Great Food; Great Hairstyle: The Holy Grail

Ladies,

Please - try to think of something better than:

1.) A scrumptious meal with your significant other or bff that is easy on the wallet and luxurious like crazy.

2.) A new hairdo that looks FABULOUS, takes less than 1 minute from start to finish and doesn't require a new styling appliance.

Thought of anything that soundly trumps these two?

A free trainer, perhaps?

No. That still requires work. Sweat. And coordinated clothing at the gym.

A new man?

No, that also dictates a certain amount of effort. You know it.

Sucking in your stomach in movies. Pretending that you prefer spicy wings to chicken salad laden with grapes and walnuts. Exhausting.

To my mind, it's hard to top magnificent food on the cheapsie and a swank hairstyle that's fast and easy!

And I found both for you last night in one of our country's most reliable bastions of upscale comfort: Houston's restaurant.

Note #1: Should you, sweet soul, not live near a Houston's, please consider the following dining counsel for a fave resto near you. And remember, it's not that you want your experience to be diminished in the current economy, you just want a more clever, cost-effective way of doing it.

Note #2: The menu I'm about to reveal is all about sharing, and the portions are huge. Sharing food with a friend or family member is fun. With a date, it's super sweet, as long as YOU suggest the sharing of each plate! Be sure to tell your man you think it's romantic - what HE will see as romantic is your unspoken compassion for the fact that his bonus was unjustifiably deferred to 2015. Or maybe you'd just prefer he save his cash for your outstanding diamond Christmas present, rather than 20% gratuity on something you'll digest by 11pm. According to a trusted male source, a woman who doesn't spend her man's money willy-nilly-style is considered smart and desirable. So kiss the man and suggest you share this meal of luxury I'm about to share with you!

Ready?

Appetizer: Smoked Salmon.

Really, it should be called something sexier. It's wildly sumptuous.

Your server will bring you a tremendous filet of deee-lish, perfectly smoked salmon, along with marvelous toasted crisps and creamy fresh tartar sauce for just $14. The portion is entree-sized. You will be slightly full already when finished. But pace yourself, because…

Entree: Traditional Salad, add Grilled Chicken, request Champagne Vinaigrette dressing.

This salad includes crispy bacon, tomatoes, sweet corn, perfect croutons and a HUGE slab of toasted cheese bread. Then they layer on what seems like two generous chicken breasts, sliced and delicious. You know how some salads seem chintzy and girly and punishing in their austerity? This one is NOT. It's fabulous. Man-friendly, even. And it, too, is just $14. You are now considerably full. But there's always room for…

Dessert: Apple Walnut Cobbler.

This thing would feed three linebackers, easily. And yet it's only $8. A ginormous, piping-hot apple cobbler bejeweled with yummy candied walnuts and incredible vanilla ice cream on top. You'll want to pass out when it arrives, and you can, because the check will be a breeze. Seriously. Just $36 for the whole meal. You could still add a glass of Cabernet (love Houston's generous pours!), some coffee, and be out the door for under $50.

Do you love me?

Wait - you should love what's next even more!

It's...

Chanel runway-worthy hair in less than 60 seconds.

Backstory: after dinner, I stopped into the ladies room to powder my nose. Next to me at the vanity was Caroline, a Houston's team member. She wore a super chic updo. Very French-cool-looking. It was a huge bun with style. I had to, had to ask her how she did it. And she kindly obliged, telling me it was the easiest thing ever. I did not believe this until she demonstrated. She even permitted my request to take photos of the updo assembly process!

First, I must tell you that Caroline, like me, has fine hair. It's not easy to make fine hair look thick and luxurious. A LOT of product and praying and perfect weather must all work together for fine hair to appear thick. Girls with hair like mine are always on the lookout for a style that makes their locks scream va-va-voom. This vigilance explains how I found myself in the Houston's ladies bathroom, taking step-by-step photos of a hairstyle that requires a running sock and two hairbands. Thank goodness for patient Caroline! Talk about going above and beyond in maintaining Houston's stellar customer service reputation!

Following are the easy-peasy steps, with photos. Many thanks to our lovely model and kindest teacher, Caroline!

1.) Start with hair in a ponytail.

2.) Take a running sock from your drawer. Cut hole in toe.

3.) Roll up running sock into itself, making a sock 'band' for your ponytail.

4.) Place sock band on top of existing ponytail holder.

5.) Splay hair over the sock band.

6.) Take another (normal) hair band and put into place over splayed hair, creating a bun shape.

7.) Twist loose hair around the band, making a nice, clean bun.

That's it! The bun will have even shape and make your hair appear super full. It looks slightly loose-cool yet tailored.

Gracias and kudos to the Houston's store manager on Beltline Road, in Addison, Texas who developed this sweet technique for chic!

Love,

Melinda

P.S.

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Photo Credit (statue of St. Peter holding key to heaven): Getty Images