All About The Pretty

Sprayology Homeopathic Oral Spray

I had been reading for years about Sprayology Homeopathic Oral Sprays, but it took going to Paris to put them to use.  I have a fear of flying.  Yes, I know it sounds crazy.  I always say I love to go, but hate to fly.  With that being said, I do not sleep on planes.  I flew to Tokyo and didn't go to sleep.  Enough said.  I need all the help I can get adjusting to various time zones.  I give you Sprayology's Travel Ease.  I will never travel more than 6 hours without this product.   After returning home I used the Body Balance and I felt rested and like myself.  Of course staying up reading late had me more exhausted than traveling to another country.  The B12 Spray is on my list to try next especially when we lose the hour of sleep as we spring forward.  

The Power of Rest by Matthew Edlund, M.D.

I wish everyone a wonderful new year.  I was able to get through two months of magazines, start an editorial calendar, create drafts of blog posts, spend time with mom and hubby, and rest.  Why? Because I told myself I was not going out for New Year's Eve.  I'm old enough to remember all the days of waking up in the new year exhausted from staying up way past my bed time.  This new year is different.  I entered it calm, rested, and ready for all that a new year has to offer.  I hope you all join me on the 21-day Yoga Challenge.  If you don't practice, just move.  I call this "my year of yoga."  This equals healthy.  That's my main goal. 

I've been reading this book in preparation for the new year.  The Power of Rest is a great book for anyone who wants to reboot and get their life back on track.  It's no secret that I'm not the best sleeper.  My mind constantly races and thousands of thoughts and ideas keep me tossing and turning many nights.  Well, I realized when I do the various forms of rest in the book I sleep like a baby.  The book has a 30-day plan to reset the sleep clock.  I'm applying the principles and will do my best with my crazy 2011 travel schedule.

Here are a few tips on rest from the book. 

• Physical Rest: Sleep is one form of passive physical rest, but engaging in active forms of physical rest is also crucial.  Dr. Edlund’s 30-day plan provides a range of techniques for active physical rest, including breathing exercises, timed naps, baths, and yoga poses.
• Mental Rest: While we need to rest the body, it’s equally important to learn to focus and concentrate the mind.  Mental rest involves reconfiguring one’s mind to quickly and easily obtain a sense of relaxed control, and Dr. Edlund has developed exercises—including self-hypnosis, relaxation, and visualization—designed to help maximize this process.
• Social Rest: Humans are hardwired to be extremely social—social connectedness is built into the structure of our brains.  Studies show that people with strong social connections live longer, cope with stress better, and are healthier.  The Power of Rest explains how to incorporate key social rest techniques into your life.
• Spiritual Rest: Certain spiritual practices can provide a profound sense of rest, inner peace, connection, and self-healing, and scientific studies have demonstrated that meditation can actually change the structure of the brain over time.  Dr. Edlund provides exercises involving meditation, prayer and contemplation that bring renewal and a sense of well-being.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to change their life through rest.

Destination Pretty: Club Med's Theme Fest Weeks

Club Med Resorts have recently implemented theme fest fitness weeks at a few of their destination hot spots.  Beach Fest and Zumba are for beach and exercise enthusiasts.  I remember taking a Zumba class at work and it was so much fun.  The weeks are centered around specific fitness genres.  If you don't think your fitness level is up to par don't be dismayed.  The weeks are for newbies, as well as, hard core fitness fanatics.  I would love to visit Club Med's spa focus resorts because that's the type of girl I am.  I wonder if staring at these photos long enough will keep me warm in the coming months.

{Club Med Cancun}

{Club Med Ixtapa}

This property is calling my name and I'm ready to thaw out from the cold weather.

 

Destination Pretty: Yoga for Foodies with Dave Romanelli at Mii Amo Destination Spa Resort

I have been fortunate to practice yoga with some great teachers.  I've had a blast attending Dave Romanelli's Yoga for Foodies and Yoga + Wine Workshops.  Dave is now leading retreats at the "can I stay there forever" Mii Amo at Enchantment Destination Spa Resort in Sedona, Arizona.  Dave has great sequencing in his classes which means each pose flows to another pose.  Dave also chooses great music to go with his classes. I always check his site for his play lists.  After class the retreat moves to the kitchen to take the senses on a culinary journey.  The resort has been recognized by travel magazines as one a great destination to regroup and connect to oneself.  Mii Amo is on the list to visit with the girls. 

{Hello Mii Amo. I can't wait to meet you}

{Feeling relaxed just looking at this pool}

 

{I never met a spa I didn't like}

Destination Pretty: One&Only Ocean Club + Phyisque 57 Partner for Weekend Fitness Retreats

 
I'm obsessed with fitness retreats right now. The idea that I can get a kick-butt workout in a beautiful destination has tickled my travel wanderlust.  The temperature is continuing to drop and the thought of escaping to warmth is adding happiness sparkles to my day.  The One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas has partnered with Physique 57 the butt-blasting and sweat inducing workout that many of my friends swear by.  I plan to take a wellness day in NY and head to the studio to experience the class for myself.  Until I get to the class I will dream of attending this retreat as a treat to myself.  

Fall Transitions

I have finally bid adieu to summer and embracing what has become my favorite season - fall.  Don't get me wrong, I still wear my white jeans, but now I pair them with long sleeve cashmere tees and boots instead of sandals.  I do not want to even think about donning a North Face jacket, gloves, and hats.  I do love my new lightweight cardigan from Green Dragon I picked up in Hawaii, but that's about it.  I should have bought every single color.  I'm enjoying the  early mornings drinking coffee or tea on my patio and not feeling I was on fire. 

One of my favorite rituals is to sit and enjoy the silence in the early mornings reading a magazine.   In the evenings I sit on the patio enjoying a glass of red wine.  I've never been to the beach in the fall when it's crisp and you need a sweater to walk on the boardwalk, but my honey promised me he would take me this year.  It must be love because he's always cold.  Opposites attract don't they :)

I decided I'm going to rock a red lip after listening to Patrice and Felicia discuss it.  I haven't worn red during the day in forever, but why not start.  It's time to shake things up a bit on the beauty front and the perfect red lip product is going to be my first fall beauty purchase. I'm going to read Lipstick Queen to go along with my new red lipstick endeavor.

What are you looking forward to for Fall? Beauty, travel, life, and fashion wise. I would love to hear from you. 

Om Pretty: How I Became a Yogi + Organic Island Shell Lip Balms

It's been over 4 years since I first came to yoga. I didn't go to class because I wanted a "yoga butt" or  looking for enlightenment.  My doctor prescribed yoga to deal with the grief.  That's right the doctor prescribed yoga.  This was January 2006 and of one of my brothers had just died.  I was sinking into sadness and needed something.  I didn't realize at the time that it was yoga.  My entire family was back down South and I was in DC by myself.  At that time the worst thing was being away from my family 

So, to appease him I went to class.  I looked up a few studios in DC, but settled on Tranquil Space after discovering Kimberly's blog.    After that first class I was hooked.  Seriously hooked unlike any other form of exercise.  When I walked in I couldn't touch my toes and forget dropping into a yogic squat.  I had spent the last few years running marathons and my knees were not happy.  Now, I'm able to touch my toes, hold a mean chaturanga, and my arms support my side plank pose easily.  My hamstrings don't like pigeon all that much, but I'm working and breathing deeply into the pose every time I hit the mat.  

Life lesson number one.  Life is too short to not pursue your dreams.  In 2007 I completed my first Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training.  I plan to complete the Level 2 Teacher Training in Spring 2011. 

I practice primarily at Tranquil Space in Dupont Circle.  It's my home studio, my family, and friends.  I do bounce around to other studios in the area, but TS is always home.  I'm still a beauty junkie at heart and must apply lip balm and gloss before each class.  Most of the teachers at TS know this about me, but it's funny to see the other students in the class look at me with this weird look. My new find is Organic Island Shell Lip Balms.  How cute are these? The lip balms are made with organic ingredients and house din a recycled shell. This is a photo of the very first Yoga Journal Magazine I purchased paired with my new favorite lip balm. 

Have a safe and happy holiday.  I am going to relax, write, and practice lots of yoga on and off the mat. 

Love, Lip Gloss & Namaste

Om Pretty: September is National Yoga Month

September is National Yoga Month.  If you have ever been curious about attending a yoga class now is the time.  There are hundreds of studios all across the country offering free and discounted classes.  For more information check here.  Also during National Yoga Month is the Global Mala Event for Peace. If you are a ready for 108 sun salutations then head to your nearest studio.  I'm excited because I will finally be in town and able to participate.  Over the course of the month I will highlight my new organic beauty products, simple and healthy recipes, wellness destinations, and cute and comfy yoga clothes that can take you from the office to the mat.  f you have any questions regarding yoga, my personal yoga practice, and if I can help you find a studio to your liking please email me. 

Destination Pretty: Great Yoga Retreats by Taschen

It's no secret my love of all things yoga.  I stalk the Lululemon website almost everyday and there is no way I could ever travel without my TranquiliT clothing.  These clothes go from the yoga mat into my everyday life.  Next year on my list of travel is to attend an international yoga retreat. I have a few instructors that I want to study with on these trips but it's hard to narrow them down.  It's not helping that I just discovered Great Yoga Retreats by Taschen. 

My top choices are Mexico, India, Italy, Indonesia and Thailand.  It's my yoga version of Eat, Pray, Love which I can't wait to see next week.  The past few months have been busy and I need something just for me.  I love my girl getaways, but this about Julia.  The Don and I love to travel together, but we both understand traveling separately for personal growth and exploration.  He knows so much on Egypt that he really should be an Egyptologist.  He plans on going on a study tour of Egypt.  Not for me - just like going on a yoga retreat is so not his thing. 

A few years ago I went to a yoga conference in Florida and had the time of my life. It was fun being amongst all the yogis and to take classes with instructors such as Tias Little, Shiva Rea, and Sean Corn. Now, I'm ready for a relaxing yoga retreat in a fun and exotic locale.  The retreat must have a spa because with so much yoga each day my body has to have time to regroup in the spa and with great food.  

I'm getting excited looking at the resorts, making lists of my top destinations, and the expansion of my yoga practice. 

Question: If you could choose to go anywhere in the world by yourself where would it be. Leave a comment or email me directly.  I'm curious.

Feasting Pretty: Golden Door Cooks at Home

I've never been to the Golden Door Spas, but it is definitely on my list of top spas to visit.  Until I get to visit the spa on a personal wellness getaway I will use the Golden Door Cooks at Home to keep my cooking wellness activity in check.  The cookbook is loaded with recipes such as Adobo Marinated Flank Steak (if you cook Adobe seasoning should be a staple in your pantry); Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Caramelized Cauliflower, and Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with Orange Sauce. 

This is the perfect summer cookbook because everything is fresh and colorful at my farmer's market. Just looking at this cover makes me want to eat something decadent and cool in this heat.