Lifestyle By Bente Lill

Hello, My Beauties! I've heard so many people say this week that they feel like they're failing. Failing at life. Failing at diets. Failing at parenting. Failing at work. So, ok. Fine. I give you permission to be a failure. Tell me all about it. Tell me every little thing you did today, but be warned we might find something you did that was good, fine, acceptable, or even great! If you’re going to use “all or nothing” rationale, then let’s list ALL the things you did that we’re good. I specifically made no attempt to look cute in this video pep talk because I know I'm valuable even when I look my most unkempt. And so are you! Through therapy and a moderate addiction to self-help books, I've worked through a lot of the ugliness of feeling like a consistent failure in life. Here's a secret: perfection is not attainable, and you are doing just fine. Be compassionate with yourself today. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend, your child, a loved on

Hello My Beauties, We all have anxiety - some more than others. So, this tip is for everyone:  One breathing technique in yoga is to breathe through alternate nostrils one at a time. Pinch your nose with your thumb and middle finger. Lift to open one nostril and inhale deeply (about four beats), then switch to open the other nostril and exhale completely. Repeat a few times, then switch your pattern to start on the other side. Why this works:  Your breath is like a remote control to your brain, and when you force your breath to slow down, you force your thoughts and your heart rate to calm down. Bonus:  It's also super distracting when your brain has to think about breathing in only one nostril at a time so you get automatic mindfulness with this technique! Watch the video and breathe along with me.

Hello My Beauties! Do you ever feel intimidated to ask the makeup mavens at Sephora what on Earth a setting spray even does? Do you want to know the difference between a serum and a moisturizer? Would you like to try yoga but you think you have to be a skinny body contortionist to start? Do you think that you can't have a fabulous life without a butler and a personal trainer? Are you bored in the kitchen and you want to try something new, simple, and delicious? My friends ask me frequent questions about beauty, health, self-care, food, and yoga. They want to know what a "real person" does to look and feel her best. They know me and trust me, but frankly, the real draw is that I'm not nearly as intimidating as a "perfect" celebrity. This is not a self-deprecating post by any means. The truth is I'm great, and so are you. You are enough. And since you are already enough, everything else is just icing on top of your already delicious cake.  T