As I started this blog all I could think of was "My Favorite Things", you know, like how Oprah has her favorite things? But it's true so I'll just succumb to it.


I've got two favorite things in the salon right now. The first one is Moroccanoil. This is an amazing product! It softens thick unmanageable hair AND restores shine and body to dull lifeless hair. This stuff is almost magic! I can use it on any client and it does to their hair what it really needs. It also strengthens brittle hair. This product was handed out to celebs in their gift bags at award shows all last year and is really growing in popularity!

My second fave is Keune Root Volumizer.





It's a spray volumizer that gives the hair lift. The Multi-Fruit Complex gives the hair extra shine. Best for the styling thin, fine and dull hair. I use this all the time (on myself and others) and love it!













If you are reading this post via Facebook Notes you can check out my full blog here.

My Brother Sal

He was a proud dad and grandpa

Sal with his two kids and our Mom

Sal, his daughter and grand-daughter

Sal and Mom

The Five of Us!
Sal was my "youngest-older" brother.

1987
:)


Sal's Obituary
On Friday February 6th, my brother Sal passed away. I have very little words right now. I don't think anything I could write or any pictures I post can show how much he means to me and to my family. He will be missed by so many people. He was a great brother. I will love and miss him always.

Play the Video to see "Our Life with Max"

Earlier last month my dog Max had a seizure that lasted too long and caused his body to give out. We had to make the tough decision to put him to sleep. It was horrible. He was totally the same dog from the neck up but his body twitched uncontrollably from the damage caused by the seizure. I could never allow myself to selfishly hang onto my dog knowing his quality of life would be so poor. The decision didn't happen immediately. We kept him at the emergency vet for 48 hours to see if anything could be done. Once we knew that his condition would not be reversed we decided to formally say our goodbyes. We brought our other dog Reggie to see Max and we spent time with him and took some goodbye photos. I loved him too much to not be with him while he went to sleep forever. I was so glad to have his head in my hands, petting him and telling him how he was a good dog, knowing my voice would be soothing and relaxing until the end.

Max was my best pal. I got him when he was six weeks old and he became my little buddy... he quickly turned into my BIG buddy! At over 80 pounds, he was a huge ball of smiles and energy. He loved to play, swim, fetch and run (or you could even say gallop). He loved the snow in the winter and the sprinkler in the summer. We took walks at Creve Coeur Park together. This guy was always by my side. I never had to use a leash with him... he would never go far. He was the leader to the other pets in our home. They will never be the same without him.

When I was sad, he would run, literally, to my side and put his paw on my knee or head on my legs. He was a great comfort and such a joy in our home.
He was incredibly smart. He knew all the standard commands. He also knew so many other ones like "hug", "let's go for a ride", 'get the paper', 'let's get the mail', 'where's your blankie?', 'go get a drink' and many many more. I felt like he understood so much. There will never be a dog as smart as he was.

I will miss Max's joyful spirit. There aren't enough words to express what a wonderful dog he was. My life was unknowingly changed that day we chose to be spontaneous and get a puppy. Now my life will never be the same without him.

I miss you, Max. Love you forever.