September Specials, Life Lately & Spotlight Feature!

Welcome back to September routines, making lunches and dragging your kiddos out of bed. I’m quite happy to be having my morning lattes to myself again, but can I just say that these kids are growing too fast?!

SALON SPECIALS 

Now that we’re officially in back-to-school mode, We’re kicking it off with some specials here at the salon!

AG has a new look. With keeping a green footprint, they’ve decided to change their packaging to aluminum in the naturals line (with really cool refill bags) and they have a new recycled plastic sleek package for their other products. We love this and to celebrate… When you buy one AG product, you get the second one 50% off!

 

Stay tuned, we also have some new products on the way that we’ll be sharing next week!

 PODCAST UPDATE

 Have you subscribed yet? We’ve released some great content lately but next week, we’re going to be talking about a word I’ve been using a lot lately... LITERALLY.

It's called "the beauty of the pivot." Lately, I’ve been thrown off course A LOT! Sometimes we plan to go left, and life throws us right. We plan for a sunny day and we get torrential downpours. The real beauty is when you learn to embrace all that gets thrown your way and pivot. I can’t wait to share this episode with you next week but for now, if you haven’t already, catch up on this past Monday’s episode “New Year’s In September”, where I discuss how to get back on track and set your goals while getting out of the "routineness" of summer.

Tune in and let me know what you think!

 LIFE LATELY

So, this Wednesday was officially nine weeks since being sober from Instagram (I’m in ‘SA’ Scrollers Anonymous lol)

I have to say, there is real freedom and beauty that comes with being off the grid. To each their own (which you can catch in another podcast), but I truly have a race like no other right now. Instead of showcasing my work, I’m actually BEING in it!

It all started in July when I took a girls’ trip to see Kevin Hart and decided, "girls, this weekend I won't be posting my salad with everyone on IG." Instead, I just ate it, without the stress of making sure I captured the right angle and by the time the post went up, the grilled salmon on top was cold. PFFFt what a life eh? As if anyone gives a s*&t about my salad that much...

 I love being connected with you all of course, and I want to kick it old school and find ways to share my love for you all without it being through a post.

Something really cool – your girl was featured in EFE magazine! Check out my exposé on pages 17-19!

Have an amazing week(end) and can't wait to see you all soon!

 xo 

Pammy

The Summer Season Is Coming To An End

Here we are in the final countdown of summer!

First things first, are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If not, GET ON IT! The last episode was all about the value of traditions.

There is something about traditions that make my tummy feel warm and cozy. I love the festivities, creating moments, and looking forward to it all, the familiarity of it just gives me joy beyond anything else.... well maybe warm apple pie, butter tarts, and of course lattes.

As you may know, my very favourite traditions are created around Christmas and Thanksgiving. One tradition we’ve created every summer with our family is going up to "Godfather Mikey's cottage" - Madison's Godfather. Mike and Kevin have been friends from way back when and when we had Madison, it was without a doubt in Kevin’s mind to choose Mike to be her Godfather. I second the motion because me and Mike (as much as he acts like I'm annoying) click when it comes to traditions! 

 

When Mike got the cottage seven years ago, I immediately asked when we were going to be invited. As usual, he replied "never", but I got my weekends in! The best part about your husband's friend is when you click with their wives! Every year we do the same thing, the guys wake up with the kids at around 6:30 am. They go fishing for two hours while the ladies chill and get breakfast ready. When they come back, we eat and then head out on the boat for the day. The cottage is near Bobcaygeon so we wander into town to walk along the shops, grab ice cream and watch the boats come and go through the locks.

After we’re done, we head back on the boat, pump up the country music, and me and Giovanna (Mike's wife) take a nap while getting some sun. We get dinner ready, have a campfire, and most nights the boys head back to the boat to fish some more while us girls laugh our asses off at foolishness and talk about food, home stuff, nonsense, and much more.

For the last four years, I’ve constantly looked up listings for cottages nearby so I can go up more, but I did not marry a cottage man, so those dreams will have to be stored away lol. 

When we leave, there’s a little blue book with a red boat (I think) on the front of it where guests can write. This is one of my favourite touches at their cottage. Being a person who loves sentiments, It adds to the coziness and makes it feel more like home. 15 years from now, I can’t wait to read those entries and remember the good times we had at this cottage. There is always some inside joke or something funny that happens each visit.

I think the highlight was the kids on the tube this year, it was the first time watching my kids tubing and I must say that I was pretty panic-stricken. I did face my fears though and it was great .... until Harper fell off...... BUT she got back on!

Again, this is a family tradition that I full-heartedly look forward to every single year. The kids are already asking me ..."Mommy, when are we going to Godfather Mikey's cottage again?" It’s adorable. 

This goes to my point though, there is a huge value in traditions. It keeps us hopeful, and excited. We know that there is a moment coming, something that is familiar. I just have a real passion for traditions, it brings the inner child out of me! We had a blast and can't wait for next year to go back!

What about you? Are you a fan of traditions?

 

Let me know!

 Xo

Pammy

End of Summer Sales + Exciting Updates!

Well, you know when the CNE arrives, summer is quickly coming to an end. It was a bit of a reality check when I saw that in the last week driving to Toronto. I have to say, driving downtown is no longer exciting. The amount of traffic, bikers, and congestion were incredibly frustrating, and it took us way longer to get there than it should have. Besides the traffic, it has been an event-filled summer. So far in the last 10 days, I’ve been to three concerts, Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull. I took the girls with me, and they had a blast, It was cute to watch them partying 

Besides our busy summer plans before school begins, we have some exciting news at Elevate! Maria is returning from maternity leave. Just like that, her mat leave is over. I feel like I was just writing the newsletter about her going away – time literally does fly. For all of you who have missed her and her amazing pronunciation of “cham-poo” (said best in her Italian accent), she’s back and will be in the salon from Tuesday to Saturday with her amazing personality and her strong hands. Be sure to book soon, back to school season is quickly approaching, and it becomes our busiest season.

And while we’re on the topic of back-to-school/summer ending, we also have some incredible sales happening in our salon. Save 50% off Brunette the Label, Pixie Mood, Lake, and Oak Tea Co.

Plus! When you spend $40 or more, you get a free bottle of cloud by AG. It’s the perfect product to add volume to your blowouts!

 

We are always planning and plotting, stay tuned for some cool events that will be coming this fall. And we would also appreciate it if you could leave us a Google review. It means so much to us and it really supports our salon.

 

Can’t wait to see you all soon and enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer.

 

XO

Pammy

Sunflower Field of Dreams!

I can’t believe we’re already in the first week of August, one blink, and I feel like the kids will be heading back to school.

There has been a lot going on and since being back at work an extra two days a week to make a total of four, I have fully jumped back into my overworking brain of how I can continue to build and grow Elevate.

Not sure if any of you know but I’ve been working on a course for the last few months that has kept me very occupied which I will talk a little bit more about, but today’s post is all about sunflowers! Before I jump right into it, there’s a funny backstory to this. Last week, I had a meeting in the salon with the company, Pureology by L’Oreal Professionnel. For the last couple of months, we’ve been in negotiations with the brand about some fun projects and potentially carrying some of their products. So, we’ve been in the testing phase to see which products we like best. If you’ve been in the last week or so, you’ll know what I’m talking about as I’ve been trying the products on you. The good thing I love about Pureology is that it’s clean, like the AG product line that we carry now. It’s also vegan, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, free…of all that stuff we don’t want in our bodies or in our hair. Coincidentally, on the day of our training with this new product, I was going to a sunflower farm and one of the key ingredients that’s in the product to make it so hydrating and health-focused is what’s inside a sunflower. I felt like it was interesting and aligned at that moment.

I’ll tell you more about the products later but let’s talk about the sunflower farm. Every year, my friend Giovanna and I have been making it a tradition to have a girl’s day of throwing on some country music, driving around with the top down in her Cabrio, and riding down the country roads.

Last year, we visited a lavender farm which was so beautiful. We pretend that we’re models laying in the fields clicking away on the camera. This year we decided to frolic in some sunflower fields and oh my goodness let me tell you these things are gigantic! I didn’t realize how big they were. On our way there we saw that rain was coming but we felt like we had some time before it arrived. As we got to the farm, a kind gentleman reminded my friend to close to the top of her convertible, and wouldn’t you know it… about five minutes later the biggest rainfall and strongest winds I’ve seen this year came ripping through. It lasted all about five minutes but in those few minutes, it felt like we were in the Wizard of Oz.

Picture about 15 grown women and two newborn-ish babies under this tent that we were holding down as the wind was blowing wildly. Metal bars of the tent were flying up and hitting people’s heads and the rain still got in and soaked us all. But after those 5 minutes, the sun came out it and it was as if nothing happened. Mother Nature to me seems like a woman lol just saying… We can be beautiful, ugly, and beautiful again within minutes.

I was really taken aback by the beauty of the sunflowers. There are so many fields, rows upon rows of them all standing up so straight. The farm had beautiful props as well, a pink sofa, a piano, a tiny chair, and a truck. It was such a great day but the best part of it is the tradition that we keep alive every time we go. It’s the car ride, it’s our stop at Winners on our way back, it’s the snacks we pack (sometimes she bakes me some goodies). It really is the little things in life that make it beautiful.

I’d highly recommend visiting Davis Family Farm before the kids head back to school or even with your besties! https://torontosunflowerfields.ca

I can’t wait to see where we go next year, I think that one is on me to plan so I better start thinking now.

Hope you guys have an amazing weekend and enjoy every little last bit of summer that we have left.

Yours truly,

Pamela

 

PS. Did I mention that I wasn’t thinking about my really bad pollen allergies when I went to the sunflower farm? The seven days of hives, scratchy throat and itchy nose was totally worth it!

 

Xo

Hot Girl Summer in NYC

I don’t know about you guys, but doesn’t it feel like summer is just flying by? I feel like I was just planning all of my date nights, travelling plans, and camp for the girls at the start of summer and now we’re already more than halfway through the season. It’s kind of sad how fast time goes by but I’m also looking forward to when fall arrives. Don’t hate me! I’m not rushing the rest of the summer but I can’t take the heat for so long lol. And, I do love me a hot latte with a cute cardigan and booties on a chilly day.

 The heat wave we had last week was unreal and it was even worse in New York City. Yes! I said New York City! I came back this week from a quick visit because Kevin Hart was in town.

If you don’t know this about me, I’m a huge Kevin Hart fan and the moment I heard he had a tour coming up and saw that there were no shows in Toronto, I had to make do with the closest city he was touring in.  I told my friend to look into getting us tickets and it just so happened he was stopping in New York, so we purchased the tickets and decided to make a weekend getaway out of it. The show was epic! It was with Chris Rock and then a surprise guest came to open the show… That surprise guest was Dave Chappelle. Personally, I was never a Dave Chappelle fan but after seeing him live, he was actually really funny, humble, kind, and down to earth (shocking, I know). I noticed he was a chain smoker and was chain-smoking on stage and in the auditorium, something that would never fly in Toronto. One surprise at the end that had everyone laughing was that they brought out a goat (in other terms, goat stands for Greatest Of All Time) and gifted it to Chris Rock… which was interesting.

 So, as I mentioned earlier, the weather was extremely hot here but imagine it in New York City where there are more cars, more people, and more pollution. It felt like I was walking through smoke-filled air all day long and the heat was just unbearable. There was a point where I walked straight into a revolving glass door. I think my brain couldn’t function at its best in that weather. Another thing I noticed was all the homelessness. It was sad, around every corner there were at least three bodies lying on the floor. There are obviously beautiful sites to see as well but it was something I noticed.

During our time in NYC, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge and ate at Ciccone Dumbo overlooking a beautiful view of the water. We wandered around Central Park, found about a million cute coffee shops, and discovered yummy lattes and iced coffees. Although I think at this point, I’m over coffee…joking!

We ate great food including a $53 pizza with truffle on top. I’m glad I tried it but I don’t think I want to spend $53 (especially in US dollars) on a pizza again. There were times during the trip when the girls went out and I just passed out in my bed. I think I was really looking forward to uninterrupted sleep (I’m used to Harper waking me up every night at 2 am to come into our bed). My favourite spot that we ate at was breakfast at Jack’s Wife Freda, an American-Middle Eastern spin on brunch. The food was so good and the attention to detail was incredible – even their sugar packets had quotes on them.

What I noticed was the significant difference between travelling now vs travelling in my 20s. I find you appreciate more of the smaller things while travelling now than when you did at 20. Your priorities shift. For example, it’s no longer all about hitting up club after club every night but it’s more about enjoying the moment and having balance. You’ll have to tune in next week for more on this topic on the podcast.

Overall, I had a great time while I was away and really enjoyed the comedy show. When I got home, I passed out for two hours and ended up watching the Social Dilemma. I feel even more turned off about social media (I sense another podcast episode on this topic). I even got to cuddle with Sandy on the couch – and in case you’re wondering where my family was, they were on a road trip with their dad so when I got home, my only option was to cuddle with the dog. The next day, I woke up in a purging mood and cleaned out my cupboards, donated a few things and it felt great. Sometimes in life, you just need to purge the things that no longer serve you, both physically and mentally.

I feel great, rested, rejuvenated, and ready for the long weekend with family!

 See you all soon as I’m sure I’ll be talking about this trip when I see you at Elevate

 XO

Pammy

Welcome to Elevate Method Academy, Class is Now in Session!

It’s finally here!!!! The Elevate Method Academy! So, you might be thinking, “So… is she going to teach hair tutorials”? The answer is no, far from it. This entire course is much bigger than that. It’s meant to create inspiration and spark motivation among hair stylists and salon owners.

It took some time to learn from my own experiences to realize there was no support system for hair stylists, it always felt like the same old thing every day of the week. You go to work, chat with your clients, go home and feel totally drained. I felt like I had to work more hours because I didn’t know my worth. I loved the relationship I had with my clients and the deep connections I was building with them but at the same time, I couldn’t grow my business because I had nothing left in me to give. This is where Elevate Academy stemmed from… I knew there was a way to connect on a deeper level with my clients while increasing my worth as a stylist and salon owner. So, I’ve been working my BUTT off behind the scenes to create something inspiring for those who desire the same thing I did starting out in this industry.

Going back two years ago when COVID hit, this was a massive blow to everyone, including the hair industry. It affected my business big time, but I knew I had to pivot. I changed how I did business and continued to stay in touch with all of you, doing this allowed me to double my income and once our doors opened again, I welcomed back all my clients (including quite a few new faces too). I believe connection plays a huge part in how well you can succeed in this industry, and I want to help those who are ready to take that next step do exactly that.

The Elevate Beauty Academy is an encouraging and inspiring course led by yours truly and it’s meant to kick that Imposter Syndrome to the curb and shift your thinking into a more positive view. As a teaser to this course, I’m offering a FREE 1-hour session over Zoom to all hair stylists or salon owners who need that encouragement and drive to elevate their worth and their business.  If you or someone you know needs this, join me this Monday, July 18 at 6 pm ET. I can’t wait to see all your beautiful faces!

 

During the course, I’ll cover three areas…

  • Understanding on a deeper level the value that sets you apart from others

  • Creating a new ‘why’ that allows you to see beyond just another client and what kind of impact you can make

  • Elevating your mission and vision for yourself and your clients

 

Can’t wait to see you there and as always, thank you for your support!

Love you all!

Xoxo

Pammy

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Well here it is, the season everybody has been waiting for it… Summer!

Funny enough we all wanted it but a couple of days ago we were all complaining about the heat. Sometimes I feel like as humans we are never satisfied (myself included).

Speaking of heat, let’s talk about the trending new hair service on the market… Hair Botox!

On those hot days when the sun raises our body heat, which intern sweats out our fresh blow-dry, Hair Botox will be our new best friend. If you’re battling extra frizz on a regular basis combined with humidity this product will be your new best friend. It’s very similar to Keratin but so much better for your hair. It’s full of collagen and amino acids that go into the cortex of the hair to repair internal damage caused by heat, bleach, and the elements while preserving it against future damage. Hair is softer and more manageable instantly, cutting your styling time in half. It lasts 3-6 months and it Is formaldehyde-free! Not only will your hair feel fuller and thicker, but it also stimulates new hair growth, bringing your hair back to life. Talk to your stylist at your next appointment or give us a call to learn more about this.

Also, another reminder about our fabulous Mela and Kara collection. The two lines we carry focus on everyday hair care and the second is dedicated to balayage hair. The products are pure luxury but not only that, the ingredients literally transform your hair after one wash leaving it velvety soft they protect your locks from colour fading and it seals damage. Pick it up at our salon or purchase them online, and as a special intro, save 15% off the entire line of Mela and Kara.


Get summer-ready with our new waxing services! If your lashes need a lift or brows need a tint, we also offer that too.


P.S. This is one of our favourite times of year because we’re celebrating a lot of birthdays here at Elevate. We kick this week off with Karissa‘s birthday and then we’ll celebrate Vanessa‘s on the weekend. The following week, Ashley is celebrating hers and then yours truly, (PAM’S), is July 5th! We are going to keep things very festive as usual. Speaking of festive – Book your next blowout and enjoy a glass of bubbly on us! See more details below…

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on all the juicy content!

XO,

Pammy

Some Doors Open To Slam Others

Happy Friday!

 

What are your weekend plans? I’m really excited about this Saturday because Kevin and I are going to see Chris Rock!  As I mentioned in one of my recent podcast episodes about dating your husband (Dating Your Spouse), I made it a point to plan dates (solo and with the kids) for us throughout the whole summer.

Let’s face it, the last two years have taken a huge toll on everyone’s lives, including mine in ALL areas, especially when it came to our relationship. With all that time being at home, you realize the lack of prioritizing time together because our lives were always “busy”. When you think about it, we go through life at such a fast pace… we meet someone, fall in love, get the approval from family and friends, marry, find a home, get adult jobs, have kids, move again, invest, work, deal with life’s problems and other’s opinions and then it all comes to a screeching halt when Covid hit. It was the perfect formula for a disaster! Where the heck is the manual for this? Can someone tell me what page "how to deal with myself" is on? We are all out here living this thing called “life” and for the most part, not many of us were properly groomed for it!

 

With that being said, the struggle and anxiety we all went through was next level and how do you deal? There isn’t a lot in school that taught us about this. How to recognize anxiety and look after your mental health. I feel like the curriculum may need a serious update after what everyone went through in these last two years.

 

So back to the date planning, I went through my agenda book this year and decided to plan a date once a week. Big, small, new, or adventurous - I planned it all up until October! With our lives now getting back to that normal we were used to; I don’t want to forget how to be present and enjoy the little things. I want to cherish every moment with my family and set aside that time to be with them fully. I’m really excited about all these dates I have planned, the quality time we’ll spend as a family together and the new memories we’ll make.

If the last two years have been hard on you, in any area of your life, I see you.

Give yourself grace.

Be kind to yourself.

Be patient with yourself.

Acknowledge yourself.

If you're reading this, you've made it. If you still feel like it's a struggle at times, it may be, but YOU GOT THIS!

Quiet the outside noise, take a walk, take a drive, pour some wine, call a friend... If you can't do any of that, come by Elevate for a hug... (and a Latté)

 

We love you.

XO

Pammy

What's New At Elevate!

We’re now into the second week of June and I can’t believe how fast time flies. I feel like it’s already been so long since I’ve been back from Mexico, but something feels good about jumping back into work. Since I added Fridays and Saturdays to my work week, I’m really enjoying seeing the lovely faces I missed from when I used to work weekends. The salon is so full of life and busy, being able to work with the whole team at once brings a lot of joy to my soul. It gives me a moment to step back and look at what was created from a corner of a basement (I don’t have to remind you guys of how grateful I am).

There’s always something new coming to the salon because I always like to give back to all of you in any way I can. We have a new coffee station that we’ve created upstairs and I can’t wait for you all to see it, although it’s still under construction, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious beverages while getting beautified.

Speaking of new things, have you seen the latest line we’ve started carrying? Toronto-based hair stylist, Jason Lee’s hair care product line, Mela and Kara! After working with hair for so long and seeing how the integrity was so important during your lightning services, he decided to create his own line. Mela stands for melanin and Kara stands for keratin. There are two different clients the line caters to. The black bottles are just for your everyday hair care, which is called Touche Velour, the packaging will remind you of familiar brands like Dior and Chanel. Then there is a line dedicated to all you balayage beauties, ‘Bayalage Exceptionnel’ and I must say, it’s my absolute favourite because you know I’m a lover of all things blush. The main star ingredient in this lineup is the rose of Jericho. This ancient herb is known for its ability to bring things back to life. So, if you think about hair that has been lightened and stripped down to its core, then you’ll want to use this lineup to bring your ends back to life.

Outside of this product being amazing, I loved my time meeting with Jason. He’s a humble, down-to-earth kind of individual with extraordinary talent. Besides the product smelling incredible, you’ll be able to notice the difference in your hair after your first wash.

Be sure to ask your stylist at your next appointment about it or even have them try it on you in the washing bar as well as the styling station. In fact, we’re so confident you’ll love this product, that this month we’re offering 10% off all Mela and Kara products.

Also, starting the week of June 20th, we’ll be providing full waxing services with our girl Mubena to get you summer-ready. Stay tuned for more details!

Enjoy your weekend and see you soon!

 

XO Pammy

 

Reminder! If you have an appointment this weekend, give yourself an extra 15-20 minutes to find parking because the Grilled Cheese Festival is happening on Lake Shore and roads will be closed. If you don’t have any plans, pop in to say hi and enjoy the local festivities.

Our First Solo Family Vacay To Mexico!

We’re getting some decent pre-summer weather and I’d like to take credit for that. As many of you know and for those who spoke to me in the last few weeks, I’ve been very excited about sharing my plans to head to the beaches of Mexico. It all started one night when my sister had to cancel our planned getaway to Prince Edward County at one of my favourite spots, Wander the Resort. When I realized I already booked off the time that week, I asked the hubby if we could change our plans and head somewhere a bit further (and warmer). I proposed the idea of Mexico and before we knew it, the thought became the reality.

 

With the help of a few clients and their recommendations, we ended up going to a resort named Finest Playa Mujeres. A good client of mine stayed there and one of her blogger friends also stayed there and highly recommended it. I looked at a few photos online, read a couple of reviews, and thought YOLO.

We ended up booking five nights and six days and just got back last Friday. I can’t say enough good things about this place. The resort was beautiful, the service was fantastic, and the details of this entire trip will always remain in my heart. I have to say one of my favourite things was discovering the toiletries in the bathroom, like the disposable toothbrush and the cutest disposable toothpaste. The room must have been cleaned at least two to three times a day as well.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with the sweetest touch of rose petals and champagne in our room. The girls received goodbye gifts and personalized notes from the kid’s club as well. Speaking of the kid’s club, it was fantastic. They made us feel totally comfortable, so we felt good leaving them under their supervision for the day. The girls were excited to go back every single day as they made friends of their own which they are continuing to communicate with while we’re back home. I could go on about this resort and I’m sure you’ll hear all about it at your upcoming appointment but it’s worth checking out. I only want to go back there from this point on because I’m scared nothing will ever meet the same standard. Did I mention that they had a café with an oat milk latte? This is truly where they got my heart.

There’s something to be said about when we go on vacation mode. We plan everything in our lives around that week. Weeks ahead of time we work hard to get our body in the best shape so we look good in a bikini, we buy books because we plan on reading while we’re away and look forward to doing all the things we can’t do at home because we’re too busy. When we go away, we feel refreshed, recharged, and rejuvenated but on the last day, we start to feel a bit anxious to come back home to the busyness of our lives.

Kevin and I made it a point to put our phones into airplane mode so that we could just be present at the moment. It was in fact the first time we ever travelled just us four together. The last time we ever did anything just us two was before kids. The only other vacations we took after that were always with family members and friends, with groups of over 30. During those times, it didn’t seem relaxing because we were always coordinating times to meet for meals or planning excursions together, and it didn’t seem like we had time to ourselves to connect.

 This trip felt so different. Many times, we felt the days moved slower because we had time to truly be present, not feeling the rush of planning or being constantly on the move.

 There’s something to be said about the way we go into this mode in our mind and think it can only be reserved for a vacation. Why can’t we reserve some of that vacation time for our daily lives here? We make excuses that we’re too busy but really, it’s something so simple as starting with 10 minutes a day where you literally shut yourself off from everything and go on a mental vacation. It could be a vacation from scrolling on Instagram, a vacation from everyday life, and from all the noise. Even though those moments may happen naturally when we’re away, I think it’s very important for us to schedule them and call them our mini mental breaks. We are so full of events, people, places, expectations, pressures, and the needs of others to fill every day that we forget about ourselves, and we forget about what’s important. We end up running ourselves into a wall or in situations that could’ve been easily avoided if we just gave ourselves time.

 I encourage everybody reading this to do that for themselves. Give yourself a mini vacation every single day. Write it into your agenda, type it into your electronic calendar or give yourself a Google alert and make sure you put yourself into vacation mode at least once a day, even for just 10 minutes. It doesn’t always have to involve hopping on a plane and saving up every cent from your piggy bank to be able to get away. Sometimes there’s beauty in just escaping mentally for a bit.

I’m happy that we got to go away and experience this quiet break with just our little family. My heart is so full looking at all that we’ve created together and just being able to truly embrace it and enjoy it. With that being said, I’m back and ready for the busy summer months to come but also being mindful to keep a little of that downtime for myself and putting my phone into airplane mode.

 There’s a lot coming up in the next few months and I can’t wait to share it all with you guys.

Saturday, June 11 - mark it in your calendars! There’s going to be a Grilled Cheese Festival along Lake Shore so just a friendly reminder, Lake Shore will be blocked from Islington all the way down to Second Street. Be sure to leave a few extra minutes early to get to your appointment on time and also enjoy the festival. We have some fun events coming up too! From June 15 to 30, we’ll be celebrating two years of being open at this Lake Shore location and have a few fun things planned. Keep your eyes and ears open for more details to come.

Also, if you haven’t subscribed to our podcast, be sure to so you don’t miss out on weekly podcast episodes. Tune in to the latest episode released Monday which was all about vacation mode!

Another thing is Google reviews help us so much to spread awareness. Be sure to leave us a review on Google and get $5 dollars off your next appointment!

The weekend is coming, so get your sunscreen on and enjoy, even if it’s in your own backyard or balcony.

 Talk to you soon!

 XO

Pammy

New Products Available at Elevate!

Hey, hey Elevate Fam!

Cheers to another work week almost complete. What are your weekend plans?

We’re always trying to find new trends and products to bring to the salon and recently, we brought in Color Wow! Have you ever had a blow dry with Color Wow’s Dreamcoat Supernatural Spray? We love to stay on the cutting edge of what’s new so that we can offer you the very best. The Color Wow Dreamcoat treatment is blow-dried into the hair to battle frizz, fight off humidity, and control moisture levels - perfect for when it warms up (whenever that happens). We’re serious when we say, it’s rated the number one humidity blocker among other humidity-defiant products on the market.

In addition to Dream Coat, we also offer a variety of other products the brand offers available for purchase in our salon or online so you can take it all home with you.

The process leaves you with sleek and shiny hair that has your hair looking fresh on day 3 as it did on day 1!

We’re serious when we say, add it to your next blow-out appointment, you will love it!

Tulips, Tantrums and Togetherness

It’s been a while since the last newsletter but here we are, full swing into spring. I think it’s officially safe to say we’re over the snowstorms, lockdowns and capacity restrictions, life feels pretty normal. It’s quite busy around here and there’s always something to be done.

 

For the last 10 days, I was holding down the fort at home as my husband went to Florida to spend time with his family. At first, the idea of it felt nerve-wracking because there was something intimidating about being the only responsible parent at home. It felt overwhelming and a lot of pressure but there’s also another side to it. On one hand, you think… the house will be neat and tidy, there’s no pressure to cook gourmet meals and you can sit in ugly pants and fall asleep on the couch without judgment. But, this time it was a little more eye-opening for me.  For instance, I usually take a shower at night while Kevin is home but being home alone with just the girls made me feel uneasy, so I had to take my shower in the morning. Also, my children would give me every excuse in the book not to go to bed and that’s a whole other struggle I needed to deal with. In fact, one night Harper decided to act as if she had a sprained ankle and even went as far as to wrap it with a tensor bandage just to get some extra attention. There’s always something and bedtime has been way too late since he’s been gone. I do miss him for that structure. Another thing I miss is just having somebody to cuddle with at night. When you’re sleeping in an empty king-size bed it feels lonely.

 

I would love to say that it was relaxing but those wouldn’t be the words that I would choose to describe it. We had a lot going on. I worked a lot, the kids had tutoring, dance lessons, play dates at my sister’s house, a birthday party at a trampoline park, and I managed to squeeze a night out salsa dancing with my girls (my legs literally felt like jello). One of my favourite moments I shared with the girls is the tulip farm we went to over the weekend. A good friend of mine suggested going a few weeks back and I jumped on the opportunity. I love long road trips to random destinations and just appreciating the simple pleasures and beauties in life. When she sent me this, especially being somebody who loves flowers, I got really excited.

 It was a beautiful day, and the weather was perfect. I threw on the latest dress I got from Forever 21 in Michigan for $30 and made a day out of it. There were so many long fields of tulips scattered with colours of pink, yellow, red, blue, purple, orange, literally every colour under the rainbow. I didn’t even know there were so many different types of tulips. It was beautiful and of course you know I love taking good pictures. One thing I didn’t factor in was Madison‘s allergies to pollen. Poor thing had swollen eyes for the following 48 hours and refused to take off her blue screen glasses so she could cover them up. All I can say is thank God for Reactine! It’s such a beautiful thing to spend alone time with your girls but I must say, we all really missed dad.

In the same weekend, we went to a good friend’s birthday where we also had more adventures jumping on trampolines and rock climbing. It’s crazy to see how big my kids are getting and the things that they can do. As there were many nights of tantrums and Harper screaming that she didn’t want to go to bed, not wanting to shower, not wanting to eat, completely ignoring me and then having to deal with Madison's tantrums because Harper‘s tantrums were too loud. As many threats as I gave them that I was going to run away and not come back for several weeks, I truly wouldn’t change a thing. These years have gone by so fast and they’re growing into such beautiful little girls and I’m so proud to call them mine. Oh, and let’s not forget Sandy. I’m sure she misses Kevin a little bit as well. lol.

Hope you guys had an amazing week and are tuning into all our new podcast episodes.

Be sure to listen to this week’s episode titled, No rain, No flowers. I would say that it seems very fitting for my latest adventures.

 XO for now,

Pam

Bittersweet Moments

Hey Elevate Fam,

 As we all sit and wait for warmer spring weather, crossing our fingers we don’t get that one last snow blizzard that usually catches us by surprise, I really can’t wait to see all the new flowers I planted last year bloom! It really makes you think of the seeds that you sow in your life while you’re waiting for them to bloom into something beautiful.

 I have to say, the last couple of months have been quite draining for me, but I always choose to wake up, write in my gratitude journal, slap a smile on my face with some lipstick, and leave the house. This newsletter may feel different from the others as today I don’t have a lot of energy left inside to give. I was still inspired to write something to let you guys know that I too sometimes feel heavy but I’m so grateful to all of you. The support system and community we’ve created in the salon for you is the same for me. As you come in and drop all your worries at the door and leave elevated, I feel the same way. Thank you for being so loyal to the elevate culture and community.

On another note, I wanted to share exciting news with you! We’re now carrying a new product line, Miller and Kara. Jason Lee, the founder of this incredible product line is Toronto-based and is known for his exceptional balayage and hair colour. I’ve been working with my rep for quite some time now to get my hands on his line and I’m so excited it’s finally here. Not only does it revive brittle, over-processed hair, but it provides your locks with the ultimate shine, and smoothness with a perfect silky soft finish. And let’s also talk about the packaging…Hello, Coco Chanel vibes!

I absolutely love this product and you will too! Shop it online or pick it up in the salon.

P.S. If you haven’t yet, tune in to my latest podcast episode.

Maskless In The City

Where does the time go? It feels like it was yesterday I was sitting at my dining table planning out March Break with the girls. Figuring out where we were going to go, which hotels to stay at and where to get the best lattes. Now, it’s already Thursday and the kids are back in the swing of things but with something new...MASKLESS.

I must say this was quite a weird moment for us and having the "mask talk" with your kids was something even weirder. Explaining to them that everyone has a choice, and we need to respect it was odd to me. I told my girls that even if their mind changes day by day, or hour by hour, it’s fine too. After all, we’ve spent the last two years behind a mask so if they feel more comfortable with them on, then that would be completely understandable. I can say even for myself, working with a mask on was incredibly challenging because I live for facial expressions, not to mention talking over a blow dryer was one of the most frustrating things. I can only imagine how it feels to start at a brand new school not knowing a single kid’s face because they’ve been behind masks or how often they switched from being in-class to online. It really blows my mind with how adaptable kids are, they’ve learned to just roll with it. And now to be at the "final '' phase where they can remove the mask and feel semi ''normal" is quite a moment, even for me as well. I’m so proud of them for how long they went through all of this and came out ok.

 

On Monday’s podcast episode, I was discussing the mixed emotions of removing the mask. Obviously being the person that I am, the physical mask wasn't the only focus, but the mask that some of us may have been hiding behind in our lives. There are many things that we’re not facing head-on because it feels easier or "safer" to just cover them up or hide behind.

If you have not yet subscribed, please do! Listen on Apple or Spotify!

P.S. Montréal was a blast and what I've learned is that the KISS method is great! (Keep It Simple Stupid). I was going to over plan every single day of the trip with activities, places to eat, etc. and I thought, Nah just go and wing it, and to be honest, it was great! The highlight of the trip was the kids using the hotel amenities (aka the pool and calling the concierge to make their bed). It made me think I can just totally book a hotel in Toronto and have just as good of a time! Minus the 10+ hours in the car with two sisters literally repeating "Mom, mom, mom". I think personally the highlight for them was stumbling across the Barbie Expo.

Remember To Always... Wash Your Face and Wash Your Scalp

You’re probably wondering, what is she talking about? Wash your scalp?

So I’ve been dying to tell you all about something I’ve recently fallen in love with...... SCALP FACIALS!


Let's rewind… So this relationship between me and Oakville has already been my secret love affair. I literally find every excuse in the book to visit Oakville. Let me name a few of my favourite spots to start…

The Flavour Fox I would literally drive here twice a week last March to October for vegan ice cream (she literally makes me flavours by request and at this point, knows me by name).

Helen Nails 21 where I go every four weeks for my beautiful bio-gel nails. Helen always sends me home with the cutest nail designs.

A vegan delish meal at Lettuce Love Cafe. They have the BEST Pumpkin Spice Latte!

The Homebody Studio to pick up just about anything and everything cozy but most of all, of course, to visit my two Oakville Besties Kassandra and Natasha!

Speaking of Kassandra, this brings me back to the subject of scalp facials. So it all started one bright afternoon while taking my regular scroll down the abyss of Instagram when I saw Miss Kass post a Reel from Gyoker Wellness Clinic. I immediately commented and even followed up with a text asking her where the heck this place was that she was getting this treatment from. Long story short, I’m now hooked. In fact, last Friday, we had a girl’s night there with Denise and Cousin Dan, we all scalped up together! Teo, the owner and beauty behind this incredible wellness clinic was so generous to stay open late just to accommodate us!

To give you a bit of background, Gyoker Hair is a holistic wellness clinic that provides Scalp Facial therapy treatments, Reflexology, Holistic Nutrition, and Reiki healing. Their team of wellness coaches and practitioners help you heal from within. These incredible scalp treatments help with atopic scalp conditions such as alopecia, psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff and more. The entire process from start to finish is relaxing and exactly what you need after a long day, week, or year. Once you book your scalp facial, you’ll be back for more - I promise! When you do book, use our code Elevate.10 for 10% off!

If you haven’t yet, check out my latest podcast episode where we sit down with Teo from Gyoker and chat about wellness, self-care and healing from the inside. We also touch on how she started her journey and how Gyoker came about - it’s a good one!

Gratitude & Great News!

I don’t know about you, but it seems like time is flying by. Not too long ago we were counting down the seconds to midnight and now it’s almost March Break… Seriously!

Where has the time gone? Does anybody else miss the part of the initial lockdown where time seemed to move really slow? Days felt longer and we had more time on our hands. I kind of miss it to be honest. We really need to focus on being present in the moment and appreciative of what’s here, not rushing to the next moment.

In the last little while; I’ve been focusing on gratitude. Gratitude plays such an important role in our everyday lives. There is so much we have in a day to be grateful for, but we take it for granted. How about clean drinking water, the ability to go outside for a walk (even if it’s cold) and enjoy our surroundings, having the freedom to come and go as we please. So many things get overlooked because we just expect them to work out for us. 

If you’re wondering where this stemmed from, I recently started this new book, “The Magic”. It focuses on gratitude, and I highly recommend it. When you focus on what you have instead of what you want, what you have grows and what you lack shrinks because you realize it’s no longer as significant as you thought. Sometimes, we wish for things but the things we wish for could actually cause more damage. It’s an interesting read and hint, hint, this topic might be making an appearance in the next podcast episode. Have you subscribed yet? If not, give it a listen! There’s always a lot of juicy insight to listen to on your walk, drive to work or just chilling in bed. 

Speaking of new things, we’ve been working on a little something at the salon for all of you… and when I say we, I mean my husband…and it’s almost complete. I’m very excited to introduce or shall I say re-introduce, Hannah, our amazing facial tech. Her hands are literally magic and will make your skin feel (and look) its best.

Self-care is very important. It’s about taking that necessary time for you to relax and decompress. We always want you to feel your best and adding this facial service will really focus on that. Often times, we fail to nurture ourselves because of our busy schedules.

The quality of products was at the forefront when we decided to introduce this service which is why we partnered with Midnight Paloma, a Canadian female-run company that carries clean and simple ingredients. You know I’m a sucker for entrepreneurs and local businesses, so I’m excited to carry these products at the salon and welcome Hannah to our Elevate family.

The best part is she can tell you what to use for yourself at home and you can get it right here at Elevate Beauty Lofts. We’re so excited to start and will send you all the information as soon as we’re ready. In the meantime, be sure to ask Erin at your next appointment for one of our samples of the line to try for yourself. 

As always, we’re so grateful for each and every one of you, everybody reading this and everybody who walks through our doors. We’re always planning, always listening and always striving to provide for all of your needs.

 Bundle up, keep warm and have an amazing weekend!

 Yours truly,

Pam

Hello February!

Well, we made it through the dog days of January and have entered a month where there’s something to finally look forward to… VALENTINE’S DAY!

Ok, so some of you may be saying, ugh, I'm single… or… blah it’s a government money spending crock of a holiday. Well, SHUSH! Sure, it’s advertised for that special someone in your life, but what if we change gears a little bit and focused on it being a day of love. Does love only come from a romantic perspective? Isn't this kind of where Galentine’s Day came from? And sorry for all the lovers of Valentine’s Day, but there’s something to be said about Galentine’s Day just being way more fun - am I right?


Why not make this a day about celebrating loving relationships! Whether it’s your friends, dog, cat, co-worker, or even YOURSELF! It can be with whomever/whatever you choose.

Make it a tradition to love YOU and celebrate the people around you. As for me, this year I've got a date planned with my niece! We are headed for scalp facials at Gyoker Hair, a reflexology appointment (hello total relaxation), lunch, and a car ride belting out some Adele! Also, I’ve placed an order for fresh flowers to be delivered to yours truly…. Yes for ME! I’m celebrating LOVE. Valentine’s Day is for LOVE in any form it may come!

On another note! This week, we released an inspiring podcast episode talking to an AMAZING young lady by the name of Boluwatife. She is the owner and creator of the brand Ashanti Avenue – an accessory boutique offering gorgeous headbands and fun scrunchies. She is honestly exceptional.

I really enjoyed talking with her and what inspired me was how strong she was at such a young age. Moving with her family to Canada and facing many challenges as a young black female such as bullying and misconceptions by her fellow classmates, she took those challenges and turned them into an opportunity for herself. I’m excited to say that we are collaborating on a secret project together that will be out soon. Until then, visit her website and IG to shop some of her pieces. If you haven’t listened to the episode, do it now! She built a beautiful brand by taking difficult situations and turned them into her testimony! 


Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to honour Black History Month. Let’s take some time to celebrate the achievements that were made by so many up until this day.


Have a cozy weekend and don't forget to take some time to honour yourself this Valentine’s Day aka Love Day!

xoxo,

Pammy

See Ya January!

We’re in the final days of January – how did everyone do? For me personally, it was like a rollercoaster ride. Some days were slow, others were busy, throw in a few cancelled plans, kids schooling at home and no social life but… I count my blessings daily that I’m healthy and alive with 10 fingers, 10 toes, a sound mind (most days), people around me to experience life and love with and most of all I AM STILL IN BUSINESS. As much as I could complain about a schedule that wasn't as full as some weeks, the mere fact that my doors have remained open, is a blessing to me.

 As many of you know, this year I branched off on my own and started "Elevate: The Podcast”. If you haven't listened yet, what are you waiting for?!? I share this because there is an episode coming out on Monday talking about ways we can ELEVATE ourselves - this year and every year. We get stuck in the routine of calling January a depressing month, but what is it around you and in your mindset that makes you view it that way? If we shift our perspectives around in certain situations, we can always find the light. When I create these episodes, I’m sometimes preaching to myself. You guys are all so close to my heart, you’re my community and elevate family so it’s important for me to share some encouraging thoughts with you.

Between the podcasts, these blog posts and having you in my chair, you have no idea how much of an outlet it is for me. I know January has been hard, people have lost loved ones, lost their identity, faced confusion, health scares, feel frustrated, hopeless, but in the words of Holly Firtick, “It is easier to stay stuck in that but if we choose the "simple" act of switching our perspective, it can be very rewarding.”

I know it’s easier said than done, it can be difficult to simply switch our perspective but the more we practice and manifest what we want to accomplish, the easier it’ll become. It’s much easier to remain in your comfort zone rather than try something new but with it comes great benefits long term.

There were three steps she gave that I found helpful…

  1. Accept - don't feel ashamed for where you are and the decisions you made, today is the starting place for true change.

  2. Ask for help - hiding and pretending you're okay is easy, but it’s simple to call a friend (or talk to your fav stylist).

  3. Act - take the steps to get out of the old thinking patterns and truly create the change.

 Again, this may not seem "easy", but it sure is simple.


I have laughed and cried with so many of you, I am here for you. I love you guys so much and you all have a special place in my heart.

 xoxo

Pammy

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast (Apple or Spotify)

 Oh and PS, we’ve added a new feature to our site where you can directly shop our products – I encourage you to check it out!

Merry Christmas!

Well, here we are only days away before the big guy with the big belly and the white beard comes sliding down our chimneys…Or, maybe through our keyhole.

This is the week where the mayhem begins. Everybody is rushing to get last-minute gifts; I’ve even seen people rummaging through Shoppers Drug Mart desperately searching for something to give their loved ones.

Despite the pandemonium, I still love this season. We experimented with several drive-through events, Christmas trail walks, and Christmas pop-up events. From the Distillery Winter Village to meeting with Santa for pictures at Cloverdale Mall, we did it all. It feels like last year’s Christmas was robbed from us and now I’m trying to make up for the lost time.

 

My favourite Christmas event we went to was the Canadian Tire Christmas Trail. If you only knew the drama of how hard it was for me to get a ticket. It took me four weeks of logging in right at 10:30 AM only to be disappointed by either the site crashing or the tickets being sold out by 10:31 AM. I wasn’t giving up, even during my visit with the vet, I was clicking away. As the vet was asking about Sandy’s progress, I just smiled and nodded, focusing more on trying to get those tickets. I had to explain to the vet how important it was to get these tickets and he laughed and continued to watch me frantically check my phone. I also had three friends at home on their computers trying to get me a spot in line as well. All that effort paid off because we eventually got in and I must say, it was worth it. They did a beautiful job with the lights and overall setup. It was as though you really entered into the North Pole and escaped into a Christmas oasis from the comfort of your car. The best part was that my mom came last minute and even she really enjoyed how beautiful it was. We were greeted with milk and cookies, although we couldn’t have the milk because you know it’s cow, and cow’s milk and Pam just don’t get along but the cookies were the most delicious gingerbread cookies I’ve ever eaten. I don’t know if it was the cookie or the moment, but the whole experience was just breathtaking. I’ll be sure to mark this event in my calendar for next year and hopefully get in on the opening day.

On another note, I know this is an unsure and crazy time once again for us. It feels like we were slowly getting back to a normal that seemed almost like the old one and then BOOM. We woke up with more restrictions and the nightmare continues. With all of this happening in the news and on social media, you just can’t get away from it. I can’t even keep up with the number of variants going around but as long as we continue to do our part, wear our masks, and be safe, we’ll get back to normal again, until then still try to find the joy in the season.

 

With all things Covid aside, there are many going through loss, heartbreak, sickness, anxiety, and so on. Each of us has or is going through something in addition to the anxieties of Covid. It’s hard, but the more compassion we can have for one another and the more good we can look for in every circumstance, the more we can rise up and create positivity and happiness that will hopefully, impact someone else’s life in a positive way.

 

It’s easier to share the bad news and the drama of our current circumstances but let’s not choose the easy way this season. Instead, let’s try to find that silver lining and constantly work to search for the good in each circumstance rather than dwell on the negative. We will get out of this and come out stronger, better than ever and united together.

I want to wish every single one of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. No matter what it is that you celebrate, I wish you all the joy and love!

We can’t wait to see you all soon… Well, when you see me, I might have a few extra pounds of turkey and stuffing on me but who’s counting.

 

Merry Christmas!

I love you and looking forward to some exciting updates in the new year…(wink, wink, a new podcast is coming). In the meantime, here’s a bit of entertainment from last year…

 

XO Pam