Enter This Gorgeous Valentine’s Day Giveaway (Courtesy of GC x Ballet Beautiful)
Our latest GC giveaway brings together two beautiful elements of romance, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Together with Ballet Beautiful, we are giving away one Othello pom pom basket (perfect for filling with beautiful flowers) and a pair of Ballet Beautiful’s signature satin street shoes, which were inspired by the original, elegant ballet flat worn by Audrey Hepburn.
“These elegant street shoes are handcrafted in Italy and inspired by ballet,” writes the Ballet Beautiful team. “The perfect shade of peachy ballet pink, these satin shoes with leather soles and removable satin ribbons will have you dancing down the streets!”
In honor of this collaboration, GC also caught up with Mary Helen Bowers, founder of Ballet Beautiful, to get the scoop on her wellness routine, fitness myths, and her enduring relationship to nature.
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GC: What does your morning wellness routine look like?
MHB: I start every morning with a huge glass of water. Staying properly hydrated is a big part of my health and beauty routine– it’s terrific for the skin and digestion. Drinking water in the morning sets me up to make better choices throughout the day.
I have two young daughters so things are pretty hectic once we are all up. We keep things simple and all eat the same breakfast, typically slow-cooked oats with fresh fruit, plus coffee with dark honey and milk for me. I try to squeeze in a few quick stretches for the chest and upper body plus plenty of snuggles with my girls before we are all off and running!
GC: What is the most common fitness misconception you see among new clients? Are there any “wellness myths” you find yourself needing to debunk?
MHB: I think that a lot of people are under the impression that you have to really punish yourself to get a great workout. I want people to know that you don’t have to beat yourself up in the gym to see results. Nothing could be further from the truth! Fitness should make the body stronger and healthier. If working out doesn’t make you happy, it isn’t working. We can all get incredible, transformative results by focusing on smart toning and lower impact cardio that will strengthen and sustain the body for many years to come.
GC: What is your relationship with nature and the natural world?
MHB: In NYC it’s always a challenge to connect with nature. Frequent trips to the park are key! When we travel I also make every effort to get outside and maximize, be it with walks on the beach, swimming or hiking. Little things like having a simple picnic are a great way to connect.
GC: What is your definition of “luxury”?
MHB: To me luxury is an experience that makes you feel incredible. It’s not about spending money, it’s about the quality of your time. There are many small things that we can do to feel pampered and loved in our daily lives. Luxury can be as simple as sneaking away for a cup tea and a little scone or dark chocolate, fresh flowers in your kitchen or garden and my favorite, a restorative workout in satin slippers to make you feel your best!
This giveaway has now ended. To check out our current giveaways, or to see our archive, check out our listings here.
