Fashion Friday: Chop Chop and Beauty School

I took the plunge (for me) on Monday and cut my hair the shortest it has been since my junior year of high school, 13 long years ago. (Those of you who knew me then know why it has taken me so long to muster the cojones to do it again. A bad cut is scarring.) Your sweet comments gave me the last ounce of courage I needed to do it. So without further ado, here it is:

It's an angled cut, so it is longer in the front than it is in the back, which is awesome because it allows me to still pull it back into the world's tiniest ponytail. So no, it's not crazy short, but it feels that way to me. It's been a breeze to style so far, and I am really enjoying the change.

For those of you who are hair and makeup challenged like me, you have to check out Lauren Conrad's newish blog, The Beauty Department.

Yes, this is the same Lauren Conrad of Laguna Beach and The Hills fame. Confession time: I adore her! There are few women younger than me whose style I admire (I tend to look up to people older than me style-wise), but Lauren always looks perfectly polished and chic down to every detail, albeit still youthful. And as much as I used to love bad reality T.V., I also admire her for having parlayed what could have been 15 minutes of fame into a career as a fashion designer, young adult fiction writer - and now - blogger.

The best part of her blog are the hair and makeup tutorials that are so easy that even I, who until recently couldn't curl my own hair, can do. I have already done three of her tutorials with much success: the Get Catty, the Every Day Wave, and Ballerina Bun. Again, if I can do them, so can you. Check it out!

(All images via The Beauty Department, except the first one, of course!)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday Eye Candy and More Blogs to Love

What is it about Wednesdays? I always have grand plans for the posts I hope to blog about during the week, but if I write during the week instead of over the weekend, I am just too pooped by this point. So the I-am-in-a-pinch-and-just-need-something-to-post post is rapidly becoming a fixture: Wednesday Eye Candy. This gorgeous pic is from the newest issue of Rue.

I adore those blue/grey walls, the fun patterned prints, the splashes of persimmon, and the brass lamp that is a shinier version of one we currently have in our living room. Maybe this pic will even inspire me to polish it. I could do without the cowhide, but I would take all that lovely mid-century modern furniture in a heartbeat.

If just one pic is not enough to get you through this hump day, head on over to the following blogs that I have recently added to my "Blog Crushes" list:

Sara of Russet Street Reno has a wicked sense of humor, takes on inspiring projects, and has a keen eye for color. Her writing is so addictive, before you know it, you will have read through the past year of posts. You've been warned.

Michelle over at Ten June is no slouch either. Her home is an elegant and fresh take on the more traditional. Her blog had just undergone a facelift, and she is in the midst of a bathroom reno, so now is a great time to check her site out.

We're halfway there!

Monday and a Makeover

Don't know if you noticed, but the blog has a new look! I am thrilled with the finish product: the chevron and lattice patterns, the color palette, and the fonts. Erin from Designer Blogs executed my vision to perfection!

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She made sure I was completely happy with the design - even if it meant changing fonts three times. She responded to emails and my requests immediately, and the whole thing was completed in just under 5 days; it would have been less, but I held up the show because I wanted the design to marinate before I made any decisions. If you are ever considering a blog face lift, she is your gal!

As the blog makeover suggests, I am pretty serious about continuing Glam Granola as a space to share our successes - and pitfalls - as we embark on home ownership and attempt to update our first home. It allows me to share the ideas swirling around in my head, get feedback from you on whether I am heading in the right direction, as well as share recipes and fashion trends that keep my belly full and my heart a-flutter.

So (big deep breath as I put myself out there), if you are liking what you see over here at GG please leave me a comment, become a follower, or even spread the word. Because my favorite part of this blogging experience so far is hearing from all of you, and even meeting some virtual friends whose own blogs - and homes - I have been admiring for the better part of a year. I hope GG can be a space where these conversations continue! (Maybe even until we look like this?)

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Thanks for reading and being a part of this adventure with me!