My life has gotten really, really busy over the last year and I feel only now am I learning how to properly manage my time and stress levels. I won’t lie. I can be a walking stress ball. Just ask my husband – poor guy. Anything and everything can stress me out, from a row of nail polish being crooked, to huge deadlines crushing me at my day job.
One thing that I have definitely embraced since I’ve started blogging is the power of positivity. Did you know that most thoughts we have are negative, unless we actively try to fill our minds with positivity? Did you know that being surrounded by negative, toxic people shortens your lifespan?? #GetRid
One way I remind myself to stay positive during those long, soul-crushing commutes to work, unreasonable deadlines, dreary weather that adds to the low feelings are wearing my beautiful, custom-made City of Om bracelet.
I’ve gotten to know Kyla Miller of Malarae over the past few months since modelling for her line of jewelry back in the fall of 2015. When I saw that she was a sponsor of City of Om and was making custom bracelets for this fun event, I thought I’d snag myself a souped up version of the event’s signature piece of jewelry.
Celebrating healthy living, environmental sustainability and community, City of Om is a day long, fun-filled yoga festival taking place at the newly overhauled Lansdowne Park here in Ottawa. Attendees will have the chance to take part in indoor and outdoor yoga classes suiting all levels of experience. There will be live music (YES!), great food and Ottawa-based artisans selling their wares.
Kyla, a talented jewelry designer specializing in malas, has created the beautiful and unique City of Om bracelet comprised of stones representing 5 different intentions that all of us should aspire to daily: rose quartz (love), garnet (gratitude), amazonite (community), amethyst (ethics) and sodalite (sustainability). The main stones of the bracelet are jasper (balance, harmony and inner peace).
I wear my City of Om bracelet on a daily basis. I’m a “go big or go home” sort of gal, so I had Kyla make me a bracelet using bigger stones. I wear mine daily as a reminder to stay balanced, thankful, happy and positive. I have caught myself twirling the bracelet around my wrist during long, boring meetings and crazy commutes. Without fail, the bracelet reminds me that I’m lucky to be sitting in meetings because it means I have a job, and to stop complaining about commuting in my big, expensive machine that gets me from point A to point B…a luxury that many don’t have.
Treat yourself to a beautiful City of Om bracelet – you deserve it. $1 from each sale of the bracelets will be donated to one of three charities that City of Om supports: Care Canada, the Ottawa Humane Society and the Ottawa Food Bank. Good feels all around!
Pre-sale (while quantities last) = $25
At the Festival = $30
Need help to find your size? Click here to read the MalaRae bracelet sizing guide.
I’m also thinking of taking part in the festival’s Free Spirit 5K, which takes place at the beginning of the day on June 4th. The run will begin with a 15 minute guided stretch with breath-work at Lansdowne Park, a 5K run (at your own pace) along the beautiful Rideau Canal, finishing with a Free Spirit Yoga class and guided meditation on the Ten Spot Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park. Great healthy way to start the day’s festivities. Also, if you participate in the Free Spirit 5K, you’ll be granted an all-access pass to the yoga festival! This run is open to all ages and all fitness levels. Come get your run on! Tickets here.
See you there!
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Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
The yoga festival looks so fun!
I got to do an acro class at the women’s day event I went to in March, it was so much fun. If you have a chance (if you haven’t already!) definitely give it a shot.
It’s pretty neat that Kyla is making custom bracelets for an entire festival.
Author
Hi Anne! I know! I’m happy for Kyla – she must be so busy…but busy is good! LOL! Her jewelry is so beautifully made too. Wow. I will definitely check out the this acro class. What is it exactly?
You are so right about consciously thinking positive..oh how easy it is to be negative.
Author
Right?? It’s so to fall down that rabbit hole of depressing thoughts and self-doubt. Like everything, being positive takes work until it becomes second nature! xoxo
Such a beautiful bracelet! it’s so easy to be negative, I have to remind myself to remain positive sometimes. Great post! I nominated you for the beauty blogger award.
http://clairneriah.com/2016/04/05/the-beauty-blogger-award/
I LOVE accessories with meaning behind them!
Author
Me too! Lol! Thanks for reading! xo
This bracelet is so pretty and I love the meanings behind the meanings behind the stones. What a great way to stay positive. I’ve not tried yoga before but really want to as I’ve heard it’s great for stress.
Lovely positive post 🙂
Lisa
Beauxdiaries.com xx
Author
Thank you, Lisa!! You really should try it and stick with it. Great for the body and soul!
I tried Kundalini yoga at the RA Centre years ago but it wasn’t for me. That said, there are so many different kinds — maybe I should give another a try! The yoga fest looks like the perfect opportunity to be re-introduced. And love your bracelet! (Bigger beads means more to love!)
Author
Hahaha! I love the bigger beads – go big or go home! I don’t do yoga often, but when I do, I feel great. I am really looking forward to going to the festival and I hope you can make it. We can finally meet – LOL!