Before I go on, let me just say, “Brrr!” – is it ever cold out there!  I don’t know about you, but on days like today I can think of nothing more satisfying than curling up with a good book and staying indoors. On my list of necessities for these comfy-cozy “me days” are the following:

1. Some good, escapist reading material
2. Black Chai Tea (with plenty of milk and sugar!)
3. Smooth, easy-listening background music
4. Light, comfortable and non-restrictive loungewear!

Since I am a total closet nerd, I’ve got mountains of books and, lucky for me, I have boxes upon boxes of tea in my cupboard (thanks to my loving mother and my grandmother – who swears by tea as the surefire cure for every ailment under the sun).  Also, being the music addict I am, I’ve got a stack of new albums just begging for me to play them. Needless to say I won’t be running out of these things anytime soon!

The deciding factor in my enjoyment of all three, however, is often what I’m wearing! After all, how captivated can you be by a moving book or song, if all you can think about is how itchy the waistband on your pants is? While I confess, I’ve got one trusty pair of very old, rather tattered, acid-wash sweatpants, on “personal days” such as these – when rest, relaxation and rejuvination is my ultimate goal – I’d rather slip into something soft and pretty!

Blush and Arianne are two lines of lingerie that offer some truly sophisticated and excellent quality that are so comfy you might forget you’re wearing anything at all, without sacrificing style for comfort! I am infatuated with the Midnight Affair Striped Silk Cotton Pants by Blush Lingerie; the thick waistband doesn’t cut into my belly (yep, I’ll admit to a little pooch!) and the cute button embellishments offer a unique touch. Arianne’s Liliane Camisole with Adjustable Straps is great, too! As a woman who needs a little support to feel comfortable, the adjustable straps of this cami are invaluable, and the bright pink colour is absolutely adorable.

Well, I’m off to curl up and enjoy my day off. Here’s hoping you will all get the chance to do the same over the weekend!

Keep Warm!

Rachel

Eat your way to a better, healthier lifestyle with berries, high in antioxidants.

1. Get in touch with Mother Nature. Exploring the great outdoors is a natural, fun and surefire way to stay healthy while enjoying activities as diverse as rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, jogging, biking and waterskiing.  Let the sun naturally fuel your body with Vitamin D, which helps regulate calcium, boosts your immune system and helps prevent osteoporosis, and leaves you energized.  Use sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 to keep harmful rays from damaging your skin.

Tri-Action Wire-Free Sports Bra by Triumph International, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

2. Get a REAL Sports Bra THAT FITS. Over time, your bras naturally wear and tear, making it crucial to renew your wardrobe at least once a year and make sure your bras fit properly.  This DEFINITELY includes your sports bras!  Your breasts’ and skin’s elasticity decrease naturally with age, pregnancy, weight loss or gain, etc. If you wear a sports bra that doesn’t support properly, this process is sped up, making your breasts bounce and causing small tears in the ligaments that keep your breasts firm, potentially causing sagging.

3. Vitalize. Get a dose of energizing, exotic fruits rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like pomegranate, berries and kiwi, or veggies like peppers, spinach and ginger.  Incorporate these into your breakfast to get a kick-start to your day, or fill small tupperware with fun salads to grab when you’re on the go or for a healthy mid-morning or afternoon snack to get a natural, revitalizing boost of vitamins and minerals without the burnout effects of caffeine or energy drinks.  Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds are also rich in antioxidants and are a super tasty and creative add-in to your cereals and fruit salads.

4. Clear your mind and lower stress.  Try meditating, yoga, tai chi or other relaxing, invigorating low-impact exercises that tone your body, relieve stress and help you relax.  Doing any kind of physical activity boosts endorphins, increases muscle and blood circulation, which will make you feel happier and less stressed.

Yoga balances body and mind, relieving your stress.

5. Clean out your space. Organize To-Do lists, recycle old newspapers and magazines, tidy your drawers, or host a garage sale on your block.  Donate clothes that no longer fit or that are just so 90′s you’ll never wear them again.  By getting rid of clutter in your personal space, you’ll ease your mind and feel refreshed, instead of stressed and claustrophobic. Plus, you’ll also have much more room to store the shoe boxes stacked five feet high in your closet…

Share YOUR tips for fitness and healthy eating with us!
Comment here or e-mail me (Lisa) at nowthatsliving@nowthatslingerie.com.