I've Seen The Light & A Guest Post!

Good morning, loves! And happy March to you all! Hope you are all feeling as fabulous as I am this morning.

A few days ago I had a Thai massage and I have to tell you that I think it changed my life. Seriously! I've never felt more limber and energized. And I've felt this way for days. It was amazing and ever since I got it I've been trying to figure out a way to budget for one every month. Or at least every other. :)

I'm a big fan of massage but I wasn't that familiar with the Thai variety. I knew it involved a lot of stretching and such and that it would be a bit more rigorous than other forms of massage and I quite honestly was a little scared to go. I'm not in the best shape of my life and don't consider myself all that flexible these days due to some back issues.

But boy am I happy that I overcame my fears and decided to give it a shot. Like I said earlier. Life changing. Oh and another one of the differences between Thai and more traditional forms of massage is that you remain fully clothed throughout the massage which takes place on a bed. And it consists of moving the body into certain Yoga-like positions and applying firm pressure to certain muscles.

Here's a bit more info on Thai Massage for those of you who are interested.

The Traditional Thai Massage or "Nuad-Bo-Rarn" is one of the world's oldest healing modalities. Originated in India over 2,500 years ago, the technique spread with Buddhism across Asia. In southeast Asia for centuries, it was performed by monks as one element of traditional Thai medicine. Thai Massage combines the application of pressure (produced with hands, thumbs, elbows, forearms, feet and knees) with manipulation, adjustment and muscle stretching to improve overall health and well-being.

A Thai Massage therapeutic treatment combines Eastern knowledge of Acupressure, Reflexology, Nerve touch (Sen-Sib lines), and Yoga (flexibility, postural alignment, mobilization, improved circulation, quieting the mind) with techniques similar to some Western physiotherapies, such as Mayo fascia, Trigger point, Chiropractic and others. The combination of energetic and physical work from both the East and the West is a unique characteristic that makes Thai Massage one of the most thorough treatments.

- Dusnee Thai Spa

Any other massage fans out there? Have any of you ever had a Thai massage? I'd love to know.

Oh and if you're in the New York area and you're interested in giving it a shot I highly recommend the Dusnee Thai Spa. I've already booked my next appointment. :)

Before I go, I wanted to mention that I'm on over at Hampton Hostess today taking part in Barbara's Closet Confidential series. Pop on over to take a peak inside what goes on inside my wardrobe. :)

Enjoy the day, sweets!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Welcoming the Weekend & A Guest Post!

Happy Friday, loves! Thank goodness the weekend is finally here, right?

Nothing is on the agenda this weekend and I couldn't be happier. J & I both have been a bit under the weather and it's going to be really cold so I'm looking forward to a few restful days spent indoors this week.

Before I go there are two things...

Firstly, I want to thank you all for stopping by this week. You guys are the best and continue to inpspire me day in and day out. And welcome to my newest followers! So lovely to have you all and I look forward to getting to know you all better in the near future :)

And secondly, in case you missed it because I didn't post about it until later in the day, the lovely Sandee of A Brit Greek did a feature on my day job as a Cosmetic Product Developer. Stop by if you have a chance. And if you haven't met her yet, be sure to stick around a bit to learn about Sandee and her awesome life as a fashion, beauty, photography, and everything else fabulous in this world loving Ex-Pat Brit living in Greece. Love her!

Enjoy the weekend, sweets!

xoxo

Holiday Kisses & A Guest Post!

Happy Friday, loves! I'm so happy that it's Friday. I finally have off from work and now I can focus on getting everything done for the arrival of my company tomorrow.

Lots to do and not a moment to spare so I'm going to be real quick today. So sorry that I have been so absent this week. I promise to be by soon. I miss you all terribly!

In the meantime, you can stop on over at La Vie... J'aime today where I am sharing what I'm hoping to find in my stocking this year :)

Wishing you the most wonderful holiday weekend filled with lots of love and joy!

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Sugar & Spice & A Guest Post

Happy Wednesday, lovelies! How's the week treating you so far?

I'm having a bit of a tough week but am trying to keep a positive attitude. You've probably noticed that I haven't quite been myself since I got back from vacation. I'm not as responsive as usual and maybe even a bit off. Unfortunately I hurt my back pretty badly the day after I got back and have been in and out of it for over a week now. Hoping that I get back to my old self soon but I just wanted to explain why I've been MIA. I'm just trying to smile through it all. And a little sweetness and spice, as in some delish hot toddies!, have been helping me through.

On a more positive note, I'm thrilled to let you all know that today I'm on over at vmac + cheese taking part in Victoria's Behind the Scenes series. Pop on over if you have a chance and I strongly urge you to stick around a while to peruse through Victoria's fabulous blog which just happens to be one of my daily indulgences.

Have a wonderful day, sweets!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

It's Beginning To Look...

Good Monday morning, lovelies! How was your weekend? Did my American friends have a happy Thanksgiving?

I finally digested after my Thanksgiving meals sometime Friday and I ended up having a very enjoyable and productive weekend. Got to spend a lot of time with family, started to decorate the apartment for the holidays and I was able to get some shopping done. And in between it all I even managed to squeeze in some relaxation.

My holiday spirit is in full force and I'm looking forward to all the festivities yet to come.

Do you all have the holiday spirit yet?

Enjoy the day, sweets! Oh and in case you missed it on Friday on was on over at Trust Your Style taking part in Mary Jo's Eye on Style Series. Stop by if you have a chance.

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Happy Weekend & A Guest Post!

Hello, lovelies! Well I'm alive but near comatose after all the eating that took place yesterday. We had 2, yes I said 2, Thanksgiving meals yesterday. One with my family and then one with J's in the evening. Stuffed is not the word!

Still enjoying the time with family but wanted to pop in to wish you all a wonderful weekend. Also, today I'm on over at the amazingly talented Mary Jo Matsumoto's blog Trust Your Style taking part in her Eye On Style series.

Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you all Monday!

xoxo

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Kisses From Paradise!

Hello, loves! And happy Friday to you all! Hope you all had a wonderful week.
Well I'm still here in paradise for another day or so. Leaving to come home tomorrow night so I until then I plan on soaking up every last bit of sun & relaxation that I can get.

Thank you all for stopping by this week while I've been away. Didn't I have the most fabulous guests here this week? Thank you Debby, Lisa & Ada for filling in. I was honored to have you all.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on the flip side when I'm back to reality on Monday :)

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Classiq Guest Post

Hello! This is Ada from Classiq and I am so happy to be a guest on Dawn's lovely blog. I was thrilled when Dawn invited me to guest post, as The Alternative Wife is one of the first blogs I began following and one of my daily stops, always bursting with prettiness, inviting to a little bit of daydreaming every single day.

Today I thought I would share a few images that encapsulate a beautiful autumn, a season I have surprised myself enjoying more than ever before this year. The unseasonably warm weather for a good part of this fall may have something to do with this, but I think the secret lies in learning to appreciate the gift of the luxurious comforts as I call them: an elegant coat to wrap yourself in and take a walk on the sidewalk covered in a carpet of fallen leaves, reaching for special details for your wardrobe, like rich colours and prints in accessories, and your home, like velvety chairs or heavy blankets, and everything topped off with the ultimate delights: the smell of fresh coffee in the morning, fresh flowers or savouring a good movie or a new book on a rainy Sunday after having spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon in your favourite bookstore.

I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

LatteLisa Guest Post

Hello lovelies – I had to write lovelies; Dawn's classic greeting. I'm LatteLisa, an Icelandic blog friend of hers, living in Belgium, feeling honoured to write a guest post while she's soaking up the sun.

I don't know about you but I come here for my dose of feminine and often glamorous images. In my mind, Dawn is the glamorous girl with the big heart, a woman who knows how to live life to the fullest. She embraces colours and beautiful things and arranges them so neatly for us to enjoy. She willingly shares with us what she's up to ... or buying, wink.

I love her love for peonies so excluding pink ones was unthinkable. Some Chanel couture seemed fitting because our girl likes her accessories. An interior with a touch of gold couldn't go wrong and I simply had to top all that with a photo of model Chrystal Renn for Vogue Japan. Voilà! A classic Dawn post is born, or so I believe. I love those.

Enjoy your holiday girl and thanks for having me over.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

Inspired Design Guest Post

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Hello Lovelies! It's Debby from Inspired Design. I think we can all agree that Dawn is the Queen of romance. It's safe to say that she is easily one of my favorite bloggers out there and I usually can't get over here quick enough in the mornings to see what loveliness she has in store for us all.

I adore the fact that Dawn celebrates femininity, revels in all the beauty life has to offer, and is as sweet as they come. After all, is there really anything better than being a woman? Magic happens when one slips on a beautiful dress, leaves the salon, or puts on that final coat of mascara. We are taken out of our every day realm and feel like Cinderella, if only for an instant.

What do you love most about being a woman?

Guest Post Summer Send Off

Good morning, lovelies! Just checking in from vacation to say hello and to also let you know that today I am guest posting on over at Walks With Bella while Tamra's off enjoying her fabulous vacation on the Almalfi Coast. Stop by if you have a chance to say hello.

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend! I don't know about all of you, but I'm planning to celebrate the right way and give this amazing summer a proper goodbye!

xoxo

Images: 1 & 3, 2 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Floral Feast & A Guest Post

Good morning, lovelies! Hope you're all having a wonderful week. I'm getting back into the swing of things after a long weekend at the beach. I've been so enjoying my summer of fun in the sun but I admit that I am missing seeing some of the other gems of the season. The gorgeous greenery and beautiful flowers that are in bloom.

Most of my weekends have been spent seeing sand and sea but I decided that one of the weekends that I'm not scheduled to be at the beach house I am going to head to the arboretum to take in all of the gorgeouness it has to offer. I just love spending time there amongst all of the beautiful flowers, magnificent trees and gorgeous grounds. We actually even have a bench in memory of my grandfather there. It's really such a lovely, peaceful and beautiful place.

Another beautiful place that I hope to visit one day is the French Riviera. The lucky and fabulous Christel of Captivated by Image is off vacationing there right now and I'm filling in for her today. Stop by and say hi if you have a chance. And if you haven't been by before stick around a while to check out her absolutely gorgeous blog.

Enjoy the day, sweets!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3

I'm Smitten

Hi, lovelies! Hope you're all having a wonderful week. I'm back from the beach finally but still in full on summer mode. Head on over to Inspired Design today to see what I'm smitten with this summer.

Enjoy the day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife