Party Time!

Photo via This is Glamorous.

We did it! 100 followers on Alive in the Fire!

party party party time!

Followers are up. Page views are up. Time to celebrate!

Put on your party dress, or fancy suit, and let's dance the night away. Who's with me?

PS If you really are a Chicago area reader, leave a little message below. Maybe I really will plan a live event. But only if you respond with your enthusiasm! :)

Happy weekend, all.

  

Photos via Jose Villa.

Photo via One Love Photography.

Photo via Clayton Austin Photography.

Sponsored Yogis Coming Soon!

Photo via Dudes Doing Yoga on Tumblr.

Happy Friday, yogis! I hope you're celebrating the weekend already.

Anyone have any fun Super Bowl plans? Amazing appetizers you're planning to make for friends and family when they come over to watch the game?

The Hubs and I aren't sure of our plans yet, but there very well could be some tasty hot wings involved. And definitely guac. :)

Just wanted to share a little update with you on the Alive in the Fire Yogi Sponsorship 2011 program. I've been receiving all sorts of amazing applications and I can't wait to share the results very soon!

Photo via Dudes Doing Yoga on Tumblr.

I hope to have an announcement for you on Monday. It's going to be a tough decision to say the least!

A big thank you to all of the applicants and to upcoming sponsors. You guys are the best! And I hope that regardless of the results, you've been learning more about your practice and what yoga means to you. That's the whole point of the process, and I hope it's been rewarding.

Photo via FYeahYoga on Tumblr.

In the days and weeks to come, you can expect to see a lot of awesome stuff going on around here at Alive in the Fire. I will be incorporating a ton of new ideas from applicants, including guest posts, some re-design, and the start of a new series or two. (And don't worry, Real Men Do Yoga and Beyond Childhood certainly aren't over! Neither is the Everyday photographer series either.)

The best part? You're going to be getting a lot of quality info about yoga and hearing from some new voices. These sponsored yogis are passionate about their practice. They've got inspiration to share.

They are fiery, fun, and super creative and insightful. I can't wait for you to meet them!

Keep an eye out and get excited. More to come very soon.

PS. In other news, I've written over 300 posts! Eeps, how exciting :) Oh, and keep those followers coming... we're almost to our 100 party!

Photo via FYeahYoga on Tumblr.

Seriously, About that Party

Photos via This is Glam and their offshoot fashion blog.

Hey readers, remember awhile ago when I mentioned I'd love to throw a big happy blog party when we hit 100 followers? Well, we're getting close :)

Here's a thought: what if all of you sent this link to a couple friends on Facebook today? And asked that each of them send the blog along to one or two people they thought might enjoy it, or who could use a little motivation for getting back to their mat?

Photo via FYeahYoga.

My invitation to you: invite your friends, build up the blog following to 100, and then let's part-ay! No, really. Seriously! 

We'll all dress up in glittery, sequin-y outfits after yoga class and go out on the town for fancy coffee drinks. Or do whatever else you want. :)

 

Restful

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Hey lovely yogis. What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you're having fun and relaxing lots. Lately I've been learning the importance of resting. There's nothing better than a lazy, rejuvenating Saturday spent with family and friends.

Even on days like today when the Hubs and I wake up early and get some chores done, it's nice to know we've earned a break after a week of hard work.

And tonight I'll be enjoying a laid-back celebration with fellow Bikram addicts at the grand opening at 105 Yoga in Oak Park, Chicago.

Good times!

Enjoy your weekend, and take a break. Clear your mind. Do your yoga.

Do those things that truly make you happy!

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

By Sara D Voca

Who doesn't love a party? Any chance to get friends together to have a laugh, while eating good food and sharing a glass of something, has to be one of life's ultimate pleasures. But for the occasion to be one everyone talks about, there is (like anything successful!) a bit of planning that needs to be done before hand.

Why are we partying?

What's the occasion? Is it something special or a 'just because'? Deciding why you are having the event and what you want everyone to feel while under your spell is probably the biggest tip I could give you. Like anything, determining an end goal and reason will help with the planning. Do you want a few close friends for an intimate get together, elegant and dressy, or perhaps it is a toddler's birthday party with family & friends?

Where is it?

Once you have established the 'why' we move on to the what. Appetizers with cocktails, a family picnic or perhaps a Sunday roast with close friends? There are so many ideas to play with. Be creative and if the event allows think about unusual places that would add that extra dimension to your party. This will also help with the 'when' part of the party mix

How much?

This is a another biggie and easily overlooked. Once you have established the why and the what, you'll need to work out a budget. This can sometime be a bit of a reality check with some people, as entertaining can be very expensive. It doesn't have to be and this is where a budget will help determine the food and drinks you will serve. Will it be ten to a 4 course meal or ten to cocktails and hor d'oeuvres? Also think about a theme as decorating the table or venue will need to be included. Will you need invitations or will an email do? Will you want wait staff or can you do it all.

Finishing touches

So invitations have been sent and your day is drawing near, make sure you have allowed enough time to clean if necessary - don't leave this to the day of the event, you will be too busy getting the food ready and doing last minute touches to the decorations.

Don't be put off with all the things you need to do 'winging it' just doesn't cut it. A well organised and thought out event will mean less stress, and less chance something will go wrong. Even if there is a last minute problem you will be much better equipped to deal with it.

Discover one of Sara's favourite party ideas here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/. You'll find reviews and how to buy at the cheapest prices on the web here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_D_Voca


http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Entertain-and-Still-Enjoy-Yourself&id=5582286

Image source: google

Happy 2011!

Onwards and upwards! Photo illustration by Christopher David Ryan.

Ready for a glamorous celebration to ring in the new year?


I hope you're wearing glittery things, eating tiny fancy hors d'oeuvres, and smooching your love as the ball drops.


I will be!

Crab bruschetta? Yes please! Photo via This is Glamorous.

Gold heels? Yes please! Photo via This is Glamorous.

As you consider the year ahead, you may be setting some goals for yourself. Need fun and creative ways to view them daily and remind yourself to stick with your resolutions?

Lovely lace? Yes please!  Photo via This is Glamorous.

Creative Goal Setting:

• Chalkboard goals. Keep them visible and add to your home's decor by writing your dreams and ambitions largely.
• Goals on Twitter, Facebook and the blog. Share your ideas with your followers, and ask that they help hold you accountable.
• For the wild at heart: tattoo goals! Ever thought about getting inked in a way that's artful and reminiscent of your life goals? A friend of mine recently got a beautiful phoenix on her hip to symbolize rebirth and renewal. That's a pretty sweet way to remind yourself of your own beauty and power!
• Framed goals on your desk at work. You spend as much time there as at home, so why not post some as conversation starters / reminders? Consider getting your friends and office pals to do the same, or put together a collective goal frame or area where people can share and encourage each other to stick with their plans for success.
• Keep a notebook. Doodle your goals. Make thought bubbles and connect your ideas together. Add action steps. Be creative and have fun! Then post the pages to your fridge so you can see them regularly.
• Use online tools to track your progress. Try FutureMe and email yourself in the future. This is probably the most fun and amusing way you can kick yourself in the bum to get going and get inspired to meet your goals! Also try Goaltender via Lululemon's site, or 43Things.
• Goals as passwords. This one's pretty nerdy, but if you set your passwords for email, online banking, or other websites to reflect your goals, you'll be reminded of them on a consistent basis -- probably more often than any other way!

Bursts of gold? Yes please! Photo via This is Glamorous.

How do you set goals? What are your hopes and dreams for 2011?

New Years Extravagance

Photo via angelaandithyle.

Who's ready for New Year's?

Here are some fun ideas for you and your love to spend the last few hours of 2010. Celebrate as you ring in the new year!

Make a bonfire with some friends.

Photo via Most Beautiful Darling.

Stay up late enough to make a sunrise breakfast. 

Photo via For Me, For You.

Dye your hair a bold red for the big party.

Photo via Life as an Artistpreneur.

Dress up and get fancy with your beau.

Photo via Jose Villa.

Paint your nails so they'll sparkle.

Photo via For Me, For You.

Wear a backless dress. Ooh la la!

Photo via Tales of a Junkaholic.

Escape for a private dance on the dock.

Photo via W. Scott Chester Photo.

Party somewhere extravagant.

Photo via CKCK.

 Make a toast!

Photo via For Me, For You.

Bake brownies for you and your friends. 

Photo via For Me, For You.

Smooch!  

Photo via Kissssing.

The Hubs and I will be sailing out on San Francisco Bay if the weather holds. My dad and stepmom are super excited to show us the awesome fireworks from the water once we're docked near Pier 39. I'm hoping we'll also get to walk around the city a bit, and if it's warm enough I'll put on my party dress!

Lots of love and namaste.

Ready to Party

Photo via Our Labor of Love.

Who's ready to celebrate? Even after shopping at the crazy mall today, I'm still slightly in disbelief that Christmas is the day after tomorrow.


Do you have your gifts wrapped? And your party hat ready for an end-of-the-year bash?


More importantly, are you practicing yoga through the holidays? My 90-minute meditation today was wonderful. Totally needed it.

Photo via Jonas Peterson.

Here are some fun ideas for you and your love if you need ideas for celebrating with style and on the cheap. 

• Take a Bikram class together.
• Watch some silly Christmas-themed yoga videos here.
• Check out this funny post on the 12 Days of Yoga.

Photo via Jonas Peterson.

• Take a walk through your city or town and take photos along the way. Make a little memory book and look through it together. If you're married, flip through some of your wedding photos afterward, too.
• Homemade hot cider. Need I say more?
• Figure out where the best local Christmas lights in town are. Visit them and smooch between houses! (We discovered today that there's a neighborhood near by where a house has Christmas music playing and lights that flash along with the beats of the songs. Love it. Can't wait to check it out.)
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter for a day, or offer to take your neighbor's on a walk.

Photo via Jonas Peterson.

Whatever you're up to this holiday season, I hope it's bright and merry! Enjoy, and keep me posted on your adventures.

A DOLLS NIGHT......

A dolls night in Horten, surprice party for fashion photographer Hilde A Dolls House- We gave her this vintage doll..
Julie, Maria and I in the party tent...and yes- im wearing my fringedress again.... he he
and my new studded boots....
The Party Wang!!!
Line & Esra...