Enter Autumn with a BANG! Literally...The first installment of Leah's Hair Stories!

Hi Y'All! It's Leah...with a little hair story for you.....hope you like it!! I'll try to keep 'em short...NO PUN INTENDED...Sort of! :)

Ashley A., a long-time "New-Leafer" ....(love when Courtney uses that term on this blog....hee hee) came into the salon a couple of weeks ago completely bored with her haircut but didn't want to change too much.

What did I suggest? Some bangs. Bangs you say? Yes.....bangs. The latest trends in bangs or fringe are not your typical 3rd grade-school-picture bangs....they aren't your "oops, I cut them myself, time to invest in some bobbi-pins bangs".....they aren't your "what was I thinking!?!" bangs.....and they are NOT your worst nightmare, but merely a way to change your cut/style without plunging too deep.

They're a good fix for some of you who may be stuck in a rut but are trying to get some length on your locks. Really. You don't have to go too short, and you don't have to have them so long so you're not able to see!

You can find your "happy medium" just by talking with your stylist (as Ashley did with me and the gals in the salon) and finding out what best suits your face-shape and your lifestyle!

So forget the "big bang theory" (there's that pun again). Bangs aren't as scary as you might think......Check out some of the glam shots of Ashley's new fringe.....

Side-swept and ready to go! Not too long, not too short...The perfect pick-me-up for your hair. YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Bel Mer-gical!

Melissa Paquette is a Bristol bride who felt pretty lucky when she awoke to see her wedding day ahead. You see, her wedding was at Belle Mer, a magical, swanky venue in Newport, RI. It's Miami chic meets Newport. Check out these photo's, courtesy of Snap!

The Island House...

Check out those chandeliers and the dramatic fireplace...

What!?! A fire pit on the water overlooking the bridge? Yes, please.

Oh, and finish off your evening with smooching in a cabana...

not too shabby.

Okay, back to Melissa at New Leaf...

Melissa had a this amazing thick, shiny, chocolate-y hair which Pam had the pleasure of doing.

Amy putting the finishing touches on Melissa's sister...

Melissa's bridesmaids all had incredibly thick hair.

Here is Jenn doing Effie's curly do'.

I love this bohemian style...and don't her highlights look perfect all swept back?

SO natural and soft....

Here is Effie's hair creation, courtesy of Jenn.

Okay, so I am cheating a bit here on the blog. When Pam and Amy did Melissa's trial, we got to see the veil and sparkly comb piece.

Melissa was going to put the veil on after she put on her dress so she didn't have it with her. This is Melissa's trial photo but I knew you'd want to see her veil.

Not all cheating is bad.

Okay, now here is the real deal. Love the hair

(and the yellow shirt...I have a thing for bright colors).

Melissa and her entourage before they head off to Belle Mer!

Thanks Melissa for choosing New Leaf for your wedding day. We hope we made your 8 am wake up call a little easier with some pampering.

Congratulations!!!

In New Leaf We Trust

We have been blessed this weekend with New Leaf-ers! And what a spectacular weekend for our faithful brides.

Julia Sullivan has been one of Pam's clients for quite some time. Needless to say, we were really excited when she booked her wedding last year. Julia is a total sweetheart who just so happens to live right around the corner so we get to see her pretty often.

Julia came in with her mom and 3 bridesmaids. I think it's nice when brides include their moms. Or should I say it's nice when brides' moms want to be included. Many times, moms know exactly how they like their hair and have been going to their own stylists for years and years.

We know it's hard to put trust in a stylist you just met. I say trust because brides and their wedding parties come to New Leaf to look and feel good. If you don't look good (or feel like it anyway), you don't feel good.

We totally get it.

I bet Julia's mom is pretty happy she trusted her hair in New Leaf's hands...

Here is one of Julia's bridesmaids...

So pretty...

Can you believe someone can look this pretty without any make up?

Julia does.

I am in awe of Pam's smooth chignon....

I LOVE these flowers!

That is a trend that we never want to see go out of style.

I wonder if people said that in the 80's when lacy veils and curled bangs were "in"...

Don't worry Julia, you are a classic with this incredible timeless style.

Our congrats to Julia...we can't wait to see pictures and are so happy we get to see you for years to come. Thanks for choosing New Leaf!

Radiantly Rossi

Jennifer Rossi has been another faithful New Leaf-er since 2006 so we were ecstatic when she got engaged last year. Actually, her sister Elizabeth, another New Leaf-er got married in 2007 in Newport and we did her hair too!

Jennifer is just an all around amazing person. She radiates beauty on the inside and out and is always smiling. Her husband is a lucky man (but I bet he knows that).

Speaking of Jen's sweetness, she had a limo pick up all 8 of her girls to bring them from Newport to Bristol in style. SO fun, right?

Jennifer's wedding was at Oceancliff and the weather was total perfection. Seventy degrees, a mix of sun and clouds, pretty much the day every bride dreams about. Plus, the sunset that evening was to die for!

I love this photo because Jen is your typical bride...drinking a mimosa while on her iPhone. One must never be disconnected, even on her wedding day. Jen works in California and comes back home to Bristol on the weekends...well, to have her hair done, of course:o)

You know the old adage..."something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". Her "borrowed" was hilarious--it was hair extensions!

Elizabeth wore the extensions in 2007 and Jen needed some 'oomph' to her curls. Hey, why not? What was even better was they matched perfectly. Now that's sisterly love.

Jenn's work of art (our Jenn, not bride Jen:o)


Amy waving her magic wand of beauty...

Pam styling away...

There's Leah and Elizabeth, recreating Liz's wedding day 2 years ago...

Leah was able to create tons of volume and curl without her beloved extensions.

Besides, Liz knows how to share...

Another one of Jenn's creations...

Jennifer's bridemaids before leaving New Leaf...

Aren't Liz and Jen so pretty?

Jen has cheekbones to die for...Leah also made her eyes look dramatic without being overdone...of course, with the help of a few individual lashes!

Here I am 'veiling' Jen while giving a 'how to' lesson on taking it out after the first dance.

Gentle hands are a must!

Okay, so we all have our 'styling faces'. You know what I mean. It's that face you make after your hair and make up is all done and you are checking yourself out one last time.
Here is Jen's styling face..she approves!

Jen was 'going for it' as a bride, with the blusher and all. We can't wait to see pictures--she promised she'd bring them!

Thanks to Jennifer and all her girls. We had so much fun and you were, as always, a JOY to be around on your wedding day.

Congratulations and a huge THANK YOU!

1920's Glamazon

When Sarah Disano first came to New Leaf for her trial, she wanted to look unique on her wedding day. We love when brides say that because that means we really get to challenge our skills.

Sarah wanted to go for a 1920's style. She showed Pam these images

(which look a lot like Scarlett Johansson, but we couldn't be sure)...

Can you get any more glamorous???

Pam knew it was time to dust off her finger waving and pincurl skills from hairdressing school. Our teachers always told us the 1920's look would come back as we'd grumble and practice the style begrudgingly.

Pam pinning and curling...

When Sarah first came in, her hair was much shorter which was really challenging. Pam asked her to grow her hair and it sure paid off.

Jamie Evenson working hard...

Jamie Rego also working away (yes, we have 2 Jamie's...and 2 Jennifer's...and 2 Amy's...we just call out a name and at least one person will answer).

Here is Sarah's work in progress....

(and check out the incredible SPREAD of food behind her...it was the best we have ever seen! Because Sarah is both glamorous and polite, she offered us some treats but we had hair to create!)

Sarah was such a good sport about this picture.

We just had to blog the 'process' on this style--it was too fun to pass up!

Notice the long weft of hair I am wrapping in the background. Sarah's bridesmaid's hair was short and she wanted a full chignon...

Ask and you shall receive.

It's not all about the bride, you know... At New Leaf, we make sure everyone in the wedding party feels the bride...but never looks like her;-)

And the transformation is complete!

Pam did an incredible job...this style just fits Sarah so well.

Doesn't she just have the perfect neckline for this?

Is it 2009 or 1920? We NEED to see the dress she wore!

It looks exactly like the picture (well, minus the platinum hair).

Love this shot. Love this style.

Thanks so much to Sarah and her girls. Pam loved creating your fabulous look and we are dying to see your 'after'!

Congratulations from New Leaf.

New Leaf Girls Go Hollywood!

We knew it was only a matter of time before New Leaf would be 'discovered'. Well...not really. Let me explain....

A year and a half ago, Floridians Michelle Cassidy and John Bannon decided to tie the knot in Newport, RI. Little did they know that they would find themselves being filmed for a network television series on WEtv called "Platinum Weddings". It's basically a show about really fancy weddings.

Please don't confuse this show with Bridezillas (although that show is a fantastic car wreck kind of reality programming). Michelle was nothing like those brides...she was sweet, down-to-earth, and incredibly easy-going. Oh, and beautiful.

Pressure? Nah..we make sure all of our brides always look perfect. The secret stress was actually worrying about us being filmed...after a day of working, we don't always look 'camera ready':o) It's not about us for heaven's sake, we are worried about the wedding party!

With the help of Raina from Raina Dawn Events, we organized a schedule that would allow us to beautify all Michelle's ladies at the Viking Hotel in Newport.

Leah, Ashley and I (Courtney) arrived at 8 am sharp, styling tools in hand.

Imagine your nerves on your wedding day...

Now add a sound person, a producer and an assistant interviewing you. I give Michelle a lot of credit for remaining so calm!

Here is Leah styling Michelle...

And a sampling of some of the styles we created...

I love Ashley's rockstar meets elegant bridesmaid creation. Michelle's bridesmaid was feeling pretty hot!

I love how all Ashley's styles are so different. Sometimes asymmetrical updos can look bare on one side...but not this one!

With an added rope braid effect.

I wish I took a picture of her 'before'--it was a chin length bob!

Michelle's maid of honor went for a Lauren Conrad inspired style...

Michelle's hair was just past her shoulders but Leah added extensions for length and thickness.

And the back...

I (Snap!)ped a quick picture of our friend Mariah who recommended us to Raina and Michelle.

She was laying in a very uncompromising position on the bed to get a shot of Michelle's gown...hey, anything for a unique angle!

And now this is when this blog gets MUCH better...

Mariah gave us the thumbs up to post some of her photos...she was probably really thinking 'hallelujah, these girls could use a little help!'

Here is Mariah's shot of the gown...Dreamy.

Something blue from her bridemaids...

Michelle's mom and dad helping her put on her necklace...

How romantic is her hairstyle?

Walking down the aisle with her hair peeking through that incredible veil!

Here's something our blog-followers don't to see too often...the GROOM!

I think this is always my favorite wedding shot...it's such real emotion.

Are these photos incredible or what? Love the vintage feel.

The girls looking all glamorous...

Ashley got to stay and hang with the crew all day for touch-ups (which we offer as an added service for all wedding parties) . It was a good idea on Michelle's part since the hot and humid day started at 8 am and finished the next at 1 am!

Perfect.

After all the formals, Ashley changed Michelle's hairstyle to complement the different one-shoulder accessory. As Mariah says, she looks like an angel:o)

To see more of Michelle and John's Platinum Wedding, check out the Snap! blog. Make sure to check out all the 'Parts'!!

Congratulations to Michelle and John and as always, thanks for choosing New Leaf! Also a special thanks to Raina and to Mariah for hooking us up with the photos!!

FYI, the episode won't air until next spring...I guess that's how it works in Hollywood! We'll keep you 'post'-ed (sorry for the bad pun on blogging)!

Stay tuned...