Category Archives: LIFE + STYLE

GIVE THE GIFT OF LESS ANXIETY WITH THIS

October 29, 2017

I have always loved a HEAVY blanket. When I buy a comforter, I can never find one heavy enough. When I get X-Rays at the dentist, I am in heaven. I finally learned that weighted blankets help with anxiety. 

Adults, teens, and children can benefit from weighted blanket therapy.  Mosaic Weighted Blankets® are a safe and effective non-drug therapy for anyone seeking a solution for loss of sleep and relaxation.

“In psychiatric care, weighted blankets are one of our most powerful tools for helping people who are anxious, upset, and possibly on the verge of losing control,” says Karen Moore, OTR/L, an occupational therapist in Franconia, N.H.

“These blankets work by providing input to the deep pressure touch receptors throughout the body,” Moore says. “Deep pressure touch helps the body relax. Like a firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel secure, grounded, and safe.” Moore says this is the reason many people like to sleep under a comforter even in summer. (Source: Psychology Today)

Weighted Blankets, Wraps, or LapPads can be used to calm down and relax in many different ways by covering the whole body for sleep, wrapping around your shoulders or by laying it across your lap or legs only.  Our products can provide relief, comfort and can help supplement sensory disorder therapy treatment for the following:

The deep pressure touch simulation, or swaddling that happens when you cuddle up with a Mosaic Weighted Blanket® can help you or your loved one feel better and ease the mind allowing for complete relaxation.

See, it’s science.

I started researching these for my kids – more specifically for my 11 year old. She has a lot of anxiety and because she is older, she is no longer acting it out, but instead, it seems to be turning inward. I want to reduce her stress. I found MOSAIC WEIGHTED BLANKETS and fell in love with this small company.

I could not wait to order one from this adorable company who put so much care and love into every product. When I saw the SO MANY DOGS pattern I lost my mind. I was hellbent on getting this.

It just arrived and I cannot wait to surprise my daughter when she comes back from her dads. The good news is that means I have two nights with it all for myself!!

UPDATE: Aria is in HEAVEN!!! We are all fighting over it – I NEED ONE FOR MYSELF!!!

How to order:

Read more about founder Laura and her story here.

Who is Mosaic Weighted Blankets®?

Mosaic Weighted Blankets® is based near Austin, Texas and was founded by Laura LeMond. Laura was so impressed with the benefits of weighted blankets that she founded Mosaic Weighted Blankets® to raise awareness for this simple, but effective way to solve many anxiety, stress, insomnia and other health related disorders.

Mosaic Weighted Blankets® ships its weighted blankets,wraps and lap pads worldwide to parents, grandparents and caregivers for children, teens and adults that need help relaxing and easing into calmer daytime activities and who need longer and deeper sleep periods during the night.

Weighted Blankets are beginning to make headlines in newspaper stories and television shows throughout the United States. Click here to see recent weighted blanket news stories.

What Disorders Do Mosaic Weighted Blankets® Help?

Mosaic Weighted Blankets® are a very effective, organic solution for helping children, teenagers and adults that suffer from a wide variety of anxiety, stress/tension, attention deficit, insomnia and other related disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), Anxiety Disorders, Bi-Polar Disorders, Cancer Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Insomnia, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and Restless Leg Syndrome.

Where are Mosaic Weighted Blankets® the Most Effective?

Mosaic Weighted Blankets® are very popular in the education and healthcare industries among occupational therapists, pediatric therapists, schools, hospitals, sleep disorder clinics, sleep research facilities, dentists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, sports rehabilitation centers, hospice cancer centers, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, special education centers, crime victim centers, accident victim recovery centers and soldier family care clinics. Corporate customers receive volume purchase discounts, which are available by calling (512) 567-8943 or click here to send us an email.

When are Mosaic Weighted Blankets® Recommended?

Weighted blankets are not recommended for children under the age of three. The most important consideration when buying a weighted blanket is the customer’s body weight, which should not be greater than 10% of their body weight, plus one or two pounds. Weighted blankets should never be too heavy to remove by the patient and should never be used as a restraining device. Always check with an occupational therapist or healthcare professional to recommend proper medical treatment.

How do Mosaic Weighted Blankets® Work?

The benefits of weighted blankets can be traced back to the Mother’s womb. Before entering the world, infant is held tight inside the womb where they are shielded from sensory perceptions from most of the new world they enter.

As children grow, most learn to adapt to new environment stimuli such as light, sounds and movements from things around them. Some babies do not adapt well to their new environment and suffer from sensory processing disorders.

Sensory Processing Disorder is a term used to describe the inability to efficiently and correctly process sensory information coming to the brain from the environment. Touch, taste, smell, sight and sound are most frequently referred to as the senses, however the body also senses movement, force of gravity and body position through the muscles and joints.

Children, teens and adults with Autism do not regulate sensory input well, which is referred to as Proprioception. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder often benefit from a weighted blanket to help their body organize and process sensory input so that they are less restless and fidgety and allow most individuals to sleep better during the night.

How Much Do Weighted Blankets® Cost?

Compared to a good night’s rest, Mosaic’s most popular weighted blankets are very cost effective. Many parents with Autistic children will tell you that after putting their child to bed with a weighted blanket that they enjoyed their first night of deep sleep in years.

Mosaic Weighted Blankets® are manufactured with highest quality fabrics and weights. Blankets range in cost based on size, material, weight and fabric selected. Click here to shop through our Mosaic catalog of weighted blankets and lap pads.

Do Weighted Blankets Really Work?

Yes, for most customers a weighted blanket offers a soothing, calming, deep pressure therapy that helps customers relax and concentrate during the day and sleep better at night.

If your child has a tendency to wear very tight clothes during the day or roll them self up in sheets or blankets like a burrito or taco to sleep at night, a Mosaic Weighted Blanket will offer them the relief they have been seeking intuitively.

 

CELEBRITY HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS

October 22, 2017

Stuck on what to be this year for Halloween? Get inspired by your favorite celebrities and recreate their signature looks. From classic to current divas, Hairdo has a variety of styles and shades to help you accomplish the look.

Taylor Swift

The old Taylor Swift might be “dead” but her looks definitely aren’t! Rock her chic and cute bob with Hairdo Classic Page Wig ($119, Wigs.com). This alluring wig gives off blunt, shoulder-length edges, an off center part and soft, full bangs.

Coming in 12 different shades, get the right T-Swift shade and look like her in no time.

Cher

Cher has many iconic styles, but her straight, long hair instantly strikes off a sexy and confident look. Get her ‘do in seconds with Hairdo’s 8pc Straight Extension Kit ($79, Ulta.com), giving you the ultimate length and volume straight up.

The piece easily attaches with pressure-sensitive clips and includes eight 16” pieces so you can choose how much glam you want.

Ariana Grande

Who wouldn’t want to look like Ariana Grande? As the third most followed person on Instagram, and number one woman, she’s bringing in the followers with her statement ponytail and looks. While us normal people have to use companies like upleap.com to grow our Instagram followers (we can’t all be popstars!) Grande’s wowing the platform with her style. No matter how many different styles this Pop-Star tries out, we all know Grande makes her statement with her lengthy, high ponytail. Instantly pull off Ariana’s look by adding length, verve and volume to your pony by using Hairdo Simply Straight Pony ($49, Ulta.com).

*Note: These celebrities are not wearing Hairdo products, but we wanted to show you how to get the look by using them.

So – check these two out – YUP – this is what me and Aria (my 11 year old) will be rocking this Halloween. Ok, that’s a total lie. I am so not waiting for Halloween and I am totally not stopping there. I will wear these whenever I can. ARE YOU KIDDING?!!!!!

LOOM Opens! LA’s first pregnancy, parenting, and reproductive wellness hub!

October 6, 2017

LA’s first pregnancy, parenting, and reproductive wellness hub, LOOM officially opens doors TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3rd! Offering education, services, and inclusive community to all, LOOM is filling a major void in the market for women, expecting mothers, partners, and new families.

Co-founders Erica Chidi Cohen and Quinn Lundberg have designed curriculum, services, and events to guide women through reproductive pathways – including Considering, Expecting, Parenting, and Loss. Whether you are reproductively curious, pregnant, new to parenting, or have experienced a loss, LOOM offers a space to build your community, access resources, and demystify the experience with guidance, loving support, and zero judgement.  

What is truly incredible is the social awareness factor – LOOM is fostering an authentic conversation about reproductive health, sexuality, fertility, pregnancy, parenting (single, step, and choice), adoption, as well as non-birth outcomes such as miscarriage and abortion. 

Membership fee is $200 annually and is only required for select pathways, but to celebrate the launch LOOM is offering a special rate of only $95!

The stunning space was designed to be a soothing, comforting oasis in Mid-City Los Angeles. 

Also – want to note that LOOM plans to expand to a digital platform to bring education and community to more people within the next year. 

Photo credit: Morgan Pansin

Celebrate World Mental Health Day Tuesday, October 10th 2017 with philosophy

October 5, 2017

World Mental Health Day is Tuesday, October 10th we will be celebrating with philosophy who donates 1% of all USA net profit sales for mental health efforts. 

  

It is especially important for us to acknowledge this, we would love to help spread the word of our initiatives. More than 450 million people worldwide suffer from mild to serious mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, self–esteem and financial stress – all of which disproportionately affect women around the world. Recognizing that mental health issues are one of the greatest challenges women face, Philosophy created the hope & grace initiative which pledges an unending commitment to support mental health and wellbeing.Previously celebrity ambassadors such as Ellen Pompeo and Zelda Williams have endorsed the program.

Through inspired action, philosophy encourages the practice of self-care, not only in soothing and replenishing the skin, but the mind and soul as well. 

We would love for you to take the time out of your day on World Mental Health Day with us to restore you mind with these tips from Gabrielle Bernstein, best-selling author, meditation expert, and speaker brought to you by glamour.com… 

  1. Begin each day positively. Happiness is your choice, so if you wake up feeling grumpy, remember that you can choose to be happy.
  2. Think of yourself as a lighthouse: It’s OK to feel your feelings, good or bad (in fact, it’s much better than disassociating from them), but use the lighthouse idea to rise above the trauma in your life and allow it to flow freely around you.
  3. Move. The human body needs to move, and movement is imperative for the lymphatic system to work properly and to oxygenate your cells. Bounce, jump, dance, or do whatever it takes to move the tension out of your body and get your blood flowing.

Products here….

where there’s hope, there’s grace. the hope & grace initiative represents an unprecedented and unending commitment by philosophy to support mental health and well-being. mental health issues are one of the greatest challenges women face. more than 450 million people worldwide suffer from mild to serious mental health issues – such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, self–esteem and financial stress – all of which disproportionately affect women around the world.with the initiative, philosophy becomes the first company to place a deep focus on this important cause and the first major beauty company to make a brand-wide commitment to dedicate 1% of its sales toward the cause. 

For every product sold (this includes all products, no limitations), philosophy will contribute 1% of sales to the hope and grace fund, and will award multiple financial grants each year to local organizations working to empower women through promotion of mental health and wellbeing, and the prevention and treatment of related issues.

the majority of funding from the hope and grace initiative will support community-based programs doing the most good in mental health and wellbeing. the funds will be distributed by an independent nonprofit organization with guidance from the world’s leading practitioners and experts in mental health and wellbeing. with an average grant size of us $25,000-$75,000, the fund will support hundreds of organizations each year and touch thousands of lives.

the priority focus for the hope & grace fund is to support community based mental health efforts working to overcome barriers to and stigma around seeking treatment for mental health issues, providing access to mental health treatment, and fostering support networks for women with mental illness. the funds are administered by the new venture fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting innovative and effective public interest projects. we accept one proposal per group, per fiscal year (july 1st – june 31st). you must be a registered 501(c) public charity to apply. to apply, please contact hopeandgracefund@newventurefund.org

 

Through the hope & grace initiative, philosophy has donated millions of dollars for women’s mental health by funding direct service, training, and awareness-raising programs for dozens of non-profit organizations. To amplify the conversation around women’s mental health, philosophy is hosting a panel discussion focused on reframing wellbeing as a key to resilience and change.

Stress, anxiety and depression are among the top issues concerning women, but few women report success in their efforts to manage them. As more women take on leadership positions in the workplace and in the world, the balance between personal wellbeing and professional success is becoming more of a trade-off.

This issue will be explored through several perspectives: a prominent athlete and public figure, a medical doctor, an academic, and a corporate executive, who will propose solutions to challenges and provide answers to many questions including:

 

  • What is the impact of wellbeing on overall health, beauty and lifespan?
  • How do we convince women to prioritize their own wellbeing? How do we bridge the gap between filling our days and creating fulfilling lives?
  • Is building resilience a double-edged sword? The stronger we are, the more we put up with—is this good? How can we reframe wellbeing as a source of resilience?
  • What impact does personal wellbeing have on our ability to change our lives and the world
    around us?
  • What can we learn from the younger generation about the future of wellbeing?

Camping With Manu Toigo For Family Adventure!

October 4, 2017

No idea where I was – even with this map…

There are no words for Manu Toigo (you may recall from oh that sweet little NatGeo show Naked and Afraid where she survived oh I dunno DENGUE FEVER! I can’t even spell that!!)

This past summer she led an incredible day camp for kids, where she took a small group of lucky kids into nature –  to connect, learn survival skills and get in touch with all things non-urban. It was life changing for us as a family. My kids, who refused to even walk, let alone hike, were running to her car for an overnight camping trip. It really was who took my kids and put these two in their place??? Camping??? They had not even had overnights anywhere!!

Now Manu is introducing this! She is leading families on wilderness/camping/nature weekends. TAKE ME PLEASE!!

We went this weekend and I have no words. It was literally the best time I have ever had with my kids. I was having so much fun, being in nature, watching my 7 year old make a fire and my 11 carve a tool with a rock, that I could hardly sleep. That at, I for sure need a sleeping bag mat cuz I am too old to sleep on the ground. Jus sayin.

This Cross Trek 22 Wheeled Carry On saved my entire trip!! We had to walk a mile to the campsite!!! (WTF?!) And yes, this bad ass (me!) did this – above. On my own, and out of my own head! As in, I made it up!

This time Manu set up my tent, but next time I am doing it all myself. We brought insane gear from Granite Gear, specifically the Blaze A.C. 60 Backpack and the Cross Trek 22 Wheeled Carry On. And thank the camping gods for the Cross Trek 22 Wheeled Carry On, because unbeknownst to me, we had to walk a mille to the campground!!! I was so freaking happy I had wheels!!!

My dope backpack was quickly stolen by AJ – who claimed it as his own, no matter how ill-fitting. He actually made it work! So yes, next summer I will be getting him a smaller version for Manu’s camp.

OH! And My Charge, with their rad collection of portable chargers, saved my life. I could take photos of the whole trip, did not lose charge and way more importantly, use my iphone flashlight, because I could not find the two flashlights I packed. Genius.

AJ stealing my sickkkkk Blaze Backpack from Granite Gear  (which I am officially obsessed with).

Boxes of Rethink Water – perfect for camping. We brought a treasure trove of them. (Is that the right word? Trove? Seems really weird).

Camping must!! Adventure Max Portable Rechargeable 10500mAh charger. Not just for life in the city.

And all the moms basically pillaged me of these, Biossance Cleansing Wipes – because NO RUNNING WATER, PEOPLE!