I think its fun to pick out a color at hte store and try it out... just to liven things up a bit =) I have yet to have a horrid color come out, though one was a bit red in the beginning. it calmed down.
I love blonde highlights, as well, and do them at home from stuff from Sally Beauty. Just have someone pull it through the cap for me.
I have also been known to lay out and tan and spray Sun In on my head constantly... I like the lightened look it gave my usually dark brown hair.
I'm holding out on a drastic change for summer because we're having family pics done at Epcot when we go in a couple of weeks.. but once thats done, all bets are off! I may be at Vero highlighting my hair, LOL!!!!!!!!!