LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

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January 5, 2018

How I Stay on Top of an Active Lifestyle After the Holidays


2018 is here! Happy New Year! A lot of us are trying to keep up with our New Year's resolutions, and as for me, I decided to make this year completely different. I don't have any! I do have my overall life resolution though - to be a healthy, active and fulfilled version of myself, and I try to stick by it regardless of the new year ;) 
Active and healthy lifestyle is something I am struggling to keep up with at times, but it seems that over the years I finally got a hold of it. I stopped beating myself up for skipping the gym, found new ways of being active (it got easier after moving close to the ocean and discovering my obsession with bike rides along the beach) and started listening to my body and mind. It is really interesting to see how I transformed, and it's all thanks to letting go of some of my mind limitations. I started doing more weight training, I switched my cardio to outdoor activities like biking and I started taking regular walks again. Every week / month is different, but what I saw is that the key is regularity, not frequency. December was super busy, and I only managed to work out 2-3 times a week, but I found out that it was enough to transform my body and keep my mind sane. Sometimes it's not about killing yourself at the gym every day, it's about doing it right and balancing yourself.
It does help to have a little bit of an energy boost before workouts at times, especially now after the holidays when we actually struggle to get back to our routines. It can be a light pre-workout snack, a cup of coffee or my new trick - Alert Caffeine Gum. It's a caffeinated chewing gum for adults that provides 40mg of caffeine, or about the same as half a cup of coffee, one 12 oz can of soda or a half of one 8oz energy drink. What I love about it is the fact that there is literally no effort involved - just chew your gum and get the boost! It's super portable and does the trick for me. Learn more about it HERE.  

November 30, 2017

Lighting Solution with Lamps Plus


As you know I have been working on decorating my new space for almost half a year now, and finally all pieces are about to come together. The final touches were lighting and art. While art is already in the mail, I was finally able to concentrate on lighting. I am thrilled I discovered Lamps Plus at a perfect time, they have so many amazing lighting solutions. Their table lamps help me satisfy two rules of thumb: You should have a mix of light sources at different levels and appropriate lighting for whatever you are doing in the room (i.e. reading).  Go check out Lamps Plus site and their inspiration pages for more!

November 26, 2017

Copper Makes it Better with Absolut Elyx


Being originally from Eastern Europe, I am expected to know the difference in the quality of vodka. And I have to be honest here, I haven't tried all vodkas in the world, but I tried a few, and I can give you a few tips on how to establish whether the vodka is good or not. There are two characteristics that I go after when choosing the right vodka - the brand, that I trust, and the price. Alcohol is the one product you can't be cheap with, because it's the key factor of the whole experience of drinking it. Most of us drink it socially, so it's important to have the whole experience safe, luxurious and entertaining. Plus it's not just the alcohol, it's everything around it - from where you drink, who you drink with and what you drink from. For those reasons, my ultimate favorite is Absolut Elyx, which is the ultimate expression of Absolut Vodka. It's the first single estate copper crafted luxury vodka of exceptional quality and silky smooth character. It's produced using winter wheat grown on one single estate in Southern Sweden, where the company traces and controls the quality every step of production - from seed to bottle.
Absolut Elyx is more than just a vodka brand - it's a liquid that tells a story with a lifestyle that embodies the hospitality, integrity, playfulness, warmth and style, which, by the way, happen to be my personal values as well! Especially integrity - it's one of my key principles in life, and I am glad it's one of the main values of Absolut Elyx. From the way they make the vodka to their environmental policies and water donation program, they truly redefine luxury and high quality business. That's the company I want to support!
Did you know how copper plays the lead role in the production of Absolut Elyx? The whole process is known to select few, but copper is integrated in every step, from copper catalyzation to rectification. It's their unique way in which Absolut Elyx gets its rich silky mouthfeel. And since it's all about the experience, the ultimate addition to vodka drinking is the glassware, where Absolut went above and beyond with their copper barware. It looks and feels luxurious and precious, which makes the whole experience 10 times better. Visit Absolut Elyx Boutique and check out their timeless stemware and bartools. Or at the very least, treat yourself to some Absolut Elyx and celebrate in style! And take advantage of 25% off site worldwide if you order until Monday night! Hurry up!

November 20, 2017

The Perfect Gift for Holiday Parties



Holiday season is the busiest time for me, but when the holidays actually arrive, it gets peaceful and quiet. It's the perfect time to reconnect with friends or family, decompress and disconnect for a little. And the best gift for me is time. Time that I can share with people that matter. Thankfully they kindly invite me to their gatherings at home (I don't cook, so it's better to join friends that do :)). I used to be anxious about being invited, because I never knew what to bring, until I found the perfect gift and a great companion to every party involving adults - wine! It's the best holiday gift that I repurpose for different invitations. I try to make sure that the packaging looks festive, it always adds a little holiday cheer to the whole gift giving experience. Wine creates warm memories and is a great way to connect and reconnect during those rare get-togethers!
As you know, I am a fan of Wente Vineyards wines in particular. Red or white, you can never go wrong with them! Plus they have the wide variety of wines for every budget. Wente is offering a 25% OFF discount on their site exclusively for you guys! Just enter 25TOAST at checkout! Cheers!