Dear Austin

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From the first moment we met I was bewitched. You were the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on, and you became a fun, lively, open-minded companion. The longer we’ve been together the deeper my love grew. Strangers may have thought you were weird, but they didn’t know you as I did: delightfully accepting of everyone, easy-going, and a tad eccentric.

imageAlthough your outer beauty has not paled, you have changed. It began slowly, imperceptibly, then became increasingly obvious.

You’re always in a rush. You’ve got everyone tied up in knots. You’ve become aggressive and often outright hostile…acting as if you’re more important than everyone around you. Nowhere is it more obvious than on the road: speeding, tailgating, texting while you drive (you also eat, apply make-up, and work on your lap-top while you steer with your knees) and take dangerous and stupid risks. Why are you being so rude?

I wish I could say that these bad habits are outweighed by your cooking and the way you can shake-shake-shake a cocktail – after all, when I met you in 1978, you couldn’t even boil water. But, while your abilities are broader and more accomplished, you have become less accessible, less inclusive, and less humanist.  You are turning into a social-climbing conservative.

I will dream of the “old you” and be looking for that everywhere I travel.  While your beauty will always take my breath away,  you’ve gotten just a little too big for your britches, missy!

XO Donna

 

(Note – Today I read that the estimates of people moving to Austin (and metro areas) is now 100 people a day – that makes 3,000/month! We are the second fasted-growing city, right behind Dallas. Our population is estimated at 1.9 million+)

 

 

Love Letter to My Bosses, Redux

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(This was originally posted  in July, 2014. I felt I had to edit and share it again. Thank you for understanding.)

With two very brief exceptions, I have been a hairstylist my whole adult life. I got my licence in 1976 in New York and I find it hard to believe time has gone by so quickly! In all that time as a stylist, I’ve only had three bosses.

Dragon OrchidThe first demanded the very best of us and gave us the very best of everything in return. She provided a state-of-the-art salon and education for us,  both on a professional level, and a personal-growth level.  I owe much of who I’ve become to her. Though we didn’t part on the best of terms, I feel a profound love and gratitude for her strength and vision.  I see that her expectations of me, though grand, were nothing more than she asked of herself, and nothing I couldn’t have lived up to. I told her this a couple years ago, and we are now on good terms.

After her, I rented a studio from a sweet man for almost 14 years…he was kind, affable, and always in a good mood. All he wanted was for us to have a good life, have fun, and respect each other. He would have loved it if we had become one-big-happy-family.  He regularly pointed out how lucky we were to be self-employed stylists, and if you forgot what those reasons were,  he’d gladly recite them. He passed away a couple of years ago…and I am grateful that he knew how much I loved him.

I briefly had my second boss after him. It was not a good fit for either of us, and I left after a year. ‘Nough said.

I have had the good fortune to work part-time for my third boss, Josh, for three years now, although I have known him for many more. He is another salon owner that truly wants his staff to be happy and successful. And for more than twenty years, he and Bella Salon have been a fixture on the Austin scene.

More orchids1The greeting above our front desk: Love All, Serve All says it all.

Josh found out that he had lung cancer shortly after I began. Three years later he is in Hospice care and will pass out of this world any day now.  My heart is breaking as I think about Bella without Josh. He made sure we know everything will be okay, the salon will go on. And he has worked right beside us, surrounded by his clients and his beautiful orchids, until it became impossible to do so.

Last week before he left he stood in the doorway of our room, hands in his pockets, and watched us with our clients. He smiled beatifically, taking it all in, as if to remember every bit of it. His presence there felt like a benediction.

Josh was passionate about hairdressing – so much so that he’d rather be at the salon than almost anywhere else. We should all feel so passionate about what we do! Bella will indeed go on, we are professionals who also love what we do. We will follow Josh’s example, continue what he began, and live up to the credo at our entrance.

Godspeed, my friend. Until we meet again.

XO Donna

Love Letter to My Bosses, Redux

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(This was originally posted  in July, 2014. I felt I had to edit, and share it again. Thank you for understanding.  Donna)

With two very brief exceptions, I have been a hairstylist my whole adult life. I got my licence in 1976 in New York and I find it hard to believe time has gone by so quickly! In all that time as a stylist, I’ve only had three bosses.

Dragon OrchidThe first demanded the very best of us and gave us the very best of everything in return. She provided a state-of-the-art salon and education for us,  both on a professional level, and a personal-growth level.  I owe much of who I’ve become to her. Though we didn’t part on the best of terms, I feel a profound love and gratitude for her strength and vision.  I see that her expectations of me, though grand, were nothing more than she asked of herself, and nothing I couldn’t have lived up to. I told her this a couple years ago, and we are now on good terms.

After her, I rented a studio from a sweet man for almost 14 years…he was kind, affable, and always in a good mood. All he wanted was for us to have a good life, have fun, and respect each other. He would have loved it if we had become one-big-happy-family.  He regularly pointed out how lucky we were to be self-employed stylists, and if you forgot what those reasons were,  he’d gladly recite them. He passed away a couple of years ago…and I am grateful that he knew how much I loved him.

I briefly had my second boss after him. It was not a good fit for either of us, and I left after a year. ‘Nough said.

I have had the good fortune to work part-time for my third boss, Josh, for three years now, although I have known him for many more. He is another salon owner that truly wanted his staff to be happy and successful. And for more than twenty years, he and Bella Salon have been a fixture on the Austin scene.

More orchids1The greeting above our front desk: Love All, Serve All says it all.

Josh found out that he had lung cancer shortly after I began. Three years later he is in Hospice care and will pass out of this world any day now.  My heart is breaking as I think about Bella Salon without Josh. He made sure we know everything will be okay, and he has worked, surrounded by his clients and his beautiful orchids, until it became impossible to do so.

Last week before he left he stood in the doorway of our room, hands in his pockets, and watched us with our clients. He smiled beatifically, taking it all in, as if to remember every bit of it. His presence there felt like a benediction.

Josh was passionate about his art – so much so that he’d rather be at the salon than almost anywhere else. I aspire to bring that kind of passion to everything I do. Bella will go on, we are professionals who also love what we do. We will follow Josh’s example and live up to the credo at our entrance.

Godspeed, my friend. Until we meet again.

XO Donna

Nothing rotten about it

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imageIt’s back.  The ROT (Republic of Texas) Rally party in downtown Austin is tomorrow night. Motorcycles by the tens of thousands. Bands playing in the middle of Congress Avenue and Sixth Street. Road closures, traffic jams, wonderfully packed hotels, restaurants and bars.  Lots of people come to stroll around and listen to music and see the bikes and bikers. It’s a crazy, crowded, chaotic scene. There are quite a few things that I love about it:

  • We are always invited to a nice rooftop party at The Iron Cactus, and get to observe the parade below as it gets started and the bikes all roll in.
  • We get to see people that we often only see once a year.  Since the years are getting shorter, it’s as if hardly any time at all has passed.
  • We have developed a routine over the years, and we always end up being the last ones to leave Manuel’s Restaurant. I guess that makes it a tradition.
  • I love walking back to our room and spending the night in a hotel downtown when we’ve had enough.
  • Mostly, I love the diversity of bikes, bikers and biker groups.
  • imageThere are avid enthusiasts like ourselves.  Gay Pride bikers. Bikers for Jesus.  Mother Hen bikers. Buddhist bikers. Viet Nam Veteran bikers. Breast cancer support riders. I know that he roughest looking among them do charity rides for a causes close to their hearts. We all ride for the same reason – the pure pleasure of the journey.

Years ago we went to the Exposition Center where the rally itself was being held. It was hot, (mantra: it’s always hot during ROT) it had rained and there was mud everywhere. And in that mud, there were some very crazy goings-on. People misbehaving in spectacular ways. My friend Diane said she thought they should rename it “The Rotten Rally.” Every year I think of that and chuckle as I head out to meet our friends and have a great night. Watch for motorcycles, they’re everywhere! XO Donna

Summertime…and the livin’ is easy

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Here it is, another grey and cloudy day in the ATX …but you’re not going to hear me complaining.  Why? Because as long as it’s cloudy, it won’t get up to 100 degrees! 

And because a tangerine-colored Cardinal just landed on the railing right outside of my window as I write this. I’ve never seen an orange Cardinal…have you?

Which brings me to three fun summer things I’ve been thinking about:

  1. A  citrusy way to create smooth, glowing skin.
  2. A mixture to get your feet sandal-ready that’s so easy you can sleep through it.
  3. And an ‘old-school’ cocktail that’s just perfect for our summer heat.Citrus

I’m sure you’ve seen the pretty sugar or salt scrubs for your skin that you can buy in jars…why buy them when they are so easy to make at home?  And, here’s the best part, you can customize them with your favorite citrus and oil!  The basic recipe is: 1/2 of a lemon + 1 T of olive oil + 1T of honey + 1/2 C of sugar. Mix in a break-proof jar or bowl and take into your shower with you. Gently massage over skin and rinse off. The fruit acids and sugar act as exfoliants, the oil and honey act to help retain moisture.

I have customized mine (sensitive, dry skin) by using an orange instead of a lemon and using almond oil rather than olive oil. I’ll bet an orange + coconut oil would smell delicious, too!  You can’t do this one wrong…experiment! (Caution: the shower floor can become slippery.)

For those sandal-ready feet I promised:  Be sure to use a pumice stone on your heels in the summer, but be gentle and do it consistently. Dry, cracked heels are unsightly and unsexy!  At bedtime once a week, slather your feet with your favorite moisturizing cream (I love Skin Trip from Whole Foods – it reminds me of my friend Teresa, and it smells like coconut!) and put on a pair of socks. When you awake in the morning, both you, and your feet, will be refreshed.  (Both the citrus scrub, and the overnight treatment for your feet, would be great to share with the man in your life!)

Down to the finish line – that summertime cocktail I promised.  The Whiskey Sour is a classic drink that’s back in fashion and never feels too heavy in our heat!  This is my favorite recipe from Ina Garten. (and if anyone of you knows her, I’ve always wanted to meet her!)cookworks_wk1B04_whiskeysours_lg

Ina’s Whiskey Sour

3/4 C Jack Daniels Whiskey (I’ve tried others, but this is best), 1/2 C fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 C fresh squeezed lime juice, 2/3 C simple syrup, maraschino cherries for garnish.

Combine the whiskey, juices and syrup in a pitcher. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full of ice, add drink mix to the 2/3 full mark and shake for 15 seconds then pour into chilled glasses. Add a cherry for garnish and enjoy the compliments!

Don’t know what simple syrup is? So simple; Mix 1C water with 1C sugar in saucepan. Bring to boil, stir till sugar dissolves, cool before using. Pour into jar and store in fridge.

Your skin is going to glow, your feet will be gorgeous in your sandals and you’ll have mastered a classic Whiskey Sour.  Invite friends to your home, mix up a batch and have fun!

Now for a little sexy music…Buddha Bar?  Electric Guest?  Martini Lounge?

XO  Donna

Here comes the sun

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austinbigWe’ve had a remarkable spring here in Austin, Texas! It’s been cool, cloudy and rainy…some people are even complaining that it feels like Seattle. As if!  It feels like the good old days. The days before the drought that has lasted for years, began. The grass is green. The plants are flowering. The vines are snaking their way up trees, across fence tops and twining all through their trellises, and the smell of Star Jasmine fills the air. Pretty. Magnificent.

(Amazing photo by Debra Lineberger, 2012)

But…the sun will come out tomorrow. Or later this afternoon. It will burn off the clouds and will be just-what-everyone-needs, for a while. Then it will become hot. Unbearably hot.  XXX Texas hot!

The point of this is that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and this is a friendly reminder. Skin cancer is the most preventable type of cancer…if you take precautions and protect yourself. Sunscreen is your friend! And avoiding the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest is a good idea. Get your exercize in early…which is when it’s coolest here, anyway.

For you younger people: Mr. Sun dissolves collagen and elastin in the skin. These are the elements that keep your skin smooth, full, and wrinkle-free. Working on your tan ages you faster. And trust me, it all comes fast enough!

For we ‘sexy-past-sixties’: let’s circle-the-wagons, and minimize any further damage.

For everyone: Remember to put sunscreen on your hands whenever you’re out. (We seem to remember our necks, faces and decolletage, but rarely our hands). They will give your age away faster than a jealous cousin!

A broad-spectrum, physical sun-block (containing zinc-oxide or titanium dioxide) is best at protecting you from UVA and UVB rays. (A = aging. B = burning).  You should wear sunscreen every day, whether it’s sunny, partly cloudy, or cloudy. Whether you’re running errands for a few minutes, or playing a game of tennis mid-morning!   It is NOT a myth that the left side of your face ages faster from driving because of accumulated sun exposure coming through the window of your car! And your hands – Mr. Sun is shining on them as they grasp the steering wheel to get you where you’re going – please protect them.

CLINIQUE CCThe easiest way I have found to protect my skin daily is by adding a CC cream on top of my sunscreen.  Yes, I’m still pushing BB/CC creams…if only I could get one of them to sponsor me!  I love them, I believe in them, I use them!  If you have a favorite make-up line, see if they formulate a BB or CC cream. If not, go to Sephore or Ulta and ask someone there for a recommendation based on  your skin type, and how you want the cream to feel. Dewey, (no, not Donald Duck’s nephew) and moist, or a powdery finish. Super lightweight, or more coverage. Try them on. A quick perusal of Sephora’s website revealed BB and CC creams from:  Clinique, Urban Decay, Sephora’s own, Boscia, Bobbi Brown, Dr. Brandt, Shisheido, Peter Thomas Roth and many, many more!  

What is the difference between a BB and a CC cream, you ask?  Well, BB creams are lighter (generally) than foundations, provide coverage + skin care benefits such as an SPF and anti-oxidants, depending on the brand. CC stands for Color Correcting – useful for correcting redness and sallowness by utilizing light-reflecting particles. They are generally more lightweight on the skin, with a fluffier feel. Think of them as an improved version of the BB creams that can be even better for mature skin!

Here’s a great link from Allure: http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/2012/best-bb-creams-and-cc-creams-for-all-skin-issues#slide=1  umbrella drink

For now, I will continue enjoying this cool weather and it’s verdant results…but I know, some like it hot!  Get ready by applying your sunscreen, adding some CC cream and a luscious lip gloss, find a shady spot and stick a little umbrella in your cocktail! 

XO Donna