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...

the fresh perspective...

Have you started thinking about spring yet?  I know that I have.  I am ready and waiting for the warm sun, I'm waiting for the smell of BBQ, I'm ready for tank tops.  Now that February is almost over, although we still have some more months of snow, we shouldn't forget about the status of our hair/skin/nails during the time of changing seasons.

If in a few weeks you start feeling like your skin, hair or nails are acting up.  It might be because of the fact that the snow is melting and spring and summer are not too far away.  The changing of the seasons might require you to lighten up on your heavy washes and thick treatments.  The dry environment will soon change and your heavier products will be too much accompanied with the humidity.

Keep an eye on your friends (hair, skin, nails) and make sure to prepare to change your routine up by the time we're in June.  As always, now is not a bad time to talk to your stylist about the look you're wanting for the summer.  This might be a good time to set out a goal, or a loose plan for your locks.

Last week I noticed how bright it was outside at 7 am.  That can only mean one thing!  You know it, I know it... That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

This is one of my favorite love songs.  Gearing up to Valentine's makes me think of love and my wedding.  This was the song that Ogo and I had our first dance to.  Many thanks to him for making it happen!  The lyrics are all I ever want him to know.  Enjoy!  That's the fresh perspective... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JREcKmXDeAs

"Turn Your Lights Down Low" (feat. Bob Marley)

Turn your lights down low And pull your window curtain Oh let the moon come shining in Into our life again Saying ooh, it's been a long, long time I got this message for you girl But it seems I was never on time Did I wanna get through to you girl? On time, on time I want to give you some love I want to give you some good, good loving Oh I, oh I, oh I Yeah I want to give you some good, good lovingTurn your lights down low Never ever try to resist, oh no Let your love come shining in Into our lives again And ooh, I love you And I want you to know right now Ooh I love you And I want you to know right now That I, that I I wanna give you some love I wanna give you some good, good loving Oh I, oh I, oh I I wanna give you some good, good lovingLoving you is a like a song I replay Every three minutes and thirty seconds of every day And every chorus was written for us to recite Every beautiful melody of devotion every night It's potion like this ocean that might carry me In a wave of emotion to ask you to marry me And every word, every second, and every third Expresses the happiness more clearly than ever heard And when I play them, every chord is a poem Telling the Lord how grateful I am cause I know him The harmonies possess a sensation similar to your caress If you asking then I'm telling you it's yes Stand in love, take my hand in love, God blessI want to give you some good, good loving I want to give you some love I want to give you some good, good loving Oh I, oh I, oh I I wanna give you some good, good loving

the fresh perspective...

I'm growing out my eyebrows.  I found this photo of me with a heavy bang.  A heavy bang is a great way to mask a hairy situation on your face. Depending how fast/slow your hair grows you may have a nice full look by the time you need a bang trim... I'm using these women with thick brows as my inspiration.  I know my brows won't look like any of these gals but it's still nice to wish for something right?

Pascale has also joined me in operation 'grow your brows' and cut some sassy bangs last week to distract through the process.  Unfortunately for me, Pascale will probably be able to have Brooke's (above) or Jennifer's (below) brows.  Her hairs are thick, coarse and close together with a great rich brown color.   My eyebrow hairs are fine, sparse and my color is definitely not dark or rich...

Growing out your brows can be fun if you plan it out a little more.  Stay tuned for my eyebrow updates...

That's the fresh perspective...

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...