Now I'm thinking I'd like to go blonde...

I had decided that I was going to stick with colors close to what I have now, but now I'm thinking I *might* like to try blonde!  I have two questions: 

1.  My hair is dyed with L'Oreal Excellence in Dark Brown, which is really more of a medium brown on me.  If I were to dye my hair blonde, I was going to use Colorfix to get rid of the artificial color.  My question is, would that remove enough color that I could successfully go blonde?  Or would I only be able to pull of a light brown/dark blonde, at best?  I guess I wouldn't mind that, either.  I used to dye my hair blonde in 8th grade with Clairol Hydrience, so I know it can be done on virgin hair, but I'm not sure about Colorfix-ed hair.  I don't want to go platinum!  Just something like L'Oreal Preference Ultimate Natural Blonde (couldn't find a good picture of it online, but you can see it at their website)  Here's my current hair color for reference:

2.  How would I keep up with root growth if I was doing this at home?  Would I have to bleach my roots everytime and then apply the dye?  Or would I maybe be able to get away with just dying the roots with the regular dye, since it would be virgin hair?  I don't see how that could give even color.

I don't want to do this if it's going to be a huge hassle... but I think it'd be a fun change!

Home highlighting kits create more disasters than  pretty much every other product on the market. I have heard that some people have decent results when they use the cap method, but the brush-on method usually looks pretty crappy.  I've yet to see anyone enjoy their results but if anyone has good feedback, please share.

I personally would save up for foil highlights.  Mine always turned out wonderful.

  I have done the home highlights before,the hairpainting,but I wasnt going for drastic results,and mine turned out fine. I never liked the cap method cuz it pulls my hair and hurts,LOL. But,to eaches own I guess.

I Don't Think ColorFix Is The WayTo Go If You Want To Be Blonde.
TRUE- You DO Need To Remove Your Current Color. However, If You Want To Go Much Lighter Than Your Current Shade, You Should Use EFFASOL And 20 Or 40 Vol. Oreor Creme. This Will BOTH Remove Your Current Color And Lift Any Natural Pigment Left In Your Hair. ColorFix Will ONLY Remove Artificial Haircolor. If You Still Have A Lot Of Natural Pigment Left In Your Hair It May Be Too Dark To Go That Light In One Step. Which Means You Will Have To Bleach AFTER Your ColorFix Treatment And Then Use The Blonde Shade. Thats A Lot Of Chemicals. I Would Use A Mixture Of Effasol, 20 Vol. Oreor And 1 Oz. Of a Good Creme Conditioner And Check The Results Every 10 Mins. Untill I See No More Color Change. Wash And Condition. Wait 24 To 48 Hrs. And If My Hair Looked Light Enough (Light Brown Or Lighter) Do A Strand Test Of The Shade I Wanted. If It Looks Good- Go For It. If Not, Buy The Gentlest Lightner I Could Get. Mix With 1oz. Conditioner And Strand Test Till It Looked Light Enough. Wait 48 Hrs. And Try The Blonde Shade Again.-GOOD LUCK!