Amanda Shepard

Like lots of small towns, it seems like everyone knows everything about everyone around here. If you went to high school with me you probably know I got married at 18 years old. One month shy of my 19th birthday my husband was two months shy of 21. We eloped to Napa and then had a small reception the following weekend at my grandparents house in Janesville. The same spot my own parents had gotten married at 18 years prior. In January 2020 we decided to end our six and a half year marriage. Well, if I am really honest I decided to end our marriage and my husband agreed. It was the most difficult decision to make as a wife and mother. I asked myself a thousand times if it was the best choice. I think anyone who has experienced divorce knows that this isn't an overnight decision and its not something you choose unless you think it is the best option for yourself and your family. I believe from the bottom of my heart that every person has the right to live a happy life and that I don...

Twenty-Five. What a weird age right?   Suddenly a quarter of a century. Suddenly closer to 30. I wont lie, I have been having a little bit of a freak out about turning 25, but time stops for no one and tomorrow is the big day! So, I thought I would try to make myself feel better by documenting some of the best lessons I have learned so far. Maybe this will help someone younger along the way.    I tried to do this somewhat chronologically, enjoy: 1. Your sister is your friend for life, even if you don't always get along. 2. Patience is a virtue. 3. No matter your religious affliction you can choose to believe your loved ones who have passed on are watching over you. 4. Fuzzy socks on polished floors result in busted chins.  5. You CAN wear too much eyeliner and there WILL be a photo to document it somewhere.  6. Some friends are only in your life for a season. 7. Your worth is not determined by a boy, a man, or ANYONE'S opinion o...

June 2nd was mine and my husband's sixth wedding anniversary. Last night we went to dinner in Reno and then a movie. It was well after midnight when we were driving home on 395. For those who may read this that aren't local to the Susanville or surrounding areas this is the 80 mile long strip of highway between Reno, Nv and Susanville, Ca. It's fairly remote and teaming with wildlife. I was nodding off in my seat, two glasses of sangria, a rich dinner in my belly, then followed by a movie left us out way later than my normal Sunday night bedtime. Our car dramatically decreased in speed and my husband did a quick U-turn causing me to startle awake. Our headlights were now shining on a man climbing out of his overturned car with blood covering one arm. We helped wrap his arm (thank goodness for the clean t-shirt I had in the back of my car) and my USMC Veteran husband did a quick tourniquet to stem the blood flow as we waited for emergency services to arrive. Thankful...

With Valentines Day still on our heels I wanted to open up and share a little more deeply into my life and tell you about a time when I did not love or value myself. As a child I was shy, painfully shy. I remember sitting in class thinking "please don't call on me, please don't call on me" as I sank lower into my seat. If my name was called my entire face felt like it was on fire and I would stammer out the few lines of text I was supposed to read as quickly as I could. I was actually a skilled reader, reading much higher grade levels than most of my class but I was incredibly self conscious. I even remember crying once at the grocery store when my mother chatted with the check out clerk asking him if he had graduated and I happily chirped that I had just graduated too...kindergarten. My mom and the check out clerk laughed and I was MORTIFIED. When we left the store I was in tears. As a middle school-er I was still painfully shy but had a good group of clo...

Transformation Tuesday.  Happy Tuesday! Here are some recent Natural Beaded Rows transformations from right here at Salon 705. We are loving our brunettes in this post but of course NBR looks great in any color. The salon is in full Valentines Day Celebrations! Andrea is giving away $70 worth of styling tools HERE . We are also asking for nominations for a deserving lady to win a free haircut and blow out, please email amanda@salon705susanville.com and tell us who and why they need a little pampering on us this month.  We also are serving up FREE mimosas (21+) for our guests and giving away valentines to our valued clients because WE LOVE YOU! Seriously, I am blown away with the amount of support for my little salon. Salon 705 won The Knot Best Of Weddings 2019 which is already making for a great new year here at the salon. Both myself and Andrea are filling quickly this month so don't forget to book your Valentines appointments befo...

We just got in last night from a grueling 12 hour drive home from San Clemente, Ca. The drive down on Wednesday was equally terrible with us hitting heavy snow in Chester and rain all the way down "The 5." We had ten hours in the car and then we landed in terrible LA traffic for another two hours, in heavy rain which in LA is like the apocalypse. Our fancy dinner plans turned into late night pizza delivery (thank you Uber Eats!). I had decided to treat myself to a DryBar blow out at 7am the next morning so we left our hotel in San Clemente bright and early at 6:30. I have NBR extensions in my hair which makes a blow out take a little more time and adds a twenty dollar charge to your blow out but is so convenient when you don't feel like washing your hair before an event. (Unless it rains and ruins it 😒). Feeling great about my hair I quickly dashed to the car my hubby was waiting to pick me up outside knowing the rain would ruin my hair. We ran to get a green j...

I have spent several thousand dollars on my education this year.