time to breathe

photo credit:  http://www.shaunaniequist.com

the holidays are a busy time for everyone!
often when most of the world has time off for the holidays--
us hairstylists are working our little booties off
making everyone gorgeous!

even though i didn't have time to breathe
{so so so busy}

here were a few of my favorite gifts:
-the joy of cutting my friends' kids' hair ... is there any greater proof of a quality person than their charming offspring? 
-sharing in the excitement of a newly engaged client ... hope for the future
{love, sweet love!}
-treating a friend {i have never had a full foil! ... hell!  i've never been a client!}

and my favorite little snippet from a FAB blog
{http://www.shaunaniequist.com/blog/2011/12/19/present-over-perfect.html}

Present over perfect.

Quality over quantity.

Relationship over rushing.

People over pressure.

Meaning over mania.

this sums it up ... !
and not just for the holidays ... for always! 

wishing you all
time to breathe
+
enjoy!

merry christmas mrs. crabby pants

i was running one {1} minute late . . .
and that is no way to start an appointment with
mrs. crabby pants!

i offered her tea {that i know she loves}
"no, i am in a hurry"
oh really?
how are you going to hurry through a color and cut?

i made her some anyway and guess what?
she wanted another cup!

and speaking of the big ol' hurry she is always in -
she wanted highlights too!

two cups of green tea later,
some fresh highlights,
grey hair covered,
frizzy ends trimmed . . .

she sure outdid herself:
she actually left a tip {in honor of the holidays!}

i guess there's a first time for everything!

the thing is --

http://www.etsy.com/shop/redbrickwall

so it just always bums me out when people are so . . .
crabby!

another perk {or two} to having babies!

winter brings a whole bag of tricks when it comes to...

your hair
+
your lips


that nipple cream you used for breastfeeding?

the *perfect* cure for dry, chapped lips! 



that cradle cap cream for your sweet baby's little noggin'?

the *perfect* cure for your dry, flaky scalp that seems to show up every winter!

sweet seat

here's another question i get all the time . . .
do i cut kids hair?
yes!

i cut my own kids hair in the shower or tub!
distraction is key!
and it rinses right down the drain . . .
now that's easy cleanup!

i just came across these DARLING booster seats

www.sweet-seat.com

i am sure they are meant for eating
but i want one for the salon!
how cute!

mondays are for masks

it's my way of remembering
at home rituals
{m = m}

on mondays i do
masks -- 
on my face
and
on my hair

whatever your ritual may be
and
whatever you need to do to remember--
keep it simple!

mrs. crabby pants strikes again!

you may remember my first post about mrs. crabby pants...
{http://onlyyourhairstylistknowsforsure.blogspot.com/2011/10/cheer-up-charlie.html}

well today she was complaining about having to park 2 blocks away --
{i was thinking she could use a little fresh air!}
and
complaining about how busy she is

i am NOT a big fan of playing the "busy contest"

don't you think everyone is busy--
just with different things?

this is something i always have to remember
and i think it applies to more than just dealing with a crab!

image from www.sketch42blog.com

sparkle on, sisters!

{thursday product post} st. tropez

one of my favorites for all seasons ...
but especially as it is getting colder --
st. tropez!

{i am not talking about st. tropez, france}

but this wouldn't be so bad either!




st. tropez is also the name of my favorite self-tanner!

www.sttropeztan.com

it is tinted --
so i like to apply it at night about an hour before i head to bed
i put a towel over my pillow case
and after a shower in the morning,
it looks like you were on the beaches of the french riviera!
but seriously --
it is great for all skin tones
{no pumpkin orange here!}

the blind girl next door

i think hairstylists sometimes get a bad rap --
like that we are catty with each other or something?
not true!

i have been very lucky in this department.
i have worked with some of the greatest people!

one of my favorites is this girl
let's call her...
lou

i have known her since 2003
she has the skinniest legs and ankles
{she can pull off wearing short skirts and leggings like nobody's business}
we have lots of giggles
we are both a little 'type a'
and
she is always squinting
{she would rather buy a new pair of shoes instead of getting her eyes checked}

love her to pieces!

{thursday product post} sheer addiction jewelry

you want to know what product all hairstylists love?
jewelry ...
sheer addiction jewelry to be exact.

my co-workers {seriously} plan outfits around this gorgeous jewelry!

sheer addiction pieces are one of a kind!
i ALWAYS get compliments when i wear it -
whether i've had it for a day or 6 years!

best thing is ...
the creator, tamara, is:
talented
so sweet
+
beautiful.

check out her website or find her on the book!
www.sheeraddiction.com
www.facebook.com/sheeraddictionjewelry

it won't be long ...
and you will be addicted too!

yo, rapunzel!

women with long locks are lucky!
they are also {understandably} some of the most picky ...

"no haircut today"
"only take off an eighth of an inch"
"i'm trying to grow my hair out"

i don't necessarily think there is an age limit for long hair
and
i tend to be a pretty conservative cutter for my long-haired lovelies!

but
here's the deal --

long hair only looks good if it's healthy!
if you have split ends, your hair is NOT going to get longer!

so ...

condition your ends
protect your hair from heat
and get a trim more than once a year!

time flies when you're having fun!

it is so fun when i have friends on my schedule --
it is one of my favorite things
and it makes the days fly by!

we get to catch up,
i love pampering them,
and it is extra fun when they are the last appointment of the day
{and we can go grab a beverage afterwards!}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cjprints?ref=seller_info

i have been doing hair for 11 years --
so i do consider most of my clients to be friends also!

lucky me!

on the side

i can't tell you how often i get this question ...
"do you do hair on the side?"

the answer is usually no and here is why ...
- i like to be present in what i am doing
    {home is home and work is work}
- all of my supplies are at work and it's just easier

but, of course there are exceptions to the rule!
here is who i will do on the side ...
- my dad
- cancer patients
- the friend who lives a block away and needs a blowout for christmas pics

    {i show up with my blowdryer and round brush...

      she answers the door in her bra and undies...

      and starts belting out "do you wanna touch me?!"}

well good morning joan jett

and
happy saturday!

{thursday product post} don't shampoo your hair every day!

that's right!
it's product post day ...
and i am telling you NOT to shampoo your hair every day!

shampooing every other day is a great plan ...
or if you are new to this, just start by taking one day off
{like a lazy sunday!}

the natural oils from your scalp are so good for your hair health!

if you must get your hair wet ...
that is totally fine!
you can put a little conditioner in 
{but only on your ends}

...or wear an old fashioned shower cap!

nail polish trend - the wild card

i am a little obsessed with nail polish --
{OPI to be exact}

my most recent favorite trend is
the wild card!

paint one nail on each hand a different color!

shown here is:
uh-oh roll down the window
+
lucerne-tainly look marvelous

you can keep it subtle
or throw in some brights!

either way ... easy + fun!
happy painting!

friday is the new saturday!

i am off to work --
fridays are so busy!

there is a definite trend of:
friday weddings
4 day work weeks

a lot of my clients are friday regulars...
they have date night on friday night
after their hair is looking fab
{plus}
they have the weekend free!

{thursday product post} don't do this at home!

i swear i am a professional
yet i have been
{this close}
to confusing my hairspray with my facial toner!

they look the exact same from the top!

but no no no -
they are not the same at all!

thankfully i have not sprayed my face with hairspray!
HA!

isn't it crazy that two totally different brands can have nearly the same bottle?!
i love this Bumble & bumble hairspray -- it is great for all hair types!
and i love everything from SkinCeuticals!

{fyi}
i keep them in different drawers now!

bob

so my husband and i were on the road the other day ...
i thought i saw my friend driving towards us
so naturally, i started waving
{it wasn't her}

i said "oh that's not her --
she has a bob"

my husband says
"how do you know?"

"because i saw her hair" i said

long story short --
my confused husband thought i was talking about a
bob stroller!

{our fave!}

cheer up charlie!

there is nothing worse than starting your day
with a crabby client!

one of my ever faithful clients has come in every 4 weeks
for as long as i can remember!
but she is ALWAYS crabby...
what is with people?

snap out of it
turn that frown upside down
and remember:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79508671/its-a-good-day-art-print-8x10

we wait on her hand and foot
{and not that it's about the money -- but she never leaves a tip!}
we know we have done our job when mrs. crabby pants walks out the door
with a smile!

holiday craziness

the holidays are a crazy time for everyone!
especially us hairstylists --
everyone wants their hair looking fab for ..
family gatherings
parties
and to impress the ol' in-laws!


so plan ahead!


thanksgiving is 4.5 weeks away
and
christmas is 6.5 weeks away


book your appointment today --
your hairstylist will love you!

52 weeks of mail

i think i am a bit of an old soul --
i just love sending and receiving handwritten mail!

so i am doing this!

this week i got this card from a client ...

the inside said: 
"Just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE MY HAIR!!!!
I have gotten tons of compliments.
Thank you!
You're the best!"

isn't that sweet!?!

{here is one of my favorite places to get cards}http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettygirlshop

hop to it, friends!
go send a card today!

do whatever you want....

the truth is when someone sits in my chair and says this ...
they don't really mean it.


everyone has limitations.
communication, people!


to my stylist readers: come up with a plan before you head to the shampoo bowl!
to my client readers:  i know you trust a stylist's opinion and we love you for that!  but be honest ... and know what you are and are not willing to do with your hair.

{thursday product post} aveda junkie no more!

i have been an aveda junkie for YEARS
{13}
i went to school at the aveda institute
worked at an aveda concept salon
and even when i didn't work at an aveda salon
i still used aveda at home!

until ...
i met KERASTASE

this is the first time i have made the big switch
and i am not looking back!

apparently i am not the only one who loves kerastase ...
i saw them in House Beautiful's october issue + In Style's november issue!

welcome friends!

let's be honest --
hairstylists have BIG jobs --
we are not only cosmetologists . . .
but also daymakers, friends, psychologists,
trendsetters, listeners, counselors, therapists
{one of my former co-workers liked to call therapists "the rapists" ... HA!} 
and the list goes on ...


back to business --

only your hairstylist knows for sure will be your {go-to} blog for:

-funny stories about crazy people
  {don't worry, all names will be changed for privacy!}
-hair tips
-product recommendations
-and anything else hair/beauty/fashion related
  {or maybe not!}

www.facebook.com/onlyyourhairstylistknowsforsure

so start following, friends ...

here we go!