Manners for the Yogi

Manners for the Yogi

Each year, yoga gains in popularity, and numerous new studios are opened to keep up with the demand.  The good news is that these studios are crowded with new practitioners eager to reap yoga’s health benefits.  The bad news is that many of these well-intentioned people do not realize that yoga requires its own rules of etiquette:

1. Always arrive five to ten minutes before class begins.  Yoga teachers strive to create a stress-free environment in their studios, so being on time and unrushed lends itself to that environment.
2. ALWAYS remove your shoes before entering the yoga studio.
3. Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that may interrupt instruction and disturb others in the room.
4. Enter the studio quietly.  In other words, don’t come in talking loudly on the phone or chatting enthusiastically with other yogis.
5. If you can’t avoid being late to a class, be as quiet and respectful of the others as possible.  If you are more than five minutes late, however, it’s best to attend the next class if possible.
6. Bring your own yoga mat unless the studio provides one for you.  Always call before your first class to find out if you should bring your own equipment.
7. Be respectful of space in the yoga studio and place your mat in a way that maximizes that space so others have room also.
8. Bring a towel if you tend to sweat a lot.
9. Wear comfortable clothing that you do not have to tug on.  You should also choose tasteful outfits so you do not make others uncomfortable.
10. Forgo heavily scented perfumes and lotions as some people are allergic to them.
11. Always mention pre-existing conditions to your teacher so she can alert you if you should sit out a pose or readjust the pose.
12. If you must leave class early,  always notify the teacher and those who sit close to you.

Observing the proper rules of etiquette ensures that you and everyone around you remains comfortable, and I can’t think of a place where comfort means more to me than in a yoga studio!

Thank you, Arely, for inspiring this post.

Love,

Erin

 

 

Be Your Own Stylist

Be Your Own Stylist

If you need to weed a few things out of your closet and have no idea what to save and what to let go of, let me help you!  As a stylist, I’ve helped many women, AND men, discover and hone their own personal style.

Next time you have a question about an article of clothing in your closet, or one you are about to purchase, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Does this color look good on me?
2. Does it fit or can it easily be altered?
3. Is it within my budget?
4. Does it coordinate with at least two other pieces in my wardrobe?
5. Is it appropriate for my work and lifestyle?
6. Will I properly care for this fabric?
7. Do I LOVE it?

If you answered the above questions positively, the item is a KEEPER!!!

Hope this helps!  Good luck!

Love,

Erin

Organizing Your Purse!

Organizing Your Purse

 How many of you spend an inordinate amount of time digging in your purse for your keys or your wallet for that coupon?  A woman keeps everything she needs for daily survival in her purse – lip gloss, fingernail file, lotion, credit card, etc.  So, why is the purse one of the most disorganized parts of our daily life?  I know, I know!  How can you organize a bottomless pit?  Check out my tips below:

1.  Take inventory first.  Dump out your purse and categorize the items that you want to keep.  Get rid of any items you no longer want or need in your purse.

2.  Do you have the right size purse?  Look at the items you are keeping in your purse and decide if there is enough room.  You may need a larger purse!

3.  Use a bag inside of a bag.  Find a small  bag for your beauty items and one for your pencils and small notebooks, for instance.

4.  Utilize your compartments correctly.  Most bags come with cell phone pockets and other compartments that are perfect for keys and sunglasses.

5.  Get the perfect wallet.  Make sure it holds everything you need – from your credit cards to your checkbook.

6.  Keep it up!  If you don’t change your purse all that often you should at least clean out your current purse weekly.  Throw out any trash or other unneeded items that have accumulated during the week.

Now the next time someone asks you for a pen, I bet you’ll know EXACTLY where one is!

Good luck and thanks for reading!

Love,

Erin

Essentials for Every Woman

Essentials for Every Woman

I was recently lucky enough to be asked to travel to Baton Rouge and give a group of Republican Women a presentation on “The Working Woman’s Wardrobe.”  I created a complete list of items that I think every woman should have in her closet, so I thought I would share it with you.    Hope it helps!

Clothing

Black Pantsuit

Neutral Suit (with skirt)

3 pairs of neutral pants

2 winter weight skirts

2 summer weight skirts

2  button-front shirts

3 to 4 “fun” shirts

1 sparkly top

Leather or leather-like jacket

Denim jacket

Trench coat

3 pairs of jeans (one hemmed for flats)

LBD (Little Black Dress)

Solid-color dress

Sparkly dress

2 to 3 cardigans

2 sweaters (one v-neck)

Winter-weight jacket

Summer-weight jacket

 

Accessories

2 watches (one menswear)

Black bag

Colored bag

Black peep-toe heels

Color peep-toe heels

Nude pumps

2 pair of boots (knee-high and ankle)

Black flats

3 to 4 long necklaces

Pearls

Hoop Earrings

Diamond or diamond-like studs

1 to 2 regular-length necklaces

Silver bangles

Gold bangles

So how many of the items above do you already have?  All of these items can be mixed and matched in a limitless number of ways!  Have fun!

Love,

Erin

 

Paper Clutter

Paper Clutter!

When you look in your kitchen or in your office do you cringe at the sight of all the paper cluttering your space?   The number one cause of disorganization comes from all of the paper that tends to pile up.  Day after day more paper arrives at your home or office via postman, printer, children, or co-workers and NOW is the time to nip it in the bud! 

Here are a few tips to help you clear the “paper clutter” from your area:

1. Start by organizing your space appropriately.  Separate all personal items from business items.  You may need to purchase several extra      organizational products to help keep your items separated.   For example – magazine racks, in and out boxes, filing boxes, and container storage.  But the end product should be a clean and clear desk top. 
2. To thwart any future clutter, it’s a good idea to go through the mail      immediately upon picking it up.  Don’t stop, do not pass go, and do not collect $200!  Walk straight to the trash can and throw away all trash and junk mail.  Take all important documents and place them in their designated area. 
3. Set up an info center via corkboard,etc.,  to help remind you of important events – invitations, work schedule, important phone numbers, etc.

Everyone has an organizational problem at some point in their life, whether it be caused by lack of time, lack of knowledge, or lack of patience.  If you have a question or need organizational advice please e-mail me! erinlove@panachebyerin.com

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Erin

Tips for Taking Pics of Your Pet

Tips for Taking Pics of Your Pet

I don’t know about you, but my pets are like my children, and I really enjoy taking pictures of them when they do something cute or funny.  And don’t they always! 

Although, I am far from a photographer, I think I have learned a few tricks on how to capture those cute kitty or puppy moments.

Patience!  Pets have minds of their own and most likely do not want to do exactly what you want them to do, so it may take several shots before you get the perfect one!

Get on their level.  For instance, if your pet is playing in the grass, you’ll get a much better shot if you, too, are laying on the ground.

Natural lighting is best.  Outdoor lighting helps to capture the best photos.

Make the photo session fun for you pet!  Each time your pet sits for you, for instance, give him or her a treat!  Or you could introduce a squeaky toy into the mix!

As I said, I am not a professional photographer, but I hope these tips help you get some great pics of your doggie!  In the meantime, please feel free to add more tips in my comments section!

Thank you!

Love,

Erin

Your Fashion Glossary

Do you find yourself getting stumped by fashion designer names?  If so, no fear!  Check out my pronunciation key below. 

Manolo Blahnik (muh-no-low blah-nick)

Balenciaga  (bal-en-see-ah-gah)

Hermes  (air-mez)

Proenza Schouler (pro-en-za skool-er)

Thierry Mugler  (tee-er-ee moo-glay)

Herve Leger (air-vay lay-jay)

Givenchy (gee-vahn-shee)

So…come on!  Be truthful!  Which names have YOU been mispronouncing? 

Love,

Erin