Bathroom Bliss

Do you ever get stuck on Pinterest and all of a sudden you are stuck in a line of nothing but light and bright white subway tile and white marble bathrooms with chrome fixtures? Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, I am the first to swoon at the idea of such a blissful and soothing oasis of calm. But I think we can do better. What other room can you blend tile, flooring, soft and hard fixtures to your hearts delight? So prepare for some vivid daydreaming over a couple of inspiring images outlining the possibilities for some serious bathroom bliss.

1) Natural Textures

2) Decadent Details

I love introducing furniture and fine finishes in the bathroom if you have the room for it! I love the pairing of this plush chair with a classic tub, dreamy wallpaper , and crystal chandelier makes the bathroom feel more like a formal sitting room just for you!

3) Gallery Space

Lets face it, you spend a lot of time in the bathroom going through your daily rituals, preparing for the day, and unwinding from it. Why not make your bathroom a place filled with inspiration and beauty? I love the idea of creating a gallery you can

enjoy every single day!

4) Classic Elegance

Ok, so the one room where I LOVE clean white lines is in the bathroom (and MARBLE!). Its a place to play with texture and architectural details like wainscoting and judges paneling. It is also a place to incorporate antiques if you want to classic contrasts to really make your lines pop! Try repurposing an antique for your bathroom vanity for high impact finish!

5) Unexpected Artistry

Don't get stuck in the idea of what can and can't go in a bathroom. I love the unexpected introduction of these artists sketches paired with this unique structural mirror and bare bulb light fixtures. The Softness of the brush strokes and the clean lines and colors of the framed art and hardware keep the eye moving and more little treasures for your guests (or you) to enjoy!

6) Home Sweet Hotel

So if you prefer the muted no nonsense lines of a luxe hotel bathroom, why not make your home feel like the ultimate getaway? Finish of this clean linear aesthetic with a plush white bathrobe and some slippers and make every night a staycation.

Which bathroom vibe are you? Check out my Pinterest Board: Bathroom Bliss for more dreamy bathroom inspiration!

Yoga for Equestrians (particularly polo players.)

Have you ever tried to ride a horse, twist sideways, hit a ball, steer, and avoid getting knocked off by another horse/rider juggernaut? You should try it sometime.

I certainly hadn't until I decided to take up polo literally a few weeks ago. While I had to benefit of a lifetime of riding horses in just about every discipline imaginable polo had always been more of a spectator sport on my radar. But after my first practice I was HOOKED. And the next day I was SORE.

“After my first practice I was HOOKED. And the next day I was SORE.”

Now, I'll be honest when I saw I pride myself in being in pretty good shape. I teach yoga several times a week, play tennis, and am an active person in general. But Polo much like any other sport be it riding, soccer , or ballet, uses a very specific set of muscles. Which makes sense considering you are squeezing your knees for dear life to grip the saddle, holding reins (and sometimes having to really HOLD if you have a feisty pony), winding your core up so you can smash through a ball with a weighted mallet all while moving at speed.

Can you say micro-muscles?

Strengthening + Lengthening.

The reason yoga has been such a life changer for me personally is that it helps to lengthen your muscles out while you make them stronger. We call this strengthening and lengthening. If your muscle fibers are short you have a higher chance for injury because when stretched they tear rather than flex and they put unnecessary strain on attachment sites and tendons/ligaments because they cant move with the motion. Yoga is the perfect blend of building long lean muscle that is adaptable. And don't even get me started on the benefits of linking breathe and mindfulness.... but, I digress.

Pre-Ride Stretch.

"[I like to] ... be aware of how my body is influencing my position on any given day and how its influencing my horse when I hit the tack.”

Whenever I get to the barn whether I am getting ready to go on a hack, stick+ball, or take a jump lesson, I like to do a few basic stretches. I do this not just to gain some flexibility and warm up, but also to check in to see where I'm tight and where I may be uneven (yes, our bodies usually have a side that is dominant). It helps my body limber up all around, but it also lets me be aware of how my body is influencing my position on any given day and how its influencing my horse when I hit the tack.

The Routine.

Start with ragdoll to release the hamstrings, lower back, and loosen the spine. Then I find triangle pose to open the hips and upper body, next I move into pyramid pose to revisit the back body, then I go for revolved pyramid to get some extension in the torso and upper back (especially if I am about to play polo and swing a malette). Come to standing and lift your arms up overhead stretching tall to finish. Take a few deep breathes in each of these and take as much time as you need! Check out the video (Coming Soon) for step by step instruction.

Playing in Practices

Ok, so I have a few practices under my belt now. I invested in a real polo helmet so my fiance couldn't make fun of me anymore, and I learned how to hook! What now?

" Playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake”- Sylvester Stallone

Walking the Walk.

Now that I am getting more consistent in hitting the ball and am learning how to not get completely in the way and creamed by the ball when receiving passes I am moving on to learning how to check up to other players. And how to "mark a man" and try to turn the play......legally. So far the hook is my favorite form of defense. But one thing I have to remind myself is to really go all in on it or its just not effective. Timing, placement, and putting your mallet where your mark is are all more easily said then done.

“A polo handicap is a passport to the world.”

Even though I have only been playing for barely even two months I have been overwhelmed with the community that polo has that is entirely unique to the other disciplines I have been a part of. Everyone I meet that plays immediately shares stories about their highs and lows, learning to play, and of their travels with the sport! Winston Churchill wasn't kidding about a polo handicap.... (I am a solid -2 at this point, but an enthusiastic one!)

From the Horses Mouth.

As a bonafide beginner I can genuinely say here are some tips and tricks that have helped me navigate practices, make contact with the ball, and most of all ENJOY my time on the field!

First: of all, (and for me one of the hardest) use your horse to get you to the ball. The first couple of practices I would breeze by the ball because I was too far away or just plain run it over. Use your horse to get you to a clean line to the ball and then settle so you have a good platform to hit off of. (hunter/jumper ladies- this one is SO hard to learn because you feel like you're being too rough when in fact you are just being clear on what you want and if you're on a good polo pony they will respond quick and you can go back to being gentle)

Second: don't be afraid to get some speed. When I first started I would slow way down to hit the ball and it would only go a couple of feet so I would have to wind up and try to hit it again (at a snails pace). But the more momentum you have when you strike the ball the farther it will go, thats why you hit off of a horse at speed ( this was a lightbulb moment for me, le DUH) the horse gives you added boost and you don't have to hit the ball hard, just get the, mechanics right and let the horse give you boost!

Third: If you don't know where to be, stick to marking a man. Chances are that person will be better than you and will know where to be so you will end up in the right spot! I have been lucky enough to play with more or less the same group of people for practices and one of the most helpful things I get told is to mark up to someone on the opposition and guard them. It has really helped me get a rhythm for the game especially as things start to speed up and to not feel completely lost out on the green!

If you're reading this and have ever had even the slightest urge to learn to play I cannot say enough great things about the sport, about the people, and about the horses. So get out there and find a club!!!