Hair Adventures..

Hi! Have we met?

Shortly after christening myself "little brown jen," it occurred to me that I'd left something out of this most basic descriptor of myself. If you know me, this will come as no surprise. However, if you don't know me, within the first ten minutes of our very first meeting (but likely less), you will (inevitably) think, maybe say, the following: "Wow. You have a lot of hair.." Your facial expression may even resemble a variation of: O_O... O_o.. >.< if I've come to see you about combing said hair. Yes, kids. I have. A LOT. Of. Hair. I comb it every day (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I know. Want proof? See here:


Exhibit A. Little Brown Jen awaits inevitable professional hair combing that occurs a stunning TWICE a year

See - Believe me now?

In 30 years, there are only like 4 people in life that have combed my hair more than once. They are all in my family. And they all quit as soon as I could comb my own hair. This is how it goes: I find a stylist, they do my hair, and it's either a) terrible and I never go back or b) great but they move, are too expensive or both. Such was the case this past year when I took to the twitters to find a recommendation for a new stylist. I found a stylist last year that I intended to go back to. He moved. Curses.

So when a Twitter friend, Kalinda, tweeted me about her stylist... I was excited, yet reluctant. My hair... does the most, to say the least. But, the salon was nearby and I had her every assurance that TarRa was a "Hair Whisperer." As the universe would have it, I called TarRa and what do you know? She had an appointment that afternoon. I vowed I would walk out if I felt uncomfortable, to listen to my intuition which had never failed me (I've always known when trips to the salon were going south. My own fault for staying. Lesson learned.). But as soon as I met TarRa, the universe told me to relax. And I did. TarRa was amazing with my hair, handling it with care and obvious experience. My hair cut, press, everything is fantastic! See:


Exhibit B: It's like magic! Who's hair is that? MINE! Yay!!

So, yes dears. If you're in Atlanta, and you need a "Hair Whisperer," I now trust TarRa with my hair-life. THAT is saying the most. Find her here at She Salon in StudioPlex!

Today, my kid lied to me. I blame y'all.

Okay, so maybe not you exactly. Or at all. I'm being harsh and dramatic but, all of that is beside my point. And, I also know that I am not alone in this experience as many of you have been parents for far longer and more times over than I. This here rant is one that has been building through 5 years of holidays like Christmas, Hannukah, Birthdays, and now, apparently, Easter (??) where our kids have grown to expect presents, and we,  parents, are expected to buy them. Add to that grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and kind strangers that love to shower gifts and candy on our kids on any given day and my head begins to explode.

The "But-I-Want-It!!!" syndrome is rampant and I can't exclude myself. I love to buy stuff! BUT, I'm also a grown-up, have a job and all that boring stuff that goes along with it. I was also that same kid that demanded to have anything and everything I wanted. To wit: I, famously, spent an entire day shopping with my dad when I was four. By all day, I mean that literally. Both my mom and dad had their arms full of packages. As we walked out of the mall, I saw a swimming baby doll on display in a toy store. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen (since 5 minutes before). I asked for it. My dad said no. I demanded it. He said no again. Then, I apparently kicked a grown man so hard he left limping. I, however, left with a swimming baby doll. That entire middle part of the story? I don't remember any of that so, I'll dispute it as defamation of character. Witnesses (namely, my parents and *everyone* in my family) insist it is true. TomAto, TomAHto. Whatever. Thankfully, I've grown (mostly...) out of that. I am paying for it now.

Work in progress!

As you can see, this place is now littlebrownjen.com! *the crowd screams YAYYYY!!!!* And with this fancy, new .com, I'm hoping to add some fancy, new blog posts. What will these blog posts be about, you ask? Well, Stuff. That's right, stuff. Eating stuff, drinking stuff, seeing stuff, thinking about stuff, ATLANTA stuff! What will it have in common? ME! What more do you people need?? :)

But really, seriously, I hope my new (old) blog will be about life in and around Atlanta, Mom-ing my own way, Wife-ing my own way, and having fun my own way. And by my own way, I mean almost exactly like everybody else but not really. Know what I mean? Of course, you do. So, here we go - Me + y'all! Ya ready?

Soul + Sole. TOMS "Style Your Sole"

On a rare day, I found myself free for an afternoon to do just as I please. So, naturally, when I heard about shoes, painting and music, I thought to myself "PERECT! I love all of that!" Not to mention, the shoe event was sponsored by TOMS!, an amazing company that provides one pair of shoes to child in need for every pair you purchase. You are always buying two pairs of shoes, and, clearly, we all agree two is better than one! :)


Various artists customize your TOMS shoes while you wait
While the event took place from 12-6pm at Nordstrom in Phipps Plaza, when I arrived at 5 pm, all of the artists (about 8) were busily painting away, with no end in sight :) Each customer could choose their artist based on samples and customize their new TOMS to reflect them. It was fantastic! Add to that an amazing soundtrack by my good friend DJ X, and it was my perfect-shoe-shopping-storm. What more could you want?

DJ X provided the soundtrack for the event
TOMS "Style Your Sole" events are held across the country so check their website for dates and other events. And while you're there, go ahead and buy yourself (and a child!) a pair!
lbj

Head Over Heels!

I know I've been missing in action for quite some time, but have no fear! I'm lurking and plotting all the time :) I'll be back to writing before I, I mean you, know it! I figured that I could mark my triumphant return to my blog (..?) by sharing this awesome charity and fundraiser that I'm supporting. The charity is Athena's Warehouse, founded by Atlanta local (and one of my very own bff's!) Bee Nguyen. In her own words: