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Flower Power-- get a boost, detox, sleep better with Siddatech's NATURAL HERBAL REMEDIES

We are open minded but were skeptical that an herbal remedy-- five squirts under the tongue-- was really going to do anything.  Were we wrong.  Siddatech Flower Essences have been created to help our nervous systems which are totally overloaded in today's world, but haven't really changed in 50,000 years, to restore natural balance.  We started with the Relief flower essence and found that we did indeed feel calmer and it helped us slow down and unwind.  The moment that we really felt that Siddatech had bottled something truly intense and different was when we moved on to the Sidda Detox formula.  We felt the effects of our bodies detoxing-- both physically, and the next day, emotionally.  We're not going to lie and tell you that the detoxing process was painless, it wasn't.  And frankly, we're not finished with it!  We need a little window of time where we can detox and be off our game for a few days while our bodies recalibrate. However, we'd rather remove the physical toxins as well as negative thought processes and emotions that we all have stored up as a result of living in our hyper-industrialized world.  Who wants to join our little detox club?  We can all do it together and share experiences and support each other!  They also have a Healthy Hair formula that we want to try-- think lustrous locks will be the perfect complement to our new toxin free selves. 

Siddatech

800-570-0021

info@siddatech.com

www.siddatech.com

Get a jump on summer by coming to MALIBU

Most of us are ready for warmer days and the relaxed vibe that accompanies summer.  Especially in southern California where we have been freezing our buns off the last few weeks.  A visit to Malibu, even if temps are in the 60s, can pretty well fool you into thinking that summer has arrived.  A few of our favorite spots....

BEACHES

Carbon Beach

Access the beach a number of places and enjoy this sandy beach which has dolphins cavorting in the surf and is home to one of the most expensive houses for sale we've ever heard of -- $57 million.  What?!  We know.  You can pack a picnic or just stroll down for lunch at the Malibu Beach Inn or the Beachcomber (see info below).  There is also a famous surf break just north of the pier.

Broad Beach

A bit of a hike from town, Broad Beach is lovely despite some serious erosion.  There are some tidepools that teem with wildlife and the beach is bordered only by private (amazing!) homes and no businesses.  We love bringing a picnic here.  

EAT

Beachcomber

Located on the Malibu Pier, the Beachcomber is a little touristy but a great spot for lunch or a casual dinner right on the water.  We love the tuna tacos and the tuna sliders.

Malibu Beach Inn

Another beachfront dining option.  More upscale and refined than the Beachcomber, have lunch or  dinner on the outdoor patio warmed by a fire pit under the stars with the waves crashing...  And then you might just book a room and stay over.

Charlie's

We have written about this sophisticated but fun new restaurant in Malibu-- they serve a divine white truffle pizza, steaks and salmon cooked to perfection with an array of naughty cocktails.  Enjoy on the cheetah spotted Dolce & Gababana seating... meow.

Nobu

If you have a hankering for sushi and a scene, look no further.

SHOP

Malibu Lumber Yard & Malibu Country Mart

Get all of your summer essentials at our favorite shops-- Madison, Ron Herman, J Crew, Intermix and Kitson.  

STAY

Malibu Beach Inn

Can be pricey, but the only hotel on the beach (minus Casa Malibu Inn which is waaay overpriced for a motel room).  At least if you are forking it over at the Malibu Beach Inn you'll enjoy a recently refurbished, sleek room with a lovely balcony. 

www.vrbo.com

We've had luck finding vacation rentals all over the world with this website.

Bring on the endless summer...

SPRING FEVER playlist

These are some old 80s faves and new stuff that has been taking us through spring to summer...  Can't wait for summer!  They are all available on iTunes.

HOME by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

SILVER SPRINGS by Fleetwood Mac

YOUNG FOREVER by Jay-Z

LAST NIGHT by the Traveling Wilburys

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES by One Republic

CONGRATULATIONS by MGMT

AND SHE WAS by the Talking Heads

HAVE A HEART by Bonnie Raitt

WHATYA WANT FROM ME by Adam Lambert

THE UNDERDOG by Spoon

HIGHWAYMAN by Johnny Cash with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristoferson

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE by the Beach Boys

Customizeable perfume from MEMOIRE LIQUIDE by Mary

I really like having my own special fragrance and have been a little at a loss after Lucy decided she loved Kenzo's Parfum d'Ete and started wearing it as well.  I mean, we already look and sound so much alike, so...  And then the whole world seemed to be wearing Kai which was my next pick.  It's safe to say I've been in a bit of a fragrance panic.  Until I walked into Fred Segal in Santa Monica last week to discover a perfume afficianado's dream vision-- Memoire Liquide.  The set up resembles what I would imagine an old apothecary/perfumerie to look like with rows upon rows of delicious smelling tinctures.  The best part is that they will mix together ones you love for you-- which is what I did -- but I'm not telling which two!  They are also incredibly affordable at $45 for a 15 ml pure perfume roll on, or you can get three different roll ons for $90.  They also come in sprays, but I like the roll on as they're tiny and you can stash it in your bag for freshening up throughout the day.  They seem to be working on their website, but girls in LA and NYC are in luck as the West Coast can visit Fred Segal in Santa Monica, and East Coast can hit Henri Bendel in NYC where the line is also carried.  You can find them online at various retailers, but I wouldn't advise buying this way-- to me that's like buying an item of clothing you can't see...  Go on, girls!  Customize your own scent-- create a liquid memory-- isn't that what Memoire Liquide translates to? 

Fred Segal Santa Monica

500 Broadway

Santa Monica, CA 90401-2406

(310) 393-4477

www.fredsegalfun.com

Henri Bendel

712 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10019

800- HBENDEL

www.henribendel.com

Part 3 of trainer Julie Diamond's BIKINI BLAST series: Arms

Bikini season or not, your arms are always on display.  Have them looking their sleekest and best by following these six exercises!

Part 3: Arms

 

1. Tricep Kickbacks:

*place dumbbell in right hand & place left hand on left knee (leaning forward-keeping back straight)

    *lift right elbow so upper arm is in line w/torso

    *slowly tense triceps & straighten arm to a position where it is  almost locked &

      straight

    *slowly return to start position & repeat 15 times than switch arms.

    *REPEAT 15 reps each arm

 

2. Bicep Curls:

*stand w/feet shoulder width apart & hands to your sides, palms facing out,   holding dumbbells in each hand.

*keep back straight & slowly curl dumbbells toward shoulders with maximum contraction (exhale on exertion).

    *slowly lower dumbbells to start position.

    *** elbows stay close to your sides --- NO SWINGING ARMS***

    *REPEAT 15 reps

 

3. Tricep Extensions:

    * Stand/sit upright w/back straight

*hold 1 dumbbell directly over your head using both hands. (your hands form a triangle over your head w/biceps by ears).

*slowly lower your forearms behind your upper arms forming a 90 degree angle behind your head.

    *bring forearms back to start position.

    *REPEAT 10 reps

 

4. Hammer Curls:

*stand w/feet shoulder width apart &  w/arms to your sides, palms facing your body, hold a dumbbell in each hand.

    *alternating sides, slowly curl 1 arm up & back down.

    *REPEAT 15 reps

 

5. Tricep Dips:

    *with back to a sturdy chair/bench stretch legs out in front.

    *place hands on chair/bench w/fingertips facing forward & arms straight

     (holding yourself upright)

    *slowly lower yourself downin front of chair/bench by bending elbows until

     arms are parallel to floor.

    *slowly & smoothly bring yourself up to start position.

    *REPEAT 15 reps

 

6. 21's - (3 part curls):

*stand with feet hip width apart, hands to your sides, palms facing out &   holding a dumbbell in each hand.

    *curl arms as a standard bicep curl but stop MIDWAY & perform 7 reps.

    *next begin midway & curl arms from midway to shoulder & perform 7 reps.

    *finally, curl arms with a full range of motion -bottom to top- & perform 7 reps.

 

GO BABY GO!

www.juliediamondfitness.com

 

Urban culinary gem in Silver Lake -- BARBRIX

We always say that we wish we could move Silver Lake closer to the Westside. That is especially true after discovering yet another culinary gem in the neighborhood. Barbrix, is a wine bar/restaurant that specializes in small plates with an Argentinean influence. We asked owner, Claudio Blotta, what we couldn't miss on the menu and when he insisted on the sweetbreads we decided that we were brave enough to try them. They were actually delicious – guess you can't go wrong with anything garlic fried and dipped in aioli.
We also loved the pappardelle with Dungeness crab, lemon, garlic chives and mint. 

The fresno peppers, and the skirt steak with parmesan and arugala are also not to be missed!

 

Barbrix draws a lively and urban looking crowd—great people watching, especially for us Westsiders used to more California surfer style.

 

Please let us know about other gems in Silver Lake you’ve discovered. We’re all about exploring other parts of the city we live in and appreciate any new suggestions!

 

 

2442 Hyperion Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 662-2442

www.barbrix.com

Free your mind at RakSa in Culver City, CA

We read about the newly opened RakSa Wellness Center on Daily Candy and knew it would be right up our alley.  From an organic cafe, to yoga classes to past life regressions, Reiki and facials, it is a full body and soul experience.  A small group of us went to get the whole healing experience and are now full devotees!  Following a lunch of BBQ shitake quesadillas" (in whole wheat pita), lentil soup, and quinoa salads, we assembled for a group past life regression.  We were all a little nervous and unsure of what to expect.  The calm and down to earth practitioner, Stephanie, explained we would be hypnotized as a group and then regressed back to a lifetime.  Upon being brought to, we were asked how long we thought we had been "under."  We all agreed 15 minutes or so and were blown away when she revealed it had actually been close to an hour!  We then shared our visions and the information that had come to us during the regression-- everyone had totally different experiences and although we all struggled with -- was it real, were we making it up?  We all agreed that whatever had happened was therapeutic and worthwhile.  Following our trips back in time, we went to our separate appointments -- a facial, a cranial sacral therapy, reiki and a therapeutic massage.  Everyone emerged from the appointments glowing and feeling like not only had our physical bodies been worked on, but that something on a deeper level had happened.  This is the biggest benefit of RakSa- all of the therapists and people working there are truly doing it because it seems to be their calling-- they're not out of work actors with a massage license trying to make ends meet.  All of this healing doesn't hurt your wallet either-- the whole day was less than $200, including tips and a tub of our new favorite body cream, Erb's Eastern Treat in Jasmine/Rice/Mint.

RakSa

10846 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

310-559-7200

www.raksasala.com

Part Two (Butts!) of trainer Julie Diamond's BIKINI BLAST series

Part 2 of the Bikini Blast Series: Butt (bum)

 

1. Squat

    *standing with feet hip width, toes facing forward & hands 

overhead w/biceps by ears.

    *bend knees keeping in line w/toes (simulating sitting in an chair).

    *keep heels down & stick "bum" out & back

    *return to start position.

    *REPEAT 25 reps

 

2. Side Lunge

    *place your hands to your sides w/feet hip width apart.

    *lunge to the right w/right leg

    * return to start position & repeat lunge on your left

    ***do not allow stable foot to roll***

    *REPEAT each side 10 reps

 

3. Plie Ballet Squat

    *hold hands out in front of you, feet/legs in wide stance & feet 

slightly turned out.

    *bend knees keeping "bum" tucked in.

    *slowly lower yourself down, squeezing your "bum" return to start 

position.

    *REPEAT 15 reps

 

4. Dead Lift

    *stand w/feet hip width apart w/your hands touching front of your 

thighs.

    *bend forward till your back is parallel to the floor & hands are 

on your shins.

    *slowly return to start position while squeezing your "bum".

    *REPEAT 15 reps

 

5. Backwards Lunge

    *stand w/hands @ sides, feet hip width apart & back straight.

    * step back w/right foot.

    *return to start position & repeat w/left foot

    * REPEAT 10 reps each side.

 

STAIRS ARE ALSO GREAT FOR THE "BUM". try taking 2 @ a time!

If you want to make these exercises more difficult than just add 

weights!

GO BABY GO!

www.juliediamondfitness.com

Our favorite yoga teacher SARA IVANHOE in NYC this weekend!

Very last minute, but New York friends you are in for a treat as our favorite yoga teacher is teaching this weekend at YogaWorks in NYC!  Sara's classes are a great sweaty workout while also being soulful (not corny)-- good for the body, good for the spirit.  She also plays fantastic music during class-- "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac, anyone? 

As NYC temperatures thaw, go thaw your city souls out!! Go, Go!

http://yoganation.com/