The Upside to Confinement

Who would have thought it would come to this? And now we are all in it together- even though we must keep apart. Can it be that this confinement due to Covid-19 can actually bring us back to a newfound quality-time? We shall not be defeated!

Here are some ideas for how this Montreal girl spends her time:

Exercise. It doesn’t have to be something too strenuous (unless you want it to be). I started taking long walks on a more regular basis. This helps with the cabin fever and to refresh my mind. Try taking a different route than usual and start observing the nature around you with more intent- it’s beautiful. Or- my favourite…dance to some 80’s fab music!

Cooking! Oh how cooking releases my stress, I can’t say enough about this! Comfort food and the whole process- I’m loving it. Why not cook up a recipe that you’ve been dying to make?

Check out the Highlights over at my **Instgram feed @lucybertoldi** under Yummy and Yummy 2 for tasty recipes

Start journaling. This can be in written form, art, or other. I make art. Can anything be more cathartic? The whole creative process keeps you in the moment (which weirdly enough makes time fly!). I do mixed media art on canvas but also a lot of journaling. If you’re interested on seeing more just head on over to my Instagram: @mtl.diva.art

Art heals

Meditate- keep your faith. In the same lines with journaling or making art- try some meditating. For some this could be in form of prayer, yoga, or whatever other form you get into. This helps us refocus, regenerate and ultimately brings us inner strength- leading to hope and positivity!

DIY’s and projects! Why not work on some of the things that always get set aside because of no time- can’t use that excuse right now! Revamp your stuff and feel a self of renewal and accomplishment. This is probably my favourite thing to do lol! But projects can also be cleaning out something (like your closet!) …which btw, can also be cathartic!!

Sit down with a good book you’ve been longing to read! A bit of quiet time to indulge in the topics you want to learn more about. Researching new things can be so much fun to help open your horizon for your present job, career, sport or hobby.

Adorned in Dreams, by Elizabeth Wilson is a fashion historian’s dream for real.

Click on link below to watch a clip of my review of Illustration Now! Fashion by, Julius Wiedermann Taschen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2dP8zuPSHI&feature=youtu.be

On these same lines, on your own (or with those you’re cooped up with!)- maybe watch a movie (or finish a Netflix series- or start one!) And why not play a game of sorts: cards, monopoly, backgammon…

Pamper yourself. Take the time to finally indulge (without a darn schedule to follow!). I think I will finally start trying those 12 different masks I have piling up in my try and review bin!

Heart-to-heart time with those you love (at home with you- or through Skype, messenger…). What better time to tell those you love how much you care for them? This could be a good time for those talks you’ve been setting aside for ‘the right time’.

Lastly, try to remain positive, thankful and appreciative. So difficult to do- but certainly doable! Look at all the positive things you can actually do within this confinement period. We’ve been geared up to always be on the go-go-go that we’ve forgotten how to stop, be still and appreciate. Maybe a forced situation such as this one, just maybe, can bring light upon the things that are good around us. For once we don’t have to say: I don’t have time.

#Confessionoftheday: Reminding myself that the sun always rises. Working hard on not letting anyone or anything take away my joy. A constant battle well worth the fight.

March 18, 2020 1

Facials: Montreal’s Best Kept Secret…

When it comes to facials, there’s a place where detailed focus, undivided attention and pampering are a priority- and that’s in Montreal…actually, in Laval, Montreal’s close neighbour- at Jenny Bart’s. Today, I was privileged to receive this fabulous service! I was also lucky to get an appointment, because this girl is booked solid- always.

What makes Jenny’s place so special? Well first of all, her clientele is based mostly on referrals. And, according to most…She really is Montreal’s best kept secret (Ahem, Laval). Her clients come from far and wide knowing that she does not have a ‘one-size- fits- all’, facial routine. She is a true expert. Facials are done according to skin analysis and specific needs. It’s a tailor-made program and treatments are done according to your skin’s needs, health and lifestyle.

What could be better than a warmed mattress right by a cozy fire, in a freshly scented aromatherapy room?

Jenny is extremely well versed and knowledgeable on all things derma-related, and also takes a particular interest and focus on anti-aging. All this makes her not only extremely interesting to me- but also my go-to source on newest technology and on what works and what doesn’t. For me, at this point, I really want to focus on reversing and slowing the signs of aging, while prolonging my skin’s health.

This is what I call total relaxation…

Unlike many other professionals who tell you to chuck what you have and buy what’s in their line instead, Jenny advised me on the important agents to look for in my own skin care products. I really appreciated that. Nobody wants to hear they need to throw out every cream they own (for some of us that can be anywhere over $200 a pop- yikes!) This is something I can really appreciate- honesty from an Esthetician.

Jenny does not sell her own line- instead, she tells you which products out there will make a remarkable difference on your skin- and that, is based on an individual analysis. She is also straightforward when revealing your skin’s status and the creams you are already using. So what about My reveal? Apart from sun damage (I’m a sucker for Floridian and Greek beaches, what can I say?), my skin is apparently very well maintained and it shows that I take good care of it! (So happy about that, cause I really do!).

I left my Esthetician with a world of knowledge along with a list of ingredients I should read up on; and of course what I should get for my skin. Surprisingly…none of it will kill my budget. No nonsense advice that I can live with!

Here’s what I got done today:

-Double Cleanse

-Followed by a light chemical peel

-Skin analysis

-Treatment: Light therapy and Toning Therapy

-Anti-Aging Mask

-Face Massage

All this followed by: Serums, Moisturizer and SPF

While relaxing, I also got a hand and forearm massage.

Oh, and did I mention how good my skin feels? It also looks amazing! All I needed today after my facial (because I never leave home without a full face of makeup)- was only a touch of powder, mascara, liner and gloss. I look and feel refreshed and, is it my imagination… or are those darn ‘eleven’s starting to shy away? Booking my next appointment!

That’s that my Darlings! Feeling totally zen.

Jenny’s Instagram Feed: @jennybart

#confessionoftheday: Indulgence in taking care of my skin is not a privilege- it’s a necessity!

May 21, 2019 0

The Greeks Call it Yemista- Healthy Comfort Food

Deliciously filled baked vegetables that hit the spot! Yemista as the Greeks call this rich and satisfying meal is perfect for these nippy cold autumn days. For the record, Italians make this too- they call it, Verdura Ripiena (thought I’d add that in, since today’s cook, yours truly, is Italian;)

On that note, my recipe is a mix of both cultures: A Greek delicacy with an Italian flare. I have to warn you, this dish does take a bit of time to make. Here’s my way:

About 12 vegetables

3/4lb minced meat (I use a blend of veal, pork and beef)

2 onions

1 cup rice

salt, pepper, dill to taste, chilli flakes

Pam, a tiny bit of olive oil to drizzle

You can use a variety of different vegetables such as: Zucchini, eggplant, red, green, orange..peppers, yellow zucchini squash, potatoes , tomatoes- basically any vegetable that can easily be hollowed. Today, all I had on hand were tomatoes, red peppers and potatoes.

I usually begin by scraping out the vegetables, while keeping the top for a cap (you’ll see later). Then, all the scrapings are finely chopped and lightly salted.

If you clean out the potatoes first, as I did, you will need to place them in a bowl filled with cold water. This way they won’t turn brown while you work on the other vegetables.

Mix meat, scrapings, rice and onions together. Then, in a large pan, cook the mixture. Add salt, pepper and dill to your liking. If you prefer your dishes on the spicy side (Italian touch), add some chilli flakes, or peperoncino. Keep adding water as the rice swells.

When the whole mixture is consistently cooked (rice should be almost semi cooked), just go ahead and fill up the vegetables.

Place them neatly in a greased pan (I use Pam, but you can also use olive oil). Top them with their caps (helps keep them moist and cook evenly). Add about a ½ cup of water at the bottom of pan. Drizzle a few drops of olive oil.

Cover with aluminium foil and bake at 175C (325F) for about an hour. The last few minutes, uncover and set on broil – just long enough to get them nicely roasted.

Et voila! Or as the Greeks say: Etima!

Kali Orexi! Buon Appetito!

October 23, 2018 2

All is Well…Keep the Joy

Took a great deal of life to get us where we are dear Divas. Most of us have had our share of life’s ups and downs, with all the caring, nurturing, loving, raising, care taking and working that we’ve done. We deserve to be happy and enjoy the smallest or mega things we embark on. Happiness is a choice. Joy is a feeling that belongs to us. No one has the right to take that away from us. So- don’t let anyone.

Easier said than done- especially if you were rarely first on your list of priorities. Still. Make this a priority. Take the time, breathe and allow yourself. “All is well” This is my new motivating phrase. It’s my new liberating spot. We’re smart enough to know that things are not constant. Everything passes. So why not begin today by accepting your joy?

Today, if someone or something tries to steal your joy, don’t let yourself be dragged into the trap. Breathe and say to yourself: “All is well”. (Cause eventually, you know it will be). Start now. Embark on that new venture. Do what makes you happy. Keep the joy.

Have a wonderful day beautiful Divas. “All is well”.

How do you keep your joy?

#Confessionoftheday: Am working hard at making this a priority- and it ain’t always easy, but it certainly is a work in progress!

Cheers,

Lucy ❤️

October 18, 2018 4

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