Retail Therapy

[prosodic]

So today I headed out in the cold and wet to get my hair done. I hated the last haircut I got, which was the day before we left Europe. I have felt very boyish ever since...and it certainly didn't help that Lance teased me about how boyish I looked.

Of course, I had absolutely no idea what salon is best around here. And I'm one of those people for whom it takes AGES to find a good salon/stylist. And once I find that person and/or salon, I tend to stick with them until circumstances separate us.

If you're a woman, you know what I mean.

Anyway, I completely lucked out. I went into the shopping center where Target is located, because I remember seeing a salon in there. The first place I set my eyes on was a Great Clips.

Uhm. No.

I have never EVER gotten a great cut there. I think the only reason to go there is if you want something cheap, not if you want something good.

Then I saw Chatters Beauty Supply and Salon, which is apparently a Canadian beauty chain. I walked in there and they got me right in to see the stylist. She managed to turn this boyish 'do into something sassy and feminine. And of course, she also had the help of a couple of styling products. So I felt like I had to buy those too, even though they are ridiculously expensive. There weren't any cheaper alternatives to these particular products...they weren't mousses or gels or anything. And she gave me a tutorial on how to fix my hair, so I should be good to go for tomorrow. I told her that I was extremely low maintenance and clueless about styling, so she made it very easy to care for.

I will be going to see her again.

Of course, I went outside and my hair promptly went to crap...it is pouring rain, after all. I had to get some clothes...I've really been in desperate need of clothing for awhile, but I was trying to hold out until I had some disposable income. But I can't really hold out anymore, although I'm waiting on buying work clothes until I find out whether I need business or business casual.

I stopped at Ross Dress for Less, which was right next to the salon. Ugh. I did not like that place. It was not well organized, and everything was picked over.

So...off to Target I went. Two pairs of pants (one could possibly be passable for business casual) and 2 tops - one on clearance - and I'm done for now. Stopped at the Starbucks there to get a Chai Latte before I headed home.

The rest of my day will be spent preparing for tomorrow's job interview. I need to add volunteer work to my resume and print that out. I need to print out the application that they sent me - I already emailed it back, but I want to bring a hard copy that has my signature on it. I need to come up with some questions to ask them during the interview. I already plan to ask them for a tour of the building. And I also want to know if it's a new position or if they are replacing someone who left. My writing portfolio is done and I'm quite proud of it. I've probably put more work into preparation for this interview than any previous one. But obviously, I need to be sharp tomorrow.

Now...to stop feeling jittery. Not that the chai helps with that, mind you. I need to find my happy, calm place and stay there for awhile.

ETA: I forgot to mention that we came upon a slight windfall last night. Lance has a huge jar of change that we periodically empty and roll up. We did quarters last night and now have $125 to deposit in our bank account. YAY for unexpected money!

Comments

[katzies.livejournal.com]

I used to go to Great Clips and I was happy with them. But I don't think I've ever gotten a bad haircut, probably because I have no idea what looks good on me and what doesn't.

[prosodic.livejournal.com]

I think it's just one of those hit or miss places. I've found that to be true for most of those cheap haircut chains. But I will never go to a Great Clips or a Fiesta again.

I got a decent cut at Super Cuts last summer and I found a good stylist at Saturday's. So sometimes, you can get lucky.

[lijepanena.livejournal.com]

I soooooooooooo know what you mean about how hard it is to find a salon that knows what to do with your hair. I've had so many traumatic events in salons who don't know what to do with my wild, insane curls. It's SO easy for me to end up with a horrific cut.

[prosodic.livejournal.com]

I figured most women would be able to relate. ;) For me, it's not curls...it's just people that either cut carelessly and quickly or ones that actually take the time to do it right, ask me questions throughout to make sure I'm liking it, and teach me how to style it afterwards.

[lijepanena.livejournal.com]

Teaching a woman how to style it afterwards is SOOOOO important. Nothing sucks more than not being able to recreate the style you had in the salon.

[almightychix0r.livejournal.com]

I am so not a girl. I go wherever is cheapest to get my hair cut (Great Clips, beauty schools, etc) and have never had a bad haircut.

Also, I LOVE Ross Dress for Less. Easily my 2nd or 3rd favorite store. Yeah, it's a mess, but the deals are worth it.

[prosodic.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was just the particular store I went to, but their clothes were all ugly...they looked like Grandma clothes.

I never have luck at Ross or TJ Maxx or any of those types of places. Or thrift stores. And then there are people who can shop there and magically put together great outfits.