Stretch Your Body, Not Your Bank Account

Stretch and breathe. Open and release.
Fine instruction for yoga. Not so helpful instruction for your wallet.

You can finally throw out those ratty old sweats and get some real yoga-wear — and you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

When I first got very serious about yoga, I wanted some serious yoga gear. So I bought a pair of the $100 brand-name yoga pants that just scream “om” — and they’re fantastic. But I haven’t bought a single other thing from that line because the un-Zen-like high prices give me a bad case of “sticker shock-ra.”

Now those yoga pants have been relegated to the bottom of the pile in my closet.
The ones I’ve found myself spending all of my time in? The ones I can’t live without? They’re $24.50.

The no-name little yoga pants can be found on VictoriasSecret.com — I bought 4 for the price of one of the pricey pants, and I haven’t worn another style since.

Unlike other bargain yoga pants, these ones actually look good <em>and</em> feel good. They hug all the right places, minimize those parts of us we think are not-so-right, and the fold-over top (in an array of colors that add a touch of <em>a-ha!</em> to your <em>asanas</em>), is flattering for any tummy type: from flat to buddha. They also come in cropped or long styles, so there’s something for every body.

But most importantly, they do what they’re supposed to do — stretch.

So your budget doesn’t have to.

Heather B. Allison – Fashion/Style Editor

Spring’s First Bloom

If you’re like me, you’ve been doing everything in your power to banish this if-it-snows-one-more-time-I’m-going-to-hit-something winter, and bring on the spring. Bargaining with the weather gods. 
Anti-rain dancing. 
Wearing that up-to-there mini dress in an attempt to will the warmer season into being. Well, instead of freezing these gams off (again), I’m getting my spring on with the most adorable accessories now in bloom at Anthropologie.

A number of hair-flora items to choose from, I picked the felt-rose hair clip in red – adds the perfect touch of whimsy and ‘sunshine’ to any daytime outfit. Or, if you are willing to bare some skin in spite of the cold, dress it up with a slinky black dress and heels or an off-shoulder top and forget the spring – you’ll be heating up any room you enter.

The clips are a budget-friendly $15 and come in a bouquet of other colors like green, pink, white, purple – even grey, if you’re not already sick of that cloudy color. Or check out the be-flowered headbands, hair pins, and hats for even more sunny styles. All ripe for the picking at Anthropologie.

Heather B. Allison – Fashion/Style Editor

Teen Spirit Never Smelled So Good

Recently launched by the natural and eco-friendly spa and skin care brand, Pevonia Botanica, the new SpaTeen line is anything but teens-only. While the line is formulated specifically to nurture the challenging and ever-changing needs of teen-skin, we women know those challenges often don’t end just because high school’s over.

The soothing botanicals, spa-quality active ingredients, fresh scents and low price appeal to women from 14 to 40 – and are effective for any age in between. A marriage of rich, natural ingredients and a technologically-advanced time-release system, SpaTeen’s products deliver hydration, prevent breakouts and reveal smooth, glowing skin all day long.

Pevonia’s new line has two product collections to choose from:

• SpaTeen for Blemished Skin rivals other leading acne-treatment skin care products with ingredients like Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid and Sulfur, but has an edge over them with its time-released delivery and higher-quality extracts. Your skin won’t be beaten into submission by a harsh single-dose of chemicals, but instead will be consistently (and effectively) encouraged to be the clear skin you’ve always wanted.

• SpaTeen for All Skin Types is milder but also delivers clear, glowing skin with Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Kava – a kind of black pepper that has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

And with the natural fruit extracts of lime, lemon, or strawberry scenting each product, skin smells as fresh as it looks.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or just fresh out of patience with the undelivered promises of other adult skincare lines, this fresh-smelling new product may be just what you’re looking for.

Find Pevonia’s SpaTeen and other product lines at Ananya Spa in Seattle (3131 Western Avenue Suite 320 – 206.217.1744 – www.ananyaspaseattle.com).

Heather B. Allison – Fashion/Style Editor