DESIGN | by ALEXANDRA SMITH

LIKE SUSHI, FENG SHUI AND BELLY DANCING BEFORE IT, the mainstreaming of yoga has led to some interesting niches, twists and re-interpretations.

SOURCE: MARGARITA.COM

Besides the countless spins on hatha (physical) practice ― see: yogalates, disco yoga, yoga booty ballet ― there have been serious revisions to the loose cotton uniform of yore. Although yoga-wear shed its hippie aesthetic a while back, until recently most gear leaned more towards functional than fashionable.

But these days, a host of designers are turning out Om-worthy attire that works as well on the mat as it does for post-practice brunch. The following are three lines fashionable yoginis should keep an eye on.

• Margarita: Based out of Israel, this up-and-coming brand features a disco-like aesthetic: think bold color swatches, groovy graphics and pants so flared they border on bell-bottoms. This gear isn’t for the studio wallflower ― the Margarita girl likely places her mat up front and organizes after-class happy hours.
• Foat Design: Eco-friendly yoga lines are a dime a dozen, but Minneapolis-based Foat Design takes conservation one step further. Their clothing is not only 100 percent handmade, it’s crafted with material left over from their couture line, which includes sweaters, dresses and skirts, making each piece literally one of a kind.
• Lululemon: The list would be incomplete without the best-known and arguably most-reviled brand out there. Lululemon is the biggest player in the premium yoga category and as such bears the brunt of criticism that yoga and $100 clothing are mutually incompatible. Still, it’s hard to argue with the quality and design of Lululemon’s gear, or with their seemingly endless array of color, cut and sizing options.

CONNECTIONS | by DEBRA PRINZING

MY RECENT VISIT TO A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE IN TUSCANY (where I spent a week with 10 of my girlfriends in a rented villa) is symbolized by a soft, colorful scarf.

Each woman had in common a friendship with me; some have been pals since my early 20s, while others are more recently dear. Individually, we couldn’t have been more different from one another. Throughout the week, though, we bonded as a group. We spoke with a familiar friendship-language, punctuated with laughter and enhanced by delicious food, good wine and unforgettable scenery.

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And there was something else: Our Italian scarves.

Street vendors in Siena and Florence offered a tempting array of scarves: cashmere-and-silk textiles woven of gold and maroon, apple green and sapphire blue, solid or paisley-patterned. Pretty soon, most of us had joined what I called The Scarf Society. It was October, so the soft cocoon of fabric draped over the shoulder was appropriate. But it wasn’t all about getting warm.

The scarves, shawls and pashminas made us feel sophisticated. Even the less-flamboyant women in our group gravitated toward the look. Wrapped once or twice around the neck; used as a shawl around the shoulders; or worn asymmetrically with the ends twisted together, these lengths of fabric had a way of making even a t-shirt and jeans look glamorous.

Was it the scarf or the place? Was it the mutual experience of kindred spirits or a fashion statement? I’m not sure. But now that I’m back at home, I feel elegant when I wear my woven tapestry with threads of pale yellow and dark green. And I will always remember the warmth of my friendships.

You could call it a fringe benefit of an unforgettable vacation.

BACK TO BASICS | by JANNA LUFKIN

THE LAST CHAMPAGNE CORK HAS POPPED AND THE TREE WILL SOON BE DOWN. The holiday festivities are over, and before long life and its schedules will be back to normal. Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions, and more often than not we find ourselves breaking them days after they’re made. Instead of resolutions, try this:

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• Make goals, not resolutions. Just do one thing a day ― no matter how small ― towards a goal. Pretty soon you will have accomplished your goal.

• Be realistic. Don’t make more than three goals a year. Pick one that you know will be tough and two others that will most likely take time, but you will have a good chance of reaching. That way, you’ll feel like you are making progress while giving yourself some breathing room for the more difficult goal.

• Organize your goals. Start with the one that will take the most time and work it into your day. The old adage is true: “I don’t HAVE time, I MAKE time”. Think about it.

• Write down your goals in a place you see every day. Place them on your kitchen counter, your desk or your dresser. Put the most difficult goal at the top of your daily list.

• Reward yourself. No matter what, give yourself a treat once in awhile. Even if it’s just a little pat on the back, it’s enough to keep you focused and keep you going.

• Forgive yourself if you slip up. But don’t give up. We’ve all heard it: “Sometimes you have to fail to succeed.”

Happy New Year!

BACK TO BASICS | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

SOLO NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU, but they do nothing to help your daily battles with laundry, housecleaning and meal prep. Why not make this New Year’s resolution a family affair that teaches responsibility and results in a little help around the house? Call it the All Hands on Deck resolution and assign chores for everyone from toddlers to teens.

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Keep in mind:

• Have realistic expectations.
• Make a chore chart so everyone stays focused to the tasks at hand.
• Be chore role models.
• Consider rewards (for a job well done) and consequences (for jobs undone).

We like these chore suggestions (adapted from About.com and Workingmom.com) because they remind us of kids’ developmental levels.

Ages 2-3: May need help completing tasks, but they get used to the idea of helping out like other members of the fam. Tasks: Pick up toys and books. Fold washcloths and hand towels. Match socks. Carry laundry to laundry room.

Ages 4-5: Love to be treated like big kids and can do all the chores toddlers can, plus added responsibilities. Tasks: Clear and set table. Put away forks and spoons. Sort laundry into color piles. Put away folded laundry.

Ages 6-9: Here’s where the grumbling might begin, so  make them feel independent. Tasks: Take care of pet. Vacuum. Take out trash. Set table. Clear table. Fold, put away laundry.

Ages 9-12: Can take on tasks that require more time., but they expect to be rewarded. Tasks: Wash car. Clean mirrors, kitchen counters. Do dishes. Operate washing machine and dryer. Light yard work.

Ages 13 and above: Can handle most tasks that adults can, but time-management reminders. Tasks: Mow lawn. Change bed sheets. Prepare meals. Wash windows. Clean bathrooms. Shovel snow.

PASSIONS | by MOLLY MARTIN

FOR BEING ALL ABOUT CHANGE, NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS often seem to be surprisingly oppressive, if not downright depressing.

What if, instead of starting off the New Year by being hard on ourselves, we resolved to tap into the inspirational, the uplifting?  Wouldn’t that give us a better chance of following through on those resolutions?

© COMPENDIUM, Inc.

Enter Compendium.

The Seattle-based company has been creating elegant and inspirational books, cards and other gifts since 1985. It’s an authentic extension of founder Dan Zadra, whom I worked with way back when at Young Athlete magazine, a few careers ago for both of us. Dan is of the mind to be kind and honest and tell people how much they mean to him, which would be a few good resolutions to start with, right there.

Compendium’s products uplift consumers, clients, work teams and brands through relentless optimism and the wisdom of others. Dan’s “Be Happy” book  uses cheery quotes to remind us of our daily opportunities to live, love, laugh, learn, and share with those we love. With the “I Believe In You” Lunch Mail Collection, window cards pop out of lunch-bag-shaped boxes to offer surprise encouragement to children. “The Good Stuff” sticky notes let you tag things to go, see, do and enjoy.

Or you can simply “live inspired”, like Compendium, by tagging along via Facebook and Twitter.

CELEBRATIONS | by SHERRY STRIPLING

MY STANDING JOKE WHEN I MAKE MARTINIS is that my secret is precise measurement. As I say this, I dump half the bottle of gin into the shaker. That always draws a laugh ― a big laugh, too, because when I make martinis, crowds gather.

© ANGIE NORWOOD BROWNE

I was not voted Miss Popularity in school. It used to be when I’d start to tell a story, my listener’s eyes drifted across the room.

No more! Now that I’ve mastered the Art of the Martini, parties don’t begin until I get there.

To toast 2010, here are the secrets to my success, almost all courtesy of Oliver’s Lounge at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, where for once I was head of the class.

• I make only “The Classic.” No vodka. No flavor. Just a nice gin such as Bombay Sapphire or Tangueray ($22 to $27).
• I keep my gin in the freezer.
• I chill the glasses.
• I use only slivers of ice, usually arriving at my host’s kitchen with a hammer.
• I pre-soak Italian olives in vermouth.
• I pour an ounce or two of vermouth into the empty shaker, swirl it around and pour it all out.
• I never forget presentation, usually wearing my martini apron, my martini earrings and sometimes my martini pajamas (all gifts).
• I put the ice in the shaker, ceremoniously pour in the gin, and shake ‘til the frosted metal is too cold to touch.

I used to think martinis were for my parents’ generation. Indeed, my biggest fans are over 80. One summer we took a friend in her 90s camping. At 5 every afternoon, she’d put down her book, point her cane toward the cooler and shout, “Where’s Sherry!?!”

Miss Popularity, at last.

CELEBRATIONS | by ALEXANDRA SMITH

THERE’S ALWAYS A CERTAIN PRESSURE TO MAKE NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR. Champagne, confetti, killer cocktail dress ― it’s as if one night sets the tone for the rest of the year (which makes the prospect of Dick Clark and Doritos all the more depressing).

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Hosting a New Year’s party at least ensures you won’t be stuck on the couch, but then the pressure’s on to fulfill everyone else’s New Year’s fantasies. Fear not. The following tips will guide you smoothly into 2010.

• Playlist: There are a few indisputables: “Auld Lang Syne”, obviously, plus a Sinatra tune or two. Keep the rest of the soundtrack unexpected with a mix of classics, such as Stevie Wonder or Ella Fitzgerald, and contemporary ― think Phoenix or Rihanna ― then throw in a few obscure songs.  I once heard Aha’s “Take on Me” close to midnight and the whole room erupted.
• Party Favors: The thing about New Year’s party favors is they’re used only during that three-minute window around midnight. So while you do need to stock up on the confetti and noisemakers, invest in a few giveaways that’ll last all night ― or even all year ― like desk calendars or personalized champagne glasses.
• Punch: Champagne’s a given; fruit punch is old hat. Eggnog’s a little more interesting, but to truly start the party, whip up some sweet, creamy Brandy Alexanders. Try this recipe, from drinkmixer.com.

1 ½ oz Brandy
1 ounce Dark Crème de Cacao
1 ounce half-and-half

Shake, strain, and garnish with nutmeg. Happy New Year!

BACK TO BASICS | by JANNA LUFKIN

ARE YOU AN ORGANIZING CONTAINER FREAK? Sometimes it seems like there are just too many options! At one point I had to organize all my organizing things. That’s nuts.

This got me to thinking and I realized it wasn’t that I needed the next cool container, what I needed was a system. One that would work in every room, closet and cupboard in my home.

My criteria? It HAD to look great and, of course, it had to be functional. The containers had to fit close together, since space is at a premium, my solution had to work long term, and it had to be inexpensive.

IMAGE SOURCE: SEEJANEWORK.COM

My solution? Three to five container options that work throughout the spaces and a simple color palette.

Here are my favorites:

• Galvanized bins (like from IKEA)
• Canvas bins in Natural (The Container Store)
• Magazine holders (mod colors at West Elm)
• Clear trays (your local drugstore or IKEA)
• Letter boxes (great items at See Jane Work)

Select containers that stores keep in stock, keep your selections basic and in classic colors and buy a few extras of each to save for future use.

There will always be something to organize but if you stick with your system, you’ll have things put away in no time.

BACK TO BASICS | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

KIDS STILL LEARN THEIR ABCS THESE DAYS, but the E ― as in etiquette ― is often an afterthought.

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Teaching the art of correspondence falls into this category, and it’s a skill that a child can hone at an early age, then reap the benefits for an entire lifetime.

Whether it’s a thank-you note or apology, and whether it’s written on stationery or a card, letters are a matter of courtesy. Parents need to set a precedent for kids that written courtesy is as important as any other form of courtesy. (Saying thank you in everyday situations is no different than expressing thanks in writing when receiving a gift.)

Here are some tips to get young letter-writers started:

Even beginning writers can pen a thank you note. Create a letter form on your computer with blank spaces for certain words.  “Dear _____. Thank you for the ______.  It was nice of you to come to my birthday party. Love ____.”  Have them illustrate by drawing a pic of the gift they received.

A pretty card can inspire a young writer. There’s lots of cute stationery available for kids. We love the selection of personalized cards from MyExpression.com and most are a very reasonable $10 for 10 cards. (Personalized stationary makes great gifts!)

Monkey say, monkey do. Write to your kids! On special occasions, such as birthdays, Valentine’s Day or report-card day, send a note in the mail so they experience the joy of receiving letters .

Encourage kids to think outside of the box. Send the coach a note of thanks for a great season.  A wonderful end-of-year teacher’s gift is a letter from a student, describing what they learned.  And grandparents, whether they live near or far, are always great pen pals.