Some of you have already noticed the Thing that I’m about to announce here, so this post may be more redundant than the lyrics to Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” but that’s okay. No, the lyrics to “Friday” are not okay. This post is.
What I’m trying to say: I cut my hair.
For about a year now, I’ve been announcing to anyone who will listen (mainly Rick) that I want to cut it short, but I never had the nerve. Why? Because the last time my hair was this short, I looked like this:
So clearly it has been a while since the ends of my hair could say hello to my ears. But I finally just went and did it, and I didn’t even cry or scream or run out and buy the nearest wig. This is probably because A) I wouldn’t know where to find the nearest wig and B) I was sick and tired of looking younger than most of my students. Because really, I’ve had basically the same long hair my entire life.
Now:
The verdict? I love it. I finally feel like an adult. (Unless I wear a headband and look like an American Girl doll, according to my sister.)
I am liking my headbands, though, and am on the hunt for more. Apparently my dream to look like an American Girl doll did not, in fact, fade when I was somewhere around the age of 10.
One real down side: short hair means that I spend my time outdoors looking something like this:
Also, my students seriously freaked out when I showed up to school with my hair chopped off. I’ve had them for two years now, so apparently I am not allowed to look any different than when they first met me. One girl practically started crying, saying I just wasn’t the same anymore. Another bemoaned my curls being gone. (Don’t worry, they’re still there.) And just because I like making them squirm, I wore contacts last week after wearing glasses all year. They informed me that I needed to stop changing myself. I asked them if they would approve of my plan to go ahead and dye my hair black, then. Several screamed in agony. I’m so glad they aren’t dramatic.
What’s your hair story? Does anyone know of any Etsy shops that sell cute headbands? Who had an American Girl doll when they were growing up?
i am growing mine out but have spent the last maybe 4 summers with short hair and the beach never looks good on it because of the wind! but it's easy and in general looked good! you look adorable- i think it makes you look more fun!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! The first time you have short hair is just the best because suddenly you realise you can cut it whenever you like and the world won't end. I was the same as you - alwaaays had really long hair. I thought it was like my "thing". But then when I was 21 I had it cut short and have had it long and short ever since then and love it. Except, right now I hate my hair as I haven't managed to have a hair cut in TWO YEARS. I don't even know why not!
ReplyDeleteLove your hair--it looks sassy! Kate from http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/ always talks about cute hair accessories and has sponsors that make hair accessories.
ReplyDeleteI noticed your hair in pictures from your trip etc and really love it. Did not realize it had been long forever. It really looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love the haircut! I'm pretty new to your blog, so I didn't realize the short hair was a new thing. It looks great! I chopped my hair last fall (took off about 8 inches) and it was quite a change, but sometimes change is good. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved American Girl dolls! I had Molly. I got her for Christmas when I was in second grade. I wore glasses (like Molly) and often wore my hair in two braids (like Molly), so she was my favorite. I loved getting the American Girl catalogs in the mail and looking through them for the different doll accessories.
Your hair looks super cute! I started following you not too long ago so I didn't realize that you didn't always have short hair.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I always had super long hair - I mean down past my waist long. Last year I got tired of it and chopped it off to my shoulders. It's been around that length since. It was really weird getting used to it but I love it so much.
I love the short hair! I have a habit of going from really long hair to short hair so I love dramatic changes like this!
ReplyDeletePS - I had the Kirstin doll too and I am so jealous that you got the matching outfits!
PPS - I usually get all my headbands at the jcrew outlets. :)
My mom and grandmother actually made my outfits and/or put them together from similar items. I could be wrong, but I don't think any of it came from the catalog! (Too expensive!)
DeleteThis just made my morning! I loved that you dressed like your american girl dolls! I love the new cut! I chopped mine right before we got married 9but we eloped so it didn't really matter) and put a pink stripe through my bangs; it was super cute but my family never lets it die! Hints why my sisters got me a bottle of Middle Sister ~ Rebel wine :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! That last picture cracks me up!
ReplyDeleteI chopped all my hair off last summer and loved it! But it's grown about halfway back now and I still love it..I did end up missing my long hair!
Tee hee, tee hee, tee hee... I loved this post. And I love the new do! You were adorable with long hair, but the short style really suits you! I say rock the headbands!
ReplyDeleteMy hair story involves LOTS and LOTS of changes. I basically never get the same haircut twice. My hairdresser laughs at me. Everytime I come in she says "so what are we doing today?"
ReplyDeleteI however can't do handbands. I never feel like they look right on me (possibly because my head is super wide). I've always been envious of headband wearers.
FYI... I used to dress up as American girls too. I was Molly for one Halloween and Samantha the next.
Way to be brave!! Your pics are the best btw. I had an American Girl doll (Samantha). They now have an American Girl store near us. I'm not ashamed to say I hope I have a little girl one day so I can go there and not be embarrassed. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I have the same hair drama, in that I keep it wayyyy long forever (mostly because its wavy/thick/frizz-prone). But I would dreamily talk about chopping it all off for a year (or embarrassingly, longer), too! But then I never had the guts (I rarely even get trims, it always makes my curls/wave spazz). I went to a salon about 2 months ago and they put my hair in a braid and lobbed it all off! 10 inches or so. It's not quite as short as yours, but wow, what a difference. That said, I'm already working to grow it back out haha OK enough about me. Yours looks fantastic! It really suits you. Congrats on taking the scissor leap!
ReplyDeletei think you and i just got the same haircut! my hair is a bit curlier than yours, but same thing!
ReplyDeletei had long long hair my whole life (except for a year when i got a pixie cut, in a big EFF YOU to my then-but-soon-to-be-ex boyfriend). i really agree that short hair feels more "adult." also: i totally always wanted that black american girl skirt with the ribbon but NEVER got it! jealous!
The short hair looks great! I found myself saying that a few times while looking through your photos.
ReplyDeleteI find I end up growing it really long (like it is now) and dream about it being short. Then I chop it off and then I dream about it being long again. The grass is always greener I guess. lol.
I love your hair short! It's the perfect "do" for the fast approaching summer! I'll be chopping mine off in a few weeks I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteI think it's cute! & I love the reaction of the students! (except for the one that cried, of course)
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks great! I cut mine off (all off, like inches) right before my high school reunion last fall. It's silly, but it was the scariest thing that I've ever done. I think every woman should have shorter hair at least once.
ReplyDeleteIf you get any good headband tips, please share. I've been looking at local stores, to no success.
I used to stare at American Girl catalogues for hours. I got all of the books, but no dolls (they were extremely expensive back in the day).
Thanks Laeh! I've found some cute headbands at New York & Company for a reasonable price. (And they always have coupons.)
DeleteTime to Pinterest yourself some headbands & clippies, huh? There are some awesome ideas & patterns out there to make your own.
ReplyDeleteSo funny that your students can have such issues with your appearance. I mean, in't not like you got pierced & tattooed, right? ;D
Cute hair! I have had mostly short hair since my senior year in high school so for me to be growing mine out is a small miracle. I usually get hit with a major bout of PMS and chop it off in an angry hormonal rage. I think the headband looks great and you should buy more. I did not have an AG doll and didn't even know what they were until my children received a catalog in the mail. Now we have many dolls, accessories and other expensive stuff that costs more than my own wardrobe. Whatever happened to playing with Barbies? They are cheap, in more ways than one. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the hair!! My mom is a hair stylist so in the 80's when I was a kid I was the guinea pig for all of the new perm products coming out that my mom wanted to try - let's just say I have some pretty bad hair days in my past. Molly was my american girl doll of choice, I had all of her book and her wardrobe collection. Santa never did bring me a look alike outfit, although I asked every year for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI like it! I've had short hair for most of my (very long) adult life. Then when I met my husband 6 years ago, he made a fleeting comment about loving long hair. So I grew mine - past my shoulders - longest I've had it in years. But recently I chopped it to a chinlength blunt cut - much easier and more age approriate at I round the corner to my late 50's.
ReplyDeleteI seriously LOVE your hair! It is hard to be brave, but you did it!!! I had Samantha - Jen had Kirstin - we're considering selling them on ebay. Is that dumb? Hmmm. If you find any good etsy headband shops let me know!!
ReplyDeleteI am way, WAY in love with the short 'do! If I didn't have crazy curls that would instantly turn into an afro, I'd be all over that myself. Your students' reactions are so funny. Andy's students get weird about when he shaves/doesn't shave or cuts his hair/doesn't cut it. And they're always asking him to wear his "Blues Clues shirt," which is just a blue-striped sweater that suddenly Andy really doesn't like anymore.
ReplyDeletei looooove your new do! i wish i had the courage, i have been considering it for a while but haven't had the guts to pull the trigger! and i LOLed about your American Girl books :)!! hahahaha
ReplyDeleteLove the new do. It fits your face to a "t". I could never pull off that look, I have a round face which means a big no-no. But seriously you look beautiful! Mandy
ReplyDeleteI've said it before, but I'll say it again - I love the short hair!! :)
ReplyDeleteThink back a few weeks when we met...I love saying that...and remember one of the first things I said to you? "You cut your hair!"
ReplyDeleteI had LONG hair from mid elementary through early married life. Then, in an effort to "look older"...gee, where have I just heard that?...I chopped it off. Then, I began the process of growing it out again. Funny how that happens. Now approaching 30 plus another still small number (for now), I am happy to look younger. After all, with an almost 11 year old, I can't exactly pass for 18 any more. Or can I? ;)
Love the reaction of your students. Lol.
Your hair looks super cute with those headbands. :) (And no, I never had an Amer. Girl doll. Annabella really wants one, but I cannot bring myself to pay over $100 for a doll!)
Dear Erin, on a late night as I read your beautiful stories about your students writings and their struggles, and your darling story about cutting your hair, I type with the realization that wearing a hoody does not cover the fact that I have lost most of my hair as a result of chemotherapy. My five sister's and I have teased each other about our crazy, nappy hair for !about 50 years! To wake up one morning and see a pile of that nappiness on your pillow is at first shocking then, believe it or not, it was freeing! I knew that God's hand was walking with me on this journey! For many years, I taught as a 4th grade teacher, and I wrote a grant to purchase about 200 copies of American Girl books! So,it warms my heart to see your adorable pictures with the symbols of women in American History. Priceless!
ReplyDeleteYou hair, Erin, is as sweet as you are and is a refletchen of what is in your heart....Your love of family, friends and especially those young girls at their desks in front of you. You are a role for each of them! I'm proud of you and God bless you on your journey!
kvalley@rochester.rr.com