Denton, we ask you to nominate someone deserving of a complimentary makeover.  Mail us or
facebook private message us a 200 word or less summary of why they deserve the makeover along
with a picture of the nominee. Please include your name, address and phone number and the same
information of the nominee.   This contest is open to anyone 18 or over and does not have to be a
client of our salon. The winning names will be posted on our facebook HeadRush the Salon on
February 1, 2012 and each winner will be contacted by their stylist that same day.  Thank you Denton,
for making our jobs so much fun and allowing us to keep giving even after the holiday season is over!

A new year always brings new fashion trends and styles, and this year is no different because this spring season has a lot to offer. Explore this sneak peak into trendy spring fashions and get your shopping list ready so you can stock up early.

Spring trends will focus largely on colors and prints with a few innovative styles making their way to stores and the runway. As far as colors go, keep an eye out for tangerines and oranges, pastels and pinks. All shades of orange will be hot this season and will be present in all outlets of style. Pastels are the perfect spring color as they are seen on longer flowy dresses and skirts. Pink will also be a huge color for the season, but it will come with an interesting new style—the short suit. This suit will come in all shades of pink, along with other colors, and will feature different styles of blazers with coordinating shorts. The shorts can be all lengths—from super short and beachy to a longer, more business-like length.

Prints will also storm the runway in a huge way. From bold and bright to futuristic, we will be seeing it all. Colorful camo print will also be an interesting new look as we see the military influences in a bright new way that is perfect for the spring season. For the more daring, metallic fabric will also be an asset to the season’s trends as we see metallic pants, cropped jackets, and so much more.

Perhaps the most flattering style of all this coming season is the peplum look. For those who have not heard, the peplum look comes in a variety of styles and it simply features a flared ruffle that sits at the natural waistline. Not only is the waist defined and “pinched in,” but the ruffle also disguises the hips. This style is perfect for the body conscious who want to look feminine and chic. Peplum shirts can be casual or dressy and can be paired with dress pants, skirts, or even jeans. This extremely versatile and flattering style for the spring should be at the top of your shopping list—so stock up!

In their most traditional form, black-eyed peas are cooked with a ham hock (or other pork product) and served with Southern delicacies like collard greens (representing money) and corn bread (representing gold). These hearty little peas are inexpensive, high in fiber and they hold up really well to hot sauce (well, it is the south).

Here are other traditions for New Years Luck:

• In Brazil and Italy, eating lentils are a sign of riches to come, since they expand as cooked. As well as eating pomegranates and saving 7 seeds in your wallet, only after dedicating 3 seeds to the three kings who visited Christ by throwing them over your shoulder after calling their names.

• In Spain, consume twelve grapes at midnight – one grape for each stroke of the clock and each grape symbolizing each month of the year. This dates back to 1909, when grape growers in the Alicante region of Spain initiated the practice to take care of a grape surplus. The idea stuck, spreading to Portugal as well as former Spanish and Portuguese colonies such as Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru.

• In France some people eat heart or log shaped desserts, sometimes made of ice cream.

• The Danish eat Kale sprinkled with sugar.

• In Japan, the osechi-ryori, a group of symbolic dishes eaten during the first three days of the New Year, includes sweet black beans called kuro-mame.

• Roast suckling pig is served in Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Austria—Different pork dishes such as pig’s feet are enjoyed in Sweden while Germans feast on roast pork and sausages often with sauerkraut.

• In many Asian countries, long noodles are eaten in order to bring a long life. One catch: You can’t break the noodle before it is all in your mouth.

• Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands eat donuts, and Holland has ollie bollen, puffy, donut-like pastries filled with apples, raisins, and currants.

SOUTHERN BLACK EYED PEAS

Ingredients
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinse and sorted
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt to taste

Additional crumbled bacon, optional

Directions
In a large Dutch oven, place the peas, bacon and enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Do not drain.
In a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in thyme and salt; add to pea mixture. Return to the heat; simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until peas are soft. Top with crumbled bacon if desired. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Many times, people put off saving for retirement, which can seriously derail retirement planning. While it’s always a good idea to have a trusted financial advisor with whom you can speak about your goals and progress, these 10 tips will get you started on the right track to saving for retirement.

1. Put as much money into your company’s 401(k) as you can. The maximum cap is 15%, but at the very least, contribute up to what your company matches. Otherwise, you’re throwing away free money.

2. If your company does not offer a 401(k) plan, open your own IRA (Individual Retirement Account).

3. Pay yourself first. Have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and invested for retirement.

4. Do not dip into your retirement savings, before seeking advice from your financial advisor.

5. Set new priorities to spend less and save more – now. Sometimes this means selling a more expensive car and buying a cheaper one to cut back on your car payments, thus giving you more money to sock away.

6. Develop a retirement savings plan with the help of a financial advisor. It’s important to be realistic and know how much money you will need to live the lifestyle you want in retirement.

7. Invest your savings appropriately. Learn when to take on more risk and when to take on less.

8. Commit to saving more. Calculate the most you think you can put away for retirement, and then add 10% to that amount. That’s a big commitment, but well worth the rewards.

9. Don’t “cash in” your retirement money when switching jobs as you could lose money to taxes and penalties. Instead, roll your money over to another plan or an IRA.

10. Start now! No matter how young or old you are, you don’t have time to waste. Starting to save immediately will get you on the right track for retirement that much sooner.

Reduce the Attention – Your pet is used to being the center of attention. If a pet is demanding, nudges, paws, or barks for attention, he could injure or frighten the baby. Get him used to sharing you.

The Baby’s Room – Before the baby comes, let him spend time in the room while you set up the crib, etc. Teach him to lie down in a specific place; if he doesn’t, remove him from the room and try again later. If the room is off limits, install a barrier/gate or a screen door, allowing him to see and hear what’s happening.

Check Up & Groom – Visit the vet for a routine exam and vaccinations. Make sure nails are trimmed and edges smoothed before the baby comes home.

Obedience – Your dog should respond to verbal commands (sit, stay, place, etc.) and remain calm when sitting next to you. Practice walking “nice” on a leash when pushing a stroller, in noisy, hectic and new situations. NO jumping on people, furniture, the baby’s crib or changing table; NO play-biting, this can cause serious injury.

Crate Training & Doggie Sitter – Crates provide a safe haven and a place that he can call his own; never crate more than a few hours. Establish a private spot for your dog; stock it with his favorite toys, blanket, food and water. Make plans for a “doggie” sitter; a friend/family member is perfect during the birthing time.

Sights, Smells and Sounds – Using a controlled process, expose your dog to as many babies as possible. Babies look, smell, sound and move differently than big humans. Use treats, toys and positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. A doll can help them get used to the real thing; take a stroller when you walk your dog; sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin to introduce new smells. Before the baby comes home from the hospital, bring home a blanket they have been wrapped in and present it to your dog. Let him smell it completely. After the blanket is received with good behavior have him “sit” and give praise/treats. Use your baby’s name often, socialize your dog, play a recording of baby sounds, toys, mobiles, etc.

Bringing the Baby Home – Have a neutral person carry the baby into the house while you do your normal “greeting,” and keep it brief and calm. Use a leash for better control during the first few encounters. It’s important that “new baby” and “first baby” have a chance to bond. Introduce him to the newest member of the family by holding the baby in your lap; let the dog “smell” but not touch the baby, and be careful that the dog does not nudge or paw the baby. If he misbehaves, remove him from the area, calmly and without emotion, and try again later.

Tending to the Baby – Don’t exclude your dog; instead, let him be part of the activity, allowing him to sit next to you while you are feeding or bathing. Never allow him to sleep or lie under the crib or cradle as they can easily be knocked down. Never leave your dog alone with your baby, make sure that they are supervised at all times.

Play Time – Reserve one-on-one doggie play time; incorporate the new baby at the end of that time. It’s important your dog maintains his position in the “pack.” It’s no longer the same, but he is still a member of the pack.

Remember that no matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet so please remember patience and love go hand in hand!

Teaching children the value of giving back to their community has a long reaching impact. Involving our children at an early age in charitable organizations instills valuable characteristics: Sympathy, Generosity, Kindness, Compassion, Confidence, and Self Realization. For these reasons, Gail Graves, DBL’s past president implemented a new committee called the Minor League. Under the exceptional leadership of Laurie Dickson and Stacy Hays, DBL hosted their first Kids in Motion event in January of 2011 for the children and grandchildren of DBL. The kids were all asked to bring a non perishable food item to donate to the Denton Food Bank. They had a wonderful time making picture frames for the residents of Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home and cutting out Dog Biscuits for the Denton Animal Shelter. All the children involved created a thumbprint bowl that was later auctioned off at the annual DBL Charity Ball. While the children made their crafts, they were serenaded by the Children’s Childbloom Guitar Ensemble. The very talented Polly Maynard wrapped up the event with a private performance for all the children.

As successful as the event was, there was one thing missing- more children! This year our current president, Jacqueline Jackson would like to extend this opportunity to all the children in our community. “ DBL has a great opportunity to teach all children the importance of giving back to our community.” Our 2nd Annual Kids in Motion event will be held February 4th from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Center for Visual Arts. Once again, Time to Kiln has graciously donated an item for the children to put their thumbprints on. We will be creating another craft to take to Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home. They can make blankets for the animals at Denton Animal Shelter. Finally, they have the opportunity to bring a smile to the face of a resident of Dogwood Estates by creating a hand made Valentine’s Day card. Children will have a further opportunity to directly see the impact they have had by signing up for afternoon field trips to take place throughout the month of February to deliver their wonderful creations.

This event is completely free. We simply ask each child to bring a new or gently used book. Although we have yet to identify the ultimate beneficiary, we see a need to help towards the solution of ending illiteracy in our community. As Dr. Seuss once said, “a person’s a person no matter how small.” This is an excellent opportunity to get our children involved with helping others in the community. Even a small child can make a huge impact.

For more information regarding this event or to make a reservation, please contact Lucy Huff at lucyfhuff@hotmail.com or 940-566-5955. We do request a reservation is made by January 20th. We want every child who wants to have the opportunity to be involved in all the crafts.

Thinking about the New Year, I was reminded of a disturbing statistic I once read. According to a study, only ten people cry at an average funeral – 10! It gets worse. Once those ten (or fewer) wipe away their tears, the number one factor in determining how many people would join the funeral procession to the graveside service is . . . the weather. The statistics show that if there is rain, 50% would go home and not attend the burial.

Those are depressing statistics, aren’t they? I mean, there’s a possibility that at the end of my life, only 10 people would cry at my service. And then there’s a fifty-fifty chance they might sneak out the back afterwards if the weather is bad.

None of us want that. We all want our lives to count for something. We want to make an impact in this world, to make a powerful statement with our lives, to leave our marks, to leave a legacy for future generations. It is a deep-seated need we all have as humans.

But it won’t just happen. You don’t accidentally make a difference in the world. Rather, to leave your mark takes directed effort. When Alice asked the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?” his reply was simply, “That depends a good deal on where you want to go.”

So where do you want to go in life? What kind of response would you like at your funeral? To get where you want to get in life, you need a vision for your life. The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

Of course, none of us have goggles that allow us to see into the future. If we did, we wouldn’t worry so much about the economy and the challenging times ahead. So what kind of vision is the Bible talking about? I think there are two aspects of vision we need. We need a “rearview mirror” vision as we grasp the ancient wisdom of God and his plans. The Bible says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16, NIV)

We also need a “big picture” vision – the idea that God is in control and finding where we fit into his plans. King Solomon said: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

Give yourself to God and let Him give you a vision for your heart.

A New Normal by Dr. Jim and Christine Mann

After a sudden death in his family, Pastor Jim Mann found himself unprepared to handle the unfamiliar issue of grief. An idyllic childhood made grief an unfamiliar foe. Daily, he read the Bible, prayed, cried, and journaled his thoughts. This book is the result.

Grief will touch us all at some point and it comes in many forms, great and small: loss of loved ones, loss of a dream, a broken marriage, accidents and disasters – even the loss of a beloved pet or a move to a new town. When we experience loss, life changes and it will never be “normal” again…but God will lead you to a “new normal.” This honest and insightful month-long journal is intended to help the reader work through grief in a healthy, healing way. You can emerge from the process in a stronger relationship with God and prepared to “get on with life.”

You can order the book through www.newlifedenton.org, or at your favorite Christian bookstores.

What do we want on these cold wintery days, we want to turn on our central heat and air unit and have it deliver perfect temperature, exactly when we want it. The hard part for most of us is to determine when the unit is not running efficiently. It may be on and it may be putting out warm air but is it working too hard? Good maintenance is the essential factor to assure your system will be working when you want it and continues to work at it’s optimum efficiently.

Your HVAC unit is no different from your car. In order to keep it running and running at the maximum efficiency, you have to keep up with several key maintenance processes like oil, spark plugs, battery. Your HVAC unit also needs regular attention to run efficiently and effectively.

No matter what type of heating and cooling system you have, there are several things you can do to keep the system in top condition.

Actions to Do Yourself

• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
• Keep the area around and near your unit clean and free of debris.
• Check for leaks and cracks.
• Make sure vents are no blocked with furniture, curtains and plants.

A service professional can help you with the more in depth system checks listed below.

10-Point Check for Heating Systems

• Clean & Inspect Heat Exchanger & HydroScan Test
• Clean Blower Compartment
• Check and Inspect Flue Pipe & Collector
• Check and Adjust Manifold Gas Pressure
• Inspect Evaporator Coil & Duct Work for Cleanliness & Air Leaks
• Test Over Temperature Safeties
• Test Flame Roll-Out Safeties
• Test Heat Exchanger for Carbon-Monoxide Leaks
• Check Calibration of Thermostat

• Clean & Wax Exposed Metal Surface

Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. A portion of the maintenance should be your responsibility to handle yourself but good scheduled maintenance from a service professional is a vital part of keeping your system in good efficient shape.

It is time to start planning for the spring gardens. Really? With cold winds, a little ice and maybe even some snow in our yards and gardens still? January and February are actually important times for your upcoming seasons, time to get started on getting started.

Start with cleaning and weeding the flower beds and garden areas and start tilling in several inches of compost. If you use raised beds it is also time to adjust, anchor and just generally fix up the area. And the same for your general garden areas, get them cleaned up and adjusted so all that process is done before you are actually ready to start putting plants in the ground.

If you plan to seed some plants and flowers indoors you can start the process late in January (tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, periwinkles). Those that are safe for planting in late January are Pansies, Violas, snapdragons, petunias, alyssum, ornamental cabbages and kale. Also bulbs like tulips and daffodils are ready in January.

Your onions, potatoes, garlic and asparagus, English peas and spinach will be ready for outside planting late in January and early February. And if you are interested in trying grapevines or blackberries, this is a good time to plant those.

Nice days and sunshine in February will make you tempted to grab some tomato plants for early outside planting. Your chances for success are slim and you will probably be back purchasing more plants to replace them in mid to late March.

February is North Texas garden ready time and the following vegetables will be in stock and ready for planting in the mid month: beets, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, potatoes and radishes.

Climbing roses should be trained but not pruned at this time. Remove dead or weak canes, and weave long canes through openings in trellises or arbors. Securing canes now will prevent possible damage from winter/spring winds.. Hold off on pruning bush roses until late February. Use good shears that will make clean cuts. Remove approximately one-half of the top growth and height of the plant. Now is an excellent time to plant container-grown roses to fill in bare spots in your rose garden by spring.

Remember, having the beds ready ahead of time will make your actual planting time much easier and will give your garden a head start. With a year of lots more rain and a lot less heat, we will be bountiful gardeners, so let’s plan on all three.

Sparkly bandeaus, kitten heels and sexy styles have many parents concerned. There are plenty of varied opinions on the matter, a few will be as far in one direction on the subject as those completely in the opposite side.

It’s not just at the bargain store that you find the shoes and clothes that are concerning parents. Shoes with half-inch heels, in sizes small enough for toddlers are at top children’s clothing retail shops. Halter tops with lacy fronts and padded cups are becoming a bit too normal in junior departments at major stores. And marketing, from some major retailers are barking the hype that this type of dress is appropriate for younger girls.

Recently a $25 padded bikini top targeting preteens crashed and burned just a few weeks after public outcry sent a top brand store executive group slinking back to the boardroom to revisit their marketing strategy. The padded “push-up” triangle bikini top peddled to girls ages 7 to 14, was first “re-categorized,” according to the company statement and then the top disappeared from the website entirely.

Many parents are upset about a popular shoe commercial advertising for girls. The sneaker, first marketed to adults, is supposed to help tone backsides and thighs. Now, they apparently think little girls could use the shoes, too. The animated commercial, airing on children’s TV networks, features a young seemingly popular girl named Heidi wearing the shoe. Heidi sings “She’s got the height, got the bounce, yeah she’s looking good and having fun because she’s got the shoes.” It is just one more example of how commercialism is playing a big role in influencing their choices.

Now we can also mix in the temptation of the hottest dolls in the toy aisle, dolls with overblown lips, smoky eyes and hot pants, again, young girls are being sent a message that implies “this is how you should look.” Even our beloved long time Barbie has decided to get tattoos!

For all those marketing ploys that have made a big fiery crash with parents and consumers man, many more are silently hitting the shelves and the sales registers. Too often you are having lunch at the local bakery & soup bar and see a young girl scamper by with a trendy t-shirt or sweat pants that are stamped across the chest or derriere with words like “juicy” or “hot to the touch.” Parents responding to questions on the matter answered saying, ‘It’s one thing when an older teen girl goes shopping and comes home with skinny jeans and a pair of high heels but when you see a seven-year-old wearing something similar, there had to be an adult along for the ride when that outfit was purchased.

Public opinion on the topic is pretty clear. Two recent polls on an opinion website, SodaHead.com, show 51 percent of respondents agreeing that “young girls dress too sexy.” Thank goodness it was 51%, shameful that it was only 51%.