Weddings - we do love a good wedding

Before I got married, I was all about weddings... could not get enough of them. More-so the fact that before I knew my husband would be my husband I had my wedding book filled with inspirations from color themes to locations. I even sketched my dress (thankfully I had the amazing Kosibah save me from myself).

I love hearing stories of how the couples met, their grand ideas for their big day and what they were looking forward to the most.

For me being in the brides room and being a part of her special day gives the most rewarding feeling ever (shout out to all our brides to date for trusting us to style them and get them ready). Whilst very emotional it can also be comical.

There are no two brides that are the same; you get the calm, cool collected bride and you get the wild fun can't seem to sit still kinda bride (I fell into the latter category - my make up artist - Elaine at  Shomya told me this repeatedly *face covered*). Yet what amazes me the most is how brides cope gracefully when things sorta go of course - as they do with weddings.

I had a bride a few years ago, who the night before her wedding received a call from the vicar that the church had flooded (deep breathe). She simply called me in the morning just as I was about to set out to her and said "take your time - no need to get here till later" confused I was like uh? At which point she explained what had happened and as such needed some more time to re-work logistics for the day. Luckily her reception venue had a licence for weddings and they simply had to contact all their guests and inform them of the new location and timing.  Things worked out beautifully in the end.

I also remember getting a call from a bride as I was pulling up at her location that she was having dress issues (I freaked thinking crap not the wedding dress!) alas it was her second dress so worst case scenario she would have just ended up staying in her wedding dress. Luckily order was restored thanks to a dutiful and diligent bridesmaid!

Which brings me to the topic of bridesmaids - it's not about you! So remember when your asked to be one be the best that you can be and support as best as you can and if you feel at any point that supporting and being called upon to run errands aren't your thing then gracefully decline the position. Nothing worse than a bridesmaid that thinks she's the bride.

Brides - no matter how tough it gets hang on tight because I promise you that at the end of the day all that will matter to you most is that you've said "I will" to the man of your choice and your about to begin your happily ever after. Chose the battles you fight during the preparations carefully and focus your energy on your marriage and making it the best! There are many happily married couples, who chose daily to work hard at a fulfilling and enriching marriage - make yours one of them.

Be original and do you... on that note enjoy the pics from one of our 2013 brides who went all out with creativity  - Creative Chemistry! Congrats Tori & Dan bridal party hair styled by us. Brides make up by Alison Cameron and Bridal party make up by - Beauty Boudoir


Happy wedding planning....
xoxo
AVOS

Coasting

I've been coasting and so have you!

When I started freelancing, I had a a lot to prove to myself and to everyone else. I have the skills combined with the passion to create hair styles for the day to day woman to edgy styles for fashion shows et al. I  soaked in as much as I could learning from various individuals who knew their craft and had their A game on. I created pieces, made hair my canvas and created styles that when even I finished I'd ask myself 'did I do that?' and I'd smile to myself knowing that I did.

Now I found over the past few years that I have not necessarily pushed or challenged myself as much as I did back then when it comes to creating edgy styles. Brings to memory an occasion when a friend was celebrating her birthday in Florence, Italy,  I was tasked with giving her a new hair style for her 21st. It was a four day trip, we got to our apartment late, unpacked and went out for dinner. We got back around 10pm. The rest of the group had gone to sleep around 11pm and so we began... she wanted a short bob style weave. I did the cane-rows (I always say this is the most critical part of a weave - if this is done wrongly then no matter how much you try the weave just wont look right- my opinion) and then sowed the extensions in place noting she wanted a short bob style. Then the art of cutting began (I didn't have the right scissors but somehow forged ahead - if memory serves me right we used a blade - am not a fan of blades).


I finished. she looked in the -mirror and said 'I like, but we can do more'. 'I want it edgy-ier' so she sat back down and I proceeded to give her edgy-ier. I'd say with a listening ear and willingness to deliver I gave her edgy-ier. She was happy and I was elated! I had pushed myself to deliver.

I look at my clientèle now and I find that most my clients are seeking styles that looks great on them and gives them that extra oomph.... Hopping and skipping their way through the day with the mantra "I look too good to be stressed" you know that feeling... The one you get when your hair is looking on point and your getting compliments from everyone... The one that gets the wolf whistles et al. Yea that feeling of euphoria and pure bliss... yes your hair can give you that (hence the millions women spend and are willing to spend). Whilst there is nothing wrong with this I try to encourage my clients to try something new, because if they do then am also pushing myself. Some of my clients I've had the pleasure of styling for over 5 years have this conversation with me... 'lets try something new' but on the day I hear 'I'd like the usual'.

In life we find something we are good at or like and tend to stick to it (bit too much sometimes it becomes mundane and boring!!) so every now and again it's good to try something new put the oomph back in your step! 

So like me if you find that you're stuck in a hair rot be brave! take that picture of the hair style you've been admiring for weeks (or years as the case maybe) to your stylist and follow through. Get that style done and walk out with a new found sense of freedom. And if you don't like it then at least you can say I gave it a go (but my general tip before you do it to your own hair is - try it out with extensions first and see how you feel before taking the plunge especially when it comes to things like colouring / cutting).

as always...love your mane.

xoxo