Belles of the Sound

I’ve always been pretty impulsive with my hair. I like to make drastic changes, and I want to do them right away. About 2 ½ years ago I had long, blonde hair when I decided I wanted to chop it off and go brunette. And I wanted to do it RIGHT THEN. In Seattle, it can be difficult to find a salon that you trust and can get in right away. Many of my friends had recommended the Gary Manuel Aveda Institute, so I thought I’d check it out.

Before

My first experience was FANTASTIC! I can’t remember my students name anymore, but she has long since graduated anyway. The process didn’t take too long, just a couple hours. At the end I loved the deep, chestnut brown color.

After

I loved my darker hair for more than two years, but the upkeep got to be a bit much for me. I wanted to go back to my natural color. Of course that is much easier said than done!

Anyone who’s had to do any color correction knows how difficult this process can be. Sometimes they need to bleach your hair and strip it of all color. Of course this can damage your hair. I really didn’t want to do this so I thought I would just do a full foil and keep lightening it until it was back to my natural color.

The thing is, I’m not a licensed beautician or colorist. I don’t really know what’s best. While it is students that work on you at the Gary Manuel Aveda Institute, all treatments are monitored and overseen by experienced instructors. I mean, you don’t even get that in a salon.

My student was Nadia and her instructor was Sydney. Together they discussed all the options with me, highlighting the benefits and downfalls of each method. They gave me all the information I needed and answered my questions so I fully understood. We decided to do a color wash, then a full foil and all over color. I felt confident in the decision and their ability to make my hair look good.

After the color wash my hair was pretty brassy and was a not-so-lovely orange color. From there Nadia and Sydney alternated between highlights and a dark blonde/light brown color all over my hair. One drawback about going a beauty school is the time it takes. Color correction is usually a lengthy process anyway, so my appointment took almost 7 hours. At the end of my appointment my hair was still too warm and brassy, but Sydney told me it would take a while for my hair to get back to its natural color.

Nadia told me what the cost would be, but she felt bad because I had only planned to pay for a full foil so she gave me a 50% coupon she had. The total cost would’ve been $144, but I only paid $72 thanks to Nadia’s generosity. Although, for color correction, a full foil and a haircut the full price is MUCH more affordable than most salons!

I went back yesterday to continue the process. This time Gibby was my student and Lee was the instructor. Gibby did a partial foil and toner all over. The process only took a couple hours and my hair is back to my natural color. The cost for a partial foil, toner process and eyebrow wax was only $65.

Final Hair

I’m a big fan of the Gary Manuel Aveda Institute! I’ve been happy every time I’ve gone there, and I trust them to handle challenging treatments like color correction. The students are friendly, helpful and talented. The instructors are knowledgeable and will make sure you get exactly what you want. All of this at a terrific price!

I recommend you check them out!

Okay. I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to shoes. I have two closets packed with shoes, and that’s AFTER I got rid of a bunch of them during my move last year. I can’t help it, I see a cute wedge or a sexy little peep-toe and I fall in love! So I got super excited when I heard that Cole Haan is giving away a pair of shoes every month for a year to a lucky winner at Fashion’s Night Out at UVillage next Thursday!

On Thursday, September 8, University Village is hosting Fashion’s Night Out as part of the global initiative to celebrate and support the fashion and retail industry. Cole Haan isn’t the only store that will have a giveaway that night, merchants will offer fashion demonstrations, giveaways, gifts with purchases, discounts and other in-store events. Events, giveaways and deals will run from 3-9pm. You can find the whole list of events and store promotions on the Fashion’s Night Out website. U Village is even giving away 200 swag bags to the first 200 shoppers!

It’s a perfect night to grab your girlfriends for a night out of shopping! This is a fantastic event for every fashionista out there, however there will be events for everyone. There will even be a “Man Cave Destination” at Sony with sports and PlayStation for the guys who need a shopping break.

Not only can you score some great deals for yourself, but you can also give back to a child in need. U Village will be hosting a children’s coat drive for Wellspring Family Services. Wellspring helps homeless families in King County get back on their feet. If you donate a new or slightly used coat, you will be entered to win a $500 U Village Shopping Spree.

You can RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook and on Twtvite. You can also follow U Village on Facebook and Twitter. U Village is making Fashion’s Night Out social by using the #UVFNO hashtag.

I can’t wait to go and check out the shoes and the other deals! Hope to see you there!

Leave me a comment and tell me which promotion or deal is most interesting to you.

I planned to write a review of Adele’s recent Seattle show at the Paramount for my post this week, but sadly, it was not to be. After getting dressed up in my cute little dress then waiting in line for over an hour for the general admission, sold out show I was told my tickets were fake and we were asked to leave.

Are you freaking kidding me?!

I got the tickets as a birthday present from my pseudo-ex who bought them from a friend who bought them from Craigslist. (Follow that?) In the break-up I got custody of both tickets, which I was pretty excited about. I LOVE Adele and I was thrilled to get to see her again. Disappointed doesn’t even begin to describe how I was feeling.

My friend who bought the tickets has filed a police report on the scammer who sold the fake tickets, but in an effort to keep others from the disappointment I felt, here are some tips for Craigslist.

5 Tips to Protect from Scammers on Craigslist:

• Meet the seller in person. Don’t do deals through the mail. Don’t give out your bank info. And when you do meet them, make sure it’s in a public place. Also, it’s a good idea to not go alone.
• Hard tickets only. While the printable tickets are convenient because you can print a new copy if you lose it, what is to keep a scammer from making 1000 copies? Also, it is so easy to fake a PDF that looks just like the real tickets. (That’s what happened to us.)
• Get a phone number. If the seller will only give out their email account, it’s a red flag. It’s really easy to get a fake email, but it’s a bit harder to get a fake number.
• Check the email address. If it looks fake or is something like Adelefan2011@gmail, it’s probably new and could’ve been created for the scam. If it includes the sellers name, like JaneSmith@gmail, that give you more information. Check the email for any red flags.
• Google the seller. Just like you might before a first date, check out what is online about the seller. Search by his/her name and email address. If there are any negative comments, don’t buy from him/her.

If you want a foolproof plan, buy directly from the source. If that isn’t an option, just watch out for red flags and trust your instincts! Don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t feel right.

Any other tips you would add to keep people from getting scammed on Craigslist?

I’m torn about telling you all about my latest find. On one hand, I want everyone to know about this fabulous new place. But on the other hand, I want to keep it all to myself! Well, I guess I’ll let you in on the secret, just don’t tell anyone, okay?

I was at a friend’s birthday a few weeks ago and the always adorable Monica Guzman was in attendance. Monica always looks cute, but she had on the most stylish outfit ever! It was the perfect combo of a feminine little slip dress layered with a cardigan and leggings then topped off with a funky necklace and fashionable cowboy boots. While complimenting her, Monica let me in on the secret, the slip dress and boots came from Vintage Angel Company. I immediately let my BFF know we needed to plan a shopping trip to this magical place!

About a week later I made a trip with a couple girlfriends and this store did not disappoint! The owner, Susie, restores and reinvents vintage boots and clothes. The Fremont shop opened in June and is a sister store to The Vintage Closet in Phinney Ridge. There are hand-dyed tutus, lacy slip dresses, funky jewelry and boots galore! There are cowboy boots, high-heeled boots, knee-high boots… all super cute and AFFORDABLE! I fell in love with a pair of knee-high, tan leather Aldo boots for $38. Most of the boots were $38 or $58, far more reasonable than the $200-300 price tag of most new boots. And these ones are broken in for you!

Vintage Angel Company is open Thursday – Sunday and can be found across the street from the Lenin statue. I suggest you check it out! Unless you wear size 10 shoes, then you should stay away!

Also, don’t tell anyone, but they are having a FABULOUS $15 boot sale this weekend! Shh! Let’s keep it just between us!

Everyone does top 10 lists, they are so last season! Or something like that. So I’ll be different and give you my top 8 list.

This Thursday is the third Twestival Seattle. As a volunteer coordinator, I want to let everyone know about this fantastic event. What is Twestival Seattle? It is a Twitter festival that uses social media for social good. Previous Twestival Seattle events raised over $11,000 for the global cause Charity:Water and the local charity YouthCare. On March 25th, Twestival events will be held around the globe to raise money for Concern Worldwide.

But why should YOU be there?

1) Check out a cool aerial show!

Twestival Seattle is being held at Emerald City Trapeze, so this won’t be the same old tweetup! Attendees will have a chance to see an amazing aerial show by some of the best performers in the northwest. Do you want to fly through the air with the greatest of ease? 60 lucky people will get a chance to take a swing or two and you could be one of them if you email Shauna Causey.

2) Hang out in a cool venue!

Most social media networking events in Seattle sell out, which means they are PACKED! While it is terrific that Seattle has such an active community, most venues just can’t handle the crowd. Emerald City Trapeze is different. It is a two-level building with lots of open space and a fun, funky character. You won’t have to worry about being packed in like sardines at Twestival Seattle!

3) Enjoy some drinks!

Twestival Seattle’s fantastic drink sponsors Fremont Brewing Company, The Magnificent Wine Co. and Hansen Beverage Company will be providing tasty beer, wine and soda!

4) Have some food!

Elegant Gourmet Catering will be supplying all guests with delicious food while they mix and mingle.

5) Enter the raffle to win cool prizes!

Wonderful local Seattle businesses have donated all kinds of cool items that you could win! With just a $5 ticket (or 5 for $20), you could win one of many prizes including hotel stays, dinners, a karaoke party, handmade jewelry, a month of boot camp, a massage, and much more!

6) Meet some of the most awesome folks in Seattle!

The social media and tech community in Seattle is full of incredible people! You might be friends on Facebook, talk with them on Twitter or read their blogs, but it’s time to come out from behind the computer. Come meet, or reconnect, these friendly people in real life!

7) Network with influencers and decision makers!

Some of you might be looking for a job, just like I was a few months ago. Events like Twestival Seattle are fantastic opportunities to network with some of the most influential people in Seattle. Networking helped me get my job, and it could help you, too!

Do something good!

Beyond the drinks, food, fun and swag… this event is about raising money for an outstanding cause, Concern Worldwide. Your contributions through registration and raffle tickets will help Concern Worldwide provide education to children in the poorest countries on the globe. By having an entertaining night, you could help make a brighter future for a child. Really, what better reason do you need?

So register now, before this incredible event sells out!

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Karianne is our first official guest Belle! She is a social media rockstar in Seattle, and can be found at @Karianne.