When setting aside a wee corner of your shopping list for a perfume splurge on Black Friday 2021, consider stepping away from typical designer scents or run-of-the-mill fragrances that have been around for yonks. Instead, think of niche perfumes that are so opulent; uncommon and individual, with notes of the highest calibre and more attention paid to the construction of the scent.

Saks Fifth Avenue has just rolled out a sitewide 15% off Black Friday fragrance sale, and if there’s one place on this planet that is perfect for going luxe, with its huge range of niche beauty brands, it has to be Saks.

Forget mega-brands and gimmicky ad campaigns, just briefly. Niche fragrances are curated by the world’s foremost perfumers, from Francis Kurkdjian to Frédéric Malle, who put craftsmanship, character and personal taste at the forefront. They may be pricier, but just like what couture is to fashion, niche perfumes explore self-expression and individuality, a welcome respite in an age when the beauty industry is so over-saturated. And contrary to popular belief, not all niche perfumes are so heady they send your head spinning; they all vary in degrees of intensity and concentration.

When we saw the huge range of niche brands on sale at Saks, from boutique brands like Byredo to much-coveted favorites of fashion classicists like Aerin Lauder, we jumped. The sale ends today, so get your noses at the ready and check out these five avant-garde perfumes that we love.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum, $276.25 (originally $325) 

A prime example of a niche perfume that does not smell OTT or overbearing, Baccarat Rouge is a universally flattering scent. One Vogue editor said she was complimented by Rihanna when wearing it (“You smell good.”), so while rather pricey, the number of “What are you wearing?” compliments you’ll get all day long are so worth it. A musky-floral-woody scent, notes of jasmine, ambergris and cedar mesh are softened by base notes of saffron. Just subtly decadent, and oh-so inviting. The 2.5oz size, retailing at $325, is now 15% off and priced at $276.25. 

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Aerin Rose De Grasse Pour Filles Eau de Parfum, $72 (originally $90)

This is a more affordable niche perfume, with a retail price of $90 now reduced to $72. When Rose de Grasse was first released in 2015, it quickly became a beauty editor favorite and was one of those perfumes you can’t stop taking big sniffs of once it’s on you. It has been updated this year to appeal to a younger audience, with ultra-femme notes of rose and soft musk, accented by fruity bursts of pear and orange blossom. The rose notes come from the Rose Centifolia from Grasse, the perfumery capital of the world.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Creed Aventus for Her, $238 (originally $280)

When the pineapple and bergamot-loaded chypre launched in 2010, it was largely considered as a men’s fragrance but became a huge hit amongst women. Eventually Creed released a For Her counterpart, that amped up the floral notes of the original scent while keeping the other notes intact. Fruity nuances of green apples and berries lighten accords of Bulgarian rose, cassis and ylang-ylang.  A strong fragrance inspired by powerful women, it may not be for everyone, but give it a few minutes — once the notes settle and mellow down, and now with the $45 discount, you’ll be coming back for more.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Byredo Mixed Emotions Eau de Parfum, $161.50 (originally $190)

Created by Swedish perfumer Ben Gorham, amongst all of Byredo’s most-loved, cult-favorite scents, this one encapsulates how Gorham is able to capture emotion—of these tumultuous COVID-plagued times, specifically—in a fragrance. A tart and herby infusion of tea, blackcurrant, violet leaf, birch, and papyrus, this one takes time to get used to, not due to being overpowering but owing to the unusual notes. Once you grow to love it, Mixed Emotions is a real olfactory indulgence in every sense of the word.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Frédéric Malle Portrait Of A Lady, $67.15 (originally $79)

If you’re new to Malle’s intoxicating fragrances, start with this one, at a discounted price of $229.50 for 1.7oz, as your go-to fancy scent to wear for big events or nights out. It is a blend of potent Turkish rose, which transcends to middle notes of blackcurrant and clove, all grounded by woody patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense. While Portrait of a Lady may seem a little intense, it is a classic fragrance that is great way to step into the world of niche perfumes.

When it comes to upmarket fragrances, sales mean huge discounts, making today the best time to jump in and buy one. Consider the notes you love, whether floral, musky, woody or fruity, or simply choose the one that stands out to you, and you’ll never look back. Head over to Saks Fifth Avenue to snap one up, pronto!

If you’ve lived to reach your 60s, most likely you’re a resilient person who has been around the block a few times. Take a minute to think back to a time in your life when you faced a tragic or a traumatic experience. How did you manage to survive and move forward?

I can easily recall distinct periods of heartbreak, rejection, grief, and cancer over my 69 years. Each time, I had to dig deep into myself to find a way to cope with the emotions and choose the path forward. And the hard times always gave way to new beginnings of sorts.

The dictionary defines resilience as the ability to withstand adversity, adapt to traumatic experiences, and bounce back – in some cases, to a stronger place. In this time when, across the planet, we are collectively experiencing different forms of the trauma and loss from the Covid pandemic, we can learn from the research on resilience.

Studying Resilience

Researchers began studying resilience approximately 40 years ago. They carried out long-term studies of people who experienced extreme trauma and managed to live productive lives. For example, they studied Holocaust survivors, war refugees, and people who grew up in violent gang-ridden neighborhoods.

The researchers identified “protective factors,” qualities that contribute to a person’s capacity for resilience. The most significant factor was having a positive relationship with at least one caring person.

Also, other supports from a person’s family, community, and culture contribute to resilience. The knowledge gained from the research opened up the possibility for parents and teachers to intentionally foster resilience in children in themselves and others.

My Mother, a Model and Support

My mother, Eva, was a living model of resiliency in my life. As a child in Nazi Germany, she endured a sudden rejection by her closest friend Gicka, who joined the Hitler Youth. At school, she was sent to the office while her peers attended Hitler Youth Rallies.

School leaders eventually kicked her and the few other Jewish students out of their high school. On Kristallnacht, November 9, 1939, my mother and her parents were terrified as Nazi thugs threw rocks at their house, screaming at them to come outside. Instead, they barely managed to slip out the back.

A few months later, she and her parents fled Germany. They were among the lucky ones who could escape while the Nazis murdered many of our relatives in concentration camps.

Yet, those experiences did not turn my mother into a bitter person. Shortly after Kristallnacht, Lena, a German woman who worked as Eva’s nanny, helped my mom’s family in many ways as they prepared to leave.

The Clark’s, a British Quaker family, invited my mother and her parents to live at their home until they could immigrate to the US a year later. I am sure the kindness of these people contributed to my mother’s sense of hope and resilience.

Once in California, at the age of 17, my mom started a new life, finishing high school, going to college, becoming a teacher, and eventually marrying my father, who also escaped the Nazis. My parents went on to make a good life for their three daughters.

My mother modeled forgiveness by returning to Germany and reconnecting with Gicka, who years later reached out to apologize for rejecting her. Her friends were shocked when my mother became a German teacher. They could not understand how she would choose to have anything to do with Germany. She told us that there were good people and bad ones in every group and culture.

She decided to teach German to highlight the rich heritage of the language, literature, and music. She also instilled in me the values of recognizing diversity and standing up to hate and racism. In addition, my mother drew from our Jewish heritage and traditions, the qualities of kindness, fairness, and the values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. These turned out to be the values that guide my life to this day.

Our relationship was not always easy, but she came through in ways I will never forget. I was a rebel, which was hard for her. After overcoming all the hardships she faced, she wanted to make an easy life for her children. But I needed to learn about the world my way.

Still, she was willing to listen at least and meet me halfway. In the end, even though I tended to swing to extremes, I ended up coming back toward the middle, closer to her point of view.

Even 20 years after her death, her students and former colleagues still tell me how she influenced them. They describe her caring spirit, her wisdom, and her patience.

Finding Your Resilient Center

Aging in itself is a form of adversity. Our bodies are wearing out – we have everything from insomnia and minor aches to severe conditions like cancer and Parkinson’s. Also, our appearance is changing. But let’s face it, even with all the products from hair dye to wrinkle cream, we cannot stop the physical changes we see in the mirror.

So here is some advice to help you find your rugged inner strength and resilience.

• Take time to reflect. Learn from your past courage and the skills that served you when going through hard times. How do you reduce stress? What helps you heal? Where do you turn for support? You hold all those answers within you.
• Nurture your relationships with family and friends. Don’t let minor disagreements turn into permanent ruptures. Instead, be there to offer understanding and ask for support when you need it.
• Find a caring community. It could be a faith community, a neighborhood, or a shared commitment to a cause.
• Do things you love to do. I always say that in your 60s, “You paid your dues, so you get to choose.” Choose something that connects you to others and the world.
• Engage in self-care. Put that oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on others. To do that, pay attention to good nutrition and exercise, stress reduction, emotional healing, and social connections – set boundaries. At times you need to say “no.”
• Remain hopeful. Sometimes the world seems like it is falling to pieces around us. But you can always find reasons to hope.

My mother died from cancer six weeks after diagnosis at age 77. She managed to stay hopeful and connected even during the shock of a rapid decline. She showed great courage and insisted she would “beat this.” She ordered a wig to allow her to continue attending aerobics classes.

When it became clear the cancer was terminal, she chose to die at home. On the night before she died, when our family came together to say goodbye, she said to us, “What do you think? I’m checking out?”

Resilience Is Healing

At times it feels like the pandemic will never end. But, eventually, it will, and we will face new issues and challenges. Being resilient means we have the courage and grace to move through everything that life places in our path.

What life events have you gone through that have required resilience? Did you come out stronger after it was over? What have you learned about yourself and your limits?  

I began my downsizing journey many years ago. I found that it is more of an ongoing process than an event. Even though there were many events within the process, it was always focused around the removal of things. All of those cherished possessions that were taking up all of my time and space.

Each time I moved, I got rid of as many unwanted and unneeded things as possible. But always, within a short amount of time, they would creep back in. Gifts from family, purchases that I really didn’t need, items I thought were too sentimental to part with, etc. All of it, just stuff.

Very Little of It Actually Enhanced My Life or Well-Being

Most of these things were relics of a life that I no longer live. Their purpose has been served and yet I still hang on. Somehow there is an anxiety about letting go of these things that feels like a loss. That is when I started thinking about what that means in my life today. Am I willing to stay shackled to the past because I refuse to release these things?

I started reading more about minimalism and how it is much more of a mindset than a physical activity. Decluttering and organizing are ways to manage your belongings but neither of them helps to improve your inner environment.

Downsizing vs. Minimalism

For me, looking at a clean, sparsely decorated room feels peaceful. Realizing that truth made me take things to a new level. I wanted that feeling in all areas of my life, not just my home. I wanted to feel that way with work, my relationships, social interactions – everything.

Downsizing: To reduce or decrease in size.

Minimalism: A style or technique that is characterized by simplicity.

When I looked at the definitions of downsizing and minimalism, the word that jumped out at me was simplicity. That is what I am after. It doesn’t have to be small; it just has to be simple.

I have been slowly inching toward being more deliberate in how I live my life. Evaluating what brings purpose and joy to me right now and what does not.

I’ve had to reassess what I truly value and what the cost is to keep it.

Pricing Things in Life

Henry David Thoreau said, “the price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

Now, in my 60s, life is more precious than ever, and I want to make the most out of this amazing chapter.

As with most new things, I am starting small and taking it easy. I don’t need to rush; I want to be thoughtful about this new lifestyle.

I am noticing that the more changes I make the better I feel and the better I feel the more changes I’m ready to make. I love how it all works together.

Something as simple as turning off the notifications on my email feels like a victory.

Every day I am on the lookout for another area to simplify. Is it a plant that needs repotting or a shelf that has gotten too cluttered? Whatever it is, I just take care of it.

All the little things add up to the big things in your life. It doesn’t matter how much you have as long as you have room for what really matters.

Have you downsized but still feel there is more to be done? Is Minimalism something you would try? Share your stories and join the conversation.

Do you struggle with keeping your exercise routine up during the holidays? Does your motivation to exercise wane over Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays?

If that sounds familiar, don’t worry, you’re not the only one!

Almost everyone struggles with staying active during the holidays. There’s so much disruption, whether you have family staying, are going away or are just out of your normal routine. It can be a very special time, seeing family (especially grandchildren) and celebrating together. But, if your exercise programme is important to you, you can end up feeling frustrated that you didn’t keep it up.

As a specialist exercise instructor for more than 15 years, I’ve helped hundreds of women to feel stronger and improve their balance, posture and mobility.

I’ve realised over time that, however good the exercises may be, people want help to fit them in and make them work in their lives.

Our members all have these challenges too, and we work hard to support them at times like this. In this article I’m going to share what works for keeping up with your exercise routine over the holidays.

Think Ahead

Take some time to think about where you’ll be over the upcoming holidays. Think about who you will be with and how you’ll be spending your days. Also think about what’s important to you.

Here are some of the challenges you may face:

• Which of your usual activities (classes etc.) will you miss during this time?
• What venues may be closed (e.g., health club, swimming pool)?
• What equipment might you not have available (e.g., exercise bike or dumbbells you have at home)?

Here are some of the opportunities you may have:

• What different activities could you do? (Perhaps it’s nicer weather and easier to go for walks outdoors.)
• Are there different facilities available (e.g., a pool)?
• Are there any fun ways to stay active with your family and friends?

Make sure to spend as much time thinking about the opportunities as the challenges!

Plan and Schedule

Yes, your usual routine may go out of the window. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop everything. You just have to make a new plan.

Look at your planner and decide what you’re going to do and when. Be specific, so rather than saying ‘I’ll exercise for about half an hour’, commit to do a specific video for 20 minutes. Then you’ll know exactly what to do, and you’ll know when you’re done!

Write it down, put it on the fridge, add calendar reminders in your phone and set alarms to remind you.

You might have to be a little flexible, but if you know what you’ve committed to, then you’re much more likely to do it.

Make It Easy

I cannot say this often enough. Make it as easy as you can. There are going to be lots of distractions, so if you want to keep up the exercises, you need to keep it simple.

Here’s how:

• Keep your exercise equipment at hand. If you have guests and don’t want it out in the living room, that’s fine. But don’t stash it at the back of a cupboard! Find a temporary home (perhaps in your bedroom?) where you can easily get to it when you need it.
• Have any clothes or shoes you need clean and ready to go. If you have to spend 10 minutes upending laundry baskets to find your exercise clothes (or is that just me?), you may never actually get round to doing the exercises.
• Know what you’re going to do. If you’re not used to exercising at home, find a programme to follow. Online exercise videos can be helpful as you can watch the exercises and follow on. It’s so much easier to keep going, and you don’t feel like you’re alone.

Try this video at home now (it’s a taster video to give you a feel for some of the balance training we do in our online Studio)

A Little Help from Friends

If your family and friends are supportive of your exercise goals, it can be extremely helpful. Here are three things you can do to get the support you need from your family and friends over the holidays:

1. Explain to them why you’re exercising and why it matters to you.
2. Let them know where and when you’re doing your exercises, e.g., “After breakfast, I’ll be doing my exercises in the living room for 20 minutes.”
3. Tell them what you need from them or what would be helpful for you, e.g., “Please could you answer the door or phone/ keep pets and grandchildren out of my way/ don’t interrupt unless it’s urgent.”

Reward and Celebrate

Take a minute to celebrate the fact that you’ve made the effort and done something for you. At busy times of the year, we can end up giving all our energy to others (especially if that’s what they’ve come to expect). It can be hard to prioritise ourselves and our needs, and we need to celebrate when we do.

Stop and notice how much better you feel after you exercise. Becoming more aware of how you feel – physically and mentally – can help motivate you next time you don’t know if you feel like exercising.

Reward yourself. Plan to have a nice coffee and reminisce with a family member, play holiday games with your grandchildren or enjoy reading a new book for 10 minutes. Knowing you’re doing something you enjoy right after your exercises helps you to keep going (and will wire your brain to see exercise as positive for the future too).

You can find more exercise videos in the Vida Wellness Studio. We offer a 14-day free trial so you can get a chance to try out the exercise videos, ask lots of questions and see if it’s right for you.

How easy do you find it to keep exercising in the holidays? What tips would you share to help others keep up their routine? Join the conversation below!

When you were growing up, there’s a good chance that your parents told you, “You could be whatever you want when you grow up.” It’s something that most of us hear at some point in our lives.

That’s all well and good when you’re a child, but there comes a point when you realize that you can’t be a dog (one of my daughters wanted to be a dog when she grew up) and that queen of the universe isn’t a real job title.

So, though our passions do change as we get older, we start to write off even the realistic ones as being unattainable.

The greatest experience you can have in this life is striving for a goal that ignites your passion, something that is of real interest to you and motivates you to work harder every day. The key to living a full life is to chase your passions and here’s why.

Clarity

In this modern age, even those of us who have reached our mature years have far too many distractions in our lives pulling our focus from what’s truly important to us.

Whether it’s texts, social media, emails, phone calls, your friends, your partner, your family, your job, you are being pulled in every direction and everyone wants a piece of you.

It’s kind of impossible to give your attention to everything properly, but when you start to chase your passion… the world tends to fall into focus. It’s easy to see what’s truly important and allow everything else to fade into the background.

What might this look like? In my own life, I struggle to find time to write and create, but writing and creating are the passions of my life. When I got clarity that these were the things I was destined to do, it became easier to say no to distractions.

Less time on the Internet or fewer unnecessary shopping excursions are easier to give up when I am clear on what is the highest and best use of my time – writing and creating!

Purpose

When you chase your passion, you fill your life with a sense of purpose that not only fuels your soul but improves your mental health and overall well-being and allows you to live life to the fullest.

Sometimes as we get older, we question our purpose. Our kids are grown, and we don’t see where we fit into the world moving forward. Finding and pursuing your purpose will help you lead a fuller, maybe even longer, life.

Fun

You know that old saying about doing what you love, meaning that you’ll never need to work a day in your life? There’s so much truth in that! Following your passion means that even your job won’t seem like work.

It’s something that you love doing and can get lost in for hours, forgetting everything else around you. Nothing feels better than waking up and starting a day that you designed entirely.

When I am having an especially good day writing, or arguing a case in court, I have to pinch myself and ask, “And I really get paid to do this?”

Minimalism

Not everything in your life is necessary, whether it’s appliances, clothing, or clutter. When you have that sense of clarity, you understand that less is more and that material wealth isn’t what will fulfill you. Rather, your actions and activities will help you live a full life. So, why not design the life that you really want to live?

After raising four small souls, I have some clarity on this. I constantly fought the battle of clothes and toys for years. Now I fight the battle of my clothes and my toys. I am highly aware that the more I have, the more I have to clean and take care of.

The Pay Off

If you choose to make your passion your career, it will eventually pay off in monetary ways. Whether you are a blogger, an artist, a musician, or a makeup artist, when you are truly passionate about what you do, it shows, and success is inevitable.

Consider, also, that money may not be your motivation. For many years, writing purely to encourage others was the only motivation I needed to keep going. Getting an email or a note from someone saying I had touched their life was worth more than all the money in the world!

A full, passionate life will look different for each of us. Don’t compare your journey or quest to anyone else’s. Trust your own heart to be your guide.

Are you living a full, passionate life? Have you identified the thoughts and actions that might be holding you back? What aspects of yourself do you need to conquer before you will feel fulfilled and happy?