Posts filed under ‘Swellbeing’
What we wear can be a happiness booster
(Moto Coral Baxter jeans, Topshop)
Jeans are what we wear when we’re feeling down, says new research from the University of Hertfordshire.
The researchers found that what we choose to wear is very much influenced by the mood we’re in. We’re more likely to wear a baggy top when feeling blue, for example–that’s another finding from the study. And we’re more likely to wear our favourite shoes when we’re in a good mood.
“Happy clothes” tend to fit well, enhance our figures and made from bright, gorgeous fabrics.
All of that makes sense to me. The part I disagree with is where jeans are said to be worn by those who are down in the dumps because:
“Jeans don’t look great on everyone. They are often poorly cut and badly fitting. Jeans can signal that the wearer hasn’t bothered with their appearance.”
Um, hello, jeans have come a looooong way.
And how can these pretty coral jeans not bring about happiness?
Anyhow, since the study also found that wearing “happy clothes” has the power to influence your mood (ie. wear your happy clothes and it may help get you out of a funk), I’m pretty sure we all have a reason to go out and buy a new happy piece to add to our wardrobes, non?
Speaking of bright coloured denim, my Schick Quattro for Women Style Squadmate Niki of A Haute Mess wants to know if you’ll be wearing it this spring — weigh in on the Schick Facebook page!
Music to your ears
Listening to music that you like for 30 minutes a day can help reduce your stress levels because it helps you feel more positive emotions, says new research from the University of Gothenberg.
So press play on that iPod of yours.
My music prescription? Besides listening to my all-time favourite song (“Tell me why-eeeeee…”), I’ve also got these two albums in heavy rotation.
Swellness: Olive et Gourmando
Trekking to Fashion Week in Montreal is treacherous — it’s in Old Montreal and those cobblestone roads are not easy when you’re in skyhigh heels, such as these (I am very, very fortunate I did not faceplant, let me tell you).
But what makes me oh so very thankful MFW is held in Old Montreal? I can skip (well, as much as I can skip in heels on cobblestone) over to Olive et Gourmando.
Incredibly delicious, if somewhat greasy (bet that’s what makes ‘em yummy, though) grilled sandwiches. This melty thing here is the Cuban sandwich.
To die for baked goods; the fleur de sel turtle bar (chocolate, nuts, salt, caramel) is my weakness (but then again, I’ve always had a thing for sweet and salty). I limit myself to bringing home just one each visit. And I throw in an almond croissant, too.
This time around, I tried the macaroni and cheese and it was rich, with plenty of earthy mushrooms and gooey cheese throughout, and had the perfect balance of crunchy topping (it’s served baked in a shallow cast iron pan so every bite includes some crunchy goodness). I don’t seem to have a photo of it — I know I took one but I must’ve not saved it properly as I was in a mega rush to dig into my food.
Just. Go.
Here are their hours. Word to the wise — they’re always busy. Always. Go at lunch hour and it’ll be rammed (in fact, a group of us risked missing a flight by staying in the long lineup one time…that’s how much we wanted lunch from there). This time I went at 4PM (a slow time, you would think) and there was not an empty table in sight.
Olive et Gourmando, 351 rue Saint Paul Ouest.
Got a feening for caffeine?
(Print, Dr Who Dalek)
I ran out of coffee at home recently, and decided to see how long I could go without it. I lasted 10 days. Mornings were just not complete without my one cup of joe.
If ”Seek, locate, caffeinate” is your regular mantra, you may want to try out the new app Caffeine Zone (which is available on iTunes for free). The app will graph how your caffeine consumption will affect you over time (based on your consumption habits combined with the research findings on the effect of caffeine), allowing you to determine if having a cup now will give you a mental boost, or it’ll simply have you awake tossing and turning come bedtime.
And while on the topic of feening, dontcha wish Jodeci would have a reunion tour already? Just me? In any case, this video of Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez in their Mickey Mouse Club days performing Jodeci’s “Cry for You” is ah-may-zing. Enjoy!
