Faith Style

Women are rich, complex, intricate, spiritual and physical beings. Every month we cycle through four distinct goddess energies (connected to the four phases of the menstrual cycle) which give us access to unique physical, mental and emotional abilities.

From nature’s point of view the menstrual cycle is there to restore our fertility each month. What most women don’t realize is when pregnancy doesn’t occur, the hormonal changes created in our bodies create fertile ground for all kinds of unseen opportunities. When we tap into this potential we can feel more vibrant, improve our relationships, enhance our physical and spiritual wellbeing, and connect with the Divine Feminine.

In her book Red Moon, Miranda Gray shows us how to use the inner compass of our menstrual cycle to find out when we have highest access to these beautiful goddess energies. I have borrowed from Miranda’s wisdom to create Yoga Goddess’ signature Moon Goddess Yoga where I teach women how to harmonize hormonal health and play with the goddess energies.

It’s easy to find out which goddess you are most connected to based on your time of the month. Just take out your calendar and count the days – where day 1 is the first day of your period – and calculate where you are in your cycle:

Days 1 – 6: Wise-woman Goddess

Days 7 – 13: Maiden Goddess
Days 14 – 20: Mother Goddess
Days 21 – 28: Enchantress Goddess

Relax and renew. Day 1 – 7: The quiet and introverted energy of the Home-body emerges at the time of menstruation – this is your ‘moon time’, when you connect with the goddess energy of the Wise Woman. Feel the full blossoming of your inner wisdom. Get into your comfy clothes, light some candles, and take 10 minutes to breathe into your belly. Your mind will effortlessly merge into blissful meditation, your body will melt into deep relaxation, and any difficult sensations will ease off.

Go-get’em! Day 7 – 13: The Go-getter is full of energy and dynamism – she is born of the the Maiden goddess aspect our ourselves at pre-ovulation. At this time of the month, your energy is climbing, your waistline is shrinking and your aura is shining. This is a great time to call your girlfriends, get all dressed-up and and go out Sex and the City style. It’s also the perfect time to kick start a new project. You know that new health regime you’ve been thinking about? Now is the perfect time to put your running shoes on and get moving!

Be Nurturing. Day 14 – 20: Mid-cycle is when most women ovulate and it’s a natural time to connect with the supportive and caring energy of the Mother godess. Check-in with your heart – it’s likely brimming with those oh so good feelings of love. One way to express your inner Nurturer is with a delectable home cooked meal for a special someone. Feed your way into their heart and they’ll be licking their lips (and maybe your fingers.?!) in delight.

Go wild. Get creative. Day 21 – 28: After ovulation, the hormone progesterone piques and creates the perfect environment for the wild and unpredictable energy of the Enchantress goddess to come out and play. You may notice there’s a lot stirring inside you right now which makes you feel like you’re losing control – you’re not – it’s just the Wild Woman inside you who needs to channel some energy. Take charge by giving yourself a creative outlet. Painting, writing, dancing, yoga – any kind of activity that puts you in the ‘zone’ is a really good idea right now. Remember, you’re not psycho, you’re cyclical, period.

Play with the goddess energies all month long…

Love and delight,

Zahra.

www.yogagoddess.ca

1. Wear properly fitted clothes. Never underestimate the power of a great fitted pant and elegant blouse. When things are perfectly fitted you instantly look reliable, dependable and capable. The same goes for a jacket or blazer the simple addition of this piece adds structure, confidence and authority.

2. Up-to-date on self maintenance? Making sure that you go for regular haircuts, get your eyebrows shaped and fingers and toes nicely manicured and polished. It is small things like these that have a big impact. You may feel that a peep-toe pump or sandal are inappropriate for the corporate world but a good mani/pedi and personal nail colour will give you a beautifully finished look.  Details make all the difference. A chic outfit will be completely degraded by chipped nail polish.

3. Jewelry is an integral part of your personality. It can be a topic of discussion and even a point of envy.  Just remember less is always more, be selective and pick one or two pieces that really showcase your personality.

4. Makeup helps to polish off your look. Mascara, blush and lipstick/lip-gloss are the basic elements to enhance your beauty. A little is usually better than none for a professional look.

Interview Style Faux-Pas

Under no circumstances should you ever wear the following to an interview (or at the workplace, for that matter): a tube top or dress, strappy heels, spaghetti straps, anything cut low enough to see cleavage or high enough to see midriff. These pieces are absolute interview killers. Be certain to remove any sunglasses sitting on top of your head and hide any headphones or media devices in your bag or briefcase.

Interview Style Secrets

• Check your outfit for holes, tears, stains, scuffs or wrinkles the day before to ensure you’re not running around the day of trying to fix a faulted outfit.
• Call ahead and speak with the HR dept to find out the dress code for the company.

Beauty for this season couldn’t be any easier.  One common denominator you’ll see with all designers Spring 2010 collections is the makeup trend. All have clean and simple faces, nude lips, smudged barely there eyeliner and the most importantly defined natural looking eyebrows.

The unfortunate part is not all of us are blessed with the perfect eyebrows. But thanks to the art of Makeup, no one will ever know. The Body Shop has a great eyebrow filler that I have been loyal to for years. My favourite feature of the product, the two sided brush. On one end, the eyebrow brush has been designed perfectly to follow the natural arch of the eyebrow without any fuss.  The other end an eyeliner brush. Two in one! You can’t go wrong. There are three different compacts to choose from. Each compact is equipped with two different shades to ensure you get a perfect match for yourself. The best part, it’s only $18 and lasts long time!

Parita Naran

Awaking to this new dream.
Surfacing by day,
touching me,
I am awe-struck.

My creation,
my desired reality,
my truth?
Guided power of thought with ease.

Is this what it should feel like?

No matter.

I don’t want this to end.

so, Laugh with me little one.
We are on our way and
Triumphant I stand tall
Sharing my joy with you.

You are becoming louder,
I feel you becoming stronger,
And I feel you becoming older.
Yellow power shining through.

Come lets look upon our creation.
Together in continuum.

Let me be that white woman.
Witch wanting
Part of everything and
Expecting nothing.

Let me be that wayshower
In all your forms and formlessness.
Ready with open heart and eyes.
Ready to delight in more beauty.

With all this I continue to invite….

reorganization.

With all this I ask.

I wait for now.

gratitude
Love
Bliss

I send to you.

The Words of Lady Sammy

www.therockstore.ca

Want a new career direction?
Transitioning back into the workforce?
Aiming for a promotion?

The Dream Job Workshop Series for Women
Your Personal Brand – Resume Reasonance
Linked Into Networking – Ace Your Interview

Tuesdays: March 30 – April 20 7-9pm
Swansea Town Hall (Bloor & Runnymede)
$35 per workshop or $125 for the series

Register and find out more at:
www.actionimpactmovement.com or www.careerfitmom.ca

One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2010
Wednesday, March 31 to Sunday, April 4, 2010
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,

Wednesday to Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

Adult Tickets
Online $10 At the Door $12

Beading for  Beginners -
Learn how to create a simple necklace, earrings or bracelet using the proper techniques and materials.  Bring your friends and any loose beads or jewellery pieces that need re-stringing or re-knotting to practice on.  We have a large selection of loose beads and metal components (clasps, decorative beads etc.) at your disposal for an additional cost.

Date: April 15th 6-9pm or 17th from 12-3pm)
Cost: $75/person
Length: 3 hours
Includes: basic tools, 1.5 hours of instruction, 1.5 hours of play time
Max 4 people per workshop

Make your Own Ring -
In school one of the most important things we learned to make was a simple band ring.  Learn how saw, file, anneal and solder your metal into a ring while incorporating basic design techniques.

Date: April 22, 6-9pm
Cost: $125/person
Length: 3 hours
Includes: instruction, basic tools and some materials
Max 4 people per workshop

Let Flux + Form know which workshops interest you and the date you prefer.  And they will send you all the details upon your inquiry.

Everyone deserves to be spoiled sometimes, and a DIY facial is a perfect way to do it! Not only do you look fabulous, you feel fabulous and you have that “glow” that we’re all looking for. The best part, you get some good quality me time that is definitely well earned after a hard week at work or school. Below are some great DIY facial recipes to try this week.

Honey and Egg Mask is the easiest one. You just need to mix an egg with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply the mask to your face around your bed time. Wash your face with lukewarm water after the mask is dried. Do it twice a week. This mask is suitable for neutral skin. It can help tighten the pore, reduce wrinkles and nourish the skin.

Ingredients for Apple Mask includes an egg, 2 teaspoons of honey, half of an apple, 1 table spoon of olive oil and 5g of flour. Peel the apple and crush it into apple mud. Then add in all other ingredients. Stir the mixture until it becomes pasty. After cleansing your face, apply the mask for 10 to 15 minutes and wash off. The Apple Mask increases skin metabolism and hence revitalizes your skin cells. It also nourishes and whitens your skin.

Honey Yogurt Banana Mask can help tighten pores and peel off the dead skin. You will find your skin immediately brighten up after applying this mask. It is most suitable for dry skin type. Mesh half piece of banana and mix it with 1 table spoon of honey and a small cup of yogurt. Apply the mixture onto face for 5 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Grape Moisture Mask is easy to make and it has great benefits to skin. Grape is a strong anti-oxidant, therefore it helps reduce fine lines and at the same time replenish the moisture. Buy some seedless grapes (or you can remove them) and use a juicer to turn them into grape juice. Mix the grape juice with flour. Apply to your face for 10 to 15 minutes and wash off with water.

Papaya Mask requires 1 papaya, 2 table spoon of milk and 2 tea spoons of honey. First, mesh the papaya pulp. Add in milk and honey and mix well. After cleansing your face, apply for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Papaya can deep clean the dirt in the pores. It contains vitamin B which can rejuvenate the tired skin.

Tomato can also be used for facial mask. Mesh tomatoes and several piece of lemon. Then add in some flour and mix well. Apply to face for a longer time at around 30 minutes. Both tomato and lemon are rich in vitamin C, therefore this mask is exceptionally good for fighting spots. This mask is especially suitable for oily skin. Apply to your face 2 to 3 times a week and you can notice significant skin improvement.

Enjoy!

Parita Naran

Having trouble seeing the In-store Barcode above? Click here.

Offer valid March 18, 2010 through March 21, 2010 at Gap, Gap Factory Store, The Gap Generation, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Store and Old Navy stores in Canada only. Not valid in the U.S. or online. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Discount applies to eligible purchases (“Eligible Purchases”) which are merchandise only, not gift cards, packaging, applicable taxes, or telephone orders placed to stores or customer service 1-800/888 numbers. Not valid at Gap on the following: Junk Food™, Converse®, Havaianas®, Medela®, CharmIt!®, Robeez®, Stella McCartney for GapKids, Stella McCartney for babyGap, or the following babyGap Home items: strollers, car seats, high chairs and nursery furniture. Gap Foundation (“Gap”) will donate an amount equal to 5% of Eligible Purchases to a nonprofit partner (“Partner”) only when one is designated by the Gap Inc. best customer (“Best Customer(s)”). If no Partner is designated no donation will be made. Gap’s total donations to all U.S. and Canadian Partners shall not exceed US$1.5 million. Such donation does not entitle the Best Customer or any offer recipient to claim a charitable contribution deduction. Merchandise cannot be put on hold during offer period. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Exchange for different size is permitted; however, the discount will not be applied to exchanges for different merchandise. Reproductions or photocopies of offer card will not be accepted. Not responsible for lost or stolen offer cards. Offer is not transferable or valid for resale. No price adjustments are allowed on previous purchases or on purchases made with this discount.

How would you react if you were told you couldn’t buy anything and I mean anything for one whole year? Did I just hear your heart skip a beat? Would you be up for that challenge? Well, Alison Dunn & Perdy (Perdita) Andrews best friends (now Rehab Sisters) have done what most of us shopaholics gasp at…they have taken on what some say is the impossible: No frivolous shopping for 365 days. These shopaholics knew it was time to take a break from their reckless spending and start to wear what they had spent years accumulating. These strong-willed ladies are tackling this experiment from 2 major metropolitan cities (San Francisco & Toronto) in 2 different countries, these longtime friends are forging a shopless path. They’ve got 57 days left in this incredible journey and I had the great opportunity to speak with these wonderful ladies to find out the details of this fabulous idea.

1.What inspired you to start 365 Fashion Rehab?

We have known each other for so long and have spent probably hundreds of thousands of hours shopping together. One night over dinner (and many glasses of Sauv Blanc) in San Francisco, we started talking about how we don’t feel as grown-up as we thought we would by this time in our lives. We thought we would have owned a house by now or at least have had a nice chunk of savings for future retirement.  We quickly put two and two together and discovered that most of our hard earned dollars could be found hanging in our closets. We discussed the possibility of giving up shopping for a year, one thing led to another, and here we are!

2.  What are your secrets to Authentic Style?

The thing about authentic style is that if it’s not truly you, everyone can tell. When you are completely relaxed in your clothes, it brings you that much closer to being completely relaxed in your skin. Ali tends to wear neutrals (she’s obsessed with black!) but also accents with oversized vintage jewelry and occasional bursts of color, creating her own unique style. Perdy is commitment phobic when it comes to one particular style! She changes it up every day and has always thought of herself as a style chameleon – one day it’s burnt sienna seventies style cords with a chunky necklace and a braid in her hair, the next it’s black cigarette pants with ballet flats a la Audrey!

3.What is the one thing you’re planning on purchasing the day Rehab ends?

Perdy is hoping for her first pair of Louboutins, fingers crossed! And Ali is lusting after cross-body chain link bag (hopefully Marc Jacobs on sale!)

4.  What are the items in your life that you absolutely couldn’t live without?

Besides each other? Perdy cannot live without her knee-highs, her white Coach oversized bucket bag, her Sorel’s, Havianas, her green & white VS bikini and her backless black mini-dress. Ali would be nothing without her Banana Republic black motorcycle boots, her DVF print wrap dress and her Anya Hindmarch for Target patent clutch.

5.    What have you learned from this process thus far?

We have learned so much! That all pain is not created equal. That we have wasted a lot of money because (pre-Fashion Rehab) we never met a sale we didn’t like. We have also rekindled strong relationships with items found hanging in the back of our closets. We have learned the value of classic pieces and how easily we can swept away by trends. Finally, blogging together has been an unforgettable experience! We have re-lived so many memories, it has been awesome!

Oh, and that we really hate not shopping.

6.  What do you have planned next? After 365 Fashion Rehab comes to an end?

We have a sequel in the works, but it’s still in the development stage (we have to make it through this first!). But, at the very least, we hope to come out of this as more conscious shoppers.  We hope to spend (and save) our hard earned dollars very, very wisely, whether that means throwing down for a long-term investment or recognizing when an inexpensive pick-me-up is in order!

Keep following 365 Fashion Rehab to see how it all turns out in the end!

It is critical that when we make choices based on our style we are honest with ourselves and we are authentic to who we are at our very core. To ensure we make the best choices for us and our bodies take the Style Self-Exam. Part I was created by the most authentic woman I know Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth. Part II is my personal extension of the process:

Part I Prep Work…

Why do you buy what you buy? Do a mental scan of your wardrobe. Think of the your most recent purchases, or your most-worn pieces, or the regrettables collecting dust in your closet. What motivated those choices? Were you feeling…elation? Rebellion? The deep craving to belong? The drive to appear powerful? Sentimental for the past? Sweet, sensual inklings? At one with the style gods?

Who do you take shopping with you? Not literally, but, psychically. Do you have your own what-not-to-wear committee on your shoulder? Are your inner style advisers jeering at you or cheering you on?

Do your clothes feel like friends or foe? Do you have to psyche yourself up to get into that navy suit that sucks the innovative thinking right out of you? Or do you look at that linen tunic and think, “Ahh, old friend, we work so well together?”

Part II Critical Shopping questions...

Do you love it? Buy What You Love & Wear What You Love. If you buy something now that you love, it will fit into your life, instead of following the trends and mimicking others. If your heart isn’t moved, leave it so something more incredible can make its way to you.

Do you feel great in it? Not good, not good enough but GREAT!

Does it fit you? Does it fit you PROPERLY? It should feel comfortable but be fitted. Not tight where breathing is manageable or a bit big that it reminds you of your Lululemon yoga pants. It should lie flat against your body. Be smooth as it was your second layer of skin.

Does it flatter you? It should be showing off your assets while camouflaging your challenge areas. Do you notice yourself standing taller? Smiling from ear to ear? These are usually good indicators that a piece truly flatters you.

Do you have at least 2 things to wear with it? This is a simple and direct question. Try and train yourself to shop in outfits vs. pieces and both you and your wardrobe will thank you for it.

Women have a great sense of instinct. If you put something on and you’re not quite sure listen to your gut. There is a reason why you’re not feeling 100% trust your gut and avoid a bad purchase just because you need a white button down cotton shirt is not a good enough reason to buy it.

Every choice is an expression of what we believe. Style tells an intimate journey of self discovery. It’s the way we express ourselves through our tastes, desires, passions, inspirations and lifestyle. Whether you are Elegant, Sophisticated, a Rock star or a Bohemian spirit it’s about being authentic to your essence and that has very little to do with the number on the label or the size of our bodies.

By exposing yourself to all kinds of influences and dressing with an open mind you’ll discover new things that will inspire you to change and embrace the parts of yourself you already love.

*As written for Pretty Savvy

Designer Marcia Maizel-Clarke has a passion for beautiful design. In 1991, that passion was combined with a desire to send good energy into the world, from there Dogeared Jewelry was born! Dogeared stays true to that original vision and continues to grow and capture the magic of words, symbols, wishes and dreams.

Dogeared’s best selling products are inspired by the hip, casual and unique California lifestyle. Everything is handcrafted with great care, from inception to design to packaging, in their Southern California studio. Create good energy with a beautiful reminder around your neck.