Month: June 2021

Ramona Singer’s Black Cat Eye Sunglasses

Ramona Singer’s Black Cat Eye Sunglasses in The Hamptons

Real Housewives of New York Season 13 Episode 5 Fashion

“F” is for…Fendi! Although Ramona Singer may have a problem with sexual language and profanity, she thankfully does not have a problem with these “F” logo black cat eye sunglasses. Which as it turns out are currently on sale and ready for you get up close and personal with like the ladies apparently do on this week’s ep with a nude male model. 

 

Fashionably,

Faryn

 

Ramona Singer’s Black Cat Eye Sunglasses

Click Here to Shop Her Fendi Sunglasses on Sale in 2 Colours

Originally posted at: Ramona Singer’s Black Cat Eye Sunglasses

Read More

How Quilt Patterns Reveal the Fabric of Our Lives

Quilting

Last weekend I decided to tackle my closet and get rid of old clothing that no longer fit or would never be worn again.

Quilting

I actually enjoy this task. My closet gets a make-over, and I donate things that are still in good shape. Sometimes I find things that I have forgotten. This time, tucked away in a corner of my closet were two old quilts.

Made by my great-grandmother and great-aunt, they were given to my mother. She, in turn, gave them to me over 30 years ago. Back in my 20s, when I received these beautiful quilts, I was not sentimental, nor was I into vintage. I did not recognize the beauty and the history these quilts represented.

Thankfully, I kept these priceless gems. They are now a reminder of my family history and remind me how we are all connected.

Quilt Covers Can Reveal Hidden Secrets

I now have a new found love of quilts. They provide clues to the past and are timeless treasures of art. They are the product of hard work and love and are never meant to be forgotten. Quilts provide warmth, beauty and value and are an important part of American folk art.

My quilts were made during the 1930s. Those were lean years in America. They were defined by the Great Depression, debt, drought, dust storms, and unemployment. People did not have the money to buy blankets, so women relied on their own skills and resources. They saved bits and pieces of material from clothing and other blankets. Making do was a common practice for frugal quilters during those difficult years.

They knew how to recycle fabric scraps that might otherwise go to waste. I am struck by my great grandmother’s self-sufficiency. She used her artistic expression and created her own legacy with her quilts. They help us remember the strength of women’s history with pride and passion. Regardless of the design a woman chose, all quilts told a story.

Stitches Tell a Story of Love and Life

Looking at a quilt is like reading a history book. Its needlework contains words of wisdom. They reveal imagination, joy, sorrow, life, death, friendship and love. If only we could read between the tiny stitches, what stories would they tell? I wonder if my great-grandmother and great-aunt knew their quilts would be around long after they were gone?

I can’t wait to pass these quilts on to my daughter, who will hopefully do the same with her daughter or son. In those days, making quilts was one core activity of a woman’s life. It gave expression to her passions, attitudes, beliefs and spirit. The texture of our life is also like a crazy quilt.

Quilt patterns were chosen to reflect a woman’s personal style. The painstaking hand stiches were performed with patience and commitment. The scraps of fabric are like the fragments of our lives. They are both pieced together with pure intention and reflect our values and personality. The end result in both cases is a thing of beauty.

Are you a quilter? What fascinates you most about this craft? Do you have a passion or hobby that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren? Please join the conversation.

Read More

Puppy Love: How Adopting a Dog Can Bring Joy to Women Over 60

Adopting a Dog

“I said I’d take a dog, but I’m not sure I want that one.” “He’s a real sweetheart,” Brittany, a staff member, assured me. He was big with the smushed-in face of a bulldog, but the height of a boxer. He had a barrel chest, and his front legs were shorter than the back ones making his back bow in the middle. Truth is, I was a little afraid of him.

The shelter had put out an APB. It had too many dogs. They were asking people to take one even if it was just for a couple of nights.

This is how Orin became part of my family and part of my heart.

Orin the dog

He was nine years old and an 80-lb. lump of love. There was no way I could take him back to the shelter. He deserved to be pampered in his old age. I couldn’t keep him as my HOA only allowed one dog. I already had Shanti, but I felt confident I could find him a good home.

On our walks his head never deviated from the side of my right knee. He was obedient to a fault. His head hung. He was down-trodden and looked sad. He never stopped to sniff the grass or circle other dogs. When my friends and neighbors, all enthusiastic dog lovers, greeted him, he stayed behind me, cautious and fearful.

Once he chewed the pockets out of three of my down coats because they smelled like treats. I yelled his name. I saw the fear in his eyes as he cowered in the corner. It broke my heart. There was no telling what he had been through, but I knew it wasn’t good. “It’s okay buddy,” I whispered while rubbing his ears. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

How a Little Dog Can Be a Comfort and a Friend

Little by little, he came out of his shell. I encouraged him to explore, and he started roaming around the mountain. He wagged his tail when people came near. He held his head high. He was a changed dog. He was happy. The bond between us grew. He loved me in a different way than my own dog. His life was good, and he was grateful. He was a comfort to me.

All the while I was getting anxious inside. He was a large, older dog and hard to place. It had been several months now, and I feared he’d never find a home. I also knew how difficult it would be for both of us when it came time for him to go.

Orin had another problem. He had separation anxiety. He barked non-stop now when left alone. The neighbors next door were patient, but not too happy. I was desperate. I was losing hope that he would ever be adopted, and this wasn’t helping.

A neighbor in the next building adopted a dog that had been severely abused. Bailey mistrusted men and attacked them on site. The husband had to sneak in the back door and hide upstairs in his own home. They wanted to help this dog, but this wasn’t going to work.

Jeff and Jane are down-to-earth people and not new agey in the slightest, but in desperation they called in an Intuitive Pet Trainer. In three visits, Bailey was a new dog. At Christmas our Fire Department brings Santa to the local neighborhoods in a fire truck. There are flashing lights, music blaring, and lots of kids. Jeff and Jane walked Bailey through the crowd. She passed the test. It was a huge success!

Saying Goodbye – Why a Good Heart and Honesty Always Pays Off

If an intuitive pet trainer could help a dog as damaged as Bailey, she might be able to help Orin and me. I called her.

My first assignment was to have a serious conversation with Orin. I had to explain the situation to him honestly and sincerely. I felt awkward doing this. I had never broken up with a dog before, but I would try anything.

I sat him down in front of me and looked into his eyes and said through my tears “Orin I love very much and I know that you love me too. I know that you are happy here and want to stay, but that’s not possible. I’m going to find you a new home with people who will love you and take good care of you. I’ll make sure you are safe and secure. You’ll never have to go to a shelter again.”

There it was out in the open, everything that was making me anxious. Orin is an intuitive and soulful dog. He might not have understood the words, but he got the feeling. It was as if a weight had been lifted.

Alecia, the trainer, came for three visits. She worked her hands up and down his spine and at the rib connections. She said she worked to release old trauma. She wasn’t doing muscle or energy work and that the dog had to be willing to let the past go. Fortunately, Orin did let go and the barking stopped.

As if by magic, the shelter called. A boy and his grandmother were looking for an older dog. They had lost their mastiff a year ago, and the boy was longing for a new friend. Eighty pounds seemed small to them.

How Dogs Can Teach You Important Lessons About Yourself

We met at a local park. Part of me was hoping they wouldn’t show up or that things wouldn’t go well, but they did. Noble and Orin took to each other right away. They wanted to take him home with them. I wasn’t prepared. I hadn’t brought his food or his bed or his arthritis medication.

I was going out of town, and a friend was looking forward to dog sitting. Her son would be very disappointed. I had a million excuses why he couldn’t go, but then Noble, who was 12, came over and hugged me. He said, “Thank you for giving me Orin.” It was a done deal. He was gone.

I visited about a month later. When he saw me, Orin about knocked me over. He was wild – jumping and squealing and so happy. It did my heart good to know he missed me as much as I missed him. It was moving and rewarding to see him in a good place. His new family is happy to have him, and they accept that I’m part of the deal. I can visit anytime.

In the end, Orin was with me for more than six months. It was a heartwarming experience to see him blossom into the loving and vibrant dog he was meant to be. He’ll always be my buddy.

What positive affects has a dog had on your life? Have you ever thought about getting a dog? There are many advantages to having a foster dog. Please join the conversation below.

Read More

Mindful Moments: Simple Daily Practices in 10 Minutes or Less

mindfulness routine

Do you have a mindfulness routine? A lot of us would automatically associate mindfulness with meditation and we’d be right. Meditation is a form of mindfulness, but it’s not the only way to be mindful.

Mindfulness can include movement too. Things like breathing routines, gentle exercise, simple movements, and a variety of activities that connect the mind and the body.

Today, I’m going to share a list of 10 simple mindfulness activities. Each of them takes 10 minutes or less and they are designed to mix and match throughout your day. A mindful movement routine has never been easier.

What Is Mindfulness and Why Should We Care?

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment. As we bring our focus to the present moment, we notice the sensations of our body and breath without judgement.

We live in a fast-paced and often stressful world. Whether you are managing a chronic health condition or just need advice for ways to slow down and de-stress, mindfulness has something to offer you. There is research that supports its impact on reducing stress and anxiety and improving heart health and overall happiness.

Throughout my career teaching Pilates and helping people move their bodies, it’s become clear to me that mindfulness is a natural result of noticing and building awareness in the body. Movement can transform into a mindfulness practice by focusing on the sensations of the body and breathing.

mindfulness

What Are Mindful Movements?

When you focus on the sensation of your movement and the breath, any movement or exercise can become a mindful movement. We can take a moment to reach into a deep stretch with the quality of a yawn in the body. Being mindful to notice exactly how that movement feels.

Or we could take a walk or even a jog while paying attention to the sensations of our body and the world around us. Noticing things like the smells in nature, sounds of birds, or the breeze on your skin as you go.

That clear focus of your attention on the sensations of the movements and world around you is the practice of mindfulness. If and when your mind wanders, you gently guide it back to focus on your breath or the sensation of your body without judgement. This is the essence of a mindful movement practice.

What Are Some Mindfulness Activities?

Here are 10 simple ways to incorporate mindfulness and mindful movement into your daily routines.

Go Outside

Spend time in nature and use your senses to be present. Notice the sound of the leaves blowing in the breeze or birds chirping. Recognize how the air feels on your skin. Be aware of the things that are happening in the present moment.

go outside

Breathe

Take 10 simple, quiet breaths with long exhales. When we allow our exhales to be longer than our inhales, it calms our nervous system.

Eat

Pause before each meal for a moment and reset your focus. Take your time and savor the taste of each bite and how your senses are engaged.

eat food mindfully

Notice

Throughout the day, simply practice noticing your thoughts without judgement. Paying attention to your thoughts in the present moment is a key element of mindfulness.

Take Breaks

If you sit at a desk, try to move around once an hour. Taking a 10-minute break every hour will go a long way to help you increase movement in your day.

Gratitude

Write down three things that you are grateful for each day. Practicing gratitude can improve our mood and increase our sense of well-being.

Set Your Intention

Note your vision for the start of each day. Bringing awareness to our objectives for the day will help keep our focus on our priorities.

Be Present

Allow yourself to be in the moment without trying to control or judge. This can take some practice!

Walk

Take time to go for a short walk in the woods or just around the block. Or park as far away from an entrance as possible when you’re out and about.

take a walk

Move

Whatever type of movement makes you feel great, just get moving for 10 minutes. When you’re finished, notice how your body feels.

Practice Makes Healthy Habits

Mindful movement can be an excellent way to care for ourselves in times where we are anxious or responding to stress. Consistent practice is an essential ingredient to feeling change. The more you practice, the more you notice when your mind wanders and the more you are able to be a gentle guide to yourself back to the sensations of the body and breath.

It takes time to build a new habit or routine. Start by adding one or two of these activities to your day and add more as you can.

When you’re ready to expand on this simple list of activities, a movement professional can help you learn to dive deeper into your mindful movement practice. Enjoy a free trial of interactive livestream classes with MOVE Wellness.

How do you practice mindfulness in your day? When you take time to focus you mind, what is the result? How do you feel afterwards? What activities make you the most mindful throughout your day?

Read More

Eboni K. Williams’ Burberry Poncho

Eboni K. Williams’ Burberry Poncho in The Hamptons

Real Housewives of New York Season 13 Episode 5 Fashion

Although summer may be approaching, we’re definitely feeling alllll the fall vibes right now after seeing Eboni K. Williams in her Burberry poncho on this week’s episode of RHONY. Which may be sold out, however we’ve included some Style Stealers down below that still definitely give off the vibes of pumpkin spice and everything nice. 

 

Fashionably,

Faryn

 

Eboni K. Williams’ Burberry Poncho

Click Here to See Her Sold Out Burberry Reversible Poncho

Click Here to Shop it on eBay

Originally posted at: Eboni K. Williams’ Burberry Poncho

Read More