the fresh perspective...

PRODUCT REVIEW It's that time again!  I've been on the hunt for a really good heavy lotion/cream to take care of my legs and ashy feet.  This whole time it was in my shop!  We have been carrying some Pure Anada products for a while and I was recommended to try this for my dryness.  It has changed my feet and my life!

This Product is INCREDIBLE!  I slather it on in the morning and my feet (mostly my heels) stay moisturized into the night!  I've never had this happen before!  I'm in love.  Okay let's get to the nit and the grit:

PROS

-super conditioning

-nice scent

-locally produced

-affordable ($14)

-easy to stuff in any bag/purse

-fair trade

CONS

-small (4 oz)

-very heavy/greasy

Whether you choose to use this product on your legs and feet only, or your hands, it will reduce any skin issue.  It's recommended for all parts of the body, even the face!  If you're one that doesn't like greasy products use less and massage it in more.  I also read that you can put it on your skin just before you leave the bath/shower and you'll be soft and smooth all day!  I'm going to try that next...

Next time you're in the shop try one of the testers!  You won't regret it!  That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? I find inspiration in many things, but when it comes to my job, I find I'm inspired by fashion and style.  I love looking at images and magazines and videos.  I love people watching.  I love interacting with people.

As a stylist, I have to find ways to stay inspired and motivated.  I found these images from a shoot we did a few years back.  These are some of my favorite hair images.  My model, Pascale, had the perfect amount of hair and I was able to style it in a few different ways.

I'll be doing another shoot in a few weeks and I can't wait to style up our models.  I have so many ideas and styles I would like to try!  Any chance I get to get my hands into hair is a great chance!

If you're a creative person, how do you stay inspired and motivated to create?  What keeps you at the peak of your game?  Is there something that helps you focus?  We'd love to hear!

That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

NAILS, DONE.

Every Thursday I paint my nails.  I'll try any color, I'm not afraid.  What I didn't realize about my new habit, was that it would turn me into a hand model!

Maybe my lack of hair has really allowed me to experiment with other things?  Is there anything you do weekly that's just for you?  Any 'self' stuff?  I know some women who do fancy hair treatments and others that take exquisite baths.

I do my nails (never my cuticles) and unwind as they dry.  It really is restful actually.  Enjoy the weekend and try to relax a little if you can.  I will work on paying attention to my cuticles...

That's the fresh perspective... 

the fresh perspective...

Outfits! So now that we are officially into April, what do you have planned fashion wise?  Are you the type that cleans out your closet and gears up with bathing suits, sun dresses and sun tan lotion?  Does your style follow the trends?

I love these images of total outfits.  The hair, shoes, handbags and hats are on point!  Feast your eyes, and get inspired!

I'm not sure who the designer is, but if anyone knows, can you let me know please?  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...