House Hunting!

I wish!

Brad and I started our house hunting this past weekend. We meet with Leith and picked out about 6 different houses that we wanted to see (from a list of over 1,000 homes in our area of interest) and made appointments on the spot. Well, we tried at least. We were only actually able to go inside about 2 houses just because that's our luck. After what felt like an unsuccessful night of house hunting rolling around S. G.P house after house with no lock box or the wrong lock box, I still felt sort of relieved that at least we were out and about seeing what was out there. We came so close to giving up for another year due not knowing what we know now. Looks like gray skies are blue again and cant wait to go back out again this Friday night.

Look -N- Fine in 09!

"You cannot recover the stone after it’s thrown, the word after it’s said, the occasion after it's lost, or the time after its gone"


I chose this quote to start off the 2009 blog because there are so many things that we could regret from 2008. We forget to remember a new year means new beginnings. Forget about things you didn’t accomplish in 08 and begin working on YOU for 2009. I could sit and remorse the fact that I haven’t been there for my friends and family members like I should have this year, or repent the no smoking and how it didn’t last but 6 months. Among many others, these are a few that I would like to throw out the window and let them fly away. I know it’s always easier said than done. Things are easily forgiven but not forgotten.

I also chose to title this one “Look-N-Fine in 09” because that’s my motto for 2009. Despite all I have on my plate, this year I am working on me!! Yes, I know what you’re thinking “but you did enough of that in 08 by distancing yourself due to school, work and of course being a newly wed”. Well folks all I can say to that is - “you’re welcome to join me”.

So forget about the overindulging shopping spree you went on last year or that extra carb you decided to devour and remember that this year is the year for you!

MoDeLs wAnTeD!

So...it's been a while since I blogged. I wanted to update on everything. First of all, business cards are IN!! I had some business cards printed to try to recruit some models while I was out and about. The clients I make in school I can take with me where ever I decide to go after I graduate and get licensed. So why not start now?

Secondly, I'm in need right now for personal models for practice. For the time being, until I leave phase 1 and head to the floor, I will need practice outside of school. Technically by law I can't charge for practice models, so I just ask that you allow me to add your before and after photo to my very bare portfolio. I am so bad at taking before and after pictures that's why I have NONE! I am most interested in color models for hair coloring (all over tint, highlights, low lights etc.), hair cutting and make up models. Its easiest for me right now if you have a picture that you want or some sort of idea of how long or short, whether you want layers, bangs etc. I can give my opinions if you are totally at a loss but please remember that I am still in school so knowing what you want will be easier for me to ensure that you get what you want.

Lastly, October 27 I head to the floor and will start booking real clients. This is really exciting for me but also scary. I would love the help from everyone to keep me booked with friends and family so that I can stay busy all the time :o)
I got a new "hair space" on myspace. check out the link:

http://www.myspace.com/4theloveofhairbyliz

Hope everyone is doing well and I'm sorry for the neglect from Brad and I. I promise we dont do it on purpose. With his midnight schedule and my 14 hour days with work and school its really hard to have a life outside of all that we do.

If I cant take a negative reflection someone feels about themselves when they look in the mirror and turn it into a positive one by the time I'm finished...
I'm not doing my job.

Life - Here and Now

Let's see, what can we fill you in on this month? Oh yes, the dreaded 12 hour shifts have begun for Brad. How's it going you ask? Well, we're getting by with each day. I dont think that either of us REALLY knew what this would do to our lives, the lives of our pets and our sanity. Week one: Really hard and really stressful. Our emotions were taken for a plummeting roller coaster ride. Week two: started forming a routine for our sanity and accepting the fact that there is no possible way around this. And now, week three: this isn't impossible to do although it still sucks.

From my 14 hr days to his 12 hr days, needless to say we do actually have allot more time together. Saturdays are weird having him around. I'm still not used to making plans with him, its been so long making plans without him. We haven't been able to make it to church but that in no way has damped our faith. School is going great and we actually had our first color model test last week the 14th of Aug. Carrie (my sis) came as my model and we did an all over tint then that following sunday I did a partial foil highlight. She has raved about how she likes it and all the compliments she is getting. We started doing manicures this week, so if you want a basic manicure, I need the practice. :o)


Amongst the others we are currently praying for, please add my sister to your list. She is making some changes in her life that are needed for her well being and also for the sake of Carlie. She is trying to make a better life for herself and Carlie. Although the Lord helps and works in mysterious ways just pray to him that He be by her side in these times of searching for the answers.
With love and until next time - Liz

*And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln*

Beware! Take Precautions!

Thurs. July 10th we watched a 20/20 special on a chemical called Methyl
Methacrylate (MMA). This video we watched is about 2 yrs old however but the
contents of the video are still very much still in affect and the laws for
the Dallas/Ft. Worth area are still in affect for this chemical. However,
DISCOUNT nail salons and supply stores are still using and selling this
dangerous chemical. What is Methyl Methacrylate and why was the video so
disturbing?

Methyl Methacrylate, or MMA, originated in the dental industry for making
crowns and bridges. It is also used as bone cement by orthopedic surgeons
during joint replacement procedures, in some flooring products, resins, and
Plexiglas. This chemical was not designed to come in contact with skin or
nails. Did you ever have to wait for a permanent crown to be made in a lab?
The reason for this is that MMA, while in a liquid state, should be used in
a controlled laboratory environment by properly trained technicians. When
MMA is not dangerous is when it has hardened.

In the late 1960s and 70's, some nail technicians began using MMA for
acrylic nail services because it was less expensive than the safer
alternative, ethyl methacrylate. Due to numerous consumer complaints, the
FDA determined that any manufacturer who used MMA in nail products was using
a 'poisonous and deleterious substance,' and in 1974 took action against a
manufacturer for doing so. In this video showed, the reactions were
horrifying. They were very disturbing as well. MMA is a very potent
chemical, so potent that like acid it can soak through your nail bed and
into one’s blood stream causing cracks in the natural nails where eventually
they will fall off and never grow back. In SOME cases, the reactions were so
bad that lesions on the skin (face, neck and arms) began to show.

So how do I know my nail salon is using MMA? Although, it is illegal, even
in Texas there are still some salons, including Dallas/Ft. Worth area that
the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation board has tested and found
MMA in their products. Every salon MUST have (in accordance to the TDLR) a
MSDS on all the products they use in their salons. This is a Material Safety
Data Sheet. If they refuse to share this with you or say they don’t have one
you need to leave and do NOT let them service you! Beware, some discount
salons can still purchase MMA from discount beauty supply warehouses or
stores disguised in containers that are TDLR approved. In this case, the
chemical will have to be tested.

Well, how would you know if you don’t have the proper tools to chemically
test for the MMA chemical? Here are some signs to look for when getting your
sculptured nails.
1. Avoid discount salons all together – I know ladies that when we want
to have those pretty acrylic or gel nails we don’t necessarily want to pay
the price at a high dollar salon. You pay for what you get! If their sign on
the outside window says full set and the price is less than $30 you should
probably reconsider.
2. MMA is not recommended for use in acrylic nail products because it
is much too hard, and can tear the nail off the finger easily. It is also
solvent resistant, which makes it very difficult to remove. It takes a long
time to remove MMA when soaking in acetone. All that prying to get them
off…probably contained MMA. This is if the nails have been on for 2 weeks or
longer and they are still hard to remove.
3. After leaving the salon nails begin to hurt under the nail bed. Loss
of feeling in the fingertips could be a sign also.
4. Many technicians damage the nail plate when prepping for MMA, since
that product needs grooves in the nail in order to stick well. A technician
should always protect and preserve the natural nail under any enhancement
product.

Not everyone has the blood stream affected reactions, just like anything
else, everyone is different. I don’t know about you, but I would rather not
take the chance on finding out if I was one of those in the percentile who
has a negative reaction to the MMA or methyl methacrylate. BEWARE they are
STILL out there and its ILLEGAL to use this substance.

Week 1 - Trichology - The Study of Hair

My first week at Ogle came to an end last night, Thursday July 10 at 10 pm. I am happy to report that I made a 100 on my first exam over Trichology and the study of hair. This part is so key when it comes to cosmetology and doing hair. Its the basics and the key to all important things to know and what to look for with each different client. The instructor has taught us how to identify and determine a cause for hair loss and/or thinning. Also, how to identify scalp disorders and their medical terms...itch mites, lice, and ring worms. This is just a few off the top of my head. We studied the formation of hair and a follicle to which the hair grows from. What give the hair nourishment and the different types of hair and how to tell the difference in them, i.e. course, medium or fine hair. This study also includes what makes up the hair fibers and their layers.

Now on to the student life...the students in my class are great! We are still a little timid and shy due to this being so new, but I could definitely see some personalities come out last night during our last night of the week. Everyone is so different and everyone has different weakness and strengths but we are all still there for the SAME reasons and that's cool because we are all willing to help each other out.

Next week we venture into our journey of color! Learning the color wheels and what makes up the colors of the hair when using the perminant and semi-perminent hair colors. I learned a lot from my cousin who has done my hair for some time now, especially how to apply it. Its the mixing of the colors that scares me...but its all a learning experience and I have lots to learn. Hopefully what I learn sticks!!

I have another blog coming under the title...MMA! Its something we learned in an O.P.I. presentation last night about nail salons...even ones in Dallas/Ft. Worth area!

Love - Liz

We have a name for baby D!

So it looks as though the Denton's have decided on a name for the baby! I'm so please, I think it will be just perfect for the new angel! Lilly Faith Denton is what she will be called. Also, got a call from Jamie and she said that her dr told her that she is look at about 4 more weeks until little Lilly bug is here!! YAY! Just not before the shower please! I guess we better not get Jamie too excited to induce labor before she is set with all that she needs before the new arrival. Say a prayer...