Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Celebrates Chinese New Year Year Wood Goat with best wishes to my friends in the US and the Asia Pacific good health and good fortune in the coming year. The holiday prelude includes several days visiting family, traveling, shopping for new things too start out the year on the best foot possible and celebrating life together.

It is marvelous to explore Asian cultures. So rich in deep meaning that helps any one who wants to understand it, navigate many dimensions of living based upon ancient beliefs, tools and rituals passed on generation to generation. Spanista finds it fascinating.

To share this enthusiasm, here is an article in Fortune Magazine, “It’s Chinese New Year: A Financial Astrologer Predicts 2015” outlining one experts interpretation of where the positive energy lies and how we might benefit from if we keep these things top of mind as guides.  The reporter Dinah Eng, interviewed Doris Ingber, an expert in feng shui and 4 Pillars Analysis (a branch of Chinese astrology), says 2015 will be a year dominated by the economy.

Predictions come with the the new year based upon the Chinese Calendar. In the Chinese zodiac, each Lunar New Year, is associated with one of 12 animal signs. This is the Year of the Sheep (also referred to as the Year of the Ram or Goat). She goes on to explain that five elements (Wood, Earth, Fire, Metal and Water) align with the animal signs. Elements affect everyone, and that the energy of each element can relate to industries. The Chinese astrology expert says Wood industries should do well this year, as the element — which represents growth and change — dominates 2015. That makes this the Year of the Wood Goat.

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Here are excerpts from the article offering us ways to prosper and avoid risk.

“We are at a turning point in the 12-year cycle,” says Ingber, who has offices in New York and Norwalk, Conn. “The energy of wood, which represents the economy, is beginning to flower. Unemployment is down, wages are moving up, and costs have stabilized or lowered.”

Wood industries include architecture, manufacturing with natural products, fashion, food, publications like newspapers, magazines and books, and education. “Those who listen and communicate with their customers will thrive,” Ingber says. In a year that’s all about money, the opportunity for prosperity is there for everyone, if we take advantage of it.”

Plus she points out “This year’s energy supports those who are humanitarian and lead from a team-building orientation.”

Here are Ingber’s tips for creating prosperity in this Year of the Wood Goat:

* Avoid direct confrontations… compromise and negotiation will achieve more than conflict;

* Home, food, clothing and comfort are a priority… surround yourself with beautiful, quality things, or make sure that what you produce is done with quality materials;

* Create powerful allies and strong connections;

* Master the soft sell technique;

* Be responsible in your decision-making… be the shepherd; and

* Focus on charity and humanitarian acts… the sheep will reward you.

Spanista Celebrates Chinese New Year Year Wood Goat gives us food for thought. What does it mean for Spanista Wellness Seekers as we champion the self care movement together? Perhaps let’s think about what Ingber suggests through the eyes of your Self Care Rituals? The most relevant points are ‘Surround yourself with beautiful quality things’ and ‘Be responsible for your decision making’ and ‘Focus on humanitarian acts.’ These all relate to Spanista Philosophy respectively – here are my thoughts – be selective about your lifestyle and decide to make self care a priority and define a personal platforms to give back as thank for your wellbeing. And remember to knock on wood.

What do you think relates to self care practices and how?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Formula 1 Racing Physical Over Emotional Fitness Wonders Spanista? I do wonder. In the Health & Wellness section of the Feb. 17th WSJournal I was drawn to an article about a favorite pastime my husband and I share – Formula One Racing.  The WSJournal article headline reads, “To Race a Formula One Car, tart with a Very Strong Core” reported by Kristiano Ang. What made this article noteworthy was the untold story on the high level of fitness required for drivers to reach this elite class. The photos made me smile because the driver featured was Susie Wolff. Susie Wolff is a test driver for the Williams Martini Race Team. By the way, the driver in the Formula 1 car pictured in below the feature article is Ms. Wolff.   I have been fortunate to attend races in Australia, Europe and Canada, meet the drivers and watch them perform. There is not experience quite like it – before , during or after.

The fast, glamorous, international world of Formula 1 has quite an iconic and sexy past. For example, I think my top movie favorite of the last three years is RUSH.( Available at Amazon, recommend the wide screen edition. It is worth it.) It is the story of two legendary drivers who carried out an intense rivalry for years that eventually turned into a respectful friendship. The extreme drivers are James Hunt (played by Australian born Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda ( played by German born Daniel Bruhl ) – the emotional intensity it takes to drive uber fast cars that today fly at peak speed of over 200 mph for up to 90 minutes – this is not just a race of physical fitness, in addition it takes emotional fitness to endure and win. With this experience I have a point of view shared in the Spanista Takeaway at the end of this opinion post.

The WSJournal article outlines Susie’s work out, diet, gear and playlist to help her establish core body strength. An essential. However, Spanista feels the story falls short. Today there is so much emphasis put on physical fitness, which is terrific for peak performance and wellbeing, but I would like to propose an alternative point of view – there is a key missing ingredient. I think this pursuit should be balanced with Emotional Fitness. In fact the ingredient of Emotional Fitness separates the winners from the losers.  Peak performers should work from the inside out to se the right emotional context for winning.

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Spanista Takeaway: I wonder if this performance strategy could be taken to another level if seen through the eyes of Spanista Philosophy? Perhaps Ms. Wolff could capitalize on what I call The Female Advantage  – self care that is composed of  balanced strength  – a powerful synergy between emotional fitness and physical.  If cultivated properly it can bring her to the top of the crowd – if she finds the right approach to perfect this self care approach that works for her and build on her unique strengths.

Of course physical fitness is productive form of self care that which I strongly advocate but it’s emotional fitness that makes for world-class winners like Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and before that Sebastian Vettel (Fararri) and before that Ayrton Senna. (McLaren).

Formula 1 Racing Physical Over Emotional Fitness Wonders Spanista? I wonder if it is time for a woman to take on Formula One on the track to win? 

Your thoughts?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Free Spirited Updated Boho Inspires Spa Chic Style, so loved by Spanista, has surfaced as a driving fashion concept on the runways of some serious designers like Valentino, Prada, Celine and Row for spring. The latest now flowing from luxury designers is renewed, refreshed, refined. The savvy woman’s interpretation celebrates updated structure with high quality fabrics and sophisticated prints like the Valentino dress pictured here offered at Bergdorf Goodman as seen in this in the Sunday NYTimes. You also see it as the featured frock in this cover article in the Off Duty Section of the weekend’s WSJournal written by Meenal Mistry. It exudes confidence with a smart yet playfulness. For many of us Valentino’s artistic will act as inspiration for spring.

My Boho love affair started during my years working in Australia where I discovered the layback sophistication of high quality beach life year round. Living with surf and sand is part of everyday life inspite of the change of seasons. When chill hits the air out come the layers – warm kaftans, fleece coverups and Uggs not to mention the luscious hats, scarves and gloves rich with rich marino wools. Loving this is all about embracing is lifestyle attitude.

It was this discovery that lead me to fall for Sienna Miller’s expression of Boho Chic. Her profile is skyrocketing because of her great appearance in the topical movie “American Sniper”. Over time my taste level is taken me to Rachel Zoe. Love her finely curated Boho Style – modern shilouettes with savvy layering of qualty pieces with a less is more mindset. Today a profess that one personal style voice should be build around the lifestyle want to live – not the other way around. That is why I created the unique Spa Chic Style platform as seen through the eyes of Spanista. It borrows from the best of what is relaxed and refined about Boho sensibility that is built around an authentic lifestyle – Style today is framed by the way values you relate to and the way you want to live today. The way to build your personal style is by building your look around your deepest sense of values – your sense of self care and self expression. Your closet becomes a book full of chapters outlining occasions – your story unfolds. rather than a jumble of pieces that are reflect a series of one night stands.

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Spanista Takeaway: It is time to throw away the fashion norms. It is time to build wardrobing around your values. Spanista suggests self care and self expression are the the heart of redefining your style. Joy flows easily from your heart when you feel you are being true to yourself and that occurs naturally when you define your lifestyle around the life you want to lead – by centering it on self care and self expression you are bound to not only feel fantastic but look it to. Your joy shines outward to the world through your style story.

Free Spirited Updated Boho Inspires Spa Chic Style is the start of something big. Thoughts?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: NYTimes Style Editor Reports Post Trend Universe offers an interesting point of view. For those of us who enjoy monitoring the fashion world as it blossoms with new trend exertions every spring, especially when the Fashion Week circuit unfolds starting with New York, this pronouncement captures the imagination.

One of my favorites things to look forward to around Valentine’s Day is the official kick off to spring fashion editorial. This weekend the arrival of The NY Times Style Magazine, called T, for Spring arrived on my door step. The Editor’s Letter by Deborah Needleman. This was accompanied by an article by Cathy Horyn that elaborated on this theme in the LOOKOUT/ Sign of the Times feature with the headline, “The Post Trend Universe, In a World Where Fashion Moves Instagram-fast, the ‘look’ of the season is a thing of the past.” Frankly from Spanista’s perspective, this  pronouncement is cause for rejoicing because I could not agree more. Alas – the editors are getting it.

For years my career spun around helping my clients interpret what was unfolding on the runways and what resonates with fashion editors so that it could define style trends for everyday women with real lives – women balancing career, family and life who live outside of Manhattan. Since the great recession set in I have observed major shifts in women’s attitudes and behaviors. There are a lot of women in the rest of the country that enjoy trend watching but see little to no relevance to it in their lives. They have too much else going on that is important to them. And thanks to the internet this gap is addressed by style bloggers who are dancing on the wings of reality creating success because they get this and are delivering lifestyle solutions.

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I have always believed in expressing one’s individual style but what I learned while working in the fashion and retail industries, as well as living in the NYC – one of fashion’s snobbiest cities in the world – is that you are judged daily by what you wore – totally superficially – a friend called the judgmental look ‘The Manhattan Once Over” generally sentenced by fashion elitists in the industry. They were looking for trend right signals in your look. Translation – had you read Monday’s edition of Vogue – if you did, you were sporting the newest shade of peacock-blue that emerged from the editors arbitrage of latest runway fashion. You were included or excluded in the ‘inner circle’ depending upon your early adoption of those trends into your daily wardrobe. Which meet changing it up daily to stay current. Exhausting and expensive. Stressful. Externally focused.

Both Deborah Needleman and Cathy Horyn suggest that as spring fashion arrives, “The solution is to rely on our own instincts, which is something that many women featured in this issue – musicians, writers, artists women like Bjork! – have in common – an ability to filter myriad influences to create an unmistakably personal voice.”  They go further to state –  “Is choice overwhelming? Yes. But the freedom to dress as you like, in clothes that suit your body and reflect your tastes, is well worth exercising.”

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 While monitoring shopper trends for the country entire,  I could see emerging the shifting sands of change in consumer behaviors when it came to style expectations and patterns of adoption. These changes along with my personal experiences lead me to believe there was another wave coming – a wave that offered more joy and satisfaction for women. It was a personal style expressed around ones lifestyle not what the runways and fashion editors said was right for you – it was the seedlings of what I eventually adopted a Spa Chic Style a style right for me and the way I live now. A style that is everything I love about  Urban Coastal Spa Mindset.

Spanista Takeaway: There is a growing wave of women opting for a ‘Higher Vantage Point’ for viewing style’s role int their lives. It has less to do with following trends that are meaningless due to the disconcerting influence of fast fashion – It is about defining ones LifeStyle from the inside out – The way to you want to express yourself that is true to your creative voice.

Good News Monday: NYTimes Style Editor Reports Post Trend Universe is about starting a conversation about Life Style dressing from the inside out.

Love to hear your thoughts about this – What mindset drives the way you dress to live well today? 

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: Love Yourself First Valentine. But you may ask isn’t Valentine’s Day about expression for love for your dear ones. Well yes , it is but I want to make sure that we start with showing ourselves the TLC we often deserve but never find time to do.

In fact I advocate Self Care so why depend on others to bring your joy on this day of love?  If your loved one comes through with a something special that’s great – but sometimes ones expectations can be too high and you may find yourself let down or even very disappointed. But set your intentions today to proactively plan tomorrow and do some sweet just for yourself early on Valentine’s Day. How about creating a simple Valentine’s Day Experience as an expression of love for just for yourself? It will set  a positive tone for the day not one can change because you are emotionally already ahead of the game by treating yourself with tenderness.

Here are 5 simple ways to Love Yourself Valentine!

1. Enjoy colorful flowers  – buy a bouquet, go to a botanical garden for morning coffee or find a swing in a charming garden and just slow down and breathe.

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2. Gift Yourself with a Valentine’s Day devoted to ‘favorite doings’ from morning to night. Indulge in morning french pastry, buy new music, indulge in your favorite local chef’s dish, a bottle of the pricey champagne you love, fly a kite, indulge in a fancy dessert. Set an exciting ‘Day of Joyful Living’ agenda.

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3. Call a new spa with great amenities to take in a massage – weather you are on a weekend holiday in Las Vegas or spending Valentine’s weekend locally in Tampa discover Spa Evangeline at the Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa – then take the time pre and post to take in the facilities for your personal pleasure. The environment will renew your heart, body and mind.

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4. Head for natural waters – the closest park with a pond, lake, river, sea or ocean. Take a picnic lunch and theme it for the weather – be creative but keep it simple. Be still by the waters and enjoy your lunch close to nature.

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5. Visit a local gallery buy a small piece of art that attracts you – something you just keep coming back to – if you set the intention to find something to buy at a certain price I have discovered you will find, like these spirited female dancers! I found these in Stuart, Florida where the likes of Michael Jordan and Celine Dion  have homes along the beach coastline islands.

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Friday Wellness Tip: Love Yourself First Valentine are idea starters  Spanista hopes will inspire you to Self Care. So what will you do to Love Yourself First Valentine?

To Your Self Care Journey to Joy this Valentine’s Day,

Ginny

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