Well by the look of your hair, it seems as if you already know what you are doing, but the best advice i can give you is to buy cathy howse another 6 inches. I'm advising you because it's a great book and your introduction sounded shockingly similar to cathy's intro in her book. GOOD LUCK!
The braids and your TLC have definitely paid off. Your length is similar to my current length, so I'll keep an eye on you. In this photo, you seem to already be APL....soon you'll be poppin' your bra strap!
I must agree, that IS a very nice style on you. My everyday style is similar to this. I part it exactly like you have it. However, I mostly wear the ends hidden in a baggy, covered with a phony ponytail. Or in parted in the same way and the back in a donut bun.