Ever wonder what you’d give to Oprah as a birthday gift if you had the chance?  Well, Jennifer Aniston gifted Oprah a custom yoga mat from yogamatic.com.  It featured an adorable picture of Oprah’s family, her 5 dogs. 

What a great idea!

But do you know what would be an even better idea?!

How about a yoga mat bag?  I know where Jen and Oprah can get one, too!

I love how Jen said to Oprah, “You always give out your favorite things.  This is sorta one of my favorite things, it’s yoga…”

Loves it!

(BTW, how amazing does Jen look?!  If that’s not an endorsement to go do some sun salutations, boat poses and arm balances, I don’t what is…?)

If you could give Oprah (or Jen) a gift, what would it be?  Who is the one celebrity with whom you’d want to practice yoga?

Namasté,
Nicole

Before:

After:

Ta-da!  Not only did I get a hair cut after much-too-long-than-I-care-to-mention, but I decided to go for a change and get…bangs!  For some, this is not a big deal.  For me, it’s MAJOR!  I haven’t had bangs since I was in elementary school.  I guess it always seemed easier for me to just tie it all back, versus having to style bangs.  Or maybe I just love displaying my big ol’ forehead?  Whatever the case may be, I have a new look and I’m digging it!

Hey, it’s a new year, so why not get a new look, right?!

In case you’re wondering, these are what you call ‘long side swept bangs’.  I have always asked for ‘long layers’ whenever I got my hair cut, but never ventured into the territory of actual bangs.  I know these aren’t short bangs, so it’s not too drastic.  But, the fact that I can’t tuck my hair behind my ear is a big deal for me.

Let’s just hope they don’t get in my way when I am chaturanga-ing…

*(thanks to Freddie L. at Zen Hair for my new ‘do!)

Do you like getting drastic hair cuts every now and then?  Maybe all of the time?  How about never?  Do you ever get tired of your look and just want a change?

Namasté,
Nicole

If you get a chance today, pick up a copy of the February issue of Marie Claire magazine.  Actress Michelle Williams is featured on the cover and in her interview, she talks about how yoga helped to heal her after the death of her ex-boyfriend, actor Heath Ledger.  Michelle states in the article, “Yoga gave me relief like nothing else; it made me a better person and a better mother.  I could come back to my daughter anew.”

Armed with this notion, Michelle helped to start The Yoga For Single Moms Project with co-founders Chanel Luck (one of my favorite yoga teachers!) and Bonnie Argo (another Boston-based yoga teacher).  Together, they have built a program to “support the sometimes challenging path of single motherhood by providing a yoga sanctuary for health and well-being.”  Essentially, a single mother in need can show up for class (for free) and this project will take care of the rest – i.e., childcare while the mother is taking a moment for herself to help her be the best that she can be.

Pretty cool, huh? I’ve always thought that if every person on this earth incorporated the practice of yoga into their lives, we would all be in a much better place.  I’m so glad so many others feel this way, too.

My hat goes off to Chanel, Bonnie and Michelle!

How has yoga affected your life?  If there’s one person you could recommend practicing yoga, who would it be and why?

Namasté,
Nicole

*photo and quotes taken from www.fitsugar.com

Remember the snowstorm we (meaning Boston and the rest of the east coast) had last week?  I know I said I was going to embrace it, and I really think I did a pretty good job of doing so.  But, there was one thing I forgot to mention…

Patrick and I both had our cars towed!  After a good chunk of the snow had fallen on Sunday, Patrick decided to venture out to clean off our cars and to do some shoveling.  He was shocked when he saw the whole street where we’ve been parking our cars for the past 5-6 years was completely empty.  We park on a street reserved for residential parking, and this street is not included in the parking ban.  Thus, there was no reason (that we could see) for our cars to be towed.

City livin’…gotta love it…or just embrace it!

Since we knew we didn’t do anything wrong or anything to deserve getting towed (and ticketed), we decided to go to City Hall and dispute what had happened.  Hey, $346 is nothing to just roll over and forget about! Plus, when you’re right, you’re right!

After filling out some paperwork and waiting for our hearing (surprisingly, it was only about 15 minutes), our names were called and we were able to present our case.  I’ll admit that Patrick did most all of the talking, while I sat up as straight as I could and smiled.  Being interrogated isn’t on the top of my list of fun things to do in my spare time.  So, I let Patrick, as well as his iPhone pictures and diagram of where we park versus where the actual banned street is located, do the talking.

And…

Yes!  We won!  Both of our tows were refunded and our tickets were dismissed.  Needless to say, we were both pretty pumped.  Or shall I say, ‘fist pumped’?!

Have you ever fought a parking ticket or traffic violation?  How did it go?  Does something like presenting your case at a hearing appeal to you?

Namasté,
Nicole

Well, we have had our first major snowstorm here in Boston!  And, it was kind of a doozie.  While I’m not the biggest winter or snow lover (you can read about it here, here, here and here), I try to do my best to embrace it.  Right now, that means not dealing with it and going outside (hence the pics from my desk window).

Whatever works, right?!

I definitely see some cooking, baking, hot tea sipping, reading, Internet surfing and trashy t.v. watching going on today…

I hope you had a nice Christmas, and if you are outside braving the elements, that you are safe and allowing the light from within to keep you happy and warm.

What is your favorite activity on a snow day? (Mine is eating )

Namasté,
Nicole

The trees have been put up and beautifully decorated.  There’s a gorgeous wreath hanging on just about every home’s door, welcoming family and friends with open arms.  People are decked out in their favorite holiday gear (ugly Christmas sweater included) and looking to celebrate every chance they can get with decadent baked goods, lovely libations and festive music.  Even though the holidays are supposed to be a splendid time of the year, it can also be a stressful one.  The often dreaded gift shopping  can certainly take its toll on us, and quickly turn the cheer into jeer.

For that reason, I wanted include some of my tips on how to include some yoga in your holiday shopping.  It doesn’t have to be as extreme as striking your warrior II pose (Virabradrasana) in the middle of the checkout line (although this might give the people standing in line with you incentive to find another line), yoga is often times about the little, more subtler things.  It can be as easy as taking a moment, changing your perspective and thus, changing your mood.

Let this be your holiday gift to you…

Source – www.innergycorporateyoga.com

1. Take a deep and slow breath. One of the most important things (if not the important) to remember when you’re practicing yoga is your breath.  It will help to calm you down and re-center you.  I know it sounds really easy and basic, but it’s true.  Just try it.  The ujjayi breath can work miracles.  And we’ve all heard of the Christmas miracle, right?

2. Prepare. Take a cue from Santa; make your list and check it twice.  Just like you make sure to be well hydrated before practicing yoga, that you wear the proper fitting garments and arrive to class early, it’s wise to prepare yourself before you run out to those overcrowded malls.  Simply take a moment to think about who you’re shopping for and what they might want.  Jot down some ideas and if you come up empty handed, maybe even ask your recipient for some suggestions.  By picking something from the bunch of ideas your recipient has given you, you can give them something they actually want and the element of surprise will still be there.  Or, shop online.  And whether you’re shopping online or offline, remember to multitask.  Maybe you can buy the same gift for more than one person on your list?  And if you know you’re going to be shopping for a long period of time, pack a snack and some water.  Breaks are good no matter where you are – on the mat or in the mall.

3. Go with your heart, not with your mind. You might think you need to spend a certain amount on a person, or that your gift needs to be from a certain store, or that it has to meet a certain standard.  But is this really the case?  Give from the heart and try to envision what would make the person happy.  It could be something so simple, and if it’s something you’ve put good thought into, your loved one is sure to be pleased.

4. Stop with the expectations. Just because you did a pose one way yesterday, or because you had to modify another pose last week, doesn’t mean it has to be the same way today.  What you did in Christmas pasts doesn’t need to dictate what you do this year.  Go with the flow, and stop putting unnecessary stress and expectations on yourself.  Find a gift you you like and that you think your recipient might like, because your idea of perfect may not be realistic and may not matter.

5. Take a chance; go outside of the box. You know when you have one of those practices and you just want to go for it?  Whether you’re daring to get into scissors pose (Astavakrasana), or trying something new and using a block to support yourself during  balancing half moon (Ardha Chandrasana), you’re going beyond your norm and doing something different.   Try doing this with your shopping and gift giving.  Why not offer to babysit?  Maybe you can run errands for a busy loved one for a day?  Does your sister want to be a better cook?  What about paying for a cooking class?  Is your best friend saving for fancy vacation?  How about giving frequent flyer mileage?  If it doesn’t work, it’s not the end of the world.  It’s one holiday, and it’s one day out of the year.  You still love your family member, and I can guarantee you that your family member will still love you.

6. Practice with compassion. One of the things I’ve been working on in both my yoga practice and in life is practicing with compassion.  And, I can definitely do this with my holiday shopping!  So when we’ve been pushed to our limits, don’t yell at the cashier, flip off the person who takes your parking space, and raise hell when the last roll of wrapping paper is gone.  Try to remember the tenet of Ahimsa.  Be kind and practice non-violence – physically, verbally and mentally.  By giving an eco friendly gift (from cute places like here, here or here), you can practice kindness to our earth.  Giving a handmade gift is also a fantastic way to give with more meaning and compassion.  Think of all the time, love and energy of which a handmade item is comprised (you can find some good ideas here, here, here and of course, here).  Or, you can DIY it and channel the crafter/baker/maker in you (look here, here and here for ideas)!

7. Have fun! ‘Tis the season for peace, love and joy.  Be grateful for each and every day and for the loved ones that surround you.  Make the most of the holidays by doing what you love, and by being with those you love.

What’s your tip for staying calm during the holidays/holiday shopping?

Namasté,
Nicole

source – www.fanpop.com

Source – www.worldnewsinsight.com

No matter where your political views may lie, we can all pretty much agree that Elizabeth Edwards was an inspiration, and a person who lived her life with grace, strength and dignity.  Even in her darkest of days, she remained grateful for the things in her life that sustained her – her family, her friends and a faith in the power of resilience and hope.  Despite all of the adversity she faced, she focused on the joys from all the good times and good things she was fortunate enough to have in her life, and used that to help her make each and every one of her days count.  Unfortunately, there were too few of those days.  Elizabeth wanted to make a positive impact on this world; her wish was certainly granted.

May you rest in peace, Elizabeth.

Namasté,
Nicole

Image Credit – bostonmarathon.org

The Top Finishers of the 2010 Boston Marathon: Teyba Erkesso (ETH) 2:26:11 and Robert Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:05:52

I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of a marathon, I hear the theme song from Chariots of Fire in my head.  And this past weekend, that was the only song in the jukebox.  Yesterday was the 2010 Boston Marathon and if you live in Boston like me, you know it’s pretty much mayhem all weekend long in city, and especially on Monday (the day of the marathon).  The city gets flooded with people from all over, either to see the marathon or to participate in this race.  Plus, there’s always a Red Sox home game on Marathon Monday and it’s April school vacation week.  Needless to say, everyone and their sister is in Boston.  But then again, it is the world’s oldest annual marathon, so how can you not want to celebrate it and be a part of the action?

Preparations for Marathon Monday

Me crossing the finish line (via car)!

Can you see me in the side view mirror?

Because we literally live around the corner from Beacon Street, where a major portion of the marathon takes place, we only have to walk out of our door in order to join the masses.  With the clear skies and sun shining, we gladly found a spot alongside the marathon route to cheer on the runners.  It was such an inspiring and energizing atmosphere; you couldn’t help but feel the adrenaline rush, as well as the spirit that filled the city.

Arriving on Beacon Street

The sausage and hot dog stand

You can do it!

Check out those cool shoes! The look like feet!

Here they all come!

“Uh, no thanks.”  For some, Marathon Monday = complete madness!

Look at all the people!

Hey Patrick!

You’re almost there!

You can do it, ladies!

And gentlemen!

So much determination!

Congratulations and a job well done to everyone!

While I’m certainly not a runner, watching the marathon always seems to move me (lame pun not intended).  To be able to witness the dedication, heart and athletic prowess of these marathoners first hand makes me think that anything is possible.  People from all over the world came to participate in this race.  They trained days and days on end to get to this one moment.  For some, completing the 26.2 miles isn’t that difficult of a task, as I saw on the news that there was a man who ran the marathon course earlier on Marathon Monday before actually competing in the marathon (that’s 2 marathons in one day, 52.4 miles).  And for some, each mile of the race was a challenge in and of itself.  But no matter where you fall within that spectrum, the one thing that is for certain is that it all began with one step and the desire to put your best foot forward (lame pun totally intended)!

Are you a runner?  Do you like to compete in races or would you rather just run for fun?  What inspires you?

Namasté,
Nicole

Image Credit – secret.extrarisk.com

That was me for most of yesterday, and a little right now.  I’m not a migraine sufferer, but yesterday, I had the second one of my life (don’t cry for me, Argentina!).  Holy crap on a cracker! I don’t know how people deal with these on a regular basis?!  Anyhoo, I’m much better today (in case you were wondering ).  Nothing like de-plugging from your laptop for a few hours, staying well-hydrated, and having a hot and humbling yoga sesh this morning to make you feel brand spankin’ new again.  But those sugar-free fudgesicles didn’t seem to hurt either (thanks Patrick).

OK, I’m off to seize the day.  The sun is shining (again) and it feels like summer here in Boston.  I’m grateful for feeling more like myself today, knowing that I can harness the power of breath to keep me calm in my times of need, and having the ground to support me when I’m weak in the knees.  And oh yeah, getting a loving phone call from MHC to see how her precious daughter is doing is always pretty fantastic, too.

Image Credit – tripadvisor.com

Do you have any uncommon cures for headaches?  What seems to always make you feel better (mentally or physically)?

***Are you following Megafruit yet on Twitter?  You really should!  They are giving away 3 – $100 Visa Giftcards at random once they reach 1,000 followers.  What are you waiting for?!***

Namasté,
Nicole

Well, we must have been good lil’ Bostonians because the Easter bunny brought us a glorious weekend.  Dang it! It was so nice, I didn’t want to go inside.  Words can’t describe how good it felt to finally bask in the sun.  For that reason, I’m going to let the beautiful shots I took yesterday do the talking for this post.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did mine.  BTW, I promise you’ll see something irresistibly cute once you get to the bottom of my post.  And that’s no bull!

Fanueil Hall

The place where everybody knows your name…

Apparently I thought my dollar sign t-shirt was appropriate Easter attire…

I think most of these people were just killing time until the Sox game…

“What do you think of my profile?…”

Catching some rays…

Gratuitous self-portrait shot

Undoubtedly the quietest spot in Boston (you could hear a pin drop here – seriously!)

Uh, yes please!  I’d be happy to live here!

We shared a fruit cup (we ate the pineapple, honeydew and strawberries before I remembered to take a photo – DOH!)

Duly noted!

What the heck is going on?  What are they all looking at?!

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PUPPIES! (English Bulldog)

They’re only 12 days old and maybe the cutest things EVER!

I don’t think they could even open their eyes…

Look at that face!

The proud papa…

That’s a hard workin’ mama!

Huggin’ it out…

Picture perfect (my favorite shot)

The lights of Fenway are back on!  And we WON!

Are you a sucker for puppies like me?  What’s your favorite kind of dog?  If you had a choice, would you live by the water? Are you excited for the baseball season?

Namasté,
Nicole