Dreaming in Red?

Do you dye your hair? I've never once, dyed my hair. I've thought about it. I've bought hair dye. I've chickened out. Taken it back to the store. I've asked my friend...who does this for a living. And I've always chickened out!

I'm getting older. The whites show more and more. And for the first time, I'm honestly considering it. Like I have an entire folder of pics...saved! 

Here are some of my favs! Some not too different from my own hair. Other colors are bold. Things that I like. But wonder if I can pull them off...

First off, would be a color similar to my own. I even like the hair cut too. This would be something not too crazy. 

I also like this color. The one on the right. I like how there is a variety of color. And movement. And it's not too bold. Or crazy. More on the natural side, of hair color.

I also enjoy this look. Dark hair overall. With just a touch of red. Enough to be interesting. But not so much, that it's scary. Do you know what I mean? Some of the colors I've seen lately, scare me!!! This, not so much. I also like the darkness. I feel like this would be nice for Fall and Winter. 

This color...would be best in the Spring or Summer. I like it. But it would take a lot for me...to really commit to.

Red hair. I know. Stop. Take a breath. I've ALWAYS wanted red hair! For years and years, my once black hair, would naturally lighten in the summer. And I'd get the most amazing red highlights. It's been a good 10 years, since it last happened. My hair is now, a basic brown. But I'd LOVE red hair!

My Dad had red hair. Long before I came along. And I've always wanted red hair. Not orange hair. Not carrot hair. But red hair. Deep red. Like this.

But then I get scared. And think, can I pull it off. Would I maintain it? Would I look like a clown? There are a handful of people in my family, with red hair. And they pull it off amazingly well. Me? I'm scared to death!

Drew's hair. Is much more wearable. In a darker color family. And I adore it. Like bought dye, this color, at least 10 times. In the last 5 years. And then I take it back to the store...

But time and time again, this is the color I'm drawn too. Deep and rich. I just wonder...can my skin color handle it? I adore this color! And wish, that I would have the guts to do something this dramatic.

Maybe I just need to get drunk or something. This coming from the gal, that doesn't even drink the wine at church! :) But for real, I'd love to color my hair this color. Now, in the Fall. 

Then my other fear is, completely ruining my hair. Where would I go? Could I manage doing it at home? What is the maintenance like? I barely get my hair cut, every other year.

This is what I deal with. Being ridiculously indecisive. But I think about this, on the daily. I also panic...that I'll look like Bozo the Clown. Any suggestions?

XOXO,

Desiree

Underwear...

It's hilarious! The amount of emails I get...about underwear. I also get a ton of questions on Messenger...and when I see people. But overwhelmingly, they are about underwear. I know...

I don't think I'm much of an expert. I'm actually pretty lazy, when it comes to this topic. I'm also a creature of habit. I find something that works, and I stick with it. Nothing too crazy.

My favorite brands...have been my favorites for years! I'm talking 15 or more years. I find something. I like it. I stick with it. Until I can't find it any longer...

But I get a lot of questions, because I was a cheerleader. I was a professional musician. And I worked out a lot. A LOT! I never realized, how important underwear was, to all of these things. So let's get started.

We'll start with bras. I was the same exact size, from the time I was 12...until I was about 27. And my go to bra, was from Vassarette. Nothing fancy. Or even sexy. I like a nude bra. But I do have these in black and white. Nude is just perfect, no matter what you are wearing.

I think I first found these bras at Walmart. They also have back straps that can be fastened together. And when I was a cheerleader, that was a necessary thing. When I went to college, I started to find these bras at Target. Same brand, just different packaging.

I mostly buy the one pictured. But a nice cotton bra, is perfect for summer. And sometimes, it's just fun to wear something lacy. All the Vasserette bras, in this line, are made the same. As in style. But they have a nylon, cotton, and lace version. They're somewhere between $10 each...and $18 for a 2 pack. I've only been able to find them at Target lately.

As I got older, I started listening to my girlfriends a bit. In my first year of college, a friend's mom, sent me a Victoria's Secret giftcard. And I fell in love! Again, nothing fancy. I think I went to the semi-annual sale. And found whatever was nude, and in my size. Honestly, I've never met a VS bra, that I didn't like!

They're a bit more pricey. But definitely worth the price. They last sooo long! The various bras have different functions...depending on the style. I mean, there is an entire room...that is not necessary for me. When will I have a need, for a completely lace bra. With zero support. Those are for my friends...and their men.

For reference, until I was about 27 or 28, I wore a 34B. These days, I wear a 34D. I find that these 2 companies, run almost exact, in size. So when I can't find what I need, I'm never fearful to order online.

As far as underwear, I'm at 2 completely different extremes! But it total depends, on what I need to be doing. How I will be dressed. And if I care about the VPL.

First up, the thong. I know. It's a love-hate relationship. When I confess this to many women, they about die! But really, they are not that bad. Probably because I wore them daily, from 8th grade-graduation. But I was a cheerleader. If we weren't in our micro minis, we were in short shorts. And you don't want your panties escaping your bloomers. Especially at a game or performance.

But with that said, not all thongs are made the same. I found Vassarette thongs, when I first started wearing them. Made of a stretchy cotton nylon blend. My absolute favs! At the time, I found them at Walmart. These days, on a lucky trip...I'll find them at Target. Most of the time, I have to go to a department store.

For a time, George...from Walmart, carried a similar product. But I was recently looking for some, and couldn't find the brand George. Insert sad face. But I did find a cotton stretch, from No Boundaries. It's OK. Not my favorite. But still comfortable.

I will never wear something without stretch. Size 0...or 10. They don't work. Maybe with your man, for 5 minutes. But not as an everyday kind of underwear. I find you need some decent stretch. So you don't get a wedgie. Or experience some sort of pain. And honestly, if you have the right thong, you can't even tell that you are wearing underwear. And they usually run $2-4.

When do I wear thongs? When I cheered. When I was a musician. Because I either wore a tight skirt...for Mariachi. Or something tiny, for the bands I played with. When I worked at Hooters. Hello, mini shorts! Probably for a solid 18 years, it's all I wore. Except, the rare occasion, that I'd get my period.

My other go to underwear, is a cotton bikini. I like anything from a Hanes bikini...to the cotton VS panties. But they have to be bikini cut. This has been my go to, for the last 5 years? Unless, I'm dressing up. Then you know, a thong is necessary.

I like my underwear to be cotton. So you can breathe. It helps you to prevent any type of infection. And is the most comfortable for me. On a rare occasion, I will also wear a boy short. But that is usually to sleep in. For just a comfy day at home, the VS cotton bikini is my fav! And they always have new prints. Lots of holiday options. They're just fun!

I also find that this type of underwear is best, for working out in. Running, hitting the gym, doing some sort of class. Or if you are really active. I mean, packing, loading, and unloading crates of items for the Growers' Markets...these are best. Hot summer days, these work great.

But honestly, it's more about the care. And maintenance. I wash all my clothes, in cold water, gentle cycle, with Woolite. My bras, go into a lingerie bag. And then all of my underwear is dried on the clothesline. My bras, I lay them on the bed. It's important for the care. Never smash the cups. Or disfigure them, while you wash and dry them. And when you store your bras, be gentle.

It took a little trial and error. And I think underwear is a very personal beast. I have friends who can chase 5 little ones, in lacy numbers. And I have other friends, who were granny panties and sports bras. These are the pieces, that I've found to work for me. And my lifestyle.

If you are having some issues, experiment a bit. Go to Walmart or Target, and pick up a panty in a few different styles. Or a bra. Hit up the next VS semi-annual. Try a few things. And when you find what works best for you, stock up! Get rid, of all those pieces that don't work. Most importantly, love your underwear. Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you!

XOXO,
Desiree