Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Friday, February 11, 2011

3 Ways to Relaxify Your Mind

OK, I know that "relaxify" is not an actual word, but after a long, stressful, cold and snowy week, by the time  FRIDAY rolls around, I tend to start making up words.

But here is something that is not made-up: there are real health benefits to finding FUN things to do on the weekends, like pampering yourself.

Relaxation Tip No. 1: When the tough gets going, some health experts say, GET A FACIAL.

Heading to the spa may actually reduce high blood pressure caused by stress, according to a study by the Mayo Clinic.

The warm steam from a facial can also increase circulation to the face and neck.

According to Pegg Hoffman, a skin care specialist at Renu Med Spa in Chevy Chase, Md., a facial massage can help to loosen up muscles in the jaw, for those who carry stress in their mouths or grind their teeth at night.

A one-hour, monthly facial can work wonders on a woman's complexion, says Hoffman. During a facial with one of Renu's skin care specialists, you will receive a specialized skin consultation, a Clarisonic facial brush cleansing, steaming, extractions, shoulder & face massage and a customized mask.
The friendly and upscale environment at Renu helps you relax.
Relaxation Tip No. 2: GO SHOPPING! Yes, girls! This really is the news we have been waiting for our entire lives.

According to Women's Health magazine, shopping will give you the same kind of high you might get from running on a treadmill by releasing a flood of endorphins - the feel-good chemicals in your brain.

The mood boosting endorphans that come from shopping not only gives your brain a boost, but your relationships, too, according to the article, "Shopping IS Good For You: How Manolos Can Save Your Life," by Dan Tynan.

After an online shopping spree, I am elated when my
Shoe Dazzle heels and purse arrive!
'Round here, we prefer $39.95 ShoeDazzle shoes over thousand dollar Manolo Blahniks, and according to Los Angeles-based psychologist Dr. Nancy Irwin, the better the deal, the bigger the boost.

"It's a peak experience to get a hell of a deal," says Irwin to Women's Health.

Relaxation Tip No. 3DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. You don't have to be Oprah and give away a trip to Australia, but by doing something as simple as treating your coworker to lunch or shoveling snow from your elderly neighbor's steps, it can have profound effects on your stress levels.
Fashion icon Donna Karan is named
Humanitarian of the Year.
(In the photo above, fashion designer Donna Karan snaps a pic with Chef Art Smith after being honored as Humanitarian of the Year by ShelterBox USA. The event, honoring Karan's work in Haiti, took place at Laison Hotel on Capitol Hill earlier this week. Photo Credit: Joyce N. Boghosian)

GreaterGood.com's Jill Suttie and Jason Marsh write: A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly.

In his book Why Good Things Happen to Good People, Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine at Stony Brook University, reports that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness... (from the article, "5 Ways Giving Is Good For You").

I think it was Maria Shriver who said it best when she quoted her mom, Eunice, as saying, "The best thing you can do for yourself is to do something for somebody else."

Let's try this weekend ladies! E-mail, Tweet or Facebook me your response to this article... and ways you relax and find happiness on the weekends.

xoxo,

Markette 
Let's Connect!
    

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cyber Monday: Too Little, Too Late?

The sales this year have been deeper than ever! 

A shopoholics paradise, mall stores like New York & Company posted Black Friday signs in their window dressings that read "50% Off Entire Store!"

Meanwhile, outlet malls like Potomac Mills opened up at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, while online retailers got a head start by offering deals way in advance of Cyber Monday.
With deals like the ones mentioned above... and the online super sales listed below (some of which debuted a week or more before Black Friday)...

Do you think that Cyber Monday is becoming obsolete?

Just a few of the pre-CM deals that posted early:
  • Bebe.com: 70% off all sale items and 40% off select new items if you click here.
  • Grouponicus: Daily 50% off holiday deals sent to a subscriber's inbox or by going to Today's Deal.
  • New York & Company: 50% off everything through the end of Cyber Monday if you click here.
  • SteveMadden.com: 35% off any online order through the end of Cyber Monday with code:CM35
  • Travelocity: $40 off 3+ nights flight and hotel through 02/28/11 with code:GL40
  • Orbitz: 10% off hotels through the end of Cyber Monday with code:HOLIDAY10
And even more so-called Cyber Monday deals, that started early and last well after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend can be found on Promo-2010.com.

Meanwhile, Back  at the Christmas Tree Ranch...
Bull Run Festival of Lights in Virginia.
If you are looking for a holiday rush that doesn't put a dent in your bedazzled pocketbook... then look no further than these low-key Christmas events... events that don't require you to enter a national lottery in order to gain entry (think National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony)!

DC:
Capitol Hill: Norwegian Christmas at Union Station. Thursday, Dec. 2 

Maryland:
National Harbor: Christmas on the Potomac. Lights nightly now-Sunday, Jan. 9
Prince George's County: Festival of Lights. Lights nightly now-Sunday, Jan. 2

Virginia: 
Centreville: Bull Run Festival of Lights. Lights nightly now-Sunday, Jan. 9

That's all for now, but there's more to come from DC on Heels in terms of Christmas Splendor, holiday style and party shoes... so stay tuned tuned!

xoxo,

Markette
Let's Connect!

    

Monday, September 13, 2010

Fall into fashion show and dancing merengue dog!


FALL INTO FASHION:

I don't know about you but this onset of cool crisp weather is making me want to literally free fall right into Fall. There is something so incredible about this time of year. And while we are still a week and some change away from the first official day of Autumn (Sept. 23rd.) I can now at least pop into my local Starbucks and grab my daily caffeine fix--pumpkin spice latte w/skim milk.

And ask any woman what else do they love about this time of year and they will say SHOPPING.



Yes!!! It's time to check out all the new fall fashion trends and guess what this Saturday (Sept 18th) from 1-5 pm you can do just that. Markette and I will be emceeing the "Fall into Fashion Show" in the Grand Plaza of Fairfax Corner hosted by Bella Mia Weddings and Events.

The event will feature vendors representing a variety of products and services, live entertainment, fashion from merchants at Fairfax Corner and cupcakes! Cupcakes and fashion...what more could a girl want?

Here is a list of some of the vendors that will be attending. Can't wait to check out all the new trends and designs for the the Fall!

Jewels by Parklane
Isagenix
Kura Designs
Asha Enterprises
Signature Designs by LaNorma
Lia Sophia Jewelry
Distinct Concepts
Miche Bags
Global Exchange
AK Henna Designs
Chez Kevito
W Salon
River Moon Films
3 Little Birds Stitch
Arbonne
and of course Bella Mia!

DANCING MERENGUE DOG

Happy Monday! I leave you with one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. You will not believe this dancing dog. It has over 4 million views alone on Youtube and I can see why.


Ciao besos xoxoxxo

Vanessa