and the award goes to...

I'm not saying it was the best night of my life. But when I was handed the 2.99 dollar skeleton award last night in front of all the other worthy winning costumes....I just...took a second and let a good sigh out. A sigh filled with joy and flatterness. Yes, yes I did just make that word up. It came from the root word "flattered". Thats what I was all night, walking around smiling for the camera's that were being held by some what tipsy attendees that thought I was just the coolest thing. Flattered. I felt a sense of accomplishment. As if I just fulfilled my life purpose. I had so much support, like I was back in my own turf and I knew all those people who cheered for me. Like...like we were friends. Friends.

Pictures to come.

Pomegranates

are oh so good...

I miss him

I know he misses me too...

We would play in my little 2 square foot yard together...its so lonely without him...

Robbie liked him too i guess. Pff, always trying to steal the spotlight.

I miss our cuddle sessions...and his obnoxious noises he made only at night while I was sleeping.

We would go on small little walks together and talk about life. He always found it interesting.

It was a little cold so we wrapped him up. He asked me to...I swear.

The wind was too strong for the little guy...

After our walks we would stop and take random regal pictures of Jimmy. Mainly so I wont forget how he looks like.

Amy, go to the beach again for goodness sakes! I mean...go have fun and soak up the sun and of course feel free to leave little Jimmy Choo with me again :)

Breast Cancer Lori Johnson Foundation

Hello Ladies of Birmingham! Morgan Ashley Studio Salon is having a little fundraiser today and tomorrow! we will be giving free blow outs for your donations! All day today until 7 tonight and tomorrow until 5.

Here is Lorie's Story (written by Lorie in March 2008): My name is Lorie Johnson and I have metastatic breast cancer.  I was 6 months pregnant with our 2nd son when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I endured a lumpectomy and 3 rounds of chemotherapy while pregnant. My precious son was taken @ 35 weeks so I could continue my treatments. I'm elated to say, after 2 weeks in NICU, Zachary a year old and doing great.  I've now completed chemotherapy, a simple mastectomy and radiation. Unfortunately, my story doesn't end as victoriously as I had hoped. I was deemed CANCER FREE after my surgeries and chemo treatments. Radiation was just preventative treatment. During my 3rd week of radiation, my doctor noticed something not quite right with my skin. A biopsy and another series of test were done only to discover the cancer was back and in my lungs. I was told it was incurable. I do not accept this as an answer. I have two pre-school age children.  God has not carried me this far only to leave me now. He is the only one who can tell me when it's my time and I know He will walk me through this fire. I have some incredible people rallying around me. I am currently undergoing treatment @ MD Anderson in Houston. Please pray for me and my family as we continue this journey God has placed us on. We love each and everyone of you and thank you for your constant prayers.

Lorie use to be a client here, unfortunately Lorie passed away In January 2009. But her legacy still lives on with The Lorie Johnson Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to assist women who have been diagnosed with cancer through education, awareness, active fundraising, and financial support for medical bills, living expenses, and travel. So come and help out by getting your free blow out and donating what you can!

[This Foundation has continued to pay expenses for a 34 year old with breast cancer; a 72 year old woman from Cullman, Alabama who needed help with travel expenses getting to her chemotherapy treatments; a single woman from Colorado whose insurance only covered 80% of her medical bills; a 3 year old from Birmingham, Alabama who is battling leukemia; a 61 year old whose disability payments were being delayed by the application process; a 31 year old who has been diagnosed with cancer in her liver; and a 41 year old in Sylacauga who has colin cancer.]  

We welcome walk ins today, but its better to call...we're filling up! 

205.995.2480

Morgan Ashley Studio Salon

7350 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Alabama

a southern tea

This past sunday the salon hosted a Tea for one of our stylist Evan, who's getting married November 7th! A Tea is something new to me...for you westerners, the difference i think between a shower and a tea is that you are free to come and go as you please between the hours that were given to you on the invitation. Also, Evan didn't open her gifts, we the hostess did and displayed them on the tables. She was free to mingle and greet and just be. Its basically a more laid back version of a bridal shower. Which I totally love!  Did I get that correct southerners?  

Meet Evan:

Shelley, our wonderful salon manager/michael scott of our salon was one of the masterminds behind decorating the Tea

I love owls!

Best punch you will ever taste right here.

These things were the best thing i've ever put in my mouth. Ever. Mozzarella baby tomatoes and basil? YUM!

Molly, me, Beth, and Lindsay

We wish you the very best Evan and Tyler!

Have a wonderful Monday :)

Dear Amy

Jimmy is doing wonderful. He misses you thou. He said he can't wait until you come home to pick him up! So much that he wanted to leave you a little note:

"Hey mom! Hope you're having fun at the beach with all your friends...I thought I was your friend so I thought I would come too but Aunti Jojo told me I wouldn't like the sand anyways."

"I went poop a lot. Aunti Jojo said It was a big one!"

"I cuddled with her a lot, she has great hair so I put my paws in her hair and made it ALLLL knotted up and then I licked it"

"Aunti Jojo said I snored a little too loud so she said that If I slept in the living room instead I would get to pee on the neighbors plants...what a treat!!"

"I know I look really depressed here in this picture...but really, I'm having so much fun here! Aunti Jojo lets me eat off the dinner table!"

Just kidding Amy :)

Marcel the shell with shoes on

I thought this might be something that can brighten up your day....

I found this on a fellow bloggers page, Laura and thought it was the FUNNIEST cutest thing in the world. I showed this to all the girls at the salon and it was a big hit, so i thought maybe you will think the same! 

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Dean Fleischer is the man behind this video, check out some of his other funny stuff.

Have a great Thursday!

Nolan W.

Today, a couple girls from the salon and I decided to go visit one of our own, Amber, at the hospital to meet her brand new baby boy...Nolan. He was born on Monday night at 9lbs 21 inches long.

Happy birthday Nolan!

a relaxing walk

Hey friends, how was your weekend? Ours was full of love and relaxation. It started with a wedding on saturday and ended with a fun sweet sunday walk...You remember Paprika right? The families Golden...We took her on a walk this past Sunday afternoon, the weather was absolutely perfect and divine! Let's hope it stays like that!

We found this little secluded trail that looked like a dream

Paprika felt a little adventurous, so she ended up playing in the creek

we want to commit to doing this at least once a week...We'll see how this goes...ha

(ps. Robbie and I FINALLY made it to the Social Security Office today...I'm finally Legally a Ballentine!...i know i know...5 months later...)

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Salon Wall

Its finally finished! The pictures are up on the wall finally! After months of looking for models, doing their hair, taking their pictures, looking for frames, finding mats and cutting holes in them to fit the pictures, and then the wonderful awesome fun totally full of excitement sing while you do it slam your finger with a hammer So loud all the clients look at you job of hanging the frames up perfectly (sarcasm if you didn't catch that)....The pictures are finally up.

Here is our pretty front desk

a few of the pictures we decided to choose 

Special thanks to all our models, Morgan, Rebecca, Kim, Claire, Kristen, Jenna. You girls were awesome and absolutely gorgeous! 

Have an awesome weekend!