MOLON LABE (Μολὼν λαβέ)

King Leonidas of Sparta

Hello Everyone,

It has been a year of tremendous growth at the salon . This year my oldest daughter Maria joined our team, as you know she is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in building construction. Her decision to become a colorist had me and her dad in shock! It’s all good, whatever makes the kid happy, right? As she likes to say ” mom, its all about form and function” .

It get’s better. A childhood friend of the girls, who is like a son to me, George, has also become a stylist and joined the team. Wonder of wonder’s! Guess what? All of them are booked solid for days.

Life never ceases to amaze me. When these young bucks asked me to join the salon team, I was warned by several people not to do it. “They will run the store to the ground” they said. “They are only kids”. I had only one answer for them: MOLON LABE, which means… BRING IT ON. Sometimes, you just have to go on blind faith. I always shoot from the heart, and it has served me well, why change now.

I will pack my bags, take my little son and go to Greece for the summer. I told my son that this will be a summer to remember. I will teach him to sail a boat. He needs to know how to sail the sea, and how the wind will ALWAYS guide him back home. The WIND and LOVE always guides you home. Have a great summer everyone. I will post street pictures of Greece often on here.

“If winning isn’t everything, why do they keep score?”
VINCE LOMBARDI

Hello Everyone,

I had a blast watching the Golden Globes the other day; always curious to see the celebrity hairstyles on the red carpet. It is SO much fun predicting the winners and listening to their acceptance speech once they DO win. Winning and being #1 is a favorite subject with me. You see, my passion in life is to coach and motivate.  I do it all day long…with my children; my staff; my clients;  friends. With the Super Bowl coming up next month, I thought to share with you what Vince Lombardi (the greatest coach)  said it took to be #1:

-A formula for a great team is simplicity and execution
-Truth in character
-Excellence, challenge your self to endure and excel
-To have results you need : EFFORT
-Passion, give it all you got
-Habit
-Mental toughness
-Discipline
-Humility

As I watched the artists win their awards, paying  careful attention to the clothing and hair, I could not help but LAUGH at how our society thinks.

Mo'Nique and her natural goddess legs!

Mo”Nique was accepting an award for Precious, and as she was raising awareness about sexually abused victims, the commentators were making fun of her HAIRY LEGS. How shallow can we get? I don’t care if she has hairy legs, that woman is my hero. You go girl! I also loved the Crazy Heart movie and the song by Ryan Bingham.
The hairstyles were fantastic, I call it : Classic with Retro thrown in the mix. The men seemed to have a bit of a five o clock shadow, which I think is  SO  sexy. Here are my favorite hairstyle looks from the Globes;  Simple, Classic, Elegant.

I can go on and on about what is a winner. In the end, what really matters is what YOU think a winner is. To each one  of us , the definition changes. Sometimes, as we mature, it even takes a lesser place . We can judge a movie, a hairstyle, a dress, a song, a man . I tend to agree with Coach Lombardi : A WINNER  is some one with a lot of HEAD and a lot of HEART….

Go…. COLTS !

Her new cut....ROCKS!

This is a fall attached to a high ponytail...a winner!

Retro simple headband in black satin

Classic loose curls...Timeless

Can 5 o clock shadow get any sexier?

Hello Everyone,

I don’t know about you, but I am cold.  It’s freezing out there.  I don’t want to leave my home,  even for groceries.   Thank God for Peapod. My friend at Small Friendly Planet Dot Org, just sent over a huge list of things to do in DC in January. I plan on going to at least three of these events. Thank you good folks at Small Friendly Planet for making me get out of my house this cold month.  See you all at Restaurant week!

1. FEATURED EVENT: Young Benefactors Happy Hour
2. DOING GOOD: MODUS UNION 2010
3. MEMBER IN FOCUS: Neal Gorenflo,Shareable Magazine
4. FREE INTRO TO IMPROV WORKSHOPS
5. World Affairs Council Author Series: The Forty Years War
6. The 55th Washington Antiques Show
7. Washington Wine Academy – ABC’s of Beer
8. Capitol Wine Festival Opening Reception
9. Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony Reception
10. Iranian Film Festival 2010 – The Spectators

DC Restaurant Week is January 11 – 17, 2010!
Don’t miss gourmet, prix-fixe $20.10 lunches and $35.10 dinners
at over 170 top DC restaurants.
Washington, DC Restaurant Week is a great excuse to try a new restaurant or return to your old favorite. http://washington.org/restaurantwk/

1. FEATURED EVENT: Young Benefactors Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, January 20, 5:30pm
Where: Co Co. Sala, 929 F St NW,DC and the Verizon Center
Cost: $20 (Game only)
More Info: http://www.verizoncenter.com/wiz/smithsonian/

Join the YBs for a fun evening of libation and entertainment in Penn Quarter. Starting at 5:30pm, Co Co. Sala, DC’s premier chocolate lounge and boutique, will host the YBs for a happy hour. After you have enjoyed a few cocktails at Co Co. Sala, join fellow YBs and friends and watch the Washington Wizards play the Dallas Mavericks!

2. DOING GOOD: MODUS UNION 2010
When: January 14, 7-10pm
Where: The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $100
More Info: http://www.labelsforlove.org/events/index.html

Don’t miss an exclusive and unique evening of fashion and art featuring a runway show by Lela Rose to benefit the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children’s National Medical Center. Labels for Love is a 501 (c)(3) charity that stages fashionable events to raise funds for and bring awareness to women’s and children’s charities. Each year one children’s and one women’s charity is chosen to be the recipients for the funds raised at the event. Join in the fight to change the lives of women and children in the Washington, DC region, one charity at a time. General admission includes general open seating, cocktail reception.

3. MEMBER IN FOCUS
Member in Focus – Neal Gorenflo, Project Director, CommonSource Publisher, Shareable Magazine
A very Cool Person – Find Out Why!

SPF Editor: What prompted you to start Shareable magazine?
Neal: I had a strong hunch before this experience that sharing was important, so I began consulting for Internet startups that helped people share stuff in the real world. I had no experience. I just dove in. I also began a monthly salon for social entrepreneurs interested in sharing. I consciously built a community around the idea of sharing. Through the community I built, I met the people who launched Shareable with me.

Read full interview with Neal Gorenflo at www.smallfriendlyplanet.org

4. FREE INTRO TO IMPROV WORKSHOPS
When: Sunday January 3 – Thursday January 7 (7-9PM)
Sunday January 9 (3-5PM)
Where: The Studio School, 1301 V St NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
More Info: http://www. washingtonimprovtheater.com

Say you are successful at becoming super rich and in-shape this year, what good is it if your still not enjoying yourself? Washington Improv Theater classes have reinvigorated the creativity, re-sparked the spontaneity and unleashed the joy of pure fun in more than 1000 Washingtonians (with hundreds of more joining the ranks each year). Can’t you spare just 2 hours to find out what these people found to be so transformational? Our enthusiastic and professional instructor/performers quickly establish a trusting atmosphere where you’ll feel more free than you have in a very long time.

5. World Affairs Council Author Series: The Forty Years War
When: Thursday, January 7, 6:30-8pm
Where: UCDC Washington Center
1608 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $10
More Info: https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/

The World Affairs Council is pleased to announce an Author Series and C-SPAN Book TV event with Len Colodny and Tom Shachtman, the authors of The Forty Years War: The Rise and Fall of the Neocons, from Nixon to Obama. The book is an examination of the last forty years of foreign policy that emphasizes the continuing impact of President Richard M. Nixon’s foreign policy initiatives throughout the era, and long past the end of his own presidency. The event will be moderated by Dr. Irwin Gellman, author of a multi-volume biography of President Nixon. After the authors’ presentation there will be an audience question and answer period. Light refreshments will be offered following the program.

6. The 55th Washington Antiques Show
When: Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10
Where: American University’s Katzen Arts Center,
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: One Day Ticket: $15.00, which includes a show catalogue
More Info: http://www.washingtonantiques.org/about.cfm

Founded in 1955 as a fund raising event benefiting children and families through the Thrift Shop Charities, the Washington Antiques Show is one of the longest running antiques shows in the country. The show features forty-four premier dealers from the United States and Europe who offer a wide range of period furnishings and decorative arts, vintage jewelry, porcelains, ceramics, silver, and architectural garden accents. Through its yearly Loan Exhibition Program and its catalogue featuring scholarly articles to illustrate the Show’s theme, the Washington Antiques Show offers collectors at every level the opportunity to view and purchase wonderful objects and to learn more about their particular area of interest.

7. Washington Wine Academy ABC’s of Beer
When: Thursday, January 14, 7pm
Where: Washington Wine Academy Education Center
1201 South Eads, Suite 400, Crystal City/Arlington, VA
Cost: $42.50
More Info: http://www.washingtonwineacademy.org/public-events.htm

If you love wine…we mean beer….then the ABC’s of Beer is the perfect overall concept course for you. This course has been created to cover the basics of the beer world. From how it is made, styles, trends and we will taste 9 beers throughout the evening to showcase different beers. Participants learn about each of the basic types of beer, the techniques by which they are made, and the factors determining quality. Presentations are coupled with guided tastings of carefully selected beers that exemplify the world’s predominant styles.

8. Capitol Wine Festival Opening Reception
When: Friday, January 22, 7-10pm
Where: Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row
2100 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $85
More Info: http://www.capitalwinefestival.com/

The Capital Wine Festival, modeled after the prestigious Boston Wine Festival, and promising to become an annual local series, will take place at The Fairfax at Embassy Row. The Festival will commence with a grand opening reception featuring more than 50 wines from around the world paired with a bountiful buffet created by Jockey Club Chef Levi Mezick.

9. Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony Reception
When: Saturday, January 23, 6:30-11pm
Where: Embassy of Croatia
2343 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, DC
Cost: $29
More Info: http://www.mcbarnette.com/charity/#1

Join Former TV news anchor Beverly Burke, and other local area actors for an evening of film watching and celebrating for a good cause while enjoying art work, wine, and hor d’oeuvres. Watch the live broadcast of the Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony from 8- 10:30pm. NonSAG members are welcome. Black tie or Formal Attire.

10. Iranian Film Festival 2010 – The Spectators
When: Sunday, January 24, 2pm
Where: 1050 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Cost: Admission is first-come, first-served. According to the
artist’s wishes, the audience will not be allowed to
enter until the performance begins.
More Info: http://www.asia.si.edu/events/films.asp#/?i=1

With Ta’ziyeh/The Spectators, Iran’s most famous filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami convincingly and triumphantly brings the powerful experience of communal, ritual theater into the digital age. The Ta’ziyeh is a unique form of Islamic musical drama performed, often by ordinary citizens, in towns and villages across Iran. It dramatizes the famous battle of Karbala in 680, at which Muhammad’s grandson Husayn was killed along with his followers. Part theater, part religious ritual, it offers audiences the cathartic experience of collectively expressing their sorrow at the tragic events unfolding before them. With this multi-screen video installation, Kiarostami invites audience members to participate in the ritual in a thoroughly unique way. One screen shows a performance of the Ta’ziyeh, while two much larger flanking screens show the faces of those who are watching the performance (segregated, according to custom, by gender). Like visitors to the installation, audience members on the screens at first chat and relax before the show, but as the tragic play progresses, their emotions become heartbreakingly intense.

Please come out and support these great events! See you there.

” Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
ARISTOTLE

Hello Everyone,
I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you joy for the coming new year. My Christmas was nice, peaceful and blessed.

Happiness, and the pursuit of happiness, is what I want to write about today.I went ahead and answered what happiness means to Aristotle, but, alas, we are not all great philosophers, just regular ordinary folks trying to have the best life that we can.The idea for this article came to me yesterday as I was dragged out of my warm, cozy home, by my daughter Voula, to go shopping in Georgetown. “Come on mom, lets hit the Sales.” OH BOY…I should have said:” No,I want to work on my blog,” but…..off we went on the pursuit of happiness… by credit card.

What can I tell you? It was a zoo, frantic people trying to purchase last season jackets for half the price. I lasted about an hour and then excused myself to go get a sandwich and a glass of wine at The Daily Grill next door. Jimmy, my favorite bartender, was there and I settled in at the bar to read the Post. I happened upon an article by Kevin Huffman in the editorial section that was quite interesting to me. It was about happiness and a poll in Science Magazine on how to correctly assess and rate of our happiness level. Supposedly, people that live in states with low crime rates, access to green spaces, nice weather and low cost of living….are much happier people. It also stated how we rate our own happiness…..here it is:

“When people say they are happy, they probably are.”

I asked Jimmy, the bartender, what his idea of happiness was, and, as always, if you want great advice:ask a bartender OR a hairdresser! Jimmy said that it’s EXPECTATIONS or NO EXPECTATIONS that makes his life happy. “No use in setting yourself up to fail or be upset,” he said. “I take everything in stride.” I smiled and told him that I agree. Eventually, my daughter came with loads of shopping bags….looking very happy. Then it hit me…the expectations idea. My daughter did not want to go shopping EXPECTING to get happy….she… WAS HAPPY! My kid knew it all along that her life is meant to be lived and not dissected by me or society. We are reminded every day of life’s hardships and downfalls……I say we go shopping.

2010 promises to be a good year, I can feel it. Call me a dreamer if you want………I plan on celebrating this New Year.

My new dress from Arden B – Sale

My new makeup NARS Cosmetics

My fave hair products Large selection of Bumble and Bumble Hair Care at Folica.com. Free Shipping & Free Gift Today!
Happy and Joyous New Year to all.
UPDATE: If you are looking for Valentines day gift ideas, please visit our Miracles specials page HERE

“You never really know a man until you have divorced him”
Zsa Zsa Gabor

Hello Everyone,

It’s that time of year again. The Winter season/Holidays is fast approaching and not a minute too soon! We salon owners love this time of year because it marks the time that busy buses are constantly parked outside our salons. Miracles is doing Hawt-On-Yelp this week, and we are crazy busy. Needless to say, we are thrilled with all our new yelpers breathing new life into the salon. Yelp is a great site, you all should visit.

This time of year also reminds me of loved ones and family members that are both HERE and AWAY . I want to tell you a story about someone that is BOTH: my ex-husband Kostas. You see, Kostas taught me how to CUT HAIR. How? Well, I went to get my hair done before going on vacation and I ended up marrying him 11 days later. Talk about falling in love with your stylist…I know all about it. I had just graduated from Emerson Prep in Washington D.C. and I was going to study law and save the third world. He was 31 and I was 18 when we married. I was sure that I was NEVER going to pay for a haircut ever again…I WAS RIGHT. Needless to say, law school was never realized. I took the 9 months that I was pregnant with Maria (thats her in the pic), to attend beauty school and learn to do MY OWN HAIR.

Kostas and I lasted seven years two months and ten days. We had a love/hate relationship just like YOU do with your OWN hairdresser. The day we divorced was also the day that I got to understand this man. Since that day, we have raised our children; worked hard at our stores; go on vacation together as a family; eat at LEAST one meal a day together; talk on the phone constantly; make fun AND/ OR chase away our daughter’s boyfriends; lend a shoulder to cry on when we divorce other people (we have), and someone forgot to send us the Divorce Decree in the mail. You see, getting away from your hair stylist is almost impossible, dont even try.

I’ve heard it said that being divorced is similar to being hit by a mack truck. If you live through it, you start looking very carefully to the left and to the right. Is that really true? Do we blame the divorce ? Is that why we can’t go on and live life? Was being married to the man that bad? Im not sure of the answers, BUT, my hairdresser is also my ex-husband AND my best friend. I WILL GO ASK HIM….

“Sometimes if your lucky, someone comes into your life who’ll take up a place in your heart that no one else can fill, someone who’s tighter than a twin, more with you than your own shadow, who gets deeper under your skin than your own blood and bones” –Snoop Dogg

Hello everyone,

It all started with the salon doing a Men’s Only Promotion in June. We used Groupon as our provider to get more men into the salon. Well it was fantastic, 250 men bought our Promo and the salon was flooded with: Handsome, sexy, available men. The single women getting their hair done were thrilled. I get asked all the time for dating and relationship advice (don’t laugh), so here was this great opportunity to have my single clients get together. We decided to have A Miracles Spooning Party on September 12, at the salon. Please come and have a blast. It will be our first matchmaking gig and it was the idea of one very goodlooking, single man brought in by those Groupon people. So as the head match-maker I had to do research and find out what the problem was with the Washington D.C dating scene; SO I JOINED A DATING SERVICE (yes, I really did).

I had heard of a man named Markus Frind who has a free dating site called Plenty-of-Fish , he makes about 10 million dollars a year from Google Ads on the site, and I figured if anyone saw my profile picture, I could always say I was doing” MARKETING RESEARCH” for my blog. I figured if Akon can join Plenty Of Fish and sing about it (watch Akon-Video ) then I can most certainly join and blog about it (to help the girls at the salon of course). To be fair, I also did some research on Match.com and eHarmony, but in todays economy, I dont recomend spending precious money on dating sites, when you can spend it getting your hair done, after you find the right man for free.

Plato said that “at the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet”. I became a poet at: THE THOUGHT OF LOVE. You should have seen my profile and picture! I decided to be as honest as I could on the profile. No need to act like I have it all together (I do not) but I must say…it was poetry. I posted and waited for the fakes and players that everyone talks to me about to contact me. I took down my profile after 24 hours…and here is what I found:

On the advanced search on the site I found…….14,000 men in Arlington, Virginia looking for love, dating and hook-ups (whatever that is nowdays).

In 24 hours I had 17 emails, some of them quite nice, only one creep. I specifically said that I was looking Only for Friendship. That was the truth, I am not ready for anyone new in my life.

Here is a description of the men that I found or found me: (names have been changed to protect the innocent).

TAMIL, the kind hearted recent divorce, that I met for coffee at Starbucks. He brought me a teddy bear as a gift. Handsome, sexy and very self-assured. He also talked a lot about his children (good dad is a big plus in my book). I feel that we now are friends and I hope to see him again.

TOM, a young man from California that has recently moved to D.C for work. He is looking to make new friends and forget his fiance’ that left him for the next door neighbor while he was in Asia on a business trip(ouch). We still managed to laugh while trading war stories. He is a little bit too wounded for my taste, but what a guy.

JESLIE, a good looking, warm hearted biker from Virginia. You know, your best friends older brother type? Thats him. He picked me up and took me on a ride on his Harley. The bad news is that one of his biker girlfriends saw us, and we went speeding on 95, ended up on Solomons Island, Md. What’s a little danger? Right? Anyway, he gave me a T-shirt as a parting gift that reads “Wanna Ride My Hog?”

Thats just a small preview of the nice men that I met on the site. I recommend it, sure beats sitting alone and thinking about.. HIM. Markus Frind says that “there’s plenty of fish in the world; you just need to reel them in.” I AGREE. An old Chinese proverb states that secret forces are bringing spirits together, and if man permits this ineffable attraction, good fortune comes. When friendship exists, formalities and elaborate preparation is not necessary. As for me..I have a date tonight with a fellow Greek. He is smart (degree from RIT); handsome (just saw pictures); funny; and he says he likes….. DRAMA. “We are Greeks after all.” Wish me fun.

Hello Everyone,

Greetings from Greece, the land of ruins. I have, after some time, come back to the place where I was born, for a long needed vacation. The town is called Kamena Vourla, and is about 90 miles east of Athens. A breathtaking lovely resort town with world renowned hot springs, that brings people with aches and pains from all over the world.

Amid this lovely setting, I sit and people watch….I watch very carefully, and the scene here reminds me of a play that became a movie long ago…..Shirley Valentine. Remember that movie? No?

Its a story of a middle-aged, working class woman that leaves a note to her husband on the kitchen table, and goes to Greece on a holiday. An uplifting story of a woman that gets the courage to let herself feel again. It’s pretty close to what I feel. Everyday life, can get in the way of a persons journey to self awareness. So, amongst the land of ruins…..I allow myself the luxury of thinking like……….Shirley Valentine.

I ask: “What happened to me?”, “when did I become stagnant?”, “is this as good as it gets?”

In the movie, Shirlie finds love, what would happen if I too found love on my vacation? Would I run for the hills, afraid of getting hurt? OR would I run over him and make him the next roadkill ? Lucky man, no? Would this man have the emotional intelligence and be brave enough to love a complex woman? Do any of those men exist anymore? IF and WHEN I do meet him……..I would tell him that……..I now love myself and that HIM loving ME, would be welcome, and I would try to be normal…….whatever that is.

Life is funny, you never know what can come your way. The main thing, is to believe and trust, love will one day come to you. So, here I am, come and find me……I AM READY!

Hello Everyone,

Fathers Day is June 21 this year, and as always, I start to think about and miss my father more than usual. He passed away about nine years ago and it still hurts. As I watch my daughters play-fight and abuse their own dad, an enormous feeling of loss envelops me. My father was a womanizer, a gambler, a drinker and a smoker……………I WORSHIPED THE MAN. I am a grown woman now, but still a little girl that adores her dad in my heart. Remembering him can be overwhelming…….but, I would like a to share a story about him with you.

In April 1999, I called my father in New York City, where he lived and ran his business. I had some very bad news. I was pregnant AND going through a divorce. I told him “Dad, the man is gone, and I am pregnant, what am I going to do now ? ” He started to laugh so loud, I thought for sure he was making fun of me, HE DID TELL ME THE MAN WAS NO GOOD. This is what he replied ” my daughter, don’t be sad, this child will make your life seem like a work of art, and besides…..I will be there to help you raise him “If my father was fine with my predicament, then why shoud’nt I, right? I hunkered down , took care of my little girls and the store and waited for my first sonogram to see what i was being blessed with.

On September 1999, I went for a sonogram and upon arriving and checking in I was told to fill in some forms. As I read , my eyes caught something on the page. ….under reason for the sonogram, they had listed: ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE …….What ? Me? But I am a fertile goddess you people. So with my ego bruised , I laid down and…………I saw the most beautiful boy I had ever laid eyes on. I ran home and called my father. Upon hearing that he will have a grandson, he bought everyone at the bar a drink, and right then and there he………. QUIT SMOKING AND DRINKING.

On October 1999 , he was diagnosed with bone cancer. I could not believe it, this strong happy man was terminally ill and there was nothing much that we could do about it. Within six weeks he was in Hospice Care and I was totally helpless. Thats when the nice hospice folks gave me a book called: FINAL GIFTS. I read it all within hours, and it was a GOD SEND. It explained why my father was telling me strange things like : ” When the boy is 15 he will forget to come home, Make sure you tell him who’s the boss” OR he would look as if he was seeing people that I could not see. SAD STUFF. Not being able to help loved ones , is hell, isn’t it ? Thankfully, it did not take long. Looking back, I think he was trying to die fast, so as not to make me suffer. On November 27, 1999 my father died.

On December 9, 1999 My son Elias was born.

Life is full of suprises right? You never know what a new day will bring. I do know how much he mattered to me. He was the man that knew it would be allright, and it is. He was the man that gave me courage and strength when he had none. He was the man that knew I could do this…………..and like most fathers………did not have to say so. Happy Fathers Day, thank you for reading my post, and, if you will excuse me……………….I have to go resolve a paternity case !

Hello Everyone,

A very happy spring to all. May is my favorite month of the year, all the senses seem to be running on full blast, and I cannot wait to get a new cut, color and a spring purse and shoes. I also like to discover new places to see and be seen -in ( wearing my new purse,of course).

I think that I have found this place,and its all because of this lovely young lady that came into the salon to get her hair done.Meet Christiana Sargent , she is the assistant general manager of Domaso Tratoria, the restaurant at Hotel Palomar at Waterview at 1121 N. 19th Street, 4th floor. For reservations call 703-351-1211. www.domasotrattoria.com

Christiana, is also the Beverage Director for the awesome little wine shop in the lobby level of the Hotel Palomar. We Greeks love wine, but our selection is a little limited, with Retsina being the favorite of most Greeks that I know. So I cornered Christiana and asked her about a hundred questions about her favorite wines and food. Let me tell you that the girl has it all together and is very passionate about her craft….I was impressed. The Hotel Palomar has made a fine choice in her. I also asked her what her favorite dinner -for- two is( think sexy) and if Massimo De Francesca ,the chef, is single.( Not only can the man cook;he is gorgeous) Forget it girls……he is married. But Christiana did give me a lovely dinner menu, here it is.

Appetizer:

Lobster salad with crab meat and shaved fennel served with a lobster cream sauce

Champagne Couvee St Anne

Cod fritters with horseradish cream aiolli

Roanne River White

Main Course:

Braised Short Ribs

Yukon Gold mash potatoes

Basil/siso sauce

Desert:

Sweet and savory chocolate tart with espresso sauce

Coffee ice cream

topped with(get this) a crumble of Blue Cheese

Christianna tels me that her favorite chocolate is AMADE’E a brother/sister company based in Tuscany, that is out of this world. They have a Fruit bar made out of dried cherries, rasberies and dark chocolate, that you should pair with a sparkling Shiraz from Australia called Paringa.

The must try new wine is Mark Tente from Alsace .The company follows the Farmers Almanac,is Bio-dynamic, organic, and the Pinot Blanc vines produce an almost surreal amber-gold colored wine with some frisante.Wow…is this girl a great Somalier or what? Go see Christiana, tell her I sent you. Sit at the terrace and look out at our amazing city and have a drink. Life is short my friends, live it and be happy. Turn off the news channel and stop stressing. Trust me when I tell you that we really have no control over fate.

SWINE FLU ? …..WHAT SWINE FLU ? GO LIVE EVERYBODY AND HAPPY MAY DAY TO YOU.

Hello Everyone,

More of the same this week at the salon, with many friends and clients scaling back on Christmas shopping, losing more on retirement accounts and overall trying to stretch the once mighty dollar. Can you imagine how surprised I was to see my neighbors house on Craigslist listed (and rented) for $13,500 for the week of the Inauguration?

Our nation is officially in a recession, but I hear that 3 to 4 million people will come to see this historic event. Where will these people stay? How will they afford $1000 a night hotel rooms? All the major stores have run out of ball gowns priced at 2 to 4 thousand dollars. My friends that own restaurants in town all tell me that they are booked solid. WOW…WHAT RECESSION? What about the people that want to come and witness history, but cannot afford to? I THINK I HAVE A SOLUTION.

I became a blogger, even if my English and writing was bad, because I had heard that bloggers are generous people. I love generosity and kindness in people. On November 4th Barack Obama said we should unite and come together as kind hearted Americans. We should help our Nation and our Communities….I agree with him.

HERE IS WHAT I CAN DO:

Democrat, Republican or neither. If you need a place to sleep that week, send me an e-mail and let me know what you need. I have a small home 2 miles from the White House, I don’t mind to share it with you. Please note I am not the Ritz Carlton. I have talked to some of my neighbors and they have agreed to help out also. My friends think I am insane for doing this, and I probably am. But, it was good Americans that helped me when I needed it, It’s only fair that I open my doors to the house and the store for them. This monumental day belongs to all of us, rich or poor.

Recession? What recession? We are going to have the time of our life.