All posts by Cherese Cobb

Cherese Cobb was raised in Maryville, Tenn. A graduate of Maryville College, she has a B.A. in psychology and art. A bibliophile, she considers herself a professional student, as she has an insatiable curiosity. When she's not freelance writing for newspapers, blogs, magazines, or literary journals, she splits her time between family, photography, and cat-worship and chugs coffee to survive all three.

7 Hot Cutout Yoga Pants to Keep You Cool

Bend into your best baby cobra in any of these cutout yoga pants and chances are, you’ll balance your yin and yang. Whether you’re kicking it around the house, running a quick errand, or actually practicing your sunrise salutations, these cut out yoga pants will also make you feel cool — and look it too. So, yogis, pull up your chairs: your search for inner peace, harmony, and happiness, at least as it relates to yoga pants, starts and ends here.

Lux Palm Half Moon Midi Leggings, Beyond Yoga

BeyondYoga lux palm leggings
Image courtesy of Beyond Yoga

Show your stripes the right way: add high-fashion fun and flair to your workout wardrobe with these bright and zippy leggings made from moisture-wicking fabric that dries in a flash (cutouts on the sides).  Take it a step further: pair it with the coordinating bra, and you’ll be able to bend  into half-moon perfection 24/7.

Funky Boho Leggings, Sheron Designs

Sharon's Design yoga pants Etsy1
Image courtesy of Sheron Designs

Say goodbye to boring black yoga pants.  Israeli fashion-designer Sharon Shanan’s yoga leggings are business in the front and party in the back with hundreds of laser-cut swirls. Super stretchy and baby-soft, these cut out yoga pants will turn heads, whether you’re going full-throttle at the gym or casually sauntering down the street.

Mesh Goddess Leggings, Alo

Largo Drive - alo goddess legging $94 3

If you’re anything like us, wearing short-shorts to your weekly yoga class never works out — meaning your naughty bits spill out and bending over results in something reminiscent of the winter solstice. Luckily, these leggings are a total twofer: complete belly, bum, and thigh coverage with the aeration of pint-sized shorts.

Interlace Leggings, Alo

jessica olie Alo pants
Image courtesy of Jessica Olie

If you wear these Instagram-worthy leggings outside of the gym, you won’t be alone — these super sexy lace-ups are favorites of uber-flexible yogis like Jessica Olie and Martina Rando.  Made with a bacteria-busting fabric that comes in a variety of bold colors, from Starburst to Twilight, they stretch in four directions for grace and comfort during any movement.

High Rise Bondage Leggings, Onzie

Yoga_Pants_High_Rise_Bondage_Legging_-_White_Venom_Black_Mesh

From moss camo to white marble to midnight anemone, these leggings will turn your lower body into a living work of art. They feature a high waistband that smooths and flatters your silhouette. Plus, multiple mesh panels show your skin in all of the right places, so you’ll feel just like Venus de Milo.

Reveal 7/8 Tights, Lululemon

Reveal 7_8 Tight side_DSC7897

If you’ve ever wished that you could go au naturale to yoga class, you’re in luck. These Lycra leggings are just like a second layer of skin. They feature open-hole detailing, a medium-rise waist, and a ⅞ crop — so you’ll be able to show off your dainty Hepburn-esque ankles. Bonus: there’s also an inseam pocket where you can stash your keys, credit cards, or wedding rings.

Ballerina Yoga Leggings, Zenzle

Every little girl dreams of becoming a prima ballerina with pointe shoes, a tutu, and a tiara.  Turn your childhood fantasy into reality with these leggings that feature strappy, crisscross details at the calves.  You can perfect your practice in a variety of colors from cotton candy pink to lavender. And, don’t worry, if you slip a tutu on top, we won’t tell.

The Five Best Spots for Salsa Dancing in the US

Salsa dancing —  it’s hot, saucy, and spicy! With roots in Cuba and sound bites from Africa, Central America, and Spain, the six-step dance found its way to the Cheetah Club on Broadway in the 70s, becoming “the birthplace of salsa”, according to urban legend. Less than two decades later, salsa joints began popping up all over the U.S. And it’s easy to see why. Apart from the “fun factor”, salsa dancing burns more than 420 calories per hour, working all of your major muscle groups. So, stop dragging yourself to the gym and spin like a top in one of these five best salsa clubs in the US.

Hoy Como Ayer

Miami, Florida

Señoritas, welcome to the heart of Little Havana: Hoy Como Ayer, where salsa holds sway. A throwback to the days when musicians waltzed into clubs unannounced and began jamming, it has a low ceiling, small stage, and tiny tables, that couples salsa between without turning, living up to the meaning of its name, “today as yesterday”. For two hours on any given night, its musical jambalaya pounds at a breakneck pace, vibrating the portraits of icons from Cuba’s musical heyday like tiny gongs. Regular acts include Murk’s Oscar Gaetan and The Spam Allstars: the house band that blends techno and turntables with Latin, funk, hip-hop, and dub, creating what fans call an electronic descarga. The curtain lifts after midnight in Magic City. So, pick your vice: explore the brief menu of Latin bites, down a perfectly mixed Mojito, puff on an authentic Cuban cigar, habla Español with the bar keep, or scan the dark lounge — where if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Latin legend from salsa’s golden age, the 50s and 60s.

Guantanamera

Manhattan, New York


Originally known as Azucar, “sugar”, Guantanamera is a sweet escape from Midtown Manhattan. Its dining room exudes colonial Havana chic: candle-lit tables, rattan-covered ceiling fans, and exposed bricks. Worn yellow walls decked with patriotic murals of palm trees, bananas, farmers, and musicians seal the illusion: you’ll even find a man hand-rolling complimentary cigars on weekends. Patrons, some in evening gowns, others in t-shirts and shorts, sip mango mojitos with crushed lime, fresh mint, and sugar cane splinters.  Guantanamera’s primarily Cuban cuisine has Caribbean and Spanish influences, so it might not impress your traditional Abuelita. Mouth-watering nosh alert:  try the tostones rellenos— fried, green plantains shaped into a crown that’s

topped with tomato-dipped shrimp. Then listen to Ibború, the house band that specializes in Timba, a blend of salsa, American funk, R&B, and Afro-Cuban folkloric music, rattle the walls with high-decibel beats. And, though there’s no dance floor, we’re sure, Señora, that you’ll want to shake your body line.

Firefly

Las Vegas, Nevada

Firefly is a never-ending party where hips swing and minds meld — Vulcan-style. A sprawling, glass bar, crimson-colored booths surrounded by black curtains for private parties, and low-hanging chandeliers create a romantic, sensual atmosphere. The tapas-style restaurant, run by chef John Simmons, also offers some seriously good eats: bacon-wrapped olives in red-wine sauce, chicken and chorizo stuffed mushrooms, and manchego macaroni and cheese; none priced over $10. You’ll also want to grab a glass of Firefly’s famous, house-made red, white, or sparkling sangria. And, if you’re looking for a place to shine  — that’s the salsa term for setting the ballroom on fire with your solo footwork — hit this club on Latin Night, on Fridays starting at 10:30 p.m., for an ever-revolving circuit of DJs and live music.

The Granada

Los Angeles, California

Here’s a little peek at Salsa 2 with Hector and Brigitte on Fridays @ 8:30!

A post shared by The Granada LA (@thegranadala) on


Flying fringe dresses, fire engine red stilettos, and a hot, hot, hot beat to match: walk into the Granada on Fridays or Saturdays and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a bygone era, where couples twirl in sync to the rhythm of the night. Sure, it may be intimidating to first-timers, but the club offers one-hour classes at the beginning of each month. Single ladies and gents, it’s completely okay to come here alone. Ninety-five percent of each class is single and partners are swapped after every song.

La La Land’s hottest nightclub has three stories. The first floor is salsa central — packed with professional dancers that’ll keep you stepping until the morning light. (Heads-up: dancing in heels should count as a superpower, so don’t forget to wear a pair of comfy kicks.) The second story is a restaurant.  Its menu is somewhat limited. But, we recommend recharging with a Granada Burger: 100% Angus beef topped with 1000 island dressing, mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes, and onions. Afterward, head to the open patio on the third floor for a mix of hip-hop, reggae, and bachata, a dance that’s essentially salsa’s sensual sister.

Gloria’s

Multiple locations, Texas

Gloria’s, a chain of family and pet-friendly cantinas that draws raves for its Tex-Mex and Salvadorian dishes, isn’t necessarily a nightclub, per se.  But, nonetheless, twice per week, every Friday and Saturday night, you’ll be transported south of the border, thanks to The Havana NRG Orchestra and an ever-growing crowd of experienced salsa dancers, sporting business-casual threads. The 25-year-old nightclub’s decor will also blow you away.  Its roof is a giant yellow and black pinwheel, and its color-changing chandeliers resemble floating jellyfish. If you’re looking for “juice” to help you become foot-loose, hit this hot-spot during Happy Hours for a Strawberry Mojito or Spicy Pineapple Margarita.

Follow these 6 Instagram Accounts for Major Hair Inspiration

Whether you’re a color-virgin looking for a head-turning hue or a long-haired vixen hoping to avoid snip-tionary with your hairdresser, Instagram’s savvy stylists will lead you to hair heaven. Seriously, give your bad hair day the finger — swipe through these six Instagram feeds and up your hair game.

 

1. Mia & Linda Sønvis Bech

@aurorabraids, 252k followers

Happy Easter

A post shared by Mia & Linda (@aurorabraids) on

Get ready for straight-up braid porn, Norwegian-style. Champagne blonde Linda, 25, and flaming redhead Mia, 15, are platting their way to Insta-fame with shell-studded fishtails, daisy-woven merged braids, and high curly buns that are fit for a Khaleesi.  Their on-point selfies are set against Game of Thrones-esque landscapes: snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes,  and dense forest. And the twisted sisters’ artistic masterpieces are usually topped off with crowns, crowns, and more crowns, proving that they’ve conquered the Iron Throne —  or at least, the curling iron.

 

2. Drew Sara Holjes

@shorthairgirlz, 42.1k followers

#shorthairgirlz

A post shared by Short Hair Girlz ♡ (@shorthairgirlz) on

Haranistas, sharpen your scissors. Featuring edgy a-line bobs, wispy bangs, and fierce half-shaves, Drew’s feed will have your ready to lob off your long locks. From loose, blueberry curls to flirty, tangerine pixies, Holijes’ account is ripe with fruit-inspired shades. And whether the daily gram is of Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, or the just the girl next door, we’re willing to bet that the shorter her hair the longer you’ll stare.

 

3. Nia

@frogirlginny, 345k followers

Frodown time: Nia, 19, is the creator of #HappyFroday, #GoWithTheFro, and Curls Night Out: an international movement that brings women, and sometimes men, together so they can embrace their gorgeous kinks, spirals, and swirls. The Zimbabwean beauty and travel vlogger’s naturally golden spirals will give you serious curl envy.   Her feed is also totally frizz-free. Expect honest-to-goodness product reviews, beauty giveaways, cheeky selfies, the occasional curl-squad us-ie, and a variety of avocado-themed threads — without any in-your-face product placements or inspirational memes to slow you down.

 

4. Jenny Strebe

@theconfessionsofahairstylist, 425k followers

Inverted fishtail updos and bubble hawks and crown braids! Oh, my! Oh, my! Jenny Strebe, a hair educator and social media guru, seems to know that life is too short for boring hair. Get ready for easy-to-follow tutorials, behind-the-scene peeks, hair product giveaways, and the occasional mini hair stylist post, featuring Strebe’s adorable daughter Magnolia giving fashion dolls a fixer upper. We cower before you, o’ wizard of color! Strebes’ account also features fearless hues: sea green, ultra violet, cotton candy pink, and yes – oh yes – confetti hair — platinum tresses morphed into a rainbow with easy to take out extensions.

 

5. Heidi Garrett

@heidimariegarrett, 104k followers

Whether you’re a blushing bride planning your wedding ‘do, or a beauty addict looking for your next fix, you’ll want to follow Heidi on Instagram.  Her elegant textured ponytails, romantic side updos, and red carpet-worthy curls will have you saying, “I do”, to summer hair goals. Expect before-and-after photos, “big day” grams, behind-the-chair exclusives, manicure shots, the occasional positive marriage post, and eye-catching hair baubles, from golden leaf crowns to tie-dyed wraps. Garrett also teaches you how to get your glitter on. So you’re sure to outsparkle fireworks or those 30-plus birthday candles.

 

6. Stephanie Brinkerhoff

@hairandmakeupbysteph, 594k followers

These braids weren't originally part of the plan, but we had to hide a grown out undercut love how it turned out! @msdanidarlene

A post shared by Hair and Makeup by Steph (@hairandmakeupbysteph) on

Holy mother of pearl! Stephanie’s Insta features serious hair bling: pearl bobby pins, fresh cut flowers, and lace veils. Voluminous low buns, flowing fishtails, double buns: her Southern belle styles are Harlequin-romance worthy. Her account is speckled with wild hues, class calls, occasional tool giveaways, hairstylist humor, and outrageous wedding moments. (Our favorite? A Park City couple doing their first dance dressed as T. Rexes.) So get those thumbs ready for a flurry of double tapping.

Forest Therapy: How Nature Nurtures the Soul

Does our modern, plugged-in, constantly on-the-go lifestyle have you on the fritz? Pull the plug and let nature be your medicine. Forest therapy – wandering slowly, quietly under a green cathedral of trees – can reconnect you with your roots, make you a раrt of thе moment, feel аlіvе аgаіn, bе rеbоrn. A Japanese pastime since 1982, Shinrin-yoku packs a powerful punch. Vitamin “nature” boosts your natural killer cells: white blood cells that squash tumors and infections.  It also lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and the stress hormone cortisol.  Your brain on nature? Less depressed, sharper, and more creative.

 

Forest Therapy is simple

If you’re suffocating in our goal-oriented society, let the forest reset your stress button. Says Heidi Korhonen, of Forest Therapy Today:

“When the tree breathes out, you breathe in. When you breathe out, the tree breathes in.”

Trees are giant filters, pulling in gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, and releasing clean, crispy oxygen. The forest air gives off negatively-charged ions that’ll increase your serotonin, the neurotransmitter that controls social behavior, sleep, and even sexual desire. Trees also give off beneficial bacteria that’ll ramp up your metabolism.  They may even stomp out eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, according to a study from the UNC School of Medicine.  There’s a reason that in the ‘30s and ‘40s TB patients were sent to sanatoriums for “fresh air and rest.”  The cure was more than do-nothingness. It was an unseen airborne healer called phytoncides. In a nutshell, they’re plant-based essential oils that clobber bad bacteria while revving up your immune system.

Whether you’re a city slicker or a country gal, you have a “nature side”. “Nature is home,” Korhonen said.  “We live in it and it lives in us.” Looking to return to your jungle roots? Here’s how to do forest therapy yourself:

 

1. Find your green space.

The Coastal Redwoods. The Great Smoky Mountains. The Superior National Forest: “with forest therapy, it seems like there is a common misconception, that you should go into someplace really secluded, dazzling, and rare.” But that’s not the case.  Just find a big tree with deep green colors.  Sit under it everyday for two minutes, 20 minutes, or 2 hours — the time is completely up to you.  Not a tree in sight? Find your city’s signature park or plant some green in your backyard or on your balcony.

Image courtesy of @ForestTherapyToday

 

2. Have an attitude of gratitude.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Sometimes, just sometimes, it’s really greener where you are, and you just haven’t stopped to look. So close your eyes and count your blessings.  Want to take it a step further? “Introduce yourself” to the forest. Thank an oak, a clover, or whatever green bit draws your eye for its presence, or hug it out with a tree. “If it doesn’t feel natural to you,there’s no need to heavily pet bark,” says Korhonen.

girl in forest

 

3. Channel your inner animal.

Deer ears: Want super hearing? Cup your hands behind your ears. Your “dear ears” will pick up the rustling of leaves, the kerplunk of rain, the tweeting of songbirds, and much more.

Fox walk: Hello, foxy. It’s time to foxtrot. Whether you’re up for scurrying on all fours or just the two-legged tour, put your toes down first then follow with the outside edge of your foot.  Your heel should strike the ground last. When something catches your attention, freeze. Pretend that your next meal, or possibly even your life, depends on your undivided attention.

Bear Smell: Did you know that bears have the best sniffers in the animal kingdom?  That’s right. So put your “muzzle” to good use.  It’s said that the world laughs in flowers. Pluck them, crush leaves, pull bark. What do the smells remind you of?  A word of caution, though, don’t have a  schnauz-affair with toxic plants.  A general rule of thumb: if you don’t know what it is, identify it in at least three different field guides or leave it alone.

 

4. Try earthing.

“Historically, human beings, prior to the advent of modern materials such as shoes, carpets, plastic, etc., have been walking, sitting, and sleeping on the ground as a way of life, thereby staying connected with nature,” Korhonen said.  So toss those kicks aside. And go to the dark side  —  plant your bare feet into some chocolate-colored soil. Let the grass, the flowers weave between your toes.barefoot in grass

 

5. Give the forest a gift.

“Nature doesn’t sense that we are scared, suspicious, or even disgusted. It grants its gifts for anyone who crosses its path,” Korhonen said. The secret to living? Giving. So collect flowers, pine cones, rocks, leaves, or moss, and create an artwork for the forest. You might even think of it as a housewarming gift. After all, the forest is an ecosystem – alive – the home to all sorts of beings. But remember to toss perfection out of your dictionary. Play with the items like a child, forming a Picasso-esque piece. Then make a mental checklist of how you feel different after visiting the forest.

forest silhouette

 

Want to learn more about forest therapy? Follow certified nature coach Heidi Korhonen on Instagram @foresttherapytoday.

10 Must-Have Swimsuits Perfect for the Pool

Summer: wind-blown hair, sandy toes, salty kisses. You can shake the sand from your flip flops, but you’ll never be able to shake it from your soul. As the mercury rises, rises, and rises some more, there’s no doubt that you’ll be in need of a little vitamin “sea”. Does swimsuit season leave you shaking in your sandals? Take a deep breath of salty air because we’ve rounded up ten swimsuits that’ll help you stay chic even in the heat.

 

1. Lace-Up One-Piece Swimsuit, Forever 21

Say, “I do,” to your inner beach bride with this cheeky, white swimsuit. With a lace-up front and a self-tie halter neck, you’ll be ready to swap your bouquet of roses and baby’s breath for seashells and starfish. Want to bring your own sunshine to the seashore? Pop in its neon yellow alternative.

forever 21 laceup swimsuit

 

2. Motel Metallic Tankini, Forever 21

Girls just want to have sun! Turn up the heat poolside, literally, in this metallic, rose tankini. Make waves by pairing it with a cowrie shell choker.

forever 21 tankini

 

3. Set Sail Bandini, Bare Necessities

Hit the sand bar in this indigo bandini by Bare Necessities. Whether you’re a 30D or a 38GG, it hugs your curves in all the right places.  Bonus: the contrasting turquoise trim ups the fashion factor.

Set Sail Bandini, Bare Necessities

 

4. Seafolly Casablanca Lola Rae Cold Shoulder Bandeau, Swim Outlet

Build sandcastles in this rose pink bikini with off-the-shoulder-ruffles. With Broderie Anglaise embroidery — and playful hip ruffles that’ll make you look 10 pounds thinner — you’re sure to be crowned Queen of the Seven Seas.

seafolly-casablanca-lola-rae-cold-shoulder-bandeau-bikini-top-rose-pink-6

 

5. SlipIns Pixelated Zippered Haute Mini DiveSkin, Swim Outlet

Beach bunnies, hit the surf in style. This pixel-patterned swimsuit has long sleeves that’ll keep your fair skin just “beachy”. Fashion alert! Whether you’re doing standup paddleboard yoga, aqua-aerobics, or free-diving, the suit’s solid side panels will slim your figure.

slipins pixelated swimsuit

 

6. Strappy Caged One-Piece, Forever 21

Let the sea set you free! With a strappy v-neck and sides, this form fitting one-piece won’t make you feel caged.  In neon orange, you’ll be a basket full of sunshine.

strap caged one piece forever 21 swimsuit

 

7. Network Madero One-Piece, Bare Necessities

Turn the shoreline into a runway in this midnight-colored miraclesuit. Double-layer underwire cups and Miratex® fabric create an hourglass beach body. With flirty mesh insets, it’s the essential little black dress — for the beach. Want to leave beach goers star struck? Complete your look with Venus’ Starfish Bib Necklace.

Network Madero One-Piece, Bare Necessities

 

8. Vintage Black Flamingo Print Monroe Bikini, Unique Vintage

Beach goddesses, turn back the clock to 1950 in this kitschy, pink, flamingo print bikini. It’s light padding will boost your bust while its wide waistband and ruching provide an instant tummy tuck. Can’t keep your mind off of millennial pink? Shove your poolside accessories into this flamingo-themed purse from Skinnydip.

Unique_Vintage_Black_Flamingo_Monroe_High_Waist_Bikini_Bottom_6

 

9. High Tea High Neck Bikini, Bare Necessities

Bloom on the beach in this sea glass, high-neck bikini trimmed with vintage lace.  It also has a self-tie halter top and back strap, so you can customize its fit. With forgiving bottom ruching and a pound-shedding large print, you’ll look better than a million sand dollars.

High Tea High Neck Bikini, Bare Necessities

 

10. Crochet Fringe Monokini, Elegant Crochets

Elegant Crochet combines two of the season’s hottest trends — knit and fringe — into a one-of-a-kind, handmade monokini that’s sure to turn not only heads but the tide of your summer wardrobe. It’s available in 16 shades from tangerine to turquoise. Give your monokini closet staying power: match it with a mini skirt or jeans and you won’t have to pack it away until fall.

Crochet Fringe Monokini, Elegant Crochets2

US Destinations for the Ultimate Dog Lover

Woof, woof: it’s time to let the dogs out.  Besides providing you with endless companionship and entertainment, from nabbing your sandwiches to massacring your toilet paper rolls, your dog increases your oxytocin, a chemical in your brain that allows you to bond with others, says a 2012 study. Dog owners are also 50% more likely to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days per week. They lower your heart rate, stress level, and cholesterol, according to  The American Heart Association.  On top of all that, dogs take a bite out of your sick days and decrease your allergies. Yes, puppy love is power.  So, here are six locations that’ll help you fetch happiness.

 

1. The American Kennel Club (AKC) Museum of Dog, Saint Louis, Missouri

Art has gone to the dogs — literally. The Museum of Dog, the country’s only house of fine arts devoted exclusively to man’s best friend, boasts over 3,000 books and 4,000  photos, sculptures, and paintings, ranging from spiked dog collars to antique dog toys. Moving to its original digs in The Big Apple in mid-to-late 2018, the current Queeny Park location has a Hall of Fame honoring K-9 champions, K-9 warriors, and K-9 pop culture icons, such as Rin Tin Tin. From “Fitness with Fido” workout classes to breed specific dog clubs, it’s never been so easy to culture your canine. “Dogs are welcome to sniff out the artwork and each other,” says Stephen George, the museum’s executive director.

 

2. Bark in the Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Decked out in a Reds’ jersey, this beagle burns off excess energy in the pre-game dog parade | Photo: Brendan Hader

Arf! Hot dogs, popcorn, cracker jacks: take your dog out to the ball game. Fido can’t actually play ball, but he can still watch it while woofing for your home team. As your dog runs the bases during the pregame parade, he can channel his inner Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson. You can also shop ‘til you drop at Bark in the Park’s vendor booths, where you can buy team swag like jerseys, reflective dog collars, and baseball ropes toys — that you can turn into souvenirs with power players’ signatures. Meet SPCA Cincinnati’s current roster of adoptable dogs, who just want to “play ball!” with a forever pet parent. And, baseball buffs, if you make an additional donation to the non-profit, you can also pose with your barking buddy in front of a team backdrop.

 

3. Barkfield Road, East Northport, New York  

Barkfield Road
In 2016, Barkfield Road was named the “Best Organic Pet Food Supply Store” by the Long Island Press | Photo: Denise Rafkind

Happy birthday, Spot. Whether your dog is celebrating her first birthday (or her 7th in human years), Barkfield Road has the yum, yum, yummy treats she craves.  From mega peanut butter B-day bones to Peeps for your pup, the bakery’s treats are all-natural, healthy, and human-grade. Its shelves are teeming with Unbreakoballs, Tuffy pet toys, and Goughnut Blacks. “Rover is welcome to roam the aisles,” says Carol Andersen, Barfield Road’s owner.

 

4. Yappy Hour, Dana Point, California

Yappy Hour Dogs in Purses
Two Yorkie-poos are whisked across Cypress Lawn in floral purses | Photo: Deanne French

Bark your calendars: the Ritz-Carlton is hosting its monthly Yappy Hour, where you can schmooze and sniff with fellow dog lovers and their tail-waggers. Canine clientele is offered hand-made dog biscuits with bacon, chicken, cheese, beef, and liver-flavored water. B-b-b-b-bacon! “Bacon water is the number one pooch pick-me-up,” a hotel company rep barked. Though, beef is a close second. Pet owners can also chow down on hot dogs, hamburgers, and sushi while kicking back a glass of Mutt Lynch Unleashed Chardonnay, Merlot Over and Play Dead, or Château d’Og Cabernet Sauvignon. From Howl-O-Ween costume parties to photo ops with Santa Paws, it’s pampering with a purpose.  Proceeds from this year’s Yappy Hours will go to the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence: a nonprofit that’s provided over 5,000 highly-trained assistance dogs to disabled warriors.

 

5. World Dog Expo, Secaucus, New Jersey

Furry Face Contest Mia
Mia, the winner of the 2017 Famous Furry Face Contest, will be featured on the World Dog Expo’s promotional magnets | Photo: Alyx Robertson

If you heart dogs, the World Dog Expo’s three-day extravaganza is for you.  You can watch top canine competitors duke it out to win the championship crown in diving, dancing, flyball, and more. Shake paws with over 80 different breeds at the World Dog Showcase. Hit up the “Paws On” booths, and let your dog take toys for a test run and nibble exotic treats. You can also let your dog show his wild side at the temporary tattoos and color spray station. Need a little person-puppy bonding time? Register for the World Dog Experience. You and your doggie dearest will be able to participate in education, training, and sport events.

 

6. Statue of Balto, the Husky Hero, New York, New York  

Balto-Central Park-credit the Central Park Conservancy (1)
A statue of Balto, sculpted by Brooklyn-based artist Frederick Roth, was erected in Central Park on December 15, 1925 | Photo: The Central Park Conservancy

 

In March of 1925, Balto and his pack of 12 dogs raced 674 miles in just five-and-a-half days — over treacherous waters and through arctic blizzards — to deliver life-saving medicine to the children of Nome, Alaska, who had contracted a lethal respiratory disease. Commemorated each March by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, this life-or-death dash actually involved 20 drivers and more than 150 dogs.  However, Balto was the only one catapulted to superstardom.  Within weeks of crossing the finish line, he appeared in a two-reel film “Balto’s Race to Nome”.  And, after a nine-month variety tour, Central Park erected a bronze tribute near the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Standing on a rocky outcrop with his tongue wagging, tail curled, and deeply burnished, Balto is a park favorite. Visitors frequently climb onto his back and rub his ears during photo ops.  Others contemplate the words on his plaque: courage, intelligence, fidelity — words to live by for dog lovers and their four-legged friends.

5 Unique Subscription Boxes to Try Today

 

Knock knock –  special delivery: we’re introducing you to “out of the box” subscription boxes that we’re crushing on. True – your overstuffed mailbox can be a pretty depressing place, chock full of credit card applications, ads, bills, and more bills. Turn it into “your happy place” by gifting yourself subscription boxes filled with fun and exciting products like liquid lipstick, best-selling books, pet toys, and lots more surprises. Think of it like the holidays and your birthday all stuffed inside of a cardboard grab-bag. Here are five unique subscription boxes we’re crushing on right now.

 

1. Cairn

Outdoor girls, it’s time to pull your hair into a pony; slip on some killer rain boots; and get ’er green with Cairn. For $25 per month, you’ll get a monthly subscription box overflowing with inspiration for your adventures.

Cairn subscription boxSnack on Mountain House Neapolitan Ice Cream, slather yourself in top-of-the-line sunscreens and insect repellants, toss first aid equipment and emergency fire starters into your survival pack, and rock ultralight beanies, socks, gloves, and shirts. (Our favorite says: the outdoors isn’t going to explore themselves.) If you refer a friend or churn out a product review, you can also earn free swag or subscriptions.

cairn subscription box

2. Kitchen Table Passport

Globe-trotting foodies: tuck away your flimsy boarding passes, shred your lost luggage forms, and forget beating time zone tiredness: you’re in for the ultimate staycation. Kitchen Table Passport, at $24.95 per month, is a mini-trip in a cardboard box.

Kitchen Table PassportBoost your culture knowledge with 8″ x 5” cards featuring bite-sized facts, and two to three locally-sourced mementos, like Buddhist amulets from Thailand, ”moomin” cookie cutters from Finland, Bulul necklaces from the Phillipines, that allow you to hold a country in the palm of your hand. Use the novice-proof recipe and international spices to whip up exotic eats for up to twelve people.  Bonus: scan the boxes QR code for foreign beats that’ll transport your kitchen onto another continent.

 

3. Vegan Cuts Makeup

Crushed cochineal beetles, snail slime, bee venom, animal fat, fish scales: what animal parts or animal byproducts are in your makeup bag? According to Humane Society International, every year more than 200,000 animals are killed so we can pluck, powder, and pop. Makeup mavens, say goodbye to the  “beauty is pain” mentality because Vegan Cuts Makeup Box offers full-size, cruelty-free makeup ($39.95 per quarter).

vegan cuts makeup subscription boxFrom Lippy to Luxe lacquer, you’ll receive the trendiest shades each season, all  based on your skin tone and color preferences. Each box has a $70+ value and comes with bonus beauty tools like the My Lash Secret Eyelash Curler.

 

4. Yarn Crush

Hello, Little Miss Crafty.  It’s time to kick start your inner fashionista with Yarn Crush, for $29.66 per month. From elegant evening bags adorned with crystal-studded rosettes to Estelle Market Bags, you’ll fall head-over-heels for the company’s chic physical and PDF patterns. From merino wool to cashmere to alpaca, you’ll also receive 100 grams of eco-friendly yarn and a free gift. Past goodies included a 100% organic cotton drawstring project bag and themed stitch markers.

Yarn Crush and Sock Crush March 2017 Subscription BoxOh my, bobbles and lace: you’ll receive all the trappings that’ll make your project runway ready. On a yarn diet? It’s time for a fabric cheat day. With a retail value of more than $50, Yarn Crush is a party for your mailbox – and your wallet.

 

5. Earth Wax and Fire

Get decor delivered to your door.  Each month, Earth Wax and Fire will send you an individually signed and hand-made ceramic dish for $27 per month. Paperclips, tea bags, soap, or butter: these dishwasher and microwave safe bowls will spruce up any room in your house.

Earth wax fire subscription boxYou’ll also get a lightly-scented artisan candle straight from the land of Israel. You’ll also receive one designer accent, like fiery fall leaves, ceramic heart pendants, or Hamsa Hands  (talismans that ward off the evil eye).

The Top 6 Greek Islands to Visit

The Greeks gifted the world with democracy, philosophy, the Olympics, and yes, even the alarm clock. While there’s no doubt that the mere mention of the Mediterranean country conjures up images of crumbling coliseums, marble busts, and gods sitting atop Mount Olympus, Greece is more than the “heartland”, the Peloponnese Peninsula. It actually has more than 6,000 islands — and only 230 of them are inhabited. (Sidenote: Greece might populate 28 of the wild isles to stave off Turkish territorial claims.) Shutterbugs. Culture mavens. Beach babies. Gourmets. Romantics. The Greek islands have a little something for everyone. So, dust of your Rosetta Stone, snap up your passport, and travel light. From Corfu in the northwest to Crete in the east, we’re laying out the top six islands you need to visit.

 

Corfu

Surrounded by bluer-than-blue seas, Corfu is a green cathedral carpeted with six million olive trees. It’s also studded with 18th century Venetian villas, buttercream-colored churches, and the remains of weather-beaten fortresses.

Island of Corfu, Greece
Island of Corfu, Greece

Wander the ancient Roman vineyards of Agios Matheos, or drop by Spianada Square’s tribute to Lawrence and Gerald Durrell, the British author and zoologist featured in BBC’s smash hit The Durrells in Corfu. Geek out on Greek mythology at the Archeological Museum.  It houses the Lion of Menecrates, Kassel Apollo, and Artemis’ temple — one of 150 masterpieces of Western architecture. For a DIY-spa treatment, slather yourself in Canal D’Amour’s mineral mud.  And, if you can swim the whole length of the canal, you’ll rope yourself a unicorn boyfriend, legend says.

 

Milos

Milos has a lunar landscape. Craters plummet to depths of 420 feet. Rocks twist vertically like churros. Early Christian catacombs sink into the hillsides while mineral-rich pockets of water bubble up from the ocean floor.  It was in this Star Wars-eque landscape that the Venus De Milo was discovered. The goddess of beauty now holds court at the Louvre in France, but this horse-shaped island has plenty of other beauties to admire.

Milos Island, Greece
Milos Island, Greece

Hit up Paliorema Beach, one of Milo’s 80 sandy strips. Located by Thiorihio, it’s littered with old mining wagons and gear, along with crushed shells and sulfur crystals growing along the fine, white sand. Then watch the sunset on a castle in the clouds, Panagia Thalassitra. Good eats alert: local specialties, white pumpkin bonbons and watermelon pie, will help you parti’, karamu’, and fiesta all night long.

 

Crete

Greece’s largest island is the birthplace of Zeus, the sky and thunder god, and the cradle of European civilization. Wedged between emerald hills and moody villages, Mount Ida is home to the cave where Zeus was born.  Crete’s highest mountain, its summit has no water or trees.  Luckily, you can take refuge in stone shepherds’ huts or at Timios Stavros chapel, a Catholic church tucked inside of a limestone cave.

Crete, Greece
Crete, Greece

Want to examine galaxies far, far away? Visit The University of Crete’s Skinakas Observatory. Peel back the layers of history. Make a pit stop at Knossos Palace, the center of Minoan civilization. Dating back to the Bronze Age, it has winding hallways and rooms of various sizes.  It’s actually more like a maze than a castle. Apart from its rich historical tapestry, Crete is the perfect place to unwind. Kneed your toes in its pink sand, listen to local musicians play the lyre, and kick back a shot of fiery raki — paired with local honey-flavored cheese, of course.

 

Santorini

Santorini is like an artist’s palette. The crescent-shaped islands’ white buildings are topped with sapphire semi-circles.  Candy-colored houses carved into cliffs pop against the black sand. Santorini is an active volcano slumbering in the middle of the Aegean Sea. (Though, the last eruption happened 3,600 years ago.)

View of Aegean Sea from Santorini, Greece
View of Aegean Sea from Santorini, Greece

History buffs, it’s also most likely the origin of the Atlantis myth.  However, you won’t get swept away by the waves in Santorini.  It’s not really a beachside vacation spot.  Aside from the cities of Fira and Oia, it’s mainly scrub and sand.  So, consider sitting poolside with a cup Vinsanto and a plate of white eggplant parmigiana while watching the sun dip into the sea, turning it pink while brightening the black cliffs.

*Featured image: Santorini, Greece

 

Chios

A 45-minute flight from Athens, Greece, Chios is an ideal beach escape for the European Wanderluster. The birthplace of Homer, it’s a maze of tightly-spaced houses, narrow streets, and Medieval arches. Stroll through Pyrgi, and marvel at its geometric graffiti. Visit Nea Moni, a UNESCO world heritage site, and see the collection of human skulls from the 1822 Chios’ Massacre.

Windmills of Chios Island, Greece
Windmills of Chios Island, Greece

Board replicas of steamboats and sailing ships at The Maritime Museum. Book lovers, turn pages at one of the largest libraries in Greece — The Korais Library. Built in the late 18th century, it holds over 13,000 books. Foodie?  Greeking-up your flavor palettes with Mastic or “Arabic Gum”.  The pine-flavored resin has an herbal aroma and adds a power punch to confections and liquors like mastiha.

 

Patmos

With volcanic soil, towering cliffs, and lace-like coastlines, Patmos is for beach lovers.  Windsurf, sail, paraglide, or canoe on Kambos Beach’s shallow waters, or enjoy some R&R at Agrio Livadi Beach. Cha-ching: it’s fully-equipped with sun beds, umbrellas, snacks, and drinks. Dubbed “The Jerusalem of the Aegean”, Patmos, the island where Rome exiled its criminals, is also a popular pilgrimage site. It’s the place where John the Apostle survived being boiled alive in a vat of oil by Emperor Domitian.

Alleys of Patmos Island, Greece
Alleys of Patmos Island, Greece

This desolate landscape is also where he penned Revelation: an apocalyptic book filled with bizarre creatures and mystifying symbols. Stand in the place where “the son of thunder” had his visions of fire and brimstone, the Cave of the Apocalypse, or visit the Monastery of St. John. Constructed in the 11th century, it’s made up of 10 chapels and 99 cells.  The dark-hued fortress, however, holds a variety of treasures: 6th-century Coptic textiles, a 15th-century Arabic police baton, and even an Egyptian bust of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy.

Nail Colors that Pop for Spring

All winter long, you’ve tucked your toes into tennies and shoved your mitts into gloves. Your nails — and the luxe lacquers in your makeup bag — have been in hibernation mode. Spring: daffodils are popping up in droves. Blue birds are building their nests with pine needles.  And spring peepers, tiny chorus frogs, are singing in every pond. That can only mean one thing: it’s time to shed those bulky coats for thinner ones. So, grab your Emery board, fashion your nails into an almond shape, and bring your weathered fingers back to life with these fashion-week, “it” nail colors that pop for the season.

 

1. Cake by the Ocean, Deborah Lippmann

CAKE_BY_THE_OCEAN deborah lippmann nail polish

This baby-pink creme will make you feel like candy on dry land. This fashion-forward polish is packed with fatty acids, biotin, and keratin, so it’ll give you shiny, rock-hard nails — without a curing lamp that emits UV rays four times stronger than the sun’s.

 

2. Sea of Love, Deborah Lippmann

sea of love deborah lippmann nail polish

Soft, inviting: nothing says spring break on the ocean like this misty-blue shade. Best suited for cool-toned skin, this creme-based formula can be applied in a single coat — thank in part to OPI’s Prowide Brush.  Bonus: Sea of Love will roll into your summer wardrobe.

 

3. Maybe, Dior

maybe dior nail polish

Rock the sweetest pastel of all — peach.  Dior’s long-lasting, silicone-enriched formula will make you look like you’ve tiptoed through a field of tulips. Universally-flattering, peach polish also has year-round staying power.

 

4. Sudden, Dior

Sudden dior nail polish

Bring your nails into a new season with Sudden: a rich, peony pink creme nail polish. Feminine, flirtatious, and romantic: it contains an extra-fine, silver shimmer that’ll make your nails sparkle like diamonds.

 

 

5. Gimme a Lido Kiss, OPI

gimme a lido kiss opi nail polish

Hello, spring fever.  Add a little fire to your makeup bag with Gimme a Lido Kiss.  The color flirts with pink and has specks of grown-up glitter.  This bright, happy red also has seven day staying power and can be applied in two to three coats.  

 

6. AmazON…AmazOFF Nail Polish, OPI

amazon amazoff nail polish opi

Let onlookers hear you roar in this forest green polish.  With teal undertones and a slight pearl shimmer, this creme-jelly hybrid can be applied in a single coat. Think of it as a Brazilian Carnival for your nail beds. And, luckily, you won’t have to tuck it away until well after Labor Day.

 

7. Squeaker of the House, OPI

squeaker of the house ops nail polish

It’s another Washington scandal.  Kerry Washington’s nail polish, Squeaker of the House, crosses party lines.  Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, this medium chocolate creme will make you feel like you’re donning an office powersuit — in nail form.

 

8. Shade Shifter, KBShimmer

kbshimmer nail polish

KBShimmer’s Shade Shifter is a beauty chameleon.  Depending on the light, it morphs from cranberry to gold to deep sea blue. Apply at least two coats of this formula over a dark nail polish for your own two week, minature light show.

9. Raspberry Jam, Deborah Lippmann

Rasberry Jam deborah lippmann nail polish

Raspberry jam isn’t just for your toast, your yogurt, or your spoon.  It’s for your talons too. Swipe on a layer of Deborah Lippman’s plum-colored nail polish, and let yourself  — and your closet — blossom into spring.

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Smoking Cigarettes

We all know that smoking is bad for us. After all, each puff makes us more tolerant of our average pack per day. The result? We end up being bippity boppity booed into a walking chimney, spewing 7,000 chemicals and 599 poisons. That’s probably the reason that 70% of us want to quit.

Kicking that butt is hard, though. Good ol’ nicotine packs a bigger punch than cocaine, viagra, heroin, alcohol, or morphine.  The reason? It bathes our brains’ reward centers with adrenaline and dopamine, the feel good neurotransmitter. It also dials down our “pacemaker” neurons, cranking our brains into overdrive, which increases our productivity.

Lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema: lifetime smokers only have a one in seven chance of getting them. But, what if we told you that cigarettes have bigger, even more dangerous, effects on your body? Need a smoking gun? (Pun intended.)  Here are six ways that cigarettes are destroying your health.

 

1. Smoking alters your DNA.

Smoking leaves its “footprint” on your DNA, according to a new study in the journal of Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of DNA methylation sites across the human genome by taking blood samples from nearly 16,000 participants. The findings? A third of our genome is controlled by DNA methylation.  Think of it as your DNA’s off-on switch. Smoking flips that switch and triggers heart disease and cancers. The good news? After five years, participants that quit smoking had DNA methylation levels similar to never smokers.

2. Smoking slows down your ticker.

Cigarettes make your heart work harder. That’s the reason that smokers are four times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack. Smoking lowers your good cholesterol, raises your blood pressure, tightens your major arteries,  and causes your heart to beat irregularly, according to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. Here’s how: poisons, such as tar and carbon monoxide, clog your arteries with fatty plaque while your fibrinogen, a blood clotting material, increases. ”

3. Smoking makes your bones brittle.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology claims that cigarette smoke lowers the vitamin D—”the sunshine vitamin” that thickens bones and reduces inflammation—in your nasal cells. Smoking also lowers estrogen levels in both sexes. That’s bad because estrogen binds calcium and other minerals to your bones. It’s even worse news for women in their 50s and 60s. Six months after a woman hits menopause, around age 50, her estrogen level plummets, resulting in vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and porous bones. Another downside of smoking? To store calcium in your bones, you need to exercise. But, smokers, especially after age 30, tend to hit the gym less often than non-smokers, so they lose their bone mass 1.5 to 2 times faster.

4. Smoking can make you go blind.

Ready for this eye opener? Smoking is the number one cause of blindness, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in people over 50. That’s because the chemicals in cigarettes damage blood vessels in the macula, a quarter of an inch area that’s slap-dab in the middle of your retina that catches light and passes it to the brain. Research also shows that smokers are three times more likely to develop AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Dry eye? It’s the result of tobacco smoke breaking down the fat layer of your tear film, says a 2005 Banskent University study.

5. Smoking leads to premature aging.

Smoking reduces the oxygen in your skin, which decreases your blood’s circulation, resulting in wrinkled, weathered, dull-looking skin that makes you look like the Crypt Keeper. According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, smokers tend to have more wrinkles around their mouths. They also have baggy eyelids and jowls. Wonder what you’d look like if you continued to light up? See your shocking transformation here.

6. Smoking ruins your teeth.

Smoke alert! Cigarettes not only kill the good bacteria in your mouth causing bad breath, halitosis, they coat your teeth with tar, giving them a yellowish tinge that’s hard to remove with toothpaste. According to a turn of the century study in the Journal of Periodontology, smokers are also three times more likely to develop receded gums with sensitive teeth or exposed nerves. Moreover, cigarettes slow down the blood flow to the gums. This creates an unpredictable healing process.

 

Inspired to quit? Sometimes, it takes a village. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Operated by the National Cancer Institute, this toll-free number provides free or discounted medications, self-help materials, and counseling in all 50 states.