One Word Resolution for 2017

Happy New Year! The past couple of years I have chosen one powerful word-one word to describe how I want to feel instead of what I want to accomplish in the New Year. It's one word to guide me in my actions, behavior, decisions, and goal setting and it will shape my year and change me. This year my one word is CREATE. My hope is to create and design the year I want to live. 

I want to create a travel plan for the year. In the past we have been so last minute with trip planning so this year I bought a paper calendar that I can flip through and plan out our vacations and travel for the entire year. I love traveling and this is a good way to take control and create some new and exciting travel memories. 

I want to expand and create some new videos with my business. I love being an on-air style expert and sharing my style tips with you. This year everything related to my business and the blog is going to be about quality over quantity and I hope to create more in depth blog posts and more videos. I want to focus on activities that allow me to be a style expert because that's what I love doing most. 

I am looking forward to creating a workout and wellness plan for 2017 as well. The multiple failed rounds of IVF I have undergone the past several years have taken a toll on my body and I am ready to move forward emotionally and physically. It's time to take care of my mind and body and health and wellness is going to be a priority for me this year. 

Lastly I want to create and design a home that is clutter free, organized, and happy. I recently re read Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and I am inspired to get our home all tidied up. I love the idea of keeping the home simplified because it really does free up the mind to focus on things that really matter. 

Click here to learn more about #OneWord365 and if you're interested check out this amazing article on setting goals that are more about enjoying what you have instead of chasing what you don't. 

Hotel Review: The Four Seasons Palm Beach

Last week Aneesh and I stayed at The Four Seasons Palm Beach for 4 nights and this was our second time visiting this property in a year. We LOVED everything about our visit and I thought I would share my 10 reasons why we had a great vacation and why you should plan a visit too! 

1. Courteous staff. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left every single staff member was courteous, greeted us with a smile, and said hello. At the end I even wanted to tip a staff member who took great care of us at the pool and he genuinely didn't want to take my money. (But I made him!) He was so humble and polite as were all the staff at the property. 

2. Anything is possible attitude. No matter which Four Seasons I have stayed at in the past the attitude from everyone who works here is always positive and they are willing to accommodate your needs. Even little changes like I wanted to order one cookie but the order had two or I wanted to substitute avocado instead of chicken- they were willing and happy to do this. When you spend so much money you want the best service and The Four Seasons always delivers. 

3. Cleanliness of the rooms, property, and pool. The rooms are neutral and modern in design and feel peaceful and relaxing. Each room had a balcony and we even enjoyed a room upgrade without even asking for it. 

{photo c/o Four Seasons}

4 Coffee in the lobby. This sounds like such a minor thing but having good coffee and tea in the lobby is such a nice luxury.  I looked forward to getting up each morning, grabbing a coffee, and taking a long walk on the beach before breakfast. 

5. So many complimentary amenities. Complimentary amenities including sunscreen and Popsicles at the pool, coffee and tea in the lobby, house car and bicycles, free Wi-Fi, digital access to newspapers, daily fitness classes, spa access including whirlpool and steam, just to name a few. This place takes care of you they are not interested in nickel and diming you for every little item. 

6. New Four Seasons App. I used the Four Season App the entire time to check fitness class schedules, book spa appointments, request housekeeping/ turn down service, and to order room service.  The app was easy to use and it was nice to be able to personalize and customize our stay. Check out is super easy with the app as well. If you're visiting a Four Seasons I highly recommend you download and use the new app. 

7. High quality food and drinks. Every meal, whether is was our daily breakfast at Graze , the occasional room service, lounging at the bar, or eating at Jove- everything we ate was delicious, fresh, and made to order. Without even asking all our salads and meals were split ahead of time for us. The pool side menu was great too and I liked how it included several healthy salad options.  

My favorite dish was the Tuna and Salmon Chirashi which came highly recommended by Chris, one of our favorite staff members. Basically this dish is a deconstructed sushi roll consisting of sushi style tuna and salmon, sticky rice, avocado, cucumber, tempura, sweet soy, and kimchi aioli.  

8. Beautiful and well kept beaches. This private white sand beach was clean and well maintained. We really enjoyed our twice daily strolls on the beach. 

 9.The Spa. The spa was heavenly and so luxurious. I booked the 50 minute Reflexology and Aneesh experienced the 50 minute Ocean Bliss massage. We also took full advantage of the full spa experience including the whirlpool, steam, sauna, and relaxation lounge. 

10. Home Away From Home. The Four Seasons Palm beach is THE perfect place for a relaxing getaway and our stay truly felt like home away from home. Best of all everyone here is treated like a VIP. I can't wait to come back again next year! 

One evening after our massages at the spa, we ordered coffee and cookies, watched several episodes of House of Cards, and had a super lazing evening. 

Other photos from our trip. See more of my photos on Instagram.
 

One Word Resolution for 2016

Happy New Year! I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions an for the past two years I have chosen one powerful word-one word to describe how I want to feel instead of what I want to accomplish or do in the new year. One word to guide me in my actions, behavior, and goal setting. This year my one word is joy. What's your guiding word for 2016? 

Also check out this article over at FastCompany about one word resoutions. 

And if you're interested check out this amazing article on setting goals that are more about enjoying what you have instead of chasing what you don't. 

Top 10 Things I learned from the Equinox 3 Week Challenge

I just finished up the Equinox 3 Week Workout Challenge and it was challenging, fun, and I learned a lot about myself during these 3 weeks.  Also Aneesh and 4 of our other friends who workout at the gym also did our own mini challenge. It was fun to have a little friendly competition with our close friends.

Overall I ended up in 9/83 in Bethesda and 3/6 with our friends.  I was out of town and could not get to the gym on 5 out of 21 days of the challenge but I made an effort to get to the gym on most of the other days.  I feel proud of my own personal results and accomplishments.

Best of all the money we put in for our own personal challenge is all going to a great cause. We are donating it to 1000 Urban Scholars, a wonderful non profit organization founded by Minal Kundra, one of the 7 friends in our mini Equinox challenge.  1000 Urban Scholars gives motivational scholarships to kids in 9th grade in DC wards 7 and 8 to encourage them to stay on track. They are given tuition money to their 4 year college/university when they matriculate.  In my mind all seven of us are winners and in the end we are all supporting our friend, her amazing organization, and these young scholars.

So here is what I learned from the Equinox 3 Week Challenge. It is not in any particular order but #6 has to be the most frustrating and irritating thing I learned. Ladies-I know you will agree with me on this one!

Top 10 Things I learned: Equinox 3 Week Challenge

1.  I increased my frequency to the gym.  Prior to the challenge I averaged about 2-3 visits/week at the gym.

Week 1 October 26-Nov 1: 5 workouts

Week 2 Nov 2-8: 4 workouts 

Week 3 Nov 9-15: 7 workouts

2. I tried new classes and did a variety of workouts each week including yoga, spin, and strength training classes. I enjoyed having varied workouts and hope to continue to incorporate a variety of classes in my workout routine.

3. I pushed myself more than usual and increased the intensity of each and every workout. I was out of town the first two weekends but when I got back on those two Sundays I was tired yet I made my way to the gym. Trust me...that would not normally happen.

4. I have a renewed interest in Yoga.  I don't have the time or patience for the longer classes but the 45 minute classes were perfect. They were intense, focused, and so effective. And the benefits of doing yoga first thing in the morning for me were amazing. I felt positive, happy, and energetic for the entire day. I go back and forth when it comes to yoga and I think the key is finding the right type of yoga and a good instructor. I personally enjoy vinyasa flow. I also think yoga is a complete and balanced workout because you focus on breathing and your mind and body during each yoga workout.

5. I  missed Pure Barre classes and can't wait to get back to the barre studio.

6. I didn't lose a pound. Yes yes I know muscle weighs more than fat and I certainly feel toned but come on...not even a pound? Really? I do feel healthy, toned, and my clothes fit better but I would like to lose 5 pounds. So I am now doing my own food challenge and keeping a food diary because I have certainly proven here that if I want to lose a single pound I will have to make some tweaks and improvements with my diet. Exercise alone won't cut it...not at my age anyways.

7. It's a lot of fun to do workout challenges with friends. Humans as a species thrive on competition.  We all raised the bar with our workouts and motivated each other to stay in the game and to be accountable.

8. I already knew this about myself but the challenge confirmed that when it comes to workouts I like to get them done in the morning. I tried the 6 am workouts but that is just way too early for me. I like having a cup of coffee, check my emails, and then start my day with a good workout around 8am.

9. It takes a lot of discipline to do a challenge like this, stick with it, and make it a priority. I don't think I can sustain 5-7 workouts a week with my schedule but there is no reason I can't make time for 3-4 workouts every week.

10.  I am so much more organized and efficient with my time and day with scheduled workouts.