Give yourself a Breather

Life is fast and the last thing on your mind is the way you breathe (yes!). But, before it is too late be conscious of your breathing patterns now because this simple action can reduce tension and make you look younger (yes! yes!).

In Yoga, proper breathing is essential as it releases stress and tension. This is true, and oxygen (like water) is an essential element for a healthy and beautiful body.

When you feel stiff, stressed or angered - stop yourself for a minute and take deep breaths for a minute or so. The proper way to breathe is:

1. On inhalation, your rib cage and belly should expand . You should inhale slowly and not pant. Take your time to inhale and make an echo-y sound as you do so. Inhale with your nose.

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2. On exhalation, your rib cage lowers down and the circumference gets smaller, your abdomen is also drawn in.

Try to do this even when you're not stressed out, for your health and beauty's sake. Breathing properly lets oxygen travel through your body, skin, cells, and organs. When you breathe out, carbon dioxide and other impurities are let out of your being, stress and negative energy included.

You will reap the same benefits that you get from oxygen treatments from the spas. Not getting enough oxygen into your skin causes reduced collagen and elastin production.

Never base your breathing on the way you feel. Control your breath as you want it to be, full, circular, and spacious. Find out that breathing can actually control your emotions and disposition, not the other way around.

More so, proper breathing gives you great body posture, stronger and more flexible abdomen and chest muscles, and a sense of confidence.

Star Style: Happy Slip's Beauty Secret

International Youtube superstar Happy Slip, Christine Gambito shares her beauty secret to Style and Relax!

Youtube superstar Happy Slip

Style and Relax: Christine, what is your beauty secret?

Happy Slip: Beauty secret? Oil of Olay, believe it or not. I just use Oil of Olay and St. Ives Apricot Scrub. And then, God is my cosmetologist :)

Outfit for a Cold Christmas Season

Rarely do we experience 19 degrees cold in the Philippines, but this Christmas, it is extra cold and chilly. My mom said I should bring a "pang-pandong" something you put on your head to avoid getting sick but I used her old Liz Claiborne scarf instead.

The almost thermal rimmed footless stockings are from Australia. It's getting really cold here! A reason to experiment and try new outfits we rarely wear in Manila.

50 Must-Buys in Manila

From the voguish minds of internationally renowned jewelry designer Janina Dizon Hoschka and leading fashion stylist Michael Salientes, comes the book 50 Must-Buys in Manila.

The book guides stylephiles in discovering the most fashionable pieces and luxurious spots that are found right here in the city. Get to know the who's who from the designers, chefs, and stylists in full colour. A perfect gift for any shopinggera and chic individuals who want to take pride in our own Filipino products.

The 50 Must-Buys in Manila would be launched on 20th December (Saturday) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street from 2-6PM. Purchase the book during the launch and get a chance to win designer pieces from the creators themselves.

Easiest Way to Consume 8 Glasses of Water

Try just water for one week, even for one day and you’ll see a BIG change. The reason why I advocate drinking 8 glasses of water so much is because it works! You read this advice everywhere but have you consciously drank 8 glasses of water daily? Have you started counting or remembering to hydrate your body every now and then?

Here’s how you can remember drinking water everyday:

1. Take a glass right after waking up – you’ve had no water for 8 hours or so because of sleep and this ritual would start your day calm and cool.
Total: 1 glass

Read more after the jump..

2. A glass before and after having any meal : breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner. Exchange your iced tea with bottled water, try not to consume any coffee or tea for you to feel the positive change in your body that water brings.
Total: 6 glasses

3. Before you sleep – water would help digest remaining food in your stomach and provide hydration while you sleep. Do you ever wake up with dry flaky lips? This is a sign of dehydration. Total: 1 glass

Now you have consumed 8 glasses of water for the day! Water is the cheapest beauty product that you can use, which is also great for your health. Drinking significant amounts of water will:

1. Control your appetite

2. Hydrate your skin and lips

3. Wash away toxins that cause illnesses and skin problems (since skin is the largest organ in the body, it also expels toxins in the form of skin impurities)

4. Make your tummy smaller because if you are properly hydrated, your body would not retain too much water that causes bloating

5. Relax you mentally and spiritually – knowing that you are drinking water to take care of yourself gives you a feeling of love for your health and body

6. Water also keeps you cool, hence a more pleasing disposition and aura throughout the day

Vest

Proudly Filipina Launch and Spa-rty on Dec. 27

To join Proudly Filipina and for more details , visit ProudlyFilipina.com

Star Style: Nina Corpuz

Style and Relax: How do you describe your style?

Nina : "Simple, classic, safe. Hindi ako mashadong trendy (I am not so much trendy).... Black is my favorite color."

Fully Booked Film Series

Time to breathe in some art and culture, Fully Booked will have free screenings at the U-View room of their Bonifacio Highstreet branch.


Click on the image to enlarge. Register now at the Customer Service or email marketing(at)fullybookedonline.com to reserve a seat.

Top 5 Essentials in Every Bag

Even when your bag is about to burst, don’t leave home without these little ones that can make a big difference on your day. Try bringing them with you one day and you’ll realize how much convenience and hygiene they can bring.


1. A mini refillable alcohol bottle – everything these days are dusty and you wish you always have soap and water but no. You feel icky and uncomfortable, you can’t even touch other things to avoid spreading germs especially on your face. Have a mini alcohol bottle that you can easily fit inside your bag to solve this problem.

I recommend Band-Aid’s isopropyl alcohol with moisturizer that comes in small 60ml bottles. You can buy the biggest bottle and just refill the small container.

Read more after the jump...

2. Baby Wipes – let’s get real, you can never tell when nature is going to call and you just have to do number 2 (poop). Don’t let this nasty uncomfortable feeling ruin your entire day. Let it go but feel clean by not only using tissue (which may not be available in comfort rooms) but using antibacterial baby wipes when you’re on the go.

Baby wipes are not just for poop but are also good in removing sticky dirt from your hands or wiping items that have fallen on the ground, e.g. your cellphone. Giggles Baby Wipes are cheap but effective.

3. Mints – for the office girls, mints are your savior during boring meetings when your eyes seem to shut automatically. Also, chewing mints give you an instant burst of freshness. You can’t always brush your teeth whenever you’re outside right?

It’s also your passport to freely chomp on smelly but delicious cuisine like Indian food or any dish with lots of onions like beefsteak.

Opt for chewable mints that can be swallowed for convenience. Gum types leave you looking for the gum wrapper and trash bin after chewing.

4. Face Towel – sweat makes you feel heavy and wiping sweat with your hands can only transfer more bacteria. Bringing a face towel will let you wipe your sweaty face easily and also, cover your face whenever a breeze of dusty pollution glides towards you.

This is especially useful for commuters and also for those who take the train, a face towel can also defend your nose from smelly persons or places!

5. Oil Control Film – oil is different from sweat, and with everyone taking pictures, you just have to blot your face with oil absorbing sheets regularly. This reduces the sebum on your face that can clog pores and instantly make you look fresher.

Putting on more powder to reduce oiliness might clog pores even more and you can’t always have time to powder your nose. Based on several trials, the best oil control sheets are those of Johnson and Johnson’s.