January 11, 2019 at 09:27AM by CWC A few weeks ago, Well+Good’s senior style editor slacked me a picture of some really cute Loeffler Randall slingbacks. “I keep seeing these heels with the V-cut toe that remind me of my Barbie’s heels growing up,” she said, adding a photo of the Barbie shoes in question. And I instantly got what she meant—pumps or mules that give fairly full coverage of the foot, with an angular upper that plunges down towards the toe. I did a little more digging and came across tons of other variations on the look. Tibi’s current collection features an office-appropriate, kitten-heeled “Barbie shoe.” Stella McCartney’s version is crafted with sexy, peek-a-boo PVC. Jimmy Choo’s ballet-pink take rings true to the Barbie vibe, while Alumnae NYC makes theirs super-modern in python and red leopard prints. Of course, Barbie probably wasn’t at the front of designers’ minds when these styles were born. But given that this shoe shape was popular back in the ’80s and ’90s—not just in plastic Malibu dream houses, but in real womens’ closets, too—it’s safe to say that nostalgia did play a role. At least, that was the case for London-based designer Alexander White, whose Mila pump perfectly illustrates the trend. “The Mila is inspired by a shoe my grandmother used to wear when I was a little boy. It was this gorgeous brown elaphe [snakeskin] high-vamp pump with an 80mm heel,” he tells me. (That’s what the style is actually called, FYI—a high-vamp pump.) “Every time she wore
Category: Fashion
Tampons and pads are expensive—here’s how you can help a girl out
January 11, 2019 at 09:20AM by CWC Real talk: It’s annoying for every woman to have to shell out money every month for tampons and pads—as if you have a choice in the whole getting-your-period thing. But if you’re a woman in without money, you feel the blow the hardest. According to a new survey, nearly two-thirds of low-income women say they can’t afford menstrual hygiene products, Reuters reports. Instead, they use rags, toilet paper, paper towels—anything free they can get their hands on. “This is not a luxury,” said associate professor in the College for Public Health and Social Justice at St. Louis University Anne Sebert Kuhlmann in an interview with Reuters. “It’s a need. It affects a woman’s sense of self, her sense of dignity, and her ability to participate in life.” When it comes to giving back, feminine hygiene products aren’t as front of mind as other things, like food, clothing, and blankets—which are greatly needed, too! Here are three ways you can help provide better access to menstrual products for women in need: 1. Donate products to Support The Girls. This non-profit provides bras and feminine hygiene products to homeless women with affiliates all around the world, including 48 different locations in North America and in Australia, Philippines, and Pakistan. Check out their locations page for more infomation. 2. Buy a menstrual cup with a one-for-one model. Unlike pads and tampons, menstrual cups can be reused, making them a valuable resource for women in need. Ruby Cup has adopted
All the ways team Well+Good plans to step up its style game in 2019
January 11, 2019 at 07:52AM by CWC Traditionally, this time of year, I find myself shopping for things for the coming months. Some are summer staples at steep discounts, while others are impulse buys that I’ll literally never put on my body. (It’s the reason I have six unworn sarongs.) But this year, in an effort to keep my preferred form of organized chaos from devolving into pure chaos, I’ve decided to create some tangible goals for myself and my personal style in 2019. With the internet as my witness, this year I will focus on reworking the classic pieces I have in my wardrobe, avoid compulsively buying loud prints that I (subconsciously) know I’ll never wear, and continue to focus on consuming vintage and secondhand clothing in an effort to be more sustainable. And because I felt like I’d be more likely to keep my sartorial resolutions if I enlisted others to do the same, I’ve turned it into a team-building exercise of sorts by asking other members of Well+Good to share the style tips they plan to embrace in 2019 below. Making the shift to sustainable fashion “I’ve always gravitated toward secondhand shopping as a means of keeping my style more personal—the fact that it’s also better for the environment being a bonus. This year, though, I’m making sustainable fashion more front of mind by continuing to hunt for vintage gems, but also seeking out new, socially responsible designers, and taking advantage of platforms like Rent the Runway that allow
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Well+Good Retreat at Miraval Austin
January 11, 2019 at 06:53AM by CWC Well+Good Retreats are next-gen wellness getaways, led by up-and-comers and luminaries in fitness and wellness, who are all handpicked by our founders and editors. Here’s what you need to know about our first Retreat of 2019 at Miraval Austin in Texas from March 28-31. For booking and more information email experiences@wellandgood.com. 1. What makes Well+Good Retreats different? These intimate retreats are unforgettable experiences led by the top fitness and wellness luminaries (all hand-picked by our founders and editors, of course). We combine best-in-class workouts, delicious healthy food, and a cool wellness approach that mirrors the Well+Good website ethos. Well+Good Retreats offer a high-vibe chance to slow down and connect with others in the W+G community. Past attendees repeatedly say how much they “love meeting other W+G readers” and how “amazingly executed these Retreats are.” Well+Good Retreat at the Avalon Palm Springs, March 2018. Photo: Elena Mudd 2. How many guests will be at the Retreat? We like to create immersive, intimate experiences and are capping registration for this Miraval Austin Retreat at about 25 guests. Booking along with your BFF is totally welcome, or come solo, as lots of attendees do. 3. What do I need to bring? Prior to the Retreat, Well+Good provides a packing list with suggested items to bring. But we can happily tell you now that you don’t need to bring running shoes because your room will be stocked with your new favorite pair. (We’ll get your shoe size at booking.) 4. What level
Here’s where Well+Good Retreats is heading next…
January 11, 2019 at 06:53AM by CWC Well+Good Retreats is heading to Texas and the brand new Miraval Austin for our very first Retreat of 2019. It’s going to be a yoga-filled and culinary escape rooted in a total mind-body tune-up. In celebration of the upcoming Well+Good Cookbook (it launches April 16!), you’ll spend three nights and four days immersed in wellness, workouts, and intimate workshops on food and mood, plus cooking demos made to incorporate into your day-to-day. Leading this Retreat are super-in-demand yoga expert Heather Lilleston and psychiatrist-farmer Drew Ramsey, MD, who’ll bring the fitness-mood-food connection to life. Keep scrolling to get to know more about Miraval Austin and the wellness experts leading the next Well+Good Retreat. Check into Miraval Austin Join us at Miraval Austin—the new wellness resort and sister spa to the legendary Miraval Spa in Arizona. It’s nestled in the Texas Hills, with gorgeous surroundings for hiking and outdoor adventures, and has a roster of wellness classes and activities all. day. long. In addition to yoga, workshops, and cooking demos, we’ve purposefully allowed time for booking an Ayurvedic massage or spa rituals, horseback riding, or touring Miraval’s organic Cypress Creek Farm. Check into your soothing, dreamscape guest room for total chill-out time. You can pack lightly, because your new favorite running shoes will be in your room when you arrive. (We’ll get your size at booking.) Experience a rejuvenating blend of yoga and the cathartic The Class by Taryn Toomey workout with Heather Lilleston, founder
Every guy I date dresses worse than the last—and TBH, it feels disrespectful
January 11, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC I once went on a date with a guy who showed up wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Totally normal outfit, except the tee was actually just functional workout gear being taken on a fun night out, and the slip-on Vans rounding out his #lewk were threadbare at best. I, on the other hand, wore a dress, cute sneakers, and a leather jacket that felt casual but totally appropriate for the trendy bar and potential new fling. The way I saw it, if he were really interested in pursuing something with me, he was not—as they say—dressing for the job he wanted. But I’ve been on enough dates to know that his attire was hardly an anomaly: So many people—at least the hetero, male-identifying ones who I have the pleasure of meeting for at least a few poorly dressed minutes—are awful at dressing for dates, making their female companion look like they’re headed to a couture fashion show by comparison. It’s nothing new, either—that scene in Clueless, where Cher laments men’s fashion choices, totally still rings true: “It looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair—ew—and cover it up with a backwards cap and we’re supposed to swoon?” she says. “I don’t think so!” I get the allure of doing the bare minimum—to some extent, at least. We’re all playing that awkward dance of wanting to look good, but not like we tried to
Nobody’s head-over-heels for every yoga pose. Here are 10 asana alternatives
January 10, 2019 at 07:33AM by CWC Yoga is a force to be reckoned with. The 10,000-year-old practice has built a reputation as an accessible exercise that welcomes practitioners of any age. Beyond loosening tight muscles, some claim yoga has the power to clear the mind and mend broken hearts. But for every pose you love to hear an instructor call mid-vinyasa, there’s at least one you’d rather nama-stay the hell away from. I asked the staff at Well+Good which poses should be banished for eternity, and people weren’t shy about sharing their strong opinions. “Child’s pose because I hate getting my face that close to the mat #germaphobe,” one exclaimed (while two others signaled agreement with the “face with tears of joy” emoji). “You will never catch me in crow pose. My triceps aren’t shelves and I’m fine with that,” another declared. And of happy baby, one staffer said: “I’m a grown woman, damn it. I don’t want to roll around on my back with my legs in the air,” to which another staffer replied, “This is also where everyone farts.” While each pose has a purpose, we asked a yoga teacher how to modify some we’d rather skip altogether, making them feel more like savasana and less like, well, themselves. Try these alternatives to your least favorite yoga poses 1. If you hate child’s pose (Balasana), try Apasana Lie down on your back and pull your knees into your chest. Wrap your arms around your shins and give yourself a
The 21-Day Action Plan For More Meaningful Connections
Doing These 21 Things Creates Deeper & More Meaningful Relationships Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue January 10, 2019 — 9:00 AM Every single journey toward wellness is as unique as each individual seeking it. No one routine is the same as the next, and that’s the beauty of it. We’re all nourished spiritually, mentally, and physically by different things, and that extends to self-care—the practices that make us feel happy, confident, and whole. So much of the self-care conversation has centered around the idea of “you do you,” which—don’t get us wrong—is awesome and very much needed. But as 2019 kicks off, we’re focusing on expanding self-care to include an often overlooked yet major common denominator for everyone’s wellness: our personal relationships. Research has shown that strong ties and relationships are a significant marker of happiness and quality of life. But whether it’s strengthening a romantic relationship, connecting deeper with a family member, or reconnecting with an old friend, every bond is different. “Relationships are a lot like houseplants: Some plants are high maintenance and need a lot of care and specific environment, but they are unique and beautiful. Other plants require hardly anything,” says Christy Haas, a relationship counselor based in Cincinnati. “Being aware of what your relationship needs and cultivating that is so important,” she adds. “Knowing what your loved one requires to feel connected to you and vice versa is key.” For example, some people will be moved by receiving
Yes or No: Wearing your shoes in the house is disgusting
January 09, 2019 at 12:23PM by CWC At this point, most people have heard all about the dirty downsides to wearing shoes inside the house. It’s one of those things I know isn’t good for me, but sometimes I do it anyway—kind of like ordering a basket of fries, even though I’m well aware that they just took a dip in a vat of oil. But unlike America’s general consensus on the amazingness of fries, an indoor shoe policy is rather divisive subject. For some, it’s easy to overlook the ick factor of wearing shoes around the house. For others, those sneakers better be off before crossing the threshold. I totally get both, but Infection preventionist at UCHealth Lauren Bryan, RN, MPH, says, “[shoes] act as a vector, picking up dirt, dust, mold spores, chemicals, bacteria, and viruses wherever we go.” That sounds like a lot of things I don’t want all over my pretty new carpet. Sometimes it’s plainly inconvenient to remove my shoes, though, and I pretend those invisible little microbes don’t exist. So, should you or shouldn’t you wear shoes inside your home? The Well+Good team sounds off: The shoes-on argument “Growing up, my parents had a very laissez-faire approach to shoes inside. To me, this felt like it sent the message, ‘Welcome! Come—and stay—as you are!’ And so, I’ve carried my you-do-you approach to shoes-wearing into adulthood. You want to kick your shoes off at the door and get cozy on the couch? Mi casa es su casa.
5 easy ways to hack your beauty routine to make it super relaxing
January 09, 2019 at 11:35AM by CWC As an introvert whose anxiety switch is always flipped on, I’m forever on the lookout for easy ways to unwind. In the morning, I rely on 10-minute meditations followed by quiet time with coffee (sans phone) before my day starts. At night, I take a soothing bath to bring on head-to-toe calm before bed. It’s an ideal setup—sure—that is, until my week fills up with early gym dates and after-work obligations. Now that I’m sitting at a desk 40-hours a week and taking coding classes in the evening (read: busier than ever), my chilled-out rituals have left the building. Thank u, next. As a result I’m dreaming about deadlines, waking up with clenched teeth, and furrowing my eyebrows at the computer for no reason at all. So, what’s a girl who’s pressed for time but in major need of some chilled-out moments to do? Flip everyday must-dos into moments of calm. That starts with my beauty routine, which has become a key element of how I approach de-stressing before I tackle my day and wind down for bed. “Reserving space for a beauty ritual in your day creates built-in time to turn your focus away from outside stressors and towards caring for yourself,” says Katie Sobelman, an aesthetician who writes about organic and chemical-free skin care at the Organic Esthetician. “Do what you can, when you can. As long as you’re cleansing every night and protecting your skin with SPF every morning, you’re already on