magic monday - helmet hair

it's that time of year again! time to dust off your trusty two wheelers, and hit the mean streets!

it's easy to look cute on a bike, but when you add a helmet into the mix, it seems we all start running into a bit of trouble. LUCKILY, there are some amazing, cute hairstyles you can pair with your favorite helmet!

(I love my crisp white Bern)

Here's a little roundup of my favorite helmet friendly styles.

if your hair is on the longer side, try sprucing up the traditional pigtail by adding  some fishtail into the mix.

a simple half up, half down style like this braided one is great if you still want your locks loose and flowing.

low, messy buns are a simple option for those low on time.

this side roll is a bit trickier, but perfect for glamorous night out.

these three twisted buns are an easy, fun take on the low bun.

a long, side braid is a fantastic way to show off your length while avoiding windswept tangles.

the gibson roll is a favorite of our dear christie (who looks great in a helmet).

happy trails, and happy monday! xxo p

the fresh perspective...

MOTIVATION

June is upon us and before we know it the heat and the insects will have us all complaining about cooler times and bug-less nights.  Until then, what are you doing to keep yourself motivated to enjoy the summer?  Are you a runner/outdoors type who is motivated by our longer days? Maybe you're a patio drinker that's motivated by the longer days?  Are you the type that gets the cottage itch and re-locates to the lake for the summer?  You might be the type that takes in all the city's festivals and shows for the summer.

I can't actually decide which category I fall into, but I do know that I'm getting some motivation to get more creative with fashion in general.  I've got a few shoots booked this summer and I'm getting excited about being able to do a little styling on the side.  I'm not sure that the average joe knows how much work, time, and planning actually goes into a proper photo shoot, but I'm ready for the task!

Motivation is a funny thing because we all have the capability to accomplish anything we would like, we just don't always know how to pull the trigger and get things done.  I think the majority of us do need something external to get us to accomplish more.  Something more external that forces us to look internally...  The nice weather and all the stylish people who come in and out of my life are motivating me to be more creative.  By the time you come into the shop in the fall, you will see the fruits of our labor and time.

Country living and lake life are where I'm getting my motivation from and hopefully it'll translate well on camera... That's it.  That's all...that's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

THE BRAID CROWN

Next week is the Academy Road Live festival and Freshair Boutique will be participating by setting up a braid bar. Between 2:30-3:30 we will be braiding hair and giving tips. If your hair is long, and you'd like to learn a little more about braiding then come on down. Braids are amazing and have been around for-ev-er! The new and improved braid is rough, messy, and full of texture. Back in the day we would make sure our braids were tight and secure. Now, we want them to look like they've fallen out a bit...

On June 8th we will be setting up our very first braid bar. The braid crown will be one of the styles and is one of my personal faves. Our receptionist (and Monday blogger) Pascale has taught herself how to do a braid crown. It's not easy, but she practiced, practiced, practiced...

If you are thinking about coming out next Saturday be sure to swing by the bar and maybe get a braid! It would be a good time to ask for some tips and tricks to help get you started. That's the fresh perspective...

**TIP-Braiding is easier to do on dirty hair and hair with a lot of texture. Don't be afraid to use some dry shampoo and toss your hair up with a braid on day three or four. The braid may buy you more time between washings... **

magic monday - bag lady

CHRISTIEManager / Display Master

Christie somehow manages to manage us unmanageables. She's the very picture of grace, and can often be found dancing about the salon.

Christie made this backpack! You can buy them (and much more) through For You, Me & Us

Here’s what we found inside:

01 vintage lipstick holder 02 MAC lipstick - impassioned 03 Herbacin Kamille hand cream 04 **Malie Koke'e perfume oil 05 35mm film 06 **Priti NYC polish - american beauty 07 lipstick print compact - gift 08 keys - handmade keychain 09 **bobby pins (30 pins for 3.50) 10 Fort Garry Hotel matchbook 11 for you, me & us business cards 12 GREAT IDEAS notebook 13 vintage scarf 14 Triple C portable speaker 15 **Kevin Murphy Powder Puff 16 **Cleopatra combs 17 True History of the Kelly Gang - Peter Carey 18 Essie Polish - maximillian strasse her 19 antique cigarette case 20 **anj couture rose bobby pin

Find any of the starred items above in our boutique! We have one final bag lady coming up soon, so come back next week for a peek inside Andrée's bag!

happy monday!! xxo pascale

magic monday - bag lady

RENEEEsthetician

Renée is our favourite brow magician and nail artist.

Her bag was a gift from her brother, who purchased it while backpacking in Mexico.

Here’s what we found inside:

01 Daisy Roll on Perfume by Marc Jacobs 02 Lactaid - Don't ask, I'm not even lactose intolerant... 03 Lint Roller- I'm a cat mom! 04 Lush Liquid Lipstick in Charm 05 *Mint + Hazel Earrings 06 iPhone 07 Alice Munro - Lives of Girls & Women 08 iPod Shuffle 09 *Priti NYC Nail Strengthener 10 Joe Eyeliner 11 Nail Files- I can't stand snags in my nails. If they happen to break, I've always got a quick fix! 12 Sunglasses 13 MAC Lipstick 14 Day Planner 15 Blistex 16 Acrylic Paint 

All starred items are available in our boutique, so come visit us and pick up a few of Renée's favourite items!

have a great week, everybody!

xxo p

the fresh perspective...

Flowers in your hair

With weddings, grads and a butt load of summer functions coming up, flowers are a natural way to change it up!  You can pin one in on the side, or fashion a nifty crown.  Any floral accent will translate to so much more.

For crowns, you'll need thin long stemmed wild flowers that are pliable and easy to twist up.  Bits of twigs and berries are a nice touch as well.  The type of event will dictate the type of flower to use to help accentuate your look.  You may not wear a flower crown as a guest to a wedding, but maybe at a gathering at the lake...  A cluster of roses may work nice in an up do for grad, but not as well to a baby shower...

The type of hair you have will also help you make a decision as to what plant you would place in your hair.  As simple as it is, it's that simple!  Light haired ladies need light weight flowers. Thick haired gals can wear any type because thicker hair can support a thicker or sturdier flower (as well as lighter types).   As you guessed, I would advise you to chat with your stylist about some fun things you could do with your hair this upcoming summer season.  Check out oak & lily sometime and see what they might recommend.  Give it a try, that's the fresh perspective...