Yoga in Boston Part I

Jamie and I have recently made a pact to get healthier. We're not unhealthy girls by any means, though we could eat a little better and could work out a little more. We've been weighed down by the winter blahs, however, and stress at work has made my body susceptible to every cold that crosses my path. In my quest for health, I've decided to search through Boston to find a yoga studio I really love and will stick to. I'll share my reviews with you all as I try them.

Dahn Yoga

1110 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Ok, so this place has gotten some pretty bad press over the years so I was slightly hesitant to give it a go. I cannot, however, turn down a groupon offering 30 CLASSES FOR 20 DOLLARS! Yes please. Cult or not, count me in. I went to the Harvard Square location for my first class. My day at work was completely stressful, I have been feeling really down lately in general, I had to kill three hours in Harvard Square before the class, and I'm always nervous before trying something new. Anyone who knows me well knows that this combination makes me a miserable grump. The class before mine went a little longer, too, which just deepened my scowl.
The setting: One room, wood floor, mirrors, candles, large windows, but the windows are covered by screens so you really have to be a creep to peek in and see anything. I know, I peeked. This made it a little awkward as I always arrive early for things like this, and the class before mine ran late, thus making me that creepy girl chilling outside. When the class finally finished, I bolted in and sat down expecting to wait for a bunch of other people to pile in. (By the way, it smelled DELICIOUS in there. I need that candle.) I sat. Waited. No one came.
Finally, the instructor comes out from the back and another lady popped in. Two girls. One male instructor. I am the girl who picks a mat as far away to the instructor as possible in a place where I will be seen the least. This was my worst nightmare. However, the instructor made me feel really comfortable and at ease. He seemed genuinely interested in learning our names, what our deal was, and what we wanted out of the class. He was really great at showing us our mistakes without making us feel dumb, and I left feeling calm, relaxed, stretched, smiling and sore! I can't ask for anything more from a yoga class. It was absolutely wonderful. I'm going again tomorrow.

Bend and Balance Yoga

284 Amory Street 1st Floor, Jamaica Plain, MA

I wanted to love this place. I really, really did. It is so convenient to my house and in the same building as my gym. I was so excited that this place was opening that I signed up for one of the first introductory classes they offered. There was no connection with the instructor, she didn't talk us through the poses even though it was a beginning class, and it was far too crowded to do the poses properly. Also, when you walked out of class they bombarded you with signing up for more. I know this is your first class and all and you want people to sign up, but can I get my shoes on first? I walked home with my back still aching from stress, my mind still racing (probably didn't help that someone's car was parked outside...), my body still feeling tired and not relaxed in the least. Needless to say, I won't be going back. Shame.

I'll keep you updated with more classes I try out! If you have classes you love, please share!

Love,
Jess

SoWa Winter Market

Today we went with our friends Kari and Steph to the SoWa Winter Farmer's Market. The market sells a variety of produce, artisan foods, art and jewelry.

http://www.sowaopenmarket.com/sowa-winter-market/

I usually go to the SoWa open market in the summer, but I really wanted to check out the winter market and I was not disappointed. There were so many great vendors there. I ended up purchasing two pairs of earrings and some loose leaf tea. Jaime purchased some mushroom ravioli, which we sampled and it was so tasty!

After the winter market we headed to the SoWa vintage market, which sells a variety of vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, and so much more. A set of vintage blue luggage caught our eyes and we had to have it. Jaime can't wait to use hers next time she goes to New York. I also purchased some maps from the fifties of Russia. I love Russian history and was so excited to find these.

I can never leave the south end without visiting bead and fiber. Jaime wants to learn to knit, so she got knitting needles and yarn. I taught myself how to knit, but I'd really like to learn more complicated stitches and patterns. bead and fiber offers classes on the weekends, but if anyone knows other places in the Boston area offering classes, let me know!

Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday! 

Love,

Jess and Jaime

{r}evolution apparel

I came across this project on Kickstarter and I'm really loving it. Kristin & Shannon are the co-founders of {r}evolution apparel, and have designed a garment called the versalette.

http://www.revolutionapparel.me/the-versalette/

From their website:

WHAT IS IT?

The Versalette is a multi-functional piece that can be worn over 15 different ways — with just a few adjustments. It serves as a dress, shirt, skirt, scarf, purse, hood & more. It’s a simply designed staple that makes travel, minimalism, and living sustainably just a little bit easier.

{r}evolution apparel Introduces the Versalette from {r}evolution apparel on Vimeo.


As a huge lover of fashion, I often struggle with "throwaway fashion"and consumerism. Fashion to me, however, is an art form and an outlet for expression. I usually shop second hand, and I treasure each and every one of my garments. I know most others don't, so creating garments that are so versatile and sustainable is a great way to get the message out. I'm really excited about their project and I am definitely pre-ordering one of these!

Love,
Jess

New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion week is here! I am always excited to see the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection and this season is no exception. The dresses are absolutely divine. I particularly love the one below - the shade of blue and luxe fabric paired with Doc Marten-esque boots - absolutely perfect. I love pairing masculine and feminine pieces into one look, and I'm glad this season in continuing with the trend. Maybe I'll pull my green Docs out of the back of the closet and pair them with some vintage dresses?

NowFashion.com

Be sure to look at Anna Sui's collection as well - the colored tights and printed dresses are making me absolutely giddy. I can't even choose a favorite look to show you - I adore them all. 

NowFashion.com

Head over to the New York Times Fashion week coverage, or NowFashion.com and check out the collections right now! 

Love,
Jess

Happy Valentine's Day!

We're celebrating by going to see our favorite movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge.

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with lots of love.

With love,

La Vie En Rose

Hi, I'm Jaime. :)

 Hey everyone, thanks for checking our blog La Vie En Rose :) I wanted to take a second and introduce myself. My name is Jaime, and my good friend Jess and I created La Vie En Rose to write about the experiences of two twenty-somethings living in Boston. We hope you enjoy what you see here and keep following us.

As Jess already mentioned, we want to share what we love. As for me,  first thing that comes to mind is that I am a pop culture virtuoso. If you ever wanted to know about the history/personalities in film or music, what they were famous (and notorious) for, or celebrity gossip, I'm your girl. I tend to lean towards classic movies and music, but I'm pretty open-minded.

 Just a little side note about us: A huge similarity between Jess and I is that we have the same favorite movies. When we first met, during one of the first conversations we ever had when we moved in together we discovered that we have the exact two favorite films; Breakfast at Tiffany's and Gone with the Wind. And let me tell you, that is rare. We also both adore Audrey Hepburn, and especially like to turn to Audrey's movies when we have a bad day or simply just need some inspiration. For those of you who have seen Sabrina, you'll know what I'm talking about.
 
Anyway, the point is, you'll be seeing a lot of writing about pop culture from me . :)

Sweets for my Sweet

Valentine's Day is coming up - this is a reallllly sensitive holiday for some people. I'm single, and although a lot of single ladies hate this holiday, I love any reason to make treats and therefore am embracing it. Cute couples, awkward boys waiting around with roses, really corny cards - I'll take it all if it means I have an excuse to make a million cupcakes and goody bags without being a first grade teacher. This year I decided to make something really easy -

Pretzels and Hershey kisses! (or hugs, which I've used) They are so tasty and absolutely so simple to make. Simply Scratch has a great recipe for them with step by step photos. Check it out here. 

I filled twenty goody bags with them and various other Valentine's Day treats for my co-workers. Hopefully all the bags make it to work intact! I have such a sweet tooth and they are so yummy! What do you all do for holidays? Does anyone make anything special for Valentine's Day?

Love,

Jess