general

It can happen to anyone. The faux pas of winter style known as ‘hat head’ can bear down on even the most fashionable, conscientious, and stylish coif. Unbeknownst to the lucky few who a) don’t have enough hair to matte down in the first place or b) don’t have a need to keep precious heat from escaping the top of the head during the cold season, hat head can be the bane of existence for the fashion-conscious, outdoor enthusiasts. Removing hat head permanently takes a little strategy, but the benefits are well worth it. You can avoid the inquisitive glances, double-takes of your scalp in wonder of what is going on, or just that uncomfortable feeling of out-of-control static. If you suffer from frequent hat head, there are some ways to tame the frizz and unkempt hairs into submission. Here are just a few ways to eliminate hat head this winter:

· Use pomade. A little goes a long way, so there’s no need to over-slick your hair into a fixture. Simply dab on a little with your fingertips, and tame that frizz. Spray with a light dusting of hair spray, and the top of your head will be strong enough not to fall prey to the weight of your hat.

· Opt for lightweight, scarf-style wraps or hoods instead of a cap. The tighter the hat, the higher the ‘indent’ risk factor

· Always dry your hair first. Controlling your hairstyle as much and setting it as much as possible is a great idea.

· Carry some hair gel or spray. A quick touch up or freshen up of your style may be necessary after the hat comes off; be well-prepared with a miniature version of your favorite brand.

· Carry a comb. Sometimes all it takes is a little brushing out with water, and your hair will be as good as your pre-hat style.

· Don’t use the hat as a drying aid. See #3: your hair will assume the form of the pressure of the hat-that’s just asking for it.

· Use a finishing crème. A few brands offer a travel size version of these potent static fighters. These are great to drop in your purse or glove compartment for easy access.

· Don’t over brush. A common mistake to get that cowlick out of the hair is to brush it out. Over brushing can lead to excess static very easily, especially during the winter. Make sure you have some styling aids on hand to help you get to the root of the problem.

· Curl your hair or get a perm; it’s easier to hide hat head if your hair is already wavy or full of texture. Sometimes all it takes is just a strategic part, and you’re good to go.

As you brave the winter temperatures this year, it might be important to don a wool hat or two to stay warm. Avoid the dreaded hat head, and save yourself from an embarrassing cowlick situation or outlandish frizz. Hat head is easy to eliminate, or at least prevent, in most cases.

Are you a tag sale shopper? If you haven’t been to one – I’ll tell you that they are a lot of fun! You can get great bargains and have a good time as you are doing so. Shopping at tag sales offers you benefits that you will not have at any online auction, that is for sure. Though I certainly have shopped at online auctions, and will continue to do so, there is a special place in my heart reserved for going to tag sales.

The spring through the fall is perfect timing for tag sales. Tag sales are typically advertised in your local newspaper. Our newspaper lists them in alphabetical order according to which town they will be in the county, and your newspaper probably does something similar. Sometimes you can also find them listed on community bulletin boards at supermarkets, cafes or coffeehouses. Some towns permit people to hang “tag sale today” signs in their neighborhoods and other towns do not, so depending on where you live – this can also be a great way to find a tag sale.

Tag sales are great because you can look at items up close and you can touch them.
I think most of us who have shopped at online auctions have had this happen, or maybe it has happened to someone we know: you find what you think is the perfect item, you bid, you win, it arrives at your home – and it doesn’t look like the item you would have wanted to buy! Maybe it has a scratch or a tear or some other defect. Maybe the color is slightly off and the photograph was bad. But with a tag sale you’ve got the item right there in front of you. You can turn it upside down and (in some cases) inside out if you want. You can see for yourself if there are any imperfections – all before buying – and that can often make all the difference in if you really want the item.

Tag sales are great because sometimes you can be a friendly “haggler”.
Sometimes at a tag sale you can counter with a lower price and that price will be accepted. Or the seller will counter with a slightly higher price, that is still lower than the original price. It is all in good fun. The seller is always there to sell the item and get it off of their front yard or porch, so they won’t miss considering any polite offer that is made. A great time to haggle is at the end of the day when the sale is closing up because the seller is tired from selling all day and they also know that they probably won’t have buyers interested in that item coming again that day. So go ahead and make your offer – there is a strong chance it will be accepted!

Tag sales are great because you get to meet and visit with people in your community.
I can’t tell you how many times I have run across a neighbor, friend, church member or fellow volunteer at a tag sale. We always have a nice chat and take a look at each other’s items and talk about other sales we have been to, or are going to go to that day. You can also meet quite interesting people in your community. One tag sale I went to had literally hundreds of romance novels, many of which were in brand new condition. In chatting with the woman running it I discovered that she was a romance author and that she had many friends who also wrote romance books and gave her free copies of books. She admitted that she had read many of the books but sometimes she just didn’t have a chance to get to every one. You just never know who you are going to run into at a tag sale.

Tag sales are great for the thrill of “the hunt”.
Sometimes the most fun about a tag sale is that it is full of surprises. You just never know quite what you will find when you park your car in front of someone’s home. You could find a real treasure and get a great deal, or you could meet someone interesting, or you could find a sale with great things that just aren’t quite what you are looking for. There have been times I have called a friend or a family member on my cell phone to tell them I’ve just left a great tag sale with baby items, toddler toys or brand new clothing (the woman worked for a fashion designer) in petite sizes – and that they should think about getting over there if they wanted to get a great deal. The thrill of the hunt is within each and every one of us. Sometimes this is truly the most fun!