Wednesday, May 2, 2012

I Used To Be High Maintenance.

As I took my seat in the stylist's chair at a local chic hair salon and spa {I use the term "stylist" loosely, though he was skinnier, prettier and way more fashionable than I, he was in fact, three years younger} and began to explain to him that it had been "embarrassingly way too long" since I'd done anything to my hair, he exclaimed, "and I pegged you for being much more high maintenance!" 


And it got me thinking. I used to be high maintenance. 


If you've been reading long enough, you'll occasionally note that I refer to my pre-motherhood days as "my previous life." As in, "in my previous life, I spent way too much money at JCrew, didn't miss a single bi-weekly manicure/pedicure and relished in all things 'DINK.'" {Dual Income No Kids}. 


I even wrote a wistful post here recanting my days as said DINK'er.


Would you believe me if I said I hardly can remember those days at all? They're like a distant memory, each day growing fuzzier and fuzzier as I attempt to recall the warm sun on my face and sand at my feet while fishing poop out of the bathtub or mercilessly trying to convince my toddler that it isn't cool to strip yourself of your diaper and pee on Mommy's expensive rug. 


I will say though, it's nice to pretend some weekends, although they may be very few and far between nowadays, that I've still got it


I may not see the inside of a hair salon but once every sixteen months and I've only recently thrown myself back into the habit of tri-weekly manicures (baby steps, right?) but truly these little enhancements do wonders for my soul. 


Gratuitous post-salon self portrait, showing off the new ombre hair


In my previous life, I did these things because, well, I could. I was bored on a Wednesday (remember, as a nurse I only worked four days per week) and too lazy to do my own nails and had just gotten paid and really had nothing else better to do with my time (or money) so I spent them, both, quite frivolously. 


Now? I relish in each of those activities with every fiber of my being. The three hours I spent at the hair salon this past weekend? Heavenly. I soaked up every single second of my toddler-free, laundry-free, housekeeping-free time away from home and thanked God and more importantly, my husband, for providing me with a little sanity-saving Me Time. 


And then I got greedy


Once my hair was done, I scurried off to the mall in search of a dress to wear for my Baby Sprinkle this weekend. And then? I pretended I wasn't really needed at home and went and got my nails done. 




And it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes, I've come to realize, I just need to be a little greedy. It also helps that the end result has me looking like this...



But only for twenty-four hours though. Once those curls fell and I went to bed without washing my face, my husband was eagerly greeted with the usual Mom-Hair and Mom-i-form the next morning. 

It's nice to pretend...

28 comments :

  1. Oh, I remember being a "DINK"!! Those were good times. : P Your hair looks amazing!

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  2. Ahh the good ol days!
    Love the new hair color....I haven't had my haircut in 11 months...

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  3. I'm headed to the salon for a cut for the first time in over 6 months! Cannot freaking wait!!! Best part? I get a back, shoulder, head massage too so it's like a double whammy! Holler for little pre-mom moments! You look FAB-u-lous!

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  4. I seriously love your hair! My hair girl always apologizes because it takes forever to highlight all my hair, but I tell her I love the 3+ hours of girl talk sans toddler! Mamas need breaks too:)

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  5. I just made an appointment with my stylist - also about 4 years younger than I, but she did just open her own salon - and I can't wait. The days that I spend an hour or two in the salon getting highlights and reading trashy magazines, I am reminded of the DINK days.

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  6. I read your blog everyday. Love your hair! I was supposed to get a much needed highlight yesterday but baby got sick. Hopefully sooner rather than later...us moms need that time!

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  7. Your ombre hair is hot hot hot! I am at that point in life where I love being DINK, but am so ready for the next step.

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  8. I tell you. I haven't been to a salon in a very long time! Pre Chloe as a matter of fact. So....over 20 months. I have a friend that does my hair and she comes to my house. But sometimes, I crave that time...so I tell husband that I need a moment, or 100 and he just needs to take control for a few hours while I get out. We mommas need our time. And the pre baby days, yea those are almost non existant now. Its almost like they never happened. Sad, and I miss it, but pictures is the only way we remember that time in our life. But I wouldn't change anything for the life of me. I love my life now!!

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  9. LOVE the hair! I'm glad you make time for you! You devote so much to M & C throughout the week it's important to have that time. To me, it makes me feel so relaxed and refreshed to have that alone time, and I feel like I'm a better morther/wife upon my return. In fact, I plan on treating myself Friday (if time allows) to a mani/pedi. I haven't had one since Christmas! OH THE SHAME!!!! But yes girl! Take time for you. Be a little high maintenance every once in a while. You deserve it! xoxoxoxo

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  10. It's ok to be greedy. We all need to be every once and a while. Spa days are my absolute fav!

    Loving the hair! You look beeeeeautiful!

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  11. Your hair is so pretty! I just got 3 inches cut off of mine and after seeing yours, I may be wishing I hadn't! Haha! I think greedy is okay in moderation.

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  12. Your hair looks amazing! I'm going lighter soon, too...nervous AND excited all at the same time :)

    This morning I was painting my own nails thinking, "WTF? Can I really not find an hour now and then to PAY someone to do this so it doesn't look like I let Kitty do it???"

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  13. Your hair looks awesome...love it!!! I am totally in the same boat...going on 14 months of no hair cut and I am in serious need!!! Glad you were able to get out and get some much needed "me" time!!!

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  14. Love the ombre hair! I know what you mean about life before kids, even though the hubs and I are still a dual income family, I'd much rather spend my money on Cecilia then myself!

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  15. You look gorgeous! And seriously- I was just thinking that I haven't gone this long without a manicure in ages!

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  16. Love the hair! And I am a true believer in a little pampering. The year after Hannah was born I did everything for her. I stopped coloring my hair and buying myself things. Now I've learned that it's okay to pamper myself once in a while. I have the right to feel human...and pretty! :o) So I do the ocassional highlight in my hair and Mani/pedi. It puts a smile on my face when sometimes it's very much needed!! :o)

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  17. First of all your hair looks freaking awesome and second- you totes deserve some me time- every mama does!! It's hard to go, go, go with these toddlers and I couldn't agree more that a few hours (or more) of solitude (and pampering) is a fabulous way to enjoy me time!! Good for you love!!

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  18. Love your new hairdo! Also, very glad you got some alone time. It's funny to look back a couple years and reflect on what we used to spend our money on and time doing. Cute post!

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  19. I don't think I could love this post any more than I do!
    Mommyhood does just change people but in such a good way!
    And take my word for it, as a mommy of 3, it is GOOD to sometimes go out just you and splurge on hair or nails or a pedicure. It usually puts me in a better mood and I come home happier to be home than I usually am. Not that I'm not happy at home, but hopefully you get what I mean.
    Us time is still important.
    Also, I love your hair.

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  20. Love your hair & yes a 'new hair' day is my favorite favorite favorite day ;-) Good for you having a pamper myself day.

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  21. I struggle with this so much! I've just recently convinced myself it's ok to buy myself new clothes. You're hair is gorgeous.

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  22. You are so funny! Now I know what to be prepared for in 5 months. Better get my mani/pedis done now! :)

    Your hair looks wonderful!

    New follower!

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  23. Your hair looks amazing! Everyone needs a little me time. So glad you find time to get some. You deserve it!

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  24. You are gorgeous! Did C ever pull your hair? I feel like I keep going shorter and shorter and I hate it and your hair is so pretty! My husband would have been calling, texting, and sending smoke signals up after an hour!

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  25. The title totally made me think of Anita Renfroe's new song called "I'm Not High Maintenance, I'm Low Tolerance".

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  26. What is up with people an sprinkles?! Baby "sprinkles" are so tacky. Grow up and stop being so self entitled.

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  27. Could your hair be any more perfect?! I love it!

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