June 9 09

I have been toying with the idea of dying my hair brown. or, you might say, returning to my natural hair color…whatever that might be. I have been highlighting my hair for so long (*sigh* my friends and I started experimenting with do-it-yourself hair color in high school…and I will never forgive myself for testing out a red color that came out a lovely shade of purple…three days BEFORE I took my senior pictures. awesome),ร‚ย  I can’t even remember what color it is.

oh yes I do. shit brown.

Thanks to the wonder of the old-school-ali box that sits at the back of the closet of my childhood bedroom, I have evidence. Horrific evidence. The box contains all the things I kept: my letters, my report cards, playbills from every single Broadway show I saw, yearbooks, English class essays, and of course, the pictures.

and because I enjoy nothing more than the self-mock – I mean, I am the one who pulled out the Joey Jeremiah hat and the perm – I bring you this.

Ali at camp, circa 1993.

elanaali

I don’t even know where to begin.

the bangs?

the brown penny loafers?

the farmer’s tan on my legs?

the shirt that looks like it would have fit my father?

OY.

oyoyoyoy.

and this particularly wtf shot. Ali at school. circa 1995:

wtf

the vest. the, once again, father-sized shirt. the one side braid. OH MY HELL.

but, can y’all stop laughing for five minutes and talk to me about my hair color?

seriously. stop laughing.

I’m thinking something Rachel Bilson-esque.

bilson

what do you think? Can you dig it? (Whoorl, I NEED YOU!)

1haire

Seriously, you guys. STOP LAUGHING.

divider1

How about if I bribe you? Will that work?

will-dailey-torrent

I have a guest post up at Daily Grommet today, where I talk about my love of finding new music through blogs and sites like lastfm and, a lot of the time, through recommendations. Now, I’ll be honest up front and tell you that I knew NOTHING about Will Dailey (other than his not being very hard on the eyes). So, I did a little digging. and found this:

and listened to it.

several times.

and you guys, it’s GOOD.

and his new album, Torrent, Volumes 1 & 2, is being released today. And the good folks at Daily Grommet have given me a copy to give to one of you. Torrent, an unconventional album being released in stages, is an ongoing project. He calls this a “conversation between artist and audience,” and Will releases songs as they’re completed instead of waiting for them all to be done before putting out the album which can take up to 2 years.

your comment on this post = a chance to win this cd. If you want another chance to win, you can go on over to Daily Grommet and enter over there too.

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  1. Something about Rachel Bilson’s eyebrows make me feel like she looks like a Wookiee.

    Comment by Avitable on June 9, 2009
  2. Oh I love when you post old pics. I always like a good belly laugh.

    The brown? You would fucking own it. Everything else on you is fabulous, why wouldn’t this be?

    Comment by Miss on June 9, 2009
  3. You’re a stronger woman than me to pull out those pics. I totally ROCKED the rolled up levis though.

    Teris last blog post..On the Street Where You Live

    Comment by Teri on June 9, 2009
  4. If anyone can do the Rachel Bilson look, it’s you. I believe in you!:)

    Comment by Kaleigha on June 9, 2009
  5. Loving the side braid! I also love the Friday at camp pictures! Gotta love the good ole days!

    Comment by Arica Saltzman on June 9, 2009
  6. Ali, go dark, go dark! I think your hair would look AMAZING darker. So, clearly I vote “yes!” for the Rachel Bilson look.

    Also, I’m totally excited to listen to this guy’s album. Three cheers! for new music that doesn’t suck.

    Comment by Kerri Anne on June 9, 2009
  7. You could totally pull it off. Give it a shot.

    Comment by Chris on June 9, 2009
  8. Of course you can pull it off. You will enjoy the added benefit of not having to colour your hair all the time. I found it very shocking when I went back to brown, but I’m happy.

    Comment by Heather on June 9, 2009
  9. Laughing out loud at Becca’s Bulls jersey and your vest. Fabulous!

    Comment by Brie on June 9, 2009
  10. I think you could totally rock the brunette look – just be sure to get a few wispy blond highlights around your face so it’s not too harsh.

    Comment by hillary on June 9, 2009
  11. i’ve highlighted my hair since hs too, just took the plunge in jan to go back(?) to brown. it took a little getting used to, but now i like it.
    http://thisismethisismyblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/took-plunge.html

    just mes last blog post..one more trip to medical

    Comment by just me on June 9, 2009
  12. Yes, go for it! It will be gorgeous and if you don’t like it, just dye it back. It will be great, though!

    Comment by Sarah on June 9, 2009
  13. You would totally rock it! But clearly you’re just trying to be like me and go from blonde to brown. ๐Ÿ™‚

    The only thing is, if you want to get away from dyeing your hair all the time, is pick something close to your natural color. Mine is not. And my roots grow in light, making it look GREY, so I I still color it every 8-10 weeks.

    Although, one color is much cheaper than highlights, which is nice.

    Comment by Kristabella on June 9, 2009
  14. I can dig it. I think you’d look good with brown hair.

    Comment by mamatulip on June 9, 2009
  15. I had an unfortunate self-proclaimed (and dyed) redhead incident. I looked like a grim tomato.

    Mooses last blog post..For My Next Trick, I Will Walk on Water

    Comment by Moose on June 9, 2009
  16. Ah, yes, the dad’s shirts. Our folks lucked out — we were completely covered up. We have to worry that our kids are bare-midriffed, mini-skirted, and half-naked.
    Way to go, Brit-Brit…

    Anyway, I also vote “go for it”. You will smoke it. Totally. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Love your Old School Ali pics and memories. Looking forward to more. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Comment by Nenette on June 9, 2009
  17. Browns can have fun too! And I was Juuust thinking that I need some new music. Thanks for the help!

    Comment by suzanne on June 9, 2009
  18. I say try the brown! I’m excited to see the turnout.

    Also. I can’t win the contest, but I have to say that he is awfully yummy.

    Comment by Angella on June 9, 2009
  19. I *actually* wore my father’s shirts in high-school. However it was the 80’s and you know “What happens in the 80s stays in the 80s”. Damn I blew it again.

    Your hair is awesomely beautiful. Of course, I’m a little biased, because it looks like mine. Y’know if mine were awesomely beautiful and not all poofy from humidity.

    Brown would work very well too. Just don’t try too hard to be that scary demon-looking lady above you. Don’t make your eyes glow. That’s not a good look (unless you’re a demon-guy) (or that’s what you’re into) (but I don’t get the impression it is).

    harmzies last blog post..I’m Totally (Not) Going to Blogher!!!

    Comment by harmzie on June 9, 2009
  20. You would still look great with dark hair. Go for it! At least your old school pics don’t include ugly Catholic plaid blue uniforms in the classic bib-skirt style. I hated those uniforms!

    Mollie Hubenaks last blog post..Grace in Small Things #15

    Comment by Mollie Hubenak on June 9, 2009
  21. change is always a good thing. give it a try. not like you can’t go back. i love rachel. her clothing style especially!

    Comment by sweet cheek's mom on June 9, 2009
  22. Go for it. I think you would look great with darker hair.

    Comment by Chantal on June 9, 2009
  23. Dont make me pull out my yeshiva pictures as well. All I can say is: oversized clothes AND jewfro.

    mayas last blog post..The Sabbath Lights

    Comment by maya on June 9, 2009
  24. I’ve always thought of your hair as mixed (i.e. not totally blonde), so I think you could pull it off.

    Comment by SciFi Dad on June 9, 2009
  25. I think the brown would look great on you! Do it do it!

    Comment by Sensibly Sassy on June 9, 2009
  26. Anyone fearless enough to post old hairdo photos can own any look they want! Go for the dark brown, you’ll look fanastic!

    Comment by lotuslandmom on June 9, 2009
  27. I too have the shit-brown natural hair colour and go for the highlights.

    I say yes! try it! my only warning is that when your hair is already highlighted, trying to go a warm golden brown can come out very auburn. I speak from experience! Make sure your colourist knows exactly what you’re looking for!

    Juliennes last blog post..Weekend update รขโ‚ฌโ€œ bullet style.

    Comment by Julienne on June 9, 2009
  28. Ha–Avitable made me laugh with the Wookie comment!

    Comment by Heather on June 9, 2009
  29. If you can dig it, I can dig it; but yeah, starting from blonde, go a BIT darker than you’d like, less red tones… and it’ll work.

    Comment by Mari on June 9, 2009
  30. I think that you would look FANTASTIC. Do it. Own it.

    Comment by Corina on June 9, 2009
  31. Ali at camp and Ali at school are SO CUTE! I think you’d look AWESOME as a brunette. Beautiful…. GO FOR IT!

    Comment by Haley-O on June 9, 2009
  32. Come over to the dark side, Ali. It could complete your new begining.

    Comment by Tamara on June 9, 2009
  33. Be happy: you get to be one of those women who goes back to her high school reunions and destroys self-esteems. (And you should totally go darker. Not that my opinion counts or anything, I’m just saying.)

    Comment by MonsteRawr on June 10, 2009
  34. OMG the sock tan!!! LMFAO. That’s bad!

    I have a picture with me wearing a white and brown striped dress shirt with a brown vest. HAWT.

    You? HOT!!

    Comment by sam {temptingmama} on June 10, 2009
  35. The worst part about the dad-sized shirts we rocked back in the day was the tucking and blousing. WHY THE TUCKING AND BLOUSING??

    I think you’d look AMAZING with chocolate brown, Rachel Bilson-esque hair. I hope you do it!

    Comment by metalia on June 10, 2009
  36. I love a rich brown.

    I love new-to-me music even more though!

    Comment by i.e. on June 10, 2009
  37. Ali you would rock brown hair! you would look so awesome…that was a nice song i love checking out new music…

    Comment by LAVENDULA on June 10, 2009
  38. Picture #1 – I will never forget the tan on your feet after wearing your Naot 24/7
    Picture #2 – you look like SUCH a ploygamist

    Comment by Pnina on June 10, 2009
  39. and by that I mean POLYGAMIST

    Comment by Pnina on June 10, 2009
  40. I think you’d rock the brunette thing.

    The sock tan? Notsomuch.

    xo

    Comment by Chicky Chicky Baby on June 10, 2009
  41. Loving the color you’re thinking of – one thing of advice: Because your hair is already so light and to go that many shades darker, it will take a few trips, and it will wash out more quickly at first. But, if you need a recommendation, I have a FABULOUS stylist/colorist in town that I know you would love. She’s been doing my hair since I moved to the ATL and has become one of my closest friends.

    Comment by Darcey on June 10, 2009
  42. I can’t win the contest, either, but I have to say your blog is supercalifragi-awesome. And the one-side braid…well, I rocked it in the 80s. God, I must be much older than you. Oh, to look so good with any color of hair!

    Comment by Barbara on June 10, 2009
  43. well i left my box of old rayli stuff at my mom’s house and guess what? she looked through it and worse…. READ THROUGH IT!!!! She called me up one day last year and said, “I didn’t know that you…..” Um mom…. just don’t go there.

    Comment by rayli on June 10, 2009
  44. by the way, the academy pic… hilarious!

    Comment by rayli on June 10, 2009
  45. You’d be a hot brunette. Bet you’d be hot enough to carry off that farmer’s tan again ;).

    Karen MEGs last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Mraz much?

    Comment by Karen MEG on June 11, 2009
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