A Girls Night with @MitzinTheBurbs at @CharlesScottSal

I have not received any compensation for this post.  The opinions are 100% my own.

Some girls love spa days and getting their hair done and then there is me.  

It is nerve racking and panic inducing.  I remember there was a time when I enjoyed it, but I never really get what I ask for and I am always disappointed.

So, when Canopi invited me to the Charles Scott Salon in Rocky River for an event hosted by Wella Professionals and Elle, I was a bit skeptical but applied back yes to the invitation.  I have to get out of my comfort zone and my blog is about me needing a play date - this event makes sense.

After saying yes, I texted my pal to see if she would go with me and her reply was something to the effect: America Idol is on and I have extensions why would I need a consultation?

Needless to say that not only did Mitzi, from Mitzi n' the Burbs, go but she was tackled by a wonderful stylist that wanted to do her hair.  In fact, when I saw them talking, I thought they were old friends!  I know she is planning to go back and I may just have to join because the woman who did my hair was open, honest and really fantastic.  These are qualities I like in a stylist because I don't think I have very good taste so someone who will tell me "no" (as in no, you should not cut your hair into a pixie bob) is a bonus. 

My stylist was Karli and when I first sat down I had no idea what to expect. My hair is long and I had just come from rushing the kids home after a long day in the office.  I did not have enough wine, yet, to feel pretty but that didn't matter, Karli went right from hello and expertly into questions about my hair and what I do with it - long and nothing.  I did mention that I occasionally used a flat iron and she whipped her's out to give me tips.

Not only did she give me pointers but also explained that what I see as "frizzies" is actually new growth and directly related to having a baby and still nursing.  My hormones are still wonky.

She did a fantastic job, but I think I will leave my flat iron parked in the closet and go to her for special occasions.  

What made the night really special, was that the event was open to regulars and guests - it was a party!  And they just happen to be doing hair, nails and makeup while drinking wine and eating fancy finger foods.

 I am so glad I said yes. 

What makes you feel pretty?

Spank! at @PlayhouseSquare and My Dirty Secret

 

I have a confession to make - I have never seen a show at Playhouse Square. I have lived my entire life in Northeast Ohio and I have never been to the theater. Crazy, right? Well, it's true, until I won tickets to see Spank! from Why Cle? and Playhouse Square!

I entered her giveaway as well as Life in the Cle's in the hopes of winning and then, I forgot about it. I never win anything this cool and nothing local, ever. It was such a surprise to open an email from Jen saying that I won! I was talking to the Husband when I opened the email and he surprised me even more by telling me he wanted to go! Unfortunately (or not), he had to work so I took my friend and Tuesdays with Cory contributor Cory to the matinee showing of Spank! at the Hanna Theater.

Cory

I am actually glad the Husband could not go because this was the perfect girls thing that we needed to do and the show was so much fun.  SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is an unauthorized musical based on 50 Shades of Grey but you don't need to read the books to get the tongue in cheek references.  I have read them, Cory hasn't and we were both laughing ourselves silly through the whole performance.  And, to say the male lead does not look fanTAStic in a pair of blue jeans would be a bold face lie.  Holy crap he looked good and took his shirt off enough to justify the Chippendale's comparison that the website boosts.  

source

My only issue with the performance was the opening scene.  It was this dance number with the lead characters, "Hugh Hanson" and "Tasha Woode," which just confused me as to why it was there.  Once it actually started, I was able to forget the opening scene and enjoy the performance (and Hugh's nakedness) of three very talented actors.  They were clever during the improv scenes and showed real chemistry on stage.  It was so much fun to watch.  Not ground breaking or Shakespeare but certainly a whole lot of fun!  Perfect for a girls only outing.

Spank! is showing until January 27 at the Hanna and the next stop is in Monterey, California.  A complete list of tour dates are on the website here. 

How Do I Get Out of My Comfort Zone, Meet Other Moms and Have a Playdate? FONDUE!

Finally, a playdate!

With adults, specifically - other moms! 

More importantly - moms who blog! 

Roni and Chrissy (and me)

Last night, I had the opportunity to meet the ladies behind Mommy in Law and My Got Fam for dinner at the Melting Pot.  It was ladies night (aka spa night) which means that on top of the amazing dinner, dessert and cocktail we could also participate in a "spa" treatment from La Barberia Spa and Salon all for $35 (including tax and gratuity)!   Of course, I was last to arrive (late) but I made it and when the hostess took me to the table I immediately saw faces I knew!  I have read so much about these ladies lives online that they feel like they are all ready old friends and here they are in the flesh.

Between bites of cheesy goodness I got to hear about why they blog, what irks them (in real life and online), what makes them laugh and just connected with the women behind the blogs. We shared how we meet in the blogging world while sipping adult beverages and told the tales of how and why we call Cleveland home. I even learned that I can change my twitter name (which I did) with out losing followers, why you should not split an infinitive and there is peer pressure in the adult world, not just high school.  By the time our dessert came, I felt closer to these ladies and thrilled that I got to spend this time with them.

top right - half eaten spinach and artichoke fondu, top left - hard to see flambéed smore's fondu, bottom righ- the flame from flambéed smore's fondu, bottom left- dessert dippers

After dessert, we were ushered in to the "salon" for our "spa" treatment.  I was going to go for the paraffin treatment like my fellow bloggers, Chrissy and Roni, until Chrissy dared us to get... well she promised that she would blog about it so you will have to check out her blog to see what I got for my spa treatment.  I will say it could have been a massage, a feather in my hair or a mini makeover... but that is all I can say about that.

Chrissy and Roni being treated to a paraffin wax dip

You can say that mommy bloggers or moms who blog share to much online and maybe you think that friends online are not really friends but I feel pretty confident that these funny moms (they really are funny - check them out in my blog roll) are truly the nicest women I've meet in a long time and I am honored to call them friends. And, we did this all over the cheesy goodness of fondue!  Even if one of them splits the infinitive from time to time - it's called artistic license.