Monday Musings – New Hairdo and Hobby
Happy Monday, ladies. This week’s ramblings are, as usual, personal and all over the map. There’s some navel-gazing with a small amount of whining and other sundry things that are on my mind.
I don’t think I shared this outfit that I wore in Lake Tahoe over Thanksgiving. If I did, here’s your second look :)Fair Isles are synonymous with winter style, and I was anxious to get another opportunity to wear this dress. My fair isle sweater dress is from last year, but they have one almost identical dress this year. This dress from Talbots is also similar but without the pattern on the bottom, which would make you look taller. The cashmere scarf- similar here was a surprise and lovely gift from Talbots several years ago. My boots are eons old, but black riding boots don’t change much over the years. The velvet leggings are a toasty alternative to opaque tights I love to wear all winter long.
MORE FAIR ISLE SWEATER DRESSES
I don’t know about you, but my teeth are a train wreck, and the older I get, the bigger the problems become. I needed braces as a kid but didn’t get them. I’m dealing with a crossbite, plus I grind my teeth, so I have lots of chipped teeth and now cracked crowns. I tried braces last year, but I have two implants that were not a good mix with braces, so that didn’t work. I spent five hours in the dentist’s chair last week, and there will be many more visits before calm and relative order is restored in my mouth š I drive two hours each way to see my old dentist because I trust him with my teeth…call me crazy, but there you have it. Whining over…I’m lucky to have the teeth I do š
I got a new ‘do last week, and it’s taking some time for me to get used to it. My hair has gotten so thin that my stylist and I agreed it was time to grow out my layers and go a bit shorter. The result looks dangerously like a bob. I say dangerously because bobs feel so expected on a woman with fine, thin hair, and I’d prefer a more unique style.
It’s the best haircut for my current hair, but I don’t care for the look, so it’s time to get a little creative with how I style it. She suggested a paste at the roots, which I’m game to try. As a funny aside, my stylist mentioned my color looked different than she remembered. I told her it’s just gotten older and grayer. She thinks I’m overdoing the purple shampoo, so it’s likely a combo of the two. At any rate, it’s not as silver as I want, so I’m a bit frustrated by it. BTW- this photo makes it look blonder than it is in person.
Taking up an old hobby
On our way to Lake Tahoe last week, we stopped for lunch and some window shopping in Truckee. As we strolled the main street, a store window stopped me cold…I mean, dead stop and stare. There were a few balls of yarn, knitting needles, and a handknit wrap in the window. I had to go in.
My mom taught me to knit at 14, and I became an obsessive knitter for 45+ years. I never went anywhere without a project and often knit for 8+ hours daily. I made myself and my family tons of sweaters, hats, afghans, etc. I’m not sure when I stopped, but I think it was when AWSL became more than a full-time job. Rather than occupying my spare time with knitting, I began spending my time creating content for social media, editing photos, or writing blog posts. Arthritis in my hands began getting worse, and I wondered if it was because of all the knitting I’d done.
Whatever the reason, I stopped knitting cold and never looked back…until that shop window drew me in. It pained me to buy knitting needles because I have multiples of every size imaginable at home. We would be at the Lake for three days, and I had to start knitting right then, so I bought the needles to do it.
My rusty skills took several attempts to fire back up, but once they did, I felt the old obsession take over. Knitting is a form of meditation for me. The repetitive motion and stitch counting are both monotonous and soothing. The kit I bought is not my favorite pattern, yarn weight, or color, but that’s not the point. The process is the point for me, and I’m delighted to have taken up this old hobby again.
What hobbies have you let go of that you might want to get back to now?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Well Jennifer, you are going to get tired of hearing this, but I like your new hairstyle too!! I also want to know about paste. I have really fine hair and have to be careful with products because they weigh down my hair. I have found a couple of volume sprays that work ok, but too much of anything makes my hair feel yucky. I am sure you already know about this, but just in case, I find that biotin really helps my hair. I take a tablet daily and my hair is stronger and thicker and my nails are better. Knitting! I have a long history as well. Probably not as proficient as yours, but a love affair for sure. But my knitting has fallen to the wayside in favor of other hobbies. I have been thinking about starting it up again for a few reasons. It is so easy to pick up and put down, it is meditative, it’s portable and you can do it anywhere. Yippee. I may just be inspired. Thank you!!!
Love your hair cut, yes to much purple shampoo canāt affect the hair color, should only use it once a week at the most or every other week. I feel for you at dentist, I donāt like them and havenāt found one I can trust in years. Iāve tried knitting but itās a mess.
Obsessive Knitter…..Absolutely! I love how it calms my monkey mind and making things is totally my jam. I wish I lived somewhere cooler where hand knit sweaters can be worn comfortably more than a few weeks out of the year!
You hair is adorable! Very very becoming. My hair has been white for 15 years, my teeth are a mess and expensive too and I knit allllll the time. My mother tried to teach me in my youth but an innovative shop in our area named Loops (great website btw) and all the wonderful circular needles with interchangeable tips, etc. did the trick and now I am addicted! Something is cast one them (or several somethingsš¤ ) all the time!
I have a set of those interchangeable tips in ebony. I love them. Iām not even finished this scarf and want to cast on something else. I love the excited, hopefully feeling of casting on. It is addicting.
Love the new do! Looks great on you!
Your new cut is flattering! Give it time to grow on you. š
Thatās what I need to do. šThanks
Your new hairstyle looks great! Always enjoy your posts.
I’m with all those above who love your new hairstyle. I, too, have the thinning hair problem and have been too embarrassed to go to a salon since covid hair grow out. I thought I was the only one. Maybe I’ll venture to a salon with a picture of your “do” and try it. Thanks to you and all who chimed in on hair thinning. BTW, my daughter, who is a nurse practioner, encourages me to keep knitting to keep fingers nimble and, hopefully, arthritis at bay.
You are far from alone. Thinning hair really beats up our confidence, but donāt let it!! Go to the salon. Youāll be so happy you did.
Love your new style. It looks fuller too! I also have a bobish style. Many women of a certain age cut their hair short, though I love short styles, I prefer a more flowing style and a bob will do that. Enjoy your new cutā¦remember it takes at least two weeks to fully be one with your hair! Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays! I never heard that it takes two weeks, but I think youāre right!
Jennifer, your hair looks great on you. And I love the lipstick. What color and brand? Gosh, Iām sorry you have to go through the hours in the dental chair but at least you have teeth! ;0)
Great point! Most have āhelpā or are implants but they donāt come out at night š Iām just wearing this lip pencil. Lipstick seems to stick to my temporary crown so Iām just wearing pencils these days.
I LOVE your new haircut! It looks so flattering and on you. Yes to the new doš
I love your new haircut. I too have fine thinning hair and am always looking for a new look. I actually approached a woman in the grocery store parking lot to ask about their hair and permission to take a photo of the back of it. My stylist always keeps my hair about collar length and recommends only washing it every 4-5 days. I didn’t think I could do it, but surprisingly it worked and now my hair is a lot healthier looking.
Good morning Jen,
I also like your new bob and hair color. I have had a bob on and off for years, it seems to be the mainstay hair style here on the northeast coast of the US.
Wear it proud, you are a beautiful lady and I look forward to your post and the responses from the other ladies
Have a great day everyone!
Thanks Pat. You have a great day too
I like the hair style, but I know how you feel.Itās YOU that needs to like it. Iām a failed knitter, but I used to be a demon at embroidery. Iāve been trying to take it up again, but I get distracted by stupid social media. I think tās time to put my iPad down and pick up my hoop and needle.
That darn social media! And when youāre done with it you have nothing to show for your time!
Your hair looks fantastic and frames your face nicely. Classy!
Thanks!
I think your hair looks great. It looks so fresh and modern. My hair is thinning also. I’m not going to complain too much because my 40 yr old daughter is losing hers due to lupus.
Iām so sorry to hear about your daughter, Linda. Sending lots of prayers her way!
Hi Jennifer,
I also love the new hairstyle. I’d also like to see a post about caring for “silver” hair and various purple shampoos. Actually, I had stopped coloring my hair right before COVID and I am mostly “silver”. I started having my stylist put a purple streak about 2 inches wide on each side of my part. My grand-daughters love it so I try to keep that streak up.
I bounce between regular shampoo and purple shampoo, but I’d love to see you do a trial run of various shampoos for gray/silver hair. Have a great day.
Lottie
Your purple stripes sounds so fun!!! Iāll be checking into so shampoos for us.
I love your new hair style. I had the same issues a few years back and now wear a pixie cut. I only use the purple shampoo once a week and my hair is all gray now. Give it a chance. It looks much fuller.
It does look fuller and that was the goal. Thanks
Ha! We all love your new ‘do except you. Very flattering. I’ve just begun taking low dose oral Minoxidil for my thinning hair and hope to see a difference in six months. If it helps, it’ll be a lifelong commitment but it’s very inexpensive and much easier than applying it topically..
I didnāt know that even existed. Checking into it more now!! Thank you.
Love, love, love your new hairstyle! Maybe leave it for a bit longer and it will grown on you? It really is so pretty!
I think youāre right!! Itās the shock of being short. Luckily itāll grow š
Jennifer, I love your hairstyle! My hair is thinning like crazy; I’m thinking of trying this look! Best of success with your dental issues; I feel your pain!
Iām sorry your hair is thinning too. Itās the pits.
Well, you may not want to hear, but I really like your new haircut. My friend has really thin hair and the only thing she can do is a short pixie, which does look great. I am having to adjust mine each time also as it is getting thinner all the time.
If that is the colour of your yarn, I love it, and good luck with your new project.
Teeth and ageing… all I can say is I hate it. Love your personal musings.
It does always seem to be something but teeth are the pits.
I also have a bob but have thick hair, platinum gray now. I receive at least 3 comments a month from strangers and several have asked if they could take a picture of the cut–go figure. My stylist instructed me only use the purple shampoo about every 3rd washing and shampoo my hair about every 5-6 days, which helps with hair loss. I have been experimenting with dry shampoo on those last few days, which gives the style a more tousled look. My friends say they could not possibly go that long without shampooing but it really does work. Dental work — ugh, as I seem to be spending more time with my dentist each year.
Love your new haircut. Also love your blog!
Iām a huge fan of dry shampoo. It adds tons of body to my hair.
Love the hair; youthful!
Jennifer,
I think your new cut looks great! It frames your face and has a very flattering current look.
As an aside, I also made a two hour trip to keep my dentist and only recently switched to one closer when he retired!
I like your hair cut will watch to see how you style it differently.
My hobby is knitting, love to create using those needles. I had stopped for a while but once I retired I picked them back up. Enjoy knitting again
I also have your type of hair and I love this style on you
I love your new haircut/style.
I really like your new hairstyle Jennifer – it’s fresh and modern and really suits you. As for purple shampoo, I’ve been doing some searching to find out when and how often to use and which ones are the best. I haven’t needed to buy one yet as my hair is still brilliant white and I have only started to use a hair dryer again ( I let it air dry until recently) so I don’t have any yellowing from heat products.
Perhaps a post on how to care for silver hair would be beneficial for all of us. I’m sure there would be lots of great suggestions from your followers.
I LOVE your hair Yvonne. Itās fabulous. Great idea for a post I need to study purple shampoos more thoroughly.
I, too, have your hair. I like the new cut. But, What is paste for the hair? I might need it also.
She used a mens paste at the roots to āadd bodyā. It felt gummy. I havenāt bought any but I think I will to try.
Love your haircut. It’s very flattering. My hair gets thinner as the years go by. I have a similar haircut and everyone likes it. Maybe you just need time to adjust as I did. I love the purple shampoo. I don’t use it every time but it makes my hair look fresh, not drab and boring. The bob looks great in my opinion.
Thinning hair is no fun. Coloring it always gave it a boost so thatās part of my struggle now too.