Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator

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Today’s post is later in the day than usual, I know. It’s Monday and the better part of my day was promised to my family. An out of town lunch date with my girl and her Amma, my mother in law. (When she was a wee girl she came up with calling her gramma “Amma” and it stuck). Morning schedules were adjusted, emails delayed, only one cup of coffee and we were off. Being the summer and living in Ontario, we ran into construction and road closures, and with each kilometer the humidex rose little by little. I however was able to keep my cool, thanks to the A/C in my car and AG Hair’s FrizzProof.

This gem from AG Hair Care is a MUST HAVE for summer tresses. AG FrizzProof locks out frizz by creating an invisible, weightless shield over your hair. Even if the humidex reaches 40 degrees Celsius (104 fahrenheit) you can be sure that your hair will remain frizz free and your style silky, shiny and smooth. With it’s 2/5 hold factor it is the perfect addition to ensuring your desired style will hold true.

A few FAB! features of AG FrizzProof Argan Anti Humidity Finishing Spray;

  • enriched with Argan Oil *Sustainably sourced, fair-trade, organic Moroccan Argan Oil
  • contains Copolymers that deliver a humidity resistant light hold with high shine that rinses out easily without leaving any build up on your hair.
  • retains your style – leaves your hair silky, shiny and smooth
  • formulated for all hair types
  • Color safe
  • BEST OF ALL – the Argan oil is farmed and produced by the women of the Berber tribe, enabling them to have financial independence and in turn gives them the ability to provide for their families and educate their children

This is a finishing spray, which means you should apply it to your hair once you have completed styling it, be it curly, wavy or straight and after you have applied any other styling products you may be using. Once you have your desired style, spray all over your hair and VOILA! You and your tresses are good to go!

*a little tip from That Girl in the Red Coat – use this gem all year round. We tend to associate humidity with the summer. Humidity can rear it’s head during the other seasons too. Using a humidity resistant spray can ensure a frizz free hair day, everyday.

lifestyle, parenting, Sunday Confessions

Sunday Confessions

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Comparison is the thief of joy. A lovely quote I stumbled upon many years ago. I have to admit, I used to compare myself and my life to others. Feeling like I was missing out, or not doing enough with my life. I would hear of vacations, career changes, new houses, new cars, you name it…if I heard about it, it was always accompanied with a dash of jealousy, wishing I could have all those things too. Nowadays, not so much. Maybe it’s maturity, maybe it’s my hysterectomy, maybe it’s the fact I am going to be 46 in a few days, maybe it’s perspective, maybe it’s everything coming together all at once.

This October I am taking a trip to Vancouver with my husband and I am going to my first concert with my husband. We have been together 26 years, married for 24. When I tell this to people, I almost always get “the face”. You know the one, the look of pity, or shock or sheer disbelief that I have not traveled or rocked out at a concert in 24 years. I have had people ask if our marriage was in trouble and if we are trying to rekindle the spark. I have had people tell me it’s about time I started living. I have had people say “…so what have you been doing with your life?”. Ten years ago, these phrases would have flattened me. I would have let the opinions of others take the helm of my life’s journey. I would have felt embarrassed or ashamed of my life, or lack there of. Today, not so much.

A long time ago, I decided to put my marriage, my family and our life together first. Over the years, we have faced job losses, lay offs, health issues – some scary, some not. We decided it made more sense financially and emotionally for me to stay home with our daughter until she reached school age. It didn’t make sense for me to be out of the house 40 hours a week to hand over most of my paycheck to a daycare provider. We made a one income household work, hence no travelling. When my husband was faced with manufacturing layoffs, I stepped up and worked 6 days a week. Keeping our house was more important then having a family vacation photo. My mother in law broke her hip, twice. That summer we took care of her, got her the rehabilitation she needed, took care of her home and finances, so our summer vacation plans fell to the wayside. I could go on an on, reading the list would make your eyes blurry and would give me carpal tunnel. Sure, we could have gone on trips and rocked out at concerts, but we couldn’t afford it, and honestly, I, hell, we were stressed enough, why would we add more financial stress to our platter? How would I enjoy myself sitting on a beach knowing that I had a credit card bill waiting for me in my mailbox with the vacation and hotel charges that I couldn’t pay? I guess all I am trying to say is shit happens, plans change, life gets in the way and never be ashamed of your life because you aren’t doing what everyone else seems to be doing. This is your life. Your choices must be what is best for you, and for your family (for those of us that have one). No one else is living your life but you. Another great quote I stumbled upon is “the opinions of others do not pay the bills”.

I am proud of what my husband and I have accomplished. It hasn’t always been pretty, sometimes it got ugly, but we are still together, fighting the good fight. We never lost sight of the fact that we love each other and that the problems and arguments were because of life getting in the way, not loss of love for one another. We have our home, we have our health, we have a beautiful daughter who is coming into her own and doors are opening for her at every turn…and although it is later than planned, we are going to travel and rock out at a concert.

 

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator

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Here we are, It’s Monday morning. As you know, it’s my goal to make sure no one ever says “looks like you’ve got a case of the Mondays!” and to ensure that no matter what Monday may throw at you, you will always smile at your reflection. Over the past weeks I have received many questions about products I have blogged about in the past, so without further adieu, here are some of my archived posts giving you the low down on some FAB! products from Joico. Meet Hair Shake, Flip Turn, Humidity Blocker, Kpak Color Therapy Luster Lock and the Kpak system.

https://thatgirlintheredcoat.com/2016/05/09/monday-motivators-joico-flip-turn-hair-shake/

 

https://thatgirlintheredcoat.com/2016/04/11/monday-motivator-joico-humidity-blocker/

https://thatgirlintheredcoat.com/2016/07/12/luster-licious/

 

https://thatgirlintheredcoat.com/2015/03/23/15-minutes-is-all-it-takes/

 

A few gems from Joico that with ensure a good hair day this Monday and everyday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

health and wellness, lifestyle, Sunday Confessions

Sunday Confessions

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As I sit here by my favorite window I can hear the rain falling and with it a much needed cool summer breeze. I have been wondering what to write about this fine Sunday. It seems I am having one of those mornings where ideas and memories are flooding my mind at the same time. I get inspiration for today’s tale then WHAMMO! I am hit with a memory – some good, some, not so good. I haven’t been sleeping as soundly as I would like lately, and all I keep thinking about is Shug Avery from the Color Purple singing “…can’t sleep at night. And you wonder why. Maybe God is tryin’ to tell you something.”. Now, I have no clue what God, the universe, the smurfs – take your pick are trying to tell me. All I know is something, somewhere is out of whack. Sure I could blame it on planets in retrograde, or the fact that we were dealing with record high temperatures and humidity…but I do believe that would be an excuse, not a reason.

Maybe the reason for my lack of sleep and feeling of unrest is to share it, to let whomever reads this know that you are not alone. That it’s okay to wonder about your life choices, to question your actions and the actions of others. To feel like something, somewhere is not as it should be. That there is a difference between being paranoid and being aware. That it’s okay to take time to figure yourself out, be it meditating, prayer, reading, walking through a forest – whatever you need to do to get back to you. Life pulls us in every direction. Now more than ever thanks to social media we can be left feeling like we aren’t enough, or doing enough, or travelling enough. Try and take a page from my book and see social media as one of your favorite magazines or reality television shows.

Take time for yourself, today and everyday. Even if it’s five minutes. Maybe, just maybe in those few moments you and I will hear just what God is tryin’ to tell us.

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Your Brightening Monday Motivator

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This Monday Motivator is for all the blonde beauties, natural and bottled alike. They say “blondes have more fun”, if you are a bottled blonde, you know all too well the upkeep on our tresses isn’t always a fun time. Between battling tangles, split ends, damage and that ever present frizz, we know for certain that the “blondes have more fun” slogan was created by a natural blonde. Before you run to your stylist and go back to brunette, I have a treat for you! Meet Blonde Life Brightening Veil from Joico!

This gem is a lifesaver for any bottled blonde out there! First and foremost, the scent is out of this world…think of the beach mixed with what you imagine Jon Bon Jovi smells like…it’s heavenly. Blonde Life Brightening Veil was created for natural blondes as well, so all of us are covered. This gem from Joico is an instant safeguard for blonde tresses. It boosts shine and doubles the strength of every strand. It leaves your hair comb-able, manageable, and frizz free. The secret is in the sauce – a blend of rich Tahitian Manoi Oil combined with ultra hydrating Tamanu Oil delivers deep nourishment and protection against the harsh UV rays. Add in Joico’s exclusive Bio Advanced Peptide Complex and your tresses are guaranteed additional repair and protection.

Blonde Life Brightening Veil protects your hair from;

  • thermal stylers
  • chemicals
  • UV exposure
  • humidity
  • dryness

To be applied to towel dried hair, spray all over, comb through, blow dry and style as usual. *for optimum results pair with Blonde Life Shampoo and Conditioner. 

After using Joico’s Blonde Life Brightening Veil, I found my hair had more shine, so much so I didn’t apply my usual shine spray. I had less of those little hairs poking up from the top of my head…you know, the ones your Mother used to pat down with her spit…still a little scarred by that to be honest. I had less tangles before blow drying and my hair smelled wonderful…like so good that I would run my fingers through it just to catch a whiff of the scent in the air.

So there you have it. For all my blonde beauties, with this gem from Joico, you are guaranteed a good hair day this Monday, and everyday.

health and wellness, lifestyle

Sunday Confessions

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I have been in the retail/customer service gig for over 30 years now. Yup…30 years. I have sold everything from lingerie to sports cars, hairspray to stilettos. In every sales arena, there has always been two commonalities, the customer and their perceived attitude. Over the years, a combination of experience and maturity led me to the conclusion that not everything and everyone are as they seem. That attitudes and opinions are often taken the wrong way or taken too personally. There is always something else going on behind the scenes. I had a few experiences yesterday with customers that led me to today’s blog. Take it as a reminder to not take the views of others, their words or actions personally.

I asked a woman if I could help her, if she was finding what she was looking for. She didn’t answer me, didn’t even look at me. I let her be and returned a few moments later when I saw her walking around in a pair of pumps she had chosen. I asked her how the fit was, if they were comfortable. She looked up at me and shrugged. I saw the size she was from the shoe box on the floor and went and found some similar styles. I brought them to her and asked if she liked any of them. She looked at them, then at me and told me she didn’t want to buy shoes but had to because she was going to her father’s funeral.

A man came up to me, quite agitated. He was looking for shoes for his mother. He didn’t know her size and was embarrassed that all he had to go on was his tracing of her foot on a piece of paper. I showed him a few styles that might work for her and offered some slipper styles too. He said “Only shoes! She will only wear shoes!”. Then he let out a huge sigh and apologized for raising his voice. His mother has Alzheimers and it had been a rough week.

A woman came up to me and asked me my name. I told her “My name is Sara”. She said “Okay, good to know.”. I asked her if she needed my help. She told me no. For the next few minutes I kept seeing her trying to catch my eye and when she did, she looked away. I saw she had different styles of sandals in her hand. I went over, asked for her shoe size and showed her the chairs we had available. I told her she could have a seat and would bring over the sandals for her to try. When I brought over the sandals, she stayed pretty quiet. I noticed she was struggling to do up the back strap, so I offered to help her. She looked up at me and said “That would be great. I am not having a good day”. Over the course of our conversion and trying on multiple styles of sandals, I came to find out she had many medical issues that affected her balance and her gait (her manner of walking). She also apologized for not speaking a lot at first, for she has anxiety buying shoes – she knows people are looking at her and she knows she will need help putting on shoes. All she ever wants is to feel normal and have shoes that a woman in her 40’s would wear, and not have to settle for the same shoes as her grandmother. Long story short, I found her two pairs of sandals that gave her great support and an even stride and that I would wear. As she was leaving, the woman that came in looking at the floor and hardly speaking was beaming and telling me how happy she was, she gave me a hug and told me that now she feels she can play tag with 3 year old at the park.

Maybe it’s the new moon. Maybe something’s in retrograde. All I know is that in less than 9 hours I spoke with people dealing with a loss of a child, a loss of a parent, having to put a parent in long term care, a loss of physical abilities, a loss of a job. At first they came across cold and abrupt, and honestly, dealing with those issues, who wouldn’t? I just let them be them and kept trying. Shower them with kindness, sooner or later, the wall comes down.

The purpose for today’s blog isn’t only sales related. It’s life related. You never know what another person is going through. It’s hard not to take opinions and attitudes personally, this I know too well. You gotta try to remember, it’s not about you. If you take the time to delve a little deeper, you may end up bringing a little light into another’s dark day.

 

 

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator vs Monday Motivator – Battle of the oils

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Here we are again. Monday has arrived and with it the endless questions…Where are my keys? Who is picking up the kids from day camp? Did someone feed the dog? Why do toddlers like to play hide and seek with my purse? What does hot coffee taste like? For most of us, our Monday morning questions list is endless. The most common question…what product is best for my hair – this question is posed not only on Monday, but everyday. Trust me, this I know. I am asked everyday via text, email or by a comment on my blog. With so many products out there, how are we to know what to use? Today I am hoping to shed a little light on two products for you all. Over the past week I created a “battle of the oils” if you will. Moroccanoil vs SarynaKey.

 

Both of these oils are formulated to hydrate and moisturize the hair and to help repair damage and restore luster and shine to the hair. *side note – Moroccanoil has a “light” formula for fine hair/blondes, this I know. I used the original formula for it was the closest to SarynaKey’s formula and I wanted an equal comparison.

Morocannoil Oil Treatment (original) is infused with antioxidant rich argan oil and shine boosting vitamins. It detangles, speeds up drying time and boosts shine. Can be used on wet or dry hair. Formulated for all hair types, chemically treated or natural and any length. *ingredient list to be found at http://www.moroccanoil.com

SarynaKey Pure African Shea Oil Treatment is infused with shea butter – a natural source of keratin which is used to repair hair, leaving the hair soft, shiny and well moisturized. Vitamins and amino acids penetrate the hair cuticle to help restore porosity from root to tip. Can be used on wet or dry hair. Lightweight, absorbs quickly and formulated for all hair types, chemically treated or natural and any length. *ingredient list to be found at http://www.sarynakey.com

Now, for my results.

I used Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for 3 days. I washed my hair the first day, for the other two, I just wet my hair in the shower before styling and blow drying. The first day I applied a dime size amount throughout my hair when it was damp, blew dry my hair and styled. My hair felt softer and had a little more shine, yet still had some tangles. For the other two days, I applied the same size amount of Moroccanoil to my hair when it was dry, after using my flat iron *it is not a thermal protectant*. My hair continued to feel soft but was becoming weighed down and I found it harder to achieve volume and style and unfortunately my blonde was starting to pick up brassy tones. (…I know, the Moroccanoil light formula was created to stop this. As I stated above, I wanted an equal comparison). All in all, a lovely oil, best suited for medium to thick hair, and darker tones and colors.

I used SarynaKey Pure African Shea Oil Treatment for the next 3 days. I washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo to give myself a blank canvas if you will. As with the Moroccanoil, I washed my hair the first day, then only wet my hair in the shower before styling and blow drying for the remaining two days. The first day I applied a dime size amount throughout my hair when it was damp, blew dry my hair and styled. My hair felt softer, had shine and no tangles at all. For the next two days, as with the Morocannoil, I applied the same amount of SarynaKey to my hair when it was dry… again, after I used my flat iron *this is not a thermal protectant*. My hair continued to feel soft, it was not weighed down, it was easy to achieve my desired volume and style….and no brassy tones. My blonde stayed true. As you know, I am  a “non blonde” blonde. My natural level is between a 2/3, so I pick up brassy tones easier then men and money. All and all, a lovely oil as well. Suited for all hair types, fine to thick, and any color, from light to dark.

I am not here to sway an opinion in any way, shape or form. My sole purpose, as always is to educate and enlighten. Both Morocannoil and SarynKey oils are Salon professional oils that deliver on their promise. The difference I found was this…Moroccanoil has 2 Oil Treatments, one for medium to thick hair & darker tones and one for fine hair & lighter tones. SarynaKey has 1 Oil Treatment, formulated for all hair types and tones. Sometimes, having one less decision in your day can make your day that much easier.

A little tidbit of information for your back pocket as you venture into your week. Wishing you a great hair day this Monday and everyday.

Beauty, Women

Sunday Confessions

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I woke to the sounds of birds chirping and the faint glow of the sunrise peeping through my window. It’s Sunday morning on my part of the globe. As I sit in my kitchen by my window, I feel the warmth of the summer sun, the  morning breeze cooling my shoulders. I see the steam rising off my fresh cup of coffee in my favorite mug and all is right with the world. As I was gazing out my window, wondering what to write about today, my mind was flooded with all the conversations I had with customers this week. As you know, I decided to take the offer of returning to the shoe store I once worked at. In the past I was in charge of the Ladies section. This time around, I am once again in the Ladies section, without the hassles of management. I go in four days a week and all I have to do is focus on selling and helping the customers, and it’s wonderful.

This past week, I lost count of the women who spoke poorly of themselves, and unfortunately of others. Women of all ages. Thinking their ankles were too thick to wear a strappy sandal. Women who thought they were too old to wear red heels. Women who thought their bunions were too ugly so they only wore running shoes so no one would see their feet. Women who thought their feet were too wide for the gold ballerina flat they adored. Women who thought their calves were too big or too slender. Women who thought their baby toe looked weird. What it all came down to was they were all worried about what others would think, never once giving a thought to what they themselves thought. Almost all of the women who were concerned about their “problem area” had one thing in common, someone had told them it was a “problem area”. One woman in particular stands out. She found a pair of sandals, flat with a little bow. I told her they looked really cute on her, because they did. She looked up at me, eyes sparkling, smiling ear to ear and said “I love them!”. Minutes later, I saw her putting them back in the box and returning them to the shelf. “Did you need another size?” I asked. “No. My friend said they were too young for me and I just look foolish.”. No smile and the sparkle in her eyes had vanished. She ended up sitting in a chair waiting on her friend. She didn’t want to look anymore or try on anything else.

First and foremost, Ladies and Gents, don’t do that. Don’t. One of the cruelest actions is putting your own insecurities on someone else. When you see that someone is happy or excited about a decision be excited for them, celebrate with them. Secondly, for all those out there, Ladies and Gents alike, stop worrying about the size of your ankles, your calves, your bunions, whatever it may be, stop worrying about what other people think. Trust me, no one is looking…and for the few who are, give them a copy of Knitting for Dummies and tell them to get a new hobby. Seriously, if they have time to look for thick ankles and bunions, their lives must be pretty empty and their self esteem and image is dwindling to say the least.

Be your own kind of beautiful, today and everyday. Be kind. Celebrate others achievements and choices, for they are theirs, not yours to deal with. Oh, and buy the shoes.

 

Beauty, Hair Care

Shaking your Monday Motivator

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Here we are Beauties! It’s Monday. It’s July. It’s 9 a.m. in my neck of the woods and it is HOT! Tropical temperatures have decided to set up shop. The humidex and our tresses are on the rise, by the second. Before you wrap your hair up in a top knot and to save you from the scavenger hunt through all your closets trying to find a hat, I have something for you! Picture yourself on a beach and as your cabana boy hands you your margarita, you catch your reflection in your glass. Your hair looks fabulous and you feel like a Hollywood starlet. Ladies, you can feel like this everyday. Let me introduce you to the newest addition to the Shake series by the beauties at Joico….meet Beach Shake!

For all the lovers of Sea Salt Sprays, this gem is for you! Beach Shake allows you to achieve a tousled, sun kissed, just left the seaside style to your hair. Formulated with Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oil plus a touch of bees wax, Beach Shake delivers a nourishing, hydrating shine with out any crutch or stiff strands. *the key is the aerosol…most sea salt sprays/texturizing sprays are in a pump bottle, which can be tricky to apply and control and tends to leave the hair too wet in places. Here are some more perks to Beach Shake;

  • quick drying formula
  • delivers a silky sheen without the “crunch”
  • hydrates the hair
  • delivers a touchable finish
  • you can restyle with ease
  • smells like the tropics
  • can be applied to damp or dry hair
  • formulated for medium to thick hair (any length)
  • Color Safe

For optimum results; use on dry hair. Hold the can about 6 inches from your hair, spray lightly. Lift layers of hair and let the Beach Shake mist fall through each layer. *avoid your roots. Allow to air dry. If you are pressed for time, use a diffuser to speed up your drying time. If used on wet hair, you will achieve a softer look.

It’s Monday. You may live in the downtown core of your city, far from the beach. You may be sitting with your toddler in a plastic blow up pool. Maybe your at the laundromat because your only day off is a statutory holiday. No matter where you are on this fine Monday, thanks to Joico Beach Shake, every time you catch your reflection and each time a breeze passes through your hair, you can feel like you are on vacation.

Beauty, health and wellness, lifestyle

Sunday Confessions

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Here we are, Sunday has arrived and with it another installment of That Girl in the Red Coat’s Sunday Confessions. It’s Canada Day today, our national holiday, although with our 40+ degree tropical temperatures (105 for my Fahrenheit friends) it’s hard to believe we are in the Great White North. Being a holiday, today I am making my tale a short yet sweet one…much like yours truly.

Canadians are known for many things, maple syrup, hockey, double doubles, two-fours, poutine, the list is endless. We are also known as one of the most polite and kind people around the globe. We apologize to a shelf if we bump into for Christ sake. With all that is happening in the world today, I wanted to take a moment to remind us all that a little kindness goes a long way. Taking a moment out of your day or daydream for that matter to look someone in the eye when they speak to you may seem like nothing to you, it could mean the world to the person speaking to you. You may be the only person they see that day, or even that week. Looking them in the eye makes them feel like they matter, that someone sees the value of them. Holding the door for the person crossing the parking lot may be the only glimpse of God that person sees all month and you never know, it may restore a glimmer of hope in their soul. Helping a mom with three toddlers in tow get her groceries in the trunk as you are parked right beside her may give her a moment to take a breath and prevent a meltdown between mom and child and ensure a safe ride home. Giving your extra change to a child trying to count their nickels wondering if they can buy two popsicles can renew hope in miracles…trust me, I know this to be true. I have done this on more than one occasion and let me tell you, I now know what it feels like to be Santa…the look of sparkling wonder in those eyes is inexpressible.

Take a moment today to be kind, then tomorrow do the same, and the next day, and the day after that. In your world and the world outside your door, there is always time and a little room for kindness.