Chopped

I received a bunch of sweet responses and advice for my last post regarding what I should do with my hair, so I thought I should share the final product! I decided to simply go with a trim to clean up the ends. She only took about an inch off, so it doesn't look much different. But, oh, how it feels...divine. I also asked my hairstylist to add more layers so my absurdly thick hair could be manageable once again. As I've never put any color in my hair (out of sheer fear that I wouldn't be able to keep up with getting my roots redone regularly), I stuck with that route and decided to continue letting the seasons and the sun take care of the color for me. I kind of like the natural, ombre-like thing my hair decides to do in the winter...although my hairstylist seemed to think I'm "just letting old highlights grow out." Hello, it's called keeping things au naturale!

{Please excuse the t-shirt and tired eyes; first day back at school with new classes and a new job seriously did some damage on my exhaustion levels.}

 How was your Monday that was really a Tuesday?

Long or Short?

That is the question.
I cut my hair about shoulder length a year and a half ago and absolutely love-love-loved it. But, per usual, I did miss my longer locks and have since been trying to grow it back out. I rarely go to a hairstylist to get trims; in fact, I've trimmed my own ends the past three times. I know, I know, this is like hair sin numero uno, but what's a broke college student to do? It's worked out just fine, but I'm home on winter break and my mom wants to send me to a "real" hairstylist. The anticipation of such a luxury is sending me into an anxiety haywire!
So of course I want outside opinion. In all truthfulness, I would love and appreciate any and all advice on a cut, especially from all you wise bloggers out there! Do I go with just a trim, a few more layers, side bangs, or back to my shorter, layered 'do? What do you think?
Thanks for your help, dolls!

{before ever cutting le locks}

{after the short-chop}

 {as it grew back out}

{most recent picture of my hair}