Just a Little Heads-Up for Kay ...

You know how it is when the store where you buy your specific hair color is completely out of it? And you run around looking for your color at your backup source-stores, but it's nowhere to be found? And you know you could get it on line but it would be a minimum of two days to get it and you've already let your roots grow too long and you're looking pitiful, necessitating some remedial action right NOW?

And I know you know how it is when you've had a lovely glass of wine with dinner, and you and your husband have been talking about how, now that you're getting older, that you shouldn't stop taking risks or get into to too many life-ruts. Been there, right? So, you know how it is when you're getting tired of dinking around, looking for this one item and you decide to try another brand, thinking to yourself "how different could the same shade be?" And, as you grab a Light Auburn you know how you forget that your usual L'Oreal Preference brand tends to be more of a natural looking blend than the more fashion-forward intensity of L'Oreal Feria colors? Which you pick up in the Feria Power Red brand, 'cause you're now feeling a little adventurous?

So then, you know when you mix the color and your eyes bug out of your head at how much the mixed up color looks like very bright, cherry-red Jello ? And you know how, because you are 40 miles from another package of hair color, you slap the garish pink stuff on your head when you absolutely know better?

I hate it when that happens.

On the box, the color calls itself Rich Auburn True Red and adds the more jazzy Ruby Rush (yikes!) to the name, just for fun. Rush indeed. I should have believed them when they labeled it as part of their Power Reds collection. Anybody who has colored their own hair for awhile knows that these names are subjective at best and slapdash approximations at worst. It could have just as easily been called OMG Red! or WTF Auburn! or, to my eye, most accurately Freaking Hot Pomegranate Pink!

I cannot blame L'Oreal because I was warned.

I'm living with it until it fades, because, in truth, it's almost wearable. In natural or incandescent light, I could describe it as substantially and boldly brighter and edgier than my usual shade. However, under florescent bulbs, it still looks closer to a so-not-flattering dark hot-pink-on-the-purple side. (It's pinker than the photo shows. By quite a lot.)

I don't completely hate it, and it's not the most outrageous thing I've ever done to my hair. But the worst is knowing that when I go to get my hair cut this Wednesday, my always wise and kind and patient and adorable stylist, Kay, will fall down and bust a gut laughing at me. I just know she will. It just seems decent to give her a little warning. Hope I don't cause her a serious injury just before Thanksgiving.

Here I am with the loud hair, trying to distract you with how I've winterized an early fall look you saw HERE . A wide-collared faux leather jacket, a pair of sling-back booties, and my newish Olivia and Joy cobalt blue and black satchel (which I got on scandalously deep reduction at TJ Maxx ... they never disappoint) make for a more wintry interpretation of the basic sweater and ankle trousers. I'm pleased with this look.

And, of course, I don't hate it when that happens.

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Happy Thanksgiving to all here in the US, and have a lovely week wherever in the wide world this post finds you ... I'm thankful for every single one of you! (And especially for Kay and Salon Adorn!)

Speaking of being thankful, I'm joining the Vintagey Yet Thoroughly Modern Patti, impeccable host at her linky party, Visible Monday .I'm always grateful when I get to do that. Come see what all the fuss is about!

Late Breaking: Tardy for .Tardis Tuesday ... swinging over to the Starry Night Beauty,Maricel's link up.  You should come!