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 🙂 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 🙂
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.
Your new haircut looks great on you—very becoming! I’m sure you’ll get used to it in a few weeks!
I think I will.
You look absolutely stunning!
Thanks Beth. You’re so kind.
I’m with your stylist (and many others) in saying that your new cut is fantastic. Your beautiful EYES just pop! Fountain of youth, right there! Thanks for sharing your aging struggles. We all have them, so it’s helpful to commiserate. Cheers to a good week ahead!
You ladies are the best. They very best!
Like the new hair style! Put the Fair Isle dress on my “santa list.” I have fine hair and can’t get much of a lift even with the paste. It’s hard to find the right amount as too much flatens the hair and too little doesn’t do it!!! Have a great week.
Love the new haircut! I just had a layered short texturized Bob done and I have extremely fine thin hair. It looks so much thicker with the stacking. I dry it upside down and a a spritz of light hairspray some ruffling and it’s done. If I want to be fancy I can twist the strands with a straightening iron or use a hot brush ruffle it and heavier hairspray upside down and and it’s huge! So you can do a lot with a textured Bob! Just play with it.
Hello Jennifer and all: I use a custom made mouth guard to prevent grinding. I was also having a lot of pain during the day due to grinding. I highly recommend the mouth guard. It just fits over your upper teeth. I also use a mouth rinse called Biotene in the fresh mint flavor. This helps me cope more easily with the mouth guard which can make your mouth a little dry. The guards take some getting used to but totally worth it for me. If I have a night where I am really having trouble sleeping, I just take it out. Such a glamorous subject, but very important! I also have trouble with thinning gray hair that keeps going yellow. I use a purple shampoo about once every other week. It seems to help. I like your new cut too! Hang in there with your teeth, you will get to good again.
He’s going to make me a night guard when we’re through with the crowns. Very highly recommended. He insists!!
LOVE, LOVE,LOVE your new hair cut. It looks great on you. I hope you will come to like it as well.
I’m sure that I will. It always takes some time to get used to new cuts. Thanks Rory!
A great shampoo for gray/silver hair is Silver Expressions by Pantene. It used to be available all over and then they discontinued it. I guess there was such a hue and cry that they brought it back, but it is only available on Amazon now. I use it about twice a week. It really brightens up my hair. It leaves my ultra fine hair conditioned too, not all dried out like some purple shampoos. I like your new haircut. My hair is super fine and much thinner than yours, so I keep it in a funky pixie. I’m 75.
Funky pixie sounds adorable! Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out.
Ditto…..
Love the new do.
Looks much fuller.
Very flattering
Love your hair, feel your pain about the dental work, and good for you taking up an old hobby. I used to make jewelry; still have all the beads and tools and keep thinking that soon I will take it up again. You made me think about it, so I might just have to DO IT!
Yay!
Jennifer, if you are getting back into your hobby of knitting, I highly recommend you check out Knitted Knockers: https://www.knittedknockers.org/. I am a member of my local group, and we knit breast prostheses for women who have had mastectomies. Many cannot wear standard silicone prostheses, because they are heavy and hot, and can be hard on tender, post-surgery skin. On their website you will find yarn recommendations, instructions (print and video), and information on how to find a local group. Like you, I love the process of knitting! I also love making a difference for women who have had mastectomies. Knitted knockers are available free of charge to those who need them. Check it out!
I love your blog – and your new hairstyle. I appreciate the search to find the right look for yourself. You will find it!
Many ladies in my old knitting group were members of Knitted Knockers. Such a great organization!
I love your hair style. I know it takes times to get used to a different look. I have always had thin fine hair, and now that I’m 72 I can see my scalp. I have a very similar style , just some layers and bangs. I do color my hair as I look better as a brunette, with some highlights, I can never go blonde or gray…If i can recommend a product or two. Try Color Wow Carb Cocktail, it’s a very light gel to boost roots, a little goes a long way. I think it’s on Amazon, I partially dry my hair, then rub it into my roots and the ends of my hair. Also Rusk Thicker Mousse is really terrific.. everyone’s hair responds to different products, but I swear by these two….also love your Thanksgiving outfit……
Thanks, Nancy. The color WOW shine is awesome, I’ll pick up some of their Carb Cocktail (what a funny name)!
I love your new haircut! Ironically, I got the very same haircut last week and think it looks good, but I’d like more volume. I have all kinds of hair products, but find that using electric rollers is the best option to add oomph to my hair. As for knitting: for years I couldn’t watch TV unless I was knitting at the same time. But after my mother’s illness & death I completely lost the knitting bug and it’s never returned. Wish it would. But I do enjoy making little felt creatures. Whatever brings you joy – do it!
Thank you…so sorry about your mom. It does change everything, I know
Jennifer you will find your length “sweet spot”, but a form of bob is great for for thin, fine hair. (Just make it your own.) So many of us obsess about your hair because we are on the same journey. I have a cupboard full of products that I hoped would help, but are just meh. I just discovered Dry Bar 3 in 1 finishing spray and it is a little miracle in a can for me. Does not weigh down or gummy up the hair I also find I only have to use 6 quick sprays, 3 on top, flip my hair over and 3 more sprays.
I’ll try it!! Thanks
I love your haircut!!! I need to tell you and probably should have sooner but I found you quite by accident while watching another youtube video and your “I have fine, thinning hair and this is how I style it” video/tutorial. You shared great ideas and it has changed how I style my hair and how I think about new products – thank you so much! I used an Aveda volumizing product for 15 years probably but it seemed to no longer give me what I need and earlier this year tried their Invati Advanced. Now I’m using the new Rodan and Fields Volume+ product line and so far so good. Interestingly both companies are owned by Estee Lauder… The other thing have done was to stop using my velcro rollers which I decided were contributing to the breakage and now use a new set of hot rollers – thank you for that change too! Anyway, the hair cut is great, mine is similar but longer. I have a round face so I need to pay attention to the length to distract from the other changes on my face! hahaha…
I’ve needlepointed for 20+ years and took it up with ferver early 2020 during the start of Covid. I continue to take Zoom classes with a nationally known teacher and have been in the same class with 7 other fabulous women. Not having a Needlepoint store closer than 2+ hours away, this has saved me. I also knitted but I wasn’t nearly as proficient as you seem to be. Happy you found it again. I love Truckee, my sister lives there and I visit often! Have a great day!
I’m so glad you found us here, Leslie! Interesting about the velcro rollers because I’ve just switched to hot rollers, and hope that helps. I have a full face and square jaw, so the length of mine is really critical 🙂
Love the hair a real beautiful and flattering
improvement!
Thank you for sharing! It makes me feel less alone as a woman of a certain age 🙂 I get so much from your posts.
We are all in this together! That’s one of the things I love so much about my readers…they share and are smart cookies!
Great new hairstyle! I like the longer sides. I, too, have white hair which everyone likes but doesn’t want… it’s always “if only my hair was your color.” They want it to be white overnight. lol I used to have a “bob” but have decided that I like the longer sides of the bob but have kept the back quite short since I can then “fluff/buff” to get some height at the crown. Of course the hair spray I loved is no longer made so have to again use trial/error to find what will do the trick. I used a paste once/twice and didn’t like the feel. Great blog….keep writing about what we “older” ladies like to read; so informative.
I need to do something with my hair and really love your new style! My hair is silver and I don’t see any yellowing. Nonetheless I use natural purple shampoo every couple of weeks or so. It doesn’t take much and you can overdo it. Remember the blue-haired ladies when we were kids? Too much blueing. I also use a biotin shampoo a couple of times a week. Love the velvet leggins!
I remember the blue-haired ladies well and don’t want to be one.
I too love the new ‘do! I bought that HairMax headband when you posted it recently–I’ll comment after 6 months to see if it has made a difference. I use 5% minoxidil foam after I wash my hair–it helps but I should be applying it more frequently (I wash every other day) to meet the 2x/day expected. I’ve found Oribe dry texturizing spray ($$$) is the best for volume but I agree that too much product makes it feel sticky. Thinning hair has been a real focus for the last 10 years for me… so so frustrating!! Anyway clearly you are NOT alone!!
I use the 5% Rogaine liquid morning and night, whether I wash or not. The liquid doesn’t leave a residue at all so you might try it. Here’s how I apply it