Hey, Im just lookin' for a good time.

"The rule is that you never ever talk about forever but you never say never in life."  This is one of the lines from one of my favorite Lady Antebellum songs.  Commitment in general is sometimes hard for some of us.  Committing to a career, relationship or even a gym-schedule scares some people a bit, but two important things that accompany responsibility are opportunity and joy.

People sometimes shy away from opportunities presented to them, if they feel they may not be able to fulfill expectations.  Everyone is different, which is why personal experience is the best teacher of all.  I always tell clients at work about my own personal salon horror stories (from back in the day), this makes them laugh and also thankful that I speak of these situations in a past tense!  If I never screwed up someones hair-color, I would've never learned how to fix someones  else's.  Life presents us with a surprise situation from time to time, though at the moment we are nerved and have no idea how we will complete or fix the task at hand, usually in the end, we laugh about thinking we weren't capable of completion. Never shy away from an assignment of any sort because someone else had a bad outcome of a similar situation (even if that other person is you in the past).  You are not them, you have a different heart and a different mind and by doing so you'd only be missing out on would could be a grand chance that will lead you to many other places.

Committing to a relationship is feared by many, when its time to take the next step, you may get the urge to start backing away.  Maybe you're not interested in your date enough to move things forward, or  at the present time in your life, you don't have the mindset or time to devote to them and don't want to ruin a future chance for a relationship.  Some will fake feelings just so that they don't have to be alone,  being single can be lonely.  The correct relationship can bring much joy, the wrong one will cause a lot of unnecessary misery.  I enjoy spending time with people that I feel at home with.  When someone  is not on the same page as me in any sort of way, I don't usually want to spend my down time with them.  Waiting for the correct yin to your yang is essential.  When people ask me why I am still single, my answer is never a man hating comment, its simply "He's not here yet."  The longer we are alone the more stuck in our ways we become, keep this in mind when a "petty" issue arrises.  You don't always have to be right, especially when the differential of the argument holds little importance.

I am on my 7th out of 9 weeks of the Insanity workout.  Im sure you've heard of it, its known to be the hardest workout put on DVD.  A few months after I purchased the set of discs, I finally took the first step and opened the box.  Although I've been working out for many years,  I heard about how hard it was from friends and feared that I would never be able to finish or even keep up with the people in this video.  Everyone was right, the first month was hard as hell, but I finished it.  The second month's workouts are longer and more challenging than the first, but during each workout, I fight through it and before you know it, I'm checking another box off of the workout calendar that comes with the program.  In many of life's challenges, half of the battle is pushing play and getting started, before you know it, your at the other end of the tunnel.

Fearing change is more normal than not and sometimes you have to become uncomfortable to get comfortable.  We all have fears that that we won't be the best at whatever goals we pursue.  It is mandatory to fail at a few things to achieve ultimate success.  If you never start up your engine, you'll never see how fast or far your car can go.

Magical Cookies.

Years ago I discovered my love for baking goodies for my family and friends.  I'd ask someone to tell me a favorite dessert of theirs and then proceed to perfect it.  I love to make people feel special on their birthdays and my way of doing so is by preparing their favorite treat!

Dessert is my favorite part of a meal.  Although I enjoy cooking, I find baking and decorating something sweet to be more therapeutic and exciting.  I've learned some of my favorite recipes from people in my family or friends.  The taste of a favorite food or act of preparing one can be nostalgic.  I still remember rolling meatballs in my grandmothers kitchen when i was little and when the smell of my mothers Cream Puffs permeates through my house every few weeks I find it to be comforting.  Whether I'm making my father's favorite "Ice box" cake (stove prepared pudding layered with graham crackers and put in the refrigerator overnight) or a fancy Lemon Merengue Pie as per request of my friend Irwin at work it gives me great pleasure to roll up my sleeves and bust out the ingredients!

My friend Eric works with me at Xoma Salon  and is the best make-up artist around. Eric celebrated a birthday last week and he happens to love Magic Cookies.  Magic Cookies are delicious,  they are loaded with graham, chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts and also are super easy to make!  I like to use this recipe from  Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with fork.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm; cool on wire rack. Cut into bars or diamonds. Yield: 2 dozen bars. 
  
  TIP For perfectly cut cookie bars, line entire pan with foil, extending foil over edge of pan. Coat lightly with no-stick cooking spray. After bars have baked and cooled, lift up with edges of foil to remove from pan. Cut into individual bars.
  
  VARIATIONS
  
  Substitute chocolate chips or nuts with candy coated pieces, dried cranberries, raisins, mini-marshmallows or butterscotch chips.

Give a little.

You have the friend that would do anything in the world for you without expecting anything in return and you're also blessed with one who's always looking out for only themselves and  how they can benefit from a situation.  I've always been one to give and have learned over the years not to expect anything in return from anyone when I do, this way I am rarely disappointed.

As our lives evolve we often go separate ways from friends that we were once closer to, it's not as easy to drop everything and share all of our friends special moments or support them during hard times.  Great friends will always be there for you when they can and at least attempt to be when they can't.  There will always be a time when you're not available to a friend when they need you, but make sure that your presence is known.  If you often get so self involved that you're always forgetting about the people close to you, the moment when you need someone, don't be surprised if you turn around to an empty room.

Giving is much more gratifying than taking.  I love buying a special present for someone and watching them open it up.  I get so excited to watch their eyes light up like those of a child who just found out that they're going on a surprise trip to Disney World that morning.  One day when I have kids of my own I'm totally pulling that one on them!

I recall a night years ago, a few friends and I were at the diner drinking coffee and chit-chatting for hours like usual.  We got on the topic of winning the "Mega Millions" and went around the table asking what everyone would do with the money.  The first thing I could come up with was to go around to all of the places I frequent, hand a big fat check to someone who's always pleasant, helpful or just puts a smile on my face and watch them jump around uncontrollably in sheer joy and excitement!  I love designer  goods, planes, vacations, cars and houses just as much as anyone else, but the thought of doing that a handful of times, would be more fulfilling than all the Louis Vuitton bags in the world.  To know that I just made someones day, lifted any type of money worries off their chest, gave them more time to relax and be with their families and to experience a lifestyle that they never thought possible, is  definitely up there with the blissful feeling I hear you get on your wedding day or when your child is born.

Giving doesn't always have to be to someone else, sometimes it's your turn to be on the receiving end of your own generosity.  Whether it be a compliment, nice meal, mani- pedi, long gym session or new watch, its always nice to show yourself some love too.  When you only give to others, you risk burnout, taking care of yourself is essential if you want to correctly tend to anyone else.

Benevolence doesn't always have to do with money.  A small gesture or word said from one person to the next can change the tone of that individuals whole day.  When one person is helpful to another a chain reaction has the chance to begin.  I viewed the most beautiful video the other day and it melted my heart.  Be always gracious, 'cause love makes the world go 'round. :)

Hair, There, Everywhere.

I love when I look back and realize that I've made the right decisions in my life.  Doing hair has taught me a lot about people, life and my artistic ability. I remember getting a cross-eyed look from more than one person when I decided not to go to college and to go to beauty school instead.  Thankfully, I  always follow my heart and once again it has taken me to the correct place.

The most rewarding thing about the my job in the beauty industry is having the opportunity to help a person feel good about themselves.  Everyone should feel beautiful and I love assisting that feeling whenever possible.  In 2005 I attended Vidal Sassoon Academy for a 6 - week haircutting course, which I refer to as "beauty college."  I picked up my things and lived in a hotel room in Santa Monica, Ca. by myself for almost two months.  I met so many amazing people at school, some in which i still keep in touch with.  I am so thankful for this experience because aside from the top notch education that I got from class everyday, I was able to do something completely on my own for the very first time.

If anyone is aspiring to be in the hair business Vidal Sassoon Academy is one of the best places to start or extend your journey.  I first attended a local cosmetology school, then started working in a salon and later went to Sassoon, there they taught me everything I needed to know about cutting hair.  I returned a few years after for a two week advanced coloring class which was also amazing, the school being in sunny California was a bonus!   I've attended many seminars on haircutting, coloring and thermal reconditioning throughout my almost ten year stand in the beauty industry.  Aside from Sassoon I've studied at Toni & Guy, Wella, Bumble & Bumble and Milbom USA etc. and I've learned something  from each one.

I love Hair extensions as they are my specialty.  The brands I regularly use are Hair Locs, Great Lengths and a few Tape-In methods.  A lot of clients assume that hair extensions are just for length. When they discover that on any style, extensions can be applied for volume, highlighting or to help get through the phase of growing out a short haircut, many are sold right away.

Many of the friendships closest to my heart began at the salon that I still currently work in.  Xoma is an upscale hair salon that houses much talent and many down to earth people.  We treat our clients like friends and from the moment one walks in, we strive to make sure they feel welcome.
I could never work in a stiff environment with a lot of rules, I prefer freedom with my wardrobe and my schedule.  Xoma stayed open through a full renovation so that clients could still have their hair done regularly and we've also worked through a time when half of the staff left us at once.  Our upgraded establishment is marvelous and we've filled the empty chairs.  A little bit of patience goes a long way.

Whether I'm coloring my grandma's hair, beautifying a client for a special night out or dolling up one of my best friends or family members for their wedding day,  I find hairdressing to be an especially gratifying career.  I've no doubt in my mind that I'll wear many hats in my life but I will never lose my passion for being a stylist.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.-Confucius"

Wine don't Whine.

Every alcoholic beverage has a different experience.   When I think of wine, I think of the aromas and flavors.  I imagine sharing a bottle with a group of friends or a date and the calming feeling that follows my first sip.  I love wine so much that I've recently become a Consultant for The Traveling Vineyard. The Traveling Vineyard is a in at home wine tasting, comparable to Mary Kay, Lia Sophia and Pampered Chef.

As soon as I heard about TTV I signed up instantly, who doesn't love or know someone who loves wine?  I hosted my kickoff tasting at my house with family and a few friends.  The only preparations the host of the party has to make are to have food pairing options available.  To no surprise, I opted for a kitchen full of different snacks for my friends to enjoy afterwards also, I can't help it, I love to entertain!  Each tasting set (which is provided by the consultant) has two red, two white and one dessert wine.  TTV's selection of wine is tasty and moderately priced. After you taste there is an option to purchase and always a promotional deal of the month.  At my particular tasting, if a guest bought 3 bottles of wine, they could add a set of wine pourers for only $2.00, with a five bottle purchase an optional cooler for $5.00 and so on.  The more you buy, the more promotions you qualify for. The company also offers to send two bottles of wine to a persons home every month for around $30.00, I thought this would be a great gift to give or even to buy for myself!

A TTV party is perfect for getting together with a group of friends or colleagues. The knowledgeable consultant at your party will simplify the steps of wine tasting for your group.  If interested in hosting a wine tasting or becoming a TTV consultant feel free to contact me and I'll walk you through the steps.

Food & Wine magazine had this Wine Tasting Workout in an issue I was skimming through the other day and I absolutely loved it! Go through the steps and you'll be on your way to becoming a sommelier!

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery.

My friends love birthdays!  Even with everyones crazy schedules we always manage to get together and celebrate.  My best friend Anthony's birthday is next week when he'll be away, so this Saturday we got together and headed to The Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery.

The rainy weather added to the already cozy setting.  The pot belly stoves,  acoustic rock n' roll group on stage and farm to table menu was worth the drive and the wine wasn't bad either.  As soon as we walked into the winery, we each purchased a souvenir glass to sample some of Warwick's wines.  The cider is one of their best sellers along with the black currant dessert wine and they are delicious!  I'm usually partial to red wines, here I favored the white, it was perfect.  The wines were a bit lighter in body than I'd usually prefer but very refreshing.  It's worth a visit to Warwick to bask in the whole hearted atmosphere.  There aren't many other things in life that's better than a day of laughs and friends!


Getting a table is a bit of a task at this place, you have to move quick and come early!  The four of us that arrived first were starving so we shared a Caramelized Onion and Brie Panini, Margherita pizza, Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad and a Cheese Plate while we waited for the rest of the gang.  The food was fantastic and although I stuck close by the salad I did manage to try everything.  The mushroom panini was my favorite but the mussels we ordered later on gave it a run for it's money.  Though I did not try them, the truffle fries  looked excellent! If I lived nearby I could definitely see myself stopping in for lunch from time to time.

The winery closed around six o'clock, so we headed into town to Eddie's Roadhouse, which happened to be owned by a guy from Jersey! The bar was tiny and packed so we were happy that we could snag a couple of seats, later the eight of us gladly took over the whole bar area.  Eddie's offers all craft beers which lit up the eyes of my beer loving friends.  I am not a beer fan, luckily they also had a full bar so I switched it up and had my signature Patron and seltzer with lime.  We shared a hummus plate with eggplant ratatouille and olive spread, it was delicious.  I also rolled with another goat cheese salad here,  I know not repetitive at all, it was very very good, better than the first! We then parted ways with the others and the original four of us wandered to a couple other places.  The other bars did not excite us much so within fifteen minutes we were tired and ready to go home.  All in all our experience was fabulous and I can't wait to visit again.  Happy Birthday Ant!

Age/Sex/Location?

Online dating has helped many people find their mate and now that it's socially acceptable, we can even talk about it!  The thought of putting up a picture on a website along side your stats makes some nauseous, but if you're shy, trying to throw yourself back into the dating pool, or just looking for a way to date outside your social circle, a dating website could be the way to go.  It's not easy to meet someone in the bar/club scene.  Even when an extremely confident man or woman approaches someone a lot of times nerves or pride get in the way.

Being extremely open minded and one of the only single ones left out of my group of friends,  I gave online dating a run.  I wandered through the website, put up a profile and photo and the emails started flowing in.  I didn't feel bad not answering someones message if I wasn't interested or attracted as there was no pressure like there would be if we met in person.  When someone peaked my interest,  it was much easier to relax and be myself from the get go, I was never worried about my hair or sounding silly in some way.  I remember situations when I've given the wrong impression to someone that I was interested in just because I was nervous; this doesn't occur when you meet online.  It is also nice to see a photo and a little excerpt of how a person perceives themselves before taking time out of your schedule for them.

It is very wise to actually talk on the phone a couple times and see more than one photo of someone before you agree to a date.  Text messages and emails are great for those who know each other well, but when meeting someone new, texts can be taken out of context.  I can be very sarcastic and I'm sure that I've offended a handful of people that don't know me well through a text.  One of my friends even describes my written words sometimes as "lethal." Adjust your expectations, when looking at photos,  if the person looks old, add 5 years, if they look too heavy for your taste add 5 pounds.  This leaves more room for you to be pleasantly surprised when you see them in person.  Try your best to focus on the most important thing that won't change, their personality.

A great first date location is somewhere you can both relax.  A fun activity is nice but make sure you are able to talk to each other , don't go to the movies or to a loud club.  It's best to meet for a drink or coffee,  don't commit to a long meal or daylong event.   Try to keep the date simple incase there's no chemistry, but leave enough room for flexibility incase there is; this way you're not having to find an out.  Even if you are blown away by each other, please do NOT sleep together just yet,  go out again and let things develop.  What can turn into a bountiful relationship can be instantly ruined by having sex too soon, it can send the wrong signals.

When making your profile keep in mind what you are trying to attract.  Don't put up four pictures of your dog unless you are trying to set him up too and if you are looking for someone of a respectable nature, don't put up half naked pictures of yourself. Be honest about who you are and who you are looking for.

Be a bit weary when meeting anyone new. Meet in a public location the first few times, strangers don't belong in your car or home.  I have been in contact with a couple compulsive liars and even one guy who was on the run.  Although it takes some of the magic away from dating, if you have an uneasy feeling about someone, but are still interested in going out, it's not the worst idea to become friends on Facebook or to Google them beforehand to make sure that their story lines up.

I've had good and bad experiences dating online. Towards the end of my adventure, I felt a bit burned out as it was repetitive and no longer fun.  Although I didn't  find my "match," I did meet a few nice people and had many interesting experiences.  In conclusion, if you want my personal advice, you're best off taking a lot of the guess work out of it and meeting someone through a friend.