Thursday, April 12, 2007 — As you know, I always try to recommend new looks for my regular clients based on what I think will suit them. But I've been giving Rosie Ruiz the same haircut since I've known her—a gray bob with bangs. She's never open to trying anything else.

"It's the best look for me, I swear," she always says. "I've been through more bad haircuts than you'd believe."

But one day she came in wanting something other than "the Rosie." She explained that one of the new birds in her store, the Pet Palace, had been so attracted to her gray 'do that it had burrowed itself in her hair and wouldn't come out. No amount of bird calling or enticing with treats could get the little guy to budge.

Trying not to laugh, I suggested a bird-repellent color change: elegant white hair with black spots, not unlike the look of a soccer ball. It was a style I'd been experimenting with and wanted to officially add to my repertoire. Reluctantly, Rosie said OK.

As soon as I started to dye her hair, the bird dislodged itself and flew out the door! Rosie was visibly relieved.

I was just finishing up what I thought was a lovely coloring job when Rosie's husband, Frank Ruiz, strolled in with their Dalmation, Buster. Rosie shrieked, I dropped my comb, and Buster leapt into the chair beside Rosie, wagging his tail. The hair on his head had been trimmed and dyed into what looked a lot like a gray bob.

"Holy sugar gliders, Frank, what happened?!" she exclaimed.

"I felt maybe Buster could help distract that bird in your hair," Frank replied. "So I took some scissors and grayish paint and gave him a little makeover."

"The bird's gone," I piped up. "I hope it knows the way back to the store." An awkward silence followed.

Rosie sat looking in silent horror at Buster.

"What were you going for there, Tania? Rosie looks just like Buster now," said Frank finally.

I started to laugh loudly and uncontrollably because I hadn't even noticed—Rosie and Buster had totally switched hairdos!

Rosie found her voice. "This is like the time you misplaced our chinchilla! He looks as ugly as that iguana we used to have! Please wash him off and fix his hair! Tania, I want my old color back!"

I agreed to restore Rosie's gray color, while Frank headed home to de-Rosie Buster's hair. Meanwhile, Rosie started muttering about peacocks and chickens and eel food. I suppose it had been a trying day for all of us. I was a little disappointed she didn't stick with my black and white suggestion, but I wasn't going to try and convince her.

She hasn't mentioned the incident to me since, but Rosie, if you're reading this, I hope we can laugh about it someday! It was one of the funnier things to happen in my hair salon, and certainly not one I'll forget any time soon!

Pete Peterson has just informed me that there are a couple new wallpapers for sale in Peterson's Hardware & Construction Emporium! They're in the spirit of the goofy outfits you're wearing this month. I hope you have all searched your wardrobes to find the silliest combinations. I have certainly gotten into the theme, wearing the brightest clothes in my closet with each other. Who cares about clashing? I think style is in the eye of the beholder.

Here are some of my favorite recent outfits:

• Yellow fringe skirt, short-sleeved shirt with checker tie, black space boots and blue 50's glasses
• Zebra pants, buccaneer shirt, white slippers and red cap
• Magenta jeans, Mr. Parrot t-shirt, creepers and top hat

What have you come up with?