the fresh perspective...

AM I REALLY A WRITER?

I was reading an article a few nights ago about how to become a better writer and tips for getting your thoughts out there via text. It suddenly hit me! AM I actually a writer? DO I actually qualify as a writer? I mean technically, I guess yes, but I never saw myself as such.

The fact is, I am. I put my thoughts and ideas down on this forum and so many people now have an ability to read what I have posted. And not just people I know, but people I don't know and people all over the world!

I'll tell you a wee secret, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a writer. I wrote one book as a young woman of 12 and attempted to start another but never quite finished... As I grew, I realized how much I loved to read and write and often wished that I could be published. Let's face it, I don't get paid to write here for all of you, but I do get to PUBLISH and that.  Is. Awesome.

I never thought that I could have my content exposed to the world and here I am. The fantastic world of the inter web has allowed all of us to become just a little bit more than what we could have dreamed. All of you that read other blogs and maintain your own should be so very proud.  Writing is a great way to express yourself, and now all of us can.

Kudos to all you writers and lovers of literature and all things text, I am honored to be part of this group!

That's it. That's the fresh perspective...

magic monday - oscar edition

OSCARS 2013. On a night when the entire world is tuning in to see who wore what, and who won what, I'm nestled on my couch streaming red carpet footage. As I sit cozied up here watching Sally Field barely tolerate the red carpet interviewer, I cannot help but recall what I find to be the most memorable looks from Oscars past. Here's my roundup:

I love Michelle Williams' bold yellow Vera Wang. Paired with the crimson lip and soft swept hair, I couldn't help but lady-swoon.

Quvenzhané Wallis, of Beasts of the Southern Wild. If you've made the tragic mistake of not seeing this film yet, you must RUN VERY VERY FAST to your computer/television set equipped with movie renting magic/local theatre. You'll be able to finish reading this blog post once you've finished crying/dreaming of running through the bayou with Hushpuppy.

I promise. 

Meryl Streep. Can we pause for a moment, and marvel at this woman? So heavenly and age-appropriate. At all times. If you haven't yet seen the diptych of her in 1979/2009, please do so immediately.

Let it be known that Cher was 39/40 in these photos. I'm 26 and could definitely not pull either of these looks off. If I could, I would. Kudos to you Cher. Kudos.

The late 90's were a painful time for fashion. In the era of his and hers denim ensembles, Celine went for broke with this bizarre backwards suit. Even 14 years later I STILL cannot quite figure out what's going on.

Back to reality with Cate Blanchett in Givenchy, 2011. I'm still dreaming of the neon pop against beautiful soft purple.

No 'memorable' Oscar roundup is complete without Bjork's infamous swan dress.

Jessica Chastain was incredible in a Mcqueen gown last year. Again, the simple, soft hair paired with a bold, but classic gown.

We'll be sure to do a roundup of our favorite looks this week!  In the meantime,  what were your favorite or most memorable looks? Share with us!

xxo p

high brow

Happy Monday Freshies! As Praise mentioned on Saturday, she and I have embarked on a post-holiday eyebrow overhaul. We've committed to lay down our tweezers, and give our brows a chance to recharge, and regrow.

The importance of a good brow cannot be overstated. As this study done at MIT states, the eyebrow may play a more important role than even eyes in facial recognition.

A well-shaped brow can emphasize your features, while a poorly shaped brow can detract from those features and take your face hostage, as evidenced by these young ladies:

According to the New York Times, brow hair grows on average for 30 days, and rests for a period of 3 months, whereas hair on your scalp has a tendency to grow for 2-6 years, while resting for a period of 100 days.  This means that if you're attempting to plump those babies up, patience is key!

Paste some photos of brow-spiration in your bathroom to keep you on the right track! My 'brow shrine' is laden with images of Jennifer Connelly, Audrey Hepburn, Liz Taylor, and of course, Baby-Brooke.

Grab a brow pencil, or cut a pair of eyelash-grazing, brow-concealing bangs, and join us in our quest for the perfect brow.

Post your favorite brow heroes or horror stories in the comments below!

xxo pascale

magic monday

Happy Monday! Pascale here, receptionist at Freshair Boutique, and your new Monday Blogger. I have all sorts of posts lined up for you guys, so stay tuned and be sure to subscribe in order to keep up with all things FRESH.

After a solid few weeks of holiday-induced bad habits, I've started to feel pretty sluggish and lazy. So sluggish and lazy, that after a long day of work, I just can't be bothered to do anything more than eat my roommate's leftover perogies and my go-to snack of smoked oysters and sour cream on Triscuits.

Whenever I feel myself getting into this funk, I know it's time to turn to my beloved Braun MP80 Juicer.

I inherited this juicer when my parents made the upgrade what I believe is the Holy Grail of juice-extracting machines, THE BREVILLE.

These days, living such fast-paced lives as we do, it can be difficult to get the necessary nutrients from our foods. Nutrients that are important for whole body, as well as hair and skin health. For those of you who aren't super-fans of those dark leafy greens (rich in iron, zinc, and essential B vitamins) adding a few leaves of kale, a handful of spinach or a few florets of brocoli to a beet/apple/carrot juice is a great way to get your servings of veggies while limiting the 'yuck factor'.

I picked up a copy of this great book, Juicing For Life, courtesy once more of my brilliant mama, who is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things health and wellness.

This book, (which I understand now has a much more chic, updated cover) has pages upon pages of information on how juicing can benefit those with disorders or ailments ranging from Varicose Veins to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Eczema.

I find that within a few days of steady juicing (and easing up on the cheese burgers) there is a noticeable improvement in my skin and hair, as well as my energy levels. Here's a few of my favorite juices, for you to try at home!

Cherry Lime Fizz

This one is less of a juice, and more of a great, sugar-free alternate to soda. I added the cherries to give it a bit of colour, but feel free to use any fruits you have lying around. Peaches, grapes, lemons, pears, and melons all taste great.

Juice the following, pour it over ice, and top off with sparkling water.

1 lime (depending on your juicer, you may want to cut off most of the peel) 1 apple 5-10 cherries, pitted

Beauty Spa Express

This is a great mid-day juice, full of B vitamins. The carrot and apple really steal the show.

one handful of spinach one handful of parsley 4-5 carrots 1/2 -1 apple, seeded.

Fresh Complexion Express

A great morning juice! Pineapples aren't exactly in season, but they are a great source of Vitamin C.

2 slices fresh pineapple (with skin) 1/2 cucumber 1/2-1 apple, seeded

Ginger Hopper

Don't be afraid to add more ginger to this one!

1/4 inch slice ginger root 4-5 carrots 1/2 apple, seeded 1 small beet

Any of these recipes can be used as a rough guideline, don't be afraid to experiment! As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.' Try adding half a lemon and an apple to a particularly heavy vegetable juice, or a beet to lend some depth to a light, fruity juice.

Leave any juice suggestions, or questions you have below, and be sure to stay tuned this week for more posts from the Freshair team!

xxo

pascale

the fresh perspective...

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman

Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Maya Angelou

the fresh perspective...

Are you HM?

High maintenance.  What?!  It seems like being 'high maintenance' is a phrase used for people who are über picky, opinionated about things, and a bit demanding.  Is that so?  I wouldn't say that I am very picky, opinionated, or demanding, but I have been called high maintenance.

What's the deal? Because I know what wine I like to drink and I get my nails manicured weekly?  Because I like my eyebrows to look a particular way and I never wear animal print?  Because I have been known to say 'no' to certain activities and 'yes' to others?  Because I know what my tongue likes to taste and what lip shade looks best?  This is not bad, this is good.  I know myself and I know what I like.  I do not push my opinions on others and always try to be edifying where I can.

Being HM has received a bad reputation because some folks don't know how to be polite.  Some people make things that should be so easy, so hard.  They are cocky about where they've been and who they know.  They let you know how much they spent on their last facial or what boutique grocer knows them by name.  That's not being high maintenance, that's just being rude.  The way that people act can say a lot about who they actually are.  'HIgh maintenance' has a negative connotation that should be changed.

A few weeks ago some of us were having this conversation in the shop.  Why is someone high maintenance because they only want blonde?  PLATINUM blonde: without any brassiness.  Why is someone high maintenance because they bring their own polish to a manicure service?

Well, there should be a different term for the type of rude gals that annoy us all.  I'll gladly be called high maintenance if it means that I know what Praise likes.  That's the fresh perspective...