By: Sue Ford

As you prepare to celebrate for any accomplishments of this year, keep Candy for all Occasions in mind to add the finishing touch to all your parties, and to say thank you to the people who helped you achieve your goals. For parties, M&M’s and Jelly Belly jelly beans are available in a wide array of colors to coordinate with your event. Chocolate and custom candy bars are among the most popular favors this year. Candy for all Occasions gets an A+ in teacher gifts. Thank your teacher with a gift of chocolate, nuts, and candy in any price range. And don’t forget the bus driver! A chocolate school bus packaged with a bag of chocolate covered pretzels makes a great and inexpensive gift to show your appreciation. The driver will love it! Speaking of love…weddings are what Candy for all Occasions does best. “Let us do you a favor” that fits your theme, and shows your appreciation to your guests. Our chocolates are fresh made, and meticulously packaged for your special event. They are delivered and set up at the reception site the day of the wedding. Free engraving on the ribbon is included for order of 25 or more.

For the special men in your life Chocolate tools, fish, golf bags, computers, and cars personalize your package. Our selection of nostalgic candy is a great way to take dad and grand pop on a walk down memory lane. For everyday, Candy for all Occasions creates great baskets and gifts for every occasion. From hostess gifts to baskets for Birthdays, Thank You, Congratulations, and Sympathy, you can’t go wrong with a gift of comfort food. Choose your favorite products or leave the creativity to us. Local delivery and shipping is available. Phone orders are welcome, but if you stop in, be sure to pick up a treat for yourself.

*Note: Candy’s For All Occasions is the number one gift provided on occasions when the Women’s Journal wants to give a special gift that will be appreciated every single time!

Candy for all Occasions has two locations to serve you:
2211 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE. (302) 654-9171 and
2049 Newark Road Lincoln University, PA. (610) 869-3839,
or visit our web site www.candyforalloccasions.com

At Super Suppers, we want to help families, couples and singles simplify one area of their lives – DINNER
We take care of the hassle that comes with shopping for and preparing your family meals.

Using only the freshest ingredients makes our chef-designed entrees healthy and delectable and contains zero trans fats. We know that everyone wants a meal “just like mom would make.” That’s why our delicious, home-cooked meals are family favorites. Now, you can spend more time with the ones you love and still put a wonderful, nutritious meal on the table.

Experts say that taking time to enjoy meals together helps families reconnect. Super Suppers makes it easier for families to sit down at the table together for dinner. Several national surveys have concluded that the daily ritual of dining together as a family is the most important way to strengthen family ties.
A survey of National Merit Scholars from the past 20 years discovered that one thing nearly all of these students had in common was that they ate a meal together with their family at least three times a week.

- Children who sit down to meals with their family seven or more times a week tend to have higher grade point averages and were generally more well-adjusted and are less likely to be overweight than those who eat out or bring fast food in.

That said, how can you get the benefits of mealtime with the family without adding additional stress to your life? Super Suppers is your answer! All the shopping, chopping, mixing and prepping is done. All you do is cook it and enjoy your time with the family.

Sound expensive? Not compared to dining out or your weekly grocery bill. It is hard to imagine that having restaurant quality meals in your freezer can cost 25% less than you would spend at the grocery store to buy the ingredients. But it’s true! At a time of fuel, utility and overall cost of living skyrocketing, Super Suppers has become a luxury that actually saves you money!

Customer Favorites include, Asian Flank Steak, Parmesan Chicken with Wine & Sage Sauce, Crab Cakes with remoulade sauce, Meatloaf Italiano, Chicken Pot Pie, Crispy Apricot Pork Chops, Herb-Crusted Pork Roast  & Potatoes, Heavenly Chicken, Stuffed Shells Marinara, Meaty Cheesy Lasagna, Vegetarian Lasagna, Potato Crusted Tilapia, Baked Eggplant Rollatini, Pecan Crusted Tilapia, Classic Shepherd’s Pie and Breaded Pork Chops w/Cinnamon Apples. Ten to twelve new entrees are added each month. Entrees come in three convenient sizes. Single servings, regular (3 servings) and large (6 servings)

Super Suppers is not just for suppers. Besides more than 35 different entrees to choose from daily they are stocked with many breakfast items, like Cinnamon Monkey Bread and Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, or Strata Florentine. Some appetizer choices are Crab & Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Jalapeño Popper Dip and Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. A selection of desserts include Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, Berry Apple Crisp, Hello Dolly Bars, Peanut Butter Cup Pie, Assorted Scones w/Glaze and Country Peach Cobbler. Veggies and side dishes include Petite Parmesan Green Beans, Fresh Squash Casserole, Southern Baked Mac & Cheese and Twice Baked Stuffed Potatoes and lots more! And it’s all made fresh at the store!

Now serving lunch! Choose from homemade soups and made to order wraps and sandwiches like, the Pretzel Grill, the Caprese, the Veggie Grill, the Turkey Gobbler or you can build your own sandwich. No lunch meat used here! We cook our turkey breast and ham here in the store and we then hand carve it for your sandwich. Our delicious chicken salad is made from all white meat chicken and our tuna salad is made from white albacore tuna. A salad bar is available through the summer months.
When you bring Super Suppers to the table, you know you’ll be serving a meal that not only tastes delicious but is good for your family. Super Suppers is the answer to the age-old question: “What’s for dinner?” Simply stop in, call ahead or place your order online for great-tasting Take and Bake entrees, which you can take home and cook later at your convenience.

Super Suppers is now offering home and corporate delivery service!

Visit the website for details about delivery dates and times in your area
For more information, visit www.supersuppers.com.
Stop by Super Suppers located at 3619 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 in the Talleyville Shopping Center (near Chuck E Cheeses) on the corner of Route 202 Concord Pike and Silverside Road.
Hours of operation are Monday – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm; Friday – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; Sunday – Closed.
Call (302) 478-5935 for more info or email us at wilmingtonnorthde@supersuppers.com

By now, hopefully you have all had the opportunity to try the spectacular range of specialties at Saketumi in Rehoboth Beach, off of Route 1. Saketumi, the sister restaurant of Jasmine in Wilmington, is the lower shore’s newest and most chic restaurant.
Saketumi and Jasmine offer well-prepared, modern Asian cuisine; Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean. But did you know about an exciting edition to Saketumi, which just began this summer: A fantastic Happy Hour in the bar/lounge that includes drink specials including wine, cocktails, and beer. The Happy Hour special not only includes a large selection of sushi and vegetable rolls, but also tempting appetizers such as Crispy Crab Wonton and Lettuce Wrap and Roll. The best part is that everything is priced starting at $1.75 to $5.00 and is offered seven days a week from 4-6 pm. Now that is something you can’t afford to pass up in this economy. The inviting lounge is the perfect spot to cozy up as the cooler temperatures move in.
Another exciting feature of Saketumi is their new upstairs lounge, Ai (meaning Love). The lounge features an outdoor area, which will be ideal as the temperatures start to heat up this summer. If the outdoors get to warm for you, the hip indoor lounge is perfect for cooling off with some Ai Sake or with a yummy martini such as the Flirtini, complete with raspberry puree and a splash of champagne.
Other features perfect for summer are Saketumi’s fresh, unique salads; everything from traditional papaya with crushed peanuts, to crispy duck salad. I am always impressed with the crabcake appetizer. The generous amount of lump crab meat used in these, along with the perfect combination of flavors will thrill your taste buds when dipped in accompanying wasabi mayo. What a delicious selection at a price that will keep you coming back to try all of the varieties.
So be sure not to miss out on all of these wonderful offerings in the south this summer.
Make it a point to experience Saketumi on your next beach trip, because they are so much more than great sushi.

Saketumi is an experience that certainly lives up to the quality and service that we have all come to expect from their sister restaurant Jasmine.

Saketumi Restaurant
18814 Coastal Hwy
Rehoboth Beach, DE (302) 645-2818

Jasmine Asian Cuisine
3618 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 479-5618

Owners: Susan Talluto
& Lorie Marrella

“We are thrilled with the dedication and resources that the folks at FruitFlowers and Lamberti’s are giving to DBCC and our work to defeat breast cancer” adds Rakestraw.
The theme “Treasure the Chest” was created and was a hit with Lorie, Susan & Rossana as well as the DBCC.  “Everything would be centered around the theme”, says Rakestraw.
The first event, The Treasure Chest Yard Sale was held on April 17th & 18th this past spring at FruitFlowers, 1900 Newport Gap Pike. “We cannot tell you how much we appreciate our friends, family and colleagues who donated gently used items for the yard sale” says Marrella. “The community turnout and support of all involved was very inspiring”, adds Carannante. The Treasure Chest Yard Sale generated more than $1600 to put toward the annual goal of ten thousand dollars.
The second event was the Pink Power Happy Hour,  held at Lamberti’s Cucina 1300 Centerville Road, on  Thursday, June 24th. Mixing, mingling, dancing and donating took place to raise more than $350 in just a couple hours. DJ Z kept the enthusiasm going all night with a fabulous mix of music, Lamberti’s provided awesome appetizers & h’orderves and served specialty drinks such as the Hope Bellini and Pink Dreams Martini. Who knew you could have so much fun raising money? The group is hoping to have Pink Power Happy

Hours throughout the year and hope to see old friends and new come to sip and support.

A wine dinner is in the process of being planned and will be held at Lamberti’s Cucina in August.  The group is sure it will be just as big a hit as the yard sale and happy hour.

The premier event, Treasure the Chest Party & Silent Auction, will be held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM, also at Lamberti’s Cucina Prices Corner. “We will be sending out over a thousand invitations and expect to sell a maximum of 350 tickets” says Marrella excitedly.  The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  There will be a special “signature” drink and wonderful food and entertainment will cap the evening! “We have been planning this event since February and it will be here before we know it”, Treasure the Chest chairperson, Crystal Potter adds.

In addition to all of the above efforts, FruitFlowers offers pink chocolate covered strawberries at many of their events as a thank you for your donation. “Please stop by our table if you see us at an event and enjoy the sweetness while giving berry generously”, says Monya Willey, FruitFlowers Marketing Director. FruitFlowers also has a $5 & $5 deal for customers who mention PINKDBCC. FruitFlowers will give the customer, $5 off an arrangement of $50 or more as well as send an additional $5 to the DBCC.  Keep it in mind when placing an order in the future, you will be gifting to the DBCC on top of the gift you are ordering!

If you would like to help support FruitFlowers and Lamberti’s
Cucina in their efforts, please visit www.TreasuretheChest.org.

For all the juicy details about FruitFlowers™
call 302-636-0300 or visit www.fruitflowers.com

You are invited to
an Historic Open House Tour
on Saturday, September 18 at 2:00pm

Dating back to 1802, this historic mansion was the residency of Dr. James Tilton, a prominent Delaware citizen and Revolutionary War hero who crossed the Delaware River with George Washington.  Dr. Tilton designed and constructed a two-story stone home on the land of the present day building of the University and Whist Club on 805 N. Broom Street. This location was selected as a proposed site for the Capital of the United States.

In 1799, Dr. Tilton was elected the first president of the Medical Society of Delaware and was previously elected as Surgeon General of the 13 colonies.

After his death in 1822, the house remained vacant for some time.  It was later purchased and enlarged by Danforth Bush, The 6th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and his family, giving it the air of an English manor house.

Learn more about the history of the University and Whist Club at the Historic Open House Tour on Saturday, September 18 starting at 2:00pm.  We are opening this mansion to the public. Learn how you can become a member and carry on the tradition.

Call 302-658-5125 To Reserve Your $10.00 Adult Ticket

Cool Spring Tilton Neighborhood House Tour

Learn about Caesar Rodney’s previous
estate by visiting historical homes
Saturday, October 2
1:00-4:00pm $10

Start the tour at the University & Whist Club
and return back
for a Car Show and Happy Hour

Enjoy the evening with a Delectable dinner
being served 5:30-7:30pm

PA Symphonic Wind Band will perform
from 7:30-9:30pm
(Bandmaster for Her Majesty Royal Band)

Open to the Public.
Call for pricing, tickets and
reservations 302- 658-5125

Presented By:
Crystal Gooding

Hello Ladies, it is time to get ready, get set, and GO!
Yes GO, and begin to renew your mind, body, and spirit from a very challenging 2010. GO and begin to take time to breath, relax, and release to make room for wonderful things to happen in your life.
This year let’s make ourselves a priority on that long list of to – do items. To help you do that, I will be working with different spa getaway companies that will make it easy for you to get into the mindset of setting some time aside for yourself.
Why a SPA you may ask? The Spa experience is more about health and stress reduction rather than indulgence. There are numerous Spas centered on exercise, eating healthfully, stress reduction, therapeutic body treatments, the mind/body connection, balance, etc. I would go so far as to say that those of us who have tried to make little changes in this direction and how we deal with stress in our lives have found that we are feeling better now than we have in the past few years because we were determined not to let this past recession tear away at what we know to be priceless…our mind, body, and spirit.
Your Spa experience can be a 1 day treat or a week long getaway. Here is one to consider…
Voted one of the ten most affordable spas in the world, Ixtapan Spa, Hotel & Golf Resort is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. This destination spa resort is surrounded by unspoiled landscape, picturesque villages, colonial towns and archaeological treasures. The natural beauty of the area is matched by a near perfect climate where temperatures average a balmy 75ª Fahrenheit.
This four star, 220 rooms hotel is located in the little town of Ixtapan de la Sal. From your comfortable room enjoy views of ancient trees and colorful tropical gardens, while listening to the sounds of birdsong and cascading streams.

To experience this wonderful location, please call 302 378 0894
or email:
info@simpsontravel.biz
Also check out our specials at
www.simpsontravel.biz

Testimonials:
“Crystal, I never really thanked you for arranging everything for us. I know I can go online and do it myself but I’m not the professional and would worry constantly about making an error. It’s nicer to have somebody who knows what they’re doing.
Thanks so much.”
~ J.Nelson
“Crystal, Sorry it took so long to send you these photos of our trip. Again I’d like to express my sincere thanks to you for researching and planning this trip for us. We asked a lot of questions, and I’m a skeptical person by nature, but you always responded quickly and cheerfully. You are the most professional and enthusiastic travel agent I’ve ever worked with. Alicia and I will be recommending you to everyone we know. I can’t thank you enough for helping us every step of the way and making this a trip we’ll never forget.”
~ S. Morecraft

“Crystal, Thank you very much. I really appreciate the extra attention and the personal touch that you provide your clients and know that I will continue to use your services and will be honored to spread the word about your excellent and personal client service. Thank you again.”
~ LaTonya  N.

By: Colleen Wilson of Claire’s Fashions, Inc.

When people consider fashion and weddings, the first thing they always think about is the wedding gown. Obviously, from a fashion perspective, the gown is the most important part of the bride’s wardrobe, but there are plenty of other events she will be attending that may require special attire. The most common examples would be engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, bridesmaid luncheons, day-after brunches, and the wedding reception, where some brides will change out of the gown and into a more comfortable dress. Even the honeymoon may need to be considered, as the bride may want a sexy new cocktail dress or outfit to wear.

Besides the wedding itself, the required attire for these other functions varies widely and depends heavily on the theme that the bride is trying to convey. Dress for engagement parties and rehearsal dinners can vary anywhere from black tie to casual. Bridal showers, bridal luncheons, and next day brunches are typically a more casual affair. Regardless, the bride, bridal mothers, and bridal party always want to look their very best.

Claire’s Fashions offers a one stop shopping solution to address the fashion needs for the bride and her entire bridal party. For formal events and the wedding/reception, Claire’s Fashions offers a stunning selection of gowns and dresses from full to cocktail length. If the event or dress code calls for a more relaxed look, Claire’s carries a great selection of daytime dresses and upscale casual separates, perfect when you are trying to maintain a more casual but still sharp and stylish appearance. Need something fresh for the honeymoon?  Claire’s has that covered too, with a fantastic selection of sexy short dresses and fun separates. Of course, Claire’s Fashions is also the place to find the perfect bridal gown, bridesmaid gowns, gowns for the bridal mothers, and any bridal fashion accessory the bride could need.

In December, Claire’s Fashions had several exciting events taking place. Our brand new bridal boutique opened for business, featuring a stylish sales floor dedicated to brides and their bridal parties. It is a fun and relaxed atmosphere, designed to provide brides with a superior customer experience while finding the gown of their dreams.  Claire’s will also be hosting a trunk show with the Mon Cheri Bridals line – featuring samples of the brand new Spring 2010 collection. Finally, for the entire month of December, Claires Fashions will be having a trunk show with world renowned designer Joseph Ribkoff. Featuring the spring and summer 2010 collections of separates and dresses, Ribkoff is the perfect apparel for any occasion, dressy or casual. Joseph Ribkoff is only available in Delaware at Claire’s Fashions.
When it’s time to impress, Claire’s Fashions!  Claire’s Fashions has an unbeatable combination of excellent customer service, great selection, and competitive prices. Whatever the occasion, the staff at Claire’s will make sure you have the perfect ensemble.

*Claire’s offers stunning Mother of the Bride gowns too*

Claire’s Fashions Inc
1312 Philadelphia Pike
Wilmington, DE 19809
302-798-1312;
Clairesinc@aol.com
www.clairesfashions.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6,
Wed & Thurs 10-8;
Sun by appointment only.

Testimonials:
“I always dreamed of having the most beautiful wedding gown. Colleen and the gang at Claire’s made that dream come true! THANK YOU”         ~ E.S.

“Thanks again for all of your efforts in getting the dress for/to me in time for the wedding. It would not have been the same without it. I have received many compliments on it. The Aruba wedding planner said she has never seen anything like it.”            ~T.A.P.

“After visiting a few other bridal stores, I was completely stressed out about finding my perfect wedding gown. Thanks to a friend who recommended Claire’s, I not only found my dream wedding dress, but dresses for my bridesmaids and my mom. Thanks for everything”     ~E.B.

By Roy McDowell, Owner of Royal Photography

A smile. A touch. A sideways glance. These moments often fade in our minds, but the camera immortalizes them forever.
In selecting a Wedding Photographer, make sure they will chronicle the story of your wedding day through photojournalism, creative lighting techniques, and posing that capture the emotions, hopes, and dreams of yours and those with whom you’ve chosen to share your special day.

Royal Photography, in consultation with you, offers a wide variety of wedding packages to meet every need. For leather bound albums, parents’ albums, and individual pictures, Royal Photography allows you and everyone in your life to cherish your wedding memories forever.

Royal Photography’s owner, Roy McDowell, brings a wealth of experience, both creative and business, along with an unmatched ability to put people at ease, to every occasion he photographs.

Over the past 18 years, Roy McDowell has captured that moment for more than 300 brides and grooms and preserved high school memories too numerous to count. Such exposure has led Roy to become one of the most recognizable photographers in Delaware. He creates a lasting impression, not only of an event, but of himself. The pride, precision, and passion he exudes has compelled brides-to-be to track down “the photographer who took their senior portrait years before.”

Roy exhibits this same commitment and customer service when working for the many schools and businesses with whom he’s managed contracts. “The consumer drives the product I provide; not the other way around.”

With the help and support of family, friends, and business associates, Roy McDowell strives to achieve his goal of providing an unforgettable experience with superior photographs, exceptional customer focus, and lasting relationships.

Royal Photography
Phone: 302-438-1308
E-mail: royalphotogde@aol.com
www.royalphotographyde.com

Dr. Margaret J. White, DVM

Dogs and cats are invaluable members of the family; however in some cases they can transmit disease. A zoonotic disease is a disease transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to people. People most at risk of developing a zoonotic disease are children under 5, the elderly, pregnant women, and people who have poor immune systems due to chemotherapy or chronic disease. The risk of developing a zoonotic disease can be drastically reduced by providing good preventative medical care to your pets. Keeping your pet on year-round monthly flea and tick preventatives, on monthly heartworm/intestinal worms preventatives, and properly vaccinated can keep the human members of your family healthy too.

Vaccines can protect your family against diseases such as Leptospirosis and Rabies. Dogs and other animals can transmit Leptospirosis to people through infected urine, and you can prevent your dog against contracting Leptospirosis by keeping him currently vaccinated. Leptospirosis in people can cause a high fever, severe headache, vomiting and eventually liver and kidney disease if left untreated.  Rabies is a well known viral zoonotic disease capable of being transmitted by all mammals to people thru bite wounds and contact with infected saliva. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal in humans if medical care is not received. In the United States, most recent human cases of Rabies involve exposure to bats. Other wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes also commonly transmit Rabies. Cats are a higher Rabies risk than dogs in this country since they are more likely to be outside hunting and less likely to be vaccinated against Rabies. In other parts of the world, stray dog’s bites are the primary source of Rabies transmission.  All states require dogs and cats over 3 months of age to be up-to-date on Rabies vaccines to protect public health.

Most of us have been taught as children to avoid touching dog or cat stool.  This is sage advice since multiple zoonotic diseases are transmitted by contact with stool. Toxoplasmosis can be spread by contact with cat stool or soil contaminated by cat stool, but most cases are acquired from eating contaminated meat.  Cats are only capable of transmitting the Toxoplasmosis parasite to humans for 10-14 days after exposure, and therefore human exposure to pet cats is a small risk. 50% of people have actually been exposed to Toxoplasmosis, but only women initially exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy are at a health risk.  Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage and birth defects.  The likelihood of transmission of Roundworms  from pets is moderate to high. Roundworms of cats and dogs are transmitted through the stool and can rarely cause blindness, respiratory disease, and liver disease. Hookworms are another intestinal parasite of dogs that can contaminate soil and beaches. The larvae can penetrate human skin and migrate thru the body causing intolerable itching. Keeping your pets on year-round heartworm with intestinal parasite protection,  as well as testing your pets stool for intestinal parasites twice yearly can protect you family from roundworms and hookworms.

Some zoonotic diseases can be transmitted to your family by close contact with an infected pet’s fur and skin. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes bald patches, scaly areas, and itching in people and pets. Cats that live in multi-cat households or outside  can have the fungus on their fur and not necessarily have evidence of skin disease. Thus, people can contract Ringworm from what appears to be an apparently healthy cat. Scabies is a mite that burrows under the skin of both dogs and cats and causes severe itching and bald, red areas. Scabies can crawl from infected cats and dogs and burrow into the skin of people. Some flea and tick preventatives also protect cats and dogs from Scabies.  Cat Scratch Fever, also known as Bartonella, can be transmitted to a person by a cat bite or scratch. Cats acquire Bartonella bacteria from infected fleas and ticks, and then infected flea feces enter a human wound from a bite or scratch.  Irritation at the site of the wound , swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, and fatigue can develop in the infected person.

After discussing the potential health risks to your family from pet ownership, it is important to note the many health benefits from pet ownership. Pet ownership encourages regular exercise, provides  companionship, and can help teach children responsibility.  Studies have shown that pet ownership is linked to reduced incidence of allergies in young children, decreased depression among the elderly, and a decreased risk of hypertension. In general, the human members of the family are more at risk from contracting infectious diseases and parasites from each other than their pets.

Guidelines to protect your family and your pets:
1.    Have your veterinarian test your cat’s and dog’s stool twice yearly for intestinal parasites
2.    Keep all cats and dogs on year-round, monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite preventatives
3.    Cover sandboxes to prevent stool contamination from outside cats
4.    Pick up dog and cat stool regularly especially in yards where children play
5.    Wash your hands after contact with soil, stool, or pets
6.    Check daily for ticks on your family and pets
7.    Pregnant women should wear gloves if they have to clean the cat’s litter box
8.    Clean scratches and bites from cats and dogs immediately
9.    Vaccinate your dog against Leptospirosis and all cats, dogs and ferrets against Rabies
10.    Keep all cats and dogs on year-round, monthly flea and tick preventatives.

Dr. Margaret J. White, DVM is currently Chief of Staff at Centreville Veterinary Hospital in Wilmington, DE. She has 13 years experience in small animal medicine and surgery, and works with dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals. Dr. White graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1997 and with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the Catholic University of America in 1992.

By: J. Christian
of J. Christian Studio in Hockessin, DE

Trade secrets. Not the kind Stylists use to mix color or smooth styling.  I’m referring to those other kinds of secrets….the behind the scenes, unspoken kind.

To my pleasant surprise, the first installment of this series (May/June Issue) sparked some very interesting conversations with our clients.  Some humorous and educational, all interesting, and honestly some down-right outrageous.  Can’t wait to see what happens with this article.  Ready for the next three — here we go back to that crazy thing called the truth!

As Seen on TV Possible at Home

You find yourself glued to the TV watching as a seemingly average woman expertly coifs her hair with the latest and greatest styling tool like that curling iron-rolley brush combination or the steaming flat iron. Viola, within seconds as the iron comes to the end of the hair shaft, bam! — sleek, smooth, no-frizz, straight hair or sleek, smooth, no-frizz barrel curl.

You love it, you rush to the phone, place the order, pay extra for speedy delivery, camp out beside the mail box and on the exact day you get the package answering all your prayers for Hollywood hair without the Stylist you rush to your mirror to watch the magic happen………and………discover…….that no matter what, you just can’t seem to make the hairstyle you saw on TV.

Don’t be disappointed, few will be naturals.  Even some trained professionals find it difficult to master the more complex tools out there. Sometimes with practice it gets better but let’s face it, if you didn’t have a crown and a back of your head the difficulty level would decrease dramatically.

The truth is getting “the look” requires a basically good haircut and some level of training and skill styling hair and ……oh yeah and often the right hair products.

Asking Your Stylist to Discount Services

The economy is still sluggish and most everyone is searching to find ways to stretch their hard earned cash.  One way to do this is to ask your Stylist for a 20% discount on services.

Right…

Did that sound a bit outrageous?  This happens every day and more frequently than ever.  While hair services may be a luxury expense for some clients, they are literally the means to living for your Stylists.  Asking for a 20% discount is equivalent to asking your Stylist for a 20% cut in pay.  Out of fear of losing the client or even intimidation, Stylist often voluntarily agree to the discount, though often with quiet resentment.

If you’re having a difficult time affording salon services, talk to the Stylist instead about finding ways to achieving the desired look within the confines of your budget.  Honesty is the best policy.  No matter how much you share a kinship with your Stylist, it is never positive for the professional relationship to request the Stylist give 100% of their skill and talent for 20% less in pay.

The Best Way to Get the Look, Bring a Picture to the Stylist

Clients arrive at the salon for an up style or hair make-over with a firm idea of the look they would like to achieve. Eyes wide and a bundle of nerves, they hand their Stylist a photo of the coveted look.

The experienced Stylist instantly analyzes this professionally staged photo and the client trying to determine whether the client’s facial shape, coloring, length, texture, density and condition of the hair favors the look.  They understand professional photography and know to consider lighting, airbrushing, the background, and make-up application as these are infused in the finished look.

An experienced Stylist can easily recreate and up style if the client’s hair is similar in shape and texture.  As you have probably determined haircut, coloring and styling are a bit more complex.

The truth, your Stylist would prefer to use the photograph as insight and probably feels the opportunity to create a personal look for you is somewhat limited.   If you trust your Stylist to be well informed, educated and skilled let them customize your look. Take the handcuffs off, try not to stifle their creativity.  You never know, you may find yourself showing off the next new thing in hair fashion.
Imagine you, ……    starting a trend.

J. Christian Studio, where hair and art perform, is located at 7465 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact J. Christian Studio at 302-235-2306.