Kelly Pagendarm - Hairstylist/ Colorist

We all know the value these days of shopping small and local. What if you cold shop small, local, and global at the same time? Last week, a local retired teacher popped into the salon with all these amazing bags. She told me this beautiful story about buying one of these bags in Cambodia and the story behind their creation. These bags are made by local women in Cambodia in hopes of keeping them out of s*x trafficking. I was completely unaware that there are few working opportunities for Cambodian women outside of the s*x trafficking realm. This incredible organization has created a pathway for these women to seek work, earn money and have financial security. I mean, if that doesn’t champion women I don’t know what does. I was so moved and intrigued by the story. My first question was “can we have some here” obviously the answer was yes because now we are lucky enough to have to have these available at the salon. You guys know that I love any opportunity to support a female rise up, and to have an opportunity to care for themselves financially. So not only does a purchase of these bags help incredible women in Cambodia we also get to support a teacher who’s decided to leave teaching after 22 years and reinvent herself. I couldn’t pass it up! Please come down to the salon check out these amazing bags. They are handmade by incredible women. There are so many different options to choose from and all of the proceeds, go to this teacher and the women of Cambodia.

49 and feeling as grateful as humanly possible. I am painfully aware that each year is a gift not everyone gets to enjoy. That being said, I am constantly reminding myself to slow down, be present and appreciate each day-(I’m not sure it’s working but I am trying😂.)This year my birthday was smashed in between a funeral and a celebration of life for my father in law. Services like these remind you that it truly is a gift to be here every single day. So instead extensive birthday plans they were quiet, small and spent with people that I genuinely care about. I call that a win! We also have a new puppy who has quite literally brought the most fun to our house in a while. And lastly a shout out to and .birthservices for the best birthday care package a girl could ask for.

Are we crazy? Check yes or no😂❤️. We snagged the sweetest little pup yesterday for the nugget. Meet Mojo, he’s 8 weeks of deliciousness-

17 birthdays I’ve celebrated with this hunk- and they’ve all been fun. Some years we celebrate big and some years are super quiet. Regardless, it always starts with coffee and then goes from there. This year was a quiet one and honestly it was beyond lovely. HBD to the love of my life- the best dad- the greatest friend- the world traveler- the most wicked slice- the sweetest dog dad- the grounding force- and to the person that is so funny my sides hurt.

Did you know that along with all the fun plant madness…. We also have a Wish/prayer tree?! The wishes are filling up and it literally fills my cup. The wish/prayer tree is essentially that!…..it’s a place to write down your wishes and prayers for yourself or others. To put it on paper and let the energy in the room fill it and hopefully bring it to fruition. If you haven’t swing by, feel free.

Years ago I’ll told there is no need to get me flowers, “it’s not my thing.” But he knows that supporting my community and the businesses of my friends is my thing. So he ran over to and picked up this bad ass arrangement from my girl Sara. These flowers are all sourced from local gardens in the valley and she always does a gorgeous job. has a new work space in the Tannery /riverfront area, go check it out. She has so much more than flowers. .

Oh Nicky P
Somehow our journey has felt like 5 minutes…
and also 500 years.

Every amazing choice I’ve made in this life
has somehow trailed back to you.

There’s been so much life inside these years—
one amazing kid we made,
one bonus boy,
dogs we adore,
and a cat you tolerate like a man who knows he’s outnumbered.

You make me think.
You make me laugh.
You challenge me.
You acquiesce to me—(usually with a snarky remark.)

You just know when I need tacos.
There is absolutely no way I’d eat regularly if it weren’t for you.

You put up with my s**t. You show up. You love us fully.

Our marriage is not perfect.
I don’t like you every day—just most days.
And honestly, that’s working out pretty great.

I knew 15 years ago that our life was going to be great.
I just didn’t know it would be this fun,
this full,
and this unapologetically ours.

And I’d do it all over again…
probably minus the cancer
Happy 15 Years.

Navigating a hilight post box dye is quite the journey. Especially considering she had been hilighted prior to the box dye application. This was a fun project with the sweetest human that I love seeing. We have been hilighting her for years and then one day she decided to do a dark application on her own. No biggie, we handled it. Here’s the deal with these types of appointments…. Transparency is key. It’s really important to make sure your client is made aware of the journey ahead. Is she where I want here to be in lightness… no! But we had a long conversation about how many sessions it might take and that I’m willing to push her hair only so far. The integrity of her hair is the priority, but lightening is possible. It was a really long appointment because I staggered my developers and checked each section as I went. Overall we were both happy with the result.

The kids are surpassing me in height😳. We met this gem in pre school, she and her family are some of my faves…… and that hair!

Another year around the sun….and another year that I feel really lucky. Aging to me is this thing that I truly appreciate, which is kinda funny because I don’t really care much about my birthday….. but the aging part, yes. It’s this thing that we don’t all get to do- it’s this thing that many people struggle with- it’s how we gage wisdom and experience- it’s how we mark milestones. I personally make a solid effort to live in a way that I enjoy and appreciate each year, I want to look back and know that I didn’t stress about a number. I want my kiddo to watch me enjoy all the years and each decade. This past year was a wild one- I took on new a new role at work- traveled a ton- sent the big boy off to school- developed a weird but cool plant addiction (probably to compensate for the loss of the big boy😂) and laughed all the time, because Nick is pretty hilarious- and honestly, I spent tons of time with friends and people that fill my cup. Oh and the smooched on the baby boy every chance I got.
Cheers to all the years!
.m