MINX Nails - those glam, foiled, femme fatale manicures - are now, FINALLY to be found in Kansas City

Well. I've been waiting at least a year for these to come within my reach and now they're finally here! Below is a list of the salon sites and contacts where a Minx manicure is available on both sides of State Line.

MISSOURI:

Stories and Dreamz Salon and Spa
Manicurist: Gillian JohnsonE: missjohnson.gillian@gmail.com
A: 411 SW Ward Rd, Lees Summit 64081

Salon Oasis and Day SpaA: 8504 N Church Rd, KCMO 64157

Gina SilvioE: ginastravel@sbcglobal.net
A: 6802 N Holmes, Gladstone 64118

KANSAS:

New Reflections SalonE: MDeeSmith@kc.rr.com
A: 809 S Clairborne Rd, Olathe 66062

The Polished NailE: deena@jabezsalon.com
A: 205 S Main, Ottawa 66067

That last one I threw in for the Lawrence/Topeka area. For other salon locations, looks, and more information, visit the salon site at http://www.minxnails.com.

Happy Minxing!

So I'm kinda crazy about my conditioner right now

Oh, my hair. I definitely have a love / hate relationship with it. But, most of the time, I love it and feel blessed to have lots of it, and that I've finally learned how to tame it. And I especially love it when it's well take care of.

That may seem like a big ol' "duh!" but you'd be amazed at how many hair products just do not do what they say they will! My biggest problem? My dry, wavy hair needs to be hyper-moisturized BUT without being weighed down.

Which is why I'm loving my current conditioner (and okay, the shampoo probably helps too). I've been using Amenta, an "aromatherapy hair care" line that's all natural (well, there's that whole controversy over products which claim to be all natural, vs organic, vs certified organic, etc., etc. Amenta has chemicals but really, I'm not that big of a stickler).

Now when I saw aromatherapy hair care, I thought, code for smells really good but doesn't really get the job done. But, lucky for them, two giant bottles were on sale and I'm currently a frugalista, and one who doesn't mind trying new products (I kinda love it). I tried their daily repairing shampoo, and the chamomile maximum volume conditioner.

Now the last thing I need is more volume. Truly. My hair's got it going on in that department, no extra help required. But I have found that volume conditioners are great about moisturizing without weighing hair down. Exactly what I needed.

And oh, does it work. I can go two, even three days without my hair feeling greasy, or dried out. And they weren't kidding about the aromatherapy either. There's the advertised chamomile, of course, but also wheat germ, thyme, lavender, and orange flower included. The end result is that my hair smells kind of nutty wheaty but sweet - a lot like almonds. Which is perfectly light and I can't stop touching or smelling my hair sometimes!

Which can also be attributed to one of those Keratese Keratin conditioning treatments I had done at my last hair appointment. I think it's pretty much worn out by now, so it's time for another, but my hair was the healthiest, softest, and shiniest it has been in years after that treatment. Seriously, if you've been debating it, it's worth it.

Makes Perfect Scents

Remember that scene in Legally Blonde, when Elle hands her resumé to her professor? And it's pink.  And scented. "Smells nice," Luke Wilson's character said.  And it certainly made a lasting impression.

So ever since then, from time to time, I've tried spraying perfume on my stationary, but it always seems to leave an unavoidable mark which really takes away from the whole impression.

Michael Kors to the rescue! His new perfume line, Very Hollywood - "Scene-stealing gardenia follows suit with a decadent performance of award-worthy glamour." - features a Limited-Edition Hollywood Signature Pen, with ink scented with Very Hollywood perfume.  Now this, I gotta try.  Pink and gold and pretty too (even kind of reminds you of Miss Woods too!), it'll fill the empty spot in my antique stationary box perfectly.  So gift me something soon, and you'll in turn received a lovely smelling thank-you from me.

I'm also yearning for the Very Hollywood Eau de Parfum Cocktail Ring - ideal since my signature scent always seem to go missing mid-evening.  Oh, clever designers - what won't they think of next?

www.michaelkors.com

Pen is $25, Ring, $40.

 

To Tattoo a Lady?

It's a phrase I heard throughout childhood, and even now, and one that also seems to be a constant theme of many an internal struggle.  "A lady never. . ."

A lady never raises her voice.  A lady never sits with her legs astray.  A lady never over-indulges.  A lady never applies her makeup in public (and especially not at the table, or while in mixed company).  A lady never, ever even considers a tattoo.

Lord, I must have really failed my mother because I've done all of these things (though with the exception of lip balm, I leave makeup application for the powder room).  Now, I do try not to do these things, but at times - especially among close friends - I think there's a limit to propriety.  But still, that inner voice, engraved on my mind, is really on me now because, believe it or not, I'm considering a tattoo.

Two, in fact.  The first I actually dreamt of; in memory of my nana, Lora Lee Eberhart, I would get a tiny script "L" on my left wrist, for the name we both share.  And in the dream, too, the "L" was accompanied by a tiny ribbon bow (so, super hard-core).

The second is an idea I've had recently to have "j'adore," simply, "I love," placed on the back of my neck.  But then, I've also considered changing that to "adorer," to love, but also, "j'écrit," "I write," or "écrire," "to write."  

Clearly, I shouldn't get a tattoo I haven't set my mind on, and I struggle with the necessity of something like it, too (though I'm sure that by being on the back of my neck, not only would I forget about it from time to time, but it would also rarely be seen).

But that little "L" for my grandmother? I can't think that I'd regret a small memory like that.  And truly, being a lady is all about carriage, confidence, and grace.  If society grande dames can tattoo eyeliner on their lids, why can't I have a ribbon on my wrist?