I am not a pimp

Those of you who know me know I'm not a product or service pimp. I have to be SERIOUSLY in love with something to tell people about it. When I do love something though, I am the worlds greatest promoter (ask Clippo or Mabels Labels lol).

All that being said... I'm totally about to do a completely unsolicited service gush!

A couple weeks ago I tweeted my desperate need for a haircut and my absolute refusal to go to a cheapy haircutting joint. My lovely friend Robin posted to her salon to see if they could help me out, and the twitter snowball began its roll. I was invited to come out to Salon Monzer in downtown Oakville to get a real haircut. I was stoked.

Until I got there...

We've all met me, I'm not classy. I try, but for real? I'm a beer and chips, pub going, jeans wearing mom. I love my make-up and girly things, I just like them to be special. I do decently with trendy, ok with appropriate, horribly with classy.

So walking up the stairs to Salon Monzer I suddenly realized I was completely out of my element. Cue social anxiety disorder. Breathe deep, breathe deep, focus on twitter, will self not to sweat myself stupid - because we all know what an attractive look the sweaty-hyperventilating look is. Despite my probable look of panic, I was warmly greeted, offered a beverage and offered a seat to wait for my stylist.

Which wasn't a long wait I must say. I blinked and TADA Mikey was over introducing himself and helping me into a silky robe...

*WAIT*

Aww fuck a robe? For real?! As a big woman I bloody well HATE places that think its great to offer you a robe that they have bought in one size fits all, that really only fits size 10 and under and then you get squeezed into this robe and you refuse to breathe or move because if you rip it then you'll feel like an idiot and who needs that kind of embarrassment. Yeah, ok, so the robe thing stressed me out and the panic started to come back.

However...

The lovely robe fit no problem. I was starting to relax.

Now I wont get into the bits and pieces of the haircut itself, it was the experience that matters (Though trust me, I friggen LOVE my hair). Through the whole discussion of what to do with my mop, Mikey was nothing but sweet and professional. I basically gave free reign and trusted him completely (smartest choice ever). Theres something about having your head in a sink that changes how you feel. You start to relax, you breathe better, tension washes down the sink. Easy banter with Mikey combined with great smells and the feeling of being a little bit pampered... I have to be honest, I finally felt like I was doing something just for me.

I can't say enough good things about Mikey (aka The Genius!). On top of being incredibly talented as a stylist, he was just an all around sweet guy. A good listener and a great story teller, you felt like you were talking with an old friend. I was comfortable, I was relaxed, I was entertained. Not to mention he is just cuter then frolicking puppies.

My whole head felt completely different. Lighter, tingly... I think my hair was actually in shock at how great it was being treated. Almost a week later and it still feels different to the touch, and is so easy to manage. Plus I have yet to find even one strand of hair that wasn't cut or styled properly. It takes work for me to get my hair to look bad, and since I don't have that kind of time it always looks fantastic.

Not only did I leave Salon Monzer with a fantastic new hair cut (That EVERYONE loved and commented on btw), I left feeling relaxed, refreshed and happy. I left knowing I would be back. In 28 years I havn't ever been this impressed with a stylist or a salon, EVER.

The only downside? I didn't bring cool enough clothes to wear with my new funky hair.

Salon Monzer is located at 128 Lakeshore Road East in Downtown Oakville.

Contact them at 905-842-7222

@SalonMonzer and @MiiKeyStyles on Twitter.

I'm Positively Positive

A lot of shitty things have happened over the past month. Hell just the last couple of days have involved earthquakes, tornadoes and the death of a wonderful Canadian. My personal life has had #facebookbreakup, a pretty serious depressive episode and anxiety attacks. Yeah, the last few weeks have been uber shitty. My life mantra has been getting a workout... Just keep swimming.

But the sun is out today, my kid is behaving and Im scheduled for a haircut and an evening with some of my favourite people. I think its time for some positive, happy things that have been overshadowed by the dark clouds.

1. Pillows and Banana Bread - There is nothing as awesome as friends who are nice for the sake of being nice. Melissa showed up at my door with fluffy new pillows for Monkey and I after I randomly tweeted about wishing we had new ones and Tammy offered up a loaf of banana bread (WITH FLAX) when Monkey may or may not have swallowed a penny. Still have no idea if she did swallow a penny though :S.

2. Tuesdays with Tacos - Bobby O'Briens dollar tacos. Does this even need explanation?!

3. Cheap Gas - Now that gas prices are SO high a few places have started having gas sale days. I got gas for 120.1!

4. Salvation Army Thrift Store deals - Went looking for fascinator pieces (which I didnt find sadly) but found out there was a buy 10 pieces of kids clothes for 10 bucks sale! Got sweatshirts for Monkey for daycare super cheap!

5. Old Music Favourites - Also while at the Sally Anne I found some old school CDs that I will totally be jamming out to today!

6. Public Displays of Remembrance - When it was reported the Jack Layton passed away this week Canadians of all political stripes were saddened and grief spread across the country. We came together to support each other and remember a remarkable Canadian taken too soon. His final words to his "friends" inspired us all and memorials of every type popped up all over the country.

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." - Jack Layton

7. Helping Hands - After the tornado ripped through Goderich we were all in shock something like this could happen here. Shock didn't stop people from jumping to action though with donations and volunteers coming together quickly to help people start cleaning up and rebuilding their lives.

8. Twitter - Ok I love twitter all the time, its nothing new. Information and support flying in 24/7. Amazing people willing to put themselves out there 140 characters at a time. Including keeping those in stairwells hiding from tornadoes updated on the weather lol.

9. Misunderstandings - Seriously when one friend messages you to ask if they can unfollow the guy they thought broke up with you on facebook but its really a friend you adore who happens to have a s/o that isn't you, it might be the funniest thing that could ever happen. I'm still laughing. Hard.

10. Randomly Naked Children - When two three year olds get together with a water table someone is gonna get wet. Stripping them of wet clothes and letting them run around and be kids in just underwear reminds us of the freedom you have being a kid. Its a great feeling watching kids be free and innocent.

Ok... Now its your turn! Yes I'm serious! Lets find something positive and tell each other about it! I'm expecting some very happy comments lol.

I'm Still Here

The next few months are opening up opportunities for me to show myself how far I have come over the past 5 years. I've been homeless, I've lived in a strange city, I've been pregnant, I've had surgery, I've mentally fallen apart, I've physically fallen apart and yet... I'm still here.

Do you hear that?

I'M STILL FUCKING HERE!

I have taken everything the world has thrown at me and I. Am. Still. Here.

Yeah, Ive become a mom, I make life work despite poverty, I have a home, I have healed physical wounds. To me though, nothing compares to the fact that I am still here. All the nights i've laid wondering if I could take one more thing, if I was being selfish to include a beautiful little girl in my messed up life, if the sun really was going to come up in the morning and if I would see my breath in the crisp winter air one more time. All the days I used nap time to bawl my face off, took 2 minutes shelter in my room to scream silently into a pillow, the days I broke down unable to contain my anger and frustration.

I'm still here.

I have ripped hair from my head, scratched my arms raw, fallen to the floor and wept like a child. I have experienced death, deception, theft, and gaping open stab wounds to my back.

I'm still here.

The medication helps, but only if you want it to help. I've danced, I've sang, I've written and I have hugged my way out of the depths of a hell my own mind can't help but create for itself. My brain misfires and is fundamentally flawed, but dammit...

I'm still here.

Every breath.

Every tear.

Everything I have done wrong.

Everything I've managed to get right.

I've been pushed to the limits of what a human can tolerate, looked over the edge and said "Fuck you! This is my life and you can't have it!". I have slowly, and with many bumps along the way, taken back what is rightfully mine.

I'm Still Here.

I still don't have all the details, all the answers, all the finances for how I'm going to make any of this happen, but when I step up to tell my story at 140 conference and when I sit down to listen to others knowledge at Blissdom, I will be looking my demons in the eye and screaming -

"You took so much from me but I kept my lungs full of air. I kept my heart beating. I kept my soul full of love and light. I'M STILL HERE!"

I thought I told you...

A couple of weeks ago I told you about a contest from centrsource where your business could win 15,000 dollars. I also told you it ended July 31st.

SURPRISE!

They've extended the contest! Now you have until August 30th to take part in this awesome contest and get free advertising just for entering!

Not so much into entering contests for your business? How do you feel about voting? How do you feel about free iPad 2s? Well then get over there and start voting! Weekly prizes are being handed out and you're missing them!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Go HERE - enter or vote for a business - have a happy hump day!