Yoga Champs!

/

Linds and I ventured into the city today for some yoga adventures. First stop: the incredible Lincoln Park Whole Foods, a mecca of organic foods and deli counters. And today, the site of the Illinois Yoga Asana Championships!

We caught the last guy competitor, the youth division, an advanced demonstration, and a few of the women yogis. Crazy awesome stuff!

Check out Kyla Crouthamel and Allan Santos from the advanced demos:

It's official now: I've seen scorpion in person. Insane!

Thanks to all of the fearless yogis who competed, and those who came out to support. I have to say, it was pretty strange watching humans on display as they twisted and contorted their bodies, and I'd have trouble getting up in front of a bunch of strangers to do that! I did appreciate that the event brings yoga to the community, though, and allows those who participate a chance to deepen their practice.

Lindsay and I chatted on the way over about how empowering it must feel to practice hard leading up to the competition. You really have to know your own body; no mirrors, just you feeling your alignment in each posture!

Would you ever compete in a yoga championship?

I know some people who are against it, saying that it can bring egoism, rivalry or obsession into yoga practice. I'm sort of on this side of the spectrum, but I have more appreciation for the contestants now after seeing the performances. Preparing for the competition must be a ton of work! And if your heart is in the right place -- you're competing with yourself, to do your best, to meet your edge -- then it's got to be worth it. Practice makes perfect!

You can hardly see the Standing Head to Knee here, but in person it was quite impressive. (Middle/ left, below the ceiling overhang.)

Our second stop in the city: Lululemon Athletica! I enjoyed checking out their super wide selection at the Lincoln Park store and helping Linds find the perfect colorful outfit for her upcoming Lulu Ambassador shoot.

Success: crazy purple and green pants, and a deep purple tank! So pretty on such a beautiful lady.

Oh, and we snacked on these tasty buttercream frosting cupcakes (aren't the little yoga mats hilarious?!):

Yum!

I'll be working off the 'lil cupcake during a special class this evening where Lindsay and I are demonstrating in the front row for a local basketball team and their coach. Fun stuff!

Thanks, Lindsay, for a wonderfully charming Saturday afternoon and here's to more adventures soon!

Focus Forward Friday: Follow the Blog!

/
If this were a painting, I'd call it "Illumination."

Here at Alive in the Fire, you never know when you might win something awesome just for following along.

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: unexpected rewards. So I recently posted on Twitter that the first person to click "Follow" on Alive in the Fire after reading the tweet would win a special surprise. Congrats, Jose Pena, you were first!

And many thanks to Christina, HealthOC, and Kate for also adding the blog to your list of reads. Welcome, lovely yogis. It's wonderful to have you here. Also, if you're not yet a regular follower, I'd love if you'd click the little button to the right and stick around. I'd also love to hear from you!

Anyway, I just wanted to show you the prize I put together for Jose. It includes a cool note:

Custom art-note, woohoo!

I also included some stellar supplements for keeping hydrated in and out of the hot room:
  • Hammer Nutrition gel & fortified drink mix
  • emergenC lemon/lime vitamin drink packets
  • Balance and Vitality YogaEarth nutrition mixes for pre-practice and post-practice
Hopefully this little care package will inspire all of you to keep up on your electrolytes and vitamins especially as the weather turns colder. Tis the season for colds and the flu!

Also remember: you never know what benefits you might discover simply by trying something new. Next time you're in Standing Bow pose, what if you held it the whole 60 seconds? What if, in Camel, instead of getting overwhelmed, you just surrendered to the moment and enjoyed the release in your spine and neck? What if you left your water on the floor during "Party Time" and just focused on your breath instead?

Bikram says, "If you can, you must." Can you take the harder path? 

Can you love your neighbor as yourself? 

Can you let go? 

You must. And guess what? The rewards will follow.

The Pumpkin Chronicles

/

Hey yogis. Happy Thursday. Today I have an important question for you, though it is a couple days late. What's the best way to use a pumpkin on Halloween? 

The answer: make a luminary, of course!


Check out my sweet holiday fireplace display from last week. Luminary light is my favorite!

Oh, and check out this sweet cake I made tonight:


Pumpkin spice buttermilk bundt cake! Amaaazing. I love my new World Market bundt pan, too. I have a feeling it will get some use this winter! I'm off to enjoy a slice of cake now, actually. What are you up to tonight, yogis? Would love to hear from you. Happy almost weekend!

Illinois Yoga Asana Championships @ Whole Foods Lincoln Park on Saturday

/

My friend Lindsay and I are going to be checking out the Illinois Yoga Championships this weekend. Hope to see you there! I'm excited to watch the talented yogis perform! They will be doing these poses:
  • Standing Forehead to Knee
  • Standing Bow
  • Bow
  • Rabbit
  • Stretching
  • Two other postures based on personal preference
Judges will be looking for posture alignment, grace, movement, stability, confidence, balance, general appearance and stage presence. Whew! It's going to be intense! And, um, awesome. For more info about the event, see here.
The event is sponsored by Bikram Yoga Andersonville.

Put a Little SPA in your Week: A Review of the Best Massage Studios in Evanston

/
Want to feel like you're here? Try a massage after yoga class!

Busy times call for rest. 100 percent exertion demands 100 percent relaxation. In the hot room, every floor series posture earns you a 20-second savasana. In real life, you have to set time for your own time off.

The best way to relax? A massage, of course!

In the last few months, I've gone for massage therapy at several different places around town, including Flow Body Mind Connection, Egea Spa, and OmaiBodyworks. Each place has its own look and feel, and each offers incredible services.

At Flow, Raegan Ross has set up her own studio with a modern look and feel, and all is quiet and peaceful despite the location right on Dempster Street. I loved her little candles around the room, nurturing demeanor, and capable hands. The sweet, stylish wall dividers in her space also give the place a sense of regeneration and, well, flow :)

Flow is located at 609 Dempster in Evanston.

At Egea, I felt so pampered in their luxurious spot. They give you a little robe to wear, a sea salt soak for your feet that helps you feel calm and centered before the massage, and then an amazingly refreshing steam shower afterward! Heavenly. It was so nice spending the whole morning there, just lazing from one step to the next and not rushing out. A little pricey, but I hope to be back soon!

Egea is located at 1521 Sherman Ave in Evanston.

My favorite spot to get a massage, though, is located right in the heart of the building where my home studio is. My awesome friend Lindsay Paige runs her own fantastic massage business OmaiBodyworks right next door, and there's simply nothing better than a session right after yoga class. As Linds likes to say, you've still got the "yoga daze" and can relax even more fully after your muscles are warmed up. It's absolutely wonderful!

Plus, Lindsay is quite a talented Bikram teacher who I admire incredibly, with one of the strongest dialogues I've heard. She's got powerful spirit, determination and motivation in the heat and really makes class enjoyable. Whether I'm sweating through her class or enjoying great conversation with Lindsay, I absolutely love spending time with her. This weekend we're checking out the Illinois YOGA CHAMPIONSHIPS together at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park, Chicago! Should be fun.

OmaiBodyworks is located at 1840 Oak Ave in Evanston, in the basement.

But anyway, back to Omai. One of the best parts about Lindsay's practice is that she plays upbeat music instead of weird, lame new-age-y rainforest sounds, and I totally dig singing along to Feist or Jose Gonzalez in my head while she's getting all the kinks and crunches out of my neck and shoulders. Lindsay has astonishing strength and she isn't scared to beat you up a little bit, but it's the best! A firm amount of pressure is what helps me feel better the next day, and leaves me with the right kind of soreness that quickly fades to freedom. I love leaving with the feeling that I can move again!

In case you're not yet convinced of why OmaiBodyworks should be your next spot for massage, you can also consider this: Lindsay's trained in a special kind of therapy called Lypossage that helps women with cellulite reform their bodies from the inside out. It's an intensive program where you get special treatment, extra-strong massages in the areas that need attention, and you also supplement with a variety of vitamins/ body wraps/ nutrition, etc. Basically she offers an entire "body contouring" package that's about holistic wellness and transforming your body image all over, not just changing your appearance for the sake of vanity.

It totally fits with the Bikram perspective about leaving your ego at the door and instead working toward making your body healthier and whole, not just beautiful.

"Tell them to come for a firm ass, and in six months, their whole lives have changed!" Now that's one of my favorite Bikram-isms.

I've seen pictures of Lindsay's clients, though, and the results are great! It's surprising how much you can do in the short amount of time the program takes, and from what I hear it really does leave women feeling completely changed, and more confident and excited about their beautiful bodies than before. They bring new enthusiasm and energy to the hot room, too!

I'm hoping to try out one of Lindsay's body wraps in the near future (not the LypoMassage, but just an overall wrap), for the relaxation and therapeutic skin benefits that they offer. 

Bottom line? Lindsay's work + Bikram yoga = pure bliss. 

If you're interested in getting a massage with Lindsay, comment below and I can send you her contact info. She does not currently have a web site but you can check out her LinkedIn profile, or ask any yogi at Bikram Yoga Evanston who's been in her little oasis of a massage studio, and you'll hear about how remarkable she is! :)
Beautiful lady on her graduation day from Bikram Teacher Training in Mexico a couple years back. Lindsay, you are the best!

The Weepies, Live in Evanston!

/
The Weepies are one of my favorite bands ever. I belted out every song :)

The show last night was incredible. I am more in love with The Weepies than ever! I smiled, laughed, tapped my toes, and sang along with every tune. Deb and Steve were adorable, as usual, and the band rocked out. I was very impressed by their stage presence, spot-on vocals and silly stories.


They all came on stage dressed in crazy Halloween costumes and wigs, Deb with black lipstick on and long, black hair. Steve was hiding behind a wild side-swept wig and sunglasses, and the rest of the band was sporting awesome hats and makeup. After a couple songs Deb laughed as she introduced them as "The Creepies." It was great.

My two favorite songs were "Can't Go Back Now" from their Hideaway album, and a fantastic ballad sung by just Deb and Steve called "Sing Me to Sleep," from his first album Big Senorita. I really loved all of their charming stories about the inspiration behind songs (anything from spam porn emails to their son playing peek-a-boo to fighting with each other). It was a beautiful night and they sounded even better live than on the recorded tracks. Lovely! Beautiful! Wondrous. I am still grinning and humming their songs.

I've checked another dream off the list :)

In case you don't know The Weepies and their playful lyrics, here are a few tidbits...

Yesterday when you were young
Everything you needed done was done for you
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone, what can you do?

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on
'Cause you can't go back now

-from "Can't Go Back Now," which was my personal theme song earlier this year during a hard time. It inspired me to carry on despite challenge, pain, and worry. I truly believe in the idea behind the song: sometimes, in order to grow we truly have to take steps on our own!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

And at closing time we're a nickel and a dime
In the deep back pocket of America
Trying to find wings or something to carry you home
Right now you better make the best of your situation
Escape through a hole in the conversation
The sun comes up like a revelation and I'm so lonely without you

Baby sing me to sleep turn down the covers ‘cause talk is cheap
Baby sing me to sleep ah turn out the lights
Remember the nights when the rain fell eighteen inches deep
Baby sing me to sleep

-from "Sing Me to Sleep," a tune that's beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. "A hole in the conversation?!" Brilliant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

If you've never been to SPACE in Evanston, you should check it out. They've got one of the prettiest, classiest venues around. Delicious pizza and a warm, inviting yet modern atmosphere with gorgeous over-the-bar lights and ceiling art fans that look like jellyfish!

My view looking up at the ceiling. Jellyfish fans! They were so calming and stylish.

Summer Reading in the Fall

/
This is a sweet craft project I made awhile back simply by folding the pages of a cheap, library-sale-bought book.

If you're like me, your summer reading list extends year round, and fall is a great time for catching up on some of the books you've been meaning to read during the warmer months. 

When it's chilly, rainy or gray out, that's the best time to cuddle up to a good book. 


Here's what's on my shelf at the moment:
  • The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope. An intriguing and approachable look into the yoga sutras by an intelligent psychologist and writer who knows how to tell a gripping story.
  • Bikram Yoga by Bikram Choudhury. The man behind the madness tells all about his experience growing up as a yogi, bringing his infamous series to the West, and discovering the amazing benefits of the class.
  • Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram's other book outlines his 26-asana trademarked series, taking an in-depth look at each posture and how to do it and how it helps your body. Bikram also explains the difference between the ideal pose and your reality/ your edge, and how no matter how out of shape you are, it's never too late to start the yoga! 
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth, pre-authorized copy. My amazing writer friend Veronica is about to publish her first YA dystopian thriller novel about a futuristic world where young people face incredible choices that will determine the rest of their lives. Think the Harry Potter series meets the Ender's Game series and 1984. Amazing stuff! Congrats and thanks for sharing, V.
  • Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and One Raucous Year of Eating Locally  by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon. This fascinating tale is extremely well-written and informative. Ready to open up your eyes to the sad state of affairs in the American food industry when it comes to sustainability? Alisa and J.B. will show you the challenge, beauty, and reward of making the choice to eat foods only within 100 miles of their Canadian home.
             

I'm also listening to:
  • Julie Rader's meditation CD. Amazing! Have I mentioned that you should buy this? You should buy this. It's wonderful.
  • The Weepies. I am off to see them live in Evanston in about half an hour! I'm wiggling in my boots and just can't seem to wipe this grin off my face... :)
  • "Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida ft. David Guetta. It's just good for dancin'. No shame here!
What are you reading and listening to lately? Please share any of your favorites, yoga-related or otherwise, in the comment section below!

Thank you, Northwestern Library, for some seriously intelligent yoga-related books.

Focus Forward Friday: Be Honest

/

Mmmm: pomegranate white, acai green, and peach white tea.
Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: honesty, and Honest Tea. I recently received some awesome samples from Honest Tea, one of my favorite companies. As they like to say, "Nature got it right. We put it in a bottle!"

They also say, "Be real. Get honest." These days it's pretty sweet to see a company with a mission that includes being transparent about their business practices, ingredients, and their approach toward taking good care of our planet. 

Honest Tea also promotes health (antioxidants and less sugar), fair trade, organic certification, and recyclable, BPA-free, thinner bottles. Amazing! And their teas taste wonderful. Super natural and not over-sweet.

I recommend you try one today and then ask yourself, "How can I be more honest? In my Bikram, in my relationships, in my concept of self?"

Be true. Live well. Namaste and happy weekend!

Urban Rockstar Ballerinas

/
Photo via The Ballerina Project on Tumblr.
.
I just discovered these incredible pics on a sweet blog called The Rockstar Diaries that my cousin follows. If I were a ballerina, I'd be rockin' this look for sure. Aren't they stunning?


The Ballerina Project on Tumblr features some pretty incredible women.

Another, because I couldn't resist!

Oak Park's 105-Yoga Opening Monday!

/
Chicago yogis: a new Bikram studio is opening on Monday, November 1st in Oak Park!

105 N Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60301
Phone: 708-613-6055
info@105-yoga.com
with Nancy Kalinowski, studio director & yogi extraordinaire


Check it out: 105 Yoga in Oak Park is offering an amazing intro special where you can get your first month for only $29 (regularly $150). Sign up now! Offer ends November 30th. 


Tell your friends!


One of my favorite Bikram teachers ever is achieving her dream this week. Nancy, I couldn't be more thrilled for you! It's going to be incredible. Hoping I can stop by for some classes soon and, like Bikram says, continue on my way to "a new body, and a new life!"


May the first few weeks at 105 Yoga, even if they are chaotic, be yet another yogic lesson in your journey about the way no one can steal your peace. If you let someone steal your peace, you lose!


Students, new and veteran: check out the class schedule, add 105 Yoga on Facebook and Twitter (@hotyogaoakpark), and get out your mat! Namaste.

See you soon in Oak Park, Chicago, for some awesome Bikram at 105 Yoga!

Mini Yoga Class @ NU

/
  • Yogis in Evanston, I'm going to teach a mini-class in a couple of weeks! Please attend, invite your friends, and come enjoy some awesome meditation and relaxation postures. I'd love to hear from you if you're planning on being there, just to get a general sense of how many people will be coming!
    Here's the info...

    Love yoga? Interested in the ways that yoga postures connect with spirituality and offer the body and mind relaxation?
    Come to YOGA SHABBAT!
    Friday November 12 from 6:15pm to 7:30pm in the basement of Hillel
    @ 629 Foster St. Evanston, IL 60201
    An event sponsored by Northwestern Hillel andEnvironmental Campus Outreach (ECO).
  • I'll be teaching a 35-minute yoga class focused on postures which promote relaxation and rest. There will be a good series to get your heart rate up, and then ample time for cool down and meditation toward the end.
  •  
  • We won't be in the heat, but I guarantee it'll be a perfect marriage of the heart and lungs, good for every muscle, tissue and system in your body. A good chance to practice a great mantra: "If you can, you must!"
  • Please bring a mat, towel & water and wear comfortable stretchy clothes. 
  • Open to all individuals of all backgrounds, fitness levels, faiths, and ages. Invite your friends!
    I will be around before and after class to answer any questions you may have and will offer some resources on yoga & local studios. If you're new around here, FYI I practice regularly at Bikram Yoga Evanston and I'm planning to do Bikram Teacher Training next spring.  (*Note: As you also know, I am not certified and will not be held liable for injuries resulting from class. Please listen to your body and move slowly so that you don't get hurt! Thanks.)
    Namaste and see you soon.

Men. Yoga. Yes.

/


Lithe and strong, like a yogi.

These incredible photos are by a friend of mine from high school, Emily Voigtlander. She's a talented artist with a dashing boyfriend, Jordan, featured above. They are living the dream in San Francisco with their adorable pup named Willow, writing a sweet cooking blog, adventuring in the city, and loving each other well.

I am about to feature a series on men who do yoga here at Alive in the Fire and I'm interested to hear more about your views on masculinity, strength, power, balance and equality. Do you tend to see a lot of women at Bikram classes? Feel outnumbered if you're one of few guys in the room?

Do you notice a difference when men teach in comparison when women do?

How do you witness yoga as a tool to bring together members of a local studio, and of a world community, regardless of gender?

What would you like to see change? Are there ways we can use the yoga to transform our perspective and truly bring an open mind to our life experiences whether we experience inequality or not?

Are you personally willing to practice the genuine concept of "Namaste" in your life?

"The good in me sees and acknowledges the good in you." I am here; you are here with me. 

"I bow to you." I recognize your beauty, presence, power. 

"I honor that place in your where the whole Universe resides. And when I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us."

Men, women, yogis. We are one.

Em and Jordan and their pup, Willow! I couldn't resist; I really couldn't. :) 
Such a happy family! Miss you guys and hope all is well.

Wanted: Bikram Men

/

Guys with Bengal Tiger strength, guys who can hold Triangle like it's nobody's business, guys who rock short shorts: where are you?


I hope you'll share you story on why you practice yoga, how it's changed you, and why it makes you a manly man. Send me your story with a couple paragraphs on your yoga, your favorite posture, and your goals for the future. Feel free to include photos, too!


Email aliveinthefire@gmail.com today.


Namaste.

Hooray for Evanston Shopping: Walsh Natural Health & Healthy Green Goods

/
Photo by Jacinta Moore via the 1010 Project.

Yo Evanston yogis! Do you need some new places to shop for all-natural products for your home? I'm talking: amazing bath sea salts, vitamins and supplements, food storage containers, clothing & linen, baby supplies, and more?
I've got some great spots for you: Walsh Natural Health on Central Street, and Healthy Green Goods on Main Street!
Not only do these stores carry fantastic products, but their owners are extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate about their healthy approach to living well.

Located at 2116 1/2 Central Street in Evanston.

Located at 702 Main Street in Evanston.

I recently got some wonderfully relaxing Masada eucalyptus dead sea mineral salts from Walsh, and a super-handy and compact ChicagoBag from Healthy Green Goods. I use them both quite often and love the results! The sea salts leave me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and the shopping bag is quite convenient since it fits in my purse and I tend to forget my other reusable bags when I go to the store.

If you're looking for a new place to shop, I highly recommend these two stores. I've also recently visited J.D. Mills Health Food Store in Evanston and loved that place too! Quite a selection of all-organic foods, bulk foods, frozen foods, and vitamins and supplements.

Hooray for Evanston shopping!

Where do you stock up on organic & all-natural goods?



Photo by Victoria Hannan via the 1010 Project.

The Challenge of a Challenge

/
Nature knows perfect balance, like in the petals of a camellia flower. This pic was taken right outside the Capitol in Sactown. So lovely!

I believe in balance. I also believe, "If you can, you must." So what should a passionate yogi do when she's motivated to do her yoga for 30 days in a row, but some crazy awesome things erupt into the mix of her day-to-day life?

I've been struggling for the past several months to find a job I love, can make enough money doing, and feel excited about. I am excited to say I recently started a full time job.

But this means a couple things:
1. I'm doing the nine-to-five now, Monday through Thursday.
2. I've got to budget my time so I still have a chance to edit for editZING clients.
3. I must be careful not to get overextended so that I can maintain healthy relationships, get enough rest, have time to cook dinner, and fit in Bikram.

Anyway, long story short, I've put my 30-day challenge on hold... again. I feel a little sad saying that, because I know I'm up for it and could handle the heat for a whole month. But I also feel a strong need to keep things centered, so I don't get stressed, sleep-deprived, or overwhelmed. About a year ago this time I was not doing well and it's because I signed myself up for disaster: too many projects, commitments, and self-imposed expectations about the future.

Too much worry!

This year, I'm deciding to pick and choose what I let slide into the #1 spot on the list of priorities. Some days, it's yoga. Some days, it's work. Most days, it's family and loved ones.

How do you balance your time, energy, and relationships so that you have enough you to go around? Where do you draw the line when it comes to meeting the goals you set for yourself, or deciding when it's best to let them go?

I'll admit, it's tough seeing my name up on the wall at the studio, next to all the other yogis who are keeping up with their month. All those little stickers lined up, showing off the sweat and struggle they've endured, next to my blank spots where I thought I would have been taking class.

But I'm pretty excited that I have the willpower to say my sanity matters more! and that I have a heart that knows there will be many, many years of yoga to come.

I can rest easy knowing life is in balance, and the yoga is always there waiting.

A staircase goes down, a staircase comes up. We choose to see opportunity in change!

Focus Forward Friday: Love Your Little Sister

/
Bride Sis and Matron of Honor Sis at the wedding. Oh, it was lovely!

We all go through tough stuff in our lives. Our natural tendency is to hide, to run from pain, to hope it will be over soon.

In Bikram class, we are forced to face the mirror dead-on, to see the struggle right before us. We examine every detail of our own weakness reflected back, the image and its creases, cracks, blemishes all impossible to ignore.

While sometimes this hurts at the time, the process helps us grow stronger.

Why else did we come to class but to struggle?

During balancing stick postrue, Bikram says, "Suffer in here for ten seconds so that you can live without suffering out there for ten years."

We are forced to be warriors in the moment, and we grow stronger. It is in these moments that we discover what we are truly practicing in our lives... both in and out of the hot room. We take our strength with us whenever we leave the studio and we put it to damn good use in our real lives.

It's hard to know that someone as wonderful as my twin sister is suffering, or going through something challenging -- even if it's only for ten seconds, and we all know real life doesn't happen in ten-second intervals or sets. But I don't doubt that there is a reason for the situation; I don't doubt that the experience will help her grow stronger. She is always learning, adapting, loving life no matter the pain. I admire my little sis greatly and she already knows I'm here for her no matter what.

Do your siblings know that? Your parents? Friends?

You should consider telling them today. Think about reminding them that it's OK to cry in front of the mirror, or to want to give up, or just to kick ass and push on through. Tell them it's worth the struggle to grow stronger in the toughest moments. Tell them it's OK to love their life even when it's overwhelmed with pain and struggle, because they will emerge on the other side having learned something they were meant to.


But first, before anything, tell them how much you love them and always will. No matter what.


Photo via DearDear.

Best Free Haircut: Thanks Beauty & Balance Salon!

/

Hey-o. So yesterday I mentioned that free hair cut I had a few weeks back. Just wanted to share with you a little more about the awesome salon where I went for it.

Beauty and Balance is a full-service salon in Kenilworth, a bit north of Evanston on Green Bay Road.

Their space is beautiful and their staff is great. Friendly, upbeat, laid-back.

Each stylist's station has a retro-refurbished desk and the lighting is super mod & hip. I loved it! I felt so relaxed, refreshed & pampered while I was there.

The best part? I scored a free haircut from Stephanie, a talented hair stylist who's in the process of completing her training. Her free hair cuts are currently on hold due to the holiday season, but she'll be back in action before long! 

I also met up with Jennifer, who's doing her hair coloring training and offering a sweet $20 deal on all-over color for women (basically the cost of product). It was a screamin' deal, and a fun time.

If you are interested in color services, you can reach Jennifer here:

Jennifer at (224) 374-9895 -- Wednesday color

and the salon's phone number is: (847) 256-2182. You can find their email and directions here.

Keep in mind that it may take a little longer for cut and color than you're used to...but instead of dropping over a hundred bucks, you'll be saving cash and getting the chance to sit back and relax for a little while.

Thanks again, Beauty and Balance!

CSN Stores for the Win: House Goodies

/
Oh hi there.

Well hello, friends. It's Monday. How are you doing?
I'm enjoying the day so far. Checked out a little presentation on climate change at Northwestern, had coffee with a dear friend, biked home for a bowl of soup.
Plus, my rockin' haircut (which I'll tell you bout in a post coming up soon) is making me feel like this today:

 Rockstar for sure.
Oh, I'm also super excited about my new kitchen stuff. Like this sweet tea leaf holder from CSN Stores' site AllModern:


What I like to call my little "tea baby!"
You throw the loose leaf tea inside, toss it in your mug, and bam: tea time! It's easy, tasty and hassle-free. My bedtime routine is lovely now and I get to relax with a hot mug of chamomile or green tea before sleep. I'm also greatly enjoying our fun and silly doormat!

Welcome home, enter here.
It's made of recycled rubber and totally fits with our back porch's eclectic style. Our neighbors dig it, too!
Well, I'm off to run a few errands, get some editing done, and take class later on. Be seeing you!