May 2009
29 posts
For what it's worth...
This week I had two different sources make statements about how one perceives themselves and how powerful that perception is. Basically, you are what you think. Even if you are thinking “I don’t want to be this or that”. By having the thought at all, you are affirming that that is what and who you are.
So that is the first bit, which ties into the second. The habits and...
Halla for a pop of colour!
Like the trend of bright coloured sunnies last year- awesome pops of eighties style colours (and combinations) are back, but this time it is all about the shoes.
Last night I went to a local Londonite’s birthday bash at Envy in North London and in addition to the American style playlist, I was super impressed with the array of colour coming from the dance floor.
Colourful heels are back...
The healing power of ESPA.
I have to say, the Dead Sea did not agree with my skin and I have spent the past week coming at it with every purifying moisturizer, deep cleaning mask and antibacterial cleanser I could find- and to no avail.
Turns out, all I really needed was a trip to the Mandarin Oriental in New York where they carry the ESPA line. New to me, my esthetician explained that ESPA is a line created for and...
Shhhh...it's a surprise!
Last night I pulled off my first successful surprise party! It was a task more complicated and stressful than I imagined- but in the end worth every bit of scheming energy.
The basic take-away from orchestrating and hosting such an event is that you have to get in touch with the people who know best the person you are surprising. You may know your person well too, but believe me- that extra...
Summer hair.
In the summertime we all like to look effortlessly beautiful and switch into our natural glow mode, where our skin is bronzed, make-up minimal and our hair nonfussed and awesome.
One of the best summer hairstyles is loose and wavy. Yet, you have to accomplish this in a way that again is not too tried. Here is how you get the look:
The best way is to start with clean, wet hair. Apply a mouse...
Style Finder.
If you are like me, some days you wake up and just cannot get an outfit to come together- there are no brain cells left to coordinate a look you can feel good in.
When this happens, I turn to some of my trusty sources to generate ideas and help me stay on trend. Without giving away all my goodies, here are a few places to go for inspiration.
Lucky Magazine- a magazine that is all about...
(How to) just say no.
Our culture is not one to say no. Would you like to receive an extra 10% off. Yes. Would you like a drink while you wait. Okay, thank you. Can we interest you in a club card where you receive the 10th one free? Why not.
Ok, ok- so these are all examples linked to promotions and sales, but have you ever realized that we are signing up for things and saying yes all the time. Recently, a...
Go ahead and indulge (a little)!
Summer is approaching and so are the itsty bitsy tiny weeny bikinis and other skin revealing outfits, so we are all trying to be good and watch what we eat… but I am here to say there is good news for giving into temptation. You know, that piece of chocolate you have denied yourself for days or those chips that you would actually die for that are beckoning you for just a small...
Fastrack Pack!
So, my recent trip to Jordan came about quite abruptly and I literally had 10 minutes to pack a carry-on bag for a 5 day trip. I have to say, I was thoroughly happy and also stunned by how well I packed.
Here is my fastrack pack list for warm weather destinations:
2 cover-up style dresses that can be worn to the pool, during the day walking around or for a casual dinner
2-3 swimsuits, you...
Essential Power.
Popped into Neal’s Yard Remedies today for an essential oil mix. Often one of the most underused senses, the sense of smell is highly powerful and when utilised by the stimulation of essential oils can be healing as well. What are essential oils? “The natural fragrant essence extracted from flowers, bark, roots, fruit peel and berries” (Neal’s Yard Remedies). Overlooked as...
YGL Style
Recently I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to join in the festivities of the Young Global Leaders Forum for the Middle East in Amman, Jordan. Attending something like this always presents the challenge of what is both appropriate to wear and respectful of the culture you are entering and what still resonates with who you are and representing that.
I scoped out the scene whilst I was...
DIY Facial.
Stress of the economic downturn- and the cost cutting of your favourite things- does not mean you have to wear it on your face. You can treat yourself to a cost effective and personalized facial right in your own home. Here’s how!
Start by securing your hair out of your face with a headband and wash your face with a mild cleanser.
Next get a large bowl of steaming hot water (preferably boiled),...
Hit the ground running!
Eating healthy is great and doing so in a manner that is dedicated to changing the way you eat and feel for life, rather than just for a diet period is the best thing you can do to change your body and keep the one you want. In addition, you will need to burn some of the calories you are putting in. And if you want to lose weight you have to create a negative caloric intake to output...
Meal Plan.
Hopefully from the last two posts you have formed a way of monitoring what you eat and how much. Let’s take it one step further with an actual meal plan recommendation. ;)
Breakfast:
Tea (preferably non-caffeinated) with a tablespoon of soymilk
Fruit- a bowl of fresh berries, a slice of cantaloupe, or half a grapefruit with agave (a natural non-sugar sweetener made from the nectar of...
Swimsuit bootcamp- part 2!
Ok, from last time you have a better idea of how to implement an overall healthy svelte-conducive regime, now let’s get down to particulars. Below is a list of portion sizes and frequencies per group per day recommended for trimming around the edges whilst maintaining good levels of nutrition by eating a variety of foods in moderation.
Daily intake:
Grains- 2-4 servings/ day: brown rice,...
Swimsuit bootcamp- part one!
Somewhere in the back of our minds we know it is going to be swimsuit season sooner than later and tomorrow we will start a programme to get the body we will be proud to show off rather than keep under a kaftan wrap. The power of thought is powerful, but a body transformation will take more than just thinking about it, so here is are my suggestions to get ready to bare it all!
Diet:
drink...
The ol' stand by outfit.
On a girls-get-together weekend this past weekend in NYC with friends from London, Toronto, Montreal and New York, I discovered the ultimate “of the moment” country-crossing outfit. It goes a little something like this:
skinny jeans- mostly black, but now more juicy pop colours are coming out
t-shirt- longer and with some sort of fun graphic
boyfriend cardigan- long with pockets in...
What I like about Gaga.
Last night at Terminal 5 a “blonde bitch in a bunch of bubbles” (directly quoted from the Lady herself) epitomised the synergy of art, fashion and music. Her signature Swedish blonde hair, oversize sunglasses, massive eyelashes that look like feathers and quirky outfits registered recognition of Lady Gaga. What I liked most about the show was the revealing of her sense of self and need...
Keep a good thought for your water.
At a recent dinner party I learned of the book “The True Power of Water” in which scientific tests on water and its composition were conducted, recorded and interoperated.
In one experiment, two identical containers of water underwent a session of “praise”. One glass was told that it was beautiful. The other was told how grateful the drinker was for its existence. The...
It’s the small things that count.
Eighty degree tempts in New York, sunshine in London and sidewalk café sunbathing in Paris- s/s is here! Now for our transition into the next season…
The easiest way to update your look and bring yourself out of the tried and true trends you developed and personalized during f/w is through accessorizing.
Keep rocking the outfits you love and alter them slightly with new accents. Try these on for...