Oh internet. I don’t know what has warmed my heart more in the last twenty-four hours, your unwavering support as I walked through a truly horrific hair past or knowing that apparently countless numbers of pre-adolescent girls were led to believe their mouths were shaped wrong to play the flute.
I have no doubt we were all victims of some vast conspiracy by band directors all over the United States to push the clarinet on poor, unwitting souls who just wanted to play the flute. This practice wasn’t just reserved for girls who wanted to play the flute, P was forced to play the baritone just because he was the only 6th grade boy strong enough to lug it home each day and his mama drove a station wagon.
I feel that all of us have been robbed of what could have been a limitless music future.
Also, many of you inquired about the arm injury in my cheerleading picture. Honestly, I have no idea how I acquired that particular injury but let me tell you that combing through the pictorial archives has revealed that my arm was in some sort of ace bandage in a large majority of pictures. I believe I was what you may call a hypochondriac.
And a drama queen.
I’d like to tell y’all a very dramatic story about a cheerleading pyramid that went awry and caused some sort of hairline fracture, but I’m pretty sure it would be fiction.
So, I guess now is where I have to move on to the high school and college years. I’ll be honest, it’s a little more painful to reveal some of these photos. Like I told Gulley this afternoon, I’m not sure I want to show y’all the Glamour Shot that I took after my freshman year in college. It just seems too recent.
Gulley made me feel much better by reminding me that anything that happened the summer after my freshman year in college may be embarrassing, but certainly can’t be considered recent.
Point taken.
I left off with a very poufy version of the bi-level cut in my 8th grade year. As I made my way to the new world of high school, I felt it was time for something a little edgier. A little more mature. A haircut worthy of some Olan Mills fine portraiture.
Hello Maude.
I’m not sure what all was going on with this hair, but I do know that, at the time, I thought my hair had never looked lovelier or more sophisticated. I also remember this was a Unionbay outfit with a matching butter yellow skirt. It was my most treasured possession along with my Guess overalls.
By tenth grade, I had enough wisdom to quit inflicting these terrible things upon my hair and let it grow out. I’m not sure why I can’t find any school pictures from my sophomore year, but here I am on my way to senior prom that year.
My attendance at this particular prom was fraught with drama. I had been through a recent, traumatic breakup with a boyfriend for reasons that were completely my fault and led to him dumping me as his prom date. Fortunately, a nice boy in my Spanish class asked me to prom, and my hair and I were able to attend. And my hair held up beautifully even though I cried in the bathroom when “Lady In Red” came on and I saw my ex-boyfriend dancing with his date.
I bet my date was so glad he had asked me to the prom on the heels of my recent breakup.
With my junior year came the advent of the spiral perm.
Oh to be able to go back in time and ask the hairdresser to please not perm my bangs even though the sixteen year old sitting in her chair thought it was a brilliant idea.
The fact that I am wearing green Z. Cavaricci’s with those Esprit boots that looked like they had wool socks coming out of the top doesn’t really make me look like any less like someone who might have performed with the band “Poison”.
Every rose has its thorns. And every hair on my head was permed.
By my senior year in high school I was on top of the world. To quote the Pink Ladies, “I was going to rule the school.”
Judging by this series of pictures, I was going to rule with a big piece of grosgrain ribbon serving as my crown.
Wearing boyfriend’s letter jacket at football game. The ultimate in high school chic (chick).
Laura Ashley sailor dress. With white hose. And spectators.
Have mercy.
Leslie Lucks dress. With white hose. And spectators.
This is before I learned you should never wear white hose unless your name is followed by R.N. or you have an arterial blood flow problem.
At the end of senior year, it was time to document these precious moments in time with some senior pictures.
To this day my Nanny will still tell me that I’ve never looked more beautiful than I do in this picture and that I should still wear my hair like this. However, they no longer make sets of hot rollers with 52 individual rollers so it would be impossible to recreate this particular look.
And I really have no reason to show y’all this picture other than the sweet, acid-washed background just tickled me to no end. I guess the photographer just thought it screamed “DANCE TEAM”.
After all the pomp and circumstance, I headed off to college. I left my high school days behind me but not my old friend, the permanent solution.
In case you’re wondering, I’m wearing rolled up denim shorts a la Dirty Dancing. With socks. And Cole Haan tassled loafers.
Sometimes I would roll it with my case of 52 hot rollers and it would look like this.
Is that a double-breasted denim shirt? Oh my. If I recall that skirt also had a matching jacket.
Because what looks better than horizontal stripes around your entire body?
And sometimes, for formal events I would pull it all back in some sort of updo.
This is an historic picture because it is the night when Gulley and I became friends. We bonded over our terribly lame dates (mine wore a sweater vest). We also spent much of the evening debating what was bigger, her hair, my bangs or those sleeves on my dress.
The sleeves won, which is a monumental feat of fashion design.
But, eventually, all good things have to come to an end. However, I’ll be the first to admit that if the spiral perm were to make a comeback, I’d be first in line at the salon. I mean what other hairstyle affords you the ability to leave the house with wet hair covered in Aussie sprunch spray and call it a style?
As I continued my college career, I began to search for a more refined hairstyle. Something that really said, “I have no idea what I’m doing with my life or why my major is Speech Communications, but at least I look serious.”
So I tried this.
I think the gold Anne Klein doorknocker earrings really give the whole thing a sophisticated twist. As do the red, sculptured nails. Particularly the one that is taped on my thumb with scotch tape.
And then, in my fifth year of college I made a drastic move.
I own a briefcase and am hours away from having a college degree. Please hire me. I have very mature hair. Pay no attention to the fact that I am at a party where Jello shots are being served.
Eight months later I had graduated from college and found a job. I returned to A&M for Gulley’s graduation looking every bit the career minded woman. I had even used some sort of semi-permanent rinse to give myself auburn highlights.
At this time I was working as a financial advisor. If I look like someone who gave you financial advice anytime from 1994-1996, you may want to re-evaluate your stock portfolio. In short, I had no idea what I was doing although my hair seemed to convey maturity and financial savvy.
After this time, my hair really settled down. Of course I had the Rachel cut from “Friends” because it was like some kind of law that every girl in her twenties had to have that cut. But for the most part, I just let my hair grow long and alternated between short layers, no layers, and long layers.
I’ve worn it stick straight, I’ve worn it curled, I’ve worn it twisted up in a clip for a good six months at a time. And I’ve worn it in a ponytail almost every day for the last four and a half years because who has time for all the blow-drying?
Here I am about six months ago.
And here I am after I got nine inches cut off my hair last Friday.
If there is a lesson here (other than don’t wear white hose and perm your bangs) its that hair does recover from trauma. My hair has been through some trying times. Times that would have killed lesser hair follicles.
But that which does not kill our hair, makes it stronger. Or at least gives us something to laugh or cry about for years to come.
And remember, it will grow back.
About fifty people told me that in my comments one time.
Your new do looks so nice, the cut fits you very nicely.
Love the new ‘do. And the Chronicles of your Hair.
I loved this so much because it was like a stroll down memory lane. Every hairdo and every outfit are almost identical to ones I had right down to the bi-level (let’s be honest – we had mullets) and the white hoes. I worked at a summer camp in the summer and INSISTED on wearing big dresses with huge bows and shoulder pads, white hoes, and pink pumps to the church services. In July in Arkansas. Seriously – had I ever Heard of flip flops?
P.S. I love your new hair cut – it REALLY is cute. I hope you like it!
I’ve been reading for a while and love your blog! Your hair is adorable!
That was thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable. Really. The new cut is really cute!
And my favorite line?
“If I look like someone who gave you financial advice anytime from 1994-1996, you may want to re-evaluate your stock portfolio.”
That one will crack me up for quite some time!
Love the new “do”!
I especially enjoyed the fashion walk down memory lane.
I loved every minute of this post! Hilarious! Your new hair cut is very flattering.
Wow – love your new style! Too cute! We must have grown up in the same time frame – because the clothes and hairstyles bring back so many memories.
Your new hairstyle looks great!
But is it still long enough to pull back into a pony tail for those rushing-to-preschool-mornings?
The photos made me laugh so hard, not at you, with you. For I have plenty of my own from that era of spiral perms and Guess overalls known as my youth.
I LOVE the new look and also the peek down memory lane. Although others may be laughing AT you, I’m laughing WITH you because I’ve been in your shoes, or rather your bows. My perm lasted about 18 years and still came back to haunt me post pregnancy.
BTW- I’ve been meaning to tell you about a product by Bumble and Bumble called Hair Powder that you can put on your hair daily to cover up any hypothetical gray, without the hassle of full blown coloring. It works well if you have dark hair and minimal amount of gray. Just be sure to let it dry before running your fingers through it unless you don’t mind having a hand that looks like it has been visiting the tanning bed. Hypothetically, of course…
I have thoroughly enjoyed these last 2 posts on the life and times of your hair.
I didn’t see any hair style or clothing style that I didn’t wear or see worn in my past, Melanie. Of course you have to remember, I live in Arkansas where big hair still has a strong hold even in these modern times.
I really like your new ‘do. It’s really flattering to your face. Seriously.
Love and hugs,
Diane
I may be older, but I think you’re long thick hair and mine walked the same darn road a generation apart.
I will fess up to the fact that I waited until I was 6 months pregmant to get my first spiral.
Someone should have shot me then.
Now? well. It needs help. It’s about a foot past needed a haircut.
Anywho.
I am LOVING your new look. Very chic.
I do believe we had the same wardrobe AND the same hairstylist! I’d forgotten (thankfully!) all about the spectators. And I’ve decided we need to become fast friends because YOU CRACK ME UP! Plus, I’m a friend of Sophie’s and any friend of Sophie’s is a friend of mine!
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, or through the pages of my yearbook, as the case may be. Hilarious!
I’m not going to lie…I waited all day for this post!!! Your hair looks great in the last two photos. I must say that I LOVE the new haircut. Very flattering. Thanks for sharing those photos from over the years. I laughed as I also thought about some of my own hair issues over the past 30 years. Speaking of white tights, I have a great picture that involves black tights that is hilarious. Poofy hair, poofy dress, black tights and black shoes. I need to scan it and send it to you!
I loved, loved the trip down memory lane! I had a spiral perm too and I remember how much I loved it. And the Leslie Lucks dresses, I was a big fan and had several. My sister and I actually had a huge fight over a blue polka dot one in the mall during college because we were fighting over who got to buy it. I can’t believe we ever thought it looked good to wear those white hose. Oh and the denim shirts and wrap skirts, those were my favorite!
I do love your new haircut. It looks great and looks long enough to pull back if you wanted to.
Oh, this was so fun to read late at night. There was much giggling and relating going on to my own hair dramas. I love the line about you and your hair going to prom! And I love your haircut right now – it’s such a great look!
I love the new cut! I also think that the first college pic – the one with you wearing the tee and light jeans – is absolutely gorgeous.
My mom permed my hair for me my freshman year because I wanted waves. This was 1999. I told her not to curl my bangs, but she insisted that the rollers she was using were “way bigger than people normally use on bangs.” To make a long story short, the rest of the perm fell out, leaving me with a poof-ball of bangs and straight hair. Bad, bad memories.
Love, Love, Love the new cut! I think we all should get ours cut this way, and it could be the official Siesta Do for San Antonio! Just kidding
Leslie Lucks! Z Cavaricci! I am ashamed to say I still have my size 7 Z Cavaricci’s…one day I either want to put them on or just hold them up and say, “see???” I totally had the denim double breasted skirt. I bet I know where you got yours, too–at the cute store by the Mexican place by Randall’s at A&M, for I had one too
Also size 7–dang! I also kept a dark purple on black polka dot shirt to go with my purple leather skirt. I will post it sometime 
It was what I wore to the Texas Hall of Fame, when I taught Chris (the Baptist) to dance. Hee hee!
What a very fun journey! You have both a beautiful smile and gorgeous hair.
Again, your haircut? Very Cute!
First of all, can I tell you HOW GLAD I AM THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY SPEECH COMM MAJOR IN THE WORLD! Ok. Thanks. I had to get that off my chest.
2nd – your hair looks adorable straight.
Very cute haircut! Of course in 5 years you’ll be back to that spiral. Laughed out loud at the white nylon comment. Good advice.
Love the new cut! You went a little shorter than I did. See…you ARE brave! It is very sleek and very becoming!
I could not go to bed before reading this…I waited all day! And OH…was it worth it!! LOL The spiral perm! I would have about died to have that hair! Mine was big, but never managed to get that perfect spiral curl…more like a big mass of body wave and a chunk of well sizzled (with AquaNet, no less) bangs. Ah…those were our glory days! Hahaha! Love it! Thanks for sharing your hairstory…it was priceless!
LOVE the new cut.
Another one here who had almost all of those same outfits and hairdos. I can’t believe how much effort I put into my hair every morning just for SCHOOL!! I consider it a good day here if it’s washed and flat-ironed. Loved this post!
Melanie, you are so funny! loved the walk down memory lane … you have gorgeous hair!! I would have been so jealous of your hair had we known each other round the time you were wearin’ the double breasted denim shirt & wrap skirt. Could it have been round’ 89-90ish? that would be my guess, as I was probably sportin a similiar look … my hair was def not as pretty as yours though.
Love the new do’! Very pretty, sophisticated & chic.
xo, courtney
I have enjoyed this so much!! I thought the additional walk down the memory lane of fashion was just as enjoyable. Your new “do” looks fabulous!
Love the new do! Looks great!! Oh, but where is the pic with the Reese Witherspoon bangs?????
Love the new haircut – very flattering and sophisticated. I think my favorite part of this comprehensive and entertaining series is the fact that you can remember every detail of the outfits and shoes you were wearing, but cannot remember how you injured your arm in the cheerleading picture – that just cracks me up! That, and the financial advisor comment.
I had the same spiral perm in high school – it takes everything I have not to destroy those pictures whenever I run across one of them…oh, and feathered bangs – a signature look for me for many, many years.
I can see Caroline in you. Hopefully, the hair styles in her future won’t be as stressful. I did enjoy the walk down hair memory lane. I’m trying to remember what exactly I put in my hair to make it stand straight up. Oh the trauma. I’m just glad my hairs still attached to my head.
Thank you for all the hair pictures! It was fun travelling down memory lane. We had a lot of the same hair do’s. And clothing too! I had that same skirt with the Indian/Mexican pattern and the little tassel on the side (can’t remember where we bought it). Your new cut looks too cute. Good choice!!
I think your cut is beautiful. It’s so sleek. And it looks like it’s still long enough that you can pony it if you’re having a particularly bad or rushed day!!
I have to say that your hair series looks remarkably similar to mine with the exception of the spiral perm and that is only because my hair will not grow any longer than a few inches past my shoulders. I ALWAYS wanted a spiral perm, so I am so jealous!!!
Also, try as an adult to have very fine, limp hair. No matter what I do with it, it looks like crap. I have no hair style now and am just waiting for some inspiration that makes me say, Ah-ha, that’s what I want. Of course, when that happens I leave the salong looking nothing like what I wanted.
So all this to say that if I had an idea what I wanted, I totally would take the leap to make a drastic change with my ‘do. I think your new style is great and again, I’m jealous because if I were to get that cut, by afternoon every day I would look like I just climbed out of bed because it would be flat and limp on me!!!
Your haircut is darling! It fits you and it looks like one you won’t look back with regret.
I was right there with you sister with the spiral perms. My senior pictures can be summed up in one word, frizz.
to quote oprah – “it’s fresh”
to quote oprah – “it’s fresh”
Love your new haircut! The hair retrospective was like a trip down memory lane for me too! I used to own many similar outfits!
I never realized until now just how much you look like my best friend from high school. The spiral perm and door knocker earrings brought out the resemblance. I would say maybe that’s why I was drawn to you, but since I was reading you for a year before I ever saw your entire face that can’t be it.
And there’s a sentence I never saw myself saying.
I really like your hair. In the last picture. Ahem.
And oh, this made me laugh.
just too much to say and too much fun with all this. We had it going on! Again, thanks~
Fran
Oh, these past two posts have been so much fun. Thanks for sharing! You brought back many memories-the one that stands out the most today is the white hose. Been there, done that. Once I needed a pair and the only pair I had available had been previously worn with navy blue shoes and they left marks on the hose, but I wore them anyway-to a wedding shower for a cousin. My Step Mom asked me how I got that terrible bruise on my foot!
Your new haircut looks fantastic!
The thing that just kills me about hair is that no matter how horrible it is to look back the style was great at the time. Makes me wonder how I should be wearing my hair now so as to not be mortified in 5 years! How can we possibly win?
The Lesli Luck dress made me howl. Mine was a lovely green double-breasted coat dress with gold/brass buttons the size of cd’s. I swear, football players had nothing on my shoulder pads. The white hose are possibly the worst fashion offense of all times, but I thought they were soooo cool.
One thing I didn’t see in any photo was pearls and a sweatshirt with Greek letters. Was that before your time?
Love your blog.
I love your new cut! I’m going today, and I don’t know that I’m brave enough to cut 9 inches off, but I definitely need a new do! I’ve worn my hair twisted up in a clip, for the better part of the last 5 years. UGH!
That southwest print wrap skirt and denim skirt is the outfit that sent me cackleing with laughter. I had that outfit, actually, I think I had two! Why did we think that looked good? Thanks for the trip!
Good move. You turned back the clock on this one, although I wouldn’t have thought it necessary or even possible. I always wonder, ten years from now, what will I be saying about my pictures taken now???
Love the new do! I am a bit disappointed that the Glamour Shots picture didn’t make the cut. I think that one of my WORST hair styles ever involved a trip to good ole’ Glamour Shots and an unfortunate decision to wear a leather jacket that was red, black, and white. Oh the pain it brings up just to think about it.
The thing is, you go through all these pictures laughing at yourself for your hair, but if you ignore the question of “what’s in style NOW?” nearly every single one of those hair-dos is pretty… and WAS in style THEN. So what’s to laugh at? If MY hair could have looked like that at any of those time periods, I would be thrilled. And I’ve no idea what you mean by bang issues. Your bangs are doing things in several of those pictures that I have tried and failed for years to get mine to do.
Love the picture with the two ponytails tied with that thick yarn, how well I remember those days.
)
These past two days have been so wonderful as you shared this precious hair retrospective! You’ve brought back SOOOO many memories! When I was in high school I wanted a spiral perm SO BAD. Alas, we couldn’t afford it, something that hurt me terribly at the time and now makes any hair retrospective I would try terribly boring. Love the new ‘do–very sleek and stylish!
Anne Klein doorknocker earrings? Check.
Leslie Lucks dress? Check.
Unfortunate big-sleeved formal attire that resulted in my date for the evening saying, “Hey, this is my date, S., and these are her sleeves”? Check.
Also. That denim double-breasted shirt? I had the dress version of that. I liked to wear it with really big scarves.
Really, it is no wonder that we are friends.
Hair today….gone tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing your hair-raising story.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this little glimpse into the history of your hair. And I absolutely love your new ‘do. Looks great!
First, love your new hair do! Second, thanks for the trip down memory lane….the hair, the shoes, the white hose, the outfits….all very familiar! Even the song Lady in Red brought back a memory. Thanks for the hair chronicles….very funny!
Oh, this has been too much fun! I think we all relate way too well! I just loved and enjoyed this so much! By the way, your new cut looks great! It seems like it would be super easy to maintain!
Love,
Sarah TN
love the new cut!!
Loving the Life and Times of your hair. And your latest cut is GORGEOUS. Love it. As I was reading through your pictures, I was remembering all the unfortunate hair stages I went through. Really, it dredged up some trauma that I thought was well buried. I might need therapy now.
Ummm…I just got a spiral perm last year. Perms are actually coming back! And my hair, when long, looks very wispy and just plain bad, so perms are my friend! Spiral perms, in fact! I love them!
I think your new ‘do is lovely. Good choice!
I actually like the big hair… maybe because I was born with naturally curly hair and even though the 80s are over, I still have the HAIR… and always will… unless I get out a flat iron every morning– and that’s not working with a wild 2 year old and another baby on the way!
))) I agree with your Nanny– your senior photos are beautiful!
My hair just naturally looks like it has a spiral perm. That happened with my pregnancy hormones. I want to look sleek, but I just can’t no matter how many different products I use. I would kill for your current ‘do!
Lovely!
My mom was a beautician, and she cut my hair all my growing up years. I was her guinea pig. I have some pictures that scare me. She always told me “it’s just hair, it will grow back”. That is not what a 15 year old girl wants to hear….not even close!
It looks great! Thanks for sharing!
I defer to the list format:
1. You look like you actually DID rule the school.
2. Sometimes I fall prey to my hot rollers. I’m trying to give them up.
3. You are so stinkin’ beautiful! When it got down to the recent pictures, I gasped!
4. But, in the full interest of disclosure, I might have been gasping because? Your wallpaper? I LOVE IT.
Very nice new hair! I can see why Nanny likes that one pic so much….the hair is a ‘tad’ big, but the sweater is adorable and cozy and your face looks beautiful.
Not seeing why you ever needed braces though….
Also, I am EXTREMELY detailed oriented and it would be lovely if you’d put me out of my misery and explain how in the last two photos the background is different. In the first I see tall windows off in the other room, in the second I see picture frames on a green wall….yet I can tell you are standing in the same exact spot for both pics and I kinda doubt you removed windows and filled in with a wall in the last six months….so please explain otherwise it truly will bug me…. ;o)
I have really enjoyed this! Thank you so much! You look great and I’ll just bet P thinks so! Love, Melinda
I can still relate to all those photos. Mine are similar with the exception I have blonde hair and felt the need to make it MORE BLONDE in high school. Big mistake!
I love your new ‘do!
Thank you so much for posting about your hair. I have laughed so hard because I was right there with you! I had the spriral perm which for some reason stayed in my hair all through college. The Anne Klein door knocker earings. OMG I cracked up. I had two pairs of those. In case I lost one dancing at one of the Frat parties.
Oh, how I can relate to this new series of pictures! When I was 10 (1990), my mom chopped off my waist-length hair to my chin and had it permed. Can you say poodle???? Plus those were the days of the skort one-piece outfits and I had one that was black with white polka-dots and red trim. I believe there’s a picture around here somewhere.
Love, love your new hair cut! Love it!
Is it wrong to pray that the Laura Ashley dress comes back in style before my girls hit their teenage years? Never once did my Laura Ashley dress show cleavage! My hair looked much like yours but with a bottle of Sun-in dumped on it.
This made me crack up! I love your commentary about each of the pictures-I think we were all guilty of those fashion sins at one time or another! Ahh, the white hose, Anne Klein doorknocker earrings, the permed hair…took me right back.
Also-you are a knockout and your new hair looks GREAT! Love it!
I do have a dramatic story of a cheerleader pyramid gone awry that caused a little breakage. My sister and her friends were at recess and had built a fabulously daring cheerleader pyramid. Then things got wobbly and they all came tumbling down, where my sister broke her front tooth on D’nel’s over-sized belt buckle. And that, folks, is a story (and a name) that can only happen in Texas!
I cannot believe I just sat here reading about your hair for the past _ minutes but I could not help myself. Once I started, I needed to know how it all ended up. I must say you have very beautiful hair and the fact that you remember all your outfits is proof enough of your expertise to be hosting Fashion Friday. I can barely remember what I wore last Sunday!
Back down memory lane (singing) … oh how fun this was to read all the “names” we used to wear. Your descriptions were priceless. Guess overalls .. my how I wish they would come back.
Love your new haircut. You really have beautiful hair! Even back in the day.
Back down memory lane (singing) … oh how fun this was to read all the “names” we used to wear. Your descriptions were priceless. Guess overalls .. my how I wish they would come back.
Love your new haircut. You really have beautiful hair! Even back in the day.
With your perm and “52-rollers” hairdo, we could’ve looked like twins separated at birth. Only mine wasn’t a perm. And it was red.
LOVED this post; especially the pictures!
I remember once I got comfortable with my then-boyfriend (now hubby)’s friends at medical school, I began to discuss my hair issues with one male friend of his in particular, who was Stanford educated and on his way to becoming a high rolling orthopedic surgeon. At that point, my hair was ALL the way down my back, in loose,red ringlets. I asked this friend if I should get a trim.
“A trim?” he responded. “Janet, you hair is your most overwhelming feature…and we both know that’s saying a LOT.”
I had an appointment within a matter of days.
You are funny as hell. Thanks for sharing and taking me back to my high school/college days. Good times I tell ya!
Well if your going for Sleek and Sophisticated, you are definitely pulling it off now. You look great! I love the new ‘do on you.
So great! Strangely, it warmed my heart…must be the like memories
Thanks for the memories. I can so relate.
And, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new cut. You looked great before, but seriously this new cut makes you look younger with it cut shorter. It looks great.
O.k, so I’ve been reading you for a bit, popped in numerous times yesterday to see the “2nd installment”, had to go to bed, couldn’t wait to check this morning, you did not dissapoint!! That was so much fun, my particular fav is the part about the sculpted nails, & the one with the tape, I was so there with you on that one!! Thanks for a great “trip”, & all the time & work you put into it… btw, i was class of ’89, so all the looks for me were right on target, I did have a particular formal dress that did what your fushia sleeves did, but at the bottom of the dress, fitted on top & ballooned out on the bottom, & all I can say about that one is …WOW!!
Your story reminds me of Pioneer Woman’s love story, only the love of your life is your hairstyle, not a man. I do love the hair cut. Did you donate your hair to Locks of Love?
I,too, loved this series of posts because I could cringe at all of the similar moments I had with perms, white hose, aquanet, horizontal striped wrap skirts, sailor dresses…oh my!!!!
I love the new cut. It looks terrific!
Oh ya baby!! You don’t want it to grow back. It looks fabulous!!
Hugs,
Marie
I really like your new hair…it’s one of those “boy, do I have my life all pulled together” looks. But I also liked the hairstyle with the Texas Aggies shirt.
I like your new cut! But the part about giving the financial advice was the best.
CONGRATULATIONS on taking the big step. Hair cut looks great, but I never saw a time you didn’t look fantastic.
Amy, this cut would look awesome on you too.
What were we thinking with the white hose? I had some electric blue shoes and some hot pink , pointed -toe shoes I wore with mine. I looked like a Munchkin from Munchkin land.
I had that very doubled breasted jean top and skirt. It was one of my favorite all time outfits.
Your new haircut looks great!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
White hose. Now those were some traumatic days!
I, too, was a financial planner. For about 6 weeks. It scares me now to think that I had a state license to sell financial products about which I knew absolutely nothing.
A friend and I just recently shared our Senior Class “Book of Memories” with one another. We had such a good time and learned so much about each other. Maybe your hair journey will lead other women to reveal their own not-so-bad-as-it-seemed younger years. It is rather cleansing.
Wow, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I had just about every one of those ‘do’s as well…Your Senior year hair was my “dream hair”-achieveble, but not without 784 hot rollers too. I think I even still have a set somewhere – I used to use them for clients for updo’s. Hehe-I actually have naturally-curly hair, and I used to blow it straight, THEN curl it the way I wanted…the things we do
Love the new look! Laughed when I saw the Leslie Lucks dress…I had that same dress and wore it with white hose and spectators for easter sunday in 1988!
Thanks for the story of the history of your hair. I actually enjoyed it immensely – probably because we are close to the same age and I can totally identify with every. single. hairstyle. (and the clothes)
Love the new cut. It’s smashing!
Love your haircut! These posts have been like totally sooo much fun! Count me in with the same clothes and hairdo’s I had blonde hair and probably was mistaken for that one guy in poison more than once!!
I love your new hair cut! And I loved reading about your earlier hairdos! I can also tell my age by the hair cut I had in my pictures…and there were some really nasty ones during the middle school/high school era.
1-You are so brave to reveal your hair (and outfit) past!
2-Your tan in the dance team photo is to.die.for.
3-LOVE the new do! I honestly feel it will not be regretted in your future.
They say that fine china, family Bibles, and jewlery are priceless possessions that should be passed down to your children. However, with this literary/photography piece that is forever cemented in cyberspace, you have given Caroline the most priceless possession of all…….a documentary of your fashion and hairstyles throughout the years. Someday, she will REALLY appreciate this. BTW, it was breathtaking to see how many outfits you had that I myself had purchased and wore proudly back in the day! Just praise the Lord those days are over!
The new cut? That totally works on you.
And I had the Friends’ haircut too – but not by choice. Some stylist took it upon herself to change my look. It’s the one of two times that I can recall crying over a cut that took my months-grown long hair end up on the floor. And my first born was about 4 months old. I’m sure the post partum hormones had nothing to do with it at all.
The trip down memory lane was so reminiscent of my school years! I think the new ‘do looks great! Very cute!
Love the new look. Thanks for the hair retrospective, I recognized quite a few of those cuts to which my hair was subjected over the years.
Love your new hair-do!!!
I think your new look is my favorite. Great hair blogging!
Oh Big Mama,
I love your hair cut, it is so pretty, and fits you well.
What fun trip down memory lane
I love your new haircut!! I love the chronicles of your hair! The 80′s were good times, aqua net in the purple can is the best!
Loved the trip down memory lane. I too sported many of the same hair styles throughout my life (so glad that’s behind me). Love your new do. It’s perfect!
Man, we have to be about the same age.
LOVE the new do…it is very good for your face! Great job!
Dang you look good in all those pictures! Just chalk it up to the designers made me do it. I so see Caroline in those pictures. So do YOU like the new look??
and I think I have hair envy. Please forgive.
I will say you is looking very chick
I think my favorite part, other than the hair vareity of course, was that you have such a memory for EVERYTHING you wore…every year. Now that’s a talent. It only re-assures us that you are indeed qualified for giving fashion friday advice
I LOVE your new cut!
PS: I was made to play the flute in seventh grade band. I didn’t want to. and I was horrible at it. I really wanted percussion. Band scars are for life!
Wow!! Your new haircut made my OOOHHH out-loud to my computer screen. You look like Nick Arojo cut it. Sassy and sophisticated! You look great.
I was thinking the same thing as Jenn….that cracks me up that you remember every outfit in detail.
The cut is great! Nice decision.
FABULOUS CUT!
Love the new do!!! So feel your hair pain I’ve lived through many of the same styles and loved the trip down “hair” memory lane…
How pretty! I love it! And you were so brave to remind us all of what our hair used to look like. : )
Great cut!!
Did your doorknocker earrings have a lion’s head on them? Mine did. I wore them while carrying my Aigner purse. I later learned it isn’t pronounced “Agner.” ;>)
Love it! Ahh, the memories!
Ironically, my band teacher told me my mouth was just right to play the flute, but I didn’t want to and couldn’t get a sound out of it, so I tried a year each of clarinet, then french horn and finally settled on the drums, which I still play. Apparently my mouth just wasn’t right for music period.
I also love the new do. And I’ve discovered why the spiral perm went the way of the 52-set hot rollers. Because the hairdressers’ carpal tunnel insurance went through the roof and it was impossible to find someone (that you’d actually trust to perm your hair) that would spend hours rolling your hair with little or no insurance. I mean, those hands and wrists are their livelyhood, you’ve got to protect ‘em.
I like it. A lot!
But, did anyone else catch “hairline fracture?” Bwaahhaaahhaa.
Wow. I feel like I just finished reading a great book. Wonderful story, but I’m a bit sad to be leaving the characters behind.
At least I know this saga will continue.
The new do is very attractive. It says “young, sassy Mom to me that could jump back into the workforce at any moment.”
That was so much fun. I absolutely love your new hair.
I love going back and looking at old pictures. Thanks for sharing this stroll down memory lane.
I’ve never read your blog before and just laughed my way through that entire post. Just a bit too familiar, I think. Great new cut!
I don’t know where to begin except to wipe the tears of laughter from my eyes.
Nothing says sophistication like white hose and a Laura Ashley sailor dress. I can only hope you had some fabulous mini-print wallpaper in your bedroom.
Heaven help us all.
At least your hair would hold the spiral perm. I had it done and (you know how long that sucker took) maybe 2 or 3 weeks later it looked like a wave perm. By a few months later I was back to stick straight hair!
Love your new do!
I can’t remember if I ever told you thanks for the cruise clothes advice. I would so take you with me if I could, we would have a ball. My husband thinks I am nuts because I am already planning what to wear when we board the ship. He said he doesn’t even know what color of underwear he’s wearing tomorrow and I am already planning what to wear on our trip. Should I be surprised that he doesn’t get it?
I told him, “Options, the women have to have options.”
I LOOOOOVE IT!!!
I have two comments about the walk down memory lane you just took me on. That Laura Ashley sailor dress, not only did I own it and wear the white hose as well, I will even admit that I wore navy Sam & Libby shoes with mine. And that is a memory almost too painful to type!
And I have to talk about just how tan you are in your dance picture. How can you possibly be that tan! It’s just not fair, good hair and good skin! God has given you a double portion!
I didn’t read all the comments, cause well, i’m supposed to be working….but I have to say that in the college pic of you at the party in your denim shirt, you have a slight if not very near resemblence to Debbie Gibson…..cute cute cute. Love your new cut. Looks great on you!
I just love the new hair! I also love some of your big hair do’s! I am from the south and big hair is a plus…
But anyhoo great new do.
I just want to say that you are not alone in your fashion & hair violations. I spent many of my younger years with hair so permed that it took weeks for the stench to fade. And, I also thought white hose with dark shoes really classed up any ensemble.
I wonder what we’ll think of ourselves in ten or twenty years?
Oh my goodness! I thought the same thing as lori about the Debbie Gibson thing…definitely a resemblance there. I so wish that I was brave enough to put my sr. year homecoming picture on my blog b/c you would get a tremendous laugh at it for sure. Big really does not describe it well enough. You can barely see my date’s face and the photographer commented to her huband that he might need to find the wide angle lens just to get my hair in the picture! She totally didn’t realize the pain of sleeping in pink sponge rollers all night long to achieve that look! Ah…memories! Thanks for the fun post!
Love your new haircut! You look very”preppie”—or should I say “yuppie” or Junior League-ish. Any one of the three would fit.
Your Mama approves so now you will probably go change it. LOL
Wasn’t that bi-level haircut the worst ever invented?! It also took me 5 years to get my SCOM degree…I was working mostly on my social skills at the time. My parents are so proud…
This has to be the funniest post you have ever written. I was laughing so hard, not at you, but with you.
I’ve been there…the permed bangs, Leslie Lucks dress with white hose, the double-breasted denim shirt, the poofy sleeved dress-(I think I wore the same exact one to my the Belles Dance my Senior year!) Too funny! And by the way, your new haircut looks great!
I laughed so hard, I cried. Did we all look the same? So much for our independent younger years! Your new “do” looks great!
Love your new “do! Thanks also for the walk down memory lane! We all had BIG hair at some point!
My favourite haircut is the one where you are wearing a denim shirt and you are at the party with jello shots.
You must have graduated in 1989 like me!!! I could have been your twin at all stages! In fact, I had the Leslie Lucks dress (and wore with white hose!) and the horizontal stiped skirt (didn’t have the matching jacket though, darn it!) I too did the perm thing — and what were we thinking going into college with THAT!! But, I have to say that the best invention for me was the spiral curling iron. It made getting up 1 1/2 hours before I had to be at school SO worth it!!! Thanks for the memories!!
Thanks for reminding me of all the hair and fashion horror that was the 80′s…ok and the early 90′s. Yikes. I think you must be a little older than me, but only by a couple years. That splendiforus do in your senior pic is the sort of style that inspired me throughout my junior and senior high years, but I think the spiral perm hit before I graduated. I thank GOD for my beautician SIL saving me from voluminous hair…with the Rachel. LOL
It looks so good! I absolutely loved this hairstorical perspective on your life. You do have some good hair, woman. I think I had the kids, preteen, or teenage version of every one of your outfits. I loved my Guess overalls too.
You are so funny. The new do is very nice and flatters you. Thanks for sharing the long and sordid story!
Beth (tired mommy to a sleepless 4-yr old)
your high school pictures look just like some of my friends from those years. (my hair was blonde but equally huge and occasionally permed). loved the walk down hair lane and you look great with long and your new shorter sleek look.
sometimes change is good.
thank you for such an enjoyable look back
loved it all, especially your new cut!
Oh my! That is a crack up because it was a total walk down memory lane. My very favorite college outfit was a denim shirt with nickel head button covers, a multicolored woven and leather belt, red Ivy jeans, and Cole Haan loafers. HOT HOT HOT! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Love your new hair!
so did you donate the hair?
I had totally forgotten about the boots with the socks sticking out!
The new cut makes you look younger!
I’m Australian… what is with calling a fringe ‘bangs’… am I missing something here?
Oh dear me. I had that exact same sailor dress and shoes to match! That stripped skirt – had that too (or something very similar). Thanks for sharing the fun pics of the history of your hair.
Oh my gosh…..you just brought me through my middle and high school years. I think we had very similar taste in clothing. Thanks for the blast from the past!! I love the “new” cut…..I think it makes you look younger and who does not want that.
This was so much fun, Melanie. I always go away from your blog laughing out loud. Love your new haircut. It looks fantastic.
The new haircut …….stylish, sleek, sophisticated
The walk down memory “hair” lane ………priceless!
Love your bathroom. Love the hair too.
You did great. It is all so very familiar -funny we have similar hair now too. 
I love your hair! It looks really good! I too had the Laura Ashley Sailor dress and I thought I was the epitome of coolness…let me tell you…no one could tell this sailor dress wearing permed hair girl any different.
Oh…and for a hair trauma experience for you…I cut my own hair…yes mam I did..no..not 10, 15 20 years ago..last year..AND I’m too embarrassed to go to a real stylist to figure out what the heck is going on with it. I like to think that God is teaching me a life lesson out of this but every morning at 6:30 when I’m trying to do my hair..I don’t hear God..it’s more like the wailing and gnashing of teeth!
Love your blog…love your humor. You make my day so much better and for a while..I forget about my own hair trauma…for a while….
Love the new do. P.S. I had the Laura Ashley & Leslie Lucks dresses IN MY CLOSET…the same ones. And white hose. And spectators.
the bigger the collar, the better.
Hilarious! Poison band member? I was struck by the uncanny likeness to Mandy Panikin in Princess Bride – sans the moustache. Oh wait – have you posted an entry before about moustache troubles? Or was that a mask leftover from pregnancy?
I had some hair envy myself in my senior year – a girl named Ruth had some beautiful “feathered” locks. I coveted them and then because I am stupid, I described the look to a new hairdresser (I am nothing if not daring…and stupid but I already mentioned that) and had my hair cut two days before senior pictures. Sadly Tyelenol PM was not in existence back then – I’d have inhaled a bottle of it if I could.
I too wore the sailor dresses, Anne Klein door knocker earrings, white nylons and the hairbows. I was stylin…or at least I thought so. Go back 15 years before that however and my pictures would show why my motto was, “Death Before Polyester.”
Love the new do!
I had a crappy day today with my job at “the bank”-
I needed a good laugh- I too know I had some of those same outfits- especially the one in your sorority t-shirt and cut offs! I had forgotten about Cole Haans!
Love the new hair!
Your new do looks great on you! We wouldn’t have gotten the full effect of how good you look if we hadn’t seen all the “befores” – not the most recent one (that one’s good,too), the early ones.
Oh, that was funny. I mean really, really good stuff. And then I read the comments. Just as I was thinking, “Oh, thank goodness those of us with naturally straight hair are no longer forced into having permanents that simply will not curl properly to avoid looking like a hippy from the 60s.” Then I read Mary’s comment. Please, say it ain’t so, perms aren’t REALLY coming back, are they? I swore an oath when I was 21 and had just birthed my second child that the perm I got in an attempt to feel “beautiful” would be my LAST! Please, oh fashion goddesses of the world, PLEASE don’t make me do it AGAIN!!!
BTW, the cut looks great!
Ok, I think I had that same blanket skirt, but at UT. Harold’s, right?
Ditto on the blanket skirt from Harolds! I laughed till I cried at these pics and your great writing!! We’ve all been there sister!
Thanks for the flashback….didn’t you think those Anne Klein earrings were the greatest and heaviest things ever? Confession-I still have mine, I don’t wear them, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of them.
I did get about 8 inches cut off my hair 6 weeks ago, I think I have heard,”You look ten years younger” at least 50 times-which of course flattered me enough that I will definitely make my next appointment!
These two posts had me rolling on the floor. I went to A&M and was just a year behind you. All of those outfits and hairstyles are mine. I remember the Leslie Lucks dresses with huge shoulders, and I always wore matching colored shoes. I may have to dig out my own old photos and do a similar chronicle.
Thanks for sharing your hair. It was really fun. I think I’m about 5 or 6 years younger than you because the spiral perm was my 6th grade year and I permed my bangs too. In fact my hair was the shape of a triangle because of it. Yuck!
I found your blog from Baby Bangs and I’ve enjoyed reading so far. I may link you on my blog, if that’s OK.
I too had the “light behind the hair” photo shoot back in 1989…..did you also have a “love affair” with blue eyeliner as I did??
But forget the hair……let’s talk about how cute your wallpaper is in your bathroom!!!!!
That was great, I love that you remember every accessory of every outfit, when I look at high school photo’s I have no idea what shoes I was wearing!
Try being best friends with a professional hairdresser! When I look back over the last 18 years or so, my hair has been platinum blond, long, long and permed, short, brunette, long, bobbed, very short so I could spike up the back…. you name it I’ve done it!! Good times good times! 
Oh, we must be near the same age. Esprit, Union Bay and Guess- these were my best clothing friends in jr. high and high school. As was Forenza, perming solution, a fake tan and Aqua Net. Oh, the fond memories. You are a brave, brave soul. Those pictures of me will never see the light of day.
Oh the 80′s and 90′s – the years of Big Hair. Thanks for the trip down memory lane… I had the same set of hot rollers and I used them all too frequently myself.
The new cut is very, very lovely on you. It’s also nice to finally “meet” you in person.
Oh this made me laugh!! and the one before. I’m so glad to meet someone else whose mom shopped at Weiner’s!! And I’m older than you, so my Laura Ashley sailor dress was after college, but oh that was a memory!
You are a braver woman than I to bring those out in the open. I am desperately trying to forget my pixie, my shag, my wings, my perms, my. . . .
The only thing that might rival is the gazillion bridesmaid dresses that went through mine and my sister’s closets. Some of them definitely should have been hung on windows, not bodies!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!!
Your new haircut looks GREAT! A definite keeper!! Thanks for sharing your saga……….we surely all can relate!
You look just beautiful!!!
Kelly
Love the new cut! And the entire hair story!
First of all, let me say I LOVE your new haircut. Next, I needed this post, ’cause life has just seemed way too serious lately, and I’ve laughed so hard. It brought back some fun memories….Leslie Lucks dresses were my FAVORITE. In fact, I think every dress I wore during rush my freshmen year at MSU was a L.L. brand with a huge bow on the booty. (Not a place I needed accentuated.) I also adored me some Cole Haan loafers. I almost cried when I wore them out. Thanks for the memories.
Your style looks great! And your hair & fashion chronology is EERILY similar to mine! The bangs, the big perms, the denim shirts, that striped SKIRT! OMG, I had the SAME ONE! I think I wore it the night my boyfriend gave me his Sigma Chi lavalier. 1992, right???? Gotta love J Crew & Talbots.
Unless you count the unfortunate shout-out I gave to the Dorothy Hamill cut in the second grade(and I’m trying desperately to forget it), I have always had long hair… until a few years ago when an overzealous stylist talked me into what can only be described as an homage to Victoria Beckham. I left the salon and went to pick up my daughter at preschool, who took one look at me and started crying hysterically….my sentiments exactly! Your hair, however, is beautifu
I had the same prom dress – as did a lot of people in 1988. I had it in black and white polka-dots, and I also had it in peach, except the peach one had a butt-bow instead of a bow in front.
I was looking through my wedding album the other day and realized that my wedding dress had a butt-bow as well. I had blocked it out.
I am going to feel quite silly if you don’t know what a butt-bow is.
Your new style is great. I so enjoyed the tour of past hair styles. I’m not that brave. I had the Dorothy Hamill cut for MANY years. Which led to my inability to use any hair apparatus. Which means I am still not able to use anything other than a hairdryer. Which really limits my options.
How funny that your grandmother still wants you to have big hair!
“Shear” Genuis writing. I can truyly appreciate and empathiz with your hair journey. LOVE it. Also added you to my blog roll.
Okay, I could comment on SO many aspects of this post. But first, YOUR HAIR LOOKS GORGEOUS. Absolutely beautiful. Perfect cut for you.
And that formal with the big burgundy sleeves? I had that very same formal my sophomore year in college, although the stop was–oh my stars–TEAL.
Well, at least you didn’t go and cut your arm off.
LUV the new ‘do.
I’ve never, ever had a perm.
Your pictures serve to remind me that I was NOT A DORK ! I see all of these teenagers today and they look “so together.” I never felt that way…with my spiral permed hair, the pouffy sleeved dresses, the sailor dresses with white hose. SIGH. I’m glad to know that I was just following a trend and not marching to my own beat…that means there is hope for me!~
I loved all your styles – hair and clothes. Well, maybe, except for the poison one. Anyway, totally reinforces that you were tailor made to do fashion fridays. And I love your new haircut. It may just inspire me to do something with my hair. Thanks for sharing.
I feel like we could be great friends if I lived in Texas or you lived in Alabama. I owned a pair of Z.Cavarichhi pants and I just LOVED those things SO much, but why I wanted to wear something with pencil legs that emphasized my butt is beyond me. Also, I have a photo in a navy sailor dress too! I’m holding my 4 year old daughter (who’s 20 now) which is pulling it around to one side, really improving its look, if you know what I mean. I’ve really enjoyed your hair retrospective – and I must say two things, no three. Your new do makes you look younger, you look like you’ve lost weight and red is your color.
Your new do is great. You made the right choice. I loved reading the history of your hair and clothes. It kept me thoroughly entertained.
Love the hair do’s. So funny to look back on all the hair trauma from the early years!
My daughter (8 yrs old) told me the other morning, “Mom, I want to have split ends in my hair.” I asked (while trying not to bust from the laughter swelling inside me), “Do you know what split ends are?” She said, “Well, the lady in that commercial had silky smooth hair and said something about split ends.” I replied, “Well, honey, split ends means that your hair isn’t healthy. And I think that lady in the commercial is trying to sell you that shampoo so you won’t have split ends.” She said, “Oh, well I want my hair smooth like that.”
It was quite the moment of deep hair understanding!
Great cut! You look very hip!
That massive ball fringe on the drapes behind your prom picture. So good. Had a hair intervention of my own yesterday, self inflicted bangs. When will I learn. So glad to hear from your readers that it will grow back…
Just had to tell you this because I was sure it would crack you up like it did me. My 16 mo. old son is really into animal sounds right now. As I was looking through his favorite animal book with him for the umpteenth time, I was also reading this post on the side. About the time I got to a picture of one of the really big hair pictures, he looked up, pointed at it and said, “Baaaaa.”
I believe the shoes with the Laura Ashley sailor dress are Pappagallo shoes. Perhaps you bought them from me! For the time, you were the height of fashion!
I’m looking at all these photos and wondering why you ever needed braces. Your teeth have always been beautiful and straight!
I’m late on this post. But I really enjoyed your pictures. I really like your haircut now. It looks really easy. I enjoy your blog….
I’ve never been to your blog before, but man, I laughed until I cried. I have very similar hair chronicles.
New to blogging and just started reading your blog. You’re funny! You know we all have similar pics – that was the style, love the perm and the bangs (I had those too!) Anyway, your new cut is great. Looks cute!
Oh, I surely have some catching up to do! I’ve enjoyed the hair chronicles (don’t we all have them!) Your new “do” is fabulous! Love it, love it. Thanks for all the giggles that reminded me of my own history.
These pics are GREAT!! Seriously! I think the sweater in the senior pics is making a come back. I so hope you held on to it. And I think you have had more dos than beth moore!!
My daughter and you must be pretty close to the same age, considering she had that very dress you are wearing with the white hose – the black and white striped!
Okay, I know this is extremely late, as you typed this post over a year ago, but why in the world did you think you needed braces?! Your teeth were perfect before!