Linda Farrow for Jeremy Scott Wing Sunglasses

How to have the best weekend EVER, starting tomorrow.

I don’t know about you but I am craving some warmer weather treats. This weekend is Cinco de Mayo andddd the third birthday of my beloved pup, Samba – a doubly good cause for celebration!

For those of you in New York, you understand the weather situation, – which is really quite depressing for the end of April but lets hope this weekend is just the start of warmer festivities to come.

It has been known that I am a Mexican food junkie. My fiancé knows I could live on fish tacos and guacamole and fortunately for me there is a national holiday that celebrates the act of just that!

This weekend my friends and I will get together for an annual fiesta of margaritas, chips and salsa and some piñata smashing. Just what I need for an amazing weekend.

As far as I’m concerned these are my essentials for the best weekend ever.

Brights – A little bit of bright go a long way. Think of it as Vitamin C or OJ for your soul. The effects of color therapy are widely known. Based on a 1994 UCLA research study, saturated or bright colors were shown to increase energy levels and bright colors provided more pleasure. The mind uses colors to help you focus and get excited so go throw on a bright bangle or jean and start your weekend off right.

Friends – Healthy friendship and shared laughter increases your lifespan and overall health. Good friends bring out the best in you, support you and encourage you to be happy. Make a date with some good friends and don’t feel guilty about declining an invite from those “frenemies” who harbor jealousy or ill will. Your life kinda depends on it!

Drinks – In moderation, having a cocktail here and there can be a really great thing. Have a mojito or fun margarita this weekend, it will help you unwind and relax from stress of the week. Opting for a fresh concoction with real ingredients like fruit, mint and clear liquor are low in calories and have added health benefits. Go ahead – make a toast!

Brunch outside – Or do anything outside for that matter. Brunching, walking, running or just enjoying the sights are perfect ways to absorb that oh-so-elusive Vitamin D that us New Yorkers are pining for. If you are lucky enough to live in a southern climate, well excuse me… go gobble up some extra vitamin D on our behalf because it is the key to so many good-for-you benefits. If you are concerned about aging, yes you need some SPF, BUT I bet you didn’t know this: Vitamin D actually helps replenish collagen production and affects as many as 2k genes in the body, especially those genes responsible for discoloration and pigmentation of the skin and hair. Hair. Yes. I mean the gene that tells your hair to be brown, red or blonde. In other words, adding some Vitamin D into your body can turn back the hands of time on grey hair, instructing your body once again to grow more colored hair. So if you are worried about getting greys in the near future – get outside more! Vit D also helps fight disease, absorb calcium and many more things.

Fashion – I don’t know about you but for me, Fashion is my heaven, my passion and it makes me really happy. Yes this may sound superficial but I promise you, it’s not. Fashion is our way of expressing ourselves and dressing to feel great – not just to impress others is like chicken soup for the fashionista’s soul. Use this weekend as your private runway. Create some looks and go for bold. Try things you are afraid people may look twice at and dress for what makes YOU happy – not for what you think is acceptable. Be boldly YOU!

and a little bit of Relaxing – I love this quote “ A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.” Kick off your Sunday shoes and carve out a while for some DOWN time. Catch up on your fav book, lounge about in your pjs, go for coffee or just be downright lazy. You work hard all week, and your weekend was just spent fabulously – now its time to recoup.

This is how I will be spending my weekend and I really can’t wait. Soooo many things are going on – a girl just needs some fun. My motto is work hard, play harder and that is precisely what I will do.

Go forth and Fiesta this Cinco de Mayo (or Tres de Mayo) .

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

Also don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

April 25, 2013

Spring Fling

Spring is in the air and I am totally loving it.

I am so inspired by the gorgeous pastels of the flowers, the aroma of new grass and blossoms, the colorful spring fashion and the crisp fresh air.

The bustling of people coming out from indoors to grab a few minutes in the sun is so splendid to watch. It’s like a fashion show all over again on the streets. People are ditching their overcoats to don cropped pants and tops in mint green, purples, pinks and crisp whites. It’s such a breath of fresh air compared to the heavy winter black coats we have all been bundled in.

Look around and get inspired. There are so many wonderful things happening this time of year and it’s so important to appreciate it.

Spring is a rebirth. It’s time to start over and express yourself clearly. Take it as a clean slate and paint the picture you want for you life. Manifest the dream that you have been replaying in your head.

What would it take to live that life? Probably only the repeated habit of doing the opposite of what you are currently doing. Wherever you are in your life… if you are not where you want to be, do the opposite of what you are doing now. If you are where you want to be, dig deeper and see how you can give and create more.

Something I’ve just recently drilled into my head is a little miracle worker called the Ultimate Success Mantra. Straight from the book “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks.

Basically it is something so transformational that I had to share.

The ultimate success mantra is this: “I expand in abundance, success and love every day, as I inspire those around me to do the same.”

Say that in your mind often. When you let that sink in to your head, and I mean really let that sink in – it changes everything. What would this mean if it were true? If this is what we are meant to do, it gives us permission to be so much more, and not be afraid of what any one thinks or what we’ve been told. It makes it ok for our light to shine bright, as our shining bright inspires others to shine bright as well. This is so brilliant! (Forgive the pun!) There is more than enough for everyone and when we grow, it inspires others to grow too. It allows others to speak their minds and to accept greatness into their lives.

What would the spring flower be if it didn’t bloom? Would the neighboring flower not bloom because there wasn’t enough space for both of them? No.

I’m not sure if you believe in this stuff and maybe this isn’t up your ally. However, if it is – I challenge you to throw this mantra around in your head a bit and really let it seep in. Understand it’s meaning and fight against the naysayers in your head. As the author Gay Hendricks says, “Back-talk is a good thing. It means the ultimate success mantra is working.”

Challenge yourself and challenge your spring renewal. How can you inspire others by expanding in love, abundance and success everyday?

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

How to have the best weekend EVER, starting tomorrow.

Linda Farrow for Jeremy Scott Wing Sunglasses

Spring Fling

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