Gift Idea: Moroccan Oil and Conditioner from Moxie Beauty Hub

It's Christmas Eve - do you know what you got your mother yet? The Moroccan Oil is a known hair staple among Beaconites, and it's sold at Moxie Hair Salon and Beauty Hub. It's not only a staple, it's a miracle hair treatment. And Josh, the founder of Moxie, has your prescription.

You may not want to give this gift to someone lightly, because it could be an implication that their hair needs help by way of serious moisturizing. But after you use this set of products, you'll realize that most women's hair is - in need of help.

I highlight and color my hair regularly. Looking at it every day, I can't tell when it starts to look freakish. Until I saw a quick morning video my husband took of our daughter, and I was in the frame. I looked like that Munster lady, but with dreads and limping frizz. Yes, limping. My hair was limping along down my head, dreading in my hoodies if rubbed against something for too long.

I went straight to Josh. I'd just gotten a hair cut, but that wasn't enough. My hair was spazzing out. I booked a bang trim (after doing it myself despite him having done it), and stated: "Josh: I need a hair intervention. Something's wrong."

Not being a pushy sales guy, he replied: "Haven't I pushed the Moroccan oil yet?"
"No," I replied, "but everyone, even my babysitter, raves about it. Give it to me. All of it. Tell me how it works."

Josh gave me my prescription:

• Use a glob of the moroccan conditioner mask after shampooing with your shampoo (I use Aveda, which he approved of). I also added a dose of my own Aveda conditioner after that, just to get the scent and texture that I'm used to.
• Spray the protein spray on your wet hair. Do this for 2 weeks when you wash your hair, but then lay off the spray, because you could over-protein and have broomstick hair. Josh says that the protein spray is "the vehicle" for the oil and conditioner to work.
• On damp hair, spread one pump of the moroccan oil.

Note: at this point, I also spread on some Aveda Smoothing Fluid or other smoothing gell stuff. Then blow dry and style. If your hair is looking dry and thirsty, add another pump of the Moroccan oil and lightly dab it around your hair. This isn't part of Josh's official directions, but it's what I do and seems to give my hair that watch-out-Jennifer-Aniston-I'm-closing-in-on-your-hair-secrets look.

So. This 3-pack is a great gift. If not for the holidays, but for you, or a friend in need.

Gift Idea: MouseTrap Cheese Board at Play

For the cheese lovers in your life, the mousetrap cheese cutter board. The metal part is the cheese cutter, and the packaging says it is very sharp ;) Available at Play.

Gift Idea: Blown Glass Globe Ornaments at Hudson Beach Glass

Someone on my gift list is getting a deep blue, blown glass globe ornament from Hudson Beach Glass. I went in to buy one of the pumpkins, but poof! They were gone. I learned that they are also being sold on Etsy, so that's fun but I needed a gift now.

I found a blue ornament with what looks like green peacock feathers melted on top. So pretty.

Breakfast at Quinn's with Live Christmas Music

We stopped in for a Sunday breakfast at Quinn's, where they are having a live saxophonist playing Christmas music. This picture is of the bar because it's so bright and pretty looking, but really, everyone is sitting in the booths. Lots of families here, grandparents. Reminds me of a diner I grew up on in OH.

The thing to order for breakfast: the stack if homemade French toast with eggs. Personally, I double up my protein intake and make those eggs an omelet with Swiss cheese, spinach and mushroom. Tip: you can bring your own maple syrup, bc they, like mist resteraunts (except for Vintage Cafe and Homespun), serve corn syrup (aka Aunt Jemimah (sp?) or something). So bring syrup from home or swing by Key Foods or Homespuns new store, who both sell 100% maple syrup.

Omg, the Mast Brothers Chocolate

Oh my goodness. And Katie told me they switched to the Hudson Valley whipped cream. I'm not sure what hit me first, the cream or the smooth yet textured chocolate. Mast Brothers hot chocolate with whipped cream. Available at Bank Square Coffee. That is all.

Gift Idea: Custom Designed T-shirts at Mixture

I feel like there is this secret underground of t-shirt producers in Beacon, but maybe that's just because they aren't secret, and are getting their unique designs from Mixture. I know I've got one on hold there - a baby onsie that will say "baby-preneur". It was supposed to help celebrate our launch, but Ruby kept growing and life went on, so here we are almost a year later, and I need to finish that design for a onsie, and see if others want it too!

Gift Idea: Mast Brothers Chocolate Bars, imported from Brooklyn

It's a hefty chocolate bar, tempting you at the counter at Bank Square every time you order a coffee or latte. You long for the chocolate bar, but get the cinimin scone instead. That's why if you haven't gotten one before, you will now, as a stocking stuffer. Make sure it stays in the family do that you can have a bite. :)

Juliana's Music Classes for a Holiday Class

Juliana's Music Together music and movement class is a having special 1-time only Holiday Class tomorrow, Friday and Monday at her Fishkill, New Windsor and Harriman locations. This is a program that my daughter and I have done for some time now, and are big fans. Her latest email says she still has space for some of the classes. If you're in Beacon, the Thursday class at the Fishkill location is the most convenient, but you've got options! I think the New Windsor location is near Adams for some grocery shopping after.

HOLIDAY CLASS SCHEDULE:

Thursday:  10am in Fishkill (Hudson River Performing Arts Center, 29 Elm Street Suite 205)
Friday: 10am New Windsor (Strictly Ballroom, 153 Temple Hill Road)
Monday:  10:45am Harriman (Terpisichore Dance School, 160 Route 17M)

To sign up, the class is $10 and you'll need to email her to save your spot: Juliana Bender music2gether@hvc.rr.com

Then in January, her regular semester for her Music Together program starts up. Click here for details.

Ella's Bellas is Back and Delicious!

I knew these cookies from her days at Bank Square when we first moved here, and was so sad when the lemon bars and other treats went away. Little did I know then they would be opening up in a storefront all their own down the street on Main Street! If you're walking Main Street, headed towards the mountain, Ella's Bellas will be on you left, just before the antique shops and galleries begin. Stop in for a sea salt cookie (get a glass of milk), peanut butter cookie, lemon bar, other goodies, or a whole lunch! I was only in for a moment so did not read the menu, but saw fresh, yummy salads and soup. Yummmm.

If you've been there and tried things, please tell us your favorites in the comments below!

Gift List: Elephants on Parade at Echo Boutique

If your little one is into elephants at moment, this elephant stuffed animal  at Echo Boutique is a definite add to your collection. The pink corduroy ears and soft brown stripe make this elephant unforgettable and huggable. This criss-cross top stitching on the legs is adorable, and able to be loved for a long time.

Gift List: Baby arm chair at Trendy Tots

On Ruby's wish list this year is an arm chair all her own. We spotted such a chair in the window of Trendy Tots Take Two, and with this cute bear! The size is a smaller tot sized, so not the oversized kind. We weren't able to check out the price, but it looks new enough to be delivered fresh from any catalogue. There are two here. Get it first!

Gift List: Socks! Hip socks at Dream in Plastic

Dream in Plastic has the best socks. Super cute, bold colors, perfect for accenting under a dark outfit or jeans. Target is also selling cute socks, and I shortcut my todo list and bought a pair there because most of my socks finally have holes so big in the heel, it can no longer be ignored.

Mistake. The Target socks made a hole in the heel after day 1! Dream in Plastic, however, is still cute and snuggly after last years stocking stuffer unwrapping.

So whether an elf is stuffing your stocking, or if maybe you are "helping", these socks are a must-stuff.

And we're back! Prepare for Main Street shopping gift ideas!!

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> My phone got disconnected from this blog, which puts a damper on this roving blogger! Let's see it I fixed it..., because I've got some holiday gift ideas to post...