Off the Mat is a series on YBC that shares bits and pieces about what goes on off the yoga mat, and in my everyday life.
PSA: FYI, our video bundles available for yogis of all levels. Don't forget that you'll get a free gift when you screenshot your review of our app to Lauren. And if you screenshot a review of my book, Namaslay, to @YBCsneakpeek, we'll send you a different free gift!
It's been a minute since our last Off the Mat, so today's will contain a lot of photos and randomness. Consider yourself warned, haha.
Operation Have More Fun
#OperationHaveMoreFun is one of my personal goals for 2017, so I've been having a lot of fun being a total idiot with my #casualdirtrubs everywhere from Whole Foods to my local farmer's market. My SnapFam knows what I'm talking about but in case you aren't in the SnapFam club, let me rewind it for ya.
I recently picked up this book, which I've found informative and profoundly interesting. One of the things Dr. Axe talks about is the importance of getting dirty. Our dirt contains microbes that are helpful and healing to our gut and immune health, and he says we've over-sanitized our lives to the point that it's making us sick. Annnnd now casual dirt rubs are a thing. Feel free to join in any time you see some good ol' dirt haha.
Lauren's baby shower
#OperationHaveMoreFun continued a few weeks ago when YBC's Marketing Director came back to the east coast for her baby shower! That's right - in case you missed it - Lauren is pregnant! Her baby shower was beautiful and let's just say little Hudson is going to be one seriously well dressed baby! I can't wait to meet him - only a few more months! How gorg is Lauren, by the way?!
Brunch in Worcester
If you follow along on SnapChat, you know I met up with one of my girl friends a few weekends back for a massage and brunch date. It was so much fun to have some girl time! We ate here and I had their soft scramble with duck fat potatoes. So good.
Earrings from RocksBox
Loving Lately
I found my latest rocksbox in the corner of my office the other day and was pumped to break into it! Rocksbox is still my favorite subscription box service because you can keep it for as long as you like and send the jewels back after you wear them, or you can purchase them at a discount. Use code yogabycandacexoxo for a free box!
Rachel Zoe Box of Style
This season I'm also really loving the RZ Box of Style. I received the Rachel Zoe Winter '16 Box of Style, which is $99.99 each season or $349.99 for the year, and while I've loved every box I've received, this one really hit it out of the park. My favorite item was the necklace (above) by Dylanlex.
A few other goodies in the BOS
One of the things I love about these types of boxes is that so many of the items within are giftable on their own, which made my holiday shopping easier! I wound up keeping the clinique lipstick, and the Dagne Dover card case, but I gifted the Sunday Riley brightening cream to one of my skincare obsessed friends. If you're into stylish beauty and lifestyle items, sign up to receive the spring box here.
Fav new chocolate
At the grocery store the other day, I was standing in front of the chocolate shelf looking for a new bar to try. I live for a good dark chocolate (bonus points if it has sea salt in it), and I was contemplating getting a few bars from this Fine & Raw brand, but the price was insane. It was $8.99 for a tiny bar the size of my palm. This guy walked by and was like, 'I did the same thing last week, bought the overpriced bar, and it changed my life. It's literally that good.' So I had to get it. Begrudgingly. And it did, in fact, change my life. :( Other bars I like that do not cost a full month's salary: Alter Eco, Taza (awesome texture, especially when frozen, which is how I prefer to eat my chocolate), and Lake Champlain (but you must by the organic line if you don't want soy lecithin in it).
Wanting Lately
I'm on the hunt for the perfect oversized, slouchy turtleneck sweater that doesn't break the bank and isn't white or grey (#makeupproblems). I'd also love some flat, over the knee boots, and I really want to try that weird low calf length boot that everyone seems to be wearing these days. Not sure they'll work on my short legs, so I'm holding out for a good pair on sale. I've also got my eye on some all white sneaks for my trip to Italy that I can wear with sundresses and boyfriend jeans.
Reading Lately
In addition to the aforementioned dirt book, I'm also reading The Micronutrient Miracle. I'm finding it a bit salesy, but pretty informative.
This is a great interview. I especially loved this quote: "BEYONCÉ: What are some misconceptions about being a strong woman?
SOLANGE: Oh my God, they're endless! [laughs] One thing that I constantly have to fight against is not feeling arrogant when I say I wrote every lyric on this album. I still have not been able to say that."
A great piece if you're into entrepreneurship.
A funny yet informative piece on instagram influencers.
Watching Lately
There are so many movies I want to see but at the top of the list is Lion.
I rented a bunch of movies this past month including Deepwater Horizon (womp), Sicario (very good!), and then an old favorite just to balance out the depressing theme of the month's rentals haha.
Working Out To
My workout playlist just got some new additions so I thought I'd share:
Looking Forward To
My birthday is coming up next month, and I don't have any plans yet but I'm hoping to take some time off for a mini vacay for some sunshine. I need that vitamin SEA. We'll see. We're already halfway into January so if I do it, it's gotta be planned out quickly and I don't know if I have the time. But regardless, I'm looking forward to February. Each day that passes feels like we are closer to spring, and since I loathe the cold weather months of winter, I can't wait for February.
I'd love to hear what's going on in your personal life. Read anything interesting? Please share, if so. I need a light-hearted, quick read that isn't too fluffy. Can you help a girl out?