"Need this for your streaks?"

Apparently other people can read my mind...or they also agree that my hair is in need of some "help."

I was in Target (ohhh I'm there like 3 days a week...I should buy stock in Target) yesterday waiting in line.  The woman in front of me had just paid and was receiving her receipt and one of those printed coupons.  She turns to me and says, "Do you want this coupon to use for your streaks?"

After being momentarily startled and not sure how to respond, I figured out her coupon was for a Nice 'N Easy highlighting kit.  Wow, wasn't I just talking about highlighting your own hair?  Anyway, I recovered and said, "ummm I don't do my own, thanks."

Not sure if I should have been offended that she thinks my carefully placed highlights (some natural and some not) are "streaks"...I told Mark about it and he called me a snob.  The woman was just trying to be nice I guess.  Just odd timing and quite coincidental. 

Maybe Men Actually Listen?

Or maybe men have selective hearing...yes that is it! 

Every once in a while I get a little "help" in making my blonde hair blonder - aka yes, I do get a *few* highlights.  I don't get them often, but when half my head is looking darker (so I think) I turn to the professionals.  Because let's face it, doing your own highlights is never the same and we don't need to repeat what I did in college and post-college.

Anyway, when you get highlights, not only does it make your hair look better (duh) but it also adds volume...yes, it's true!  I haven't had highlights since late February; so it's been about 16 or so weeks.  That's way too long according to some hair experts.  I have been holding out because when I wear my hair down and part it, it looks okay because of some natural highlights...it's when I pull it back and you see the other side that it's scary.  Oh I have also been waiting because I'm unemployed right now!  Not a time to really be spending money on such luxuries.  Since I start work next week I have contemplated getting highlights before I start.  When I mentioned this to Mark, he said, "why not do it later in July right before the wedding we have to go to?  The highlights always look best a week after you get them done right?  So get them a week before the wedding." 

Say what?!?!  Mark actually remembers that I said that before our own wedding!?!?  My hair stylist told me back then to get my highlights a few days before our wedding so that they pop during the photos and I don't have roots.  I'm shocked and impressed.  Really, would a guy know this otherwise...okay maybe, but would he vocalize it?  hmmm

In closing, if you're curious about what happened to my hair in college and post-college, here it is...

I tried to highlight my hair myself Freshman year.  No wait, I think I bought something that would make my hair a shade lighter - who knows what it was.  Something went wrong...did I leave the chemicals on too long or too short?  Who knows, but my hair was yellowish orange.  I borrowed a friends car and drove to Walmart to get hair dye (big mistake).  My hair was then a yellowish white.  Think of the Playboy bunnies.  It was horrible.  I think a few weeks later I was able to fix it yet again by putting in some lowlights or dying my hair an ash blonde. 

Post-college I tried again.  It was at Mark's house in Arlington in the pink bathroom.  Tried to highlight it...same problem with it being yellowish orange (parts of it, not my whole head thank goodness).  We ran out to Target to get something else.  Went back to his house.  That didn't work.  I think I repeated this again twice for a total of four visits to Target - an all-time high still.  I can't remember if my hair ever looked normal after this.  After this mistake I decided to suck it up since I had probably paid as much in hair dye and highlighter as I would have to have it professionally done. 

Hotel for Dogs - Free Friday Night Movie in Town

We live in town which equates to paying more taxes than those that don't (obviously).  It's an interesting concept and I guess what we get out of it is Christmas tree removal and street cleaning.  We still have to pay for water, sewage, and garbage.

The best thing about living in town is being able to walk to just about anything - the library, church, grocery stores, bars, a running trail, etc... 

I just recently disovered that the Town has free Friday night movies every other Friday in the summer.  Last night Mark and I walked the short distance to this small amphitheater (next to a church, a park, and the police station).  The movie was supposed to start at dusk...which put us around 8:45/9 PM!  Keep in mind this free Friday night movie thing is aimed towards kids - how are they staying up this late?!?  Anyway, we got there around 8:15 and the place was pretty crowded already...meaning we had to set up our chairs in the back.  Best part of the night - the funnel cake we bought.  It was perfect.  The funnel cake vendor must make so much money since just about every family bought one cake.

Moving right along, Hotel for Dogs was a really cute movie about these two foster kids trying to rescue and take care of dogs...on the sly.  Their foster parents are mean wannabe rock starts.  They find an abandoned hotel, make new friends, and devise ways to take care of the adorable canines.  Of course they get in trouble, but you'll have to watch to see what happens!

Source: Amazon.com

Pilates DVD Review #2 - Denise Austin's Pilates for Every Body

I just did an entry about one of the segments from this DVD.  Unfortunately that was the best segment.


My standard disclaimer: I have been doing Pilates off and on for about 10  years...mostly through an old Denise Austin VHS (yes, the actual video tape) but more recently through mat classes.  So I guess my level is intermediate at best.  I have been doing Yoga for about a year and I'm beginner-intermediate.

The next pilates DVD (from the library of course) I tried was Denise Austin's Pilates for Every Body.

Let's face it, this DVD is old...and you can tell.  Hello 2002 graphics. 


She does some weird dance movements to warm up.  Next she goes to mat work which is okay...not the best I have seen with Pilates.  She uses a band at times which is not always needed and not everyone has one.  Next is the standing leg series (see previous blog entry) - awesome!  Then more work with the band targeting the arms.  She ends with stretching.  

Some of Denise's favorite sayings that I have learned over the years:

• "Let me see that smiling face."
• "Reach up, up up up up!"
• "This is my FAVORITE stretch!"
• "Zip it up."
• "Your spine is your lifeline."
• "Girdle of strength."
• "It's your powerhouse."
  

I give this DVD a 6/10.  Sorry Denise, I love you, but I'm going to have to say to skip this DVD except for the previously mentioned leg and butt workout.

Mondays = Great Reality TV

I actually look forward to Mondays now.  Hmm that's probably because I am not working.  Anyway, Mondays are great because there is some "wonderful," ahem, entertaining, reality tv on!  Between The Bachelorette and RHONJ there is lots of drama and intrigue. 

For The Bachelorette, who will go this week?  Will Rated R finally be exposed for his false reasons for being there?  What will Kirk reveal about his past?  Will we see the one guy who never talks talk?  I think his name is also Chris?  Is Frank going to still think Ali is his girlfriend?  His eyes creep me out.  My favorite is Chris L. from Cape Cod. 

Now to RHONJ...I know we'll see more Danielle antics.  Looks like Kim G. is stirring the pot some more.  I really hope she does not become a "housewife."  She's pathetic and ever since seeing her try to "climb" the pole, my eyes have been burning.