Looking for a florist, just like looking for a photographer, can be a daunting task.  My hope is by reading today’s post, I will  help to make your search a little easier.  Take a moment and check out  Botany Floral Studio…

 

Like what you see so far?  The studio looks even more impressive in person.  The best part about botany is not the amazing floral options but the owner, Rachelle Soucy.  Rachelle really knows her craft, with a background in fine art, she puts together arrangements that take your breath away.  The next best thing about Rachelle is her warm prairie girl vibe, after just a few minutes in her presence you feel like she could be your bff.  The third and final reason you need to check out Botany Floral Studio is Rachelle’s commitment to the environment which is evident in all the reusable and recyclable materials that are used throughout the studio.  You can find out more about Rachelle here.

 

Celebrating Life and Love

Gina Ayanna

Beauty is Love:The Real Women Series

Posted May 31st, 2010 in Real Women Series by Gina Ayanna

So today I bring you another real woman in our community that is an amazing mother, fitness instructor and client turned friend.  You would think that would be enough but Jenna is also passionate about healing and she is helping those in our community affected by cancer to rebuild and renew their lives.

Meet Jenna Howe…


Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of working with many different women at every stage and age of their cancer journey.  The work I do ranges from in home treatment plans using exercise and complimentary therapy for relief of chemotherapy related symptoms, post surgical recovery, post chemotherapy fitness programming, training for Dragon Boat teams and prevention programs for women who have had an early detection of malignancy.  Each one has an individual story to tell and a path to follow.  These women exude strength, compassion, togetherness and love.  These women are wives, mothers, sisters, and friends.  Some are single mothers, some have grown children or grandchildren, some have not yet married and had their own children and all express beauty in their own right.  One particular woman stands out to me as I write this.  A young woman with a sarcoma, long chemotherapy schedule, painful surgery and projected rehabilitation schedule that suggests that she will be able to walk normally in about a year.  The first moment I met her, I noticed her big gorgeous eyes and beautiful smile.  And while she felt ill from chemotherapy, felt pain and fatigue from surgery not once has she not been able to smile. This young woman’s smile is the definition of beauty to me because you can’t see anything else when she smiles. Her home is so full of love, you can feel it as you walk in and it wraps around you in a way that makes you never want to leave.  To me, beauty is love.

Jenna Howe

To find out more about Jenna please visit her website rejeneration.ca or email her at 2rejenerate@gmail.com.

Thank you Jenna for participating in our real women series, you continue to inspire me with you kindness and dedication to wellness.

Gina

Real Women Series-Yolanda Marshall

Posted April 20th, 2010 in Real Women Series by Gina Ayanna
Our real woman this month is Yolanda Marshall, an author, poet and all around beautiful woman.  Yolanda has such a vivid way in which she tells her stories that draws the reader in, her stories are filled with humor, real life situations and the joys of her childhood.  Most of her stories are based on reflections of growing up in Guyana.  You can pick up Yolanda’s first book Obayifo at any Chapters book store.  Yolanda is currently working on her second book of short stories and poems entitled Brown Water Baby.  You can follow Yolanda’s blog here.
Thank you Yolanda for taking the time to be our guest blogger.
Gina

 Pliable to Perfection

I went searching for perfection
Believing I am capable of being that perfect person
Plausible was my approach to mold a personality
This warm blooded form into ‘pliable me’
Complaisant presentations
A prosaic simulation
Pausing to inhale the aroma of my pride
Patiently, behind shadows I hide
Just to prance suddenly
Proudly displaying the new décor of me
Mental punishment through superficial modifications
Pointlessly, I tried to alter my mutation
Forgetting I am a pure-blooded human
With life so unpredictable,
It leaves no room for perfection.

Written by Yolanda T. Marshall


This short piece is one of my favorites. On those days when I feel I should look like a “Super Model”, I remind myself that I am Yolanda T. Marshall – a natural, beautiful woman who cannot be perfected with air brushing or cosmetic procedures etc.
This poem is saying, ” I tried to alter my looks for the false idea of perfection but realized that I am not easily influenced or easily shaped by superficial modifications”. We are all humans and nowhere on my birth certificate did I sign a contract with society to be “perfect at all times”. Sometimes, us women need to remind ourselves that we all cannot look like we stepped out of a magazine. We sure can feel like it if we learn to love ourselves internally and externally – cellulite and all!

My poems reflect the many moods of the universe. Any topic or experience can inspire me to express my view using poetry. It is an art I always loved as a child to this day. I strongly believe that life itself is poetic – the flow of nature, the imperfections of our society, the unfair judgments of unique cultures, to the mischievous grey hair reminding me what time it is. I write fast to capture the moment my mind is at it’s richest peek.  A few of my Professors in university were very impressed at my ability to write a one page poem, in less than 30 minutes. It is something I cannot fully explain and would rather share.  I am not one to perform on an open mic or attend the parties where you will find other Authors or Poets. Some of my fans once called me a “humble, hermit Writer”.  I have to admit, this describes me best.  I am satisfied when my readers can relate to the emotions of my writings. I have many more to share as I continue my Journey in life.

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