magic monday - be a grower

I've had enough.  -39 windchills and knee-length North Faces have paved the way for far too long. I'm ready for +5 and denim jackets! I'd love to pull out my beloved floral Doc Martens without fear of breaking my neck on all that ice. While I can't hurry mother nature, there are a few things I can do to prepare myself, and my garden.Now is a fantastic time to get certain things started indoors, so that when that inevitable thaw arrives, you've got some seedlings ready to transplant by May.

I was browsing Pinterest the other day, and stumbled upon a BEAUTIFUL photo of ginger growing in a container. This sent me into a flurry of google searches and page flips, until I could no longer hold my excitement, and decided I must try it out for myself. 

Start off with a pot about twice the diameter of your root. Pick a fairly fresh, preferably organic 'hand' with lots of 'fingers'. Fill 'er up with a good, hearty potting mix.

Moisten up that soil. Ginger loves warm, moist soil.

Nestle your root on the soil, and place your pot in a warm spot. Your ginger won't  need direct sunlight at this point.

Although ginger is a fairly hearty root and can survive dry spells, it's best to keep the soil evenly moistened for optimal growth.

By fall, your tiny litte root could have yielded up to four times the amount of ginger. It's a bit slow going, but soon you should see a bit of green sprout up.

Stay tuned for updates on how this little guy is doing, and more!

have a great week!

xxo p

the fresh perspective...

WE'RE THREE!! I cannot believe it's been three years!  Wow!  I just want to thank everyone!  From all the staff at the shop, to all the clients that keep us coming back everyday, thanks.  I'd like to thank the bakers who make us treats, and the suppliers who bring us products.  Much gratitude to my family and my good friends.  All of our Academy neighbors should be thanked for making us feel so welcomed in the area.

I know this sounds like an acceptance speech but I don't care.  We rarely take the time to thank people and really let them know how we really feel.  This blog has been going strong for three years and I can't even begin to thank all you loyal blog followers.  Through all the shop changes, you have all been here.  Even you new followers, thanks to you as well!  Here's to many, many more!

That's the fresh perspective...

Wordless Wednesday

Bright colors, summer colors...

Renée's Aesthetic

How better to celebrate the holiday season with a little nail inspiration?  Here are a few pictures of my personal favorites, to get those ideas brewing.

Priti NYC Polish is a great line of eco-friendly polishes.  Here are my three top reds of the moment: Guinea Rose (for that deep ruby slipper, type of shimmer), Japanese Rose (for that blue red), and Red Head Cactus (for that classic orange-red).

To replicate the above picture use either Fishbone Cactus (if you want a solid, bright green) or Devil's backbone (if you want a great forest/shimmery color) for the green nails.  As an accent nail color, I absolutely LOVE Chrysanthos.

If you are the type to skip our snowy December, and jet off on a hot vacation, I've got the color for you.  Priti NYC's Lungwort is flawless.  Although, if you are more into a minty green with a tiny gold sparkle go for Dusty Miller.

For that really special party, go for all over Chrysanthos.  If you want longer lasting nails for a good chunk of the holiday season, try our OPI permanent polish in Golden Eye.  It's like little golden disco balls on your nails.

Blues are in.  Our signature color at Freshair Boutique is Dracula Orchid (a great grey-blue).  Another amazing blue, that's deep and rich, is Schwarkopf.  Trust me, neither will disappoint you.

Don't forget ladies and gents, at Freshair Boutique we have a holiday mani&pedi special for only $50.  Be sure to call us at 204-414-9023 to book that well deserved pampering and to complete your holiday look.

-né

Renée's Aesthetic

I just want to send out a huge THANK YOU along with a great big hug, from all of us at Freshair Boutique, for your unbelievable support of freshFOOD.  Today I am lucky enough to contribute to the 300th blog post.  I know, we are still in shock too. The blog world is booming, and yes there are millions of followers, but most of all I'd like to send a "shout out" to each and every contributor.  People put their heart & soul in to these projects, and often share intimate parts of their lives to the world.  The amount of times I've been inspired from other posts is countless.  Whether it be about art, culture, style, food, fashion, or design (you name it), the internet is a great source to spark that creativity within ourselves.

Here's a list of 15 amazing blogs that I'm following at the moment.  Check them out & follow them. Trust me, you won't regret it.

colossal

roost blog

stay fancy free

spoon fork bacon

this is poster

freunde von freunden

rosencrown

clark huot cocoon

field guided

into the gloss

kinfolk mag

for me-for you

bridge and bardot

nailside

she lets her hair down

-né

the fresh perspective...

So I just want to go on a leet-le rant.  Not that it's a big deal but it's kind of a big deal.  I should include this in the Salon Etiquette Series but...whatever. So we've all been there.  Picture it.  You walk into your fave salon with your Meg Ryan inspired photo of color and cut.  You have big plans that evening to go on a hot date and you made this appointment because, let's face it, you can't style your own hair.  At the end of the appointment your hair is actually not quite right.  The color is perfect but the cut?  Nothing like Meg's.  You feel weird because the color was bang on but the cut just seemed a little off and maybe it was also the way it was styled...

What is a girl to do?  Well, I'll tell you.  You should say something to your stylist.  If you want to go home first and 'see how it goes' do so, but if you feel really uncomfortable then say something right then.  I believe most hairstylists inherently want their clients to LOVE what they do to them.  I believe most stylists know that people will ask, "who did your hair?"  I believe that if you explain yourself politely to your stylist he/she will understand why you are unhappy.

Please keep in mind that there is only so much that they can do if your cut it too short, or over thinned.  If it's a color issue, then there is always a solution.  I will say though, with a color solution, there may be some hair damage.  Coloring hair a few times in one sitting can dry your hair out.  But it is possible to fix any color issue.  Cut issues, are a little harder because once it's cut off it's gone.  Apart from hair extensions, which are costly, there is not much else that can be done.

I think the best way to avoid not liking your hair is to pair yourself to a salon/stylist that's similar to your hair wants and needs.  If you are a quick in/quick out type, maybe don't frequent the Shops that promote relaxing, languid appointments.  Shops that have deals for mani/pedi/color/cut combos are wanting  you to spend time in their space.  Maybe a shop that has only hair cutting services is for you.  If you're the type that wants to go somewhere for an experience then the shop with the combo services might be for you.

Shops like these, Freshair Boutique and others, are the types of shops that  you can ask the staff a little more about fashion and beauty.  Not to take anything away from the Zippy Cuts of the world, but they aren't really pushing contemporary looks in hair and fashion.  These types of places are great for just cuts in a timely manner but may not have a pulse on what the fashionistas are up to.

The long and short of my rant is that if you are feeling like the salon you are now frequenting seems to be causing you grief then maybe your salon/stylist match is off.  Maybe if you do some deep soul searching, you may find out that you've been going to a shop where they and the stylists aren't on the same page as you and may not know what makes you tick.  That's all...that's the fresh perspective...

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