Author Archives: schatzi

Therapy Vs Hairstlying

Posted on by

Clients like to have their hair cut by somebody they are comfortable with– they like their look, their energy, and the way they style hair. And, sometimes clients want therapy versus hairstyling. Some stylists take it on. There is a fuzzy line between the two. On one hand, I want my client to feel on top of the world when they leave, or at least liking the way their hair looks. And yes, some I propped up more than others. Sometimes I need to give a bit more shoring to have a client a positive note to leave on. Is this called therapy? Do I really want that role?

I used to work next to this hairdresser, a very good friend of mine at the time, who never hesitated to ask really personal questions, and he played out the role of psychologist, even though he was one of the most neurotic people I know. “So how are you two really doing? Are you having sex yet?” My skin would crawl, it felt unprofessional. And yet, he was booked solid. He was known to be over-the-top sensitive, and a great listener, and he really did care. And, yet he would get right in your business. He attracted clients who liked that.

He gave, and gave, and gave. He booked himself tight, haircut after haircut. Lunch went down in five minutes, usually the fattiest, saltiest of foods, with a Coke. He oozed charisma, and he was a talented hairdresser. He worked like this for at least 20 years. I respected Joel in many ways and he would do just about anything for me. In fact, he helped me build my hairstyling career. He dragged me out of managing a fruit stand, I quit my hairdressing job, and didn’t know if I wanted to continue, although I cut hair in my apartment. He said, “What are you doing? You’re a hairdresser. Come open the salon with me.”

In watching him, a feeling would surface every once in a while, “When is the other shoe going to drop?” Then it did. After years of this incredible pace, he vanished from the business. He just couldn’t do it anymore. Clients who had appointments, didn’t get a call. Clients of eighteen years wondered why. Done.

Watching my friend give and give and give as a hairstylist, then burn out, was painful. Did he need to give so much to his clients that he had nothing left of himself? Seeing how he left the business created confusion for me as a friend, and as a stylist. Maybe it’s the only way he knew how. Maybe the intensity is what his clients expected of him. As a budding hairstylist, I could see the position required building relationships, sustaining them, not to mention having great technical skills, but did it mean I had to give up myself as an offering? I felt uncomfortable with how much he gave, and yet I believed that must be what it takes to be successful in this business.

I too, gave beyond what was necessary, but in a different way. My boundaries were soft around the edges. I’d let clients take advantage of me, I’d stress about being good enough. Would their hair be okay? Would they be okay with their hair? I took it home with me, and compared myself to Joel. I never measured up when I did compare our different ways of approaching our clients. I never wanted to ask personal questions though, I was too scared, afraid of offending them. If they wanted a more personal relationship with me, I waited for their cue. I would even sometimes use my clientele to shore myself up. I use to go out a lot with my clients. Then some where along the way, that all changed.

It started with studying with Rusk. I became an educator with them and it changed everything about how I saw hair. I took my career more seriously– I quit leaning on my clients for support. My job became about giving to them in a professional way,and keeping the personal talk down to a minimum. Now I don’t have a personal relationship with 99% of my clients outside the salon. I awakened to the fact their appointment time should be about them, and it is about hair, and I need to be talking about there hair, not their personal lives.

I listen to my clients now, and I follow their lead, always keeping in mind my job is hairstyling. Therapist versus hairstylist? No, contest. I much prefer my job as a stylist. Down deep, clients want to be waited on, taken care of, and walk out loving their hair.

Valentines Gifts For Him

Posted on by

Valentines day is a day celebrated throughout the world by loved up couples. However the men generally get an easier deal than the women. In order to make a woman happy on Valentine’s day, the man just has to buy her something romantic that she likes – perfume, chocolates or flowers for example. This is easy to do and usually keeps the lucky lady happy.

However if you are a woman buying valentines gifts for a boyfriend or husband then things can become more difficult. A bunch of 12 red roses for example just does not cut it.

A great valentines gift idea for him is a personalised newspaper front page. You and your partner could hit the headlines in a quirky and romantic news paper story, personalised with both of your names. These make great gifts and can look really nice framed and hung on a wall.

If you think your partner would like something a little more ‘manly’ then why not go for something alcoholic and personalised. You can rarely go wrong with personalised valentines gifts just for him. One option is a bottle of finest personalised malt whiskey. The label is printed with your choice of wording – so you can include something soppy and loving as well as both your names and even the date if you want. This can make a great keepsake present and certainly is a cut above the rest of some valentines gifts.

However if your partner is in to all things loving and romantic you could go for something slushy. One option that could be used for this is a poem written on a scroll. This is present beautifully and is definitely a romantic keepsake that will be cherished.

For something to be really special then personalised valentines gifts for him are the way to go. Something that is unique to you both – with names, dates and even anecdotes on can really make a special present and one that is remembered. So try and find something that you know they will like as well as something you can personalise just for you both. That way you know you are giving a gift that will stick in their mind for a long time to come. As long as it is a present that they like then you can’t go far wrong, so have a browse online because there are hundreds of gift ideas, so something to suit everyone.

Can Healthy Diet Foods Be Good For Diabetes?

Posted on by

It is a common fact that healthy diet foods are preferred than nutritious foods. If the health aspect of the diet foods is absent or deficient, then the benefit of eating those foods is zero. Since healthy foods help controlling diabetes, they are given top priority by diabetics. Foods which contain Minerals and Vitamins are recommended for diabetics in keeping normal levels of blood sugar. So, it is rightly claimed that healthy diet foods are good for diabetes as they control blood sugar levels. When there is opportunity for controlling diabetes, there is nothing to be worried about your diabetic condition.

It should be remembered that medication alone cannot solve the pathological condition when prone to diabetes. You can control blood glucose levels reasonably with some medication to certain degree but not as a whole without healthy diet. However, the sufferings can be managed by consuming right diet foods following a dietary meal plan. Be sure, you can prevent and manage diabetes by maintaining your health with healthy diet foods.

You can get a list of diet foods to eat after diagnosis of your present condition by a dietitian and improve your health by preventing further development of diabetes. You will be recommended to consume plenty of vegetables and fruits as healthy diets to supplement the requirements of your body. What is suggested to be added as diabetic healthy food, it should be consumed in small measures. If you have divided and small servings, your digestive system can function without problem, and the function of the pancreas will also be great. You may plan your healthy diet foods as follows:

Fresh Vegetables: There are vegetables of two varieties, one high in fiber and the other low in fiber. If the diet foods contain enriched fiber content, such foods can help the diabetic in blood sugar control. The condition will be pathetic if the food is plenty in carbohydrates. You can choose black beans and spinach for better effects.

Low sweet Fruits: Consuming fruits as healthy diet is equally important when you choose to consume vegetables. You can be sure to reduce your blood sugar by eating apples, pomegranates, and red grapes before or after your regular meal.

Grains and spices: Wheat, unpolished rice, and oatmeal are also healthy diets usually recommended for diabetics to control and manage diabetes as you aspire. Spices like garlic and cinnamon have amazing quality of helping pancreatic secretion of insulin needed to convert dietary glucose into energy.

Feng Shui Fashion Makeover – Energize Your Life and Wardrobe

Posted on by

Do you look and feel great in your current wardrobe? Are you looking for ways to boost your energy and have more balance in your life? It is important to have a positive and attractive outer appearance, as well as a balanced inner-self to enhance your chances of success in the world today.

One of the most valuable things you can do for yourself is to practice the art of wearing colors and styles of clothing that enhance your success and well-being. When you continually wear a wardrobe that supports who you are, you will have more confidence and energy.

One of the most successful ways to empower your wardrobe is through the principles of personalized Feng Shui. There is much information available on how to apply Feng Shui to your home, garden, and work place using the traditional principles of Feng Shui, such as Yin and Yang and the Five Elements theory. These basic theories can also be applied to your personal wardrobe through the colors and shapes which represent the Five Elements of Feng Shui.

Good Feng Shui has always meant being in harmony with nature. Good personalized Feng Shui means you can start creating harmony in the way you get dressed each day. By selecting the colors and shapes that will enhance your personal energies, you will be creating an environment around you for success.

A good place to start your personal fashion makeover is by taking a look inside your closet space as if you were seeing it for the first time. Notice if your wardrobe is supporting who you are and where you’d like to be in your life. You may find the need to de-clutter your closet before you start to create your wardrobe with the colors and styles that enhance your natural beauty. Removing old, unworn, and unnecessary items from your closet can open up possibilities for fresh vital energy to empower you. Set aside some time for you to sort and organize your closet. As this task can be overwhelming, be sure to reward yourself when you are done with this project.

Color plays a very important role in your daily life. You can be seen as loyal and trusting in a navy-blue colored suit, passionate in pink or red, calm and serene in a soft shade of green, or bright and cheery in sunshine yellow.

The colors you wear not only affect the way you feel, but also set the tone for others around you. Do you seem to have a difficult time making a decision? Are you often passed by for a deserving raise or promotion? Have you noticed that wearing certain colors can make a gray, gloomy day seem more cheerful? For example, if you continually dress in the color black, it not only gives off the impression of sadness, but also may be surrounding you in too much of the element of water, which may hinder your ability to make the decisions that are required in your line of work.

Building a wardrobe that will have you feeling balanced and energized can be very simple if you desire to bring positive change into your life. You will know you are on the right path with your personal makeover by the compliments you will receive from others.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun, schedule some time for yourself, and spend time with those who make you happy. By looking and feeling your best, your positive attitude and harmonious nature will be contagious to those around you. Your future awaits, embrace all that life has to offer you.

© Copyright, Diane Alba-Means, Hawaii Feng Shui 2006