I look like a WINNER!

I am bitter bitter bitter party of one. Seat by the window please so that I can see all the fun being had while I sit at my table alone...weeping in my water WITH NO lemon. That's how pathetic and bitter I am, I won't even allow myself a stiff cocktail at my own imaginary pity party.

Why so cranky you ask? Well all my bloggy BFF's and blog idols are partying it up at #BlogHer2011, sharing witty repartee, clanking wine glasses and getting more free swag than these 2 scrawny arms can hold.

Sigh.

I am swearing off Twitter till the madness ends...

Alas, on a higher note, I had an awesome day today and am much prettier because of it.

A few weeks ago I was having one of those days. You wake up, you look like hell warmed over with sheet marks on your across your face, babies already crying, you make the mistake of weighing yourself with your nighty on (it adds 3 pounds, don't argue with me), the husbands already gone for work, the dogs are barking and then you do it....

You look in the mirror....

You look exactly how you didn't want to look when you grew up and had kids.

Commence weeping.

A few days later I was doing my usual perusing of Google reader and I came across one of my favorite local websites The Tom Kat Studio. If you guys have not seen the awesomeness that is this woman, you are missing out. Go check it...I'll wait....

....

See, I told you.

Anyway, she was giving away a beauty re-do at the award winning and super posh Taglio Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.

This was right up my alley.. Exactly what I need...trust me... So, I wrote in why I thought I needed to win this awesomeness...

"Oh please God, pick me. I am a former hairdresser now stay at home mom…and I look every bit the part. I was so used to the years of being in the salon and having perfect hair that now I can hardly look in the mirror. I look exactly how I DIDN’T want to look when I became a mom. The other day I was so frustrated by my terrible hair i screamed and chucked my brush across the room breaking it..and I cried. I need a change, I need something…I need to feel good about myself again. I am crossing my fingers and toes as I put my poorly home colored hair in a pony tail..again. Thanks guys!"

I WON FIRST PRIZE!!!! Not only did I win, but the cutie patootie girl who emailed me to let me know I won told me I made her cry. THAT is how pathetic I am. A totally true story about my everyday life brought someone to tears. 

<sigh>

Still, I won, so whatev...

I excitedly made my appointment for Thursday, confirmed my awesome sister-in-law Sarah to watch my little monkey and counted the hours...

I have to say, even making my appointment made me feel uber special. The owner, Dino, called me personally to congratulate me and make me feel all warm fuzzy and welcome. 

Upon walking in I was greeted with a smile, a glass of ice water with a fancy lemon wedge (tres chic), beautiful product displays, WiFi, and get this, A WINE BAR! If I could move in, I would. (But I'm a package deal with the kid and the dude and I only saw 1 couch. Oh well...)

Being a former hairdresser (hairdressers are the WORST kind of client, BTW), I was really nervous about what was going to happen. At Taglio, the stylists specialize meaning they either only do cutting or coloring, not both. This makes for a very knowledgeable and talented stylist. 

I was starting to feel better...

Then I met Erin, my cutter and stylist. Man does she know her stuff. She took the time to get to know me and my hair, she listened to my issues and made me feel like I was in good hands. And boy, can she cut a mean bang. Seriously, go see her. 

Next was Bradly, my colorist. Love. He's one of those people you just want to cart around in your shirt pocket because he says awesome stuff like "you're so cute", "you're so funny"and, "your husband is hot". It doesn't hurt that he is an amazing colorist. Oh yeah, and hands down, THE BEST shampoo and scalp massage I've ever gotten. I would pay just to go there and have him wash my hair and if I lived closer he'd be in trouble. He's lucky I don't because I would be there so much his little fingers would get all pruney and I'm sure he wouldn't like that. 

I didn't put any before shots because you've all seen the awefulness that is me, you don't need that ruining your day. Check out these foils though. As a hairdresser, I know that clean, neat and orderly foils is a sign of good color and a good colorist. Check these babies out.

Hot stuff.

Everyone in this salon was lovely, nice and welcoming. The salon itself is absolutely gorgeous. It was a 45 minute drive from my house...but I'll be back. 

My new BFF's.

As a mom and a wife, I spend all day doing things for my family, happily and lovingly. Sometimes we need to do things for ourselves too. This was a day I needed so bad. When I got home I was happy, relaxed and, for once in a long time, feeling pretty. Thank you Tom Kat Studio for giving me this wonderful gift. Thank you Dino & Tom for welcoming me so warmly in your beautiful space. Thank you Erin & Bradly for making a masterpiece out of a mess.

See you all in 6-8 weeks!