OUTER BEAUTY
DAY 6
Clean your kitchen. Get rid of the health foods you hate and discard the junk foods that make you feel bad.
Mar 31, 2013
Good morning!
OUTER BEAUTY
DAY 6
Clean your kitchen. Get rid of the health foods you hate and discard the junk foods that make you feel bad.
Mar 29, 2013
Escape to MALLORCA
Meet my beautiful sister-in-law, Jessica. She runs her own company importing cashmere and accessories, and since this has been an endlessly long winter (for the rest of us) I cannot tell you how wrapped up I have been in my beautiful cashmere poncho from her...Head over to her shop to see more of these high quality cashmeres, since they´re also perfect for al fresco dining in the summer when it begins to chill up during evenings...A few years ago Jessica and her family decided to leave the rest of us behind in Sweden for setting up a new home and making a daily life on Mallorca. You could say they actually did what many of us dream and only talk about. So based on that I asked Jessica to tell us a little more about her beautiful life on Mallorca.
Jessica, how did you end up on Mallorca
My husband had wanted us to move abroad for some time and in the end I too realised it would be an exciting adventure for our family. Sunshine was one important factor on deciding where to go. My parents have had a second home in Marbella since the 80´s and we have spent many of our holidays there, so that seemed like the place to go to. We rented a house for three weeks over christmas to check everything. I panicked a little when we found out that the schooling set up was not perfect for us. I had heard there was another Swedish school (larger than the one in Marbella) on Mallorca. So, after research, off we went to Mallorca, to view houses and visit the school there. We ended up buying a house there and then!
What is a typical day in your life?
The alarm buzzes at 07.15. Time to get up, wake up our three children, organize breakfast. All three, Mimmi 13, Claes, 10 and Nikki 3 years go to the same school, which makes everything so much easier, since I drive them there. I always come to school dressed in my training gear, because that is next on my agenda. Three days a week I work out with a trainer here and three days a week I doo hiking. Excercise is a priority and a luxury for me. When I come back home, after dropping off kids and training, my work starts. Since I am alone, with my own business I am not really dependent on anyone or any time. All I need is my computer. Twice a week, at my children's school, I have Spanish classes before picking up the children. I did not speak Spanish prior to moving here, but I do enjoy learning a new language. The Swedish school ends at 4 pm, so after that we go home and prepare dinner. My son plays soccer for a Spanish Club three days a week and tennis once a week and Mimmi has horse riding once a week. So, yes busy days. And here one needs to drive the children to everything...
What is most different living in Mallorca from Sweden?
The weather is very different. We have so much more light and sunshine here and I think it makes people a lot happier and easy going. People here (even the Swedes) are so much more relaxed. We have a higher quality of life here compared to ours in Sweden. But, of course, in a way, we miss Sweden too, especially family and friends. Therefore we always spend two months over the summer in Sweden. With my business, I can work in Sweden just as well as in Spain. For those summer months we rent out our house in Mallorca. More info at Villa Son Mar.
What is the best part of living there?
Life here feels more luxurious! In many different ways. I love being outdoors. We have two dogs.
My training, three times a week, is always in the Castell Bellver park (it is close to the childrens school), from up there is a beautiful view over the city of Palma. Doing situps, outside, watching a clear blue sky or pushups against an old wall looking over the beautiful cathedral of Palma is amazing.
Hiking is something I have discovered since moving here. I just love it. Mallorca is a very good place to go to for hiking. I especially love going with my dogs. We do go out more here. Lunches outside in the sun, most of the year around, feels very luxurious. I also think we are more tight as a family living here. We spend more time together and do more things together. Here are still, after six years, new things and places to see and discover.
Give us your five best Mallorca tips, please!
1. Discover hiking.
2. Visit the beautiful beaches.
3. See Palma.
4. I love Puerto Portals, it is a port close to where we live.
5. Drive around and see the island, it has so much to offer.
What is your business about?
My business is about earning a living, having freedom to work when I want, selling things I love!
It is not about selling huge quantities, but rather buying from the source selling to end consumer directly.
What have been the hardest and easiest parts of running your own business?
It was quite easy to start up. I did not need a huge sum of money. I actually started with putting in
10 000 SEK. I made a logo and the web page myself. I previously worked with marketing and media. The difficult part is taking it to next level. I have so many ideas! Being on your own is what makes it easy to run but also very difficult. Sometimes I miss input from someone else. With three children and a husband who works a lot, I lead a busy life. I sometimes feel I need to work more...
Good Morning!
INNER BEAUTY
DAY 5
Search inside. Many of us get caught on the self-help treadmill, endlessly searching for something outside ourselves, buying self-help books, surfing the Internet. Take the time to look inside for what really matters.
Mar 28, 2013
Easter crush
OUTER BEAUTY
All I want in my Easter egg is...Paloma Picasso's olive leaf drop earrings in Topaz for Tiffany & Co. These little gems are inspired by the olive branch, which is a symbol of peace and abundance. Stylish, classy and timeless, these would make the perfect addition. Also available in Amethyst and Citrine ($650) from Tiffany & Co. Well, a girl is entitled to dream a little about the Easter egg...
Good morning!
OUTER BEAUTY
DAY 4
Ditch the scale! Seriously, unless you have a valid medical purpose, there is no good reason to have a scale, especially if you use it to beat yourself up.
Mar 27, 2013
Royal Copenhagen Easter inspiration
OUTER BEAUTY
One of the most lovely Easter traditions come from Royal Copenhagen. Every year they launch their classic porcelain Easter egg with new motives. Royal Copenhagen also recently launched a new addition to their famous cake stands, the five story cake stand. This is so beautiful for serving not only cakes but also canapés or small tapas for drinks and Champagne. What better place for Royal Copenhagen to celebrate an event like this than at Copenhagen's classic tea spot, Perch's Tea Room at Kronprinsensgade.
Good morning!
INNER BEAUTY
DAY 3
Write a gratitude list. Come up with the top 10 things for which you are grateful (add more if you like) and fully appreciate every single item.
Mar 26, 2013
Gwyneth on the meaning of life and good food
OUTER BEAUTY
The lovely Gwyneth Paltrow has recently launched a new cook book "It´s all good". Although Gwyneth knows all food is not good, she apparently loves fries, but learnt that she can´t eat them too often to feel great about herself. Gwyneth Paltrow talks to Self Magazine (read the full story in the April issue) about life and what changed her eating habits. According to herself she was really run down a couple of years ago, and eventually it all came down in a panic attack. That lead her to rethink her life. In this interview Gwyneth share some personal issues and you get the feeling that being a celebrated star isn´t always easy...
On unexpressed feelings
"I also was run-down because I had a lot of unexpressed anger. I made everyone else's feelings more important than my own. I'd suck it up and then be alone in my car yelling at traffic or fighting with hangers in my closet when they got stuck together."
On doctors order
"My body was like, "What is happening?" My doctor recommended that I cut out basically everything: dairy, sugar, gluten, anything processed. I was like, "What the f--- am I going to eat now?" That's why I made the book."
On living on a strict diet
"Life is about balance. It's good to work in healthy food, whether it's five days a week or five meals a week. And if you're going to do it, it should be awesome food you're psyched to make. But never cut out the brownies or the wine."
On meaning of life
"Finding your truth. Be honest about what you feel and don't be afraid to articulate it. "To thine own self be true." It's not a platitude. It's the key to life."
Good morning!
INNER BEAUTY
DAY 2
Start the day loving you. Get up before dawn, watch the sunrise and appreciate yourself.
Mar 25, 2013
The Monday Pep Talk - "The best advice"
OUTER BEAUTY
Even wildly successful entrepreneurs and executives need good advices. These are the best business advices these people ever received, as told to Business Insider, where you can read several more of the advices. Here are my favourites;
"My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project, always amazes me. I have fun running ALL the Virgin businesses — so a setback is never a bad experience, just a learning curve." Richard Branson
"When I started my company, many people said I shouldn't launch it as a retail concept because it was too big a risk.They told me to launch as a wholesaler to test the waters — because that was the traditional way. But Glen Senk, [then] CEO of Urban Outfitters and a mentor of mine ... told me to follow my instincts and take the risk. I wanted to create a new way of looking at retail."
Tory Burch
Tory Burch
"I’m going to give you some important advice. You’re a terrific merchant. But you’ve gotta learn to listen!” Maureen Chiquet, global CEO of CHANEL
"First, it's good to solicit your people's opinions before you give them yours. And second, your people will be very influenced by how you carry yourself under stress."
Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman & CEO Goldman Sachs
Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman & CEO Goldman Sachs
"You’re not going to do this forever. There’s a finite amount of time you’re going to be doing this. Do this really, really well. And if you do this really, really well, everybody will see that, and they’ll move you onto the next thing. And you do that well, and then you’ll move."
Terry J Lundgren CEO Macy's
Terry J Lundgren CEO Macy's
HAPPY Monday!
[Pinterest image viahttp://pinterest.com/grantkgibson/g/]
Good morning!
INNER/OUTER BEAUTY
For the coming 30 days every morning you will find one short tip for loving yourself and your body, based on a series from Sheknows.com. I think it´s a great idea to focus on just one thing per day. We all have busy lives so maybe this can kickstart some thoughts some days and just be a gentle reminder other days. The important thing is to become your own best friend, and love yourself, the whole you, not just some parts:) These posts will begin the day here and is additional to the normal blog posts, so do step by twice a day if you´d like to:)
DAY 1
Breathe deeply. Set a gentle alarm for every hour of your waking day and take at least five deep, conscious breaths.
[Text source: sheknows.com Pinterest image from sundayinbed.tumblr.com edited by IOB]
Mar 24, 2013
India Hicks | HOME is Hibiscus Hills
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| -The reason for it all, says India Hicks. |
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| Home |
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| - Most of our art work on the walls is nonsense, but together it begins to make sense. |
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| - I think the 4 year old made the bed that morning. I starch and straighten sheets to within an inch of their lives. But there is an India Hicks Island Night candle burning beside the bed which could calm me. |
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| - Office details, including India Hicks Island Living candle, for when the power goes out. Which it does. A lot. |
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| - India Hicks Island Living travel sized Eau de Toilette, and the nutshell library books which were mine as a child. My past and present. |
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| - The dodgy chandelier was also inherited with the house. Would I have bought that? No, never. But somehow there is a certain charm to it. The dining table and chairs we found at a flea market in New Orleans. The pineapple is a symbol of welcome. |
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| - We added this trellis so my mother could no longer complain about the direct sun. The oranges benefitted too. |
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| - We let the kids decorate their own rooms. Which is why only 1 out of 5 is able to be shown! |
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| - Our tropical Wendy House. Designed by David, loved by all. |
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| - A view we don't often see as the main entrance is hidden round the corner. |
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| - David designed these books cases and our fairly drunk local carpenter made them. |
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| - Our dining table, a find from New Orleans. |
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| - Home |
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| - A casual supper at home... |
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| - Our sitting room walls are a custom blue grey, sometimes more grey than blue, depending on the shifting tropical light. The ottoman is designed by my clever brother, Ashley Hicks. |
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| Visit India Hicks online shop with beautiful jewellery, home decor and accessories. |
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| India Hick's fantastic Island Living Series "Spider Lily" for Crabtree & Evelyn |
OUTER BEAUTY
Welcome home to "Hibiscus Hill", home in the Bahamas of the über gorgeous India Hicks and her interior designer husband David Flint Wood and children. India Hicks grew up in Britain being daughter to Lady Pamela Mountbatten and the late David Hicks, and having no less than Prince Charles as her godfather.
It´s totally understandable that India Hicks returns to this heaven. Since I admire her beauty and timeless style and loving the Spider Lily fragrance from her Island Living series, I was honoured when India Hicks agreed to share her photos and words of her home with you here.
Don´t miss her blog and shop on indiahicks.com
[Photos with kind permission from India Hicks]