Yoga Workout Essentials

If you’re a mom, there’s a good chance you could use a little Zen in your life. Am I right? I remember pre-kids and diapers, I used to be a yogi. I used to attend one class a week, religiously. Now, not so much. Throw in two kids, school, activities, and crazy schedules and you get less and less time for relaxation. It’s funny because I know I could use it more now than ever before. Now, if they just had a yoga class at midnight…anyway, I digress.

But, I remember there were a few things I always made sure I had so I had the best experience possible during a yoga class. The first thing is to make sure you have the best workout gear. Having the right clothes can make all the difference. That’s especially the case if you’re doing bikram yoga, or “sweaty yoga” like so many people call it. When the room is heated to one hundred plus degrees, you don’t necessarily want to wear your most comfy sweats. That’s why a good pair of bikram yoga shorts is always a good idea. This way you can really maximize your workout and look great in the process. They’re stretchy and comfy so you can really get the best workout.

The other essential is a good mat. I was never one to use the mats provided at the studio. Although you can always clean them off, there’s just something about having your own. You know your germs, not someone else’s!

I also always liked to bring a good water bottle. I know you can always grab a plastic bottle on the go. But, I like the ones that were insulated with a flip top. These were always the best because they not only kept water cold, but also were easier to flip open in the middle of a workout. It’s such a pain to have to stop mid downward facing dog and unscrew a bottle. It’s much easier to flip and pose.

Now that you have the right gear, time to strike a pose and relax. Namaste!

 

 

 

 

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New Business Buzz

I love parties. I love to go to them. I love to eat at them. I love to throw them. But, sometimes you’re worrying too much about all the little details, like whether the pink in the table linen matches the pink in the decoration banner that you just can’t sit down and relax. Sometimes you just wish you could have someone come in and cast a magic wand to fix it all so you can party like its 1999.

That’s why having a helping hand isn’t always such a bad thing. In fact, it can be a very good thing. That’s why hiring a party or event planner can be a great idea. A new company called Big n Little Productions can pretty much do anything from not letting you sweat the small stuff to planning the whole event for you. The best part is since they are brand spanking new, they are currently working for testimonials and photos. That means they are working for free for events in 2014! So, kick back, relax and let Big n Little do the work!

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Girl Scores Big With Sofa Ads

As a mom, it’s really funny to see the types of things kids latch on to. Some kids like certain shows due to a specific character that grabs their attention. Others latch on to a catchy theme song, while others like commercials. I know my kids like those M&M commercials where the little pieces of colored chocolate sing. I have to admit they are pretty entertaining.

For one girl in the U.K., it wasn’t candy, but rather sofas that really got her going. Ten-year-old Amelia Howarth loves ads for ScS sofas. So, she decided to write to the company to let them know. Not only does she love the ads, she also apparently acts them out for her family. Talk about a fan! The company was nice enough not only to respond to her e-mail, but also to invite her family down for a behind the scenes look at how the ads are made. They even got to meet the little girl who appears in the ads Amelia loves so much. Amelia even got to share her ideas. How cool!

It’s really great to hear a company responding to a little girl so well. She will remember something like this her entire life. It just goes to show you that there are still some companies out there who care about their customers as well as kids.Who knows, maybe little Amelia will become the next big advertising executive thanks to all this attention and interest. And to think it all started with a commercial. Sometimes little things do lead to big things.

These Boots Were Made for Walking

   Okay, so winter is almost here and that means spending more time indoors…or does it? If you’re like me, you love to go for walks when the sun is shining with a nice warm breeze blowing through your hair. When the mercury starts to drop sometimes my initiative to get up and go is more like a no go. But, there are plenty of people out there who don’t let old man winter change their walking plans.
   If you’re one of those people, I really envy you. I know you bundle yourselves up and walk even faster to keep away the winter chill. That’s actually one plus for walking in the winter. At least you move a little faster!  Just like the song goes, there are plenty of boots that are made for walking too. You just have to find the right ones. There are plenty of cute ones for women and some real nice rugged looking ones for guys too. Maybe that’s what I need to get me moving in the right direction this winter. Lord knows it beats racking up the miles on the treadmill! Talk about boring with a capital “B”. We’ll see what happens!

It’s Time to Face Winter

   Like it or not, winter will be here before you know it. If you haven’t already, that means finally having to say goodbye to our tank tops and flip flops (tear drop), and saying hello to our jackets and boots. The only good thing about the weather getting colder is that it gives me a good excuse to go shopping.  Not like I really need an excuse, but everyone has to get some new clothes for the new season, right? Exactly, that’s what I thought.
   So, what kind of things do you look for when shopping for the next few months of winter that lie ahead of us? Well, besides picking up some new sweaters and boots, a staple of any winter wardrobe is a good jacket. You have to stay warm when the chill hits. There’s nothing worse than walking around in the cold and being cold. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. If you’re not one to actually go out and buy yourself some new stuff, then why not put it on your Christmas list? Who knows, maybe you’ll find it under your tree. You can ask Santa; just make sure you’ve been nice over the past year and not naughty!

Gearing Up for Winter

   I’ll admit it; I’m not a big fan of winter. I’ll take a day on the beach over a snowball fight any day. But, I know plenty of people who love to hit the slopes as soon as there’s enough snow coating the ground. Kudos to you! I know you guys have to wrap yourselves up in a lot of layers and take a lot of time bundling up and keeping warm.  As with any other activity or outing, you have to put a lot of thought into what kind of outdoor gear you’ll be sporting. There are the hats, the gloves, the scarves, the snow pants, the footwear…the list goes on and on. It’s not like the summer when you can throw on a pair of shorts and flip flops and run out the door!
    From what I hear from a lot of you winter outdoor lovers, waterproof clothing is a staple of your wardrobe. To my summer loving surprise, a lot of those warm and waterproof jackets and other gear are actually stylish. Who knew? Maybe I haven’t been giving winter a fair shake all these years! Maybe one way to warm up to winter is through a shopping trip. What do you think?

How Much is Your Furniture Worth?

   It’s kind of hard to believe that the holidays are here and the end of the year is approaching. It seems like only yesterday I was watching Ryan Seacrest in Times Square. But anyway, for a lot of us the promise of a new year brings a new resolution. For some that means cleaning up our houses and finally getting organized. If you’re getting organized, it may be time to part with some items that you have been clinging to, just like that pair of size two jeans you know you’re never going to fit into again no matter how many miles you run!

  For some people that “clingy” item may be an old piece of furniture that was either handed down or was bought as a “real steal” at a yard sale. You may be surprised, but a lot of old furniture could bring you some new cash. We’re not just talking coffee money either. Some furniture could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. It’s crazy to think but it’s true. Something that’s just taking up space in your house or collecting dust could help you collect some cash. What a better way to ring in the new year than with some new green!

Antiques Could = Cash

   It’s that time of year when we could all use a little extra cash to complete our holiday shopping list. For some people that means picking up an extra shift at work or maybe even a seasonal job. For others it means looking at your own stuff to see what can be traded in for extra cash. What you may think is junk just lying around the house may actually be antiques that are worth money. We all have those knick knacks that have been collecting dust or that vase we toyed with selling at a tag sale, but kept for some odd reason. Come on, admit it, you know what I’m talking about here!

   It’s really interesting to see how people determine if you have a real gem on your hands or if you really have a piece of junk. While you can play a guessing game, the only true way to find out is to have someone experienced take a look for you. I know we’re all busy this time of year, but taking a little time out to see what you have may actually make you money. Even if you don’t use the money to buy something for someone else, why not buy something for yourself?

The Art of Appraising

   We’ve all heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  But, I’ve also heard a lot of people say their paintings are worth a thousand bucks or sometimes even ten times more. Has that ever happened to you? I can honestly say it hasn’t happened to me, but I wish it would someday! I know a lot of people who are going to have antiques and art appraised to see if they can be that lucky too. Sometimes you really don’t know what you have until someone dusts off the cobwebs and takes a good hard look!
  You can call it a sign of the times, but I think a lot of people are raiding their attics and basements because of the rising popularity of television shows that show just how much stuff you find in storage may actually be worth. My husband is totally into those shows and I get sucked into watching them too. Sometimes they can be annoying, but other times it really is amazing to see how much value something that appears to be worthless can actually hold. It actually makes you want to look at your own stuff to hunt for hidden treasures.