FALL INTO SIMPLE HEALTHY HABITS FOR BODY AND HOME

Just as spring is a time for rebirth, autumn is also considered a transitional season. The weather turns brisk, the leaves on the trees change from dull brown to a firestorm of color,  and darkness settles in a little earlier. For many, it is a favorite time of year, but for others, it can be a trigger to falling off the health and fitness wagon. After all, how can you be expected to ignore pumpkin spice lattes? The key is to set goals BEFORE the new year, not over a drink as the clock strikes midnight.
“Fall … is a great time to start a (health and) fitness program because you’re going to create good habits for the holiday season and the upcoming winter months,” says Justin Price, owner of Biomechanics a personal training and wellness facility in San Diego.
Not only is Fall a good time to plan a strategic exercise regime, but also to change your summer skin care, eating habits, and stress management. Take a look at our four most important “wellness” points you can focus on this Season to help keep you energized, healthy, and happy.

TASTY & TRIM

It’s so hard to resist those spicy pumpkin lattes or warm delicious hot cocoas. Well, you can still enjoy your favorite cold weather beverage. Our helpful tips when you are out:
(1) Use milk (3% milk fat) rather than the heftier half-and-half (18% milk fat)
(2) Opt for the “skinny” version, made with skim milk rather than whole
(3) Forgo the calorie rich whipped cream
(4) Order a small, rather than large

Or, make your own at home with our favorite low-cal pumpkin spice latte recipe:
You need:
1½ cups unsweetened cashew milk or other non-dairy milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup
3 teaspoons regular vanilla
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons pureed pumpkin
1 pack Starbucks VIA instant coffee (or favorite brand)

Directions:
(1) Place cashew milk, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin a small saucepan and bring to a simmer
(2) Stir in instant coffee
(3) Transfer to a mug and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Enjoy!

CLEAN HEALTHY MEALS

While we all look forward to Halloween’s scrumptious candies and the holidays’ luscious turkey, ham, and pumpkin pie, there is a way you can still indulge yet stay trim throughout the entire Season. The key is to not deprive yourself so much that you overcompensate later. We like model Gigi Hadid’s motto: “Eat clean to stay fit, eat a burger to stay sane.”
On your regular days, start with a small healthy breakfast like whole grain oatmeal, fruit, eggs, or cereal to kick start your metabolism. Curb your mid-day slump with a healthy salad of greens and protein. Finish the day off with a light dinner of chicken or fish, and vegetables. Maintain this daily routine on normal days.

When you are out on the town, no need to sacrifice your regime. You can still order your favorites, just order dressings on the side, limit heavy breads, opt for lean meats or salads, and stay hydrated with water. Spending a little extra time on what you eat throughout your normal routine, means you can indulge a little on the special days without “falling off the bandwagon.”

KEEPING SKIN CLEAN

As the warmth of summer’s sun fades and we go into the “hibernation” Season, sometimes our skin takes a backseat to the busy-ness of Fall’s activities. With the crisp cool air, skin can easily lose moisture so it is vital to change your daily skin care regime. Take a look at some of our favorite tips from top designers and dermatologists.

AT HOME EYE REMEDIES

The simplest way to look energetic throughout this busy time of year is to keep your peeps bright and alert. While a comforting facial is always beneficial, we don’t always have the time in our busy schedules. The easiest way to stay fresh is with a quick at-home eye treatment right before you go to bed, or just when you wake up. In addition to reducing salt, hydrating with water, and preventing allergens, these are our favorite “quick tips:”

(1)  CUCUMBERS (containing antioxidants and flavonoids): Place a cool slice on each eye and take a rest for 30 minutes. Afterward you’ll feel nice and refreshed.
(2) RAW POTATO SLICES: They stay cool longer and contain an astringent that helps remove the water from under the eyes. Lay over the eyes and reap the benefits.
(3) WITCH HAZEL: Chill witch hazel (a well-known astringent to reduce swelling and redness) and apply a bit to cotton pad; let sit on closed eyes for 5 minutes.
(4) COLD WATER: Refresh your face with a cool water wash first thing in the morning. If your eyes feel extra puffy, dip a washcloth in cold water, squeeze out excess and lay over eyes.

NEW SKIN CARE REGIME

With the fluctuating weather, it is extra important to slough off dead cells and keep skin hydrated against the Season’s uneven temperatures. Make sure you lather up with an additional amount of non-comedogenic hydration. Instead of relying on chemical ridden products, why not make your own easy nourishing face and body scrub at home to use throughout the Fall months ahead:
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl mix: One tablespoon of brown sugar
A generous squeeze of honey
A teaspoon of olive oil
Mix until one paste. After removing any makeup, massage this concoction all over your face for a minute or so and then rinse with warm water. (Make a larger quantity for full body exfoliation).

SIMPLIFIED FALL MAKE-UP IDEAS

With the new Season comes new beauty trends. Even though the leaves turn darker and the nights come sooner, that doesn’t mean that make-up must follow. This year, counterbalance warmer colors with a fresh-faced, simple make-up care routine you’ll sure to appreciate, especially on those busy days.

Click her to check out this quick “how to” on daily make-up you can start today:
Fresh Face Look

And when you DO feel like dressing up a bit, just swipe on this Season’s most glamorous lip colors in power reds, 90’s browns, or liquid berry.

BE CALM AND REJUVENATE

During the hectic Season, take a little time to calm, cleanse, and rejuvenate. Our favorite way is through aromatherapy, the most natural way to release stress. The methods of use are what makes aromatherapy one of the most beautiful and indulgent of all the complementary therapies. From vaporizing, to massage, to bathing, to foot baths, there are so many ways to enjoy the captivating aromas of our pure essential oils.

Our favorite way to relax is vaporisation, the most popular and versatile method of use in Aromatherapy. Once the particles are inhaled, the essential oil vapors may alter moods and balance emotions within seconds.

How to:
Fill your vaporiser with water to the level indicated. Add 6-9 drops in total of pure essential oils to the water and light the candle at the base of a Ceramic Vaporiser or switch on your Electric or Ultra Sonic Vaporiser.

Don’t stop with just your home. You can stay calm throughout the day in your car with lemon infused oils to reduce anxiety and stress or revive during the mid-afternoon  slump with coffee or cinnamon reviving scents.

And finally, end the day in peace with a indulgent warm bath. Bathing is the most beautiful and nurturing method of use in the practice of Aromatherapy. All the senses are engaged in this practice and the mind and body are totally relaxed as the pure essential oils enter the body.

How to:
Add 3 drops in total of chosen oils like Rose or Lavender to one teaspoon of Sweet Almond Massage Base Oil and disperse into bath water. Agitate the surface of the bath and then immerse body and relax for 10 minutes.

SIMPLE CELEBRATIONS CREATE LIFETIME MEMORIES

The year would not be complete without the celebrations that fill the Season, creating pockets of joy to last a lifetime. No need for extravagance; let nature take over and provide the perfect backdrop for your Fall party. Whether you are planning a Halloween masquerade, gearing up for Thanksgiving, or hosting a casual get-together, go simple this Season.

Fill a glass urn with pine cones and colorful leaves from the back yard or make a centerpiece with pumpkins from your local pumpkin patch. Enhance your house with cinnamon essential oils for a calm environment, and add a couple of plaid throw blankets over chairs. If the weather permits, end your party with an old fashioned marshmallow roasting and snuggle into your warm blankets for an entertaining evening of fun, food, and fellowship.

Added bonus, hosting your own gathering means you get to pull out your favorite party wear, and stay cozy and warm without having to step foot out of the door. Make it easy on yourself by having guests bring their favorite Fall goodies, and stir together a simple apple cider that young and old alike can enjoy.

Check out our favorite Fall party wear to try:
“Sparkling” Black Sequin Pullover Sweater
“Pullover” Pale Blue Knit Sweater
“Miranda” Novelty Floral Lace Crochet Sweater

In this hectic time year, you can find ways to detox and decompress throughout your daily activities. Whether you opt for a “skinny” latte, relax with a natural scrub, overhaul your makeup routine, or calm with essential oils, enter the Season refreshed and revived rather than tired and stressed. Look for ways to get out and enjoy the fresh crisp air and the colorful changes in nature, inspiring you to try a few new things this Fall. Comment below and let us know which refreshing ideas appeal to you!

Remember no matter what we here at Posh at Play always encourage you to
BE YOU, BE FABULOUS, AND ALWAYS BE FEMININE.

THINK GREEN, LIVE GREEN, LOVE GREEN: SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Sustainable fashion is coming more to the forefront across the fashion and design industries of late. When I think about conservation and “Going Green,” my first thoughts are to remember to put my plastic water bottles in the recycle bin, buy paper rather than plastic, turn off unused lights, and minimize water usage. However, the fashion industry today is also stepping up to the forefront by discovering new ways the consumer can stay fashionable and trendy, and still save the Earth’s resources. My search led me to discover many mainstream fashion and home decorating designers and companies doing their part for our world by using recycled materials and natural products in their fashion and designs. I am amazed at the creativity and ingenuity that designers are now creating with their products. “Going Green” doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive, time-consuming, or boring. It is time for us to start thinking globally about how we can sustain the Earth’s resources in all areas of our lives, including fashion and design. Check out some of our favorite finds here at Posh at Play that we support and will be shopping at, staying trendy and Eco Chic all season long.

STELLA MCCARTNEY

Winner of Britian’s Designer of the Year award without using leather, vegan and cruelty-free designer Stella McCartney is one of the few high-end fashion designers making waves in the fashion industry for sustainable fashion. Celebs like newlywed Amal Alamuddin (now “Clooney”), sporting a Stella McCartney pantsuit and floppy hat, help raise awareness to Stella’s designs, reminding us that we can stay fashionable yet helpful to nature’s resources. Stella McCartney also has developed sustainable fabric designs with last season’s faux croc heels with a biodegradable heel, and this season’s new sustainable and cruelty-free wool, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy and Ovis XXI. While providing us with chic fashion, fragrances, and accessories, Stella McCartney also partners closely with eco-friendly organizations like Ethical Training Initiative, Canopy, National Resources Defense Council, and others. Her fashions can be found at her flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and Dallas or at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman. If you are going  high-end, we suggest sticking to this designer’s chic and sustainable fashion line.

 REFORMATION

Just in time for the Fall Season, I love Reformation’s newest line of sweaters made from Alpaca wool, a renewable fiber that has a lower environmental impact than most other sweater yarns. The company strives to produce Eco-friendly fashion at an affordable price. They have flagship stores in Los Angeles and New York City, but their online store is just as good. My favorites are the black Collie Alpaca Sweater, perfect to pair with your favorite Hudson skinny jeans, or the Emu Alpaca Sweater, as soft as cashmere but much gentler to Mother Earth.

ETHICA

We love the online shopping site Ethica, a collection of several designers committed to sustainable fashion all made in safe, healthy environments free of human rights violations such as child labor and sweatshop-like conditions. All fashion and accessories are made with eco-friendly textiles and organic fabrics, low-impact dyes, and recycled materials, often reusing surplus fabrics to reduce waste and water. The great thing about Ethica is you can shop by designer or shop by the item you are looking for, all the while knowing that your time and money help support sustainable fashion and go towards a great cause. I especially love the huge collection of handbags and totes, my favorite being the Moa Tote from Angela Roi. The designer works closely with South Korean ILO- manufactures where US trade agreement provides fair labor laws. With every purchase from this designer, $5 is donated to a corresponding medical charity.

EDUN

Named  the best handbag seen at New York’s Fashion Week 2015, Edun is a global fashion brand founded by U2’s Bono and wife Ali Hewson in order to promote trade in Africa by sourcing production throughout the continent. Currently 85% of all Edun materials are produced and manufactured in Africa, contributing to trade, jobs, and sustainable fashion. Their unique accessories and jewelry line were a hot item on the runways for this Season. Last Season, Edun partnered with Diesel jeans to produce jean wear exclusively made and marketed in Africa for a 2 Season run. Sourced from the Conservation Cotton Initiative in Uganda, the 35-piece jeans, jackets, shorts, and sweater collection is limited release. Shop now online at Diesel for a unique and exclusive collaboration benefitting fair trade, sustainable fashion, and eco-friendly style. We love the way rock star Bono is using his time, resources, and celebrity status for a great cause, raising awareness across the globe for fair trade and world peace.

 TEEKI

Build a better body, and also save the Earth with these colorful Teeki yoga pants I came across on Amazon. What first drew me to these pants was the colorful style and interesting patterns rather than the usual grey or black exercise wear found at every store. Then I discovered they are actually made from recycled water bottles. Teeki uses all recycled plastic for all of their sports wear, made in an entirely solar powered facility. With each pair of yoga pants, you help recycle between 18 to 30 water bottles. I love the Teeki company because their mission is to “provide the world with eco-friendly, timeless, forward fashion.” Their fashions are trendy, yet timeless, never boring, and are suitable for exercise, work, play, or beach. If you need to update your exercise wear and want to help out our Earth, let your next purchase be from Teeki.

LIBERTY GARDEN

From Hale Bob CEO Daniel Bohbot comes Liberty Garden, a fashion line committed to providing a potentially life saving treatment for malaria  patients all over the world. The company’s motto “buy one piece, change one life” is the heart and soul of Liberty Garden. By partnering with Doctors Without Borders, each item of clothing sold goes towards helping to prevent and cure malaria in Africa and other countries around the world. Liberty Garden’s collection includes chic tops, bottoms, dresses, and sweaters, along the lines of Hale Bob fashion. We love that successful CEO Daniel Bohbot is using his success to help bring about health and healing to those suffering from this crippling disease around the world and pursuing sustainable fashion.

TIEKS BALLERINA FLAT

Featured in our last blog “Step into Fall,“ Tieks’ ballerina flats are not only chic, but also sustainable fashion through their work to empower woman for positive change. These comfortable yet stylish ballerina flats pair perfectly with jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, suitable for work, play, or an evening out, and easily fold into your purse or pocket for durability, economy, and efficiency. Through The Gavrieli Foundation the company is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs all over the globe as a means of social change. A portion of Tieks’ sales go towards selected women around the world who are making positive changes in their communities, creating jobs, and reducing poverty for families and workers in their countries. Each time you step out in a chic pair of Tieks’ ballerina flats, you know you are doing your part to help women and families around the world.

CITIZENS OF HUMANITY

One of our designers at here at Posh at Play, Citizens of Humanity founder Jerome Dahan is committed to using his success to inspire, encourage, and support the next generation of young artists, creators, designers, and passionate “citizens of humanity.” Dahan says “As the company’s name suggests, our mission is to showcase the energy and passion of creative individuals.” Through his “Just Like You” film project, the series documents “people with incredible levels of passion, people we admire, and who share thoughtful ideas about life, the pursuit of their dreams and the challenges to become Citizens of Humanity.”  In exchange for participating in this series, artists from legendary ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov to model and global maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns to social activist Desmond Tutu create a limited edition T-shirt with Citizens of Humanity, and all proceeds are donated to the charity of their choice. Helping people is at the core of Citizens of Humanity’s mission. Next pair of jeans, consider buying from COH and support sustainable fashion and inspire the next generation of young artists.

CASHMERE CREATIONS

As the holidays approach, wondering what to buy for your children, nieces, nephews, little brother or sister? We love Cashmere Creations’ unique brand of all natural sustainable 100% recycled cashmere products. Falling in love with the feel of cashmere fabric, designer and founder Lauren Farris began collecting old cashmere sweaters from thrift stores and in February 2007 established her own company as a way to reinvent old cashmere and recycle the material into a cute line of bears, bunnies, kittens, and any imaginable creature possible. Custom orders are also available through the company, as well as FREE shipping in the United States. Such a cute idea for Christmas to Valentine’s Day to birthdays to Easter for children- soft, cuddly, natural, and contributing to recycling the Earth’s materials.

RMS BEAUTY

There are several organic and natural make-up products on the market today, but our top pick is RMS Beauty. Recently featured on model Giselle for an H & M campaign, and a favorite of celebrities such as Zoe Saldana, Miranda Kerr, and Olivia Munn, RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift, a renowned make-up artist, began developing illnesses due to the chemicals in her make-up and skin care products. This lead her to develop a completely organic line of make-up made from all raw products in their natural, untainted state. RMS goes beyond other organic lines in their production process of using limited heat which can alter raw minerals, releasing harmful chemicals that were once natural, therefore allowing RMS products to retain the living ingredients to nourish and heal. All RMS products are GMO free, Soy free, Gluten free, Nano free, and are not tested on animals. In addition, we love that all packaging is recyclable and completely biodegradable, contributing to sustainable fashion and design. We can’t wait to try RMS’s best seller and “celeb secret” Living Luminizer for healthy, luminous skin everyday.

VIVA TERRA

About 100 years ago, all furniture was considered to be organic since craftsmen used natural wood and hardware locally crafted for home furnishings and decor. Now, however, most store bought sofas, tables, chairs, and beds contain plastics and artificially made materials. There are several great sustainable home fashion companies out there today from EKLA Home to Organic Modernism to Environment Furniture. We love Viva Terra’s mission statement “that you don’t have to compromise your sense of style to help preserve the earth’s precious resources.” While each sustainable furniture company is unique and profitable in its own way, we love the aesthetic and variety of natural products the company has to offer, from candles, to rugs, to sofas, to dining rooms, to beds, to holiday decor, Viva Terra really has everything you could want to design each room of your home. Each piece is completely handmade from artisans around the world, using all natural products or recycled materials. As you decorate for the holidays, consider buying locally and decorating naturally for a sustainable, eco-friendly holiday season.

We hope you enjoyed our blog on “sustainable fashion.” Eco-friendly living is really quite simple; it’s just a matter of conscious decision making the next time you are at the market or shopping online. Why not stay chic and fashionable AND do your part to save and maintain the Earth’s natural resources. Mother Nature has given us all the resources we need, naturally, to live a clean, healthy, and balanced life; it’s up to each one of us to do so. Each small part adds up to bigger changes across the globe for a clean, green, healthier world for all of us and the generations to come. Give us your thoughts on how you “Live Green” and the natural products you like, and we may just feature YOU in our next Blog.