#WINNING

A brain full of yoga

2012-03-21T22:21:00.001-04:00

Hi dolls! I wanted to write a post about yoga since it is such an essential part of my life and I haven't mentioned it in a while! Some people have misconceptions about yoga, others completely understand it but do not care for it, and then there are the people who live for it, like myself.

Lately I've started exclusively practicing 'hot yoga' - mostly because it is a very fast paced class and I love to sweat and release toxins from my body. However, I do not go to yoga solely for the physical aspects. The role yoga plays in our brain is actually quite amazing. Focusing on a connection between mind and body - which is the core of all yoga classes - channels stress-relief, mood-boosting, and relaxation-inducing properties. According to a 2010 study by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, yoga has been proven to increase the amount of γ-Aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA, in your brain. GABA is directly correlated with lowered levels of depression and anxiety, and an elevated mood level. Yoga has also been proved to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, making it the perfect after work workout! I usually go around six at night, even when I am completely drained from work. Why? Because once I reach shavasana (the end of the class intended to rejuvenate and relax the body) I feel amazing and never regret going.

For those of you who practice yoga, keep it up!! For the rest, try it out, it can't hurt!

xoxo!

P.S. meditating has the same beneficial mind effects as yoga, plus more

Quick Fix

2012-02-01T21:12:00.001-05:00

This afternoon on my day off I decided to whip up a quick pre-yoga early dinner. I stopped at Whole Foods and as soon as I walked in I envisioned making a veggie packed quinoa dish. I grabbed some chorizo, vegetables, organic quinoa - and viola - the end result was delicious! Packed with protein and vitamins, this dish is not only tasty but incredibly healthy!

Ingredients:

1 cup organic quinoa

2 large handfuls chopped organic green kale

1 1/2 cups - I used frozen - chopped green beans, carrots, peas, corn

3/4 of a medium sized chorizo link, chopped

3 garlic cloves

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, onion powder

Add a cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water to a small pot. Bring to a boil and then let simmer with the cover on for 15 minutes. Drain excess liquid and let sit.

In a medium sized pot, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, add veggies and bring to a boil again stirring occasionally, then simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and let sit.

Once those are complete, add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a medium skillet and heat on low. Add garlic and chorizo, stirring for about 7-9 minutes. Add 1 handful of kale. Stir and make sure kale is sautéing - about 2 minutes. Add the other handful of kale and stir on low for 2 minutes. Add vegetables and the other 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir for 2 minutes. Add a teeny pinch of salt (the chorizo gives the dish enough salt for flavor) and a teaspoon of black pepper. Stir. Add quinoa, half teaspoon onion powder, and half teaspoon crushed red pepper. Stir for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Serve hot and enjoy!

xoxo

Hail for Kale

2011-11-10T14:49:00.002-05:00

Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables around. If you find yourself bored of lettuce or mixed greens, substituting kale in a salad is just as delicious and really creates a unique flavor. Kale is filled with antioxidants and nutrients, known for lowering your risk of certain cancers and diseases.

The Facts: One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6, 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. Below is a recipe for kale salad that I have created, and I use it about once week. It is very simple but extra yummy. Try it out :)

Ingredients: 1lb fresh organic red and green kale, chopped

Red onions chopped, red cabbage chopped, shaved carrots, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

dash of kosher salt and black pepper

Note worthy tunes

2011-11-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Arcade fire - Sprawl ii

Looks I Love

2011-11-07T20:07:00.000-05:00

This season I am fond of anything and everything glittery, sparkly, and sequin-filled, which is so not my typical style. On an average day I am smothered in neutral draping tops paired with jeans, and a gold watch is about the extent of my jewelry. Lately though, I've been completely enamored with the combination of masculine meets feminine. Looks such as boyfriend jeans and a sequined top are fabulous, chic, yet still casual. Wearing a signature sequined statement piece is the perfect way to glam up your look this season. I am absolutely going on a hunt for the Vince sequined top shown below!

Fall foods to the rescue

2011-10-19T19:00:00.002-04:00

Hi loves! My hiatus is finally over, and I am back to the blog world. This week I read an interesting article about fall foods and their antioxidant effects. Although some of these foods are not common items stocked in your kitchen, they are incredibly tasty, not to mention overflowing with nutrients. Try them out and let me know what you think!

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber and vitamin A, which according to the Harvard School of Public Health, stimulates white blood cells and regulates cell growth and division.

Try a pumpkin soup on one of those crisp fall nights, with this recipe.

Beets

Beets are packed with folate, vitamin C, and magnesium, thanks to their vibrant pigment.

Try a beet and goat cheese salad with this recipe, the combination is my personal favorite!

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are an incredible source of fiber, vitamin C, and folate; and if you are not a huge fan of the sprouts, you can utilize their cousin with the same nutrients, broccoli.

Try a side dish of crispy roasted brussels sprouts using this recipe.

Enjoy!

xox

Info via The Huffington Post online

Words of wisdom

2011-09-26T22:15:00.000-04:00

Smile Therapy

2011-07-26T22:52:00.001-04:00

Smiling is contagious...

Organic meets beauty..lips edition!

2011-07-25T10:48:00.004-04:00

After my recent discovery that Burt's Bees chapstick has ingredients that take the natural oils out of your lips, essentially drying them even more so you have to keep reapplying...I became very skeptical of lip care these days! A few months ago I wrote this post about Aquaphor, and I still think it treats your lips the best. However, sometimes we need some color in that area, without losing the moisturizing components. ILIA Pure Lip Care is an organic and ethically sustainable lip care company, using certified organic bioactive botanicals that nourish and rejuvenate the lips. This company sells lipstick in array of beautiful colors; my personal favorite is their "shell shock" shade! What I love most about ILIA is the combination of some of the most essential oils and vitamins used. Organic ingredients such as Jojoba oil, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, and the natural antioxidants of Pomegranate are used in the products and help protect lips against daily exposure to free radicals - free radicals cause faster aging, no one wants to look older than they are! They also add an uplifting scent, using oils of Jasmine and Orange Blossom. Last but not least, the lipstick case is made with recycled aluminum, filled with 85% organic ingredients - perfect for eco friendly buyers. All in all, this is a highly recommended product! So if you are in a chapped-lips rut, or just want to try out a new brand of lipstick, ILIA should be your next stop.

Enjoy!

photo via ilia blog

Summer Detox

2011-07-21T13:02:00.006-04:00

In the bedroom: If people would buy different sheets, they might not need sleeping pills. Polyester-cotton blends and permanent press linens have a finish that releases formaldehyde, which can irritate the throat and eyes—not helpful for peaceful sleep. Use untreated cotton sheets; avoid wrinkles by taking them out of the dryer right away.

In the living room: Pressed-wood products are another source of formaldehyde which is linked to myeloid leukemia in factory workers. Let pieces air out in a room with doors shut and windows open, or shop for used pieces—they've already aired out.

In the closet: The dry-cleaning fluid perchloroethylene (PERC) can cause headaches and liver and kidney damage. If you dry-clean, keep clothes bagged while driving home so you don't pollute your car, then toss bags and air clothes outside or in an apartment stairwell for an hour

On the floor: Your Swiffer isn't organic, but it can reduce toxins. Chemicals can piggyback on dust. So dust surfaces and floors weekly, take off your shoes and wipe pets' paws at the door (so no one tracks in chemicals), and change filters in your central-air system at least once a year. Then breathe easy.
While grocery shopping: You can consume nearly 80 percent fewer pesticides by eating organic versions of the 12 most contaminated items, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) concludes. The worst pesticidal products are apples, followed by celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, imported nectarines, imported grapes, bell peppers, potatoes, domestic blueberries, lettuce and kale.

In your body: Lemons: Adding fresh lemon juice to water, juices, dressings, fruits and veggies is a fantastic way to add flavor without calories, chemicals, additives and add tons of nutrients. We all know that lemons are high in Vitamin C, which helps bind to heavy metals and help our colon working efficiently!

Parsley: This fantastically healthy internal detoxifier is easy to add as a garnish to any dish! From salads, soups, stews, lamb, BBQ’s or pureed green monsters! Parsley is known for detoxifying the blood stream, and is beneficial for the lungs, colon, liver, kidney and spleen. It contains vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll.

Garlic: 1/2 clove of garlic a day has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol. The active compound Allicin, is effective at killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and parasites. Garlic contains many sulphur compounds, vitamin C and flavonoids which combat free radical damage!

Beets: Beets are the ultimate blood detoxifier. These sweet red veggies are extremely effective for liver detoxification. They help with digestion, and stimulate the kidney and lymphatic systems. They are rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium,calcium, fibre, phytochemicals and antioxidants!

On your body: Treat your skin gently. Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle!Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water. Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers. Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

Hope everyone is enjoying these warm sunny days!

xox

Inspiration

2011-07-08T13:20:00.000-04:00

Book Worm

2011-06-23T11:41:00.001-04:00

In the midst of trying to find a great summer read, I stumbled across this little gem. What Should I Read Next? helps you find a book to read based on your other reading interests. When I opened the site I typed in Little Bee by Chris Cleave (which is an amazing book and I highly recommend it - it is one of those books that took me about 48 hours to finish because I couldn't stop reading) and it gave me a list of about 40 books based on similarities such as writing style, authors voice, themes, and length. What a great tool to use when you are having a hard time finding a good book to read!

Alternative route

2011-06-16T11:57:00.000-04:00

Lately I have envied the people I see leisurely riding their bicycles to work or around the city. It is such a great idea especially when the expenses of owning a car and keeping it in a city are overwhelmingly high. But there is another very important reason to switch means of transportation from car to bicycle. The environment is incredibly delicate and needs to be nurtured just like human beings do. By riding your bike to work instead of driving, the earth could be spared automobile ozone pollution that accounts for 72% of nitrogen oxides and 52% of reactive hydrocarbons in the air. David Lawyer wrote the ultimate paper comparing bicycle vs. automobile energy use, and found that bikes are 2/3 more efficient than cars even after factoring in the energy to produce the extra food the cyclist requires. So next time you have to make a trip to CVS down the street, or if you normally drive 10-20 minutes to work, rethink your options and especially rethink what is happening to the earth every time you turn on your car.

Saving the planet > getting a workout > traveling in fresh air = bike ride :)

Color Me Pretty

2011-06-15T14:56:00.004-04:00

I've been relishing in my love for this seasons trend of brights. My closet has slowly transformed from a sea of neutrals and blacks, to a glowing waterfall of reds, greens, blues, yellows, oranges, and patterns. I have created some of my favorite summer looks; casual, comfortable, and of course, vibrant. Spice up your wardrobe this summer with a few vivid signature pieces, you'll end up becoming addicted to color!

1) Diane von Furstenberg cashmere sweater  - net-a-porter.com   2) Les Prairies de Paris long sleeve blouse
3) TopShop silk top - topshop.com 4) River Island yellow blouse - riverisland.com
5) J Brand red shorts - jades24.com 6) J Brand denim shorts  - net-a-porter.com
7) Short skirt - farfetch.com 8) FAIR true striped skirt  - fashion-conscience.com
9) Christian Louboutin high heels  - net-a-porter.com 10) Mulberry handbag  - matchesfashion.com
11) Yves Saint Laurent envelope clutch - net-a-porter.com 12) DAY Birger et Mikkelsen beaded necklace - 25park.com
13) Kenneth Jay Lane turquoise ring- charmandchain.com 14) Dorothy Perkins bangle bracelet- dorothyperkins.com
15) H M bangle bracelet - hm.com 16) Cacharel round sunglasses - openingceremony.us

xox!

In the raw: Part 1 !

2011-06-02T14:04:00.000-04:00

When the days are long and busy, and all hope for cooking a nutritious dinner is lost, do not fret. I know packaged foods, bars, fast food, or 5-minute meals are very convenient at times, but that is just not the way to go. Fresh foods are key to a persons diet. I was told many times that you should never eat anything that will not expire. By that I mean, a bag of chips probably lasts for a few years unopened, while a bag of carrots lasts for only a few days. The longer the expiration date on the package, the worse the food is for you. An incredibly quick and easy way to eat healthy is to eat fresh foods. This way, you get all of the vitamins, minerals, and proteins you need in your diet, while eating on the fly. Each of the pictures below shows a meal combination of fresh foods. They are a great base to work off of, for those days when cooking is just not an option. Take a look at some of these meal options below. The breakfast options can also be accompanied with greek yogurt and low-sugar granola, which is an easy and delicious way to incorporate more nutrition into the meal. Next time you go to the grocery store keep these meals in mind and shop the right way!

Snapshots

2011-05-31T22:18:00.000-04:00

Here are 9 reasons why I want an iPhone.

Can you believe these photos were taken by a cell phone? These vintage-looking snapshots are amazing...oh technology...

Music Review: TV On The Radio

2011-05-26T09:46:00.000-04:00

By: Mike Kennedy

My favorite album of 2011 so far is hands down TV on the Radio’s Nine Types of Light. This is a rare occurrence for me. Normally my favorite albums involve some sort of southern rock, harmonica, Hammond B3, blues or slide guitar solos, or a mixture of all of the above. Nine Types of Light, however, is none of the above. One night a few weeks ago Nicole (miss Chic, Sleek and Simply Unique herself) was sending me youtube links of songs. In the mix of this, I stumbled upon a video by TV on the Radio entitled “Nine Types of Light.” I had heard of the Brooklyn based “art rock” band before, but I had only really liked a few of their songs. I never truly “got” their sound. The video for Nine Types of Light, a collection of music videos for the album’s songs, interspersed with fascinating interviews of people explaining their dreams, nevertheless captivated me throughout. It is part short film exhibition and part musical joyride. Each song is better than the next, and each video intriguing and thought-provoking. I have since listened to the album from start to finish more times than I can count. There is no song I don’t like. It is like nothing you have ever heard: a mixture of soulful singing, sonic sounds, and perfect arrangements. For example, take the horns that come into play in “Second Song,” or the bridge at the 52 second mark in “Caffeinated Consciousness.” Everything on this album is, in my opinion, flawless. It has both power, and pure beauty, as in “Killer Crane” or “Keep Your Heart.” Take a listen, and better yet, watch the video, or at least a portion of it. You will enjoy what you see and hear.

That’s all for now, but I’ll see you where the water tastes like wine…

www.tvontheradio.com/

Nine Types of Light - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B5GP0AiQMc

Second Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeL3XIWBvdc

Killer Crane - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J8y2VxKGyw

Caffeinated Consciousness (live) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMhMWcQwews

Wolf Like Me – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-xRk6llh4

Golden Age - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wTHxUl9WdQ

Province - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigAXL5e5Kw

GRADUATION!

2011-05-21T08:47:00.000-04:00

I GRADUATE COLLEGE TODAY!!!!!!!!!

Tune in next week to check out pictures & thoughts & future plans, :)

xox

Smooth Operator

2011-05-19T14:07:00.001-04:00

Hi guys! I have been so busy with end-of-the-year packing/moving (to my new Boston apartment with Mike pictures will be up soon), I apologize for slacking!

I was actually inspired to write this post because of my current crazy lifestyle. Mornings can be especially hectic, and if you are a morning person- like myself and my boyfriend- then you probably have most of your appointments or daily tasks set up bright and early. This can cut into breakfast time, which is not good! I came up with 3 easy-to-make alternatives to breakfast, still packed with nutrients, vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates to jump start your day. All three smoothies are the perfect energy boosters and should keep you full and satisfied until lunch.

These are also great for, mid-day slumps, post and pre gym workouts, & snack cravings

Try them out and let me know if you like them :)

Enjoy!

xox

Cheat-sheet

2011-05-16T23:34:00.007-04:00

Sometimes we don't always remember which foods incorporate into our diet and why...don't fret! Take a look at this anti-oxidant cheat sheet to refresh your memory.

Christie's

2011-05-12T12:44:00.000-04:00

Tuesday afternoon I was fortunate enough to view some incredible pieces of art being auctioned off at Christie's in NYC. Most of these paintings/photographs have been nestled away in the homes of some very prestigious art collectors, and have not been publicly viewable until now. Thanks to my mother {who is an artist herself} we were able to get tickets to the Post-War and Contemporary Art auction. It was very inspiring, as well as breathtaking, to see original work from artists like Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Roy Lichtenstein, and Cindy Sherman. The highlights, in my opinion, included the auction of Mark Rothko's 'Untitled No. 17' which was sold for $33,682,500 & Andy Warhol's 'Self - Portrait' selling for a hefty $38,442,500. Those two paintings were aesthetically my favorites of the night, but Warhol's 'Self - Portrait' also has a fabulous back-story. Scroll down to view some of the amazing works auctioned off along with the 'Self- Portrait' history...and a special thanks to my mom for the rare opportunity of seeing such unbelievable one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

Self-Portrait

$38,442,500

Excerpt from the Detroit Free Press "The Detroit art collector Florence Barron was known for her sense of adventure, her sharp eye and her nose for the future. In 1963, those qualities led her straight to Andy Warhol's doorstep. Warhol -- shy, eccentric, prescient -- was in the midst of discovering his greatness, morphing from a successful graphic designer into the leader of the emerging avant-garde known as Pop art. He wanted to paint Barron's portrait. She had another idea. Nobody knows who I am, she said, but everybody will want to know about you. She struck a deal: You can paint me, but only if you also paint yourself. The result was Warhol's first self-portrait, a four-panel acrylic and silkscreen in super-cool blues. She paid $1,600 -- in installments."

Mark Rothko (1903-1970)

Untitled No. 17

$33,682,500

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

Jackie

$1,986,500

Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997)

Drawing for Kiss V

$2,098,500

Inside the gallery {photos 1,2: Liz Forrest}

{Above paintings courtesy of Christie's}

Enjoy!

xox

Looks I Love

2011-05-10T10:04:00.002-04:00

Accentuated backs!

Find these looks

1-3, 6-11: ASOS.com

4-5: Net-a-porter.com

World's Best Lychee-tini

2011-05-08T15:31:00.003-04:00

This past week I posted about the healthy effects of the Lychee fruit. Well, if you want to spice up your Lychee use a bit, I found the perfect way. My cousin Jennifer messaged me this delicious Lychee-tini recipe! Try it out!

3 oz premium vodka
1.5 oz lychee juice
1.5 oz white grape juice
Splash of grenadine
A few lychee's to garnish

Add ice, shake, pour, enjoy!

The Situation Room

2011-05-05T13:27:00.001-04:00

By: Mike Kennedy

It’s been a few weeks, but last time around we asked if you could travel back in time for one concert, which concert would you choose? And we actually had a comment last week! I’d personally like to thank Brian, whoever you are, for commenting on the post. Hopefully this week’s question will tempt more of you to comment and tell us your answer to this week’s Situation Room question.

This week’s question was inspired by my mother. Last time I was home she was telling me about an amazing day she had that was completely unplanned and unintended. And it got me thinking. Often the days and nights we remember most are those that were completely unintentional. It’s the opposite of nearly every New Years Eve: zero expectations and 100% fun. With that said, we want to ask what is your most memorable unplanned moment?

For me, it was this past summer. My girlfriend (who coincidentally does an amazing job running this site) and I went to St. John, New Brunswick on a cruise. We got there and the city was covered with heavy fog. After attempting to see the traditional tourist sites, we gave up. The fog and rain was too much. We instead spent the first few hours in an incredible local market trying out the food. In fact, I ate a delicious bowl of chili at 10:30 a.m., which I do not regret one bit. After that, we walked back towards the water in St. John and stumbled upon a local musical festival. We proceeded to sit at the tables outside a strip of bars for several hours and treat ourselves to some local Canadian Beers and surprisingly great music. I cannot recall the names of the beers or the bands, but does it really matter? No, all that matters is that we had an awesome day that grew out of our initial disappointment at the weather. The days that are unplanned are often the ones you remember most.

Please drop us a line in the comments and let us know what is your most memorable unplanned moment?

Sun & Sand

2011-05-04T14:55:00.000-04:00

Who needs a vacation right about now? I know I do! End of the semester finals/papers/graduation stress, when all I want to do is just lay on a beach!

What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Any that you have been to more than once? Any that you will never go back to again? I'd love to hear about it!

drop a comment below! ;)