Incognito.

It's that time again where I get bored of my hair colour, it's been what... four weeks since my latest do. I've always been curious about redheads since they are becoming very rare, so I popped into my local salon and showed them a picture of Christina Hendricks. Four hours later I was some what lighter. I usually fiddle with my hair a lot, this usually also depends on my mood. Who said chemicals are bad for your hair? That's a load of rubbish. I've put my hair through torture and yet it still hasn't fallen off, it must be those genes, cheers mum.

Here are some of my favourite red heads, whether they are natural or from the bottle:

Rose McGowen - Actress.

Alison Sudol - Musician.

Christina Hendricks - Actress.

Kara Maguire - Musician.

Julia Roberts - Actress.

Coco Rocha - Model.

Hande Yener - Musician.

Most of us women experiment with hair colour at one time or another, and this is not a new phenomenon; women have been changing hair color for centuries. Ancient Egyptians dyed their hair with henna because they believed it made them more glamorous and seductive. European women wore coloured and powdered wigs to express their moods as well as their stations in life.

Why do we do it? For many of us changing our hair colour is something that we can control - signals that we want to change our lives, which we often cannot. And we know that, for good or for bad, a first impression happens within mere seconds, and often such decisions begin with physical attributes like size, eye and hair color.

In making these first impressions we tend to fall back on long-held stereotypes. We categorize blondes as ditzy, dumb or sexy. We equate brunettes with sophistication and intelligence. We assume redheads are hot tempered or complex. But where did those stereotypes come from and how true are they?

I'm enjoying being a fake redhead. The pale skin, the freckles, the icy blue eyes, the entire 'ginger' package is difficult to emulate. Turning into a blonde playboy bunny involves only a slap of fake tan and some peroxide. Redhead women however, are in a class of their own.

Once in his life, everyman is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball.

The Screen Behind The Mirror.

Today we spring forward and skip sixty minutes of our life. As the days get longer and temperatures begin to climb, off go the jumpers and boots and on go the short shorts and flip flops.  But while our spirit may be singing the praises of spring, it's also likely that our skin is still crying out with the winter blues.

I never had spots as a teenager so when I started breaking out severely five months ago, I was completely clueless on why this was happening to me now. Due to this, I started an obsessive relationship with my skin. For moderate acne to appear during adult age is definitely frustrating but after tons of research it seems like the main cause of this is hormonal imbalance, environmental changes and hands down - stress. Sine I have accumulated all this research and have been going through this I wanted to share my opinions and suggestions with the ladies who are going through a similar situation.

So.... It's time to spring into better skin, first thing first - skin detox.

Our skin reflects our lifestyle and diet choices. It's just as essential to cleanse from the inside by reducing internal impurities. I stumbled across this fantastic tea at Whole Foods while spending my whole paycheque. There are sixteen tea bags in each box and it's roughly $5 each, well worth it. It's great to find something that tastes absolutely amazing that is also very good for you. I'm a die hard tea fan, c'mon I'm British. PG Tips, please forgive for saying this and abandoning you in the back of my cupboard, but I swear by this tea and you will too. Here are the reviews.

There are so many skin lines out there that you get overwhelmed. After spending hundreds of my hard earned dollars experimenting on various products, I have to say my favourites are Dermalogica and Dr. Murad.

This should explain how loyal I am.

Need a facial? Dermalogica on Montana is the place to go. I highly recommend my esthetician Michelle, she is lovely and knows all the bits and bobs about the line. You can also pop in for what they call 'skin mapping' that separates your face into 14 different areas. Each area is approached as a unique space with specified needs, whereas an ordinary approach would be treating all of your skin the same.

Lush is also one of my faves. They have brilliant stuff from solid perfume to hair products. Their products are made by organic fruits and vegetables, essential oils and safe synthetics. All made fresh by hand. So very lush indeed.

Love Lettuce and Cosmetic Warrior are the best in my collection, add some Vitamin E in your daily life and you're pretty much good to go.

Just four days ago I was introduced to Retin-A. In the short amount of time I have used it, I definitely see a change. Just don't get too excited and apply it under your eyes and chin like I did. It will flake and burn severely.

The best way to fight problem skin is not stressing over it, and I find that very hard to say but it's a fact. Make sure to cleanse, tone, moisturize daily and exfoliate at least twice a week. It's been a long journey but I've definitely learned how to be comfortable in my own skin.

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only - Samuel Butler.

Silent Warrior.

A couple of days ago I received something in which most people that don't live in America dream of having. That little tiny card that fits perfectly in your wallet and does wonders, yep, my green card. After five years of living in the city of angels I have finally made the dream of being a resident a reality. Thankfully no more dealing with USCIS (what a pain in the arse) and no more stalking my postman for important letters. In honour and celebration of this, I booked my flight to my home town... London. 

It has been a long 14 months since I've seen my mum and dad and I am ecstatic of the thought of returning home. However there is one problem... Flying.

I am terrified of flying, I don't suffer from anxiety but I'm definitely an anxious flyer. As soon as I feel any turbulence that's it for me. I close my eyes and hold on to my seat so tightly that my nails dig into my skin, I sit there helpless like a silent warrior. I make myself believe that the plane is really falling, it's kind of pathetic but I cannot control it, it's not fun and certainly not exciting. I've had several encounters with uneasy flights. My worst one was flying into Florida from Curacao (the caribbean was amazing but never again), screams, bumps and weeping sounds coming from left and right. I literally thought it was the end of my life. Omj (this is not a typo, you'll hear me say this quite a bit) what a horrible feeling! 

Having said that I find myself even more nervous if I don't sit by the window seat... weird ey?! I like to take pictures, I like clouds, I find them mesmerising. 

If you have a phobia of flying, I feel your pain. This website could be a tad bit helpful.

Time is flying, never to return - Virgil.

Third Of It's Kind.

I don't usually celebrate particular holidays and events that spring upon us once a year, but today is a special one. Today, March 8th is International Women's Day and this one goes out to all the amazing women in my life.

My mother. You are an amazing woman, you have done so much for me that I cannot thank you enough. You are my inspiration yet you are the reason why I did not want to follow your footsteps. You taught me well, you always told me stories about my birth and you always told me how important I am to you, that I am the foundation of your joy, strength, peace and love.


My grandmother. You explained things very simply, like you knew everything and you probably did. I thank you for being so simple. I thank you for telling me the truth, so that I did not need to believe a lie that would have made things 'easier' for me. When in fact, not knowing the truth would have made things complicated. You were the only believer in me when I told you my dreams, you told me 'dream, but do more than dream... dream big'. You sold eggs to look after your seven children when your husband left you lonesome and never came back, you never thought of yourself, you were always so selfless and I love you for it. You helped me overcome my illness when I was a child, you put me on your back so that I wouldn't get tired of walking and get out of breath... and look at me now, third of your kind.


My mother-in-law. You opened your arms to me and let me in to your amazing family. You are such a wonderful woman and do so much for your community and the world with your soft heart and kind soul. I am so very lucky to have you in my life.


My girlfriends. The power of your friendship in my life matters dramatically. Many of us who once believed family was the centre of life now know that friends may be the difference between a lonely life and a living one. I have found that in many ways we share a common language. No matter what our culture, no matter what our background, we can understand each other. You ladies are my core, you know and accept me for who I am and have the trust and loyalty I can count on. I have the best girlfriends anyone could ever ask for.


I am a woman so hear me well. I am a loving daughter, a learning lover, one day I will be a mother. I can wield a heavy spade, as a mechanic I make the grade, I can form a beautiful bouquet, plow a field and then toss hay. There is nothing I can't do yet I'm a lady through and through. I have a voice and I have a brain, need I bother to explain?

Seven Lives.

I's been a very long seven days since my last blog, and believe me when I say very long. Sometimes you just get bombarded with things that life throws at you. You sometimes have trouble dealing with it, acting upon it, accepting it, resolving it and being content with it. Time ticks fast and before you know it... you actually don't. We are so consumed with our surroundings that we tend to forget to take care of our minds and therefore we switch off.

Someone told me to hold off for a second, to take a breather. She said ''Look at you, you're the next Superwoman''. Maybe sometimes I try to play that part but often I can't... and that's okay. We can't always walk around with our shields and our smiles as our weapons. I'm a modern-day woman with non-traditional values. I don't have hairy armpits, I like to wear dresses to work. I have a degree, I love to cook. I don't own a house (yet). Excelsior (my car) is good to me and the only Prada in my wardrobe is from a thrift store. Luckily, if I add it all up I'm not so bad, but calling me a Superwoman..... nah, I'm not having it.

Ok... I think I'm rambling on right about now. It is 1am and I did work six days in a row. This means it's my day off tomorrow, which means plenty of time for another blog, Skype with the 'rents and make music with my rockstar.

Before I go, I just want to remind you that perceptive awareness is being fully alert and living fully in the moment. It is seeing trees bend in the wind and the way birds circle overhead. It is sensing how the trees feel and what sorrows and joys the birds are experiencing. Their pain, their happiness and their worries. It is experiencing the full moment around us and not just our little thoughts. It's clearing the mind of future events and past overly replayed scenes.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while you just may miss it - Ferris Bueller.

We are Nature.

Today is the first day of March and we all know what that means - 40 days till my 25th... Ha. On a serious note it means we are closer to Spring.

Who said Cali never rains? Oh yes, It was Estelle singing to 'American Boy' (stuck in my head while I type). I am definitely ready for some sunshine. I am over the rain! So guess what's in store for Saturday's 10k race... rain! Could you cross your fingers for me, please, that the weatherman will be wrong about at least the timing? I would be over the moon if the rain would hold off until say... 9 o'clock - ish.

Since March is the time of transition from winter to spring I decided to start my day by going for a hike. I have to admit the air smelt very nice after raining cats and dogs on the weekend. While hiking, life becomes more simple, it slows down to a reasonable pace and it helps me reflect on life and really see the small stuff. There is nothing like reaching a high altitude and the feeling of being on top of the world.

And it goes without saying... fantastic photos @ Fryman Canyon: 

After finishing off my hike to Enigma Radio I decided there was something missing in my life... a plant. I headed out to Target and found the perfect one.

A ''Spring Glow'' Hybrid Calla Lily. Yes... my pot says ''Bee Happy''.

There's no question that hiking offers a way to get regular exercise. Your mental health will dramatically improve and hiking is a great way to reduce everyday stress and just get away from it all. Soon you will consider hiking to be a journey rather than a destination. Being out on a trail will no doubt give you a sense of communion with something greater than yourself. I believe it will clear your head and energize your soul.

When life gets too much for me, I take a hike.

                                            

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts and my worst thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it - Soren Kierkegaard.