Saying goodbye

Her life had been an amazing one. She came into our homes in June 1999 through a rescue agency. Not more than 2lbs when we met her as a 6 month old Yorkie. "Sassy" they called her at the rescue and we changed it to P'Nut but as she got older, the name Sassy would have better suited her. 

The last year of her life was filled with poor health, dementia, and loss of hearing. She was a valiant fighter and would always bounce back but a month ago she became too ill and her little body just couldn't fight anymore. On December 6, 2013 we let her go in peace as we were both there holding her little body reassuring her that it was going to be so much better. The hardest part of letting her go has been saying goodbye. It's as if my heart has been thoughtlessly ripped from my body and is being stabbed by sharp knives. Why does this hurt so badly? I miss my little girl....

Let it go

Holding in to the past can be stressful and makes it impossible to enjoy the present.

"F you and F her too"

Silly and not intended to offend but it's becoming my norm to hear stylists I work with swear with such tone. They seem to never stop and it is becoming such a problem my clients are even mentioning it. Is this okay? If you were paying 199.00 for color and a cut do you want to hear the f bomb every other word from the stylist in the salon? What would you do? 

Really, let me know. 

Pick your topic

I'm from the old school of hairstylists where we pick topics that are suitable for everyone in the salon. I'm surrounded by younger stylists that swear, talk about sex parties, and politics in the salon. I just think it's in poor taste. 

Winter comes

As the days get shorter and the weather starts to cool I'm reminded of a young couple that shared their journey in becoming pregnant. It was always "funny" to me to hear someone say that they "were trying" to get pregnant but for many it was a real issue. The husband shared with me that on a rather cold day he was rushed to his cold truck to produce one of the key elements in the pregnancy process joking, "I can't believe my son is such a warm soul considering his beginning". Laughing at life is such a wonderful blessing.

Swearing in the salon

I remember when I was a little boy going to the salon my mom got her hair frosted. As Carol smoked her cigarettes pulling my moms hair through that rubber cap gossiping and swearing. I always felt like it was normal until I became a a hairstylist and started working with clients that didn't want to hear gossip, swear words, and the problems of the hairstylist.

Is that true for everyone! Does etiquette get replaced with bad taste and bad manors? Is this behavior the new acceptable salon culture? Count me out!  

Groupon

I'm going to write a piece on the Groupon trend and how it can effect the salon and the sin staff. 

Regarding opportunities. I believe that Groupon's do provide an opportunity to get new returning guests if properly done. I'm not sure that people that use Groupon's truly see the value they are getting and how a Groupon is split between a salon and its staff. It should be an interesting article (I hope) and I'm sure that there will be some backlash. Oh  well, that's why I'm doing it.

I see grey

It's as natural and common as life. We all go grey at some point in our lives. The last thing we want is grey because our colorist was having a bad day and colored our hair that way. Don't panic! There are many ways to correct the issue and the first step is being honest with your stylist and say something. Then work towards achieving the desired results.

Found it

Found a great new product that I can't live without at my station. It's Bumble and Bumble's "Thickening Spray"! 

It can be used on fine hair to ad volume and texture and on med to thick hair for great blow dry styles. 

It's such a versatile product and its on my "must have" list of styling products. 

Stay on

In this era of reformed or reforming healthcare I want to take a moment to shed a little light on what it might look like.

I've been put on a drug called Zyprexia for .....hell, not sure why. But the Rx ran out on Sunday. A week before that I requested a refill because being without it causes horrible, painful, and dangerous side effects. It's been a week and two days and still don't have the Rx because I have to have a specific Dr write the Rx. So, as I wait in pain for the Dr to do this I'm unable to get refills, temps, or even another Dr to write the Rx. This is what Obamacare is going to be like. I'm so excited for us all.

Customer Service in the Tech Age

We all have seen it and made comments about it. The "Self Check" isle at the grocery store and the in attentive attendant that, when called by a prompt from the electronic cashier, simply inputs a series of numbers without so much as a "hi, how are you"! 

We are allowing it so its almost as if we are just as much to blame. We want the speedy, non chatting electronic cashier. She gets it done and gives us more time for Facebook and Twitter or the chance to shoot that cute self portrait of us using the electronic cashier on Instagram.

I'm guilty. But when I'm in a business whose business plan is to provide exceptional customer service, I want the person helping me to give me their undivided attention. It's the least amount of time I will demand but its mine. It's a simple pleasure I have to get a venti mocha frappacino with whip and a smile. 

Old thoughts die hard

Reading "The Invitation" for the third time and ready to make that statement, "I long for....", "I desire having....", and "I must have ........to fill complete".

Now to get to the end of the book and make those statements.

It's simple

When we find ourselves having a pity party (table for one please) its my experience that all I need to do is county blessings and find the joy I give to others. Easier said than done sometimes and it's usually the last thing we want to hear from some happy a** that hasn't had a bad day since Carter was president. I always put my music on, find "It's a Wonderful Life" from Ace of Base and it reminds me......damn it, I'm pretty darn lucky!

Watching and waiting

There are times when I find myself sitting and waiting for things to happen. There are too many times I blame "time" of taking too long and not giving me what I want. 

A dear friend said to me once, "The door bell will never chime with others at the door asking to be your friends"! She is right and I have been expecting that for years. It's my time to make a concerted  effort to make and develop new friendships both in and out of my relationship with my partner. 

I'm blessed to have friends that know how an when to knock me out of the comfort zone of life.  

Yelp

I've been lucky enough to have some really great reviews from guests on Yelp but recently had three very nice Yelps removed because the person posting the Yelp didn't have a "history" with posting reviews. Well, Yelp...there are sincere, honest, and reliable folks that don't live on your web site. Thanks for punishing an honest review and honoring constant bad reviews.

Blonde is as blonde does.

Blonde hair is like any other color treated hair, it's a commitment. 

Who do you see in the mirror?

"Why are alarms so much louder in morning" you say as you roll out of bed. Then to the bathroom and looking you straight in the eye, your mother! 

Take a moment to first thank your mother for raising such a phenomenal person then decide to make a change. Sometimes a simple haircut, a touch of color, or like Michelle Obama....get some bangs. Next time you look in the mirror the only reflection will be yours. 

On Being Polite

My mother didn't raise me to be deliberately rude or off putting. I must say that from where I stand I think other mothers are raising their kids to be rude. 

In fact, they are obnoxious and rude. 

This Heat is Killing Me

So think what it's doing to your hair. Find and use sunblock for the skin and a good  sun protection for hair. UVA and UVB rays can fade color almost as fast as shampooing with dish soap. There are many brands so ask your stylist what they prefer....

New Salon web page

I'm excited to share the salon I work at with everyone http://www.ilovebobsalon.com/

It's a great space with talented people!

Starting Over

Starting over at Bob Salon, an intimate salon with talented stylists. I'm excited and can not wait to get things going.

Fashion Police

Went shopping for new pants. New style coming through and it's a little more relaxed and fitted meaning skinny legs on lower wasted khaki's and fitted not ironed white shirts. It's a good style, finally away from all black mentality and moving into a whole new world of fashion where my fashion will finally reflect my many moods.

Taking Chances

Barry, Celine, and numerous others have belted out songs about "taking chances" and the joys and rewards of doing so. I hate to think that music assists me in taking chances but it sure makes it sound good while I'm taking them.

You Make Me Smile

It's not all cut and color and blow dry from behind the chair. There are days that it seems like all of my friends, family, and old loves have been in my chair and I go home so filled with joy. I find it odd when someone tells me they hate what they do and that they do it just to make money.
It's my opinion, and just my opinion, that one should love what they do because the pay, income, or way of making a living will surely follow. I was lucky enough to find my passion at an early age and have been living it daily and it makes me smile when a guest tells me they can tell I love what I do. They say it makes them smile...

Really, that's what you heard?!

Recently I overheard a conversation that a) was not appropriate b) was gossip and c) just not something one should share to another person that doesn't need to know anyway. 

As professionals we are held to a very strict code that helps us stay professional in the eyes of our clients, friends, and the general public. I have spent the better part of two decades proving that being a stylist is just as professional as any other position just to have gossip and rumor turn it upside down. 

Hearing the truth

It's funny to me how times people avoid the elephant in the room. They walk around it, they smell it. They even run into it and still never address it. 

Yes, I'm old

As I look around me and see all of the new talent entering the salons I find myself looking older, feeling older, and less respected. From where I stand, it's apparent that I'm no longer fashion forward or artsy enough. I guess it's time to exit stage left and say goodbye.

The Bigger the Better

Watching Mrs Obama on the Jimmy Fallen Show, then the plus size models walk the run ways in London, now a commercial for Burger King with a French Speaking Chef.... The media really think we are stupid!

Taking Advantage of a Deal

I called my apartments and asked them if I could take 73% off my rent. They laughed at me. Why then, do people expect to get 73% or more off of a service I provide?

Let there be light

You wouldn't believe it but it feels like Spring here in Texas! I love giving soft, subtle highlights to natural brunettes.

Don't do that

Mistaken identities are often easy to get out of but mistaken pregnancies are not.