Because I'm happy...

Here we are again!  Monday!  The  beginning of the work week.  The beginning.  There are so many people who don't love Mondays (I am one).  I feel like it's just another beginning of a week that I'll be tired from by the end of the week...

Because I'm 'type A', I usually use this day to get my week in order.  My meals are decided upon, my laundry is done, the beds get made and I run errands and go to appointments.  Because I'm Praise, I like things laid out easily so that the week will go by smoothly (it doesn't always work)...

Because I'm a human being, I take too much time in concerning myself with things that sometimes don't matter.  Because I'm happy, I'm going to face this week with gusto and fervor!  It's going to be a great week (plus I think we're getting weather in the double digits!)

Peace

the fresh perspective...

A CHANGE 'GON COME... We're knee-deep in to 2014 and there's a lot going on this year for Freshair Boutique.  We're looking to do a little expanding and changing the look of our shop from the roota to the toota.  I too am expanding and will be changing my schedule come September, yikes!  For someone who is always 'up for something new', I am feeling a little nervous.  Change is good but also scary...

What makes change so terrifying?  From moving cities, to giving birth.  New hair styles to new jobs.  From renovations to huge financial decisions...  All these types of changes are, in my opinion, an attempt to better our lives in one way or another.  But why does it feel like it's somehow going to end badly?

You what folks? I don't have all the answers.  I'm just here to shed a little light, offer some perspective, and hopefully open your eyes to a different way of looking at things.  I always love to hear people give their opinions because it helps me see things differently and opens my mind to new possibilities.

I wasn't always up for listening to other people's opinions about most things because I always thought that I was right.  Even now, sometimes I have to check myself when I think that my way is the only way and the best way.  I have a lot of ideas about how things should be and how things should go.  I am changing though.  I have to if I want to make the best out of the one life I have been given.  Are you changing?  For the better?  That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

YOU THINK YOU KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE NO IDEA.... I'm just going to rant for a teeny bit ( not too long...).  Last night I went to see Off the Beaten Path: Women, Violence and Art at the WAG.  It was very intense and made me think of many, many things... Most of all I thought about WOMEN.  What a special group of people we are! I mean, seriously!  I applaud all of us and I'll say that I don't acknowledge our gender enough.

We do so much on a day-to-day basis and even if you aren't a wife or mother, you're probably a sister or daughter so you still qualify to be great!  I am a woman who wears many hats but it seems to me that I receive the most praise (no pun intended) for the things I have become and not the person/woman I am.  Before I was a wife and a mother and a business owner, I was just a girl, a young woman, Praise.  No one seemed to tell me how fabulous I was then...

Fast forward many years, and after the mother/wife label I'm all of a sudden soooo much better than the Praise I was?  I mean, okay, my life has become more complicated but I think we should hi-five all the ladies, single ones and married ones.  Let's send a shout-out to the mothers and the non-mothers, let's give a hip-hooray for the full-time working chicks and the ones that don't get paid to work.  We need to focus on supporting each other even if we don't have the 'proper titles' yet.  The fact that we are women is reason enough to celebrate us.

Don't hesitate to support or complement a lady you know.  No matter what she does, or how she lives, she could use some encouraging words.  We all can.  That's the fresh perspective...

Are you the right color?

While I was away I learned a LOT about coloring hair (especially blondes).  The most important thing I took away was that many of us color our hair without any thought of the specific shade.  No one likes brassiness, and natural (matte) colors wash us out...?  What's a girl to do?

During our class, we did spend some time talking about what natural hair shades, skin tone, eye color, eyebrow color, and lash color can do for you when you're deciding what color to be or what color to try.  In my humble opinion, there's always going to be a color that suits you best considering the guidelines I mentioned earlier.  They aren't set in stone, but they do make sense in what would look harmonious with your natural coloring.

If you're one to try any color REGARDLESS of your coloring, that's awesome!  I think life's too short to stay the same shade but let me say this.  If you are venturing out in coloring your hair in a shade that is VERY unnatural, be prepared to do some work.  You might need to change-up your entire make-up regime.  Maybe your wardrobe would need some updating, and more often than not, you'll be spending quite a bit of money to maintain this 'crazy color' you've chosen for yourself.

The next time you're in the shop seeing your stylist, ask him/her about shades that are most flattering to your natural state.  I will be honest, not every stylist will know what to look for, but I'm hope your stylist would be able to be honest with you if they didn't know. At the end of the day, you need to decide what color you think you feel the best in, and what color is the easiest on your lifestyle and your wallet.  There are a lot of factors that go into coloring your hair including proper products.

There are so many tones of red, blonde, brown or black that you can be, so don't feel like your options are limited.  Take the time to find out what shade would be most flattering to your natural coloring.  Ask a professional and see what they say... You might be surprised.

the fresh perspective...

SPRING IS HERE?! We're officially into spring (so says the Gregorian calendar) and in Winnipeg it's hard to believe that there will be an end to the 'polar vortex'.  I had been away for the past week and even where I visited had extremely cold weather.

While I was away, I learned about how to become an expert on blonde hair and I'm dying to get some lightener on some clients (stay tuned for my 'blonde expert' advice).  Blonde hair makes me think of warmth, summer, tans, and bronzers...  I feel like it'll take forever to see grass and to throw my feet into Birkenstocks again.

What are your summer plans this year?  Is the weather where you are living as bad as the weather in Winnipeg, Manitoba?  Do you have any spring aspirations?  Today I'm going to paint my nails a nice light color and pretend that my lady spring will be here soon.... I'm not going to hold my breath though, that's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

WE ARE FOUR YEARS OLD!!

Wowee!  I can't believe that it's been four years!  It's been an unbelievable experience and I couldn't have made it to this point without all the wonderful ladies that work with me everyday!

CHRISTIE (manager)

This woman is an incredible person and I feel lucky to be exposed to her persona on a daily basis.  If you could spend some serious time with Christie I think it would quicken you to want to be a better person.  She just has this way about her that makes you want MORE.  I know she is an integral reason in the way we've grown over the past years.  Christie, you inspire me to grow because you make me want MORE for the shop, and the clients that visit us, and the staff that work here.  I love you.

TESSA (receptionist)

You really got the hang of the receptionist gig at Freshair and I applaud your quick learning skills.  It isn't easy to do all you do for us, and then you do more.  Remeber sitting in my chair as a young lady?  Now you are ringing our clients through.  You've really come into yourself in these past few months and I'm glad that I got to see you blossom.  You are a gem Tessa and I'm glad you've stuck with me for this long... I love you.

AMY (stylist)

Amy Michelle.... Amy Michelle.  You've known me the longest on a personal level and I just want you to know that whatever you do, and wherever you go in life, I will always be somewhere close by.  It would take hell and high water for you to get rid of me.  I just need you to know that.  You are a permanent fixture in my life from now till whenever we cease to exist.  You are loved by me.

ANDRÉE (stylist)

You have brought something into Freshair that is remarkable.  Amidst all of our silliness and frivolity you bring a gentle nurturing.  It sounds so cliché Andrée, but it is the honest truth.  Your love for life, and your simplicity and patience, are something that I truly admire and I know that one day you will be something of importance to many people.  For one, you are someone of importance to me.   Je prends le temps de réfléchir davantage. C'est ce que vous avez fait. Je t'aime.  Merci, merci, merci.

CHLOE (stylist)

My young assistant turned stylist.  Look at you!  Look! You warm my heart in the most sincere way.  I love you and I don't think you even know how much.  I wish there was another way to express it and another way to show you.  You make me proud everyday Chloe.  Please don't change too much as you grow into a woman.  The world needs your type of casualness, we all do...

OLIVIA (stylist)

You are a new member and I hope that you can feel like you made a good decision joining our team.  I feel like we couldn't have filled that chair with a better lady.  I'm hoping that the upcoming years will lead you into more of a fulfilling position with us and you will have all your heart desires.  With your type of drive and ambition, I believe you can do anything.  It sounds cheesy but I'm in your corner.  Don't forget that.

HEATHER (Aesthetician)

You saved us Heather!  I knew you were out there and I didn't want to give up looking.  I'm elated that you chose us to take this journey with.  In your interview you shared with me some of your hopes, dreams and goals.  I want Freshair to be able to help you get there.  It's been only a few weeks, but what I've seen has given me so much confidence in you! Welcome! I hope you like it here!

Jacqui, Crystal, Brittany, Lisa, Maegan, Ashley, Emmanuel, Pascale, Renée, Rochelle, Choice, Jill, and Rhema (I hope I got everyone, if not, I'm so sorry).  All of you have worked at Freshair at one point or another and some of you still do (sort of).  Don't you even think for a second that I forgot about you guys!  For many reasons you are no longer a part of the staff, but in my heart, you are always part of my team.  I appreciate you guys and hope for the best for each and every one of you.  For you guys? A haiku...

PEOPLE COME AND GO I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU GUYS WHAT YOU DID WAS SWEET

I'm proud, I'm pleased, we made it another year.  Thanks to all of you that support us as well.  From suppliers to clients, and even all of you on the inter-web, I am eternally grateful!

That's the fresh perspective...

Photos: Brittany Hildebrandt Photography, Tristan Fast Photography, and 26 Merton Road