The Finer Things

This past week my fiancée & I ventured to Whistler for a little getaway. It was our third time visiting this winter wonderland so we had some ideas of what we wanted to do. 

{view from our room it was Australia Day hence the green & yellow balloons shit got crazy}

Neither of us ski or snowboard so we hit the tubing park for some fun. 

{Tubing..I think we were the oldest ones there}

We dined at our favorite spot where all the locals hang & made a day out of the Scandinavian Spa. 

{ Scandinavian Spa = winter wonderland}

However, the best part of the trip was the finer things dining tour we embarked on with another couple. It was a 4- course dinner tour that explored four award winning restaurants in Whistler. Our guide was a laid-back 30-something local. She has been in the food & wine biz about as long as she has been skiing (my guess is a looonnnnggg time).  The tour started out at Barefoot Bistro where my girlfriend learned the Napoleonic tradition of champagne sabering. We enjoyed a delicious appetizer & glass of sparkling wine in their 18,000 bottle wine cellar. Unbelievable. 

{That's alot of wine}

We then headed to Hy's steakhouse for a little trivia, wine pairing, & cajun crusted blackened ahi tuna (I opted for the vegetarian curry plate). Next we scarfed down our entrée at Quattro the best Italian restaurant in all of Whistler. With a pit stop at a local chocolate shop we ended the tour at Mix Lounge (our favorite local spot). It was here we sipped ice wine & devoured a fruit cheesecake. All along the way you collect playing cards in which you try to build the best poker hand. Winner gets a nifty little prize.

 All in all it was a beautiful snowy weekend full of friends, laughter, yummy food & a lot of vino.

Must Have Mondays

{lululemon.com}

Attention all yogis! Are you sick of slipping & and sliding around on your yoga mat? If so you MUST invest in lululemon's "the mat". Yes I worked for lululemon for quite some time, no they are not paying me to say this! I truly believe this is the best mat on the market. It is made from rubber which allows it to provide extra cushioning in all of your postures. Try the anti-slip surface (thank you polyurethane coating) in your hot classes and be amazed. Really sweaty? This will still keep you grounded when flowing. Or flip the mat over & try your practice on the other side. If you are a germ freak (kinda like me) there is an antimicrobial additive that prevents mold & mildew. Sweeeeet. Because of its thickness & material it does weigh a bit more than your traditional yoga mat...like five pounds. I suggest you purchase the straps for easier to & from. 
Happy yoga.

Feel Good Friday

I shared with you guys one of these videos a couple fridays ago. Check out this spoof on the original. Love the usage of the lace bra! Happy Weekend xoxo!!

What Am I Wearing? - Whistler Edition

Whistler... here we come! We are excited to return to one of our favorite destinations for a 3 day 2 night mini vacay. Not a whole lot on the agenda this trip, just lounging & dinners. Check out the outfits I prepped. One has to look the "look" in this winter wonderland ya know?!

Can't wait to share pictures of our trip check back next week!

Cuddled Up

 This entire winter season I have been on the hunt for the perfect navajo sweater. I had a pretty lengthy must have list. It included: no cartoon like animals, an interesting pattern, cozy, oversized, & no far out colors. Thanks to Covered in MSP for introducing me to my Costa Blanca navajo cardi. It's love.

What else am I wearing? Bobi boyfriend tee, gorjana heart necklace, Joes black jeggings, Roots men's socks, nixon men's watch

Wondering where I am in these pics? Its Covered. Become their friend on Facebook! 

Pistachio Greens & Tangerines

Let's talk nails.... let's talk spring nail colors. For many people the color of their nails is a direct reflection of their mood. Sultry reds, precious pinks, sophisticated nudes, dark & edgy purples the list goes on and on. But what mood do you think of when you hear pistachio greens & tangerines? I instantly feel warm and tingly, ok not really, but for sure my mood turns to cheerful! Talk about my two favorite colors being the must have colors for spring 2012. 

PISTACHIO GREENS

1. essie - navigate her (available this february)

2. deborah lippmann - almost paradise

3. RGB - dew

TANGERINES

1. Sephora by OPI - paisley attention to me (available @ sephora this february)

2. BYS - tempt me tangerine

3. Sonia Kashuk - tango mango (available @ target this march)

Must Have Mondays

This Monday's must have is tousled beach hair. Yes, even if you live miles & miles away from a beach you can still create this messy casual look. Don't let distance or the weather stop ya! Want to know how I create the look? Follow my step by step process below.

1. Fresh out of the shower towel dry hair and apply bumble & bumble tonic to help manage tangles
2. Comb or brush out your hair
3. Spritz bumble & bumble thickening spray at the roots giving a little extra to the crown of the head
4. Tousle your damp hair with your fingers
5. If you have time let the hair air dry while scrunching it up every so often ... If you are in a pinch place hair in a loose bun at the top of the head. Blow dry completely. 
6. Once dry unravel bun (if you did so) & spritz bumble and bumble surf spray through out all the hair while scrunching it
7. Lastly, tame your flyaways with a dollop of Aestelance leave in balm

Ta-Da there you have it!

Beach Hair

Feel Good Friday

Let me introduce you to the influential Ryan Leier. I first got to know this amazing yogi when I went through his one yoga teacher training program. Ryan is an ambassador to yoga communities all over the world and leaves his impact on each of his students. Currently I am involved with him once again for a 40 days program. What is that? From yoga tradition we know it takes 40 days to make or break a habit. This program is about a 40 day lifestyle change/commitment. 

• Set your Sadhana.
• Do something positive for both your mind & body daily
• Commit to at least 6 minutes of meditation 
• Practice 3 asana poses everyday
• Follow his blog for daily inspiration
• Read The Heart of Yoga- developing a personal practice by T.K.C Desikachar

 The goal of this program is not to just transform you mind & body but your life.  It is about learning to take yoga off the mat and applying it to your everyday. If you are feeling inspired I challenge you to set a Sadhana and join this movement! Why not start your 40 days today?

DIVA!

I am so excited to announce the alexa collection is now being carried at DIVA! boutique. This unique store is the place in Chilliwack to find retro inspired fashions, locally designed jewelry, beauty products & so much more. I stumbled upon this gem of a store one day exploring my new surroundings. After striking up a conversation with the store owner it wasn't long until we were setting up an appointment for her to see the line. I am honored to have my pieces nestled onto the shelf next to her other amazing local designers. Check out this sweet write up she did on the alexa collection for her blog. Did I mention she is a roller derby girl? So cool.

Give me some Gotye

Let me introduce you to my latest music crush Gotye. This Belgian-Australian singer/songwriter's third album Making Mirrors has me completely satisfied. Weird? Let me explain. This album is just full of variety. Each of the tracks are completely different sounding compared to one another. The assortment has me content, satisfied if you will. I suggest you head over to your itunes account and hit download. You will not be disappointed. 

Soup & Snow

I woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland this morning. The weather has shifted from rain to snow over here in beautiful BC. It also looks like the snow isn't going to ease up; mother nature must have placed a tall order. With a chill in the house I want nothing more than a delicious steamy hot bowl of chicken noodle soup. I used this recipe which has an unexpected ingredient to give the soup a little zazz.

Oh so snowy

Cooking away

So yummy, extra black pepper!

The mountains are hiding behind all of the snow

Must Have Mondays

Not just for Mondays these pieces are fab for any day of the week! Check out what I have been up to lately.

1. alexa collection Tribal Pink Earrings $36.00

2. alexa collection Stunning Choker Necklace $54.00

3. alexa collection Rock Stone Brooch Bracelet $105.00

4. alexa collection Gold Star Studs $18.00

5. alexa collection Mixed Chain Green Pendant $58.00

Looking for a way to warm up on this chilly day? Hot deal.... use coupon code "snowdays" & take 20% off your entire purchase! Sale ends Friday. alexa collection on etsy!

Feel Good Friday

Ok well this might not make you feel that great about yourself at first. But, you should definitely feel inspired! It makes me want to wake up & embrace everyday with peace, flexibility, stability, balance, & confidence! 

Happy Friday all..xoxo

Little Shopping Secret...

I am going to let you all in on a shopping secret. shopstyle (the greatest search engine for clothing) now allows you to sign up for sale alerts. They can be tailored to exactly what you like. When new items hit the sale rack you can select to be informed daily, weekly, or spontaneously throughout the day.  You have the option to be notified by individual piece, style, or designer. Its genius. Each morning I wake up to find a little note letting me know my favorite Wildfox tees, Sam Edelman boots, and Haute Hippie vests have gone on sale.  Because it pulls up allllllll online sale prices you are guaranteed to get the best deal!

All things Alexa

What I fancy at the moment!

• Blinged out buddha rocking the newest alexa collection pieces
• The color, shape, & texture of this clutch
• Layered girly & edgy bracelets
• Freaking amazing green roller rack 
• Spring alexa collection piece involving many design elements such as texture & color
• Shoes organized and displayed on wall...genius
• Pretty nails, lips, ombre hair, subtle eyes, & pink blush

It's a Monster

Every so often I have a major sweet tooth. I don't just want one type of sweet I want everything. That is when this recipe for monster cookies comes in handy. In my eyes it comes across a bit healthier with the pb & applesauce substitute....i know i know silly since it has m&m's, chocolate chips, and I added marshmallows. It is really quite the "garbage" cookie since I am also known for throwing in some nuts, spices, and raisins here and there. Needless to say it fulfills all of my sweet cravings!

The dough might even be better than the baked cookie, just sayin.

I highly recommend not adding marshmallows to the dough, they may or may not blow up huge and burn.

There is something about the taste of a baked m&m that I am drawn to, weird.

Must Have Mondays

If you haven't discovered Lush yet you have been missing out. Lush creates products from only the freshest and organic ingredients. It is all handmade with no preservatives. This Monday's must haves include my favorite products that I use on a daily basis!

1. Lush buffy bar $22.95 

This little guy I use in the shower right before my final rinse off. It is designed not only to moisturize but also to help eliminate cellulite with its ground almond and rice. 

2. Lush Lemony Flutter $14.95

This cuticle butter has a home next to my bed. I apply it every night to my nails and elbows to keep them uber soft. Each batch of this stuff has 22lbs of beeswax as well as lemony goodness. 

3. Lush Fair Trade Foot Lotion $22.95

This has to be my ultimate obsession. This bad boy has spearmint and peppermint essential oils which allow it to create a cool/soothing effect when applied.  It has an herbal infusion of arnica which helps relieve discomfort. After a long run or a crazy yoga stint I apply this stuff to my achy ankles and knees and let the cooling sensation take away the pain.

4. Lush Big Shampoo $24.95

Remember that one time you did a little surfing/swimming in the ocean? After you dried off on the beach your hair was crazy full of volume and wavy.... yea this stuff has the same effect. Big is infused with seaweed and lime juice to create a full, healthy, shiny look. This stuff is perfect for creating the tousled look.

Feel Good Friday

There is a saying " Where your attention goes, energy flows." Your thoughts are harnessed and directed by your ability to focus. All of your thoughts can be turned into action with the appropriate energy. With the right amount of focus anything you wish to achieve can be done.   To center your mind & body I challenge you to try meditation. Before you start your day find a quiet space with little distraction. Sit comfortably and close your eyes, focus the mind on one icon or object. Try to embrace the moment focusing on serenity. Let your thoughts/distractions just pass by without holding onto them. If you are finding it difficult to settle the mind, focus on your breath. Start with just a few minutes the first day and then work your way up. Steadying the mind is much more difficult then one would presume. It takes patience, dedication, and focus. As you become more experienced with meditation you will find yourself using this technique to realign your energy throughout your day. Good luck :)

Product Face Off

It is time for a product face off! We have DiorShow Mascara facing off against the newbie on the block They're Real! Mascara from Benefit. DiorShow has been my go to mascara since well, highschool. So when the sales chica at Sephora talked me into Benefit's newest mascara I couldn't believe I had caved. 

Benefit's They're Real! Mascara {$22.00} has a high gloss formula. The unique wand allows you to coat every eyelash (even the ones you didn't know you had). The wand is very easy to manage and I found I had less oops smudges after applying.  Each individual eyelash looked longer than it actually was. However, the overall eye came off a bit piecey to me. My eyelashes are not all the same length; the middle ones were extremely long looking while the corners were just peeking out.  The new formula does not come in a waterproof option which unfortunately counts as a strike in my eyes ( I have to be able to wear it to yoga). To me it looks like you are wearing a lot of mascara when you use this product. I would wear this if I wanted to create a twiggy-like dramatic eye using several coats.

DiroShow Mascara {$24.50} offers several different formulas I use the jet black waterproof. I have tried all others but this one is my favorite. The wand is thicker (which I love) but takes a bit more time getting used to. I often have a bit more oops smudges then I would like but nothing a q-tip with vaseline can't fix. Once you have mastered the wand the payoff is huge. The wand is coated with just the right amount of mascara allowing it to go on light and smooth. While i highly recommend curling your lashes before applying any mascara this product is designed to enhance your natural curl. With just one swipe across your eyelashes look full and elegant.  I often get mistaken for wearing fake eyelashes with this mascara. DiorShow creates a fuller looking eye without weighing down each individual lash unlike Benefits. I usually wear only one coat but have played around with two even three to create a more dramatic effect. Overall I would have to stick with this cult classic to me it is worth the $2.50 more. This mascara will take you from everyday to going out.

Wedding Inspo

As we start the new year I can't help but get excited that the days are dwindling until our beach wedding. While home for the holidays I spent an entire day getting the appropriate documents to get married out of the country. July 5th 2012 is the big day! This is what we have planned/our inspiration thus far.

My rehearsal dinner dress made from vintage lingerie. Don't worry it is currently at the tailors being lined. We wont be having any nip action.

St. Maarten sunset beach wedding with lit Tiki torches and a flower petal lined aisle

A barefoot bride for the ceremony 

My dinner & dancing shoes

SMYMM

I am currently going gaga for Show Me Your Mumu's Samantha Tank Dress in Python . I love how we paired it with these buttery Dolce Vita Quince Boots in Desert for a fancy yet easy going look. The best part about this dress is not only does it work in winter but its perfect for the balmy summer days... I am thinking hello honeymoon.

Back Again

This year our Christmas traditions remained intact well almost all of them. It was the first brown Christmas I had seen in MN in such a long time. While I thought I was escaping the rain from BC for the comforts of the fluffy white snow I was sadly disappointed. All and all the two weeks at home were filled with work, friends, family and delicious food. 

A table full of pictures taken each Christmas from 1988 to 2011. I love how they evolve from me as an only child, to when my brother came along, to my fiance and Bear.

The perfectly decorated Christmas tree in my parents front room. It is adorned in silver balls and bows.

The site of where all the action takes place. This tree has all of the ornaments my brother and I ever made or received throughout the years.

Bearsy Bear hanging out underneath the basement Christmas tree after all the presents had been opened.