Author: Paulina Kajankova

Talking Art From Great Heights: Let Kenzo Digital Help You Fall In Love With New York City All Over Again

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Summit One Vanderbilt, in collaboration with artist Kenzo Digital, aims to impress even the most jaded New Yorker. This is not your typical skyscraper observatory. Visiting Summit One Vanderbilt is a breath of fresh air. Think of your earliest memory of seeing the New York City skyline, combine it with the feeling of floating on air, and you might come close to experiencing the Kenzo Digital art installation called “Air.” The immersive multi-sensory and multi-floor experience begins to build up in the lobby tunnel, but the anticipation never seems to stop. You get whisked up to the 91st floor by a mirrored elevator, accompanied by colorful flashing lights. The dramatic ride could be symbolism for the wild ride we have had (and continue to have) in real life, but then you exit onto the main Air exhibit floor, appropriately named “Transcendence.” Stepping onto the German-designed annealed glass, installed by Snøhetta, you feel like there is no bottom and you might be levitating. There is a sense of relief, excitement, a bit of fear (if you …

Finding Wellness in the Adirondack Mountains and The Newly Opened Eastwind Hotel

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As summer neared the end, I longed to squeeze in a getaway that would shake off the persistent stress of the city and provide me with a wilderness escape. The allure of the Adirondacks lies in the region’s many lakes, hiking trails and ice age history. This was going to be my chance to go further north and hike around the 5 million year old national landmark that is the Adirondack Mountains. On the agenda was adventure, forest bathing, grounding, sauna time, and swimming in lakes. Staying at the newly opened Eastwind Hotel & Bar in Lake Placid was just the cherry on top. The Adirondack Mountains have a captivating history – not only is this where you can find the fifth highest mountain (Whiteface Mountain) within the United States, it was once the home of two Native American nations (the Iroquois and the Algonquins). The historic intrigue continues well into today. A great example of this is Eastwind’s new property. The three owners, Bjorn Boyer, Julija Stoliarova, and Dan Cipriani, took over a 1950s …

I Have a Major Depressive Disorder, Here Is My Guide To Treatments You Should Ask About

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Clinical depression is an illness that is so good at targeting its victim that many times it convinces everyone around you that you are happy and healthy. This makes it an invisible illness, making healing a lonely and frustrating process. My personal story is not an uncommon one. My family and I immigrated to United States from a communist country, and started a new life. This meant obstacles and some hardships, putting mental health at the bottom of the priority list. Depression was not a word we used to describe the way we felt, and therapy was not an option as it would be too expensive and shameful. Besides, therapy and depression were a made up problem or a luxury, not a real life problem. The problem with that is that my depression was very real, and because it was never addressed during my childhood, the healing fell on my adult shoulders. As an adult, it was up to me to figure out what I was feeling and eventually realizing, and admitting to myself, that …

Upstate New York Experience At Kenoza Hall, An Upscale Wellness Retreat In A Class Of Its Own

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These Are Not Your Grandmother’s Catskills Before airplane travel became the norm, New York families sought easily accessible refuge in the Catskill mountains. Then the grandkids stopped going. My own immigrant family settled in the Catskills in the 1960s, acquiring property that would help the slavic community vacation. Even though I live in New York City I consider upstate to be my personal refuge. Today’s upstate continues to reel in a new kind of visitor – younger generations from all over the world come to the mountainous region for relaxation and inspiration. Fortunately, some things remain the same. From blueberry picking and hiking, to nighttime campfires and vintage shopping, some aspects of upstate still remind me of childhood. It is safe to say that the Catskills are in their heyday once again. New and restored hotels sprouting all over Upstate New York have plenty to offer to new and loyal visitors alike. Among the many new retreats, Kenoza Hall is in a class of its own. Not only is it awe-inspiring and well-preserved, it has …

Your Guide To Getting a Good Night’s Sleep: Tips From Experts To Help You Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

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Sweet slumber could be yours! Sleep is a mystery, and I often want to solve it. As someone who likes to stay up late into the wee hours of the night, but also needs eight hours to function, I tend to struggle with finding a healthy rhythm. As a beauty editor I know sleep is important, not to mention the fountain of youth, yet I continue to fight it. Overall 35% of Americans don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night, but an average of 6.8 hours is not that bad. Unfortunately when you start to break it down 97% of teenagers get less than the recommended amount of sleep, 6 out of 10 college students don’t get adequate sleep, and roughly 20% of Americans have a sleep disorder. 75% of people who suffer from depression and/or anxiety have problems with sleep and 45% of the world’s population have issues with sleep. There are many studies and statistics to show that on average we are much more sleep deprived than our ancestors. Many wellness and health experts have a …

Be Your Own Wellness Hero: Your Guide To Self-Love With The Help Of Experts

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Self-love might seem straight forward, but for anyone who struggles with acquiring it, self-love is complicated. First let me say, this is a no judgement zone. The very idea that we lack self-love can be triggering. Like many out there, I was never told I am a special or a princess. I was not told that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. In fact, it was the opposite, but that is a story for another time. I grew up without praise, and yes, it effected my self-esteem. As an adult it is up to me to re-wire my brain and build myself up. I know what you might be thinking. That is no easy task and mistakes will be made. My only advice would be that in order to start on your self-love journey, you have to start someplace. Start by appreciating yourself. This means waking up in the morning and appreciating your body, your face, your heart, your mind, and even your past mistakes. It helps if you think of past …

Letter From Editor: Bringing Intentions and Cleansing Rituals Into The New Year With Tools From Around The World

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Let us throw out the “new year – new me” philosophy. May your new year be filled with powerful moments instead, may you be like flowers in the snow, growing strong, beautiful, and succeeding despite adversity. The new year only takes on an important meaning if you put genuine intention behind the change you want to see in your life. This year I chose not to make resolutions. I joined all of you who walked into the new year feeling fatigued. Then on the fifth day of the new year I realized that I do have a resolution in mind. In order to truly change aspects of my life for the better, I need to get uncomfortable. In short, living to my fullest potential by challenging my fears no matter how uncomfortable, and tackling my anxieties with frequent exposure. Maybe the point of living is to be uncomfortable, coming out at the end of it feeling lighter and happier. Taking small steps is the goal here. I hope this inspires you to take on your …

Clean House During Advent: Saint Lucia Day In Slovakia Is a Magical Time

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Let’s clean house! St Lucia Day (December 13) might not be celebrated in all countries, but it is one of the most important and magical days in the heart of Europe. It is on this day we get a closer look at the pagan roots of Slavic countries. Slovakia has some of the most unique advent celebrations right before Christmas. The predominately catholic country celebrates the same popular holidays we all know and love, but their extra mysterious customs make it hard to deny their pagan origins. You might be surprised to know that they are not the only ones. It is this time of the year when pagans would bring nature and light into their homes, aka: the Christmas tree. Saint Lucia Day celebrations take place twelve days before Christmas. In most other countries St Lucia is the patron of lights, but in Slovakia this is the day for witches to come out and play. Going into the forest, working with yarn or the plucking of feathers on St Lucia Day was prohibited. The …

Powerful Mushroom Supplements, Tinctures and Skincare To Try Right Now

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Foraging for mushrooms is not exactly art – it is a cultural pastime and a culinary adventure. In most Central and Eastern European countries, foraging was not only a skill pased down by our caregivers, it was at times a necessity. When I close my eyes I can still remember the earthy scent of drying mushrooms in our attic. The precious trophies were sliced and laid out on newspapers in the hottest and driest place in the house. It was a bounty any forager would be proud of and a promise of warm winter soups and a special cabbage dish for Christmas dinner. Among europeans mushroom picking can get quite competitive, and you never reveal the locations of your finds. Certain fungi typically grow in the same spot where you found them the year before. Immigrants brought this hobby with them to the US and never gave it up. Every fall my father still seeks out mushrooms and promptly makes a soup unlike any you will find at a fine restaurant. Foraging in the US …

Quaint ‘Land in the Sky’: The Best Upstate New York Getaways For All Budgets

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The vastness of New York State beckons travelers to choose their own adventure. It is no secret, Upstate New York has a lot to offer and the recently renewed popularity of the Catskills is undeniable. The young and old alike go upstate in search of natural tranquility, lake cabins, fishing, hiking, historical site tours, art fairs, laid-back summer bungalows, Woodstock site concerts, skiing, and who can forget about nostalgia of the Borscht Belt resorts. The state has a history of being enjoyed as a vacation destination since the early 1920s, but it was not until the 1940s when the State Division of Commerce made it a part of their mission to attract even more tourism. The 1939 New York World Fair, held in New York City, took the opportunity to promote upstate with the help of the Barlow Advertising Agency. They suggested visitors to the city take a tour of the Catskills on their way to and from the Fair. Their catch phrase described the Catskills as the “Quaint ‘Land in the Sky’ where Rip …

10 Best Natural & Organic Sunscreens for Healthy Summer 2021

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Today’s sunscreen is not your grandmother’s sunscreen, which likely meant not using any. When I first started writing about natural and organic products the options for better sunscreen were limited. Then brands like COOLA came along. Those in-the-know already used organic and natural brands, but you had seek them out in stores that carried green beauty. Today we have many options to choose from, and I hope you choose well. Our tip to understanding skincare is learning to read labels and knowing what ingredients have all the benefits you look for. In the US the word natural has no concrete definition but when it comes to sunscreens the good news is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated its definition of what is deemed safe and effective sun protection. Elizabeth Mullans, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist at Uptown Dermatology provides helpful summer skincare tips for all skin types. The sun’s peak UV hours are between 10am to 4pm, so make sure to avoid extended time in the sun during this window. If you find yourself out …

8 Toxic-Free Dry Shampoos Honoring National Dry Shampoo Day

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Yes, National Dry Shampoo Day is real. Our obsession with dry shampoo began about ten years ago, but little did we know of all the harm it can do to our hair, scalp, and the environment. No, we have not given up on dry shampoo entirely. In fact, giving our hair a break during the pandemic has made us want to use it even more. If you are in need of a cleaner dry shampoo, look no further. We compiled a list of our top eight brands to try, and fall in love with right now. Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo Vegamour has become synonymous with hair wellness. This modern brand focuses on hair growth and their GRO Dry Shampoo is no different. The plant-based dry shampoo is fortified with the same proprietary blend of phyto-active ingredients found in their best-selling GRO Hair Serum. Using it will ensure a healthy hair ecosystem, plus the volume and texture you desire. It is 100% vegan, clean and cruelty-free. Lulu Organics Hair Powder Lulu Organics packaging will stop you …