Recently took part in an amazing 10-day trip to Israel through Birthright. In addition to eating enough falafel and Rugalah to last a lifetime, trip highlights included…

* Hiking to the top of Masada in time to watch the sunrise, and then teaching a yoga class at the top!

* Floating in the Dead Sea…

* And then getting covered head to toe in mud!

* Lots of quality time with my baby sister ☺

* Sipping freshly squeezed fruit juice…so yummy!

* Riding a (blonde!) camel through the Negev Desert (Linds and I named her Lady)

* Wandering through the charming cobblestone streets of Svat, where the roots of Kabala and Jewish mysticism can be found

* Celebrating Shabbat!

* Savoring all the colorful produce and spices in Jerusalem’s food markets

Taking part in a community service activity with adorable Israeli schoolchildren

* Making a wonderful new group of friends, most of whom live in the DC area!

I think the biggest highlight of the trip, however, is deeper connection I now feel to my Jewish identity (yes, I drank the Koolaid!). But in all seriousness, learning about Israeli history and politics, visiting important historical sites, getting to know Israeli soldiers on a personal level, and spending time with 38 Jewish peers created a rich, wonderful and multilayered experience for which I’m extremely grateful.

Photo: Pinterest

“Taking joy in life is a woman’s best cosmetic.”
-Rosaling Russell

The above photo made me laugh and pretty much encapsulates my feelings about new years resolutions. I’d much rather dream about and celebrate the year to come than set a bunch of unrealistic goals about how this year I will finally become perfect. So in lieu of more typical resolutions, I’ve decided to choose a word for 2012 that will guide my thoughts and actions. And that word is “Savor”. Here is a brief snapshot of what I look forward to savoring in 2012…

Belly laughs * Late night Vampire Diaries marathons * My boyfriend’s hugs * New books * New friends * Old friends * Weekend getaways * Sparkly dresses * Ideas * My morning coffee * Travel * Twizzlers * Being kind * Pedicures * Work * Walking in nature * Massages * Giving back to the world * Creating beauty everyday * Living simply * Family * Dance * Yoga, yoga and more yoga!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2012. I invite you to join me in savoring all that it has to offer.

xoxo

Recently read and thoroughly enjoyed Maria Menounos’s, The Every Girl’s Guide To Life. As the youngest person to ever host Entertainment Tonight at age 22, Maria was among the youngest to host the Today show and to report for NBC’s Nightly News, and the first person to act and star in movies while doing so. She’s a great inspiration to young women looking to leaad successful careers while maintaining balance and looking great (especially when time and money are in short supply)

The biggest lesson I took from this book was the importance staying organized, which Maria believes is the true key to happiness. She talks about how laziness in life usually leads to last-minute scrambling and writes, “lazy people work the hardest”. Seems counter intuitive at first but actually makes total sense when you think about it. Since overcoming tendencies toward messiness and procrastination (particularly on mundane To-Do’s and household chores) is something I’m working on, this really hit home for me. Inspired by Mariah’s advice, I did a thorough clean out of my desk and closet and really did feel much better. Hope this new (slightly more meticulous) me lasts!

“How do you let go of attachment to things? Don’t even try. It’s impossible. Attachment to things drops away by itself when you no longer seek to find yourself in them”
-Eckhart Tolle

Here are my tips for having a holly jolly holiday season:

* Take goofy family portraits with a group of friends

* Create glittery paper snowflakes and paste them around your home/office

* Build and decorate a gingerbread house with a little kid and don’t be afraid to get into it!

* Wander through shopping areas nearby and admire all the pretty window displays

* Bake and decorate sugar cookies

* Host a holiday fete

*Fry up some potato latkes, light the menorah and break out the dradel. Yes, Channukah has begun!

* Rock a tacky Christmas sweater

* Buy the bartender a spiked cider next time your out on the town

* Invest in some great boots, earmuffs, and scarves (baby it’s cold outside!)

* Send thoughtful cards to friends, mentors and family members

* Make a holiday-themed mix CD

* Spend an afternoon at Toys-R-Us with friends playing and buying gifts for children in need (Toy for Tots is a great program)

* Run in a charity race

* Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange

* Make the switch from Pumpkin Spice to Eggnog lattes (Is it a bad sign if my Starbucks barista knows more about my life than certain close friends? Wait don’t answer that).

* Paint your nails a festive Red

* Get all dressed up and go to high tea with your most fabulous lady friends

* Go ice skating out doors

* Watch the nutcracker

* Indulge in a stay-cation (ie: assemble favorite books, magazines, movies, and your choice of hot coco or champagne, light yummy scented candles and refuse to leave your bed. Yes that’s right, all day long.).

*Canoodle by a fire place with a sexy someone (or puppy/copy of the economist if no one in your life presently fits that description, no judgement!)

Wishing you all the very best holiday season!

Peace, love and hair whips,

Rebecca

Photo: Gala Darling
“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute” — Tina Fey

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.”
-Brian Tracy

“Ignore the critics… Only mediocrity is safe from ridicule. Dare to be different!”
-Dita Von Teese