Local Lovin': PIA at Marketstreet Lynnfield

Hi Guys, so I discovered this cute little shop when I was at a blogger event this Spring and I've really been wanting to tell you about it. That being said, life has been a little crazy and then blog posts have come and gone... so here we are in July and I'm finally getting around to introducing you to PIA at Marketstreet Lynnfield! Having been on a few blogger tours of stores before, I know what I like and what's just not for me... when I stepped into PIA, I was totally vibing with all the brands that this store carried (Spiritual Gangster, Good Hyouman etc) and then I met Pia herself... and was smitten. She is a beautiful person, both inside and out. I am generally a good judge of character and hers shines through both her person and her business. And do you know what impressed me most about her business? It's truly a beautiful and highly curated store one where you may think, oh but can I shop there? And the answer is YES, OF COURSE- it's welcoming of everyone (and their children) and Pia prides herself in getting to know her customers and engaging with them on a personal level. I LOVE THAT! I headed in to the store to chat with her and take some pictures, and of course the Propah Toddlah ate her marshmallows and played with her toy bin because yes, she has toys for your littles to play with while you shop.

Give us a little background as to how Pia came about. What initially drove you to start your brand?

More than 20 yrs ago when I moved to America for the first time, one of my first jobs was at a very unique boutique called Drygoods in Great Barrington which is in the Berkshires. The woman who owned the boutique, Tracy, had a bigger impact on me than she will ever know. She was one of the greatest inspirations personally and proffesionally and she had the most beautiful, most ecletic store. Her persona mesmerized all her customers including me. People loved the store for its merchandise as well as it being a place where they felt welcomed, accepted with personalized customer service, a place where they felt acknowledged. It was very vibrant. very alive. I didn't realize my love and dream for a store was born back then and more than 20 yrs later here I am.

When curating the products for your shop, where do you take inspiration from?

My very own sense of esthetiques. My limited budget, yardsales, my mother, flea markets and my home: Europe (point of information: I love where Pia takes her inspiration from since it's pretty identical to me!)

I love the way that you have shaped your business. Fresh, fun, feminine... Why is this important to you?

My place is primarily for women. Often times it's hard for women to feel themselves, be themselves, trust themselves and be OK with who they are. I struggle with this too but I want it to be different for us all. Women are amazing and beautiful, in every shape and form. I hope to be a place where that can be celebrated and honored.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

I am an endless lover of the ocean, nature and flea markets. I also love to dance. My greatest treat is to dance at Greg Coles Dance ad Drum in Salem with Greg Coles and his assistants.

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Pia headed in the future?

There is a lot more room to grow. I am still very much tending to strenghtening my roots. I am endlessly grateful to Marketstreet for giving me the opportunity to be at their beautiful property in Lynnfield, MA. I am filled with gratitude to whom ever supports and enjoys Pia. I couldn't do any of this without the amazing women working with me.

So do you love Pia already? Yeah, me too. I asked these questions and was so interested to hear her thoughtful responses. This is the type of business that I like to shop. I want to feel special and loved and I want to be able to bring my kids if I need to (which is more often than not). If you are ever in the area, please stop in to see her beautiful store to meet a beautiful person to shop for beautiful things. You won't regret the trip.

You can follow Pia on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

Yoga Reached Out 2016

If you've followed me the past few months, you know that I've been raising money for Yoga Reaches Out, a local organization that fundraises for Boston Childrens Hospital and their wellness programs. It's an amazing event that is charitable but when you're there, it's almost too fun/energizing/special... you almost feel like raising money was the least you could do. The money we raised this year is going to help the families of Boston Childrens by providing experiences to help them get through the traumatic illness and time spent with their children at the hospital. Caring for these people and making them stronger for their families, is a worthwhile (and amazing) effort!

The day was awesome. I could stop at that. I met Sarah Gardner (creator of YRO!), I got to see Well Summit Tribe member and friend Sara Divello speak, I found some new Sage Tonic cleansing pads haha... and of course, I took part in some majorly challenging yoga seshes. I could have done all this and left a happy girl but when you open yourself up to new experiences and let yourself "feel", you can always take something unexpected from a day. For me, a lunch time Journey Dance was that thing at YRO. Journey Dance is a "dynamic conscious dance form that combines freestyle and structured movement to inspire you to get out of your mind and into your body." I thought it was silly at first but when a teammate invited me to dance during lunch, I was certainly glad that I did. It was freeing not caring what I looked like and it was almost as if I were breaking down some internal barriers to get to some feelings. Sounds odd; it kinda was but it was special, that's for sure. I actually want to go to another Journey Dance event. It was great exercise but it was more than that, it was meaningful.

I didn't bring my camera so you're getting a combo of snapchats and phone pictures but I think you can get an idea of what a fun and special kind of day it was. To be in a room where Tom Brady sweats, surrounded by 900+ of your "friends", is a real quality way to spend a Sunday. I'm hoping to be more involved every year I go, raising more money, inviting friends along and always allowing myself to be open to new experiences. It's not just fun, it's not just fundraising, it's a real way to connect with people and feel the "good vibes".

Funnest Way to do my Least Favorite #ChairPose @yogareachesout 🙏👍✌️👌👏🙌🙏 #yrone2016 #yoga #yogaforgood #yogareachesout #momlife #thehappynow #thelittlethings #bostonbloggerspring #charitable #bostonchildrens

A video posted by Amanda (@primandpropah) on May 1, 2016 at 12:20pm PDT

And a HUGE thank you to all those that donated to my fundraising efforts. I appreciate you more than you know and was so touched by the folks that helped me along the way. Big shout out to lululemon Chestnut Hill and local calligrapher Posh and Prep for helping me add some sassy mats to the fundraising cause! The three winners of the mats just happened to be bloggers, which warms my heart that my tribe supporting me in reaching my goals: Congrats to Elizabeth Crane Swartz, Kelly McAuley and Jessica Levy! You gals rock!

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Crane and Lion's MGH Cancer Center Tight

As you know, I am a super big fan of yoga and of yoga apparel. You may also know that I love to support a good cause, because it's charitable people that really do help the world go 'round. When I was at the Crane and Lion event last month, I was introduced to a pair of yoga/fitness tights where the entire proceeds from the sale go directly to the One Hundred and Mass General Cancer Center....the one hundred was created and is supported by the Mass General Cancer Center to raise awareness in the fight against cancer. From purchases of this pant, 100% of the proceeds are donated back to the one hundred. Talk about a treating yourself with some major added benefits. As you may recall from my previous blog post, the C&L apparel quality is spot on so if you are looking to purchase a new pair or fitness leggings, please consider the MGH Cancer Tights because you'll feel good wearing them, literally and figuratively!

You can find Crane and Lion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Interested in learning more about the one hundred and their efforts? Find them online and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Yoga Reaches Out + a Giveaway!

You may remember last year when I took part in Yoga Reaches Out with my team from Revolution Community Yoga. It was a beautiful day with like minded spirits doing something they love while raising much needed funds for Boston Children's Hospital. This year I expect it to be a lot of the same but what I am hoping to do is to bring my A-GAME fundraising! I raised a fair bit of sweet moola last year (thank you to everyone who donated!) but I want to surpass that this year!

To help out with that, I'd thought I'd sweeten the pot a little, teaming up with some of my favorite people local to Boston! The team at lululemon athletica at The Street in Chestnut Hill, MA graciously donated three of their high quality 3mm Reversible Mats (and straps!) and my girl Julie of Posh and Prep added her "certain something" to make these mats one of a kind! So how do you get one of these mats? Well, I'll tell ya!

I'm trying to raise money here, folks so let's consider this an online raffle of sorts! If you donate at least $5 (and maybe more!), you will be entered to win one of three mats. All you need to do is visit my YRO PAGE and then come back here to put your info in the Rafflecopter below. Then share this post (every day if you want) and you get another raffle entry, simple as that! The event is May 1st, so I will recap the day and announce winners on Monday May 2nd.

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What causes are close to your heart?

Barreless Barre + Crane and Lion Event

On Wednesday night, I grabbed my yoga mat, my camera and a little bit of motivation, meeting some Boston Bloggers at the Crane and Lion location on Harrison Ave in Boston for a Barreless Barre class... and then SHOPPING, all hosted by Jenna of Boston Chic Party!

I'm always looking to take advantage of a fitness class so when the invite came across my desk I didn't hesitate, that is until right before heading out when I re-read the invite, taking note of the words "high", "intensity" and "interval" in regard to the workout. I practice yoga, and I run (jog) but I don't really go to barre classes. I don't know what I was so worried about! Our Barre(less) instructor, Jessica Diaz was super inspirational as well as cute+friendly+and all the things you want in your fitness class so that you're not intimidated.... and just like that, I worked my legs like a boss and we moved onto the shopping with the Boston Based Athletic/Leisure wear brand Crane and Lion.

The space is in the hip SOWA area but the brand will soon be opening new spaces in Beacon Hill and on Nantucket, which, I mean, is exciting! The clothes really do speak for themselves. They are oh so soft and buttery, or like we say in my family, "like buttah!... And I did ask about where the clothes are made. The team has a firm grasp on their supply chain and love the manufacturers that they partner with, actually visiting the sites in Peru and Taiwan. I think that it's important to be mindful about where your clothes are being made. I love that when I asked the question, the answer was immediate. The racerback tank and long sleeve tee came home with me but I just can't stop thinking about the MGH Cancer Center tight (more to come on that, I promise!) which 100% of the proceeds go to the Mass General Cancer center. A brand that makes it their mission to help? Simply lovely of them.

I'm definitely going to keep my eye on Crane and Lion because not only are they creating really versatile athletic wear but they have a vision for a brand that gives back, which is something that I am a huge fan of. You cast your vote where you spend your money so why not support brands that represent what is important to you.

*I attended this barreless barre class for free but all opinions are 100% my own.

I live in New England. In New England we like to complain about the weather. It could be sweltering hot or frigidly cold and we will always have something to say about it...but that doesn't mean that we aren't prepared for anything. I love yoga and I love doing yoga at my local studio, but once it gets cold here, especially when it starts to snow, going out of the house and getting comfortable in a yoga class is a little bit annoying. I have found some key things to make sure I am keeping motivated to get my zen on as often as possible

Leggings: We're not talking capris, we're talking all the way down to your ankle, covering all your skin, yoga leggings. I love these MPG Warrior Thermal Jersey Yoga tights because they keep me toasty in class even when people are coming in, getting the joint all drafty. I mean, it's like, c'mon people, it's cold, what do we do yoga in a barn? (High Waisted Legging Love --> Onzie + Beyond Yoga )

Yoga Blanket: Most studios have blankets to use as bolsters or your savasana but I like to have one for home as well as yoga in non traditional spaces. There are lots of affordable options and there is no right or wrong "blanket", just something to keep you warm and comfortable. (Keep the cost low options --> Flaza Mexican Blanket + Native Diamond Design)

Grip Socks: Grip socks are great not just for sweaty hot classes, they're also great for the cold weather, too, I mean, because heat escapes from your feet, y'all. I have grip socks for yoga and the occasional (and I do me mean, very occasional) barre class. Winter, let's keep the toes on like these Toesox Full Toe, alright? (Toe-less socks if you fancy those --> Ballerina Half Toe + Low Rise Half Toe)

Easy ON and OFF Pullover: At the start of class, you're going to be all like Brrrrr, it's cold in here, there must be yogis in the atmosphere but by about 20 minutes in, you're gonna want to strip some layers off as quickly as you can without disrupting your flow. I personally love a little tie dye action for the Winter since it's always going to be cold and get dark early so might as well liven things up while you can! (Tie Dye Action --> City Light Best Pullover Ever + Pure Karma  Naomi Sweatshirt)

Easy ON and OFF Boots: Just like the pullover, your easy on and off boots are key to keeping your zen when coming and going from yoga class. Gone are the warm Summer days when the flip flops were the go to when hitting class. I wear the same Sorel Winter boots that I was gifted a few years ago, fur lined, slips on and off so you're not clogging up the works after class. (No Snow Options tend to be cuter --> Rocket Dog Suri Boot + Blowfish Chippy Boot)

What do you keep on hand to make it through your cold weather fitness routine?

Boston Common Yoga + BIG Thank You's!

If you follow me on any of my social media platforms, you know that I have been working with a Boston Bloggers team to raise money for The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. One of our fundraising events was a Donation Based Vinyasa class on Boston Common led by Ali Singer, creator of Yoga Hub Boston. At 7pm on a late August evening, it was pretty much the perfect time to practice yoga with some like minded people while also raising money for an amazing cause (we raised over $250 FYI, which is awesome!)

Not only did we have an amazing turnout but we actually had people walking by, wondering what we were doing, some even stopping to practice in plain clothes. I thought that was just pretty special. We had a women who was dropping her son off at college for the first time and was quite emotional. She had never practiced yoga before, so I grabbed an extra mat and she joined us. She loved it and I think that just speaks to the awesome energy this event gave off.

We had some pretty cool people involved with helping us to make this a special event! 

All photos are by the amazingly sweet Kelly Pfeister. Not only was she as sweet as they come, she also made me feel encouraged about people willing to help through service. I am so happy to have met her and am looking forward to tapping her for collaborations in the future!

Temple Flower (seen on both Ali and I) is an American made yoga and active wear company that launched this year. Not only do they make their duds in the USA but they also support charitable endeavors in India through Barefoot College. For every purchase made, they make a donation toward helping to educate women in impoverished communities. Gosh, that makes my heart warm. On top of all that, they gave all attendees to our event a special discount, which you can use too! Use code ALISINGER30 on any purchase and receive 30% off your order + free shipping!

YogaOutlet.com donated over $150 worth of yoga gear to our event to be raffled off, you know, to help get butts on the mats/grass. With almost 40 attendees, I would say that it worked! Yogaoutlet.com is one of my favorite places to grab anything and everything you might need to practice yoga at home, in the studio or on Boston Common. They really do have it all.... the girl who won the raffle emailed me the next day. She had just moved to Boston and didn't know anyone but had found our event somehow. We chatted about the local yoga scene, where she could find Ali teaching classes and I would like to think that I will see her around town sometime soon.

Biggest thanks go to Ali Singer who answered an email with such enthusiasm that I just couldn't help but be charged up to work on such a special fundraising event. She was willing to volunteer her time, invited her friend Norman to play the congas and told me that I needed a permit for the Common (which I didn't know! eek) Without Ali's help and guidance, this event wouldn't have been a success. I am looking forward to working with Ali in the future because I think it was kismet that I happened into that class at lululemon in June, where she gave my abs a workout and gave me the idea!

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us raise money to kick cancer's butt!

Help Temple Flower Yoga Take Off

If you've been following me since the baby was born, I am way into yoga. I went to classes before the baby was born, but never did I commit to going regularly. Going regularly is something I would recommend to anyone. Not only am I stronger but I am given a specific amount of time to just be with myself, push out my daily frustrations and stressers. It's a good thing. With this good thing, there is the opportunity to look and feel super cute in my yoga clothes. I think I saw a picture of Temple Flower's yoga leggings on Twitter maybe? I can't remember when I first saw one of the prints, but I was most definitely smitten.

Yoga Week, Day Five: Aurorae Yoga and a Sweet Giveaway!

It's Day Five and what a fantastic week it's been. I feel so inspired to get back to my (new) normal routine and am happy to have new motivation in the new roommate that I have living in my house ;-). The #propahbaby has me all sorts of motivated to keep active and fit for his sake. A Mom who can keep up with him is a Mom who is winning. In any event, here we are at day 5 and I am so excited to introduce a fantastic yoga line called Aurorae Yoga.

Aurorae is a family business founded in 2009 by yoga student and cancer survivor, Dennis Ingui. Cancer-free for more than 10 years, Ingui started Aurorae as an outlet in his life to help build his body and develop inner peace of mind. Aurorae considers all customers, supporters, partners and employees a part of its Aurorae family and treats everyone with the same respect, kindness and love that each deserves.

Yoga Week, Day Three: My Fave Yoga Finds on Etsy

Dear Etsy, how do I love thee, let me count the ways.. Etsy is literally my favorite place to peruse just about anything when I am bored (which is not often these days) or when I am looking for something that not everyone else has. This certainly goes for yoga related goodies as well. Some of the clothing you'll see on Etsy is absolutely adorable and/or so creative and beautiful. It's a wonderful place to dream of that gorgeous workout wardrobe with some funky, fun pieces. Also? There are lots of yoga related gifts and accouterments as well! Here are some of my absolute faves!

I'm Just Here for the Savasana Tee, Ekadasa Backless Yoga Tank, Hamsa Longsleeve Shirt, How's my downdog? tank   

My Faves for an Active 4th of July

With the 4th of July hovering dangerously close (I can smell the barbecues now!), anyone with a patriotic bone in their body is looking for their own way to show their country they are ready to celebrate it's birthday in style! (Happy Birthday USA!) Since Independence Day is also my husband's birthday, I will likely be whipping up some casual birthday treats and celebrating at home with him and the baby. This will lend itself to a more casual look for the day, but that doesn't mean I am not prepared for something a little more fancy... but chances are my biggest plans for the day will be a little bit of walking and a whole lotta taking care of the babay. So since I am keeping it casual, I thought I would share my faves for whatever you're doing to keep fit for the 4th!

C9 by Champion Sports Bra,  Beyond Yoga Essential Legging, Tek Gear Performance Skort, Gaiam Radiance Yoga Mat, Nike Academy Soccer Shorts, Nike Flex Running Shoes, Camelbak Eddy Water Bottle