Alexis Field

♥️Find Your Little Friday ♥️

Balanced living might just be one of the ultimate Rubik’s Cube puzzles to solve in life. Impossible to maintain, let alone achieve. How do I find balance? Yoga, meditation, reading or even walking have been activities that keep me feeling good outside of my career in food and beauty. I also find that people are a little intimidated by the idea of bringing new things into their lives, especially things that have been deemed a little out of the ordinary.

My featured individual this week is someone whose whole approach to their life has transformed over the past several years. Talk about a journey, there are snippets to take with you from this conversation to encourage your own balance or awareness.  Enjoy this read and be warned, you may experience extreme pleasure if it’s accompanied with sipping hot peppermint tea of a glass of vino tinto!

My long time friend Alexis has been on her own course of spiritual awakening and maintaining. Meditation is something she has been practicing for quite some time and she recently upped her yoga game. She received a teacher certification at the Kripalu School of Yoga this past summer in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and it has transformed her entire practice and way of life. Her compassionate heart is her driving force and she is that go-to person for what some would say is radical thinking. I find it refreshingly full of sincere honesty and I hope you find some ease in her encouragement of subtle changes.

Coming off of an epic post-holiday that includes travel can leave you feeling a little out of sorts, and in this conversation is Alexis speaking from recent experience. She trekked across most of Spain, starting at the Christmas holiday and well into the new year. One of the first things out of her mouth when we spoke was, “I am really excited to get back to vegan food and into my routine. It’s wonderful to be away and fully immerse yourself in your travels and the culture of wherever you’re visiting. That being said, it’s nice to be back in the comfort of your own home. I’m most excited about my walk to work that I get to take everyday. It’s along the UES of Central Park and I get to watch the foliage change day to day.”

First things first, what do you enjoy about being vegan or why did you choose to become vegan?

“I really care about the environment and leaving less of a carbon foot print. Having a vegan lifestyle is the optimal way for me to live. I do enjoy consuming things that came from animals from time to time. My rule is that it has to be something special though, not just a burger from a place where they’re cranked out.”

Meditation is something you have been practicing for a long time, how would you describe it or your own specific practice?

“Meditation is a playground for my mind. A place where—or more like a gas station where I go to refuel. I gain energy and perspective by taking a break from the constant chatter. A lot of people think of mediation as a place where you try to steady and not let things in, but for me it is about letting stuff happen. When I let things happen or allow my thoughts to really come in, I begin to release stress. I started off by saying it is like a playground setting because I want my thoughts to run around like a high energy kid. I want the thoughts racing until they’ve exhausted themselves, then the deep breath comes in for me. This might seem a little too forward but I’ve said it before-meditation it a lot like sex, it’s different every time.”

What would you tell someone who was struggling with their meditation practice or nervous to start one?

“20 seconds. Start small and grow your practice. Everybody deserves to take a little time for themselves. Allow yourself to enjoy the quiet, it calms your life for a more fulfilled life.”

Do you feel like yoga and meditation inform each other?

“Absolutely. Yoga is a moving meditation from where I have learned to live a better life, it’s about surrendering and acceptance. It’s not about getting a tight butt, but that can be a great by-product of your practice. When you truly surrender, you find growth and expansion. So much of my practice is about going to the beginning of my edge. Sitting in my discomfort and discovering what opens up for and with me-finding acceptance.”

What is the one bit of advice or guidance you would like share to help encourage others?

“Try and find a moment each day to take one really deep and good breath, that’s sometimes all you really need.”

Finding the time to reconnect with yourself doesn’t have to be such an intimidating process. 20 seconds or one deep breath is such a great and attainable place to start. Enjoy finding the time for reconnection to yourself and finding your own little moments of delight #FindYourLittleFriday ♥️

Ms. Lizzie “J” Hanes

 ♥️Find Your Little Friday♥️

I’m truly looking forward to this new year. For the month of January, I personally like to take a lot of stock in myself. Where I’m at, what I’m happy with and what I’m looking to change. I think it’s important to set intentions and have an overall reconnection with yourself. I have also loved self-care since I was a little girl. I used to beg my mom for “masques” in the grocery store, sneak moisturizers down the conveyor belt at checkout and have quite a lot of explaining to do when we would unpack groceries at home. My interest in beauty goes beyond skin deep, it’s all about how you feel on the inside.

I am going to feature someone in the business of self-care each Friday for the month of January to help inspire a little you time. I also hope this reminds people that you got to put the work in, but it doesn’t have to be big or hard. Please enjoy our wonderful discussion with Ms. Lizzie-it’s a good reminder of small things having a big impact.

Ebbs & Flows with Esthetician Lizzie “J” Hanes

Lizzie is wise beyond her years. Her general way of living is thoughtful, thorough and full of her charming Southern upbringing. She makes you feel like you’re coming home when you are in her presence.

“A lot of what you eat can manifest on your skin, but there are a lot of factors that can contribute to your complexion.  When I’m super stressed and under pressure, what I eat matters more. It helps keep me balanced when I make the time to be more regimented. Something I have always talked about with my sister is that when I’m not able to cook for myself I start to feel crazed.  3 meals a day of takeout is not ideal for me. Cooking is ultimately doing something nice for yourself and your body. It instantly brings me a feeling of sanity. That being said, if I’m on vacation and I can be more relaxed I won’t hold back and live a bit more indulgently.”

When did you realize you wanted to have a career in skincare?

“I have always been into skincare because of my two older sisters. I grew up watching them struggle with their complexions and my mom really helped them cultivate a skincare regime. So, by her efforts and their struggles I learned. I didn’t truly think of it as a career until a job at a midwifery school fell thru. I had to re-examine what I was going to do for work. I got a job at a beautiful clothing store in Charlotte, North Carolina. While working there I started to realize how beautiful our customer’s skin looked. It sparked my curiosity and I did my research. I knew I wanted to be in New York City and ultimately I picked Aveda as my school. Their approach and practices spoke to me.”

After completing school, Lizzie landed a job at one of the newest and most exciting brands in beauty, Glossier.

“My mom asked me where I wanted to work before I moved and she thought someplace like L’Oréal. I told her I wanted something more intimate, Glossier. It was small enough at that time, making it the ideal fit. I interviewed for a couple of months and finally got a job.”

What do you think is the biggest/best takeaway from your time at Glossier?

“I do think that the products they launch are super thoughtful and community built. Their set-up is simple, educate yourself to inform what your skin needs.”

Lizzie traveled to Paris this past fall to learn a facial massage technique that I was lucky enough to experience. The method is called buccal.

“Buccal is a massage technique that allows for internal & external face muscles to be massaged. The way I look at it is that it brings new lift to your face. It removes stagnation. It’s a non-invasive facelift”

I speak from experience and agree this facial massage left me feeling relief from tension I hadn’t focused on. The relief and relaxation I felt (and am still feeling) close to a week later is oh so special and worth it.

What would say is your most prized piece of beauty advice?

“Universal Law-less is more. Knowledge is power so take the initiative to learn about your skin. A great esthetician can only help so much, it’s really up to your overall day to day maintenance. Taking care of yourself is an incredible investment. From eating well, working out to getting facials and massage, it all has incredible benefits.”

Whether it’s a new year, new you- or just taking the time for yourself for more awareness in general, I hope you go out and find your own little moments of delight. #FindYourLittleFriday ♥️

Recipe for Vitamin C Yummy Warming Soup

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Ingredients-

1 cup of peeled and chopped butternut squash

1 cup of peeled and chopped sweet potato

1 cup of peeled and chopped carrot

1 diced yellow onion

2 cloves of minced garlic

½ cup of red lentils

4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock

Toss the squash, potato and carrots in a tablespoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of salt and a ½ teaspoon of pepper. Spread out on a parchment lined sheet tray and roast at 375° for 20-30 minutes

While the veggies roast, place a large stockpot over medium heat on the stove. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil into the pot and let it heat up for about a minute. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for about 10-15 minutes. Add the roasted vegetables to the pot, along with the lentils and stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the lentils have softened-about 20-25 minutes. Immersion blend the mixture or scoop into batches into a blender until smooth. The mixture will be thick and smooth.

Garnish with sage, toasted kale chips or roasted pepitas.