Before I moved to a different neighborhood (and, with that, different gym) in NYC I used to go to the Anti-gravity Yoga class at Crunch every weekend. It’s such a great way to relax and stay centered (nothing like the threat of falling and smashing your face on the floor to keep that focus!). When I saw that they had it at my old gym in Miami, I just had to go (and dragged a brave, unsuspecting friend with me).

Here’s a demonstration of a kick-up-back-flip kind of thing. It’s fun to just let go! I’m not sure if I would call this yoga, though, it’s more like a combination of aerial acrobatics and a great core strength workout.

The downsides, the hammock really puts a lot of pressure on your body, which can be very uncomfortable, and if you’re not used to all the hanging upside down (or haven’t done it in a while, like me) you can get a bit of a nauseating headache.

Check out this Deco Drive (oh, how I miss your fluffy entertainment “news”) segment, filmed at Crunch Miami, where these photos were taken.

Today is Earth Day, a day we are all supposed to take extra special care of Mother Earth. To me, every day is Earth Day and a good cause to celebrate that we are alive and thriving on this amazing terrestrial orb of a planet.

To read more about the grassroots beginnings and current commercialization of Earth Day, click on this.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to a very quiet Easter weekend, with lots of Rest & Relaxation.

Last time I did that was in Palm Springs. The Ace was the Place and the mind was at peace.

NYC doesn’t seem to want to give us desert-like heat any time soon, but I can (and will) at least start the day off with a fresh-squeezed OJ mimosa.

Our room in Palm Springs had a patio with doors that led straight from the “bedroom wing” (aka left side of the room) outside. It’s so nice to be able to leave a door open and get fresh air and feel like you’re outdoors without loosing privacy.

Back in NYC, I felt like my balcony was mocking me. Here, you can’t use that oh-so-coveted outdoor space during at least half the year. I need it to be spring, now.

/// vintage tunic from Beacon’s Closet ///

Flyer seen around Williamsburg. Any takers?

Today it was finally warm enough in NYC to go for a run. Pretty much the only route I can do without having to deal with intersections (hate having to stop at red lights!) is across the Williamsburg Bridge. The good thing is it’s kind of a hill, so you get a good challenging workout, the really bad thing is that the air you’re breathing consists of 50% car exhaust.

Either way, it was a good run, I did twice across the bridge and back (about 1ok/6 miles, according to Google Maps) and really felt that my ramped up workout sched has been paying off. Such a good feeling! I also tried out some new Under Armour stuff that I scored for free at work this week. I’m one of those people who usually never buy workout clothes but instead relegate the ones I no longer want to wear as regular clothes to the workout pile, but the techy fabrics really do make a difference—I felt warm but not too toasty.

I saw one guy running in a tank top and shorts (it’s only 4C/40F out!) and one girl going at a pretty good pace wearing an ankle length puffer coat. I love NY-runners.

I had promised myself that this trip to Hawaii would be when I finally learned (or at least attempted) to surf. Sadly, this is as close as I got. Contributing factors were laziness (laying on the beach was just so good), fear of sharks, big wave season (I think I’d like to start with small wave season) and, in the first few days, seeing lifeguards attempting to bring a man just pulled out of the water back to life—not sure if they succeeded, but I really hope they did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I definitely have an immense amount of respect for the ocean.

Next time, though, I will go surfing, on an actual wave (not a blow up photo-op one).

I’m finally back in NYC after a looong (and very reluctant) journey back from Hawaii — just in time to catch Super Bowl XLV on TV. I was rooting for the Packers and thrilled to see them take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Gooo Packers!

You haven’t seen pictures of me for a while, but I promise I am still here. Just put myself out of sight for a while as I am going through a serious wellness program. (Read more about that here and here).

I’ve also managed to get some kind of muscle inflammation in my chest. It’s hard to breathe and generally feels uncomfortable. Not such a happy place, but I’ve managed to get referrals to some very good people and am seeing a specialist tomorrow. Think happy thoughts with me!

The postcards from the past continues, this one from Portland, in August 08. I had shorter hair and a definite thing for denim and stripes.

We stayed at The Ace Hotel, which is close to the Pearl District and has a Stumptown Coffee next door. Three things I love: Portland, The Ace and Stumptown Coffee! Our room had a view of indie bookstore Powell’s books, and there were awesome matching Jörg & Olif bikes to borrow, which we did. Every day.

Breakfast next door to the Ace, at Kenny & Zuke’s, followed by more bike riding over the steel bridges and dinner at Clyde Common, on the other side of the hotel entrance. Really, we could have stayed on that one street the whole time.

It was late summer and still hot. To follow that theme we went to a hot rod show (where paisley scarves were banned) to ogle some shiny, brightly colored cars and passed by classic Mary’s strip club every night on our way home.

We also visited Nike’s headquarters (where we were tempted to park in Michael Jordan’s assigned spot, got to peek into the top secret innovation kitchen and shopped til we dropped at the company store), drove in circles on a mountain going to visit friends (thanks GPS), and scored some thrifty finds. I think there were pineapple drinks somewhere in there too. Before heading to the airport, we had one final lunch at Clyde Common, and took a box of their to-die-for spiced popcorn to go.