WORKOUT WEDNESDAYS Deskercise

We know we're not alone when we say that we've been so busy here at JMC! And this means, a lot of time spent at our desks with our heads forward, necks stiff and our backs in need of a good stretch. While most of us (hint, hint) get our blood moving on Workout Wednesdays, the rest of the days we remain staring at the computer screen in sure need of standing up. Or better yet, a couple of quick exercise moves that can be done around the office.

So we looked far and wide for great tips and here's the ones we think we can handle:

• Try doing jumping jacks for a minute every hour.
• Not a jumping jacks fan? Run in place instead for a minute every hour.
• Still sitting? Tap your feet quickly whenever you feel sluggish. The quick spurt of movement will keep you alert (and bug your office mate).
• Once you're done with feet taps, try doing leg lifts (both straight up and out) holding for 15 seconds on each side at least two times each leg an hour.
• Stretch your arms over your head and lean side to side slowly focusing on keeping your torso strong and the stretch.
• Strengthen your arms (and keep the aching down) by doing arm circles while still sitting.
• Try some ab rotations by holding your arms together (think I Dream of Jeannie) rotating your torso side to side. Do this for 30 seconds a couple times a day.

ECO STYLE Stewart + Brown

What makes Stewart + Brown so great, besides that they're are based out of our city of Los Angeles and have been at the front of the sustainable fashion movement for a decade, is that as trained artists, they marry their love for the craft of wearable goods with art effortlessly. (Just look at these images from their Holiday 2011 lookbook!)

Beyond this, their clothing is created from GMO and pesticide-free fibers, crafted using reusable textiles and they give back for every purchase you make. Coupled with the fact that the clothes are truly wearable and you can count us as big fans.

A DAY IN THE LIFE Tree Trimming

Rumi Joon and I just wanted to share a little holiday spirit with you after our weekend in Pennsylvania. When we're out there for QVC, we stay at the home of friends. Because we're out there so often, this has become our second home and so, we all gathered around the tree as one big "family" to decorate the tree! Well, Rumi was Chief Elf in charge of this project, but we all tried to help her.

Hoping you had a wonderful weekend with your little elves (or big elves)!

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Smoke

Our Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Smoke is a set of colors that complements any shade of eye in a subtle yet dramatic way. Think colors to build on that can give you a shiny highlight for day or give you a smoky, rich, bold eye for a night like New Year's Eve. We pulled the dazzling evening sky and the silver and edgy look from Chanel's Fall 2011 show as inspiration for using this one-palette wonder. Cheers to a little sparkle:

-For a simple shimmer, use your fingers or a soft brush to blend the Base/Highlighter (soft white)  over your lid and in inner corners.

-For a stronger look, build on your all over shimmer (either using Base/Highlighter or Crease color) by adding the Liner and using the Lid color to blend out from the corner of your eye.

-For a truly smoky eye, start with Base/Highlighter and blend on top lid. Then take Crease and using a soft eye brush, blend in the inner corner of the top lid to about the middle of the eyelid. Use Corner Crease and blend along the top line, and into the outer corner of your eyelid to create a silver smoke look.

-Tip: These colors complement our Argan Mascara in Jet Black. 

GET THE LOOK Nina Ricci Fall 2011

Sometimes the only thing you need to put you in the holiday party spirit is a pop of color on your face. And what better color than punchy coral pink to compliment your sparkly attire, winter whites or to just liven up your mood? Nina Ricci kept lips bold and eyes soft for her Fall 2011 show and we felt like it was a perfect look to get you from work straight to that seasonal soiree in a few easy steps.

1. Keep your skin clean and dewy with the Argan Cleansing Oil, followed by our Argan Primer Mist and finished with the Argan Tinted Moisturizer.

2. Dab the apples of your cheeks with our Argan Cream Blush in Sunrise.

3.Using a soft brush, swipe your lids with Argan Eye Shadow in Pinkalicious. In the outer corners of your eyelid, sweep a bit of Divine, blending well. Coat your lashes with our Argan Mascara in Jet Black. 

4. Carefully line your lips with our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Jive and then fill in generously. Pow! You're set. 

WHAT WE'RE DRINKING Holidays 2011

In the world of beauty, December is joyful, spirited and inevitably, our busiest time of the year. Come the weekend, we all look forward to a chance to wind down, take a deep breath and forget for a moment the mile-high stacks of products and the late evenings working hard. For some of us it's yoga to relax, for others it's spending a Saturday reading, but for the rest of us. . .especially in this chilled air, it's a holiday sip that we look forward to. Hey, a Hot Toddy with fresh lemon has been known to ward off a cold.

So we share with you our favorite seasonal concoctions.

Cheers!

 

BBC: Mulled Wine

Cocktail Remedy: Wassail

Martha Stewart: Eggnog Cocktail

The Kitchn: Pumpkin Buttered Rum

Deliciously Organic: Cranberry Amaretto Kiss

Sweet Tea & Stilettos: Hot Toddy

JOSIE'S PICKS Little Creatures

Having a 5-year-old, I'm always on the hunt for toys and fun things that will inspire Rumi's imagination and make her playtime whimsical and interesting. As a family, we really make our focus about creativity through interaction and games rather than teaching her to turn to the TV for entertainment. Yes, she's seen me on QVC a few times in her life, but this is a girl who'd rather run around than stay still under the spell of the tube.

Handmade, these gifts are simple, charming and make for perfect gifts for that little creature of yours. And a little tip, if you do buy the animal set, why not purchase the book The Mitten that they were inspired by? Enjoy!

1. Rustic Patriot Girl Bunny Slippers 2. Frieda's Tierchen Fox Mask 3. Mud Hollow Felt Animals 4. Colette Bream Animal Tails 5. Hi Tree Giant Sequoias 6. Hydra Heart Vegan Shearling Hat

IN THE KITCHEN Simple Vegetable Soup

On a rainy day like today, there is nothing better than a warm bowl of homemade soup. As for this recipe, it is a real vitamin-packed cold-fighter (both of the sickness and the temperature) and it is wonderfully delicious on the second day. We recommend making a batch in the evening for supper and then taking some for lunch the next day. Paired with toasted bread and a bit of shaved parmesan, mmm....stupendous.

We suggest you make it your own by using whatever vegetables you love as it is completely fool-proof. Around here we've added some fresh corn, zucchini, even some organic Italian soy sausage for extra protein. You can find the recipe here.

Do you have any gray day soup recipes? Tell us!

12 DAYS OF ARGAN Giveaway

In the spirit of the season, today we're kicking off our 12 Days of Argan, a twelve day, twelve giveaway series of our best products. Every Monday through Friday until December 23, we'll be offering up a chance to win on our Facebook which, if you're a reader here then you should be a follower there, right? Of course!

To find the product of the day you can check here for the reveal.

Good luck and lots of love!

P.S. This offer is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. All winners chosen at random.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Dancing

Recently, Refinery29 picked my brain about my favorite way to stay fit and while you might expect that I have a go-to class or something more interesting, I actually am just a fan of shaking my groove thing. You know, dancing! Any kind of dancing (as you may remember I signed myself up for some little-known dance show a few years ago. You may have heard of it. . .)

But, it's true. To move to the music surrounded by friends is not only a great night out, it's also an amazing way to stay in shape and to burn a few of those gingerbread calories (I don't know about you, but those seasonal baked goods are piling up in our office)! And best of all? While you're getting your heart rate up to the beat, you'll probably forget that you're even exercising. But you are. Check it out (average 150 lb. person/60 min):

Ballroom: 378 Calories
Disco: 394 Calories
Salsa: 321 Calories
Swing:  306 Calories
Hip Hop: 465 Calories
General: 306 Calories