Weekend Design & Wellness Project
ONE ROOM, ONE POSE
REFRESH & RESTORE
5 Steps to Hygge a Room and Restore Your Body
Hygge, (HEW-guh) “is a quality of coziness that makes a person feel content and comfortable. It's also often used as an adjective meaning "cozy or comfortable.” (Merriam Webster)
Choose a room or space in a larger area to clear of any unnecessary items or furniture.
Add the following optional items; a comfortable chair, a blanket, oversized pillow(s), a yoga mat or blanket, a candle, a small table or stool and one object that inspires you or reminds you of a happy moment in your life. Add as many plants with soft leaves to the space as you see fit. The stool can substitute as a table to place your favorite item. The plants can be arranged around the area, act as a barrier if the space is part of a larger area or gathered in one corner. This is for your comfort so there’s no need to follow design rules just this once.
Play calming sounds like; campfire crackling, the ocean, classical music, theta waves or spa music.
Set up your blanket, pillows and yoga mat on the floor to prepare for a restorative yoga or (yin yoga) pose referred to as restorative heart opener
To get into the pose
Use a large pillow(s) or blanket(s) and stack them length wise for support in this reclining position. If you have bolster (long round pillow), this is the perfect time to use it.
Bend your knees to bring your feet close to your bottom, then open your knees wide to bring the soles of your feet together. (If this is straining, then leave the legs out straight and as wide as comfortable)
Lie back on the pillow/blanket pile supporting your spine. Open the arms out to the sides, elbows bent, palms and face up as the chest opens and stretches wide. Relax the shoulders, face and jaw muscles and take a deep breath with a slow complete exhale. Let the whole day, week, month, year, go. It’s the past and you’re right here, right now and that is all that matters.
For more Hygge…
Check out a previous post from 2017
Photo by: Allison Christina @happpyal
Q & A with Allison
Hair TaDos & TaDon’ts
Hair Q & A with Stylist, Allison from Talking Headz Salon in Philadelphia
Here are answers to some hair curiosities that most people may have. Meet Allison, a stylist in the Philadelphia area with 17 years of experience making Pennsylvanians beautiful with her custom cutting, coloring and styling. Allison also teaches specialty cutting and coloring classes to newer stylists. Since childhood, Allison was a gifted artist with a photographic memory and natural instincts for color, balance and scale. This talent has allowed Allison to achieve complicated hair coloring techniques and create new visions for clients seeking complete makeovers. Allison has always had her own personal style and strives to bring out her clients’ individuality. From classic and professional to half shaved, full-on rainbow fun, Allison puts all she has into each client so they leave her chair happy and full of confidence.
O & A
COLOR:
Q: What would you recommend for having roots touched up between full color treatments for balayage and highlights?
A: Balayage allows you to go longer between color appointments because of the softer grow out. But, I suggest getting a toner refresh to keep your blonde looking bright and shiny. If you’re covering grey, I would suggest getting a root touch up every 4-6 weeks since grey can be very resistant.
TRENDS:
Q: What do you see for summer and fall trends?
A: We’re seeing a lot of color blocking reminiscent of the 90’s usually with vivid colors. We are still loving the “lived in” color that we get with balayage and highlights. Also shags, mullets and shaggy bobs are all back in style.
EXTREME COLOR CHANGE:
Q: How many steps and about how long would it take to go from a medium brown to Gwen Stefani blonde?
A: Going platinum from medium brown can be a process. Prepare to be at the salon anywhere from 3-6 hours and sometimes longer. We need to lighten every strand, then tone the hair sometimes twice. There will be more upkeep at home since you will need to baby your hair a little more and use purple shampoo to keep your blonde cool toned.
SKIN TONE AND HAIR COLOR:
Q: Does skin tone effect what colors you use for highlighting someone’s hair?
A: Yes, warmer skin tones look better with a warmer toned blonde, cooler and neutral toned skin looks great in the silvery ice blondes that everyone loves lately.
SUMMER HAIR:
Q: Any advice for summer hair care?
A: Yes! The sun, pool water and ocean water can be rough on your hair. I suggest using a leave in conditioner or UV spray before heading to the pool or beach.
Thank you, Allison. Talk to you again soon for skin care and make-up tips in March!
To book an appointment with Allison at Talking Headz Salon 4422 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA call 215-729-2028 and follow Allison on Instagram @allisonheadz to see her before and after shots.
Enjoy Allison’s hair art below…
Drop Zones
Photo by Zachary Staines @zaccastravels
Know Thy Drop Zones
Person walks through the front door after a long day at work, person chucks the keys on a small table by the door, tosses bag on the floor, jacket over a chair and the mail and keys on the counter. On the way to the bathroom, person picks up some toys, balls or random items along the way and piles them on the stairs creating a cluttered tripping hazard.
Baskets! Baskets! Baskets! They come in many shapes, sizes, colors and some have lids.
If you are short on time or come across “lost” items daily, baskets are a perfect solution for drop zones. Place two by the main entrance if there are more than two people living in the home. Place two big baskets in the family room, one for blankets and one for random personal items that gather in the communal spaces. So when a family member yells out, “where’s my _____?” you can say, “retrace your steps and check the baskets, sweetheart, honey, love muffin, ooggebooboo.” At some point they will get it. Give it time. Add a basket at the bottom of the stairs to collect things that found their way to the lower level. This allows you to bring the basket upstair when you have time to replace the items and it reduces the tripping hazards around the house. Baskets are also a life saver when unexpected company stops by for a visit. Your home will always look tidy and your visitors will be unaware of your dirty little secret. Try it.
Michael’s offers 50% off all baskets for most of the year with World Market and Ikea having great selection of baskets and sales throughout the year.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy relieves stress, tension and compression in the neck, head and back. It also boosts the immune system. Craniosacral therapy starts with the practitioner evaluating your symptoms and overall lifestyle to better understand how and where you most need treatment. The session consist of light touch and very subtle movements relieving tension from the central nervous system mainly in the head and hips. To describe craniosacral therapy I would say it’s a combination of reflexology, reiki and Rolfing all in one, yes, I’ve done them all. I will do almost anything to relieve a migraine.
If you’re working on pain management or are open to a variety of wellness practices for prevention and maintenance, you will enjoy craniosacral therapy. It’s not a cure, but it sure is relaxing. My pain management process for dealing with migraines is first going to the chiropractor, then acupuncture and/or craniosacral therapy followed by hot yoga within the next few days. I mostly use a heat compress for migraines, but sometimes a cold compress depending on the type of migraine I’m experiencing.
Here is more information about craniosacral therapy to see if it’s right for you.
Here are some chronic pain that craniosacral therapy can improve;
Fibromyalgia.
Migraine headache.
Complex regional pain syndrome.
Fascial adhesions.
Multiple sclerosis.
Neuralgia.
Neurodegenerative diseases.
Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.
Stroke.
Post-concussion syndrome.
Speech impairment.
Epilepsy.
Here are some instances where it would be best to get permission from a physician before having craniosacral therapy.
Recent concussion.
Cerebral swelling.
Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.
Brain aneurysm.
Traumatic brain injury.
Blood clots.
Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up.
Please consult with a medical professional before seeking alternative or holistic treatment. I am not a medical professional. I share my own experiences to help others that may benefit from my trials and errors.
Pre-K Feng Shui
Feng Shui
means wind and water representing a constant flow.
Here are 3 Pre-K Feng Shui practices for the mind, body and home.
Mind - Watch your words! Eliminate negative words such as “fight” and “beat” something that actually needs to be healed. This includes diseases and physical ailments. We need unity within our bodies in order to heal. Healthy cells work in unison to heal/break down sick cells that are malnourished. Design Change - write down a word you often use that means strength to you, but is actually a negative word. For example, “fight” can be turned into heal. Now write out the transition, fight = heal. Each time you start to say fight, change it to heal. This will take a minute to get used to, but it will make a huge difference.
Body - Surrendering, exhaling and drinking lots of water are the best ways to feng shui the body. To surrender simply means to give up your stresses, anger and grudges to the Universe, God, Buddha, Mohammad, The Overlords, Captain Jack, Nothingness or who ever you talk to when you need help. Give it all over to them, forgive those who have wronged you for you, not for them. Holding onto anger and resentments only creates disruption in your own body and mind. It’s not worth it. Stress and worry sends the body mixed messages and creates imbalances in the adrenal glands. Design Change - Print a picture or take a screenshot on your phone of what your happy place looks like. This could be a beach, a campsite, the mountains, a European city, a Temple, a deserted island with a cooler filled with your favorite snacks and libations. Each time you feel worry, anger, stress or resentment look at this picture and take a deep breath to let go of all that does not serve you.
Home - Add air purifying plants such as, a money tree, bamboo, jade or succulents to every room in the home. Avoid plants with pokey leaves since that adds the energy of hostility to the home. Design Change - Go around the house and add real plant life to as many rooms as possible. Adding paintings or photos of plants also contributes to the serenity of the home minus the air purifying benefits.
Bonus: Clear the Mind, Body and Home with Palo Santo or “holy wood.” Palo Santo comes from South America and has a long sacred history that is to be cherished and respected. When burning Palo Santo think about the Amazonian shaman who discovered its many healing properties and used it in healing ceremonies. Feel a sense of gratitude for having access to this precious part of history and nature. Be sure to purchase ethically sourced Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens) wood sticks and essential oil from reputable and environmentally aware companies. Real Palo Santo wood sticks have dark veining and give off a white smoke with a musky, woodsy scent. First, light the Palo Santo wood and allow the flame to burn for 30 seconds, then softly blow it out and enjoy the calming and anti-inflammatory properties of this natural, sacred treasure.
MIND: Burn in the morning or before meditating to start the day with a clear mind
BODY: Use the essential oil topically as it has been know to heal joint pain
HOME: Palo Santo is used to clear negative energy to make space for positive energy. Burn Palo Santo while walking around your home with positive, healing and prosperous intentions.
Note: Palo Santo does not leave hair and fabrics smelling like campfire smoke.
