Final Cut

I think I have to break up with my hair stylist. It might sound superficial to a lot of you, but for some women this is a great source of anxiety.

I've been with my guy for seven years, and have been wrestling with the decision to leave him for a few months. He hasn't wronged me in any way. I trust him completely with my secrets and my locks. Looking back, he's played a role in some big life changes. He's been there for breakups, graduations, new jobs and first dates. Each cut has given me a needed boost of self confidence.

So why leave him?

Prices have gone up over the years - approximately a $100 increase for cut/highlight. Also, my entire life is lived in Shawnee and Lawrence - tell me you want to fight Westport traffic after driving 40 miles home from work, and I'll tell you that you're a big, fat liar. And making a Saturday appointment is out of the question during football/basketball season (most salons aren't open Sunday and Monday). Finally, I have the opportunity for a very qualified someone to cut and color me for free. FREE. I could save nearly $1,000/year.

For a lot of women, their hair stylist is a trusted confidant. What's said in that chair is the equivalent of a therapy session in emotional vomit and price - except you leave with happy hair and don't have the awkward waiting room experience.

Why is it so hard to leave? It seems like a simple decision, but it's NOT. I can't just walk away - and neither can others. I've asked a few women about the same thing, and I got answers like "Oh God, I'd probably sob uncontrollably if I had to leave my stylist" and "I want to leave my stylist, but I can't because she has cancer."

Have you ever had to "break up" with your hair guy/gal? How did you do it?

And if you're a stylist - what is the proper way to break up with you? What's offensive and what isn't?

So, it's a Halloween costume, right?

One of the designers on the new season of Project Runway (premieres August 20 on Lifetime) is from Kansas City, Mo.

Ari Fish is super conceptual and artsy. Honestly, I'm worried she'll be the outcast weirdo designer. KC has the worst luck when it comes to reality TV stars (other than Dan from The Real World: Miami. I like him.)

Below are two photos. One is from her portfolio, the other is Kauffman Stadium. You decide which is which.

This is why I shop

This is how Laura and I justify buying things like the Theory tote pictured to the right:

Whitney Mathews: oh sh*t I did it! I just clicked "submit order"

My order is confirmed. We have matching totes. Stay in Chicago so no one knows. ;)

Laura Watkins: hahaha

when i come back we should go to lunch

and bring our matching bags

and then accidentally switch bags

and make a movie about how goofy our day is

because we just switched bags, oh sh*t

Whitney Mathews: And we'd find scandalous things in each other's bags.

Laura Watkins: right

or like, you'd need your shot because you are a diabetic in this movie (I am not diabetic in real life)

and i have your insulin

and i have a report to give

but all of my stuff is in my bag that you have

so i have to improvise

and you'd find pacifiers

and find out that i have this closet baby no one knows about

So Mom, if you could let me know when that bag arrives at your house, that'd be great.