Cindee's Useful Packing Tips for the Jetsetter in you

Hi Darlings,

Enjoying your summer so far? Summer at my end of the rainbow has been cloudy and wet. It still feels like spring here but luckily I'll be on the plane flying to a tropical island soon. I'm heading to Hawaii this wknd for the very first time and I can't wait. Im starting to feel the flutter of butterfly wings in my stomach. It's been 2 years since I've felt sand between my toes & the extremely satisfying feeling of sippin on a refreshing Mojito. (Mojito by day, Sangria by night) My last 2 trips were to Vegas - not quite tropical but nonetheless still one of my fave spots. I love the energy of Vegas and I can't wait to find out what the energy in Hawaii is like.
Me and my sweetheart will be staying in Waikiki. I've heard so many good things about Honolulu and can't wait to explore the Island.
I wouldn't say I'm well traveled bcos there are soo many places I havent been yet and would love love LOVE to see but at the same time I've had my share of flying - of airports ( i have yet to check out the yoga room at the San Fran airport), of "cookies or trailmix?", of pretending to listen to the safety talk they give on the plane, of the excitement that's created when I hear the wheels of the plane touch down ....of packing and unpacking.

In the beginning I wasn't too great at packing. I would pull a whole bunch of items out from my closet and try to fit everything in by folding them neatly into my luggage. But to my dismay, it wouldn't stay that way. I found myself constantly rummaging thru my suitcase during the trip - trying to find things and sometimes cleaning up stuff bcos my shampoo decided to pop open like a champagne bottle on New Year Eve. Not fun! Traveling and vacationing aren't meant for un-necessary and PREVENTABLE stresses like that.

I still get pulled aside by Customs (unnecessarily). I experience delays. That stuff I can't control. But for the things that I can control, why not take the drivers seat? Here are a few strategies that have worked for me. I hope you will try them out the next time you're packing your bags to go on holiday! And if you have any tips of your own to share - ohh please do =)
Cheers to that. Let's clink our shampoo bottles to toast the world and all it has to offer. Happy travels everyone.

* Deliberately plan your outfits. I know its sometimes easier not to put much thought into it but if you do, it saves a HUGE amount of time. I've had times where I've had too many things in my suitcase. You think - more items equals more options right? Yes, but that's not necessarily ideal.  You'll spend more time trying stuff on & it becomes harder to make up your mind. Wouldn't you rather spend your vaca time out in the sun being a beach bum or renting a beach cruiser to explore the city instead of being in your hotel room going through all your tops to see what will go with your skirt...or wait - should you wear shorts instead?

Make the process fun. I mean - that's one of the fun things about being a girl right? - dressing up, playing around with different looks.  I add to a growing file of photos from the internet that I look back on for outfit ideas. You can find lots of looks on Pinterest and start your own collection. Or there are plenty of websites out there like LOOKBOOK or chictopia for inspiration.

Using these lil treasures for inspiration, spend a day looking thru your closet and putting pieces together. What helps me organize my wardrobe is an app called StylishGirl. I havent added every single item in my closet to the app. Its a process lol but this app has been very efficent in keeping track of items. Its hard for me to explain all the capabilities of this app so you can check out the link or download it and see for yourself.

*Purchase travel sized items. I used to travel with full bottles of champagne. Oops I meant, shampoo lol and hairspray and such. Not a good idea. I dont know why I did it for so long. It adds extra pounds to my suitcase and now with the airline's weight limitations, you don't want to be paying extra charges. It's also a good idea to look into investing in travel size hair straighteners or if you use something like the Clarisonic they have the Mia. You can find a lot of travel sized products at Sephora.

* Find a place for everything. I'm sure you've heard this advice before to help declutter your life. Can't find your keys? Can't find your wallet...oh where is that darn iPhone of mine. If you keep these things in the same place all the time then the chances of you misplacing them don't happen.

This also applies to packing. Once you figure out how and where to keep certain items then keep it that way. Every time you pack for a trip always use the same sections in your travel bag for the same thing you did last time. If you use the inside compartment of your suitcase to put your bikinis then keep it that way. It'll help you remember where you put things and you won't find yourself one night, stumbling blindly looking for your glasses.

* Make use of a travel bag. I got this one from Sephora. Instead of sticking all my products in a plastic bag and having to go thru them, I can sort and organize my things with this. Its good for small item stuff as well like hair pins, hair ties, contact case, band aids, advil...



* Frommers My sister got me these for xmas. I think its soo handy and the most clever thing ever. When you unfold them they become containers to seperate your clothing. It comes in 3 sizes. One bag I keep my intimates, stockings, socks.  Another I use for my accessories and I keep the other for dirty clothes. If you don't want to spend money on these you can also use Ziploc® bags in different sizes. Just as good.

* Carry on. Its a challenge to pack shoes. Who else has this problem? Its not just deciding on which shoes to bring but also the akward shape of them really take up a lot of room. That's why I pack all my shoes in my carry-on. It gets a bit heavy to lift above your head when you're trying to store it in the overhead compartment of the plane so hopefully there's another passenger around that can help you with it. Then when they ask you why its so heavy you can cheekily reply... "oh - you know, a girls got more than one pair of favorite shoes" ;P

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” - Alice in Wonderland
 

I fell down the rabbit hole...and ended up where? In Instagram Land. heh heh Addicted to instant gratification - I've been preferring this lately due to how easy it is to post things daily and have ppl comment right away.


So is it a lack of patience that's taken my attention away from my blog? Lack of commitment? Lack of discipline? The complete opposite, actually. Its due to an abundance of new ideas and thoughts I want to express that it overwhelms me. I have many ideas that don't really fit inside this box that I created. This blog, to a certain degree is a representation of me. And being me, I don't stand in one place too long. I like growth. I go through transformations and who I was back then isn't necessarily who I am now. I think I've come to know myself better each time I shed my skin.

How foolish would it be for a snake or a caterpillar to carry around its old skin.  I'm not certain which direction I want to take this blog right now but I will continue on until I figure it out. Maybe the solution will present itself once I get the ball rollin. Maybe its just the perfectionist and OCD in me that refuses to produce anything unless things are perfectly in order. But what's wrong with chaos? Maybe I need to give my chaotic side permission to come out and play.

For now just find me on Instagram. Pictures tell a thousand words : cindee-rella

Flower child

Base: OPI nail envy, Essie chinchilly
Flower: china glaze flip flop fantasy, joe white
Leaf: Revlon Jaded

Out of order

Sent by iPhone

I don't know if the Universe is playing a joke on me but I'm not impressed. I have a tennis elbow injury that appeared out of no where. They say it could have been something that progressed in time bcos I
work a lot w my hands and a sharp action could have put it over the edge. Im just glad it's not carpal tunnel!

Regardless, I'm still in pain and it's quite frustrating that I cannot workout, do any yoga or be on my keyboard for long. That's why I'm posting this thru my iPhone - and even still, it's bothering me quite a bit.

Time to build my patience and tolerance. Hardest thing ever!

Inside my gym bag

♡ I've got my Lulu bra top & hot pink pants
♡ leopard printed pouch that i made to carry my toothbrush & paste
♡ lil notebook to plan my workouts / old school iTouch / chapstick / MAC lipsheen & cream blush for after / eau de parfum
♡ my 'vitamins': HEAT, +Omega Glow, +Perfect Skin / brush to make my hair fluffy
♡ i♥Running H20 bottle
♡ Michael Kors wallet / Hello Kitty container meant for candy but turned into my fake eyelashes holder / lock / GymBoss interval timer

Kicking off my work shoes in exchange for something more 'comfortable.'

I've found it a bit difficult to go to the gym lately. Lots of things contribute to this but its definitely no excuse for my inconsistency. Regardless I know it will pass. I think its important not to be hard on yourself when you feel un-motivated. It happens. Kicking yourself in the ass & forcing yourself to go to the gym isnt the solution. It might help temporarily but eventually your motivation will sizzle and back to square one you'll go. You'll be depleting your energy if you attacking the issue this way. Wouldnt you rather use it to actually exercise? The solution comes from changing your state of mind & trying to understand your resistance. Here's what I've been doing to get myself back on the horse.

♡ Doing 5 sets each of Surya A & B right when I wake up. It only takes 10 mins. Makes me feel awake and it gives my energy momentum for the day.

♡ Take things one day at a time, one decision at a time. A muffin or yogurt for breakfast? Park closer or farther from the office?

♡ Look at photos that inspire me. I've culled a few photos from the internet to look thru when Im feeling bleh. I also click thru Pinterest & Tumblr. It won't maintain the fire but it will definitely fuel it.

♡ I tell myself when I feel better I do better. I'm doing myself and everyone else around me a favor by getting some exercise. I feel so much happier and light hearted compared to when Im feeling lethargic & moody.

♡ When you're deciding if you should get some exercise or not, be in the moment. When you're not present, you are living in your head. "Oh - but im tired today. I will go tmrw. I dont see what the point of exercising. I will never get lose those pounds....etc"

♡ I pace myself gradually. Just bcos I was able to do a 90 min spin class before doesnt mean I have to. I dont want to overwhelm myself. So I start off slow and build on it as the days go by. This builds my confidence too.

Valentines contest winner

Sorry I'm a day late posting this. But here we go. Winner of Hana straightening iron is:
Tessa Tham

Winner was chosen by random with random.org
Thx everyone who entered. All the vision boards were a lovely representation of ur life. I hope you enjoyed putting it together :)

Entry:

Cindee's beauty tips inspired by Audrey Hepburn

Being a girl is so much fun. When it comes to beauty we have all kinds of things to keep us busy. And now with YouTube and blogs we can share our tips so easily. I think it great to be a girl or let me re-phrase that - its such an amazing thing to be a woman. Especially in this day and age.

One thing I've been thinking about is how much time us woman put into our outer appearance. Hair care(which I've been neglecting), getting healthy looking skin, makeup to emphasize our features, having fun & being creative with getting our nails done, waxing, exfoliating, tanning, working out at the gym....the list goes on.

When you take care of your appearance it shows that you take care of yourself. It doesn't mean you are being superficial unless you emphasize your efforts ONLY in the physical. So what if you have the most luscious lips, if every word you speak is negative. So what if you have the most beautiful bambi eyes and the longest eye lashes, if you aren't able to see the goodness in life? I was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's classic quote:

credit { Igor + Andre }

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows.

The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years."

credit { Igor + Andre }

I am definitely still working on a lot of these but here is my take:

For lovely eyes
♥ Smile with ur eyes(i call it Sm-eyes). You can tell a genuine smile from a insincere one easily. Smiling from the mouth is only half of it. The other half is in the eyes. Eyes are very powerful in communicating how you feel about someone. Why not make someone feel important and special this way. I think I've mastered this when Im having my photo taken but I have to remind myself to bring it into my daily life. When I do, its been life enhancing.
♥ See the good in you. Notice how you talk to yourself? Is it positive, kind, forgiving? Or is it negative, harsh, critical? Its ok to have things you're not happy with but accept that. Acknowledge that everyone, including yourself has a beautiful light to shine into the world. Sometimes it can get dim but focusing on your strengths is one of the most powerful things u can do for urself.
♥ Look for ppl's good qualities. Everyone has many! You could help someone see something they havent been able to see in themselves & it could make a world of difference to them. We all want to be acknowledged & seen.
♥ See the beauty in your life. There is beauty in all things, if only you choose to see them. It doesn't mean being in denial or ignoring an issue in ur life. It means fully embracing it

For beautiful lips:
♥ Watch what kind of words come out of your mouth. Easier said than done but just pay attention. What kind of energy do you want to put into this world? Words are powerful.
♥ Avoid gossip. I know this can be difficult but ask urself what you gain from it.
♥ Laugh more. It shows that you don't take life too seriously. I honestly don't find a lot of things funny - yes esp when I watch Ben Stiller movies =P lol but I realized that things don't have to be funny to cause laughter. It happens naturally when you're having fun. What can you do to add more fun into your life?
♥ I find ppl who genuinely smile so attractive. What is one of the top qualities ppl find attractive in the opposite sex? It's usually the smile that makes the heart skip a beat. We were having this discussion at dinner Sunday night.

For a nice figure:

♥ Im not gonna tell you to stop eating meat bcos that's not realistic for some ppl. But what I do suggest is to be more aware of where the food you eat comes from. Animals that are unethically killed for their meat release a chemical into their body caused from the fear they feel when they're being brutally butchered. It's a toxin along with all the other chemicals & steroids that you're putting in ur body. Do you want that kind of energy in ur body? I think our consciousness has raised enough to understand that this is not right. Its a responsibility not an obligation to the planet
♥ Drink more water
♥ Get those muscles moving and when you can, walk instead of drive. Reduce those emissions. I need to do this more. I hate Calgary's transit system & cold weather but those are just excuses =P
♥ Be kind to your body. Appreciate what it does for you & develop some compassion for it. Yes Im a shorty & I've worn heels all my life. It's not until very recently that I've slowly minimized my wear of them. I still do but not as often. Why the change of heart? I've realized how magnificent our bodies are...how it functions, heals and protects us. I start to feel bad when I am purposely harming and hurting it. Forgive me fashion for I have sinned lol*
♥ Walk with confidence. Walk knowing who you are and what your values are. When you shine you allow others to do the same.

Lead with your heart

I am currently taking my yoga teacher training & last wknd I put together my first class sequence. Its a lot harder than it seems bcos so many things have to go into ur planning. I love it tho bcos it allows me to be creative in a lot of diff ways. The underlying theme I tied into the 30 min lesson plan was learning to lead with your heart. I was inspired by Valentines day since it was right around the corner.

Photo: Robert Sturman / Pose: Camatkarasana - Wild thing

Valentines is one of my favorite "holidays." Even tho the reasons for why its my favorite holiday have changed thru-out the years, for me its always been a celebration of love. I used to give it a romantic meaning in my teens & that slowly shifted to a sense of gratitude for my family & friends.

Then I started practicing yoga & THAT became my focus for a few years & THAT became my love. The more I practiced, the more my heart opened & naturally, that led me on a path to self love. When you are in that heart space you start to see the world differently. Instead of finding myself falling in love with Prince Charming, I found myself falling in love with life.

When you lead with your heart, you automatically become more in tune with the world around you & that's when you can create beautiful things. So in today's practice let's lead with our hearts. Each pose expresses love in a different way. This short sequence will taking you into Camatkarasana aka Wild Thing.