My new feel-good ayurvedic morning routine and other news

A new month and new beginnings! I'm so happy that I finally found some time to share some big news with you: I recently took a leap of faith and signed up for a (life-changing I'm sure) 200-hour yoga teacher training.

Spoil your sun-kissed skin: DIY Tropical Body Mist

1 / 2 / own vintage print / 4

Oh sweet summer! It's my favorite time of the year. I often say that I was born in the wrong country as I dread the cold and love the heat. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I moved to Hong Kong. And although our beaches here are far from being as beautiful as the ones in Thailand or Bali, there are some hidden gems that invite you to swim, paddle board, surf or just chill by the sea.

Feeling stuck? It's time to awaken your Root Chakra - in 6 easy steps!

Ah, the root chakra - when the base is not balanced, mind and body feel just...well...meh...

Lately, far too many thoughts and ideas are stuck in my head without ever being materialized and I tend to procrastinate far more than usual. Sounds familiar?

Well, if you can relate to one of the following:

- Juggling five different to-do lists
- Multi-tasking your way through the day but never actually finishing one single project
- Having panic attacks when deadlines are close
- Feeling insecure or not sure which path to take

...then it's definitely time to awaken your root chakra!

Tea & Talk: Beauty secrets from Annie Fung (my birthday gift)

So today is my birthday. It's funny: since I turned 30 two years ago, I kind of stopped counting the digit after the big 3 and on each birthday I have to ask my hubby how old I am.

His reply always surprises me. Seriously! In my mind I'm still 24 years old. 

I don't know why it's particularly 24, but I think it's because it sounds nice and on some days I catch myself behaving accordingly. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. But, hey, one needs to embrace the inner child, right?

Current Objects of Bliss...

Print Pattern  

So, how was your last week of April? I'm so excited that finally the sweet and merry month of May is here - you must know that May is my birthday month. And usually the weather god treats us quite well here in Hong Kong (sparing us from the dreaded rain) which means I'm already planning for various beach and bikini shopping activities!

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Bucket List: Vietnam & my powerful Green Tea Scrub

Six Senses Con Dao

Next up on my bucket list of must-visit spa destinations is Vietnam. While there are many well-known spa resorts located around Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, I'm particularly interested in a little island called Con Dao. Never heard before? Yeah, me neither until I stumbled upon a travel magazine article that raves about its untouched beauty and lush tropical mangroves.

Bucket List: Bali & Nourishing Homemade Hair Mask

Como Shambhala Bali Estate

A little island that has been on my bucket list for many years now is Bali. Search for yoga & wellness retreats on the internet and you'll get at least 20 entries for this "heaven on earth" as yogis, surfers, hippies and world travelers call it. And it's such a shame I've never been there given how close I am (in a geographical and philosophical sense). Despite my meditational efforts, I often become jealous whenever friends or family brag about traveling there, participating in a cleansing yoga retreat, fun surf camp or re-enerizing spirit festival.

Current Objects of Bliss...

Background by Andy Gilmore

My favorite objects for blissful living this week are inspired by a recent hike with my friends - it was a rainy, cold and grey Saturday yet we were quite determined to head out and explore a rather unknown little island in Hong Kong. Our little excursion came to an end only after two hours when even my über active dog Lizzie decided it was a much better idea to return home, have some tea & biscuits and just relax instead:

The Wellness Curator...

Dreamcatcher

"It is through your body that you realize you are a spark of divinity" - B.K.S. Iyengar

Current Objects of Bliss // Frage-Foto-Freitag

Heute kommt etwas Schwung in die "Objekte meiner Begierde" Kolumne. Ich mach nämlich zum ersten Mal beim Frage-Foto-Freitag von "Ohhhmhhh", dem coolen Blog von Steffi Luxat, mit (nachdem ich es schon seit längerem im Stillen bei meiner Gastautorin Viola mitverfolgt habe). Und das heutige Thema passt ja wirklich wunderbar hierher: es geht um 5 Dinge, die mich glücklich machen.

English Translation Coming Soon!

Viola's Power Smoothie Recipe

How to start your work week energized, refreshed, nourished and healthy? That's right - with a power smoothie! I'm a total sucker for smoothies of all kinds (yep, I also like those green ones with spinach). Usually I have one of those yummy vitamin drinks every day but unfortunately - no surprise there - they are off the menu during my holistic detox too. That's why I really look forward to the "After-Detox-Phase" where you slowly re-introduce other treats foods to your body within 7 days. Of course I would like to start off my day with something healthy yet delicious.

On my BYW-course I met the lovely Viola who not only writes about the beautiful things in life and family, but also posts many yummy recipes on her great blog "Kikabu". So she is the right person when it comes to writing about power smoothies. And today she shares her recipe:

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Holistic Detox Week 3..."That's why I'm easy"

If I had to sum up my last week in one single word it would have to be "ease". Yep, I can admit freely that I'm feeling just awesome at the moment. And light-hearted. Full of joie de vivre.

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Current Objects of Bliss...

Only twelve more days and I'm putting myself out of this misery! There's a huge treat waiting for me on the finish line - maybe one of these objects of bliss:

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When the going gets tough...

...I just look at my mood board and remind myself it's so worth it - keep it up! Well, I officially finished week 2 of my holistic detox. Energy levels are up, skin is indeed radiant and my discipline is phenomenal.

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Just Beat it, beat it!

{Photo Credits: Juniper Berry, Fennel Sweet, Grapefruit, Jojoba}

Girls, how much have we already spent on various cremes to treat cellulite? Right - for that money one can almost go on a long spa weekend getaway!

After all, we can mix our own effective massage oil for a home cellulite treatment.

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Current Objects of Bliss...

My objects of bliss for this week are things that really help me through my detox and yoga challenge - simply can't do without them!

Here we go:

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Only 23 days to go...

Today is already day 8 of my holistic detox which means more than 10% - as my dear friend has pointed out - are now accomplished! Quite honestly, the first days were not the easiest ones: I suffered massively from coffee deprivation, had digestive problems and one afternoon I even dreamed of freshly baked dark bread with butter and a glass of milk. Well, by now I'm able to see the first signs of positive change: I'm no longer tired when getting up in the early morning; my skin is less dry and my energy levels have drastically increased.

Why doing this detox anyway?

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The Joy of Giving No. 3: DIY Turmeric Body Mask

Well, I have to admit I postponed this blog post to see what happens on this special Friday....so far, I'm still alive and kicking and the weather gods have just surprised me with light snowfall - what else can you wish for Christmas?

Since Christmas Eve is still "on", there's enough time for organizing or making last minute gifts. Today's DIY recipe is a wonderful, easy peasy Turmeric Body Mask. Why turmeric? This yellow spice does not only do wonders to your health but really improves your skin: it helps reduce pigmentation and the appearance of acne, increases elasticity and just makes your skin glow!

The Joy of Giving No. 2: DIY Pillow Oil

While family and friends were busy baking delicious Christmas cookies these days, I spent most of my evenings blending oils, creams, inhalators and body masks. So instead of vanilla, chocolate and sugar scents, our apartment was filled with Jasmine, Rose, Myrtle and Bergamot fragrances - very calming and soothing!

So, my DIY Christmas gift idea for today is a lovely pillow oil: just a few drops onto the pillow at night and your loved ones will sleep like a baby. Alternatively or simultaneously, this oil blend can also be applied on to the chest or neck area for extra relaxation.

Tea & Talk: Aromatherapist Shireen

Christmas is in exactly two weeks, so I thought it would be nice to give myself and of course you, my lovely readers, a pre-Christmas present! Yay! I'm very excited to announce that my wonderful aromatherapy teacher Shireen Calucin has agreed to sit down and share some of her vast knowledge with me.