Tuesday Tip: Relieving the Stress - Part II

In part one we took a serious look at some common reasons we stress during the wedding planning process.  This week, we lighten the discussion with a few great stress relievers.  Below are 5 ways to bust up stress and relax. Consider some or even all of these if you're looking for a way to escape wedding planning even if only for a day or two.

Meditation and Relaxation
"Peace has to be created in order to be maintained" is what I believe and live by.  Spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore your calm and inner peace.  Considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine, meditation produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing you stress.

Random Acts of Kindness
"Give Without Remembering - Receive Without Forgetting".  People who are kind are generally happier!  By helping others, you are likely to take the attention off of yourself and the stress of your world.  In addition, helping others can enhance feelings of joyfulness, emotional resilience and optimism.

Enjoy a Spa Day
"Self Care is the Best Care".  If you're aren't good to yourself, how do you expect to be good to others?  When the cares of the world, or in this instance wedding planning, get to you - take time to be selfish!  A spa day can be as simple as a mani/pedi or as extensive as massages, facials, hot yoga and/or a drive through the country.  Whatever you decide be sure you're able to clear your mind and have peaceful thoughts. 

Cut out stimulants such as coffee, soda, etc
"Strong hope is a much greater stimulant of life than any realized joy could be".  As an advocate for fasting, this is the perfect way to clean your body and your mind.  Commit to a fast even if it's only for three days, you'll have clearer thoughts and your body will thank you :)

Journal
"There are certain things that make me relax, like writing in my journal. That's the only time that I'm relaxing.  It's the only time I really get to examine myself".  I can imagine that during the planning of your wedding you've been bombarded with thoughts.  Some worth sharing with others and some that are just for you.  Keep a journal near your nightstand or in your purse so that when random thoughts enter your mind you have a place to write them down. 

It's YOUR wedding - find and create a peaceful space then maintain it!

"Love and Laughter"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Simple Tips For a More Beautiful YOU!

October, November and December are all pretty eventful months.  During that time we pretty much everything we want, take random naps, shop without caring and some became ENGAGED!  Now that it's a new year, January is the month when the focus shifts from packing it in to taking it off.  New health and beauty resolutions are the most popular tweets and status' seen with everyone making an effort to redeem themselves from all the bad things they did to their bodies over the holiday season.

What many of my clients don't know is that I am a secret health nut! I have been just a hair short of  obsessed with the topic and I often find myself watching infomercials regarding the latest health and beauty products.  I believe that looking good on the outside starts with feeling good on the inside! One of my favorite tips is wheat grass!! Not the best tasting shot but the health benefits supersede the look and taste. are some of our favorite health and beauty picks that we use ALL year round.

As you are preparing for your upcoming wedding and/or event, here are a few things I personally like:

Prescriptives! Let me be clear - for your wedding please use a PROFESSIONAL make up artist. However, for everyday wear Presciptives is my makeup of choice. I'm not a heavy make up user but I found that prescriptives serves my purpose. Very light coverage, and a great moisturizer with some vitamins and SPF.

Lashes!  These give the average girl a lot of kick.  Lashes have come a long way right?  You now can get the classic strips which are fairly easy to apply, individuals or what you see here extensions both require an "expert" IMO.  Since I am a lash picker (bad me).. I prefer the strips.  However, be sure when you wear them that if they begin to fall off and you don't notice.... a friend will tell you (insider..lol)

Nails!  Every girl needs to have fresh nails.  I confess that I LOVE getting my nails done but I don't wear anything too loud or colorful.  My sister would consider it a little boring but fresh and clean fits my style.  What is yours?  Oh, and since I ONLY wear OPI, I'm digging the new line of Gelcolors. These UV treated polishes don’t chip, last about 2 weeks and come in all the classic OPI colors that I adore.

Sunglasses! I wear contacts so sunglasses are a must for me.  Now, if I can keep my nieces and daughters out of them most time when you see me, you'll see those nearby.  Sunglasses protect the eyes and keep you from squinting.  FYI-squinting is not attractive and because squinting causes wrinkles -wrinkles are the enemy!  Needless to say sunglasses are useful and a great accessory!

Wheat Grass!  I can honestly say I don't mind the taste....However, if it's a problem for you try mixing or chasing it with some apple juice to help you get this wonder food down a bit easier. One of the main reasons I drink it is because it helps with alkalizing your body. If you are a meat eater like me then one of the side effects of all that meat is that it creates a lot of acid in your body and your body being too acid is one of the main reasons many illnesses happen.
 

• One ounce contains 103 vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
• One ounce of wheatgrass juice represents as much nutritional value as approximately 2.5 pounds of fresh green vegetables.
• Wheatgrass juice is high in chlorophyll.
• It is very high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E and K.
• Wheatgrass juice is a natural source of laetrile (B-17).
• It contains beta-carotene, which is found in red, green and yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene acts as a scavenger against harmful molecules flowing naturally through the body or through toxins inhaled from cigarette smoke, air pollution and other damaging sources.
• Wheatgrass cleanses, purifies and feeds the body by activating the white blood cells, which boost the body’s immune system.
• Wheatgrass juice is also beneficial for people who need to lose weight or cleanse their bodies.

Exercise, Wrap and Massage!  Want to shed those pounds before that special event or wedding? Exercising is key!  Try working out 3-5 times a week doing SOMETHING.  I try on a weekly basis to do yoga, zumba and WII fit.  If you've never tried a wrap, get one.. it's a quick way to shed some pounds and NOT water weight.  Se'Relasse!!! Relaxation is essential is keeping your stess level down. Schedule some time to get a good massage throughout your planning process.

~Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Kwanzaa: Day Two

Self-Determination/Kujichagulia - Today we focus on ways to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

When a person or group is self-determined that makes for a powerful force to be reckoned with. When we practice the principle of Kujichagulia other principles come into play. We accept responsibility for determining what happens in our community rather than waiting for someone to do it for us.

When we practice the principle of Kujichagulia we don't whine about our problems, we solve them! Kujichagulia allows people to experience a sense of freedom to make positive change as individuals and collectively.

I posted today on FB that if we allow foolishness and fuckery (a west indies term meaning nonsense) into our lives (and community) we should expect it. I'm sure we've all heard the statement "People only do what you allow"  Starting today, speak up and know who you are for your name is VICTORY!  Take responsbility for what enters your space and be determined to make a positive difference by creating and maintaining peace in your own lives and your community. "Simply Peace, 2012"
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Be determine to step out on faith and do something for yourself that you thought would be impossible. Live TODAY with no limits.  (Vennie Tolbert-Rodgers, Mother of twins and Owner of Se'Relasse DaySpa and Wellness Center)

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Kwanzaa: Day One

Unity/Umoja
To strive daily to engage in practices which build bonds of affection and attachment to our family members, our school teachers, and our neighbors.

Unity Day begins the Kwanzaa celebration. Each family/community celebrates Kwanzaa in a way that is most meaningful to them. Unity is the spiritual and social gravity which pulls the family together- husband and wife, parent and children, and family and neighbor. At its core, the principle unity is about attachment- attachment to each others and most importantly to the values which define us as family, as community and as a people. On Unity Day, the family celebrates its togetherness, the achievements of family members.

That being said:  What did you do to celebrate?  I had a good time with my family over the holiday.  Encouraged disconnections to be reconnected; took in my nephews basketball game with the family, fixed them brunch which led to a group nap and later enjoyed the McDipper (traditional holiday basketball tournament) with my sister.  For me celebrating my own family as well as the achievements of others is the true meaning of Unity.

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It is told that it take a village to raise a child. Let's take that same concept & apply it today.  Let's come together, lets be unified and become one. We need one another whether you realize it or not!!! (Vennie Tolbert-Rodgers, Mother of twins and Owner of Se'Relasse DaySpa and Wellness Center)






Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.