Tag Archives: courage

Breakfast and a Bargain – The Christmas Edition

Yesterday, it was time finally to get into the spirit of the holiday season and to track down the perfect Christmas tree.   I have always found the natural pine scent and the twinkling soft lights of a Christmas tree to be both calming and uplifting, and so as overwhelming as the busy month of December can be, I  prefer to get the tree up early.  This way, I can enjoy its presence as the excitement and anticipation build slowly.

Keeping it simple, this girlaboutOtown can whip out the small box of baubles and sparkles that stays buried in the basement during the rest of the year, and with help, can have them all hung in less than an hour.  No “matchy matchy” on my tree, and nothing too fancy.  Instead, a very small collection of treasured objects – each with its own story – is embellished by only a few store bought balls.  This means it is the lights that shine, the tree that is seen, and the memories of year’s past that feature most prominently.   

Sunday brunch at Von’s Bistro in the Glebe seemed to be a good place to kick start a cold day.  Once my favourite hangout for dessert and high school gossip, I had not returned since.  To my surprise and satisfaction, this low key but sophisticated bistro has grown up, just like me.  Tall ceilings, dark floors and sizeable windows convey a sense of openness, while subtle lighting, colourful original art and simple decor evoke a relaxed warmth.

With jazz in the background, my mate, my little girlaboutOtown and I indulged in scrambled eggs, crepes with apples and cinnamon, and eggs benedict Florentine, respectively.  Then, we sat back, sipped on rich coffee and surveyed the surroundings, pleased to have discovered a new and different breakfast destination.  No doubt, we will return.

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Following this fabulous brunch, we were off to find a fir tree…

Heading straight into town, we made our pick at the lot right outside of Ottawa’s Metro Central YMCA at 180 Argyle St.  In addition to the excellent recreational programs, exercise facilities, childcare, and newcomer services offered at the Metro Y, this important organization is helping to build our community by providing temporary and emergency housing to those in need.  Run by the wonderfully cheerful volunteers at Ottawa Y Focus, a service club dedicated to supporting the work of local YMCA centres, this Christmas tree lot offers more than a great selection of very reasonably priced freshly cut trees in a wide variety of species.  It also offers an opportunity to give back in the spirit of the season, if even in a small way. 

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So, having done just wee bit of good to help in our community, we found ourselves back in a comfortable home, with full stomachs, and a lovely tree.  We three have most definitely caught the true spirit of the season once again, and will do our best to remember when and where it is most needed. 

Photos by me

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The Tinted Edge – Hair History in the Making

Haircuts.  Hair colour.  Hair stylists.  

A hairstyle – or lack of one – speaks volumes about the person wearing it. 

More than any other physical feature, hair is an ever present visible manifestation of a woman’s sense of personal style. 

A hairstyle can say we’re serious.  Or sporty.  Or sexy.  Or sloppy.  It can say we’re young – or young at heart.  It can be beautiful.  Or bold.  Or it can just scream boring.

Recently, I felt the need for a change.  Not only was I ready to “break up” with my stylist after a few years too many, I wanted to convey something new.  Something different.   Something somehow more accurate, and  I wanted to shout out “I’m me, and I like it!”.  I wanted my hair to better reflect how I feel about myself at this point in my life, and I wanted to appear as authentic as I am finally beginning to feel.

I am young, but not that young, and I am both smart and sexy.  I guess I would describe my style as 80% /20% classic/boho, with a penchant for vintage clothing, a weakness for high heeled boots and an addiction to big bags.  I am medium maintenance woman who wishes to live  gracefully, and who is serious about expressing personality without being short on substance. The more self-aware I become, the the easier it is to communicate who I am through my aesthetic choices.

Unfortunately, my hair no longer fit this picture.  It was way overdue, and as is the case with hair – it was out of my hands.  I needed to find someone who would understand, and who I could trust to help me make the kind of change I was looking for.

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So after doing some homework, and reading about their hair philosophy, I ventured over to the Tinted Edge Artistic Hair Studio on Cumberland Street.  This tiny little salon had been recommended to me by a like minded friend who raved about Christina, the owner and chief stylist.  I was reassured that Christina would know exactly what to do , so I had high hopes and huge expectations.

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Well – let me tell you – I have never had a better hair experience!   I don’t think it would be overstating to say that Christina is a genius. 

Walking into the Tinted Edge I felt immediately at ease.  This was a place where everybody was happy.  Really happy.  Customers were happy, the team (stylists Zac and Allison ) was happy and Christina was downright pumped.  It was almost 6pm, and they had been there all day having fun!  What a relief it was for me to find myself among experts who were genuinely in love with their work, and who were so clearly serving their clients well. 

From our very first exchange, Christina wanted to know all about me.  Not just about my hair, but about who I am and how I live.  She asked me what kind of style I wanted, which I couldn’t really say, and seemed to understand intuitively when I instead began to try and described how I see myself.  She had definite ideas, but was careful to listen first to mine.  Then she spun my chair around to face her with my back to the mirror, looked me square in the eye, and said “what colour are they?”.  I was instantly and irreversibly impressed. 

Not only was she going to apply her knowledge of shape and texture,  Christina would also demonstrate her sophisticated understanding of colour.  Here was an artist who  was actually taking the colour of my eyes and the tone of my skin into account!  So far in my life, I had only ever seen this happen on TV.

Over the course of the next while, we  chatted comfortably about everything from our Moms and men to food and fashion, and I watched while she busily tinted and snipped.  In the end, the change was subtle but significant.  Having not really understood what I wanted, this new “do” was exactly what I needed. 

Interestingly, we talked about our passions.  While I confessed to my difficulty  passing abandoned furniture on the side of the road, Christina “sees heads” everywhere she goes!  Kudos to her for living her passion, and for bravely stepping up to share her talents through her business.  She sets a fine example for women who wonder whether they can make a go doing what they love…

So, I left the Tinted Edge with a new friend, a fabulous hairdo and a renewed sense of myself.  Upon returning home, I was met with a WOW.  What more could a girlaboutotown  ask for?!

Images from The Tinted Edge Hair Studio.

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