May 27, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC To help get me in the mood to write this piece, I cued up Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill.” The album, originally released in 1995, transported me back to a simpler time. In the ’90s, I begged my parents to let me buy a pair of Steve Madden platform slides and I belted Morissette’s lyrics into my hairbrush while thinking about an imaginary relationship. Now, decades later, I’ve experienced real heartbreak and somehow those Steve Madden slides are currently available from Urban Outfitters. It’s 2019, but ’90s fashion trends are back. There’s a theory that fashion and pop culture operate on a “nostalgia pendulum,” wherein what’s old is new again every 20 to 30 years. Which is why everyone (myself included) is feeling ’90s fashion staples like Dr. Martens, floral sundresses, scrunchies, and Adidas track pants—yes, please. Nostalgia is fashion’s hottest trend. Dr. Martens, floral sundresses, scrunchies, and Adidas track pants—yes, please. “The few studies that have examined nostalgia experiences in the brain have implicated regions associated with memory, such as the hippocampus, and reward areas of the brain, including the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, which located deep in the midbrain,” explains Holly Bowen, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Southern Methodist University. “These areas are functionally connected, or ‘talking to each other’ during nostalgia experiences.” Essentially, nostalgia boosts your mood. Yes, nostalgia is wistful longings of times gone by, and now we typically tend to think of
Category: Fashion
Celestial summer reading: The best book for you, according to your zodiac sign
May 25, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Even if you devour books year-round, there’s something special about summer reading: Those chilled-out hours spent lounging on a blanket with a paperback as your companion can seriously balance out all the energy you expend doing outdoor yoga, surfing, hiking, and other summer-season activities. And, good news: This year especially, there are so many great new books worthy for your selection of what to read next. Actually, perhaps even too many. Walking into the bookstore can be overwhelming—especially because $20 and 300 pages can feel like quite the commitment. Should you go for that psychological thriller everyone is talking about? Or will a romance novel prove to be a more enjoyable read? Rather than asking you to rely on the universe itself to help you pick, I enlisted the help of astrologers to point out best summer-reading books according to the zodiac. Below, Stefanie Iris Weiss of Saturn Sisters and best-selling authors of Astrology for Wellness Monte Farber and Amy Zerner offer their top reads for your sign. Let the universe determine your summer-reading list with the best book for your zodiac sign. Gemini: (May 20 to June 20) Book picks: Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi; How to Skimm Your Life by The Skimm “Geminis are more of the smartest, more verbal signs and will love something on the best-seller list that they can talk about at cocktail parties,” Weiss says. One book everyone is buzzing about right now? Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi, a
Celestial summer reading: The best book for you, according to your zodiac sign
May 25, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Even if you devour books year-round, there’s something special about summer reading: Those chilled-out hours spent lounging on a blanket with a paperback as your companion can seriously balance out all the energy you expend doing outdoor yoga, surfing, hiking, and other summer-season activities. And, good news: This year especially, there are so many great new books worthy for your selection of what to read next. Actually, perhaps even too many. Walking into the bookstore can be overwhelming—especially because $20 and 300 pages can feel like quite the commitment. Should you go for that psychological thriller everyone is talking about? Or will a romance novel prove to be a more enjoyable read? Rather than asking you to rely on the universe itself to help you pick, I enlisted the help of astrologers to point out best summer-reading books according to the zodiac. Below, Stefanie Iris Weiss of Saturn Sisters and best-selling authors of Astrology for Wellness Monte Farber and Amy Zerner offer their top reads for your sign. Let the universe determine your summer-reading list with the best book for your zodiac sign. Gemini: (May 20 to June 20) Book picks: Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi; How to Skimm Your Life by The Skimm “Geminis are more of the smartest, more verbal signs and will love something on the best-seller list that they can talk about at cocktail parties,” Weiss says. One book everyone is buzzing about right now? Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi, a
Cancel your massage: This $1 buy will get *all* the knots out
May 24, 2019 at 11:07AM by CWC The shoulder knots I deal with on a daily basis (thanks, hardcore workout classes and terrible posture) are so bad that they keep me up at night. But as a single gal living in New York City (boys, get @ me), I don’t have a partner-slash-in-bed-massage-therapist to help me get them out at night. And since spending money on regular rub downs at the hands of a professional isn’t exactly in the 2019 budget, I’ve gotta find another solution. While you can invest in a professional grade tool or one of those pricey back massagers that vaguely look like they could be used to massage another more… personal area on your body (vibrators. they look like vibrators.), experts agree that one of the most effective ways to unwind those shoulder knots also happens to be one of the most effective. Enter: the lacrosse ball, which is a whole lot more fun to hang out in your bedroom with than most of the lacrosse players I dated in college. “A lacrosse ball is the perfect size ball to release muscles in and around your shoulder,” says Dr. Gary Olson of the LI Spine and Sports Injury Center. “It’s best to lean against the wall, with the ball in between your spine and the wall, then move up and down slowly, massaging any knots or tender areas.” You can also try the same trick with a tennis ball, depending on where your fandom lies. You
Cancel your massage: This $1 buy will get *all* the knots out
May 24, 2019 at 11:07AM by CWC The shoulder knots I deal with on a daily basis (thanks, hardcore workout classes and terrible posture) are so bad that they keep me up at night. But as a single gal living in New York City (boys, get @ me), I don’t have a partner-slash-in-bed-massage-therapist to help me get them out at night. And since spending money on regular rub downs at the hands of a professional isn’t exactly in the 2019 budget, I’ve gotta find another solution. While you can invest in a professional grade tool or one of those pricey back massagers that vaguely look like they could be used to massage another more… personal area on your body (vibrators. they look like vibrators.), experts agree that one of the most effective ways to unwind those shoulder knots also happens to be one of the most effective. Enter: the lacrosse ball, which is a whole lot more fun to hang out in your bedroom with than most of the lacrosse players I dated in college. “A lacrosse ball is the perfect size ball to release muscles in and around your shoulder,” says Dr. Gary Olson of the LI Spine and Sports Injury Center. “It’s best to lean against the wall, with the ball in between your spine and the wall, then move up and down slowly, massaging any knots or tender areas.” You can also try the same trick with a tennis ball, depending on where your fandom lies. You
This genius dish soap hack will make your white sneakers look brand spanking new again
May 24, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC Pretty much every person I know owns at least one pair of white sneakers. And when I’m walking down the streets of New York City, dozens if not hundreds of white sneaks pass by me as I strut about in my own white Vans. But here’s the thing: Almost none of these white sneakers that I see all day everyday are actually white anymore. Which means that the majority of white sneakers out there are actually a variety of off-white/cream/pale beige hues. That’s not to say you can’t rehabilitate them back to brand-spankin’ new white, though—there are plenty of cleaning hacks out there. You can use baking soda, a washing machine, or some elbow grease—but the easiest way to clean white sneakers is one I just learned about, and it involves something you definitely already have handy: dish soap. It sounds weird, since your dish soap is typically used on, well, your dishes and not stuff in your wardrobe—but Maeve Richmond, founder of home organizational company Maeve’s Method, says it’s great for your white sneaks. “Sure, dish soap seems like it should only be used for pots and pans, but it’s actually a great all-purpose cleaning tool for the home…including shoes,” she tells me. That’s because of the magical cleansing agents within it. “The primary active ingredient in dish soap is detergent, so when mixed with water, it creates light, foamy bubbles which are great for penetrating stains and breaking down oils.” AKA all
This genius dish soap hack will make your white sneakers look brand spanking new again
May 24, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC Pretty much every person I know owns at least one pair of white sneakers. And when I’m walking down the streets of New York City, dozens if not hundreds of white sneaks pass by me as I strut about in my own white Vans. But here’s the thing: Almost none of these white sneakers that I see all day everyday are actually white anymore. Which means that the majority of white sneakers out there are actually a variety of off-white/cream/pale beige hues. That’s not to say you can’t rehabilitate them back to brand-spankin’ new white, though—there are plenty of cleaning hacks out there. You can use baking soda, a washing machine, or some elbow grease—but the easiest way to clean white sneakers is one I just learned about, and it involves something you definitely already have handy: dish soap. It sounds weird, since your dish soap is typically used on, well, your dishes and not stuff in your wardrobe—but Maeve Richmond, founder of home organizational company Maeve’s Method, says it’s great for your white sneaks. “Sure, dish soap seems like it should only be used for pots and pans, but it’s actually a great all-purpose cleaning tool for the home…including shoes,” she tells me. That’s because of the magical cleansing agents within it. “The primary active ingredient in dish soap is detergent, so when mixed with water, it creates light, foamy bubbles which are great for penetrating stains and breaking down oils.” AKA all
People spent nearly $2 billion on brain-boosting tech last year—but you don’t need an app to stay sharp
May 24, 2019 at 09:33AM by CWC Every once in a while, when I’m in the passionate throws of Tetris Blitz, I get an ad for one of those brain games. You know, the apps that say if you’re able to make a bunch of words out of six letters, it’ll strengthen your memory tenfold. I’ve always been skeptic ’cause I figure, like, opening a book might be better swiping my screen, and that pause isn’t unfounded. According to a recent report by MarketWatch, consumers have spent over $1.9 billion on digital brain health and neurotechnology—but evidence as to whether they actually work is a little, um, lacking. While certain speed-of-processing cognitive training can lower risk of dementia, trying to fight the good fight against cognitive decline takes more than an app. Aside from brain games, we’ve got a pretty good idea as to what might help you stay sharp as a tack. Dig into some mind sharpening food Loading up on fiber, for example, helps boost protective proteins in the brain, and you can get your fill from red cabbage or cauliflower. (As if you needed another reason to make buffalo cauliflower or cauliflower parmesan bites!) And here’s some great news for fans of fungus: mushrooms have powerful antioxidants and one recent study shows that there’s a link between mushroom lovers and a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. And with the arrival of barbecue season, keep in mind that grass-fed organic red meat helps improve cognitive function,
Can’t do a single push-up? Here’s how to get strong enough to drop and gimme 20
May 23, 2019 at 11:34AM by CWC This week, I successfully completed about 100 push-ups. Since that’s about 90 more than I’ve ever attempted before, need I tell you that I’m sore? Need I tell that I did a majority of them wrong? Now I’m on a mission to master push-up alternatives that will help me get to a place where I can complete at least 20 real push-ups properly. “A perfect push-up is basically the perfect plank that descends and ascends,” says Brandon Hirose, master trainer at Crunch Gym in New York City. In theory, it sounds really simple. But anyone who’s found themselves in a “drop and give me 20!” kind of situation, know it’s anything but. To get started with your journey, Hirose and Maillard Howell, owner of Crossfit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, broke down four moves to build your strength for an on point push-up. How to build strength with 4 push-up alternatives View this post on Instagram 👉🏾Having issues building up to strict push ups? 👉🏾One technique Ive used over the years to help build upper body muscular endurance and strength that translates over to better push ups. . 👉🏾Here I am working with Adam using switches from the top of the push up to forearm plank holds. These can be done on a bench or slowed all the way down with 3,5,7 second pauses to make easier or harder. . 👉🏾Give these a try once a week in addition to building your triceps and
Can’t do a single push-up? Here’s how to get strong enough to drop and gimme 20
May 23, 2019 at 11:34AM by CWC This week, I successfully completed about 100 push-ups. Since that’s about 90 more than I’ve ever attempted before, need I tell you that I’m sore? Need I tell that I did a majority of them wrong? Now I’m on a mission to master push-up alternatives that will help me get to a place where I can complete at least 20 real push-ups properly. “A perfect push-up is basically the perfect plank that descends and ascends,” says Brandon Hirose, master trainer at Crunch Gym in New York City. In theory, it sounds really simple. But anyone who’s found themselves in a “drop and give me 20!” kind of situation, know it’s anything but. To get started with your journey, Hirose and Maillard Howell, owner of Crossfit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, broke down four moves to build your strength for an on point push-up. How to build strength with 4 push-up alternatives View this post on Instagram 👉🏾Having issues building up to strict push ups? 👉🏾One technique Ive used over the years to help build upper body muscular endurance and strength that translates over to better push ups. . 👉🏾Here I am working with Adam using switches from the top of the push up to forearm plank holds. These can be done on a bench or slowed all the way down with 3,5,7 second pauses to make easier or harder. . 👉🏾Give these a try once a week in addition to building your triceps and