Ridin' Dirty

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

So maybe we had one or two pieces of pie at our holiday dinner. And what’s a New Year’s Eve celebration without a midnight champagne toast (or two or three) ? So once January 1st  (fine, January 2nd) came along, we wanted to detox...

Enter Dirty Lemon.

It’s all about “staying real” and enjoying ourselves - no meal plans, cheat days or 14-day fads. We also love a direct and simple philosophy to juicing, particularly when it’s all natural and comes in chic, streamlined packaging. The one week detox features cold pressed lemon juice to cleanse the system and alkalize the body, as well as activated charcoal that absorbs thousands of times its own volume in toxins. Ginger and dandelion root aid the body’s natural digestive process, while the daily formula is designed to help to calm the stomach, flush out the kidneys and trap impurities before they can be absorbed by the body. (On a side note, we even find that it helps with bloating and other PMS-related issues, which is a major bonus.)

The brand added a special Skin + Hair formula, featuring collagen peptides, as well as, a Sleep variation of Magnesium and rose water, among other calming agents. There’s even an energy drink with adaptogenic herbs to keep you going.  But the best part is that food isn’t off the menu. Dirty Lemon isn’t a cleanse, but a simple way to add some cleansing properties into the diet and reset our bodies. Not to mention, it has the simplest reordering process on earth. All you have to do is text the number when you’re ready for another round - day or late night.

Now, onto the next resolution.

 

 FIND OUT MORE

www.dirtylemon.com

What to Wear this New Year’s...Anywhere

Written by A Wild Dove 

Ahh New Year’s Eve... 

Never in the English language have three words conjured up so much anxiety. What are the plans? Do we even have plans? To go out or not to go out? Somehow, we tend to overthink that whatever we do or don’t do, on New Year’s Eve is some greater metaphor for the current state of our lives. Well, whatever it is you do - be it a visit to your old standby restaurant or a night out at the latest hotspot, we’ve got your wardrobe covered.

 

From your best friend’s house party to a chic dinner out, high-waisted denim, either vintage Levi’s (from What Goes Around Comes Around of course) or Khaite are our favorites. Pair it with a Nili Lotan cami or vintage Alaïa sequin plunging top for WOW.

 

 
 

Leopard Print Cami by Nili Lotan

Black Cami by Nili Lotan | Jeans by Khaite | Vintage Levi's Jeans by What goes Around Comes Around | Black Sequin Top by Azzedine Alaïa from What Goes Around Comes Around | Grey Fur Jacket by Marc Jacobs (Stylist's Own) | Black Boots by Balenciaga | Bag by Gucci | Choker by Jennifer Fisher | Pendant Necklace by Aurelie Bidermann

 

The beauty of velvet, aside from being fall’s IT texture, is that it can somehow transcend almost any evening out. Our favorite velvet slip dress by Nili Lotan can also give serious vibes when styled underneath a Vetements jacket.

 

Dress by Nili Lotan | Jacket by Vetements Boots by Vetements

 

Going out, as in all out? When you’re popping bubbly in the back of your Uber, only the chicest look will do. Channel your inner glamourpuss with most luxe of fabrics, velvet. Nili Lotan’s cami dress is perfect, layered under fur-white fur, that is. (Preferably vintage. Our pick? What Goes Around Comes Around.) Add some Aurelie Bidermann pendants and you've got major decadence.

 

Dress by Nili Lotan | Vintage Fur Jacket by What Goes Around Comes Around | Shoes by Saint Laurent | Necklaces by Aurelie Bidermann | Rings by Jennifer Fisher

PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC WHITE | STYLING LYNN LEVOY  | MODEL Adriana Mora | MAKEUP MARCELO GUTIERREZ | Hair Ryan Austin

Loyal to the Oil

Written & by Photographed A Wild Dove

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Oils are definitely having their moment in the beauty world. And why not, they keep our skin looking dewy and our hair shiny.

As winter is now fully upon us, we need that extra boost of hydration to keep ourselves looking as glowy as we do throughout the summer months.

Here are some of our favorites -

 

Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil

We are literally glowing after using this product. Its botanically active blend of cold-pressed, powerhouse seed oils helps brighten your skin without feeling greasy. It leaves skin soft and even blends well with make up. Mix it in with your everyday moisturiser, to save time and for extra radiance.

 

Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil

We’re fans of everything about this amazing line. But the Prickly Pear oil is a totally magic elixir that really works !  It brightens under the eyes for those prone to dark circles and reduces spider veins throughout the body. Rich in vitamin K and antioxidants. It’s light, non-greasy and leaves your skin glowing, tight and super soft.

 

 

 

 

MIRIAM QUEVEDO GLACIAL WHITE CAVIAR HYDRA PURE PRECIOUS ELIXIR

This exquisite oil is a blend of White Caviar,  Organic Baobab and Camellia Oil combined with precious gemstones.

The result  -  it leaves you hair feeling super silky with zero build up. It’s the perfect amount of hydration and its non-greasy formula doesn’t weigh down hair. Oh, and it also smells amazing...

Dios Mio!

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

We’re not ones to buy into hype, particularly in the form of skin care. Sure, we invest in top quality products, but we refuse to hop on the latest fad or high end cream. Which is why Mio Skincare is SO GOOD. Mio delivers results - whether in the form of pregnancy body care, aging issues or all around tightening and contouring. We could go on and on singing the praises of the phenomenal line, but we picked our faves below- 

 

Shrink to Fit

Fortified with a high concentration of antioxidants, caffeine, rosemary extract, green tea and horsetail plant, this luxe moisturizing cream is designed to help reduce the appearance of uneven, bumpy areas and increase skin’s elasticity. A natural combat for trouble spots like hips, thighs and arms. And who doesn’t need that?

 
 
 
 

Dry Brush

This exfoliating brush features natural boar bristles and massage nodules that removes lazy skin cells and dirt. By polishing and massaging all over to stimulate circulation, you’ll eliminate layers of dead skin and improve its overall appearance. Done and done.

 

Get Waisted

We like the sound of this already. The gold standard of the Mio assortment, this amazing cream is formulated with Rhodofiltrat Delessaria, pharmaceutical grade caffeine and Oat Protein Complex to help replenish moisture to improve the look and feel of skin as well as flatten and contour those pesky little bulges that come with age.

The Activist

Get marching! The “superfood of skincare,” this body oil works to soothe skin while balancing the look of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. It’s intensely hydrating, antioxidant rich formula delivers moisture and nutrients deep down to boost strength and elasticity. It also pumps bounce and radiance back into aging skin! Bonus.

 
 

Double Buff

This non-abrasive scrub is dedicated to revealing brighter, smoother, more even toned skin using an omega-rich exfoliator of pumice, lava and bamboo. Extract of fig and organic shea butter also hydrates and moisturizes while organic sweet almond oil soothe sensitive skin. The results are smooth and supple looking skin with renewed clarity and radiance.

 

 

Workout Wonder

Perfect for pre and post-workout, this gel is like a spa session for your muscles that helps to soothe and cool. Featuring a cocktail of herbs and extracts like horse chestnut, horsetail extracts and a natural blend of essential oils, the formula leaves limbs feeling energized and ache-free.

 

Plant Life

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

To quote the “Cheers” theme song, Gingersnap’s Organic is indeed a place where everyone knows your name. Except instead of offering pints of beer or shots of whiskey, this homey West Village cafe is serving up delicious juices, salads, wraps and pastas, all within the context of vegan, raw food. The brain behind the brainfood is Jamie Graber, an entrepreneur who opened Gingersnap’s four years ago, which in a short time has drawn significant buzz from both raw foodies and foodies alike. 

 
 

When did you first get involved in the raw movement and was there one memory or moment when you realized this was the lifestyle for you?

I was raw for five years, until I met my husband, who is a chef, which changed things. I was living in LA at the time and doing a yoga teacher training and I had struggled with eating. But after doing teacher training and just being in California, I was eating more plant-based for sure, but I wasn’t attached to anything. All the sudden I went raw and it was amazing. I hadn’t even thought about going into it for work, but one of the of girls in class started talking about Juliano Brotman, the head chef at Juliano’s Raw. I met him next day and he said, ‘You’re hired...I don’t know what for, but you’ll work here.’ That propelled me. From there, I managed a restaurant called Rawvolution. When I moved on a whim to New York, I came home to feel it out. I landed and stayed and ended up opening here.

 

Graber got her start, as most raw proponents do, in Los Angeles, but her hometown soon came calling, where she saw a void in the market for a proper sit-down cafe offering delicious plant-based fare. We sat down with Graber to talk about juices, meat-eating husbands and why french fries aren’t always such a bad thing -

WHAT’S THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND GINGERSNAPS ORGANIC?

It morphs and changes so often. At first I thought it would be a store with all raw foods from around the city. But I started paying attention to signs and flow and I met my husband, and it turned into to more of a cafe. At the time, there was One Lucky Duck but there was no room to sit, it wasn’t quite the thing we were talking about. My husband is very much a meat eater. He studied at the French Culinary Institute and cooked at Del Posto. He said, ‘You need to make a place where even if I didn’t eat this way, I would love it.’ Also I wanted a plant based menu that was light. Lots of vegan food is really heavy with tofus and seitans. It has a nice balance to it. Then we started with juices, which is a huge part of our business. We’re now offering cleanses and that’ how it all evolved.

 

How has the raw food movement evolved or changed since you opened the shop?

I think there is a larger amount of options with all the pop-up places and chains like Juice Press and Juice Generation. They all have some raw options. When I was raw, I was so dogmatic about it. It was a label of who I was. Now, what’s nice is that it’s part of people’s lives but it’s not like, you’re either raw or you’re not. Our customer is more like my husband. Everyone is putting raw into their diets now, it’s not just diehards.

 

What's one thing that would surprise most people about the raw lifestyle?

People think it has to be all or nothing. Again, it’s about understanding the benefits of a plant-based diet without having to go the whole way. I think people are surprised that I will eat french fries. I eat stuff that has no nutritional value but when I live in the space of mostly plant-based food, there is room to have other foods in life. And you wind up feeling OK because you don’t overdo it. It keeps you in balance. Once you decide to be in a healthy lifestyle, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a candy bar. There’s room for all of it.

 

 
 

Where do you see the future of Gingersnaps Organic going?

I love the idea of a community cafe. I love knowing so many people and who know my staff. It's their family. I have no desire to have multiple locations. Certainly not in New York. Where I see myself five years from now is probably having one shop in LA and spending time in both places.

That’s the big dream.

 
 
 
 

TOTES TOTO

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Everything Graciela Molina touches turns to retail gold. The stylist behind Totokaelo’s clean, crisp aesthetic ensures that the store is looking as cool as ever while also maintaining key relationships with clients.

A native New Yorker, born and raised in Queens, Graciela dabbled in a number of creative fields like photography and styling, but her journey to Totokaelo had been a long time coming. After working in the fashion industry for eight years, she finally got on the right path when she joined the boutique in 2015. “Working for this company has shown me so much about myself and my view on fashion,” says Graciela. “I feel like I've just scratching the surface of my career.” We hit up this uber-stylist for her expertise on the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

 
 
 

THE GIFT OF MINIMALISM

Issey Miyake Bao Bao Bag

ITO Memopads

 

THE GIFT OF EDGE

Rick Owens Weekender Bag

THE GIFT OF THE STYLE

Jacquemus T-shirt

RE/DONE Jeans

 

THE GIFT OF SCENT

Wienerblut Freudian Wood

TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT

GRACIela Molina  graciela.m@totokaelo.com | www.totokaelo.com

Salespeople, stylists, skincare specialists and all manner of self care mavens—they can be so much more than simply people who provide a service. If we’re lucky enough to score a particularly first-rate one, they might be closer to our therapists, confidantes…basically our support team. They work magic on our wardrobes. They whip us into shape after a rough week. They set us straight when we’re mired in bad vibes. They nix our doubts and fix our hairdos in one fell swoop. They are truly transformation experts. In this series, we’re giving credit where it’s due: to the pros who keep us on point. Get their take on style, wellness, and how we can all learn to love ourselves a little better—even after we’ve left their stomping grounds.

We’re Feeling Ourselves

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

We were big fans of the whole “self-gifting” thing way before it became retail jargon.

We do it totally guilt free and you should, too. Why? Because you deserve it. And because sometimes (most of the time) the only person who truly gets what you want this holiday season is YOU. We should actually be doing it more often! And what are we bestowing upon ourselves this year?

 

Jennifer Fisher’s architectural, stackable rings, bracelets and chokers. These pieces make great “self-gifting” items as well as presents for your favorite women as they hit that sweet spot, price-wise, and flatter just about any finger/wrist/neck.

Fisher’s pieces are always editorial and on-trend without trying too hard, which is another reason we love them.

 It’s the perfect wear-anywhere jewelry that you don’t even need to think twice about. Throw them on and you’re out the door. Tis the season for some self love.

 

Book Nook - Holiday Cheer Edition

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

2016 was one wild ride, and we are excited to welcome 2017 with a little peace, love and song. So to get warmed up, check out these super giftable books that will have you harmonizing to the tunes of Bob Marley, Pharrell and more.

These music-inspired tomes are sure to put you in the festive mood!

Bob Marley, One Love

This colorful book, written by Marley’s eldest daughter Cedella, is set to Marley’s famous song, with inspiring lyrics written out on each page. The pictures depict people of all backgrounds getting together and feeling alright. It’s pure joy, cover-to-cover.

 

Pharrell, Happy

Like the hit song from Despicable Me 2, this book is lively, fun and sure to elicit laughter from the youngest of readers. From the neon yellow letters to the whimsical illustrations, each page is all delight and features kids of all kinds dancing, laughing and posing in a “room without a roof.”   

Ziggy Marley, I Love You Too

The eldest son of Bob Marley took to the page after a conversation with his three-year-old daughter over breakfast. He was so inspired that he wrote a song of the same name, whose lyrics grace the pages of the book. The words and accompanying illustrations are bright, cheerful and reflect the various types of love young children have in their lives.

 
 
 

Our Choice of Voice

Written by A Wild Dove

 

Activewear is generally divided into two camps: The head-to-toe black ensembles that read “do not even look at me until my adrenaline kicks in”, and the ultra-neon, intensely patterned spandex concoctions that are almost more Burning Man than Barry’s Bootcamp. Fortunately, Tyler Haney—a Parson’s graduate turned fitness fashion dynamo—saw the need for something new. She launched Outdoor Voices: a casual collection of active-slash-ready-to-wear that has sent the collective athleisure crowd into a must-have tailspin.

 
 

The hoodies and tanks are versatile, super soft essentials, and the Merino blends have a special kind of magic that makes them surprisingly seasonless. According to Haney, the materials are produced at the same factories as other, bigger activewear lines, so you know they’ll be getting the job done right while you’re mid-sweat. Bonus: the compression feels great against the skin. You won’t be stuffed in like a sardine, so you’ll feel like you can move freely through a workout and through the day.

 

The line reflects Haney’s upbringing in Boulder, Colorado, where exploring the great outdoors and breaking a sweat are seamlessly integrated into the everyday. The pieces are minimal with a cool, clean aesthetic—so while they’re perfect for the front row of The Class, they’re just as appropriate for brunch or errand running around the city. There are none of the ubiquitous, shiny black capri pants. Instead, OV has lighter options in a chic heather gray or weathered, washed out black. We’re obsessed with the two and three-tone leggings and all of OV’s fun, fresh color-blocked ensemble sets. A combo of hunter green, ballet pink and slate blue? Yes, please.

 
 

You can purchase all of your future favorite OV items on-line or at the brand’s new shop on Centre Street. Think bright and dreamy with chic fabric cushions you’ll want to steal for your home. And if you bring your wee ones along for holiday shopping, they’ll have as much fun as you are. The space definitely makes you want to stay, lounge longer and then try on every variation. There’s even a super cool collab with APC.

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But the real best part (and it’s hard to choose just one) is that at just 27, Haney is helping to pave the way for young women to take risks and inject themselves confidently into traditionally male-dominated spheres—which is as impressive as the line itself. #doingthings

 
 

PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC WHITE | Styling Lynn Levoy  | Model Vanessa Moreira at IMG | Makeup Marcelo Gutierrez

find out more

www.outdoorvoices.com

Just For Kicks

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Finding the right kids footwear often poses a challenge. It’s got to be something that can withstand day after day of playground abuse, yet cool enough to win your kids approval.  With fashion’s sneaker craze showing no signs of slowing - from street style stars to the runway - why not add some street-cred worthy kicks into your child’s wardrobe?

One of our favorite’s is Supra, a line born out of South California skateboard culture with funky silhouettes, unique materials and bold colors. The Kids Vaider style is a more classic style with a hint of old-school, while the Skytop, in futuristic metallics is poised to become Apollo Rossdale’s future obsession. For the more minimally-minded, the Westway offers a hip take on your traditional low-top sneaker.

My Main Mani

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 
 

Sometimes mama just wants a pedicure. Or a cool, stylish mani. Fortunately getting one’s nails-did is the perfect opportunity for a little R&R while bonding with the little ones. Call it the ultimate in time management. After all - girl or boy - who doesn’t love a good foot soak? Or a fun, ticklish massage? Or picking out a cool color? In a city like New York, where there are virtually two manicure salons to every block, it’s hard to figure out where to go to get a top quality job with as much “spahhh” time as possible. Enter tenoverten, Nadine Abramcyk and Adair Ilyinsky’s six year old luxury nail environment that feels more like your chicest friend’s apartment rather than a salon.

As stylish mamas in their own right, the pair opened their first of four New York outposts in 2010 after finding a void in the market for a cool, relaxing space where women can choose from top labels like Nars, Chanel, RGB and the the duo’s own tenoverten line. Even better is that almost all of the services, from the signature mani, to the scrubs, to sugaring hair removal are free of harsh chemicals and toxins, including the all natural tenoverten polish and the line’s brand new two-in-one portable polish remover and hand cleanser. Designed for on-the-go use, this gentle, odor-free, non-toxic remover is residue-free and features a biodegradable cloth with polish-removing formula that soothes red, dry cuticles and strengthens nails with collagen-promoting horsetail leaf extract. A soft, naturally scented cleansing hand wipe leaves hands clean with a witch-hazel-and-rosehip-based liquid.

 

At the studios themselves, there aren’t any loud nail dryers, bulky seats or overly-ambitious cuticle cutters. Every aspect, like the plush couches and stellar technicians, is top top top, including star waxer Miranda Boci, who began working with the salon when it opened. “What you believe is old fashioned is always the best,” Boci said of the popular sugar treatment. “It doesn’t bother the skin like other waxes. It’s not hot at all. It’s warm, but you don’t feel it. And it’s very gentle.” We especially love how easy the treatment is on the skin and the fact that there is little to no irritation following. No need for that three day window of bumps and bruises. Just smooth skin and hair free. But for those who love old school waxing, the studio also offers sensitive wax for everywhere, from the bikini to arms to legs.

 
 
 
 

With four locations in New York City, a new outpost in Austin and a rapidly expanding line, it’s only a matter of time before Tenoverten becomes the standard in creating a fabulous nail care experience.
Now, if we can just figure out how to bring our kids to a massage….

 

FIND OUT MORE

www.tenoverten.com

Borrowed from the Boys

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

Most of the time, we love a good, sweet-smelling feminine beauty product, specifically for our skin, beauty and hair regime. But this holiday, we’re stealing some products from the guys and hope they don’t mind. Here are our favorite “borrowed from the boys” staples that will inspire your gift giving and leave our men to forever wondering where they went:

 
 
 

Harry’s 'The Winston' Razor

With five German blades, a flexible hinge and lubricating strip, this razor has everything we need for a close, comfortable shave that never cuts and always leaves our legs super smooth.

 

 

 

 

Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum

We are huge fans of anything Aesop, but one of our faves is this botanical formula that assists in creating the perfect shave. Its blend of gentle, hydrating botanicals offer a skin-calming properties and leaves skin super small with zero bumps and irritation. And like all their products, we’re completely obsessed with the scent.

 

 

 

 

 

Le Labo Santal 33 

OK, so this scent in technically unisex, but with its inspiration drawn from the Marlboro Man and the spirit of the American West, it definitely borders on the side of masculine. We love the notes of cardamom, iris, violet and sandalwood that creates this spicy, leathery, musky scent.

 

We’re loving this more unisex outlook on skincare and beauty. Now, if we could just figure out how to make their blazers work on us…

 
 

Mindful Meditation - During the Holiday Season

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

The holidays can mean excitement and joy, but often times they can be more stressful than joyful. Whether from the pressure of shopping, entertaining, obligatory parties, family dynamics, or the expensive chaos of travel, we all could use a little mental relaxation and de-stressing.

Meditation is a powerful tool that can be used any time of year, but when you're feeling hectic during the holidays it can be the perfect way to center. While it is ideal to get 20 minutes of meditation in a day, it can also be done anywhere,even if you're standing in line at the post office,or in a cab stuck in traffic. By simply taking a few deep, slow breaths, focusing completely on your inhale and exhale, you can already feel calmer.

Meditation is all about grounding yourself in the present moment and focusing your attention on fostering calm. With a little deep breathing, low repetitive sounds, and the ability to let the day slip away, meditation will bring the stress levels down a few notches.

Steps for Meditation

Below are some basic steps you can take when performing a seated meditation:

  • Find a quiet place. This should be a comfortable spot in which you won’t be disturbed for the period of time you plan to meditate. You may wish to start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 20 or more. You can be indoors or outdoors, in the sun or in the darkness. Wherever you can be and achieve some quiet solitude will work. Remember to turn off your phone, or set a timer so you're not concerned with the time.

  • Assume a seated position. You can choose to sit in a cross-legged position on a mat on the floor. With this method it’s more comfortable to prop yourself with a small pillow or rolled blanket just under the buttocks to tilt the pelvis slightly forward. This makes it easier to maintain a straight spine for the entire meditation. Or you can sit in a chair with both feet on the floor. If at all possible, you should be holding your upper body in position rather than allowing it to rest on a chair back. The point is to place your spine in as upright a position as naturally and comfortably as possible for the length of the meditation. An upright spine maximises the entire process of breathing.

  • Your eyes can be open, closed, or slightly open. Many find it useful to loosely train the eyes on a point ahead and slightly down from them without moving the neck out of alignment. Some people choose an object on which to focus, such as a candle flame, a crystal, or a religious figure or painting. Do not focus visually, though, just use the item as a place to center yourself and return your mind when your thoughts wander. Remember, this is an inner journey and you don’t need your physical vision. Many people find their outer vision disappears from their consciousness as they enter the meditative state.

  • Place one arm or forearm on each knee or put place your hands in the form of an oval, facing outward, in your lap in front of you. Relax your shoulder and arm muscles and be sure you are comfortable.

  • Notice your breathing and concentrate on a natural rhythm. It is preferable to breathe through the nostrils if you can. Be aware of the air entering and leaving your body. Make this the first point of your meditative focus.

  • Become aware of all the nuances of your breathing. Notice the feel of the air in your nose, your throat, and your lungs. Pay attention to the aroma and the air quality. Feel the relaxation and oxygenation of your entire body, and the sensation of movement of the accessory breathing muscles in your chest and back. Feel the relaxation of your shoulder muscles and the lengthening of your neck muscles when you exhale.

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Try a Love and Kindness meditation

The holidays are a great time to incorporate Love and Kindness to your meditation practice. The Buddhist teachings share stories from various traditions, guided meditation practices, and illustrate how each one of us can cultivate love, compassion, joy, and equanimity from practicing Love and Kindness in our meditative practice.

According to Sharon Salzburg, “By practicing loving-kindness meditation, you can learn to see the lives of others as related to your own to open up to the possibility of caring for others not just because you like them, admire them, or are indebted to them, but because your lives are inextricably linked.”

 

STEPS TO LOVE AND KINDNESS MEDIATION

1. Begin with someone who has been of  help to you; maybe they’ve been directly generous or kind, or have inspired you though you’ve never met them.

Bring an image of the person to mind, or feel their presence as if they’re right in front of you. Say their name to yourself, and silently offer these phrases to them, focusing on one phrase at a time.

    •    May you live in safety

    •    May you have mental happiness (or peace and joy)

    •    May you have physical happiness (health, freedom from pain)

    •    May you live with ease

2. After a few minutes, move on to a friend. Start with a friend who’s doing well right now, then switch to someone who is experiencing difficulty, loss, pain, or unhappiness.

3. Offer loving kindness to a neutral person, who you don’t feel a strong liking or disliking for - maybe a cashier at the local deli, a cab driver. When you offer loving kindness to a neutral person, you are offering it to them simply because they exist, you are not indebted to or challenged by them.

4. Offer loving kindness toward a person with whom you have difficulty. Start with someone mildly difficult, and slowly work toward someone who has hurt you more grievously. It’s common to feel resentment and anger, and it’s important not to judge yourself for that. Rather, recognise that anger burns within your heart and causes suffering, so out of the greatest respect and compassion for yourself, practice letting go and offering loving kindness.

5. Lastly, offering loving kindness to our universal brothers and sisters to expand on global love and peace.

 

As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

 

 


We Love What Beau Loves

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

Who says kids clothes need to be either sweet or sporty?

Masculine or feminine? Classic or preppy?

What if we approached children’s style in the same light as our own? That was the vision behind Faye Wilde’s quirky and cute label, Beau Loves UK, a fashion forward assortment that has quickly achieved cult status for the under-ten set from across the pond and back. 

After studying at Central Saint Martin’s and following the fashion circuit between London and Paris, Wilde was suddenly inspired to launch a kid’s line after having had a son of her own. So she started a small collection based on her fearless, fun-loving little boy, Beau and the stuff he loves... 

 
 

What has resulted is a unique label featuring gender-neutral clothes that are adventurous, fun, stylish, creative and distinctive. Some of our favorites include fitted tee’s with a black and white palette of bunny ears, roses, x’s and o’s, as well as the super cool hoodies and track pants. We’re also obsessed with the winter assortment of adorable scarfs, hats and sweatshirts. 

Tis’ the season for cozy clothes that are as cool as they are comfy! For all of us.

 
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Shop the Story

www.beauloves.co.uk

 

Mama Said - Erika Bloom

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

You could say Erika Bloom stumbled upon pilates. She first tried the exercise in the late 90’s when she was training to be a professional dancer and suffering from constant chronic injury. While she enjoyed her private sessions, she didn’t find any real relief until she dropped ballet, but always know there was something special about the workout. Eventually she returned to modern dance, having moved to New York to train with Alvin Ailey and Merce Cunningham, but all the while pilates stayed with her. In 1998 she got her teaching certification and fast forward a few years, Bloom is not only a prominent instructor, but a total 360 degree life coach, specializing in holistic growth through exercise, diet and integrative medicine.

 
 

She has her namesake Erika Bloom Pilates studios on the Upper East Side, in East Hampton, Watermill, Turks and Caicos and Greenwich, CT.  In LA she offers in-home programs with plans to open a studio there in early 2017. They all feature instructors highly trained in biomechanics and the ability to assess and customize sessions while combining Pilates with other body methods such as yoga, Franklin, and Structural Integration. If that wasn’t enough, she offers body work, acupuncture, and holistic health counseling. The practitioners coordinate care with each other and also with clients doctors. Each studio also houses a boutique filled with a carefully curated selection of organic and natural beauty products, exercise props, and eco-friendly fitness apparel.  

 
 

If that weren’t enough, Bloom is also busy raising two kids and encouraging them to live presently, actively and happily. We sat down with this inspiring mama and got to the bottom of her day-to-day health philosophies and favorite life rituals:

 

Can you describe your philosophy towards health and wellness? Did having children change that philosophy?

I believe in eschewing trends and focusing on creating a healthy, balanced life. I combine what is known about health and wellness from evidence based science and logic together with what we each can observe from connecting to ourselves. We must honor and respect where we are each day in terms of hormones, energy, and stress and care for ourselves in a very real-time way.  When we choose our foods and our exercise routines we need to listen to our bodies and make nurturing choices. Choose what is right for you, not what someone else says is healthy this week. I’m a huge believer that, whatever food plan this leads you to, we should always eat real, unprocessed food. Real, whole foods are always a better choice, even if the alternative is considered a ‘health food’, and starting with this basic premise will lead to plates full of healthy vegetables, fruits, proteins, and whole grains. When you choose exercise, choose something that doesn’t just make you look good but also that keeps you aligned and healthy and your body functioning in a way that is sustainable as you age, have babies, and move through life.

How do you teach or impart this philosophy towards your children? Is that a challenge and if so, how do you stay true to it amidst all the temptations for kids?

You have to lead by example. If you create a life where you take joy in movement and are excited by the deliciousness of healthy foods, your children will feel the same way. I believe in balance, and not rigidity, in my life and for my children, but living an overall healthy life is a non-negotiable for us.

 

What's your favorite workout routine?

Pilates! It’s forever been the thing that makes me feel best. It aligns me, stretches me, tones me, keeps me strong and healthy. I never get bored with it as it requires a lot of focus and body knowledge and it’s always changing. There are just an infinite number of variations of exercises to both heal and challenge.

What's a typical day like in terms of food and exercise? Do you have any favorite supplements?

I use the morning to spend time with my children. We make breakfast together and lunches for school and then get ready for the day. I usually eat eggs with kale, a few blueberries, half a piece of millet flax bread, and a matcha. I try to get all my nutrients from food but I take supplements just in case. I alternate between taking Lumity and Aloha and then add in a little more B’s in the morning and Magnesium at night for sleep. After school drop off I go to the studio and see clients. I focus on continuing to drink water to stay hydrated while I teach and sometimes have a SoulGarden juice from Juice Press or an ItoEn organic green tea. When I’m done with my morning clients I have lunch which is usually a salad with salmon or a protein salad from JuicePress. In the afternoon I do my workout, a private session on the Pilates apparatus with one of my teachers. Then it’s meetings with my managers and check in with teachers on client care. My afternoon snack varies but is usually kombucha, raw dark chocolate and either apples and almond butter or organic turkey slices on millet bread.  Then in the evening I have dinner with the kids: usually fish or chicken, quinoa or sweet potatoes, and cauliflower or broccoli.  Dessert is either a ‘shake’ of ripe bananas with a splash of milk or a handful of blackberries. Before bed I like to do some therapeutic Pilates mat work and stretching. Then I have a tumeric tea and read in bed until I fall asleep. I use organic essential oils, either as a spray or in a diffuser, to aid in relaxation before bed as well. Sleep is a huge priority for me and I like to be asleep by 10:30 at the latest.

 

Can you share a favorite routine or ritual with your kids?

I love the time we spend in the morning when I’m making their lunches. They sit across from me at the counter and talk about what’s on their minds while I chop fruits and veggies for their lunches. Any unstructured time with no screens is great. We like taking bike rides with our tandem around our neighborhood or taking wandering walks in the city talking and exploring new things.

What is your therapy?

I’m really into the idea of ‘little rituals’. These are small things that involve self-care where you can be very present and appreciate the moment. Examples of these are giving yourself a foot massage with organic coconut oil, doing a face mask, making matcha, or watching the sun rise in silence. The key is to really be aware and enjoy each moment with no multi-tasking or self judgement.

 

Who’s your dream guest list at your dinner party and where would it be?

My closest friends all talking openly and honestly about our inner selves and supporting each other emotionally. That’s my idea of a good time. And maybe Hilary Clinton can join us.  While I have many people from the present and past that I admire, I’m happy to be inspired by them and read their writing but there is nothing more satisfying to me than really connecting with people without fear, pretense, or ego.

Cyndi Lauper or Madonna?

Madonna. While I do have irreplaceable memories of dancing on the coffee table with my brother to ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun,’ Madonna is the ultimate role model of a self-empowered working mother.

 

If you were stranded on a desert island, which five things would you bring?

Nothing. There is truly no material that I cannot live without. I would take my two kids of course. Being on a deserted island with my two kids with no iPads sounds pretty awesome, actually. I’m in.

 
 

FIND OUT MORE

www.erikabloompilates.com | INSTAGRAM @ERIKABLOOMPILATES

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