NJ Adventure #3.....My First "new state" Haircut

I knew that finding a new salon was going to be an adventure....my first salon experience in our new state did not disappoint....it WAS an adventure. I was laughing....crying....screaming.....it was an experience. 

This is how it began......I was scheduled for a haircut in Feb with my NY salon. Things got so hectic....hair was the last thing on my mind....so I canceled the appointment. We arrived here the first weekend in March....and hair was still the last thing on my mind. Once it started laying so flat and I started feeling so frumpy....I knew it was time to make an appointment. I started my salon research and somewhere along the way learned that Tabatha Coffey from Salon Takeover/Shear Genius fame owned a salon here. I went to the website....saw that the prices were typical for this area and made an appointment(with one of her stylists). 

It was the day before my appointment and I decided to check out online reviews of the salon(Industrie Hair Gurus)....big mistake. I now do not entirely trust online reviews. Learn from my mistake ;)

The online reviews for IHG were not very good. Along the way, I kept reading about another local salon....a salon that had a ton of great reviews. The reviews said the stylists were so professional....the salon was clean....on and on. I quickly canceled the appointment at IHG and switched over to this reportedly "super" salon. 

My appointment would be for THAT day. I had no time to think....just wait for G to get home, jump in the car and deal with Friday evening driving in NJ(traffic!). It was also the weekend after the big flooding/rain. I had no idea that I was driving right into one of the areas that was hardest hit by the rain.

I arrive at the salon....which was in the back of a makeup store. This was new to me....but I was open minded. 

The salon was empty.....very 70's or 80's.....and very messy. I was still trying to be open minded. The thing is....it was SUPER dirty....hair everywhere. I'm talking....baked into every crevice in the place. I wish that I was not so open minded about that fact!! I must have been tired....and desperate. 

The gal finished her curl and set(yep) and motioned me over. She took me right to the washing station...red flag! You should always get a consultation first. I guess I had a mini one. She stopped me.....looked at my hair and said...."what am I supposed to do with this? You can't do much with that....what am I going to do!?".

 I replied...."well, I'm not growing it.....I'm okay with going shorter. I just need a shape up." She agreed, washed and sat me in her chair....the cutting began. Way too much cutting....with old school scissors. She was using thinning shears....I had not had thinning shears used on my hair if years. Besides, my hair is thin enough. But, I was still trying to be open minded. 

The gal began talking about politics....very passionately. She shared that she believes there would be another attack on NYC.....what's wrong with our country....her views....as I said...she was very passionate. My head was spinning. Halfway through, I noticed that my hair was not looking so good....it was looking pretty strange. So...I got bold and I said...."wait, please stop cutting. It's getting really short.". That was huge for me...I've never stopped a stylist before. She offered me a Xanax and told me to relax! She kept saying it over and over...."don't worry, I'll get you a Xanax and it will be fine....I'm a professional, I know what I'm doing. Don't you trust me??"

I had the worst stomach ache and wanted to flee!

She pretty much stopped cutting from there....thankfully. In my mind I was thinking....I can get it re-cut tomorrow...there is still enough hair. She kept repeating...."relax, relax, it will be fine".

I said "don't worry, it looks fine. Do you take charge?"

"no, cash...I take cash" she replied....nervously. 

Problem.....I didn't think I had any cash on me. I explained my situation and asked where an ATM was. By this time.....it was dark and I did not know the area at all. I found an ATM....but it didn't take my out of state card? I started having a mini anxiety attack...I just wanted to go home. I searched through my purse....found enough cash and went back to the salon. On the way, I saw someone leaving a parking lot with take out food on the top of their car...obviously they had forgotten it there. I was frantically waving my arms out of my car window trying to get their attention....no luck....I saw the food fly everywhere. It was that kind of night.

After 10 minutes of trying to find my way back to the salon.....and sweating....and whining to G and Carla that I just.want.to.go.home.....I finally found the salon again. I went in....paid my very nervous and uncomfortable stylist and went on my way. Again, she kept repeating...."it's all ok, it's all fine". I felt sorry for her....I tried reassuring her that my cut was fine....everything was fine. What I realized afterwards was that.....the salon most likely did take charge. I think that is where her nervous nelly attitude was coming from. Not sure.....but it was defiintely a learning experience.
As I left the parking lot.....I saw a giant blinking sign saying "officer shot..searching for suspect!!". I just wanted to be home!
I plugged in our home address to our GPS(Carmin) and headed on my way....only problem....Carmin did not know that many of the roads were flooded. I was driving in circles.....avoiding all sorts of rain debris and water. Finally....finally....things started to look familiar. I made it home....the crazy evening had come to an end. Now, I'm counting the days until my next appointment....where? I have no clue, but I'm sure it will be an adventure. It always is.

                                          I don't love it....but I can work with it. It will grow.

Mini Hair Adventure and The Gingerbread House That Wasn't

It all started with the best of intentions. Grandma came over for a gingerbread house making afternoon with the boys. The kit made it look so easy.....6 easy steps...to be exact. We had all the supplies and went right to it....as if we were building an actual house. We were serious....and had high hopes.

The boys were having so much fun....they started singing a Christmas song together. Not really.....they were actually chewing on some of the gummy candy. They remind me of little birds in that picture.

The house was coming along so beautifully....it was almost too easy.....we were all so proud of our creation.

Until the walls decided to cave in.......and we had enough with all this creative Christmas fun. We tried.....that's all you can do, right?

So moving on.......I went to my hair appointment over the weekend....with my usual stylist. We are comfortable with each other.....she just sits me down and gets to work. But on that particular day.....I said....I'm done growing it out. I need some sass back.....go ahead and snip away. So she did. Anyway.....I grow it, I cut it, I grow it....you know how it goes. In this particular picture.....I meant to focus on the hair, but I can't take my eyes off of a white head on my nose.....that will.not.go.away. .....thus the pensive look on my face. Makeup would have been a good idea, too.

I hope everyone is well.....and not feeling too rushed. I've not been online much this week.....I miss catching up with everyone. Thinking of you all and praying for a happy, healthy holiday.

Marvelous Hair Adventure-July Edition

I could not believe it was time for a haircut already. It feels like I just got my hair cut, but I was having a hard time working with it. Ok then....hair 101.....a sign of a good hair cut is when it grows out well. I really did like my last haircut. It was just fine. But my "like" toward my hair started to dwindle as it started to grow out...it grew out all funky like. Now, that may not be the cuts fault... it just might be my hairs fault....I'm not going to pass blame on either. No.....I'm just going to move on.

Which means.....my fingers started moving in the direction of a new phone number for a new salon. I was able to get a quick appointment....that may or may not have been a good sign. I was so out of it this week....from a nice visit from Aunt Flo. ...oh,that visit wears.me.out. Anyway, I made the appointment and threw caution to the wind. I seem to do that a lot with hair appointments.

I ran into some obstacles along the way....literal obstacles. Roads were closed and there was a giant detour. Not a fun obstacle when you are traveling to a new town and searching for a shop you have never seen before. All worked out well, so I'm not even sure why I shared about the obstacle. I guess I'm painting a picture...sharing the details of my adventure. I finally found the shop and was seated in my chair right away. The stylist was very nice...the salon was hopping (both good things) She decided not to wash my hair. Interesting. That was actually a first....but I'm not even going to analyze it. I actually said...."do whatever you think"! Remember, I was in a hormone fog.

There was lots of chopping....some razoring(not a fan of that) and some more chopping. At the end of the cut, I had that butterfly feeling in my stomach and I was afraid to look in the mirror(as usual). I finally looked....was not overly thrilled, but thought "no biggie, I'll fix what I don't like". After a quick re-style.....because she had used the curling iron on me(that always scares me).....I was happy with the results. Not that much different than last month, though a bit shorter. Hopefully, the cut will grow on me (pun intended). July mission accomplished....total cost.....$22.

I'm smiling for you Erica!!

Marvelous Hair Adventure-June Edition

I loved all the input on my post from yesterday. It seems like we all have experienced bullying in some form or another.....unfortunately. As I keep learning in life, we can only control the way we act. Again, I'm thankful to know so many thought-filled and sweet people. Now onto a lighter subject......

Do you remember this. I'm sure you have been hoping to never read about or see another picture of my hair again waiting to read about my marvelous hair adventure-June edition.


I'm happy to report that I went back to the same stylist at the same salon....can I get an amen?! I left the salon a little worried....but after styling it on my own, I'm pleasantly surprised again. Phew.

This time she even charged me $2 less than last time...spending only $18. Woo hoo!

My Marvelous Hair Adventure-May Edition

I've decided to start keeping track of my monthly hair salon visits. Because I have short hair, monthly appointments are usually a necessity. I call this my marvelous hair adventure because.....it truly has been an adventure trying to find a great cut. My mom is probably laughing at my photos in this post....growing up I was always saying...."Don't look at me!!!"

This month, I decided to try a salon in a town close to our town. I did a little online search, found the names of a couple of salons, made a few calls and then basically said......eeny~meeny~miney~mo. Done, appt made and let the adventure begin.

And, oh how it began. I found the salon , walked in and sat down. I always find the first impression at a salon somewhat important...not entirely though. I usually scan the hairstyles of the various stylists and then look around at the clients. This salon had me a little worried. I honestly felt as if I had transported to a different time....possible the '80's. That was still OK, I was still hopeful.

I had an appointment with the owner, I felt pretty secure in that decision. She came over ,asked my name and then motioned for me to follow her......straight to the hair washing station. I don't know a lot about salons, but I do know that this was not a good sign. Usually a consultation would come first, then the hair gets washed...more chatting? Not this time, we went straight from the sink to the chair....then my stylist starting to snip! Also not a good sign. There was no discussion of what I wanted , what I didn't want , my hair habits.....all the usual questions. Nope, just lots of snipping.

I always become a sudden whimp as soon as I enter the salon doors....this was no exception. I meekly said...."umm, I brought some pictures to show you....of hair". She glanced at them and said "oh yeah, I do hundreds of that cut". And then she kept cutting.....and cutting....and oh my.....more cutting. At this point, I started praying.....please Lord, make her stop cutting my hair. My stomach started turning and I realized that I had been holding my breath. I'm pretty sure that I held my breath....the entire time I was there!

As I watched my hair getting shorter and shorter.....I kept trying to find the words to say.....stop! Nope, no words.....just panic. I did enjoy the activities surrounding me....many of the patrons were gathered around my chair watching the cutting and chatting with the owner. The people were really very nice.....a couple women were the curl and set crowd(y'know 80 and up). They were so sweet....and could not hear a thing that was being said. Everyone obviously knew each other. I LOVE small town living, I love everyone knowing everyone.....but I honestly felt like I was in my own little '80's movie. The only thing I was concerned about.....how was the movie going to end.

(that day,styling it on my own...a bit poofy...Tiffani said I look sassy in this photo...I have no idea why my hands were on my hips)



(It was a bit hard to style the next day.....so many layers and really short)

Well, if you have read this far....and have not been bored to tears.....you will surprised to find out that.....I actually....sort of...kind of......like it. Phew. But, I'm not so sure I'm going back? Maybe? It will go into my memory log as a very strange experience....a step back in time, but surprisingly....not one of my worst haircuts. She put lots of layers in, but it's not that much shorter(how is that possible?she cut so much) It's fairly easy to style. I'm still not sure why I was charged more than her other clients?? Though, the cost was still a pleasant change....only $20. That's half of what I might normally have to pay. Not bad at all. Let's see what next months marvelous adventure will bring.