by Annette Quinet | Apr 20, 2016 | Family, Food & Drink, My Blog |
Family has a way of affecting you unexpectedly, sometimes it’s positive other times its negative…. as people like to say you can’t pick your family but you can pick your friends! In recent days my heart and head have been in another place, which makes it difficult to function. Despite the sun shining I feel a large cloud looming over and as a mom it’s the worst feeling in the world to know your child is hurting and be rendered helpless. My intent is not to trivialize my situation but to do something that alters my headspace. I need to function. I am no stranger to these situations; regrettably I have spent way too much time and energy dealing with them. I have tried a multitude of coping mechanisms some good others not so good.
As I want to morph into a positive headspace these are the good ways that help me to cope. Fitness, going for a walk with the dog can be therapeutic. My body moves and my mind does also…many ideas/inspirations come from these moments. Going for a run with awesome music lets those endorphins kick in and start the feel “better” process, thank you Rock My Run. Friends, I know that I can pick up the phone and call one and get someone to listen while being non-judgmental yet supportive…. Amen to that! Family, despite their good intentions this can be tricky, they too are hurting and can fall into a “protective mode”, “I can fix that” mindset, or the role of the “blamer” or “psychologist” but most times all you need is a “I love you”, “sorry you are going through a difficult time”…. and maybe a hug!
Food can be a negative coping mechanism. Sometimes you want to feed your soul to see if it can swallow up that pain but generally the wrong food choices are made and perhaps washed down with a glass of wine or 2 and you …ok me are not making any progress due to this being a temporary fix. As I said in my first blog post I need to look at things as the glass half full not half empty. Most days I try to make reasonable food choices and monitor the wine consumption. Quite honestly, I enjoy wine and love sipping on a glass of wine in the evenings but I am also noticing that at my age that wine and sleep are not a good combination. Sleep is a necessity with a young child , so I try to limit wine and find alternatives. Lately I have been repeatedly hearing the phrase “when life gives you lemons make lemonade” (BH Housewives finale last night) and last year I came up with a version of a lemon slush that is healthy, tasty and makes a great mocktail to sip on in the evenings. Despite it not being the ‘fix” I so desperately want, it does fuel my mind to come up what I hope will be positive strategies ….so on that note lets hope that there are some restoring powers within this Lemon Slush to help achieve a sunnier disposition….Cheers!
Lemon Slush
Blend the following together pour and enjoy!
-One whole organic lemon quartered(I use a Vitamix, if you do not have a high power blender use fresh organic lemon juice from one lemon and add some filtered water as needed) see below for benefits and links
-1 tbsp. of Apple Cider vinegar see below for benefits and links
-Handful of ice
-Few drops of stevia or organic honey for sweetness (optional)
-serving over tequila or gin optional
Did you know that consuming the lemon peel has a multitude of benefits such as peels contains 5-10 times more vitamins than lemon juice, also peel is a fabulous source for fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate and beta carotene. The benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar are also amazing, it can be used as a weight loss tool, sunburn relief, teeth stain remover and the list goes on.
Check out these links:
Eating Lemon Peel
Reasons to use Apple Cider Vinegar every day
The Zoe Report- ACV wellness
by Annette Quinet | Apr 14, 2016 | Friends |
Forever Friends
Fitness is what brought us together over 20 years ago. Our friendships are still strong, loving, supportive and fun. I am a firm believer that we are meant to enjoy our friendships, we did then and we do now. We were all young moms at that time and we bonded over exercise and kids. Forward to the present and how life has changed. Heather and Lynn are now grandmothers, Anna still has a house full and I am now an older mother with a six-year-old, 21 and soon to be 24 year old! When you combine the total years the 4 of us have been “mothering”, thus far, it exceeds 100 years…
I grew up with 2 brothers therefore I have always loved and needed my relationships with my girlfriends. To be honest I’m a tad envious of the sister bonds each of them share with their female siblings. Over the years, the times we get together are less frequents especially the four of us. Last night we got together to celebrate Lynn’s Birthday. By celebrating Lynn, we also celebrate this friendship. Reflecting on the evening it puts a smile on your face, the conversation flows, the laughter is constant and depending on the topic there are tears shed of joy or sadness. I get that we are not unique but how lucky we are as women to have these friendships we reap so much in return. With my recent foray into the twitter world I say # sanity # love# support# fun regardless of whether it’s biased or unbiased…we are blessed to have these friendships.
What is inspiring to see, the benefits of these friendships and the impact on our children. Children learn by example and giving them the opportunity to witness strong, positive, healthy friendships in our lives has encouraged them to do the same. Fitness is how it started for us and it is wonderful to see most of these adult children understand the significance and the role that exercise plays in our physical and mental health. We are all still active although we no longer meet on a daily basis for which we called our therapy runs (#runners code) but whenever we do meet we fall back into this rhythm that provides us with comfort and inspiration. This is what makes us Forever Friends! Happy Birthday Lynn!
by Annette Quinet | Apr 11, 2016 | Shopping |
The BCBG Store is closing on April 24th and relocating to a new store in the mall. Today’s Flash Sale was take an additional 50% off everything! Included all garments, shoes, accessories and handbags. The store carries the BCBGeneration line in addition to BCBGMAXAZRIA.
“BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP offers high-quality, on-trend clothing at contemporary price points.Founded in 1989, BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP is the lifetime vision of one man: Founder, Designer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Max Azria. After years of success designing women’s wear in Paris and Los Angeles, Azria decided to pursue his dream of launching a design house that spoke to the modern woman, and BCBGMAXAZRIA was born.”
What you will find instore are gowns …perfectly priced for Proms, Galas and formals. Merchandised in price points $39, $49, $59,$69, $99 etc today they were 50% of the last marked price. (I picked up a knit navy/tan striped high/low dress for $20.00) Leather and faux leather jackets in varying price points. I saw a gorgeous cream leather motto jacket with the discount it was under $200.00…..lots of on trend faux leather pants/leggings, skirts and a huge assortment of tops, blouses, blazers, sweaters, leggings in a variety of fabrics,styles & sizes. Depending on your size , variety of footwear, including some over the knee black leather boots! A newer garment collection consisted of sophisticated denim (totally appropriate for the office) including a great denim jacket with black leather sleeves. If you are in the vicinity definelty worth a visit. The staff were unable to share what the Monday promotion would be so if you want to ensure the trip is worthwhile call 819.243.5177 Happy Shopping!
by Annette Quinet | Apr 9, 2016 | Profile |
Fashionable Thinking
Eileen Fisher, NYC fashion designer spoke to a small group of people via a Meet up hosted by Fashionista (source for the latest fashion news) at Space 530 in NYC with spring in the air. I was happy to attend this intimate evening to listen to Eileen speak about her journey from the beginning to where she and her label are now and where they are going in the future.
Spring 2016 NYC
First impressions when Eileen was quietly ushered into the room by Fashionista’s Dhani Mau, moderator for the evening, were positive yet surprising. Eileen Fisher, 65,was elegantly dressed in classic Eileen Fisher style, she exuded quiet confidence and warmness with an underlying shyness…hence the surprise. My expectation of a very successful veteran fashion designer would be that she carries “shtick” or some protective armor but her casualness and warmth permeated throughout the room. Eileen seemed genuinely touched that there was so much interest in her and her brand but was also curious to know who was her audience. The attendees were comprised of fashion students and people who work in the fashion industry many with a keen interest in sustainability and the role it plays in fashion. …this evident during the Q&A portion of the evening. Also noted, many attendees were young which was surprising since the Eileen Fisher brand demographic is predominately the more mature woman…. of which only a few were in attendance…yes I was one of those.
Fashionable words
The scene inside Space 530 NYC
NYC Fashionista’s asking more questions
This NYC Meet up was a perfect opportunity to re-invigorate and gain a new and fresh perspective of NYC fashion, Eileen Fisher and her brand, in addition to hearing inspiring viewpoints regarding sustainability and the relationship it plays in the fashion world. I am a long time supporter of this label, of which I have a few pieces and recommend to my clients. The premise is EF garments are simple pieces made from good quality fabrics. The EF brand allows women to dress easily, comfortably in style lines that compliment and project elegance in sophisticated uncomplicated silhouettes. The EF garments are investment pieces …you pay a higher price initially but the benefit is the garments last season to season and become integral “go to pieces” in your wardrobe, which provide a low cost per wearing reinforcing the purchase a good investment.
Spring 2016 offers a selection of beautiful garments made in organic linens and cottons in addition to other pieces made in silk and rayon. My particular favorite from the “System Collection” Icon Silk Duster in Bark (CA$ 557.00) teamed with washable stretch crepe pant (CA$235.00) also in Bark. Worn together (or separately) they provide you with a classic, elegant and flattering silhouette that can be worn year round. Elevate this look by adding a scarf or a statement piece of jewelry.
EF Icon Silk Duster in Bark from the System Collection
EF Washable Stretch Crepe Pant in Bark
The Eileen Fisher line can be purchased locally at Shepherd’s Fashions, Nordstrom’s and online most pieces are available in petite, regular and plus sizes.
Eileen Fisher spoke eloquently; listening to her you want to be her friend and to support her brand as well as her sustainability vision. What was intriguing about the talk and for me paradoxical was that in order to achieve sustainability we need to consume less which means consumers buying less ….I would say that is Fashionable thinking.
There is a great deal of buzz about sustainability in the fashion world; it cannot be ignored, so please check back for future blog posts on this topic. You can also find a link to the recent Fashionista article “Where Eileen Fisher Is Taking Her Fashion Career Next” on AQ On Your Mark Images FB page. My hope is that there is sustainability for Eileen Fisher, the brand and their fashionable thinking.
Family has a way of affecting you unexpectedly, sometimes it’s positive other times its negative…. as people like to say you can’t pick your family but you can pick your friends! In recent days my heart and head have been in another place, which makes it difficult to function. Despite the sun shining I feel a large cloud looming over and as a mom it’s the worst feeling in the world to know your child is hurting and be rendered helpless. My intent is not to trivialize my situation but to do something that alters my headspace. I need to function. I am no stranger to these situations; regrettably I have spent way too much time and energy dealing with them. I have tried a multitude of coping mechanisms some good others not so good.
