Me in Melange

Teary Yoga

I know I talk about yoga a lot, but I can’t help myself.  Today was an intense class.  The instructor is one of my favorites, and she had just come off of an intensive weekend training and she warned us that she was a bit raw.  This is what I love about yoga, it’s so much more than just the poses, it’s really all in your head, that’s where the real work is.

Anyway, she talked about she felt during this training program she attended, which basically amounted to “unworthy”.  It was that feeling of walking into a room and feeling like everyone had a better job, more education, better outfit, prettier, funnier….basically that everyone is out of your league.  Who hasn’t felt that way?  Part of the training during the weekend was to tap into what was holding you back, what made you feel unaccepted, or unworthy.  She shared a memory of her father (who died suddenly when she was in her teens), and how he had come to a diving meet (after rarely ever coming) and said, “I just thought you’d be better by now.”  So part of her cathartic weekend, was coming to accept herself, and her father’s limitations, and forgiveness. All in order to move thru them and keep them from holding her back or being the excuse that held her back.  As she was telling her memory of her father she broke into tears.  It was such a vulnerable moment for her, and she was willing to share it with everyone. Another reason I love yoga.

She quoted someone…I think it was Eckhart Tolle, who said, “First there must be acceptance. Then you can begin.” All the things (insert people, circumstances etc.) that hold you back, are things you haven’t fully accepted yet. 

She went on to teach a hard ass class….lots and lots of arm work.  Another reason I love yoga.

On a totally other note, my other favorite thing (clothes) deserves a little shout out too.  I just got the Anni Kuan Kite top, and can I just say how great it is??  I think this is such a perfect morphing top….it can morph from day to night, or season to season.  Super cute on too (love the sleeves), and I think it will make a great travel piece. I like that it isn’t black, but it’s not a washed out grey either—it’s that great in-between that manages to still look fresh and not dreary.  It took me a long time to warm up to Anni’s fabrics (I couldn’t get past the fact that they weren’t “all natural”) but I have come to totally trust her ability to find fabrics that feel, wear, drape and wash really, REALLY well.  I’m never disappointed. I have her flight pants in black, but now I know I need them in the grey too because it would be fantastic worn with the top—a lá jumpsuit style. 

I will also say, that I’m enjoying my Child perfume and body cream almost every day.  Last I heard Cammi had totally converted to loving it too.  Initially when I asked her if she liked it she said, “well, it’s not for me really.” The smell changes a lot on your skin, and at first smell from the bottle it can feel a little bold, but softens and mellows so beautifully on the skin.  She now has confirmed she’s completely in love with it too.  I just really adore the small roller ball size, it’s always in my purse and I love that I can dab it on during the day.

Lastly, Romeo wore shorts and a tee shirt today….it probably didn’t get warmer than 52 degrees outside. When we walked the dog in the late afternoon he said, “mommy, I hate to tell you, but I think it’s because you are over 40 that you are cold because I’m always comfortable OR I’m too hot.”  So apparently my advanced age is making me cold. Who knew?   

Meet The New Anni Kuan

Spring is the kick off of Anni Kuan’s brand new, laser focused and über inspired group.  She decided last Summer to give her clothing line and business a makeover (which is being debuted now.)  She streamlined everything within her company, and she tailored down her line to a much smaller capsule of only the pieces she really, really loved, and really believed in.  Her epiphany was that she was designing and creating a bigger line to support an entire operation with her business and organization--the cart was pulling the horse.  She decided to scale back, only produce the pieces she felt passionate about, and to strip down her overhead to a simple operation that would make it easier for her to not feel external pressures to design a certain way, or satisfy a certain client, or “sell” what she didn’t feel super driven about.

She was getting lost in the rat race essentially, so she forcefully pulled herself out of the race, and reinvented herself—or perhaps a better way of saying it is that she “found herself” again.

The result?  It’s a small, and amazing collection, and when you talk to her she’s passionate about each single piece, and each and every piece has a multi-layered use.  She’s thought out how it pairs with everything else in the collection (and outside of the collection.)  I think it’s quite possibly the best spring/summer group she’s ever created.

My personal favorite is the Tonnero jacket.  It’s expensive, and my only hesitation was about the price honestly.  But once you see it and put it on, you realize how unique and wonderful it is—and worth the tag price.  It’s one of those jackets that you can throw on over a white tank, pair it with your favorite jeans and a pair of tennis shoes and feel totally great in. You can also couple it with some cool wide leg, high waisted black pants for work.  It’s got all kinds of possibilities, and it’s this oddly timeless style, that still manages to look very “now”.  

The only problem with Anni’s collection is that honestly, every piece feels indispensable, so you want them all, and I could argue that they are all must-haves, so choosing is going to be hard....do we have to?? 

Signed, ME {lv}