I’m headed to the lake this weekend. It’s an annual trip that started once I met The Donald. We rent a huge house, cook, relax, laugh and just have a good time. I look forward to this trip all year. I think it’s because I’m not the one planning it. I get to have someone tell me where to be and handle logistics. It’s a weekend of doing absolutely nothing. I plan to spend the majority of my time on the porch reading these advanced reader copies of books on Paris  I have to finish them by next week. Whoa! But, they are about Paris so I don’t mind at all.

{Happy Weekend!}

{The porch where I plan to spend all my time reading}

{Books on Paris! Oooh la la!}

{Pinot Noir Rosé for the weekend. This is what I plan on sipping for the weekend.}

Summer = exfoliation. Often ladies. I exfoliate to keep my skin looking dewy and fresh. I’m outside more in the summer and with pollution, free radicals, and DC dirt my skin needs all the help it can get. Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel is part of my summer beauty routine. I find the peel very gentle. There is a little tingling sensation around the 5 minute mark and that is the sign to rinse with cool water. I love the way the peel makes my skin feel all soft and supple. I also follow the directions religiously so I don’t aggravate my skin. I use this about twice a week and it is one of my go to products in the summer. Remember: pretty makeup looks good on pretty skin. Always.

{My yoga mat on retreat in Provence, France – May 2012}

It’s no secret how much I love yoga. But lately my yoga practice has been placed on the back burner in terms of workouts. It’s been swimming  running, boot camp and doing as much cardio I could get in. I was working out every day, but I missed my yoga. I missed the peacefulness that I get from practicing yoga. It took me realizing I need a quiet to start my day. If someone had told me this when I was in my 20s I would have looked at them as though their head was spinning. Waking up at 5 a.m. and dashing to the gym worked for awhile, but I needed my mat.

I’m not giving up my cardio, but I know it’s time for more morning yoga at home. I decided to take my home practice back into my own yoga hands. Over the past week I have practiced yoga every morning at home. I skipped the gym. It has been nice to move at my own pace, listen to my breath, take time to meditate and get back to what brings me joy – yoga. My body is thanking me. I practice on a Jade Yoga Mat. A good mat makes the difference in yoga. I’ve tried to practice on the cheaper mats and my hands and feet go sliding in all directions. This mat is yoga perfection. I leave one at the studio where I practice in DC and loved it so much I bought one for the house.

After my yoga teacher training last year I told myself I would practice more at home. Yeah right! I had all the tools to do it, but it was about not making any more excuses and listening to my body. The deep stretches help with the tightness in my hamstrings and the sciatica that keeps creeping up. My friend Monique sent me a list of her favorite yoga podcasts which I plan to incorporate into my home practice.

I know yoga is the big thing now. I know it is hard to walk into a yoga studio and want to take a class where the majority of people in the class don’t look like you. I realize the picture of yoga in this country is of thin and super flexible white women. It’s marketing and media. Yes, it’s sad, but I have seen people of all shapes, sizes and races practicing yoga. I get it. Don’t let the Instagram yoga challenges stop you from trying yoga. All yogis aren’t standing on our heads in each practice. Take all that and throw it out the window. Try it because you have been wanting to try it. Don’t let that stop you from exploring the practice. I know you will thank me later.

Namaste y’all.

]]>{My yoga mat on retreat in Provence, France – May 2012} It’s no secret how much I love yoga. But lately my yoga practice has been placed on the back burner in terms of workouts. It’s been swimming  running, boot camp and doing as much cardio I could get in. I was working out every [...]http://www.allaboutthepretty.net/2013/06/wellness-wednesday-my-yoga-home-practice/feed/0http://www.allaboutthepretty.net/2013/06/wellness-wednesday-my-yoga-home-practice/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/all-about-the-pretty/~3/TJt5o-SMJ9E/Destination PrettyFeaturedLands' EndTravelJuliaTue, 11 Jun 2013 06:57:12 PDThttp://www.allaboutthepretty.net/?p=3081It is travel season and I have a calendar full of travel this summer. I have my particular travel style which is functional, cute and with a little jazz. I like to be comfortable, but definitely not “I just rolled out of bed” look that I seem to see a lot at the airport. So my travel style is functional with a little bit of sparkle. Last month I headed to Cancun for a much needed break and what I like to call a much needed reset for 2013 with my friend Monica.

The trip was great, but one of the highlights was having Lands’ End and Lands’ End Canvas items that helped our journey along. I am not a girl that has a plethora of sunglasses. I lose all my sunnies. I usually have one pair and the minute that one is lost I get a new pair. These Lands’ End sunnies are the perfect fit for me and I have managed to hang on to them longer than expected. But these super cute sunnies have stole my heart and have lasted through two trips and I can’t wait to take them on the next journey this weekend.

Beach towels. I admit that I haven’t always thought much of beach towels. That was until I received the Lands’ End beach towel to use on my trip. Goodbye crappy beach towels and hello to fun and happy beach time. I am headed to the lake this weekend and my fun towel is making the trip with me.

I normally wear dresses or skirts traveling. I just don’t find pants to comfortable and leggings only if my top covers the bum. I think leggings have become pants for many women and it is not. I’m in the airport quite frequently and it just floors me how many people wear leggings that are so sheer you see everything. I prefer to wear something comfortable and easy. This Lands’ End Canvas Shirtdress is my perfect piece for plane rides. I pair it with white Converse and I am good to go. I am thinking the next piece in my travel style aresenal will be their oxford shirtdress. The dresses are so comfortable that I need another one in my lifestyle. These leopard ballet flats add a much needed flare to my mostly solid color wardrobe and make long treks in the airport a little more fun.

My travel style is ever evolving depending on the trip, but it always start with great basics that work from the beginning to the end of the trip. It has been years in the making, but the process has been worthwhile. I’m currently working on my road trip style and will keep you posted.

{Beach towel, shoes, and dress courtesy of Lands’ End}

The hand cream junkie in me has found a new love. TOCCA’s Bianca Crema da Mano Luxe Hand Cream has found its way into my pocketbook. I am obsessed right now with this hand cream. I’m on my second tube. The first tube was confiscated in the Cancun airport because I forgot to put it in a quart-size bag. I loved it so much I needed another one ASAP. It’s full of goodness – shea butter and avocado oil, paraben free and has a clean scent. I was tempted to try another scent, but this one is clean and fresh for summer and is staying put on my desk.

I was introduced to the Smrirnoff Ice drinks a few years ago by my cousin. My father-in-law started bringing them to all our parties and I became a fan. I like to change up my beverage selections at our parties and make it easy so I’m not in the kitchen mixing drinks all day. I can’t wait to introduces Peach Bellinis next month to the family. It’s not too sweet, but has the right amount of peach flavor that leaves you wanting more. Make sure you have a designated driver around because these can sneak up on you.

I plan on adding the Peach Bellini to my beach cooler when we hit Ocean City in July.

“Summertime and the living is easy!” ~ George Gershwin

These are my beautimous loves of my week. Have a great weekend!

{And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini}

You may recognize the name from The Kite Runner, but Khaled Hosseini is one of the best writers around today. His stories leave me wanting more words and pondering complex issues. When I read A Thousand Splendid Suns I did not want it to end. I clutched the book to my chest because I was invested in these women. I heard him speak last week about his writing process and his new book. It made me love him even more. If you are looking for your first summer must-read – this is it.

{TokyoMilk Dark ~ Tainted Love Perfume}

The perfume junkie in me was blown away by this sexy scent. It truly is dark – for summer that is. It’s a bold scent and if you are a floral fanatic I suggest you take a walk on the wild fragrance side. Get it in your lifestyle.

{Clarisonic Mia 2}

After falling in love with the regular sized Clarisonic I needed something that was smaller and a whole lot cuter. I picked this beauty up on QVC’s Saturday Beauty Event and can’t wait to bust it out for upcoming travels.

My yoga practice just got a new toy to hangout and play with. When I practice yoga at Tranquil Space I always like to use props. Many times people think using props are for wimps. Au contraire! Props work as an extension to your hands and feet. I didn’t have props for my home practice. I don’t know why I didn’t have this block before. Manduka’s Recycled Foam unBLOK is so much fun to use during my practice. It helps my hand reach the floor in poses such as revolved triangle. It’s made from recycled foam and is super soft. The color is fun and brightens up my purple yoga mat. It reminds me of one of my favorite nail colors: Essie’s Turqoise & Caicos. Manduka is one of the top yoga brands and this is my first product from them, but it won’t be my last. I have my eyes on their travel yoga mat. The next time you are in yoga class and think you don’t need props. Think again and watch your practice soar.

]]>My yoga practice just got a new toy to hangout and play with. When I practice yoga at Tranquil Space I always like to use props. Many times people think using props are for wimps. Au contraire! Props work as an extension to your hands and feet. I didn’t have props for my home practice. [...]http://www.allaboutthepretty.net/2013/05/manduka-recycled-foam-unblok-my-yoga-practice-game-changer/feed/0http://www.allaboutthepretty.net/2013/05/manduka-recycled-foam-unblok-my-yoga-practice-game-changer/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/all-about-the-pretty/~3/ue7q6q99pTw/All About The PrettyFeaturedReading PrettyJuliaSun, 19 May 2013 18:43:52 PDThttp://www.allaboutthepretty.net/?p=3052

I wanted to read A Constellation of Vital Phenomena the minute I heard about the book. It’s like that for me. I am constantly adding books to my Goodreads list. I’m slowly inching toward my goal of 50 books this year. The story line that spoke to me in the book is Sonja, her sister and their relationship. I grew up in a house full of men and a tomboy for a mom. The book reminded me of something I normal don’t say: I don’t miss having a sister or sisters. I enjoy having four older brothers and being the baby of the family. As much as I am the go-to person in my family I think of my four brothers as my own personal gladiators (a nod to Scandal).

I often think how different my life would be if I had sisters growing up. My best friend is my mother. I tell her everything. I assume most sisters do the same with each other. My mother listens to all my stories – even the ones that make her cringe. She responds with wisdom and love. I may not want to hear what she is saying, but I have finally come to realize that she is right – about 99% of the time. I have been blessed with sisters. I was given the gift of their friendship and I am a better person because of them. We didn’t grow up in the same household, but they are vital to me and they are phenomenal. To my sisters from other misters, I love you.