the fresh perspective...

A new day, a new chance.

Something about the New year really gets me excited.  I mean, I do LOVE Christmas (it's my fave holiday) but resolutions remind me of new beginnings and new starts.  Promises to myself to try to be better, and to set goals.  New years make me think of new days and how every new day gives us another chance.

I'm often asked how I do it, or how I keep it together?  I try to get a good sleep and I wait for the next day.  Have you ever seen a prairie sun rise?  It's incredible.  It's very inspiring.  It makes you feel----I can't describe it.  You need to see one to understand.   The morning sun shows us the newness of the day on an expanse of field till your eyes can see nothing but the horizon.  That act of the 'sun coming up' has a way of dissolving the drama from the day before it.

We just finished conducting a questionnaire about how Freshair Boutique can be better and I would like to thank all the clients that participated in this effort to help us grow and be a staple in the community.  We are turning 6 this year and every single new day has brought us to this point. We are happy to have another chance to help you with all your hair needs and nail needs and fashion needs and, you know where this is going...

That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

I AM NOT MY HAIR I would like to have a bit of an open discussion about hair.  To be more specific, a **black woman's hair.  I've been styling for over 15 years and have never felt that my hair was defining me everyday.  When I cut it off a few months back, I didn't realize the backlash that would ensue... My husband hated it, and some clients felt like I would be making a huge mistake.  Some people even said, 'too bad, she's a pretty girl...'.  I'm not sure I understood that when I was born, it was my duty to choose only hairstyles that would be comforting to all the human beings on earth.  Me choosing to cut my hair has offended some...  I didn't realize that cutting off MY OWN HAIR, would bring so many opinions up.

What I find truly confusing is how many people have told me that they think it looks great!  Are they lying?  Do they think I went too far?  My question to you is this, "Does your hair make you who you are?".  Do you agree with the fact that society has tried to mold us to feel like if we don't do things this way then that will happen?  Are any of you black ladies in agreement with me or not?  Do you think your hair is you? White ladies, do you think that hair is that important or not?  Also boys, what say you here?  Do you feel like I've touched on something?

One of my co-workers told me of a story of a young white girl who had braids done in her hair and so many black girls lashed out saying, 'you gotta take our hairstyle too?!  why can't we have our own thing?'.  Ummmm, WHAT?!  No race or nationality owns hair!  You own your hair and no one else...  I'd really like to know what y'all think, Caucasian and African American/Canadian or any other race for that matter...

That's the fresh perspective....

**I use the term 'black' and 'white' loosely.  I do not mean to offend anyone, I'm just not the best typist and find using those terms easier on my fingers than using the terms Caucasians or African American/Canadian.  I know the terms used in this article are not politically correct and once again I mean not to offend.**

the fresh perspective...

Tomorrow is Easter and ARE YOU READY?!  What have you got planned? A lot of dinners? Chocolate egg hunts?  Sleeping in?  Well whatever it is you'll be getting into this weekend, enjoy yourself and be safe. I'll be attempting my first lemon bundt cake for my Easter celebrations and I thought I'd post the recipe.

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 1/4 cups (560 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) salt
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cup (430 ml) sugar
• Grated zest of 2 lemons
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) buttermilk (see note)

Icing

• 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) icing sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice, approximately

Preparation

1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Generously butter and flour a 2.5 litres (10 cups) Bundt or tube cake pan.

Cake

2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and lemon zest with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until smooth. At low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the lemon juice and buttermilk.
4. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool. Unmould from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack. Set aside on a baking sheet.

Icing

5. In a bowl, combine the icing sugar and lemon juice. If necessary, add a little juice or icing sugar so that the frosting is just runny. Pour over the cooled cake so that the glaze drips over the sides.

That's the fresh perspective...

...thanks for the recipe Jocelyn...

the fresh perspective...

WELCOME TO THE NEW AGE 2015 is here!  Resolutions, begin!  I'm amazed at how fast last year came and went.  What a trip!  I delivered a baby in 2014 and we expanded the shop in 2014.  I d-jayed (I dunno how to spell Dee-jay. Sorry) in a night club and took a train for the first time.  What's 2015 going to bring?  I do have a few tricks up my sleeve...  For me, 2015 will be the year of my big chop (again).

For all of the hairstyles I have tried, this one is new.  I'd like to be bald for just once in my life and 2015 will be the year I do so.  What are you going to try?  You get another year to do it all again.  Anything you regretted last year?  Anything you would like to try again?  2015 is new and fresh and just waiting for you to leave your mark on her.  Do you have what it takes?

That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

Family Ties

Now that the holidays are pretty much here (my last day is the 23rd) family members and loved ones start to stream into the city in a steady trickle.  I'm sure there are many people headed to the airport this weekend.  Maybe you're picking up a family member, or getting away for the 25th, the airport is a buzz.  The city is alive and you can feel the energy in the atmosphere change.

Christmas is around the corner and my family and I enjoy it with a good dose of basketball.  I know it's bizarre but our family tradition does include a good dose of sports.  As 2014 comes to an end, I'm again reminded about how important my relatives are to me. We expanded our family by one this summer as well!  To be able to just unwind, rest, and love all these people makes me feel complete.   I'm excited, I'm grateful and I'm very happy.  Happy holidays to all of you from all of us!

That's the fresh perspective...

Bump on it

Now that I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy I'm struggling a little with my wardrobe.  Thank god it hasn't been too hot but there are only so many maxi dresses I can buy.  Fortunately I gained more weight around my lower half so I can fit into most of my old jackets. sweaters and cardigans.

I've long given up on wearing heels but because I have such wide feet, not all flat styles work.  I've resorted to Birkenstocks and the occasional converse (when I can get help to lace them up) .  Layers also make me feel good when I'm pregnant.  I did a lot of vests and long sweaters in the spring as the weather was thawing.  For some reason, this pregnancy, I've been really exposing my bump.  I've been wearing things that show off the shape and you know what, I'm comfortable with it.

Gone are the days of mumu's and shapeless shifts folks!  It's a new day to show your bump off.  If you are in Winnipeg, check out Bump Maternity for some great outfits.  They are our neighbors at the shop so if you're in for a 'do' and are expecting?  Check them out.

Peace