holistic lifestyle – Stylishly Zen

5 Ways To Up Your Self Care Game As We Step Into Spring

Published on March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Congratulations for making it thru winter! It is FINALLY spring! While summer remains my favourite time of the year, I love spring and the way that the world seems to come alive again. This year my focus is on self care, and the beginning of spring is the perfect time to elevate my self care game. Here are 5 ways that I am elevating my self care routine this spring

Go For A Massage

Now this may seem like a standard self care proclamation but the truth is that I (like many) have spent the last few months cooped up indoors, hunched over a screen. A massage is a great way to release tension in your body, work open some knots, relax after a long and old winter and detox your body. My plan is to treat myself to a 90 minute deep tissue massage to really release any knots that my body is currently holding onto, I can’t wait!

Move

I have tried to keep up with my workouts but if I am being honest I have been taking it very easy these past few months. I don’t feel like myself and my pants are definitely a bit tighter then normal. Spring is a great time to find a new workout or even just get outdoors and go for a walk. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Try a New Recipe

Spring is the perfect time to start introducing lighter fare to your plate. After spending the colder months enjoying hearty stews and warming meals, fresh lighter foods are probably just what your body is craving now that the weather is getting warmer. Fresh fruit, lighter salads and grilled proteins are all great additions to your plate.

Do a Bit of Spring Cleaning

When people think of self care, images of bubble baths and candles are the first things that come to most peoples minds but cleaning is an undervalued form of self care Cleaning out some clutter or just tidying up a bit actually does wonders for one’s mind. It helps to put you in a fresh mindset and allows you to think a bit more clearly.

Get Back Into A Routine That You Have Been Putting Off

As many of you are aware, I started my own beauty tool business a few months ago. I custom designed my own gua sha (you can purchase yours here at http://www.reiynbeauty.com). I am incredibly proud of the product that I designed and I try to use it often myself, but some days my exhaustion gets the better of me and I curl up on the couch in lieu of completing my skin care routine. Now is a great time to re-evaluate your own routine, are there parts of it that you have been skipping or rushing thru?

How are you feeling about the new season? What are you planning on doing to step up your routine as we move into Spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today? I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Introducing Reiyn Beauty

Published on January 2, 2022 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!

I am so exited to get back to blogging this year! I have been saving projects that I can’t wait to show you! 2021 was challenging for many of us, myself included and I am really happy to turn the page and move forward. I have been really quiet on the blog over the past few months as I have been working on launching my first business. There have been a lot of challenges (ahh the life of a business owner) but as owning my own business has alway been a dream of mine, I have been determined to continue the ongoing process of figuring it out and pressing forward.

Today I am so excited to give you a first look at Reiyn Beauty! Launching on January 12th 2022, Reiyn Beauty is built on the ethos that wellness and self care are neccessities not an indulgence. It also doesn’t need to take a lot of time, but you owe it to yourself and everyone that you love to invest a bit of time everyday in self care so that you can show up as your best self on a daily basis. Reiyn Beauty will be offering limited edition drops on beauty and self care products and I am so excited for you to see the first product that I have designed and developed. Reiyn Beauty is a labour of love that I look forward to sharing with you. For up to date information about Reiyn Beauty and future products, please sign up for out newsletter at http://www.reiynbeauty.com or follow us on Instagram @reiynbeauty

And of course, please continue to follow Stylishly Zen for design and wellness inspiration! I have so much to share with you in 2022 and beyond! In the interim, I hope that your 2022 is filled with good health, laughter, happiness, love and magic!

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Five Faves – March 2021

Published on March 15, 2021March 14, 2021 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I has officially been one year since the world came to a screeching halt, and while lock down measures have loosened in some parts of the world, here in Montreal we have settled into a new normal. We are still under a curfew and restaurant dining is a distant memory, but hopefully with the vaccine roll out things will improve especially as we enter a warmer season. Maybe it’s all of the time that I have had to spend alone over the past year but the truth is that I am struggling. Some days are better then others but lately I have been feeling a little low. In order to counter these feelings, I have been searching for and indulging in things that I enjoy and brighten my day. Here are my five faves for March that I am currently loving:

Bala Bands – I have been eating a lot of junk food over the past year (potato chips are practically a food group for me at this point) so naturally I haven’t been feeling my best. I have been working out, but without access to a gym (they are shut down) my workouts feel limited and uninspired. When the lockdown first started I purchased the Melissa Wood Health fitness app and I loved her workouts but eventually I got lazy. In order to motivate myself to get back to feeling good I treated myself to a pair of Bala bands which Melissa often uses in her workouts. These 1 lb weights are great for both lower body and arm workouts and I feel strong every time that I use them. If you are looking to add some weights to your workout I highly reccommend these bands as they are both functional and stylish.

Sumo Oranges – My tastes have changed quite a bit over the past year. Black pepper and oranges are two items that I find myself gravitating towards on a regular basis. I had heard of Sumo oranges on Instagram a little while ago so I was curious when I saw them at the grocery store a short while later. They are not cheap but my curiosity got the better of me and I had to buy one to try. I am now completely hooked! For those of you who have never heard of a Sumo orange before, it is a cross between a mandarin orange and a naval orange. They are a larger seedless orange with a thick skin (which makes it super easy to peel). Sweet, juicy and filling and they re helping me to keep a lid on my previously mentioned chip addiction. Love it!

Hermes Tokyo Store – Hermes has always been one of my favourite fashion houses. Despite the astronomical prices I love the the history behind it, the quiet elevated luxury and elegance of the brand and the traditions that they have carried forward. This past week, Hermes entered a new chapter in its history by announcing a new bag made with mushroom leather. I love that the traditional leather house is making strides to evolve with the times and work with new materials while still maintaining brand integrity. Hermes also announced the opening of their new store in Tokyo and it is gorgeous! It is the brand’s first street location in Japan since opening the Hermes Ginza location in 2001 (all of the other Hermes stores in Japan are located in a mall) and they did a beautiful job designing this location. Bright and welcoming and quietly luxurious I am in love with the design of this store.

Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy – I have always been a fan of actor Stanley Tucci’s work so I was thrilled when I first saw the promo for this new show on CNN Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy. A great actor exploring one of my favourite countries sounded like a match made in heaven to me. Thankfully this show has exceeded my expectations. So far I have watched him explore Naples, Rome, Bologna and Milan and each episode has me dreaming of getting on a plane and exploring the world again. I can’t wait! If you are also suffering from a serious case of wanderlust, I highly recommend that you check this show out to help to tide you over until you can travel again.

Monday Girl – This past year has me seriously reconsidering my career path and what I would like to achieve in the future. As I have been trying to figure out how to achieve my goals, I have been researching different career websites and support groups which is how I found the Monday Girl. They have an inspirational Instagram account (@mondaygirlto), a bi-weekly newsletter filled with career tips, job posting and ways to connect with likeminded women. I love it when women support other women both professionally and personally and I am loving this community that the founders of Monday Girl have created. If you are looking for a little extra professional motivation or to join a community of like minded women this may be one that you want to check out (www.mondaygirl.ca).

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful day and stay safe out there! XXS

My Top 4 Winter Beauty Boosters

Published on December 14, 2017December 13, 2017 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Winter weather can cause a myriad of beauty woes. Even the most well intentioned beauty aficionado can get caught easily with hat head, static cling and parched skin. While updating your beauty routine for the cold weather is a necessity in many parts of the world, you may also want to consider adding in a few nutritional beauty busters to help maintain your glow all year long. As I have mentioned (many times) before, I love to eat for skin health. Here are a few of the food that I reach for when the temperature drops:

Miso

Beauty and good health begin in the belly and miso is a perfect winter warming food. Made from soy beans, this fermented food is very popular for it’s many benefits. Miso has been consumed for centuries in Japan and China and many regard it as the secret to the luminous skin that many Japanese women are known for. It is jam packed with antioxidants that help to address the signs of aging and bacteria (the good kind) which helps to balance the gut flora. Packed with antioxidants such as isoflavones helps to address the signs of aging and contains beneficial bacteria that helps to balance the gut and in turn aids in keeping the skin clear. Miso is alkalizing for the body and also helps to strengthen the immune system making it the perfect food to indulge in during flu season.

Tips:

Make sure that you use hot but not boiling water when making your own miso soup as you don’t want to kill the good bacteria
In a rush? Enjoy a simple cup of miso soup by creaming a teaspoon of miso in a 1/4 cup of hot water until completely dissolved. Top with 3/4 of hot water and a few drops of chilli oil if you like it spicy and enjoy!

Mushrooms

I love mushrooms so I don’t need an excuse to indulge but, knowing that they are a fabulous beauty booster makes them taste even better. Mushrooms are the only vegetables that make Vitamin D from sunlight which is essential for healthy skin and bones. Vitamin D also helps to regulate the turnover of skin cells which will keep you looking beautiful. Mushrooms are also a source of zinc which is well known as a acne fighting mineral. Mushrooms are a total skin clearing winner in my book!

Tip:

Try showing mushrooms in to stir fries, pastas, curries and anything else you can think of. The subtle earthy flavour will add a new tasty dimension to most dishes

Red Cabbage

Most people reach for Vitamin C during the winter months, especially when they feel a cold going on. While oranges are a great source of it, there are other foods that are rich in Vitamin C as well and red cabbage is definitely on that list.

Red cabbage is said to have twice the amount of Vitamin C then green cabbage making it a smarter vegetable to reach for. Rich in fibre and antioxidants and low in calories, red cabbage is an amazing but underrated vegetable. The collagen boosting properties of Vitamin C will help to keep your skin smooth and clear while red cabbage’s anti-inflammatory properties (the carotenoids) help to fight inflammation based skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

Tip:

Roasted red cabbage is simple to make and seriously delicious. Drizzle thick slices or wedges of red cabbage with olive oil (on both sides), sea salt, pepper and minced garlic and roast for 15 – 20 mins at 450F for an easy vegetable dish

Rosemary

I read a study a few years ago that touted the longevity benefits of rosemary. Since then I frequently reach for this fragrant herb. Naturally astringent and filled chockfull of anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary is a powerhouse in the world of herbs. Helpful in reducing redness and puffiness, rosemary even works to address breakouts due to excess sebum. Rosemary’s ability to help stimulate the body’s circulation make it a great warming herb that helps you to achieve beautiful glowing skin.

Rosemary’s scent is said to help improve one’s mood, enhance brain function and boost energy – perfect for jump starting those sluggish winter days. Many people swear by rosemary oil – applying it topically is said to help with indigestion and mental disorders.

Tip:

Not sure what to cook with rosemary? Try a simple rosemary tea, simply steep a sprig or two of rosemary in hot water for 5 mins. Remove sprigs and add honey to taste, and sip your way to a glowing complexion!

I hope that you have a beautiful winter season! XXS

Inspiring Interior

Published on September 12, 2017September 12, 2017 by soreiya3 Comments

Normally, when I hear the words “Italian villa” I think of a rustic and charming home, but today’s Inspiring Interior challenges that vision in the best way possible. Located in the Tuscan country between Florence and Arezzo, this villa is breathtaking in its simplicity. Designed by Rachele Biancalani Studio with Matteo Bonechi technician, this villa defies traditional ideas of what a villa is supposed to look like and delivers a simple and sophisticated home. Exposed beams and large arched windows perfectly compliment the warm natural tones of the home along with the clean white accents. I love it! Here are some of my favourite pics of this spectacular home:

All images are from My House Idea