Author: Syraluna

Pretty in Pilates: Grip Sock Review

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been doing Pilates consistantly for almost a year now, and it has been incredible. I’ve lost 20 pounds, my back pain is gone, and my quality of sleep has improved greatly. In each Pilates class, I’m pushing my mind and body to be stronger and more flexible. Something that I’ve noticed though, during my workouts, while you’re using your body weight in conjunction with different spring strength, the right pair of socks are crucial for the workout, especially during the dreaded plank. However, the right pair of Pilates socks is crucial for the maximum Pilates workout.

During my first few Pilates classes, I was wearing Tavi Pilates socks, which are great for beginners. They have a variety of sock lengths and colours. The grip proved to be great for reformer work, but I found that it would slide off when I did planks on the mat. The overall fit is “true to size,” the price is great ($14-$24)and I love that they have a shade of pink for every season. I rate them 4.5/5

One day, I forgot my Pilates socks, so I quickly bought a pair of Gaiam Pilates socks on my way to the studio. As I started my warm-up, I noticed that I couldn’t get a good grip on the reformer. Regardless of the position, I had to buy another pair of socks halfway through the class. Though the price was $8, I felt you got what you paid for. The socks were too big, didn’t have enough grip, and had a limited colour selection. I rate them 2/5

As I’ve progressed throughout my Pilates journey, I’ve learned the importance of quality gear, (this is true for any workout/sport). In my search for different socks, I came across the brand Arbesk, which has captured fashionable and functional designs. I bought the “Anna Grip Sock,” designed with the big, beautiful pink bows, great compression, and a grip that is thick and covers the full bottom of the sock. I was able to flow through my reformer and mat workout without slipping. The socks also came with a mini garment bag for washing, which helps with the longevity of your grip socks. Priced $16-$25, worth the investment. I rate them 5/5

The popularity of Pilates is on the rise, and many brands have noticed and are jumping into the craze with their own brand of socks. However, not all socks are created equal. Great Compression and grip are essential for proper alignment and movement as you flow through Pilates. Arbesk is a brand that understands the intersection of fashion and functionality.

Pilates is on the rise, again, and many brands are taking notice and taking part, however not socks are created equal. You want something that will wick away moisture, hug your feet, provide great grip and not slide off during your workouts. While some may come with a higher price point, it’s worth it, you don’t want to risk injury or not being able to give your all due to your equipment.

Pretty in Pink: National Pink Day

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

What could be more perfect than the colour Pink? June 23 is a day that celebrates all things Pink. Unique shades of pink are found in nature, from fruits and flowers to animals, including the pink flamingo (my favorite), to the rare pink hue that paints the sky.

Pink has taken on many meanings throughout history, art, literature, pop culture, and fashion. Pink has also played a part in our childhood, i.e, pink for girls and blue for boys. However, in the 19th century, pink was for boys, as it was a lighter colour of red, a powerful colour, and blue for girls; this changed in the 20th century. It’s now an identifiable colour for girls, and according to my mother and Nordstrom, I was born for the colour pink.

Pink has a unique history, with the first reference of the colour starting with the Greeks (naturally), first in Homer’s Odyssey, then coined by a Greek botanist who described the colours of carnations. Throughout the centuries, pink has influenced different countries and cultures. Pink was popular in Japanese fashion, worn by both men and women; much of their fashion was also influenced by the pink cherry blossoms. Pink made its way to Europe during the 18th century, when the colour was made popular by Madame de Pompadour and influenced the fashion of the era.

Pink continues to be a popular colour in fashion; however, pink starts to pivot into entertainment through the 20th and 21st centuries with fashion icons like Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. To Molly Ringwald in “Pretty in Pink,” an 80s classic. Another Pink fashion icon we must acknowledge is Jackie Kennedy, dressed in her Chanel pink suit that defined an era of luxury but also a pivotal moment in US history when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

All things “Pink” exploded again with Barbie and “The Barbie Movie,” so much so that it caused a global shortage of the signature colour.

Pink has taken on the meaning of being soft, elegant, feminine, luxurious, and healing. Many women who are in a healing era gravitate to pink or reclaim pink as their favourite colour. I can attest to this because after my divorce, I found myself surrounded with all things pink; my bedding, bathroom, wardrobe, and now my kitchen. I was starting over, and I wanted everything to be Pretty in Pink.

Pink has been prominent throughout history and has carried many meanings. Pink also promotes softness, warmth, and healing and that is something worth celebrating.

Happy National Pink Day 🎀

Pretty in Pilates

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

Happy Pilates Day! I’ve been doing Pilates for seven months now, and I just learned that Pilates has an International Day of Recognition (first Saturday in May), honoring the legacy of Joseph Pilates.

Pilates has a unique history; it was initially designed for wounded soldiers during World War II, then pivoted into the dance world and eventually expanded into studios across the globe. It is known for targeting the core, flexibility, and muscles that you didn’t even know you had.

I did my first Pilates class with my sister for her birthday. We came dressed in our pretty Pilates sock and ready to embrace the reformer. We’ve been consistent for months now, and I see the added benefits in my health: I sleep better, I’m hardly ever sick, my back pain is gone, and I have more flexibility. Pilates is very addictive and worth the investment.

Life, Love, and Luxury

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Life can be beautiful yet unpredictable, filled with many lessons, some on repeat, until you fully comprehend what God is teaching you. Many attempt life by checking off that societal checklist; college, marriage, house, and kids. When those boxes don’t get checked, we’re left feeling unfulfilled in accordance to society’s expectations. Others approach life like novelists; they write their own story. understanding that each experience we have is preparing us for the next chapter of our lives. The first few chapters of my novel ( life) have been filled with a mini-series as a military brat, followed by a huge health scare and then amazing adventures in Spain. Those parts of my life were also filled with romance, love, marriage, and heartbreak. My current chapter focuses on love.

Love comes in so many forms. Love of self, family, friends, and, of course, romantic love. Self-love goes beyond spa days and shopping sprees. It requires self-reflection and analyzing the people or things helping or hindering you. Self-love requires self-discipline to achieve your personal goals. Familial love is the foundation of our self-esteem, how we form friendships, and how we experience romantic love. Familial love is about the choices we make and who we allow into our lives. We’ve all heard the phrase “Blood is thicker than water.” However, the full saying is “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,” Meaning that just because someone is blood-related doesn’t mean we have to accept their disrespect. It means we can choose the bonds that we develop and nurture. And being able to choose is a luxury.

Luxury is defined as exclusivity, comfort, or a high price tag and often is associated with images of name-brand handbags, expensive cars, jewelry, or exclusive vacation spots. However, Luxury is all about perspective and what you choose to prioritize. Personally, luxury is getting a good night’s sleep on quality sheets. It is going to pilates two or three times a week and prioritizing my health. Luxury is elevating every day and surrounding myself with beautiful people and things. At the end of the day, it is choosing a life of love and luxury.

TikTok Goes Dark

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

TikTok officially went dark due to the ban upheld by the Supreme Court. The ban was under the guise of a threat to national security data. Interestingly, the only social media that has been banned is TikTok. Like millions of users of the app, I joined in 2020 during the Pandemic as a way to escape. I was laughing and being entertained but I was also learning and healing. TikTok has become more than an app for trending sounds and videos, it has become a form of community for millions of people around the world. TikTok is a platform filled with individuals being silly or educating people on a variety of topics from history to mental health. Another thing that makes TikTok so unique is the algorithm which really curates content for the individual user. But the most powerful tool of TikTok (in my opinion) is that TikTok allows people from around the world to experience and discuss topics and events in real-time which challenges a scripted narrative.

Interestingly, Facebook and Instagram haven’t faced the same fate as TikTok and that has so many TikTok users asking why? We know the answer, this ban was never about a threat to national security… this ban is about money and control.

Personally, I don’t think this is the end of TikTok, however, the next 24-48 hours will give us a better idea of where we stand.

Happy New Year: 2025 Prioritize your Health

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Happy New Year! We made it through another year. Many of us will start the year off with the best intentions of goal setting, getting organized, or starting that fitness plan. Don’t get me wrong, setting goals is great, and achieving them is even better but the hardest part is always getting started. My desire for improvement was there, but I lacked the energy to accomplish my goals. I would attempt to get more sleep and other quick fixes for more energy only to feel more exhausted.

In April 2024, I was admitted to the ER with thrombocytopenia, a condition where my blood wasn’t clotting due to the low platelet count which was caused by severe anemia. Before my diagnosis of anemia, I felt extreme exhaustion, shortness of breath, craving ice, and feeling weak all of the time. Days before being admitted to the emergency room, I felt extremely dizzy and I would wake up with random bruises on my body. Now before the weekend visit to the ER, I had a new primary care provider (PCP) whom I asked to check all of my blood levels and thankfully she really listened to me and saw that my platelet levels were falling. I was treated with steroids, an iron infusion, and a daily iron supplement. I do have to follow up with quarterly blood draws to monitor my platelet count

I share this story with you because extreme exhaustion is not normal; it could be an underlying symptom of other health issues. Secondly, your health may be affecting how you’re showing up for yourself, which has a direct result in your achieving your personal goals. So start 2025 off by prioritizing your health (mental and physical) and watch how it will impact your goal setting. Now, go make an appointment for a physical so you can be amazing.

Happy New Year

Fascinators: Fun, Fashion and Fancy

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Fascinators have always been a “must-have” accessory when attending aristocratic events, weddings, in particular, royal weddings in the United Kingdom. They have signaled the height of fashion. A level of elegance for many. And an element of fun with their unique shapes, colours, and textures.

Fascinators have sporadically made their way to the US with events like the Kentucky Derby, tea parties, and church ( if you know, you know). With the popularity of the Bridgeton books and Netflix series, fascinators have made a resurgence in the fashion realm. Growing up in England and the U.S., I’ve always been fond of fascinators and how they elevate the most classic looks. Fascinators can be a conversational piece with their unique shapes, and colours with displays of lace, pearls, flowers, or feathers

I recently had an event where I needed a fascinator and of course, I didn’t want anything mass-produced. Hence, my good friend Traci, owner of Chapeax by Traci, quickly started brainstorming and created two beautiful works of art that captured the moment. Each fascinator was designed with the unique personalities of me and my sister in mind.

Women of all cultures have adorned their hair with scarves, feathers, gold dust, or detailed hair pins. However, the fascinator as we know it was introduced in the era of Marie Antoinette. French fashion had a huge influence within Europe making the fascinator an “it” piece among British elites. The fascinator had its moment of influence in American fashion especially in the 1920s among flappers and again during the 1980s, especially with the fashion icon Princess Diana. The fascinators are now seen as “the statement” piece that is worn to English weddings, high teas, and other events where fascinators are “encouraged” to be worn.

Be intentional and get your Pink Back

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

Happy New Year! Many of you know that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions but I do set goals throughout the year, which I find easier to achieve. I had set the goal of being more intentional in my life. For example, I am more mindful about what I consume, how I spend my time, and who I am spending it with. Many of you know that I love fashion but few actually know that I love history and learning interesting facts about nature…this has a connection, I promise. While scrolling on TikTok, I learned a very interesting fact about my favourite animal..pink flamingos.

TikTok has been instrumental in me being intentional in my life. It has challenged my perspective on life in general. I follow, Shawnda, on TikTok and she shared that female Pink Flamingos lose their pink over time while caring for their young; they lose their pink to the point they turn grey or white. Flamingos’ colour can fade or disappear for many other factors as well such as environment or food but I find it fascinating that Pink flamingos are pouring everything that they have such as energy and food into their young and you can physically see the drain on them.

The creator poses the question “What is causing you to lose your “pink?” Who or what are you pouring into that is draining you of your energy, your inspiration…of your “pink.” Shandra then follows up the question ” How are you going to get your pink back? As a lover of all things pink, I had to make a post on this intriguing topic.

Personally, I realized I was losing my pink when I was over-extending myself. I would always say “yes” to my friends and my family even though I was beyond exhausted. I was the only one working on my marriage pouring everything I could into a relationship that was beyond repair. My environment was pure chaos and I felt pure exhaustion every time I would walk into the house. I literally could not heal and be productive. I had lost my pink.

Now I’m getting my pink back, literally and figuratively. “No” is a complete sentence. If at any point, I feel that I’m overextending myself and my pink is starting to dull, I step back and course correct. It’s been 2 years since my divorce and I started to get my pink back when I realized that I really did everything I could to save my marriage before signing the divorce papers. I have been very intentional about my environment; I’ve literally surrounded myself with pink. My bedroom decor is in pink, my bathroom is pink, my kitchen accessories are… you guessed it..pink.

I truly believe that everyone looks amazing in pink and it gives you an instant glow, even if you’re going through difficult times. So, I challenge you, to identify what is draining you of your pink and what are you going to do to get your pink back?

Happy New Year and get your pink back!

Malibu Barbie Cafe: Chicago

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

According to my mother and Nordstrom, I’ve always been obsessed with pink and of course, Barbie! With the world premiere of the Barbie movie and a collaboration with pretty much every major brand, and now the launch of Malibu Barbie Cafe” I am truly a Barbie girl living in a Barbie World.

Every year, my family vacations along Lake Michigan, and this year it was in Racine, Wisconsin. I quickly learned that it is a 2-hour drive to Chicago, where Malibu Barbie Cafe is located. From start to finish, it is an experience. First, you must make a reservation via bucketlisters.com where you have the option to have bar or table seating (pricing will vary). Then you select your entree off of the menu which is included in the ticket price. I opted for the “Pacific Paradise Rainbow” pancakes and my dad, who was my date for the event, opted for the “Beach Burger” which was served with this flavorful “secret sauce” which was amazing. Drinks are ordered once you are seated; they had pink-themed cocktails, beach-themed teas, and non-alcoholic drinks. I opted for a “big splash soda” (coke).

Once you enter the cafe, you have stepped into Malibu Barbie’s World and you are surrounded by beach themes and pink! The cafe has a gift shop where you can purchase Malibu Barbie dolls and other Barbie accessories. Then there is the bar which is decorated with surfboards and accents of pink, even the cocktail napkins were..you guessed it pink. The waiters were all dressed as Ken dolls all wearing pink short sleeve button-down shirts…classic!

Throughout the cafe there are many photo ops from the pink phone, to the boom box and of course a life-size Barbie box. There was an outside area where you could eat, take many more photos, and for a $1 donation, you could rollerskate. Unfortunately, it started raining so we stayed inside. Looking around I saw so many moms there with their daughters and experiencing Barbie’s world. If you loved Barbie growing up (and still do as an adult) I recommend the Malibu Barbie Cafe Experience, you will be in great pink company.

The Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up is in the following cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco. Unfortunately, they don’t have plans to come to the Washington D.C. area ( I asked).

The Look of Self-Love

~ Syraluna ~ Leave a comment

Self-Care and Self-love look similar to one another and are often used interchangeably when discussing the topic of emotional healing. Social media often depicts self-care such as facials, manis-pedis, massages, or retail -therapy sessions. All of these are great forms of self-care and provide mini breaks from the stresses of daily life whereas, Self-love requires more than moments of self-care, it requires introspection.

Before my divorce, my self-care sessions were moments of distraction rather than self-reflection and self-care; they were moments of escape. However, after these moments, I would return to reality even more frustrated. Many of us have looked outward for personal fulfillment only to be disappointed or hurt. After a while, you have to learn to look within and learn self-love. This journey will look different for everyone but my journey started like this:

“Say No”. I would say “yes” because I didn’t set boundaries in my personal or professional relationships. I often overcommitted myself to the point that I had no personal time. It was so bad that I bought new outfits because I didn’t have time to do the laundry. Sleep seemed like a luxury that I thought I couldn’t afford. It was hard at first but learning that “no” is a complete sentence and you don’t owe anyone an explanation. It’s a difficult start, but worth it in the end. You will not only set your boundaries but you’ll see people in a better light. Many people love “yes” people. because they’re self-sacrificing. They will deplete their emotional and spiritual reserves to keep the peace and make others happy. By implementing “no,” you’ll see who has been exploiting you and who is your true friend.

Self-reflection: I found journalling a potent tool for self-reflection. It allows you to recognize your shortcomings while documenting where you thrive and where you need to improve. You can pour your soul out on paper and look at your thoughts months or years later to see how far you’ve grown. Personally, writing my thoughts and goals down helps me be more accountable to myself. I had no problems showing up for others and often times neglection my own needs and interests. Be honest in your self-reflection, it doesn’t help you to falsify your faults. Acknowledgment and acceptance are tools in the step to recovery. It’s difficult to improve upon a problem within yourself when you fail to admit you have one. You have to accept responsibility for your role in your life and your relationships. , and accept responsibility for the role you played in the relationship.

Set Boundaries and Standards: Self-Love requires setting boundaries and protecting your peace. Setting boundaries initially will be hard and you may even feel some guilt about them but I promise you, this is a necessary step in your healing. And individuals that have a problem with your new boundaries are the individuals that benefited from you not having standards.

Self-Love is not a final destination. It is a lifelong journey that is filled with twists and turns. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be in awe of what you have and will accomplish. Self-love is not selfish, self-love is self-care that well all deserve.