the teens some nights. brrr!

I hope we get snow again this Winter.

OK, last, but not least, it's official, I'm OLD. Yep, I have finally had to break down and buy a pair of magnifying glasses! LOL Dang it!  I seriously can't see little print!  It just gets to the point where your arm just isn't long enough, or even far away doesn't really feel right.  Yeah...*sigh* A trip to the eye Dr. is coming, and I really don't want bi-focals, but I'm gonna have to figure something out.

So there you have it....a quick update until a good, long Christmas - end of the year - post can be made properly.

Love you all. Stay warm, and Happy Holidays!

November 2010

Hey everyone!

I am overdue with updates, I know. Let's see, where was I?

So, I got the job at Picture People and started training, but in the 4th week, I decided it wasn't for me. So much to learn in a short period of time, and only being scheduled one day a week, I wasn't feeling confident that I could do my best job for them. Also, I hadn't even shot one picture, and I don't think I was going to. So many reasons, but I feel better now. I am pretty sure that I don't want to be a mall studio photographer.

Work is a little better now. We had a salon meeting, and after a confrontation, the woman that had a problem with me has decided to bury the hatchet, and start fresh. It's better, but I will still be re-evalutating my work situation after the holidays.


                         

On a happy note, I won an online contest with one of my photos! Florabella textures are beautiful and some of my favorites. (for those who don't know, a texture is, (in the most BASIC terms) an image put over another image to create depth, color, or surface change. I entered one of my (Florabella) textured fair photos and won a chance to be a tester for her newest texture collection! Very exciting times! They are so beautiful and I am honored to have been picked to use her art to make my art.

The holidays are upon us, and I'm getting busy at the salon. Chris and I are heading to Beaufort to his Mom's house for Thanksgiving.

                      

We were recently in Beaufort to see Chris' Dad. He was in town visiting with Chris' sister and brother-in-law. That was a fun night. Chris' neice just made her school basketball team. It is really exciting for her to finally be playing at a higher level, and she has been practicing and working really hard. It's paid off, because she just found out she will be the starting point guard! Yay Mattie! We are so proud of her.

The Fall is beautiful here, even though it seems late. The trees are gorgeous, I just haven't had too much time to photograph them.

 

I hope you are all well and happy, and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for so much. Even when it doesn't seem like things are going well, I don't know what the grand plan is, and I'm ok with that.

                 
Thank you to all who have bought calendars! I am really touched by how many people have been interested and I appreaciate your support.  I still have a couple more if you are interested.

Happy Birthday to all November babies!