BLOGyear: Day 2!

Well, hello :)

Today was jam packed with errands, lunch at Tark's (yumm), and lots of running around. We started the day by heading to Towson Town Center, dangerous I know, and I was able to get some things from my list! Mind you I did hold back from some purchases which will go on the wish list :)

So these are pretty silly, but I really enjoyed them. 

I am currently using one as a bookmark, and may give some away as little silly add-on gifts!

  ($5 from Francesca's Collections)

Now this, I actually needed. Well, kind of considering I lost my previous case in my car, still can't seem to find it. Apple didn't have much, and Nordstrom didn't really have the one I set out for, but they did have this one! I love Andy Warhol, and by do I love New York. 

($35 Nordstrom)

I also picked up a belated Christmas gift but I can't post it on here ;) 

Held back on continuing to grow my Deborah Lippmann nail polish collection although, I will most likely cave and go purchase 'Across the Universe' 

:)

I received this next item as a Christmas gift and was told to read it as soon as possible. So, taking a break from my current series, I decided I would begin BOTM: Book of the Month with this one :) Every month this year I want to read a new book; whether it be finishing The Instrumental Series (which is lovely), or something just for fun. And, I would like to share it with you!

Should be a good one, I guess we will find out :)

This year I want to make a checklist instead of a series of resolutions. I make lists all the time, and checking them off feels mighty nice :) 

#1 blog everyday of 2012

So day 2 is coming to an end, and I better get started on this book!

stay inspired.

BLOGyear: Day 1 :)

So I have decided to do something I'm calling BLOGyear.

 Everyday of 2012 I will post something; ranging from DIY crafts, to  silly little insights into my not-so-exciting life :) 

Day 1! 

Today is January 1st, and the beginning to an amazing year to come! I have been so blessed this past year. I  finished school, and began working at a top salon in Baltimore. I have to say I was a littleeeee intimidated by these ladies. They are all so strong, hilarious, inspirational, and truly amazing. And, they've been working together for years. So, here I am 20 years old, right out of school, and it was a little never-raking to say the least. I never doubted that one day I would feel as if I fit in, and now after working there for 4 months, I finally feel like I do :) These lades are some of the best people I know, and I can't wait to spend more time with them!

I have grown so much this past year, made some amazing friends, and put some things behind me that I have needed to move on from. I hope to share an exciting, amazing, and healthy year with everyone! 

So, here we go 2012, let's make this a year to remember!

Till tomorrow,

Dream big, aim high, and believe in yourself!

stay inspired.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Christmas: the annual festival of the Christian Church commemorating that birth of Jesus; celebrated on December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and an occasion to exchange gifts.

According to dictionary.com the above is the definition of Christmas; and, I must say it has gotten it pretty accurate to what we view it as these days. Christmas is in existence because of Him, and now we as a people have made it into a mad dash to the mall to purchase the "perfect" gift. Now, I love a good gift just like the rest of us. But as I have grown up I have become more observant of what this "government holiday" has evolved into. Not only do we grow up, and loose the ability to believe in Santa, but the holiday becomes less special with age. 

Aren't things supposed to get better with age?

I personally truly enjoy giving gifts. I love finding something that will bring a smile to a friend, family member, or co-workers face. But this year I just feel different...

I have been blessed to have people in my life that have taught me the value of our lives, and everything that being here entails. A wonderful, amazing, and strong young women, that I have the pleasure to call a great friend ventured to Haiti this past summer. Through her stories, and amazing photographs, she touched so many lives. I find myself thinking back to everything she told me about this trip in an effort to keep myself grounded this holiday season. My intention is not to discourage anyone from enjoying this fabulous holiday, but to ask you to think a little longer about where you are, and how unbelievably lucky you are to have been born here. 

(A photo Linds took while in Haiti.)

The holidays for me have become a time to reflect on what we really need, not desire. This is where I find myself struggling at the thought of beginning my shopping. I would rather someone donate their time, talents, or hearts to something that means something to them then to spend on me, and for the first time in my life I truly believe in what I am saying. We are given talents for a reason, and I believe no matter where we are, our financial status, or our relationship with a greater power, we can always give. You never know what a smile can do, listening to someone tell a story, or even holding a door can do for someone's day. Giving doesn't always mean money.

It's my first Christmas as Salon Laurie and something they try to do is help make a Christmas more special for a family from The House of Ruth. I think we did an amazing job :)

(Rachel, Suz, Cait, and Laurie getting it all ready)

So when you're running around getting those last few gifts, or sitting in traffic after a long day, and believe me I know it's frustrating, just take a deep breathe and remember what this holiday is really about.

I don't expect anyone to change anything about their Christmas, and I will probably have to cave and purchase presents. But I bet you I'll get everyone TOMS :)

My wish for Christmas this year is for everyone who isn't as blessed as me to have a wonderful, warm, and comfortable holiday filled with just, happiness. 

Happy Holidays!

May your days be full of love, life, and inspiration.

stay inspired,

tiff :)

Fall, a time to...

... reflect.

Greetings from my lovely, comfy couch on this fall-like Sunday. I took a slightly longer hiatus then usual from writing for many reasons I still have yet to uncover. My life has changed in many ways over the last two months, with school ending, and work beginning. 

School coming to an end really caught me off guard, not because I didn't realize my time there would be over, cause believe I counted those hours like it was my job, but because I didn't know if I was ready for it to be done. The last year of my life was, well, Paul Mitchell. I lived, and breathed, the brand, the culture, the lifestyle. My time in school changed me in many ways, for the better. I grew up where I needed to, evolved, and became stronger. I gained an amazing education, and made some amazing friends along the way.

But now, I am moving on to the next stage of my life. Work. I love where I work, the salon is amazing. The girls there are truly great people, and I love going to work everyday. Yet, somehow I feel like I can't find my place anywhere. Something in me is... lost. What is missing though, I don't honestly know. Or am I just not allowing myself to be happy?

Reflecting over the last year beings so many emotions to the surface. It really means moving forward and not bringing along anything from the past. This is probably the hardest thing for me to do. I don't want/need a boy to make me complete. I have my career, I have my best friends, and I have myself. But something just seems to feel like it is missing...

On a lighter note, there are so many good things that have happened with this shift in my life. I now work next to a Whole Foods, andddd a Starbucks :) I found a blog that posts pictures on the Olsen's fashion, and they are like who I look up to other then DVF (don't judge me).

 I blast Adele every day and sing as loud as possible in the car, which could very well be the reason I remain single ;) At the end of the day at least I can still make myself laugh just cause of how weird I really am. This life isn't easy, and there sure as hell isn't any handbook. But oh well, just trying to remember the little things are what matter.

 So, till another time, enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy :)

Remembering.

In a 5th grade classroom, my world stopped, as it did for millions of people all over the USA. 

Fear, anger, and confusion filled all of us as we watched our great nation be attacked. 10 years later we think back on those days some with hatred, some with sadness, and some with pride that we as a nation came together. The lives of those we lost, the families torn apart, the pure anger that pushed us through another day are things we will never forget. 9/11 forever changed us as a country; we are STRONGER. I remember looking at my mom as we rushed out of school, and in all seriousness, asking her if we were going to be okay. For the first time in many of our lives we were frightened that as a country, we weren't safe. For days, even months, after the flag was flown high. On cars, on houses, anywhere someone could see that we as a country will not be defeated. Recruiting offices flooded with young men and women willing to risk their lives defending us. Not only is this a day to remember those we lost when the towers went down, when the Pentagon was attacked, and when flight 93 was brought to the ground in PA, but the soldiers we have lost since then. Thank you to everyone who lost their lives on that day, you are some of the bravest people this country has ever lost. 

Forever will your name have a special place in our hearts.

well hello :)

Well, hello everyone :) or anyone who is reading this I should say. I haven't been writing a lot lately because, well, I am not sure what it is exactly I would quiet like to say. This past month, seeing as it has been a month since I have written, has been one of a kind. I traveled to New York City, found an amazing salon, and hopefully opportunity, experienced the Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and discovered I am stronger then I know.

This past week I have come to the conclusion that I worry too much. Not that this is a new development or anything, I just have come to terms with the fact that I can not control anyone but myself. My happiness is not determined by someone else, it is not calibrated by the likes of someone else. it is and will be always determined by me. My sadness, my joy, my freedom, and my hope and faith in this life is in my hands. Where the hell have I been? To not have realized this before? However, that is life. My desire to be who I am at all times is tested so often that I forget who I am in the first place. And truthfully that scared the shit out of me. What I want from life isn't fortune, it isn't material objects, nor is it fame. What I truly want is to be happy. For as long as I can remember my happiness comes to me from making others happy, and I enjoy it! I enjoy seeing a smile being brought to someone else's face because I made a joke, or tripped on that invisible rock that seems to follow me around. My humor, my ability to give someone my smile when they are feeling low, that's what brings joy to my heart. This sometimes means I get hurt because people think that they are, and will be, able to walk all over me. But you know, for real, and for once I feel like telling everyone to kindly, and politely, shove it. 

This may come to some as a shock, and it may take them some time to remove their jaw from the ground, but I feel as though it will liberate me in ways that I need at this moment in my life. However, my timing... well, let's just say it isn't always precisely accurate. I am a lover, a fighter, and someone that will remain loyal to you to the day that I die, but I will not be walked on.

I pride myself on who I am and what I know I  can accomplish. My confidence needs a little work, my determination is at it's height. I know that I can do great and it is those that look down at me that keep me going. I wouldn't be able to feel at peace with this if it wasn't for someone in my life that has always proven to me since I met her that being a fighter means being who you are. 

Lisa, if you're reading this, you have shown me what a true fighter is. We've had our ups and downs, and you have had a year that has served you things that you wouldn't have imagined, but your resilience, and strength has surpassed anyone's expectations. Eternally, and humbly I thank you.

Heres to the beginning of the rest of my life. 

Cheers.

Cheers!

... to postivive > negative, aka my new look on life :)

So, first and foremost, I shall explain my little hiatus from you all. Lately, I have been doing a little revamping of well, myself. I found that I was in a bit of a rut, and to me, that was simply unacceptable. To give the best of myself to everyone else, I must give the best of myself to myself. It sounds silly but it's true!  How can you give your best, when you're not your best? You can't, and if you think you can, you're doing what I did, lying to yourself. Needless to say, something needed to change, and after speaking to some of the most inspiring and admirable people in my life, I came to one conclusion. 

Positive > Negative. 

Now that that is out of the way... hi everyone!! I am so happy to be writing tonight because I feel I have so much to say! This past weekend was the fourth of July and I really accomplished a lot. After, accepting my new attitude and turning every negative thought into a positive one, and I mean EVERY thought, it felt like I had a little angry person in my head! I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way. This new attitude gave my so much new energy and passion for what I do! And today, was a true testament to exactly that.

I had the pleasure of having a lady by the name of Ann sit in my chair today, and we both had no idea the impact she was about to make on my life. Ann was unhappy with her hair from her last visit, and wanted something that would make her feel better. After formulating what was going to be done, I began applying the color, aka talking time! If you don't know me I love to talk, sometimes a little too much, but what I love more is learning about the amazing people I have the opportunity of meeting everyday. Let me tell you, Ann works in social services, and it takes an impeccably strong individual to do these jobs. Ann told me of someone she works with/for who has disabilities and after being removed from a neglected atmosphere, is now safely in a nursing home. Something you might never have known by looking at someone is that they've never had their hair altered, they've never had that amazing salon experience, and they're never enjoyed a haircut they've received. All these things were true of the lady that Ann was so kindly introducing me to through her loving, and passionate words. Caroline, is in her 60s and has never had someone make her feel beautiful. Now, I'm sorry but that breaks my heart, and there I was sitting in the middle of the clinic floor with tears in my eyes, heart breaking, for this woman I've never met. Ann asked me about bringing her in to have her hair done, and what that could look like for Caroline, considering she also has chemo once every two weeks. (Annnd enter more tears.) Instantly, I told her that when she emails the owner of my school in regards to making this happen that, if it was alright with her, she include me as the person to have the pleasure of having Caroline as my quest. Now, anyone would be capable to do her hair, but I already felt so attached to her. 

My point to this is that being in the beauty industry we have the power, the ability, and most of all the responsibility to do whatever we can to make someone feel beautiful. That's what it's all about right? Life if about celebrating the people in it, it's about empowering each other to be the best that we can be. Yet, we tear each other down, we say negative things, and we judge. I can not say that I have never been guilty of any of the above, but I can say that I am making a strong effort to change the way that I think. Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is how much we, as a society, judge. I vow to anyone, and everyone, reading this that I am making an effort to change that. I don't know how much I can, or if I will make any difference at all, but to me it's more then that. 

I know that this posting was on the longer side but I just wanted to share with you something that truly touched my heart. Today I woke up hoping to do my very best, and I learned that my very best is always ready to be tested. I am beyond thankful to be in this industry with the power to make people feel beautiful. You never know what someone is going through, so I leave you with a challenge. 

Take 5 minutes to do something small for someone, even just a smile can change more then you will ever know.

Thank you so much for reading, and thank you for whatever it is that you do each day! I truly appreciate you :)

tk.