Take something tired, old, and discarded and recycle it into a finely crafted piece of home furnishing. That’s just what South African designer, Katie Thompson and Recreate does. Infused with renewed energy and style in a new form, each of Katie’s pieces speaks to her unique design sense. We feature a few of our favorite furniture pieces – many made from old, upcycled luggage – after the jump.
Cold hands, warm heart…and love to text?
According to owner Jean Spencer, the silver threads woven into these lightweight gloves will keep you warm while you text on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Droid, and other devices via the conductivity in your touch screen.
Here’s the science: “Good old number 47 (Ag) in the periodic table (and number 1 in our hearts) is the most electrically conductive element. Agloves are made with silver coated nylon fivers knitted into a comfortable fabric that puts the conductivity back in your touch. Conductive gloves is what your touch screen loves.”
Other details: they’re washable; unisex and may serve some best as a glove liner if it’s really freezing outside; $17.99/pair.
Grab a pair and let your fingers do the talking even in the cold @ agloves.com.
Any aspiring wood nymphs in the house? This Woodland Nymph Half Face Mask is handmade (to order) by Honolulu-based balmasque. It takes a couple of weeks to make and ship, so it’s probably not an option for this weekend’s Halloween festivities…though if you have a modicum of design skills and live next to an enchanted, moss-covered forest, you may be able to go all DIY and whip up one of these yourself. There are other handmade masquerade style masks available as well.
There’s a nationwide, one-day sale going on tomorrow and I’m kinda geeked about it. Half off organic Honeycrisp apples – they’re the bomb. Tomorrow, (Friday, 10/29) only: $1.49/lb.
But hey, there’s more — while you’re there, save some green on other organic items – chicken stock, Sonyfield yogurt, Spectrum Olive Oil, Muir Glen, Seeds of Change, Dagoba Chocolate…find via their printable coupons.
Whole Foods’ latest issue of Whole Deals features some great values. With Halloween parties and Thanksgiving celebrations around the corner, stocking up can really add up so try to cash-in on store specials.
Of course, tote those reusable bags and receive 10 cents for every bag you use. See you there:)
Can this yoga book
be the catalyst for miraculous weight lose, life-changing stress reduction and a complete mojo overhaul?
Author and leading yoga instructor Stiles has taught folks like you and me as well as celebs such as Deepak Chopra, Brooklyn Decker and Jane Fonda. Founder of Strala Yoga in NYC, Stiles knows her stuff. But before cracking this paperback, know that this is no easy and quick-fix solution to losing weight, achieving calmness or becoming more sexy — (unlike the hype you’ll find on the official website). Like any body transformation regimen, if you were devout and practiced daily for many months it may be possible, but it will require much discipline.
Stiles presents her instruction as 15-minute daily practices (which take me a little longer). Do I feel it’s time well spent? Absolutely. The instructions are well written, easy to understand and the accompanying photos of her in each pose are picture perfect. Will I ever attain her level of physical achievement? ‘fraid not. But that’s not the point. The photos alone are an inspiration to see that it’s actually humanly possible to attain such conditioning and control over one’s body.
For me, one of the best parts of the guide is an early chapter devoted to alignment, breathing and meditation. She calls it “the yoga buzz.” This section lays out in very simple terms the secrets to smart moving – helping us train the mind to become one with our bodies. Attention to alignment, breath and meditation are critical aspects of the pursuit of yoga for practitioners of any level. Another nice touch are the sidebars – motivational meets practical sage advice on how to accept where you are, whether on the mat or off.
The body of instructional content is book-ended with Stiles’ personal story, as well as suggestions for novices with a few tips on where to buy yoga gear, how to determine which type of yoga might suit best your personality and how to prepare for class.
I’ve begun the practice with the section devoted to Calm Yoga poses, and love the feeling of relaxation afterward. Sexy and Slim poses may follow…hey, it’s a journey…as long as I keep breathing, it should be all right.
Vitals: Pick up this book and find her new DVDs @ amazon.com
Post Script: I had the opportunity to pose a couple of questions to Tara:
altCon: As mentioned in your work, could you tell us a little more about your experiences with Paramahansa Yogananda, Krishna Das, Ram Das, Dharma Mittra….What did their teachings impart or What was it like to be in their presence?
Tara Stiles: Any great teacher has always reminded me that all the answers and the guide is within myself. When Rory Foster told me his personal story of yoga, and gave me Autobiography of a Yogi, by his guru Yogananda, I regained the empowering ability of going inside. KD has the same affect as soon as he opens his mouth to chant. You go inside instantly. Great leaders in my life now like Deepak Chopra and Tao Porchon Lynch are magnetic because people feel at ease and settled in their presence. When someone works on them self honestly through meditation and yoga, with time they become more calm and at ease. They appear to know all the answers to your questions, (and probably do) but they are really reminding you that you already know the answers. You just have to do the work of practicing.
altCon: Just as an aside – wondering why Hatha yoga isn’t included in the “Yoga Personality section” of the book.
Tara Stiles: There are many styles of yoga I didn’t include in the section. My aim was to make a brief introductory list of popular forms of yoga that wouldn’t overwhelm people. I didn’t include Hatha yoga specifically because many people understand Hatha as a general term for any form of Asana.
altCon: Thanks for your time, Tara.
RSS
