the fresh perspective...

Going gracefully PART 1 -The conversation- So the day has finally arrived.  You are going to let your grey come in and just 'see' if you like it or not.  You're just a bit curious to see what you'll look like.  Also, you're tired of coloring every month.  Whether you do it yourself, or pay someone to do it, you're done.  So how do you do it?  Well people, let's get to it...

I believe, and most of you know, it starts with a conversation with your stylist.  Then it will be an appointment to start the color process of going lighter, then it's the cuts, and then it's your homework.  After those four steps you should be on a path to no coloring bliss or at least fully grey.  Now this all depends if your locks are short or long.  This depends if your hair is thick or thin.  This also depends on the state of your hair.  Are you curly or not so much?  All of these factors will come into play while your going through the steps.

It will be a conversation to tell your stylist what you want and then they can tell you if it's possible and if so, how to get there.  The conversation is very important because this will determine what happens next.  You need to realize that whatever plan your guy/girl sets out for you will only go as far as you allow it.  If you break down and throw some color on your hair during the process you will make it harder on your stylist and most importantly yourself.

Why do you want to be grey? Start there.  I feel like most of us want to do it because we are tired of coloring.  So fine.  You stop coloring your hair and you are now grey.  Your problem won't be solved overnight if you aren't prepared to start DOING your hair.  If you let the grey come in then I believe that a good time to start looking for a really good cut would be now.  Grey hair that is cut and styled nicely is quite stunning.

This conversation should cover all areas.  Your hair might be more coarse so you'll need to change your products.  Depending on the type of cut and style, you might eliminate hot tools all together.  Maybe you can GROW your hair now that you're not coloring?  Don't ask for other people's opinions on what you should do.  You and your stylist should decide.  Trust me, if you let your grey come in and you just neglect the cutting and styling part you will appear to be lazy and unmotivated.  Your friends and family will urge you to color your hair again.  If you're going to commit to letting the grey come in then you need to really buckle down, focus, and put the work in.

While your deciding, look around you and take note of the folks with greys that you see.  The ones you like will be the ones who have found the cut and style for them.  Maybe that sleek bob or that short shag.  It's all going to depend on what you think you might like.  After you and your stylist get it all out then you can figure out what method would be best.  This depends on where your majority of grey is.  Temples? Part line?

In the next Going gracefully we'll chat about the coloring process.  I urge you to get friendly with your stylist and if he/she tries to talk you out of it, let them know how serious you are in going grey.  If they still aren't being supportive then it's time to find a new stylist.  Yeah, I said it.  That's the fresh perspective...

[polldaddy poll=6771323]

Renée's Aesthetic

In case some of you may not know already, I LOVE anything made from scratch.  Whether it be a gift, household item, craft, but I've always had a soft spot for cooking growing up.  I want to share a quick recipe for a warm winter cocktail (seeing as how we've just had yet another lovely snowfall here in Winnipeg).  A homemade apple cider, with either Bourbon or Pimms #1.

Here's what you'll need...

8-10 apples

Water

2 cinnamon sticks

1 orange (the peal of)

A couple of cloves

1/2 cup of brown sugar (or substitute honey)

1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

Either Bourbon or Pimms #1 to add after, whichever is your favorite ;)

Cheesecloth, string, large pot, potato masher, large "serving" spoon, mesh strainer, extra pot or jug with lid.

Cut the apples into quarters and toss them into the pot.  You'll want to add enough water to the pot to just cover the apples.  Tie the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and peel of one orange in cheesecloth with a string and toss that in the pot as well.  You can now add the brown sugar and nutmeg and let the pot come to a boil over medium heat for one hour, then simmer for an extra two hours.  Make sure you stir it every once in a while just to make sure nothing is sticking to the pot.

Once the mixture is done simmering for 2 hours, take it off the heat, remove the cheesecloth and mash whatever you can with the potato masher.  Then you can strain the mixture into another pot or jug (with a lid) to keep the juice.

Your apple cider is now done!  To enjoy the warm winter cocktail, just take two cups, heat on the stove and add one shot of either Bourbon or Pimms #1.  Enjoy!

-né

Going gracefully...

This weekend I attended another Christmas party and visited, laughed, and danced into the night.  It was delightful!  I can never seem to make it through any type of event without someone asking me something hair related.  I love it.  It gives me a chance to explain things to people and it challenges me to come up with new ideas to do the same thing.

At this party on the weekend, I was approached by a lovely lady who said that in her peer group the question of the day is, "how do you grey, gracefully?"  That's a good one!  How DO you let your greys come in without looking like a hot mess??  I have decided to tackle this burning question.  I think that the best way to approach it would be to break it down into a series and discuss it in chunks.

Like I always say, the best place to start is with a conversation with your stylist.  Hopefully you and your stylist have a good enough relationship that y'all can converse about your issue.  I believe that the whole grey thing is a bit of a dodgy area for some stylists.  The fact of the matter is, coloring hair is THE main way that we make our money.  I am optimistic your stylist won't try to convince you to keep coloring if you would like to stop.

When we go through the topic of greying gracefully, I'd like you to keep in mind that you must be prepared to do some work and be very patient.  I'm here to help!  We'll start the series on Saturday on the fresh perspective... post.

Peace

the fresh perspective...

How much is too much? How do you know when you have let yourself be overcome with 'stuff'?  During this season of giving and getting, it's a wonder we have space in our lives for the things we will be getting...

We go from shop, to boutique, to mall, looking for that perfect something to give the ones we hold the nearest and most dear to us.  We anticipate seeing their faces light up when they open their gift.  Something about that, I guess, is why we give.  But why must we give things?  Why do we fail to see that the gift of time-spent is something much more valuable?

Giving time instead of material things seems easy but let me tell you, it's harder than you think.  Even now as you read this, your mind has already traveled to all the places you need to be by the day's end.   All the things you need to accomplish before you sleep, gently nudge you through your day.  So to think that you would need to spend little or no money, but time, might be challenging.  Let's face it, it's easier to buy someone a gift than to give them four uninterrupted hours of your evening.

I'd like to challenge everyone this year to maybe give time as a gift.  This holiday, begin with one or two people.  Start small because your time is valuable as well and if your family or group of close friends are many, all your time will be gone.  That's the fresh perspective...

[polldaddy poll=6747140]

the fresh perspective...

FULL AGAIN

This product is bananas!  It makes your skinny hairs full.  The amount of thickness you can get from this little bottle is mind-blowing!  I know I'm sounding a bit pumped but...I'm pumped.

Depending on the amount of hair you have, you have to be careful not to use too much.  I used a bit more than I should have once, and my clients hair felt just a bit too full. (hee hee)  It felt a little too producty... ( Yes.  I made that up.)    I know you all know what producty means...  When you go to touch your hair it feels like it's full of gooey, goop, products.  Hence, producty.

Just a couple more pointers about this gem of a product.  It has very little hold and may need to layered with a mousse or styling product to achieve better hold.  It is a thickening lotion and should not be confused with a volumizer.  It does make your hair feel full and a bit bigger.  It just depends what type of hair you have.  It may work as a thickener and volumizer for you fine haired folks and maybe just a thickener for those of you with an average amount of hair.

If you're curious, ask about it when you come for your next appointment.  For those of you who are not from around these parts, look for Kevin Murphy products in your area or ask your stylist.  That's the fresh perspective...

[polldaddy poll=6733640]

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