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.
    Ginny is……Read more

Spanista-Friday-Wellness-Tip:-Tickle-Your-Holiday-Funny-Bone.jpegPINIMAGE

Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Friday Wellness Tip: Humor Heals Us. This humorous holiday expression pictured above is strategically placed in my home during the holidays. When I am fortunate enough to be at home and not traveling extensively, I find myself turning to it several times of day because it makes me chuckle every time I do. It persuades me to keep things light – to laugh at myself.

As we move deeper into experiencing the special holiday time of year, let’s remember to keep our sense of humor alive and active. Why? Because it has proven personal health benefits not to mention sets a wonderful atmosphere of optimism and joy. It also lightens the load and gets you out of your head. Laughing releases the good endorphins.

We need to be mindful that Humor Heals Us because the value of humor can be lost during the holidays when we experience stress from extra activities and high social expectations. Or as we hear and absorb the challenging social issues like hate crimes ( sadly another a 15 year old boy was run down and killed last night – a victim of a hate crime officials say ) in the US and around the world like the displacement of huge populations resulting in innocent families suffering.

While exploring the potential connective tissue between humor and wellness, I came upon an enlightening point of view published by Longwood University about “The 7 Dimensions of Wellness”. These medical professionals define Wellness in ways that align with Spansita Philosophy & values. Here it is:

“Wellness is a lifelong process that produces a positive state of well-being; a dynamic process of change and 
growth. Wellness is largely determined by the decisions you make about how to live your life. The dimensions
 of wellness interact continuously, influencing and being influenced by one another. Individually and 
collectively, the wellness dimensions are associated with an enhanced quality and quantity of life.”

One of the 7 Dimensions is “Intellectual Wellness” which includes the use of and continual striving for information and intellectual growth. An
active mind is essential to wellness; it opens to new ideas, has the capacity to question, think critically, and
is motivated to master new skills; and includes a sense of humor.“

Hmmm….It is inspiring to associate having a Sense of Humor with Intellectual Prowess! Who doesn’t want to be smarter after all and get a laugh in at the same time?  So listen up Wellness Seekers – Let’s work on our Humor Heals Us IQ by tickling our holiday funny bones:

  1. Actively look for a laugh everyday for your own wellness. Just notice your thoughts, feelings and surroundings through funny eyes. Watch your favorite comedian on you tube with a glass of wine. Laugh out loud.
  2. Expand the circle of influence  by ‘actively looking for a laugh everyday ‘ to your family and friends. Make it a game if you are with family like when traveling in your car together.
  3. Turn a bad situation into a positive one by twisting the outcome to be funny – look for the humor in it. With practice it will become surprisingly easy.
  4. Crack a joke at an unexpected time, like when you are waiting in a long check out lane and watch the positive effect spread.
  5. Set a mood for joy by adopting the mantra – ‘Humorous Home, Happier Holidays‘. Set out a fun saying or two in your kitchen or family room like the one I have pictured here. Or display a funny character someplace unexpected that will surprise, like an arrangement of Olaf  Snow Men from the epic Disney Movie – ‘FROZEN” If things get touchy direct attention to it and watch laughter have a positive influence.  He can make even the hardest heart melt.

Keeping your sense of humor alive during the holiday will keep you well and have a positive influence on your family.

Spread the word. Do you have any humourous Holiday Rituals?

May Your Self Care Journey To Joy Merry, Healthy & Bright,

Ginny

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 After-Spa-Chic-Style-Essentials-1.jpegPINIMAGEAfter-Spa-Chic-Style-Essentials-3.jpegPINIMAGEAfter-Spa-Chic-Style-Essentials-4.jpegPINIMAGE

Dear Wellness Seeker,

Spa Chic Style Essentials: Spanista Holiday Collection Idea #8 is about designing a better After Spa Experience for you.

Right now you deserve the wonderful feeling you get from your favorite relaxation treatment like a massage. Firstly, if you have not made an appointment, make a note to Self Care today. Just booking the appointment will make you happy. It will begin the process of reducing holiday stress and sustain you into the New Year. But that special emotional high you emerge with post treatment deserves to linger as long as possible. To get the most out of both the physical and emotional benefits, make the feeling last by having the right After Spa Wardrobe to wear.

Secondly, After Spa Chic Style Essentials should offer fashionability but as important is the right functionality.

Frankly, one of the troublesome aspects of salon massage treatments this time of year is that we do not take care to treat our bodies properly after the process. Many times we are in a hurry so we by-pass the quality reflective time – to rectify remember to plan 30 minute of transition time in the relaxation room before you head to the locker room.

Then there is the matter of maintaining your body temperature which increases through your therapists touch and technique. This is where you need to step up your After Spa IQ.

After-Spa-Chic-Style-Essentials-2.jpegPINIMAGEFor Example: This Boho Chic Silhouette is the perfect transition wear to keep your relaxed muscles warm and protected as go out into colder winter days. This is true anywhere in the US as the weather has radical swings in temperatures and moisture.

This After Spa Chic Ensemble from Design In The City Boutique will keep you warm while also keeping you fashion forward. Tip – The main cover up should adequately cover shoulder, back, arms, torso and cover the legs to the knee.

~ Cascade Cardigan Sweater is cozy and warm, woven in boho tribal stripe and highlighted with coral and turquoise is reminiscent of  relaxing oceans beaches lifestyle. A great look coming and going.

~ Jeans by Big Star are super soft suede like finish should fit a bit loose.

~ Tee- Shirt by XCVI of soft cotton with a textured raglan sleeve to give you shoulders room to move  – I like white especially for its purifying energy – avoid covering the top torso with dark colors.

Gift yourself or someone you love with an Spa Chic Ensemble that will enhance relaxation with every dressing gesture. You will want to sustain that laid back feeling like this Bohemian vibe. Fabrics should breathe but be plush to the touch – highly textured which triggers the sense of comfort and care. Pair with your favorite boots and a scarf.

Reminder – All clothes should be loose-fitting not tight – especially top and bottom pieces. They should fit comfortably to allow the blood flow to not be restricted or the benefits of massage will be greatly diminished.

The Spanista Collaboration between Mindy Owner of Design In The City Boutique and me has been a great first time experience together as we explore ways to bring you Spa Chic Style Solutions. As your Spanista Personal Shopper  I am here to help you get what you want from our Design In The City Holiday Collection Top 10 List. Just email me your requests and I will get back to you straight away so you get you gifts shipped in time for Christmas – just 20 days away!

May Your Self Care Journey To Joy Be Merry, Healthy & Bright,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Movie Lovers: Are You Seeing Interstellar? By creator Christopher Nolan? If you have I am most interested in hearing your impressions – good or bad.

One of the unique characteristics of a Spanista Enthusiast is a curiosity about the depth of human emotions and how they play out to impact our lives over the short term and long term. How we process what is relevant and what is not.

Given Thanksgiving Weekend was full of family activity, come Sunday afternoon I was ready to kick back in our intimate library – now festively styled with our smallest Christmas tree glistening in the corner, my perky cup of Teavana Early Grey tea, to catch up on my reading ritual. My favorite is NYTimes and WSJournal Weekend and Sunday Editions which help me stay connected to New York happenings. Throughly enjoying a leisurely couple of hours of peaceful Self Care time, I was paging through The New York Times Weekend Arts Section when I was stopped in my tracks by a headline “Love Is the Most Powerful Thing In The Universe”.

Movie-Lovers:-Have-You-Seen-Interstellar-Headlines.jpegPINIMAGEAs I looked at what appeared to be a full-page ad for a new movie  the idea of it drew me – “Love is The Most Powerful Thing In The Universe”. The headline was followed up by a sub headline –  “Love and Gravity” by David Brooks. Seriously, the eloquent and inspired writing that followed was paragraphs long – SO UNLIKE the TYPICAL MOVIE LAUNCH AD which leans heavily on a formula – the iconic photo of the characters and lead actors that defines it. Once I absorbed the first three paragraphs I was so intrigued I read it not once, but twice. Through Mr. Brooks narrative, this movie found a voice that speaks volumes in the printed word – it moved beyond the mundane to another level of insight that made me lose time. It made me want to see the movie and learn more. From what I can surmise is Mr. Brooks wrote the narrative as a movie review that appeared in the Times on November 20,2014. The narrative so captured the essence of ‘Interstellar” and its potential influence on the world, the movie’s creators turned it into this marketing approach. Clever.The storyline centers around a concept called “Quantum Entanglement”.

To give you a flavor of the message here are quotes from Mr. Brooks about Interstellar: “Nolan wants us to see the magnetic force of these attachments(close human relationships): The way attachments can exert a gravitational pull on people who are separated by vast distances or even by death.Their attention is riveted by the beloved. They hunger for reunion.”

“These plotlines are generally based upon real science. The physicist Kip Thorne has a book out ” The Science of Interstellar”, explaining it all. But what matters in the movie is what science and emotion (and a really loud score) mingle to create a powerful mystical atmosphere. Nolan introduces the concept of quantum entanglement. That’s when two particles that have interacted with each other behave as even though they might be far apart. He then shows how people in LOVE display some of those same features. They react to the same things in the same way at he same time….”  More excerpts….

…….”Interstellar is important because amid all the culture wars between science and faith and science and the humanities the movie illustrates the real symbiosis between these realms. more it shows how modern science is influencing culture.” 

….…”But in an era of quantum entanglement and relativity, everything looks emergent and interconnected. Life looks less like a machine and more like endless complex patterns of waves and particles. Vast social engineering projects look less promising, because of the complexity, but webs of loving and meaningful relationships can do amazing good.”

Thank you Mr. Brooks – you certainly have captured my imagination. Maybe the books are a great place to start to better understand what this fascinating concept is all about? Feel like I need a foundation of understanding to really appreciate the depth of the movie – So read, then see the movie?

So, are you seeing Interstellar? Click for movie trailer on Youtube. Love to hear your thoughts.
May Your Self Care Journey To Joy Be Merry & Bright,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Holiday Collection Idea #7: Chic Asian Eye Scarf & Book is a great combo that will be enjoyed for its wearability and thoughtfulness. The scarf has fashion staying power for many reasons both functionally and emotionally. The scarf has a long interesting history that goes back to 1350 BC when Egyptian Queen Neferiti wears a finely woven scarf topped by a headdress. Since then it has enjoyed a fascinating journey through changing culture and style.

Great scarves are our constant companions – whether you are running around town, staying warm from a spa treatment or traveling distances for work or pleasure, they lend comfort and immediate warmth on command. Not to mention they are always a wonderful fashion statement that can be worn to reflect your personal style. When I turn to my scarf collection and select the right one for the occasion, it often conjures up memories  – as I style my choice it often whispers stories about where I was, who I was with and what had unfolded. Does this happen to you too?

The Asian Eye Scarves pictured offers the artful style of self-expression for anyone who enjoys the spa chic lifestyle. When I think of the gifts I have received that have enduring value I would certainly count my scarves as in the top three.

Over the years giving the gift of a scarf to a friend or loved one has come to be a symbol of affection.

These Asian Eye scarves were chosen by Mindy, founder of Design In The City Boutique and me for the Spanista Holiday Collection because of their Spa Chic Style sensibility. While there are several designs available we though the three pictured here were so attractive for Spanista Enthusiasts. Patterns – the color patterns go with todays winters cover ups – deep and rich teal, ocher, grey and camel on black. All are lightweight and breathe while they can fold easily into a handbag. They feel great to the touch around your neck as they are made of fine wool and silk in long rectangular shapes that can be styled to suit your mood.

Combining an Asian Eye Scarf with a great book that explores “50 Ways to Wear a Scarf” by Lauren Friedman that was published in 2014 would make a wonderful gift combo. It adds a layer of fun – From the Audrey to the Paris, the Top Down, or the Easy Breezy, there are 50 scarf styles in this book for any occasion or mood. Jaunty illustrations break down each step so they can wrap, loop, and get out the door looking perfectly polished. Teens, young professionals, and moms alike will love playing around with the looks, including unexpected belts, sarongs, and topknots.

The book is vibrantly illustrated and packaged as a compact hardcover, “50 Ways to Wear a Scarf “begs to be gifted with an Asain Eye scarf and displayed on a dresser, plus it’s small enough to take scarf shopping. Très chic!

Remember, just email me at [email protected] to inquire about purchasing the scarves – I am your personal shopper at Design In the City and will help you make your purchase and ship it off for you.

May Your Self Care Journey To Joy Be Merry & Bright,

Ginny

 

 

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Good-News-Monday:-Monarch-Butterflies-Increase2.jpegPINIMAGEGood-News-Monday:-Monarch-Butterflies-Increase3.jpegPINIMAGE

Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Monarch Butterflies Increases Presence in Mexico reversing years of a declining numbers in population. These magical creatures have always held a fascination with me. I want to share this news as a positive sign of what maybe good things ahead in 2015.

Why is the Miracle of The Monarchs worthy of attention right now? Because Spanista sees them as sympatico with the Seasons of Spanista which celebrates the Rhythm of Life and natures sophisticated, mysterious healing ways. These etherial creatures inspire lightness of heart – especially during a time of year that can become stressful for many of us. I always watch for their arrival in Michoacan as it signals the end of Autumn is near and winter will soon arrive. I have been lucky enough to witness the migration over the years while living on the Missouri/Kansas state borders that are on their flight path south. They are so fragile they cannot withstand the Canadian winters so they seek warm climate which makes them ruled by the Sun. In fact the day the sun rises to exactly 52 degrees above the horizon the exodus begins. I can relate to this surcadine rhythm too!

The Monarch Butterflies migrate over 2000 miles from Canada through the middle of the United States on to the Oyamel Forrest of Mexico is a nothing less than a miracle. But sadly, over the last decade the odds have been stacked against their survival. The natural habitats that nourish them along the journey have been altered by land development and chemicals. The result is a decline in a vital food – milkweed – that once grew naturally in the hay fields of the many farms once plentiful along the route. Now there are housing sub-divisons and commercial developments in their place. And at their destination, the Oyamel Forrest, much tree harvesting has occurred around their sanctuaries. The effect is temperatures drop below normal and cold winds sweep the open ranges to change the butterflies living conditions. In fact, the issues became really critical last year when the Monarchs did not arrive on their customary dates in late October but started to trickle in a week or more later as reported by Tim Robbins in this NYTimes article  ‘”The Year the Monarchs Didn’t Appear” by Tim Robbins. The chilly temps further diminished the populations. The result is for a short period of time, a magnificent blanket of beautiful butterflies covers the forrest floor. The locals harvest the blanket as a means of making a living. We are lucky they share them with the world.

Good-News-Monday:-Monarch-Butterflies-Increase4.jpegPINIMAGEMy husband gave me the Monarch Butteryfly wall display pictured above after my Mother pass on to join my father who departed when I was 16 years old. The butterflies are real and  were harvested from the blanket on the forrest floor. The Michoan culture sees Monarch Butterflies as representing the souls of the departed. These butterflies come back to visit as spirits of our ancestors. The Day of the Dead is when the Monarchs arrive and is celebrated as a happy time when living and dead are reunited. I love this symbolism. It is especially poinnete during the holiday season when we often miss loved ones. My Mother found happiness in the changing seasons – this time of year was one of her favorites. When I miss her I look at the butterflies and think of her. And silently pray the Monarch will flourish in the new year for us all to enjoy.

Discovery Channel produced a wonderful documentary of this nature story.  You can find “Four Wings and a Prayer: Monarch Butterflies and the Magic of Everyday Life” by Sue Helpren on You Tube.

Also a great gift for yourself or a Spanista Lover would be “Monarch Butterfly: Biology and Conservation” by  Michelle J. Solensky, which can be found on Amazon.

Spanista Takeaway: Beyond their sheer beauty, there is much to learn from the Monarchs Butterflies – their unwavering determination to reach their goal, their clear sense of purpose to live by natures call, their drive to live in the warmth of the sun, as well as their  hard wired balance finding time to work and the time to play and frolic.

They are a blessing in our lives.

May Your Self Care Journey To Joy Be Merry & Bright,

Ginny

 

 

 

 

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