THE GEM OF MIAMI

With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to share one of our favorite luxury jewelry designers with our readers. Our Style Director has included pieces in shoots in this publication and we sat down and talked with Miami based, Buddha Mama which is created by Nancy and is also designed by her daughter Dakota. The brand is the perfect mixture of fine jewelry, dramatic pieces and wellness. We found out about how they are inspired to create luxe pieces, what they do during Art Basel that took place earlier this month and how they give back.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been fans of the brand for years, but tell us how Buddha Mama was created and what are the inspirations behind the pieces?

BUDDHA MAMA: My mother Nancy started stringing Mala’s for her local Buddhist center to help raise funds and it sort of took off from there. To this day we still donate a portion of monthly proceeds. The inspiration comes from everywhere, travel definitely has a strong influence on our collections. Different architecture and symbols appreciated in other cultures, these are things that inspire us to keep creating and share what we love.

AM: Who is the Buddha Mama girl or boy?

BM: We never really know how to answer that question. It seems like it can be just about anyone, whether you are drawn to the beauty of a mandala pendant because you know of the
meaning or you just appreciate the piece. I wouldn't say we have one specific client, there's certainly a range of people we've come across.

AM: How do you decide what pieces are a part of each of the collections that are in the line?

BM: Depends on the collection. Some pieces are placed in certain collections due to gemstone colors, others are specifically created - such as our Lantern pieces for the lantern collection. Our auspicious collection is by far our largest, with everything from mandalas to flowers, skulls and cross pendants.

AM: What charity/philanthropy are you involved in?

BM: We donate a portion of proceeds to Kristi House in Miami, which is a center for sexually abused and trafficked women and children. As well as Tibet House in New York.

AM: During Art Basel, do you do anything in conjunction with this event?

BM: Usually Nan and I are pretty busy creating new collections for the COUTURE Show in Vegas but we always attend at least a few Basel events. Miami is always a blast in December and we try to enjoy as much of it as we can!

AM: How important is Art Basel to the Miami scene?

BM: It’s incredible. One of the main areas for Basel is called Wynwood and it’s literally unrecognizable from just a few years ago. I feel that Art Basel is important because Miami has always had an art and graffiti scene- maybe not like New York but it was always present. To
now watch it expand and get its recognition, it’s great.

AM: With the holidays coming up, what can we look forward to in terms of great gifting options from the brand?

BM: We have a daintier collection that is great for gifting! Also of course our special one of a kind pieces are always a hit.

AM: Where are your favorite places to eat, grab a cocktail and to do yoga/meditation in Miami to keep on our radar?

BM: Macchialina’s on the beach for great Italian. River Oyster Bar in Brickell for amazing food and drinks. For yoga we’d have to say Dharma Yoga Studio in Coconut Grove.

Read more from the Dec Issue and see The Gem of Miami in mag.

5 WAYS WE'RE STAYING WARM DURING THE BOMB CYCLONE

The weather is seriously making the simple task of going outside a major task and now there's this whole topic about Bomb Cyclones (winter hurricanes)! We're sharing 5 Ways that we're staying warm this week from the desk of our Style Director, Kimmie!

PARAJUMPERS

Long Bear in Elmwood - our Style Director has worn this in some REALLY cold temperatures and hasn't felt the chill!

LOVE KNITZ

Adding a pop of fur is cute but this ribbed hat is an essential to keep in the warmth in a chic way.

SOREL

The winter and Sorel boots go hand in hand - keeping your feet warm, dry and traction against slipping.

LEMON COLLECTIONS

Over the knee socks are perfect to way to create layers for yor legs.

ANTHROPOLOGIE

A travel mug is a must to stay warm and to fill it at your favorite spot - we suggest Starbuck's "Medicine Ball" Tea!

Stay in and check out the Dec issue.

ON AIR | KEEP YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE WHEN TRAVELING

There's no excuse to stop working out or to change what you do due to equipment available in hotel gyms etc. Our Style Director, Kimmie Smith shared what she brings with her in her carryon to continue working out whether she's gone overnight OR for a few days! She appeared on The Jet Set with host Nikki Noya to share finds. Check your local station to see whether it's on CW, FOX etc in your area.

ON THE SEGMENT | TRX TRX Go Suspension Training | MANDUKA Yoga Travel Mat | W8FIT Wrist Weights | DYLN Alkaline Water Bottle | TOE SOX | SKLZ Jumprope + Gliders | MIEL Sport Bra + Underwear | AIR REPAIR SKINCARE Air Repair Kit | LO ROX Foam Travel Roller | SAJE Pocket Farmacy | VERA BRADLEY Packable Cube | HERSCHEL SUPPLY Bag | KARL LAGERFELD PARIS Sneakers |

WHAT KIMMIE'S WEARING | BELOFORTE Long Sleeve Shirt | FOREVER 21 X LA LAKERS Tank | 90 DEGREE BY REFLEX Rose Gold Leggings | ADIDAS Superstar | SHE'S KIMMIE Stacked Beaded Bracelets | MISFIT Ray | OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS Alt Girl Lip Tar | SALLY HANSEN Wine Stick in Miracle Gel |

GOOD A WELLNESS FESTIVAL

This Spring, we've got GOOD news. Our Style Director, Kimmie Smith will be a part of The GOOD Festival in April. What’s GOOD? It’s an entire day dedicated to health and wellness - a festival dedicated to feeling GOOD and creating a life that fulfills you.

Join our Style Director this year in Philly. To put it simply, The GOOD Fest includes: good vibes, a kickass workout, serious inspiration from those in the wellness space, great food, and an unbelievable sense of community. GOOD is an event that will challenge and excite you - and leave you happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than when you arrived. 

THE GOOD FEST
- All-day experience
- Date: April 22, 2017 // Location: Skybox Event, Philadelphia, PA
- Community of like minded women
- Work out and fresh lunch included
- Swag Bag (over $100.00 in product)
- Incredible Speakers 

LIFE POWERED BY HYGGE

As connected as we can be, it's refreshing to know that there are still things that can be embraced even if it has a strong heritage and culture that we have yet to adopt (or maybe have unbeknownst to be engaging in it without being aware). As the Co-Founder/Style Director, part of the rewarding experience is to find how I have been aligned to a number of concepts within Athleisure that I have done for years (as well as learning about things that I was previously unaware). 

I say this as anyone who knows me knows that I am all about comfort (while looking chic), being cozy and being able to take moments for myself as well as intimate gatherings with others. I feel that in the midst of a fast paced lifestyle, these moments are essential to our wellness survival and it keeps my batteries charged when I work at dizzying speeds!

So when I started hearing about hygge, I became curious as I wanted to know more about this integrated way of being that has its roots in Danish culture and is making waves across the globe. There was no better person to talk about the intersectionality of hygge happiness,  socializing and more, than Meik Wiking who has literally written the book about the practice for those of us who are not familiar! Clearly, he is well versed on the subject as he is from Denmark and is the CEO of Copenhagen's Happiness Research Institute. 

Following this interview, I have curated items that you should have on hand in order to embrace hygge especially with the winter season when we could use a little extra comfort and centering!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you came to creating a career that focuses on the study of happiness and the creation of The Happiness Research Institute?

MEIK WIKING: As CEO of Copenhagen's Happiness Research Institute, I study what makes people happy across the world. In 2011, the UN published a resolution which stated that “the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal” and in 2012 it released its first World Happiness Report. Denmark regularly topped the list, and occurred to me that somebody should be trying to gather some intelligence about why we were doing so well in the happiness rankings, and then I thought “maybe I should do that.” In a matter of two months, I had quit my job and started paying even more attention to the global interest in what makes us happy.

AM: How did your work in the research of happiness bring you to creating The Little Book of Hygge?

MW: On a weekly basis, I am asked questions like “Why are the Danes so happy?” and “What can we learn from the Danes when it comes to happiness?” from journalists, researchers, nalists, researchers, and policy makers around the world. Denmark does have a strong social safety net, but so do other Scandinavian countries and Denmark still ranks highest on happiness surveys.  I came to realize that there might be an overlooked ingredient in the Danish recipe for happiness, and that is hygge.

AM: Throughout the book, you share the feelings and sentiments that create hygge and how it can be experienced alone, as well as in a collective, what are your favorite moments of hygge?

MW: Hygge is something I practice every day. I try to build a little pleasure and gratitude into my daily routine.

AM: In your opinion, is hygge a component of mindfulness?

MW: Not to us Danes. We have been talking about hygge for the past two centuries, whereas mindfulness is a recent trend. Also, we don´t see hygge as a trend, but more a part of our culture and national DNA. But I understand why this question is being asked, because both mindfulness and hygge share a focus on being present. 
 
AM: With an increase in meditation studios, candlelight yoga sessions, spaces where silence is encouraged to reconnect and retreats what elements of hygge can be included in these activities?

MW: Hygge mainly has to do with the absence of sounds, which enables you to hear even very quiet noises such as raindrops on the roof, wind blowing outside the window, the sound of trees waving in the wind, or the creaks of wooden planks that yield when you walk on them. Also, the sounds of a person drawing, cooking, or knitting could be hyggelig.

AM: For those who travel extensively, how can they make their hotel rooms or create a traveling hygge kit in order to feel that sense of comfort, when they're away from home?

MW: In THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE, I talk about hygge emergency kits which can include candles (good quality), chocolate, tea, a blanket and, naturally, a scarf. In Denmark, we suffer from scarf withdrawal syndrome, so it’s important to have one on you at all times. If you pack this up and take it with you, this can easily be your hygge travel kit.
 
AM: Although you grew up in the world of hygge, why do you think that other countries have begun to adopt it?

MW: There is so much interest in Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia because these countries often rank highly in the happiness lists. Also, I believe more and more people are recognizing that our societies have become richer, but we as people have not become happier—and that we in a lot of countries are failing at converting wealth to well-being—and therefore people are looking for new sources of inspiration to improve quality of life—and looking towards Scandinavia in general and Denmark in particular

AM: The book shares a number of stats that reflect the happiest countries, is there data that reflects the happiest US city or state or one that reflects a region that is the most hygge like?

MW: In the US, you have, for instance, the General Social Survey, which would tell you the level of happiness around the country—however, I think we have yet to see a hyggeindex—even in Denmark.  
 
AM: We enjoyed hearing about how extroverts and introverts can experience the benefits of hygge, can you share with our audience how it can assist both groups?

MW: Introverts derive their energy from within, while extroverts derive theirs from external stimulation. Hygge can be labelled as socializing for introverts, because it is about being with others without it being draining. And extroverts can light some candles, put on some soothing music, and embrace their inner introverts on occasion.

AM: After reading this book, there are many notions of hygge that I have done for years without knowing the culture behind it and as the Co-Founder/Style Director of Athleisure, in addition to showcasing an active lifestyle, we are a major proponent of wearing garments that are comfortable and work with your lifestyle, taking moments to connect with friends in a myriad of ways and more. How can those within the athleisure culture mindset adopt hygge?

MW: It sounds like many of your readers are already maximizing hygge. I would suggest just talking about it more because our language shapes our behaviour and our behaviour shapes our happiness.  

More from the Jan Issue