“Love is any of a number of emotions related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction. This diversity of uses and meanings, combined with the complexity of the feelings involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, even compared to other emotional states.” - Wiki

The word LOVE sometimes gets tossed around so easily -  yet it always holds so much power.  Even though it may vary in degrees of satisfaction from “I love my hair” to being the three most important words you express to someone, it always holds the same potency.

Some my argue that the word love has become too generic, because we use the word on an everyday basis as part of our pop culture.   However, we all know that “I love those shoes” can never equate to a statement like  “I love you.”

My feeling is we all need some type of love in our life , whether it be a tangible item, a best friend or your soul mate.  I am happy when my clients say they love their hair,  thrilled when my daughter tells me she loves me and smile every time  my spouse says “I love you.”  So work the word LOVE into your vernacular as often as you can.  Feel the power of the word and smile when you say it or it’s said to you.

Each New Year we spend some time thinking about the past year and what we will do differently.  Always topping the list of resolutions are eat better, exercise and save money.   How often do we keep those up? Only to chastise ourselves 12 months later for not meeting those goals…

If we examined our lives,  we might find that we don’t pay enough attention to our personal happiness as we do to the happiness of those around us.  If we feel that the way we look plays an integral part in our self esteem, why then don’t we break out of the mold from last year?  Maybe introduce a new color in our wardrobe -  this year the “in” color is purple!  A shot of deep, dark purple/violet can be sexy and if it is a light purple/grape can reflect fun.  Sometimes do something different can shake off the cobwebs of last year.  Start anew with a fresh style, a different color or work in a few highlights.

My personal goals are to lighten up,  both literally and figuratively. . .  I’ve added some extra girth, but hey more to love.  Mentally, laugh more and always be the person I am with my daughter.  Plus, now that Crowned Studio is blossoming into the salon I’ve always envisioned; I may take some time off, possibly some long weekends or maybe a even week off to travel with my family.

I wish you all a happy New Year and some personal time for reflection.  Find your own voice and live life the way you really want!

It is thrilling to write this blog on our one year anniversary. The past year has been filled with change, growth and new directions. We christened our new home – Crowned Studio and added some new faces to our family. Our new home in Old Pasadena has been an amazing journey from exploring our new surroundings to making new neighborhood friends to being named the Best Hair Salon in Pasadena. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of new guests and friends we have welcomed into Crowned Studio. Also we are happy to have been fortunate enough to be able to donate over $5,000 to local charities, schools and organizations. Giving back to our community is a cornerstone in Crowned Studio’s mission. We continue to try to off set our carbon footprint by recycling our foils, cans and plastics, as well as donating our hair to many different green avenues. Lastly our continued use of energy efficient washer, dryers, light fixtures and fridge. We look forward to the next year with new promotions, new faces and most of all, you!

From Christopher:
First of all, I would like to show my gratitude to Andrea for opening a brand new salon! Being in Old Pasadena has been a blast. So many lunch options and tons of new friends at Red White and Bluezz.  This year has really been exciting.  Aaron and I had an amazing trip too Italy, our puppy turned 1 year old and all things just keep getting better and better. To all my clients, I enjoy and appreciate each and every one of you. To my co-workers work family I look forward to many, many more years together. I know year two at Crowned Studio will only get better!

From Christina:
This year has been amazing! There has been a lot of exploring for me; from being a new Mom, to loving my new salon, Crowned Studio.  Massimo, my son,  has changed my life forever.  I have learned how to be a kid again and live in the moment.  Because of him I want to be a better person and become a better parent.  To switch gears, Crowned Studio has become my second home.  I have realized I am still in love with my career. My co-workers continue to inspire me to try new things. I want to thank my clients who continue to love and support me and Crowned. You have given me the pleasure of not just working at a job but keeping me enthusiastic about my career. This next year should be even more exciting. I hope to go on vacation, maybe add to my family, and continue to put my heart and soul into life both at home and at Crowned Studio.

From Connie:It’s 365 days later and I am so grateful for all I have; a home, my health (insurance) friends who would give me a kidney, loan me money and give me all the free advice I can handle! However, what I am really grateful for is doing in life what I love and nothing can beat that. Thanks to all of you!

From Aimee:
This year has been a year of change. I have gone from being a bubbly blonde to now being a vibrant redhead. My career has flourished and I have continually grown my business as the months went by. For the first time in my life I am living on my own and have found some peace and serenity in the quite of my own apartment. My family has grown exponentially this year. I have one sister currently pregnant with twins and another recently engaged and expanding her small family. Plus I have all my Crowned Studio family, the new friends I’ve acquired and the old ones that have just grown closer. I am looking forward to more wonderful changes in 2010.

From Nela:
This past year I’ve faced many challenges and seen many changes. Although I don’t consider this my best year, I am very grateful for the many new friends that have come into my life, my family for their never ending support and of course my second family here at the salon, who are always here for me. I look forward to bringing in the New Year as a stronger and wiser person.  I also look forward to the bigger and better things headed my way.

From Jose:
This year started with friends, family and a few NewYears’ resolutions that I am still challenged with keeping. I started at Crowned Studio and have been learning a lot from my co workers their knowledge is wide on every level. Not just in the field but in life. I found friends in them that want to help me to be a better person and a better stylist. The year hasn’t been so bad yhr good times that happen I enjoy and the bad times I smile at always going forward towards my dreams that I have every year. Being a better person and I am thankful for the opportunity of being here on earth with family and friends because every good action that you do you always get compensated.

We are honored to be named by FOX Los Angeles Hot List one of the Top 5 places in the Los Angeles area for Hair Color for 2009. Thank you to everyone who supported us!