Nashville Flood 2010

Well...where do I start. I haven't posted lately due to the fact that exactly one month ago today my home was part of the 2010 Nashville flood. This was one of Tennessee's largest natural disasters in history. The devastation was mind blowing. No One could have predicted the amount of damage that this flood brought to Nashville and all the surrounding counties. And even though I lost plenty, there are others who lost so much more. So please, everyone, PRAY for ALL the counties in Tennessee affected by this disaster for swift resolution and peace of mind. I haven't been able to venture too far from my own neighborhood to take pictures and talk with other people because everyday is consumed with endless phone calls, lots of cleaning and quick decisions. The end of the day comes so quick. It only seems like a week ago that the flood took place not a month but at 7:30am Sunday May 2nd, my life along with thousands of others changed forever. And by that afternoon Jeff, myself, and two cats in a duffle bag were rescued by climbing into a boat out of a second story bedroom window, an event I hope to never repeat.

Following are some photos starting with the flood approaching, the first entry into the home after the flood, to demolition and dry out. There are so so many people to thank at this point for helping with so many things. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the help I have received from everyone in my life and from others who don't even know me. I'm not sure I can ever thank everyone enough but I'm certainly going to try:)

Lash Extensions

Since eyelash extensions have been gaining in popularity over the past several years, I figured a blog posting about my journey was in order. I myself have been providing this service for about a year and a half and I must say that it was one of the hardest to find solid footing. First off, it's TEDIOUS!!! Training your fingers to be steady and move in very small increments was enough some days to make you want to throw your tweezers on the ground and head straight for the nearest bar...haha...just kidding. Seriously though, it was that frustrating at times. But thanks to my friends, they kept me on track(only because they were my test subjects and by this time they had become so addicted they would have told me anything to keep me going...just so they could get their "lash fix"...just kidding guys). So here I am ...totally loving this new service and thankful I stuck it out because now I get to see the amazing transformation that takes place not only from my end, the artists perspective, but from my clients who exhibit increased confidence in how they look. And, anytime you can make someone feel good about how they look is Super Duper gratifying:) So, take a peek below at some of my before and after pictures and see the transformation for yourself. And...btw...the lash company I trained with was Xtreme Lashes they are the best, best, best:)

The Hair Chronicles

Since I am in the business of transformation, I thought it would be fun to do a timeline of myself...to see just how much I've changed over the years. The first couple of pictures are pretty innocent, sweet:) And then...Hello...perm central. My mother was a master at giving me the finest curls that this time period had to offer and I was a master in teasing the you know what out of it. Haha...I really truly thought I was styling. Then I went to college and realized there was no place for my big hair and went the opposite direction with straight bleach blonde neon hair(plus it was said at the time to be a UT cheerleader you had to have blonde hair, pretty sure this was just a myth but I totally took it seriously). My friend and I would go to the store and buy the same box of blonde and we would color each others hair every 3 or 4 weeks...that is until our hair got so out of control with color bands after each application that we finally succumbed to getting a professional to fix it. From there, I let it grow back out and kept my natural color as you can see in the next pictures with my sister and our "brotha". One even has me sporting my natural curls(as I do have natural wavy hair...a style that I seldom wear). I guess I was having separation anxiety from the blonde and totally ran back for the box in the next couple of pictures...but not without a temporary detour as a red head. Woohoo...was that fun. I totally let my feisty side rear up with this hair color...and...totally got away with it. I finally settled on the Neapolitan Ice Cream look. I was known as the girl with pink hair and wore that title proudly for 5 or 6 years until I realized I was frying the crap out of my hair. So, I decided that something more exotic was in order...the last picture is the result and there is where my hair journey has halted. I'm going on 5 years with this persona and we're nearing the mark for a possible shift. We'll see. I'm actually quite happy with my current color and style...so I think I'll stay here a little while longer but you never know. It's a girl's prerogative to change her mind on a whim and with me working in such a creative environment, I'm sure holding out is going to be that much harder:)

Behind the Scenes

Hey guys, take a look at the Behind the Scenes making of Coldwater Janes music video Bring on the Love. It chronicles the many adventures the day brought and gives the audience a chance to see what actually goes into making a music video. Kevin Wildt did an awesome job at compiling all the footage and presenting a kick butt final product. I know the girls and crew had a blast and the video gives everyone a chance to see us all in action. Enjoy!!!:)

Divas Nashvegas

Once again, I was perusing through my photos and came across a picture of myself with Wynonna and Patti LaBelle. It was taken at the 2007 Divas Nashvegas presented by The Oasis Center. I think more than anything what strikes me about this photo is the fact that I'm smiling. I'm so used to over the years being on photo shoots where its like "chin down and out tilt head to the side and smirk kinda like a model look" that I feel I've absorbed this method as my own personal photo stance, so to see a picture of me smiling is both funny and refreshing. I think I'll go back to smiling occasionally but there's just something about smirking that makes a girl feel Sassy...hehehe:)

Coldwater Jane's "Bring on the Love" Music Video

OK everyone...here we go...drumroll please...here's Coldwater Jane's first music video for their single "Bring on the Love". I am so excited!!! It turned out beautiful. TackleBox Films is responsible for producing the video and Director Shaun Silva and his team did an amazing job. Again, the Glam crew was Styling Claudia Fowler, Hair Darryl Bowslaugh, and Makeup Angela Cay Hall. Check out their website for updates and news concerning their progress and please, please, please go to iTunes and purchase their song:)

Coldwater Jane...Country Music Weekly

Country Music Weekly gave Coldwater Jane a nod for their annual HOT LIST of artists on the rise for 2010. YAY...check it out:)

Coldwater Jane Video Shoot

Just got back from California shooting Coldwater Janes video for their first single "Bring On the Love" which you can purchase on iTunes...so go straight there and buy it. You're going to LOVE IT:) Shaun Silva from Tacklebox Films directed the video, Claudia Fowler owner of Haven: Sanctuary of Style in Franklin(check out her link to the right) styled the clothes and jewelry, Darryl Bowslaugh from Escape Spa styled hair and I styled their make-up. We shot the video on Salvation Mountain created by Leonard Knight. This mountain is his tribute to God and the world with the message of "God Is Love." Be sure to watch the video when it comes out to get a peek of Leonard dancing with the girls. The whole experience was a blast and we all had so much fun. I am so grateful to have been part of an amazing team of talented people coming together to help Brandon and Leah introduce Coldwater Jane to the country music fans. Thanks guys...You Rock!!!!!xoxo