**Snark Alert**

Just received an email today from EHarmony (which I do not participate in, because they are both straight AND narrow — only allowing members who are men looking for women or women looking for men) with the following headline, “What’s the Best Way to be More Interesting?”

Whaaat?  Tell me they don’t get that question from their members, please…  Here’s the earth-shattering advice they have to offer:

“It’s true: You will boost your odds of finding a fantastic partner if you become convinced deep down that you have a lot to offer. You bring many assets and attributes to a potential relationship, and you’ll radiate that fact when you regularly remind yourself of your best qualities. To move forward with confidence, believe the best about yourself and your future.”

Really?  Is this news to anyone in the dating pool?  Actually, is this news to anyone who’s ever watched Oprah?? (Or Dr. Phil, or even America’s Next Top Model?)  WTH?  Not much of a value add to their members or prospective members, if you ask me.

But seriously, if EHarmony wanted to be really helpful, they could send some articles about how to use social media while dating.

Don't be a wallflower! Get out there and have some fun.

You know, like how to get the people that email incessantly to actually get off the dime and ask someone out; or how it’s not a real relationship if it only happens over text and IM.

Despite the immediacy and ubiquity of these methods of communication — there is no substitute for an actual phone conversation or even better, a face to face meeting.

I know it seems cool to have a text or sext pal, but really, let’s just be brave and get out there in person!

So, if you’re single, do something brave today — ask someone out for an honest to goodness date.  Most likely they’ll say yes, and even if it goes badly, you’ll have an awesome story to tell at your next cocktail party.

Want some gorgeous, rich tonal color in your hair for Fall? Have we got a deal for you! When you’re in to see Juliana for a haircut, just add a partial lowlight service for $45, now through November 30th.

Take a break from the bleach and give yourself beautiful red, chestnut, copper or cappucino accents for dimension and depth. Lowlights add shine and can provide contrast that makes blondes look even blonder. You know you’ve been wanting to do something with your color — now’s your chance!

(Lowlights special is good through 11/30/09, must be booked with a haircut and is not valid in conjunction with any other specials)

As you all know, I’ve been dabbling a bit in the world of online dating.  It’s been fun (and sometimes creepy), but mostly fun (thank goodness!) .  One of the sites has a great sense of humor about the whole thing, because really, it’s all just for fun at the early stages, right?  I mean, does a fondness for Harley rides or HP Lovecraft indicate any kind of relationship ability anyway?  Who knows?

In any case, OKCupid recently sent me this geographic breakdown of where I would be most likely to find my matches, based on the answers to profile questions.  Pretty interesting…  Guess I know where I should go on those exotic vacations, right?

A Map of Love: your best male matches by state

target: USA | sampled: 39200

A Map of Love: your best male matches by country

target: World | sampled: 25207

Things are always changing here at the salon, and our latest change is the departure of Ms. Tyler to a bigger salon in downtown Portland.

After crying for an entire day, Juliana and I have managed to recover from the news and have come up with a plan.  Wanna give her a try?

Get your first service with Juliana for 50% off (just remind us when you call to make your appointment).

We’ll miss Tyler terribly, but rumor has it she’ll be making a special appearance at my Second Annual Halloween/Birthday party on Saturday, October 31st.

In the meantime, if you have any questions for Tyler or want to know more about Juliana, please give us a jingle at 503.285.2899 or shoot me an email.

The August issue of Marie Claire has our very own City of Roses listed as #10 of the “nation’s ultimate meet markets.”  What do you think?  I tend be one of the “lid for every pot” kind of optimists, but this claim does make me wonder… Since I don’t have enough recent dating experiences to judge, I await your thoughts (and suggestions, fix ups and dates).  As client Melissa M says about men here, “In Portland, the odds are good, but the goods are odd.”

Here’s what Marie Claire has to say about Portland’s single guys:

“Defining Traits: Altruism, Ripstop clothing, whiteness 

 Career Ambition: Wind-power entrepreneur, sneaker designer

Ideal Woman: Vegan Ivory girl who’s lived in a yurt

First Date: A pint of Rogue and a Bogart flick at the Laurelhurst

Fifth Date: Bike Tour of the local wineries (just sober up before you, er, mount up.)” 

So, do tell.  Of course one of Marie Claire’s own bloggers, Maura, talked to a demographic expert who has this to say, “Gay men seem to be clustering in San Francisco, the District of Columbia, and Portland, Oregon. For lesbian women, Ashville, North Carolina is a hot spot.”   Let’s all help each other out here — share your stories of the crazy ones and the good ones so we can all get a little perspective, shall we?  Go out  on a date will ya?  Even with your significant other, it’ll do us all good.

What’s New at Trixie’s Beauty Bar?
Trixie’s Whine with Wine, Reading-Optional, Book Club & Social Hour

Tuesday, July 28 @ 7pm   (Right here in the salon)

This month’s book? Bad Girls Go Everywhere by Jennifer Scanlon, a stellar biography of Helen Gurley Brown, the original Cosmo Girl & author of Sex and the Single Girl in 1962 (the foremother of Sex and the City). Like Mad Men? Read this book to get the real story of the times… See you there.

It feels like she’s been here forever already, but if you haven’t met Juliana, you’re in for a treat.   Juliana is the latest addition to Team Trixie’s — a high energy hair stylist who recently located from Berkeley right here to NoPo.

Juliana has been doing hair in California for about 5 years (most recently at a cool salon called Blow) – she loves to do funky color, beautiful cuts and is on her way to adding waxing to her repertoire.

You can catch her at Trixie’s on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and now Sundays (yes!) from 11-3.  The rest of the week she’s out exploring Portland with her partner, Alex, from her home base on Alberta Street.  We already love her (and her work) and we’re sure you will too!

Juliana’s haircuts are $40, her color services start at $50, and other chemical services such as perms and relaxers start at $65.  Call for your appointment or consultation today.

Juliana’s Freaky Friday Special for NEW hair clients — $45 for a cut , single process color and power boost treatment ($125 value, offer good until 6/30). Haven’t ever had your hair done at Trixie’s?  Now’s your chance to experience our Pearl District style services at an unbelievable  price.

Pssst, hey.   Hey  you –  yes, you .

I’ve seen your feet, and boy,  do they need some help!  How about your skin?  Are you getting that in-between season scariness?   Let us help you and save a few bucks in the process…

Fab Friday Facials

Jodi is offering a Fab Friday Facial Special:  Book our amazingly good-for-you Personally Yours 60 minute facial with her on a Friday and get a $60 value for just $45!

Spring Pedi Fling

Amber wants everyone to have beautiful, smooth, healthy feet (especially now that we’ve actually seen the sun) and so she is going all out — book our Perfect Pedicure with her on Tuesdays or Saturdays in April for only $30 (regularly $40).

Call today for your appointment, they’re going fast!  503-285-2899

Every day, we get hear about our clients’ cool projects and ideas to benefit the community.  There’s Andrea’s  Swap and Play, Shir’s mural idea, and more creative, exciting stuff happening around the ‘hood all the time.

Of course, these projects take time and money, which, conveniently, is now available from the North Portland Business Association.

Lester Viles, a civic-minded kind of a guy,  started the NPBA and left them a trust to help the community.  The grant has specific guidelines and the applications are due by March 31st, so get crackin’ and get out there and do some good!  We know you can do it!

Come on down…

Tuesday, 2/24 at 7pm    Trixie’s Beauty Bar

We’ll have wine and snacks and good conversation.  (Maybe we’ll even talk about the book or something).  Can’t wait to see you!

What we’re reading right now:

Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a condescending, egomaniacal,self-centered Smart-ass — or why you should never carry a Prada Bag to the unemployment office by Jen Lancaster