Sister.

Lesson of the day...

Hello Birthday

Twenty-Seven. Gaaahhhh, I'm getting OLD. Ok, ok... let me explain because I know many of my friends are getting really sick of me saying this. It's kind of like when your super hot friend who obviously never misses a workout (not mentioning any names) comes around saying she's getting fat and you want to knock her out because if that's what "fat" looks like, I want to be fat too. But then she always tell me, "You know what I mean... not fat, I'm just not where I want to be right now." Yea... I know exactly what you mean. Maybe in the broad spectrum of what this world calls life, twenty-seven is hardly old. But according to my own personal scale of life acomplishments, I'm not where I thought I'd be right now. Well, wait. Let me jump back a few years... About a month before my twenty-fifth birthday I cried almost daily up until the big day. It sounds awfully dramatic and while it totally was, in my own little world I was devestated. I went into what I like to call my "Quarter Century Life Crisis." Looking back, it doesn't even seem that bad. Yet, at the time I was struggling to get through the hell some call beauty school, in between second jobs, broke as hell and pretty broken. I was no longer in my early twenties and I could see thirty right around the corner. I had already acomplished a failed marriage, was in the middle of a crumbling relationship and I felt like everything else that the movies tell you you're supposed to have before your thirties (you know... that fancy car, a snazzy husband, nice career and white picket-fenced house) were no where near my grasp. I was a twenty-five year old 24/7 single mom who was struggling to make my car payment, fighting to keep a relationship, find a second job, and just struggling in general to find myself. Twenty-five ended up being a really hard year. I focused a lot on what I wasn't acomplishing, and had to be hit pretty hard with some pretty big lessons. And I'm a stubborn girl. I like to think of myself as being smart- educated and logical- but let's be practical here... sometimes I can be my own worst enemy and sometimes I can be a really big idiot. And it just so happens that for the whole twenty-fifth year of my life, I was nothing short of an idiot. I put my energy and focus into the wrong people and wrong things, BUT it ended up being one of the most developmental years of my life. I grew a lot as a mother, as a friend, and as a human being. I lost a lot, let go of a lot, and learned what was really important in life. I've learned to let go of those life expectations. I may not be married or own a house. Accoriding to society, my family may be considered "broken" but in reality it's far from that. I am happy. I'm in no rush to settle down. Theres a guy in my life who makes me smile and friends who I know will never let me down. I'm in the beginning of an awesome career that I love, I (almost) own my car, and I am the mother to the funniest, most amazing, loving little girl on the planet. She views her life as fortunate, she knows she's blessed, well taken care of, and her attitude reflects gratitude. We're far from broken. We're exactly where we need to be. I'm exactly where I need to be. It may not be where I thought I'd be at twenty-seven, but if I've learned one thing in the past few years of growing up it's that trying to make life plans is just setting yourself up for dissapointment. Set goals and work hard, but take each day as it comes and enjoy it to it's fullest. You can't control the future, and life isn't always smooth sailing. But don't take the good for granted despite any struggles you may encounter. I really started to appreciate all I had during my twenty-sixth year of life. I laughed a lot more, and enjoyed the people around me. I also got to know myself a lot better and nothing beats that. At this point I can say I'm somewhat excited at this getting older business and can't wait to see what twenty-seven entails.

Five Songs I Have Not Been Able to Get Out of My Head

1. Wild Belle - Keep You

Every time this song plays on my ipod I get suuuuper pumped. Brother and sister duo, Elliot and Natalie Bergman who make up the indie-rock band Wild Belle are full of musical talent. With Natalie's gorgeous voice, reggae vibes and a heavy jazz influence in "Keep You" I can't help but start it over and over again before I finally let my ipod move on to another song.

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2. Lady Gaga - Applause

Lady Gaga's newest hit reminds me of why I fell in love with Gaga's music in the first place. She may be quirky, controversial, and just downright odd sometimes but the lady is talented. She has such a unique perception on art and it definitely shows in her videos. And this song really does make me want to get up and dance and "put my hands up and make them touch."

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3. Early Morning Rebel - Life Boat

Early Morning Rebel has easily become one of my new favorite bands. I'm especially obsessed with Life Boat and how the song strongly expresses that exhausting feeling of trying to "save."

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4. Anberlin - Impossible

I already love Anberlin like crazy, but this song takes the cake. Straight forward and real, the lyrics lay down the challenges of a relationship gone wrong. "Not so easy to forgive, harder to forget." Good shit. And to top it off, the video's pretty rad as well.

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5. Foster the People - I Would Do Anything For You

I could listen to this song on repeat all day long. With no exception to the rest of their music, "I Would Do Anything For You" is upbeat and catchy, yet so easy going at the same time.

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So that's what has been playing on my ipod regularly this past week! What's been your recent top five favorite songs?

Donna

Keep your head up, my love

Pretty Little Sunshine

It's been a busy summer. Last night while playing out in the backyard with the kiddo and the dog, I finally decided to pick up my camera and snap a couple shots. Just wanted to share this picture of our pretty little Sunshine, the world's sweetest dog. :)

Kai

Kony? Educate Yourselves.

After seeing posts on Facebook all week about the Kony 2012 campaign, I was finally able to sit down today and watch the nearly 30 minute documentary created by the Invisible Children. I've had strong feelings on related issues for quite some time now and have been eager to put out a few of my own words, yet felt that I hadn't yet learned enough about this new widespread movement to put in my two cents. After watching the documentary and reading further into additonal articles both criticing and encouraging the campaign, as well as articles concerning Uganda, the LRA, RUF, Sierra Leonne (one article led to another, but lets not stray too far from the topic) I finally feel that I've become well enough informed to voice my opinion on the subject.

I'm going to start by saying that it baffles me that so many people act as if this turmoil on African soil is brand new big news! Come on guys! This sort of stuff has been going on for decades! And the Invisible Children's video isn't the first bit of media to touch on the subject! There were major motion pictures made (Blood Diamond staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle) that showed extremely real portrayals of extremely recent related issues in Africa. I've read numerous books about people my own age, who, while I was building forts in my backyard, were being recruited for wars in Africa, not only by rebel armies like the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) or RUF (Revolutionary United Front) but also by the NRA (National Resistance Army - also know as the Ugandan Army that the Invisible Children's video talks about). A few years ago I actually spent a whole semester studying the subject of the wars in Sierra Leonne which greatly resemble the wars that the video talks about in Uganda. This is not new people, it's been going on for a long time, yet sadly without much attention being paid to it. However, the fact that this has been going on for so long without much recognition does lead me to commend someone for finally doing something to draw attention the the issue!

Thank you Invisible Children for opening the world's eyes and sparking a desire to help others who are greatly in need! I'm going to be honest, during the documentary I cried. Watching Jacob talk about his brother and not wanting to live broke my heart. Knowing that thousands of children in Africa probably feel the exact same way really broke my heart. I agree, as I'm sure would any other person that this brutality needs to be stopped. Kony should pay for the terrible things he's done to children, women, men and entire families in Africa. But sadly, stopping Kony does not stop the armies that support him. Kony is not the first and he will not be the last. Does that mean we give up? Not by any means. But my view on this may be very different from the next person's. My faith in this campaign may not be as high as many others, my choice whether or not to financially support this specific charity may differ from many other's choices. I personally believe it comes down to the issue of wanting to help others who are hurting and struggling, and I think that if this campaign sparks that desire in millions of people, it's amazing. But I personally feel that people need to
research more! We are a talented, intelligent and strong generation!! Don't be ignorant... watch more than one video, read more than one article or more than one book and EDUCATE yourselves on what is going on in this world! Millions of people are hurting and there are a million organizations out there that truly do want to help. I'm not here to push my opinion on you, who and what you decide to support is ultimately up to you, but don't think that just because everyone else is doing it, it's the right thing to do. Find out exactly where your money is going and if it's worth it to you! Maybe Invisible Children is the right choice for you, maybe a different charity is instead, that choice is each our own! Most of us can't go to Africa and save these children from being recruited into war and being drugged, tortured, raped or murdered. But every single one of us can look at our own community and help out the children, women and men around us who are also in need. We can dig deeper and look at the clothes, jewelry, toys, and food we buy and see exactly what it is supporting (maybe one of these days I'll find the time to touch on my very extensive views on the diamond industry). I'm not here to condemn Invisible Children's video, campaign or efforts. If it's something that's causing people to open their eyes, I think that's incredible. I am however encouraging all of you to research a lot more, educate yourselves a lot more on what you are supporting!

Here's a few articles that explore a little deeper and I suggest you checking them all out...

http://trainingleadersinternational.org/blog/192/kony-2012-and-social-media-think-before-you-post#.T1jxZgcQL5A.facebook

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/03/problem-stop-kony/49634/

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/politics-raising-children/2012/mar/9/joseph-kony-uganda-mirrors-lra-sierra-leone/

Also check out these books (These are a few that I have read and found extremely insightful on factual and personal levels):
-A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
-The House on Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper
-Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World's Most Deadly Stone by Greg Campbell

And in case you haven't yet seen the video by Invisible Children...

Vanessa

Great Lengths Hair Extension Challenge

Not too long ago, one of the extremely talented stylists I work with at Salon Chocolat, Sarah Zeron, and I entered the Great Lengths Hair Extension Challenge. It took Sarah an entire day to transform my hair from a shoulder length bob to a long sleek style. After every hair was in place (literally), we photographed with our  photographer and coworker, Ashley Millim. While we didn't end up being picked as a finalist in the challenge, we were still happy with the results of the make over and photo shoot for each of our portfolios and I got lucky enough to get a whole new do! :)

Hair by Sarah Zeron
Make up by Sarah Zeron and myself
Photography by Ashley Millim
Photo Post Processing by Ashley Millim and myself

Salon Chocolat Breast Cancer Fundraiser

This post is a little overdue seeing as how this event happened back in October. However, I came across these photos and still wanted to share. I feel very blessed to work at one of Carson City's most beautiful salons, Salon Chocolat! Not only do I get to work in such a lovely place, but I get to work with absolutely amazing people. Back in October we had our first fundraiser to help support local breast cancer patients. Here are a few of those photos from that even. Enjoy!

The owners of Salon Chocolat: Jamie and A.J. Croce

A few of our guests


Sarah, Jamie and Myself...

Ashley, Aimee, and Sarah

Sarah, (Myself), and Ashley

A few of Salon Chocolat's stylist styling our guests...




A group of ladies who received mini styles from our hair stylists and guest Mary Kay makeup artists


A.J. and Marcy

The Ladies of Salon Chocolat!

Photographs taken by myself and Ashley Millim

Tierny Holiday Family Portraits



I never loved you, and If I loved you...

Lindsay

Had a little "mystical" themed hair and make up competition in beauty school today. We had so much fun with the outcome that we of course had to capture it in some photographs. :)

Donna

Taylor

Oh Summertime.

A few summers back...


Model: Nicole