I’m still trying to figure out how it happened but I think it was a weird CrossFit and yoga connection that landed me at a photo shoot this morning for a new blow dry bar that’s opening in Charlotte soon. Let me start this post by saying I can’t believe the blow dry bar trend that’s taking off. We’ve had several open in Charlotte in the last few months and apparently there are more on the way. I LOVE the concept. You go in and have your hair washed and styled and you’re ready for a big business meeting, a night on the town, parties, etc. There’s no hair cutting or coloring involved…just styling. Given that I cannot do anything other than flat iron my hair or let it be naturally wavy, I would definitely visit one of these blow dry bars for special occasions. Seriously, I am incapable of styling and curling my hair. Someone help me. Tips please.

WARNING: there are more pictures of myself in this post than I think I’ve ever posted before. And my guy readers…you may want to skip this one after the workout part. 😛

Given that I had a photo shoot at 10 a.m. in which I would have my hair and make up done, I got my myself out of bed early and to the gym for a cardio/strength workout. I started with about 25 minutes on the treadmill with some sprint intervals thrown in and then moved into the following strength circuit:

20 back squats
10 pull ups
10 bosu push ups
10 weighted step ups (love, love, love)
25 bosu crunches

Three rounds got the job done. I’ve been much more into doing my own strength workouts lately than CrossFitting. I ebb and flow so much with CrossFit.

After my workout it was off to the salon where I rolled in, grabbed a coffee and started chatting with everyone there. I realized that the other girls there were from talent agencies and I was the sole un-model. When I was asked if I model full-time I laughed and said that it was a big deal that I was wearing jeans and not sweaty gym clothes on a Monday. I proceeded to spend a long time sitting in this chair having no fewer than 10 brushes and rollers piled onto my head in a mission for volume.

This was the first look they shot, which I loved and is very similar to something that I would wear in my day to day life. Basically, they gave me some volume at my roots and a little curl at the ends.

And this was the second look…lots more curl. I watched in awe as my stylist went to town with the curling iron. My left handed self just cannot figure out the art of perfect curling iron curls but I happily sported this look for the rest of the day. My evening CrossFit classes were like, “ummm there’s something different about your hair.” That would be that it was actually styled! 🙂

A huge thank you to Sarah Nelson Garcia who photographed the shoot and is opening the blow dry bar. She’s a Charlotte-based portrait photographer. Sarah is super friendly and makes you feel totally comfortable in front of the camera (portraits like this can be SO awkward!).

So there you have it…a post with lots of my hair. Stay tuned for more details about Sarah’s new business. Has the blow dry bar trend hit your city yet? Is it something you think you would treat yourself to on special occasions? I don’t know why I wouldn’t…it’s basically the same price as something like having your nails done and cheaper than a massage or facial.

I’ve got some amazing recipes coming at you later this week so stay tuned!