November 20, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Reminiscing about the good old days is harmless and often straight-up mood-boosting. But being stuck in the past holistically? An entirely different story. Some signs that you may be clinging to the past include not being fully present, acting as if you’re still living in a previous iteration of reality, not feeling inspired, or finding it difficult to get excited about things that used to really do it for you. Maybe you’re living, at least emotionally, in a past failed relationship. Maybe you won’t forgive yourself for a mistake you made and you continually go over in your mind what you could have done differently. Maybe, you’re holding onto limiting beliefs from childhood that don’t serve you. Or maybe something else entirely. Regardless of how, exactly, you’re stuck in the past, the way of being can hold you back in all areas of your life and prevent you from enjoying the present moment. So why does this happen in the first place? Lack of self-love, low self-worth, unawareness, and fear are at the core are all reasons that can explain why people get stuck in the past, says life coach and breathwork teacher Gwen Dittmar. Additional causes include feeling unhappy with present life, not wanting to deal with a current problem, or feeling fearful of the future. In these cases, the past stands to simply feel more comfortable, safe, and predictable. Have a suspicion that you may be a bit too chummy with
Category: Fashion
These 10 yoga stretches will help your aching feet
November 19, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC As far as body parts go, feet don’t seem to get the attention they deserve. After all, they do so much for us. They hold us up, literally. They let us get our 10,000 steps every day. They keep us going when we hit the dance floor from time to time or go full speed on a spin bike. It’s only right that we show them some love. And yoga is one great way to do that. Whether you just ran a marathon or your feet are achy from a long day of shopping, here’s 10 yoga poses and stretches to try. Your feet (and toes) will thank you later. 1. Yogi toes To help improve your balance and show your little piggies some love, certified yoga therapist Ann Swanson, MS, recommends doing yogi toes. “While standing or seated in a chair, spread your toes as wide as possible and slowly place them firmly down on the ground,” she says. This will feel especially delightful after a long day on your feet or if you’ve been strutting around in heels. 2. Ankle pumps If your feet are swollen, ankle pumps will offer some relief and promote good circulation. You can either do it sitting in a chair or on the floor or laying down to simultaneously decompress your entire body. All you do is go back and forth from pointing your toes like a ballet dancer and then flexing your ankles. “This activates
Ankle stability exercises that will get you solidly on your feet for any workout
November 18, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Hot take: No one is giving their ankles nearly the credit or love that they deserve. We treat our feet to pedicures and our legs to regular workouts, but our ankles—which do their job every. damn. day. to hold up the rest of body—are largely ignored. Think about it: When was the last time you did ankle stability exercises at the gym? A week ago from…never? Same—and that’s a big mistake. Your ankles are an integral part of literally every single thing you do while you’re standing up—whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll down the street or squatting with a 50-pound dumbbell. Think of every standing movement you make as a chain reaction that starts in your feet and travels up through your ankles and legs. “Any disruption in that chain of movements means that the following movement is less likely to be performed correctly,” says Terri Dreger, owner of 30 Minute Hit Edmonton, and crappy ankle stability can be a big time disruption to the body at large. “If the foot and ankle mechanics are off, it will likely impact the knee, which can cause the hip movement to be misaligned, leading to unstable core movements and stress to one’s back,” says Dreger, adding that this all leads to inefficient and ineffective movement patterns. In other words, she says, you won’t be able to run as fast, kick a ball as far, or throw as hard of a punch. And even worse, you
You’ll want to run for miles in sustainable style with New Balance’s limited edition shoes
November 18, 2019 at 06:33PM by CWC Imagine a running sneaker splashed with bold one-of-a-kind colors, built on comfortable yet supportive sole made from recycled materials. New Balance accomplishes all of this with its new sustainable shoes so you can log mile after mile without worrying about your carbon footprint. Introducing the Test Run Project 3.0 (New Balance PRJ 3), which launched on November 15 for $180. Designed by Seth Maxwell at the New Balance Global Design Center, the sustainable shoes utilize scraps left over from other New Balance products to create a recycled shoe that comes in three colorways: pink, yellow, and green. Because each pair features a blend of reclaimed materials, each sneaker is unique. The uppers of the sustainable shoes are created using surplus mesh, synthetic, and upper webbing from the factory, according to a press release from New Balance. Maxwell also used leftover midsole color pellets to fill in the midsole, and surplus lining for the sock-like neck of the shoe. Plus, the outsole contains 30 percent recycled material. The limited-edition sneakers are flying off the shelves already. So if you’ve got your eye on a pair, run don’t walk. Stretch it out before and after you hit the pavement: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKFPlXmHEc] Nike just released a shoe that’s not for runners. Plus, the reasons one writer wears her sneakers on a first date. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by CWC
These 12 sustainable gift ideas are like giving the planet (and, you know, your giftee) a holiday present
November 18, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC The whole point of giving over the holidays is to share the love with your favorite people. But if you’re looking for a double dose of good karma, why not opt for presents that are good for the environment—and fellow humans—too? Whether you’re looking for sustainable gift ideas for the friend who lives a totally non-toxic lifestyle or you want to support the fair treatment of workers and artisans, we’ve got you covered from eco to friendly—with everything from Josie Maran’s clean skin-care sets to a beginner’s kit for ditching plastic. Scroll down for 12 sustainable gift ideas for spreading extra conscious holiday cheer. Josie Maran Good Vibes Set, $70 ($108 value) Sustainable gifts are all about good vibes for you and the planet, and this non-toxic skin-care set is here for it. With organic, sustainably sourced argan oil in every formula, each product will help the clean skin-care lover achieve that healthy, inside-out glow. Dagsmejan Long Sleeve Sleep Shirt, $90; Sleep Pants, $90 Pajamas are a clutch present in a pinch, and this dusty pink set comes with an extra touch of thoughtfulness: The fabric helps regulate body temperature overnight (for a better night’s sleep) and is made from ecological beech wood fibers that use low-energy processes to produce. Boll & Branch Classic Hemmed Sheet Set, $160-$295 Continue the sustainable sleep theme with a set of super-soft sheets made from fair-trade-certified, 100 percent organic cotton. The lucky recipient’s dreams will be extra
Nike’s newest shoe isn’t for runners—it’s for anybody who’s on their feet all day
November 15, 2019 at 05:34PM by CWC Nike’s latest release isn’t meant for the athletic field. But the new line of sneakers for standing all day is the perfect choice to help tackle the challenges of your workplace. The Air Zoom Pulse is a shoe for “everyday heroes,” particularly nurses, doctors, and home health providers who spend hours on their feet each day. It’s an “athletic clog” of sorts that’s comfortable enough to meet the demands of any profession. The secret to ensuring optimal comfort in the Air Zoom Pulse sneakers is the “full-rubber outsole, a flexible drop-in midsole with Zoom Air heel unit, and a heel fit so secure, it feels like a soft, snug hug.” They’re also meant to be super easy to clean with a coated toe box that “protects against any type of spill.” While these shoes were designed to ease foot pain for those in medical fields, anyone who does a lot of standing will benefit from a pair. Nike is expected to release seven different styles on December 7, so you’re bound to find something that makes you feel like an everyday hero—the kind who isn’t burdened with sore feet. You don’t need to be a runner to take advantage of these stretches: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKFPlXmHEc] Not sure if it’s time to replace your sneakers or not? Here are three major signs you should buy a new pair, according to a podiatrist and trainer. If it is, check out these non-slip options that will up
8 grippy, non-slip sneakers that will keep you secure and up your gym game
November 14, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Footwear is probably the most technical piece of equipment that you slip on in your day-to-day gym regimen. A shoe has to fit properly, it’s got to suit the workout that you’re doing, and it has to hold your foot in place to stave off injury and make you feel super secure. So, as much as you might like your chunky tennies and HIIT trainers for everyday wear, finding a pair of well-fitting non-slip sneakers is never a bad idea. The trick to finding a pair that’s both slip-resistant and comfortable all comes down to design. Namely, a rubberized sole with intricate tread patterns for extra grip, and a form-fitting upper that melds to the position of your foot. Fortunately, whether you’re looking for walking, jogging, running, hiking, or training shoes, some of our favorite brands have us covered. From APL and Puma to Merrell and Keen, ahead you’ll find eight pairs of non-slip sneakers, all of which have a little something extra to offer. Photo: APL APL Women’s TechLoom Bliss, $200 These celeb-fave non-slip sneakers are renowned for their intersection of performance, comfort, and style. The slip-on sneaker is super light, weighing just 6.8 ounces. What’s more, thanks to the wide-stain elastic strap over the top of the foot, you never have to worry about them slipping off mid-stride. Photo: Puma AL x PUMA LQDCELL Shatter XT Leather Women’s Training Shoes, $130 We’ve all seen the “train like an angel” workout videos circulating
What’s the real difference between a fetish and a kink?
November 14, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC It wasn’t until I recently attended a class titled “Working Out the Kinks” at a sex-education and wellness retreat a few months ago that I finally learned the key differences separating a kink from a fetish. And, as a professional sex writer, that’s saying something. I always knew the two weren’t exactly synonymous, but I also couldn’t give a precise explanation as to how they’re different. Similar to the situation of being asked what a certain word means, and then using other similar but not exact words as the description, I realized then that I had been unintentionally using “fetish” and “kink” interchangeably—and was I ever incorrect in doing so. So in the spirit of spreading awareness, below, get the full rundown on what is a kink, exactly, and how it can be different from a fetish. Then—for the fun part—learn how to incorporate either into any relationship safely. What is a fetish? A fetish is the sexualization of something that’s typically non-sexual, and that, by itself, is an object of fixation, says Francisco Ramirez, a sexual-health consultant and teacher of the class I joined. “For example, if massaging someone’s genitals with shoes is a fun turn-on, it might be considered a kink,” he says. “However, if the shoe on its own is a turn-on, and it feels like a necessary part of your sexual repertoire, it might be a fetish.” Common examples of fetishes include leather, latex, a particular penis size, or
Bye chunky Dad Shoes, this is the new sneaker trend you’ll soon see everywhere
November 13, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC While the popularity of the Dad Shoe isn’t going anywhere soon, there is a new front-runner that will soon outshine the beloved (and worn to death) chunky sneaker this fall—and if you haven’t picked a pair up already, it’s time. The latest favorite goes even further into the past. This fall, it’s all about the vintage-style running sneaker. Life after the Fila Disruptor 2 and Martine Rose’s reimagined Nike Air Monarch 2 moves away from chunky and more towards sleek, like the sneaker worn by first-ever women’s Olympic Games marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1984. Specific? Yes. True? Also yes. Photo: Courtesy of Nike The most hyped versions of this vintage-inspired trend include Nike’s Sacai collaboration, the LDV Waffle. Released in three different colors, there are some obvious fashion-over-function additions like the double tongues, double swooshes, and double laces in the marrying of two old running silhouettes, the LDV and the Waffle Racer. Samuelson’s marathon-winning shoe also saw an August re-release as well as fashion rehaul with Japanese imprint, Undercover. Both versions of the Daybreak are still available on Nike.com, whereas the Sacai collab is only available on resale sites like StockX and GOAT. Photo: Courtesy of ASICS You can easily hop on board with this trend without going full sneakerhead, too. ASICS has quietly been releasing updated, fashion-forward favorites in the last few months and just debuted a Kiko Kostadinov campaign shot by (and featuring) fine arts photographer Juergen Teller. Look to ASICS
The most common questions NYC’s most in-demand hairstylist gets daily
November 13, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Hot take: As far as beauty treatments go, getting a haircut is even more personal than getting a bikini wax. While it may not involve allowing a stranger to get all up in your business while they ask you about your weekend plans, it does require trusting them with one of the cornerstones of your identity: your hair. Because if said stylist makes a mistake, you’re stuck looking at it in the mirror every day for the next three months (which is not the relationship that I, personally, have with my bikini line, though to each their own). It’s only natural that people have got a lot of questions about getting their hair cut. In fact, when we polled our readers last month, we received dozens of responses about things they wanted to know, such as how to find the perfect hairstyle and how often they should really be going in for a trim. To find out, we tapped Jon Reyman, Spoke & Weal founder and Dyson global styling ambassador—and one of New York City’s most in-demand hair stylist—for a little hair-cutting 101. Below, he answers our readers’ most burning questions about haircuts. How can you find the “perfect” haircut for yourself? A hairstyle is made up of length, density and texture, so the first thing you need to do is find a hairstylist who can manage all three. If you’re choosing a style for yourself, understand your balance. For instance, if you