LifeStyle – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Feeling Fabulous at Two Bunch Palms

Try as I may, I cannot think of another word as Fabulous to describe the word “Fabulous” as Fabulous as this one. There just isn’t another word. Even superlative doesn’t cut it.

“Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax.” – David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.

Stress-Free Productivity is exactly what took place this past Wednesday with a fun group of powerful women – all part of “The Fabulous Woman’s Club” of Palm Springs.

FWC Website: https://thefabulouswoman.club/

FWC INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thefabulouswoman.club/

The club consists of a supportive group of women entrepreneurs (or former entrepreneurs) and creatives that meet up monthly to catch-up, network and/or just hang out. Usually over cocktails at a swanky venue. Of late, we’ve switched it up a bit to include private shopping events and local excursions (which may expand to exotic destinations at a later date). So exciting.

Our fabulous founder Dylan Dray, is an entrepreneur herself, with a background in the fashion, music and real estate industry. She’s also a licensed realtor.

Originally from Australia, she moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago to work in music licensing as a songwriter, and several of the songs she wrote ended up in prominent TV series like “Breaking Bad”,“Grimm” and “Pretty Little Liars.” In 2016 she swapped the fast paced life of Hollywood for the gentler pace of Palm Springs. Although, I would venture to say that her life here is nothing short of exciting. She’s on the scene and is a sought after model at various fashion events.

Some of Dylan’s passions include meditation, pilates, felines, looking glamorous and eating chocolate croissants! If she wasn’t so nice you could easily hate her (just kidding!).

Her idea to take an excursion to the famous Two Bunch Palms wellness retreat in Desert Hot Springs was met with many “yesses” from our crew This special retreat features several pools and a grotto featuring mineral waters from natural springs on their property, over 600 years old.

The spa offers treatments from world renowned healers. One of the women in our group ended up getting a massage which she then raved about. The rest of us spent time in the healing waters and took in the tropical scenery. Then we lunched. It was all very productive.

Our day started with a golf cart ride from the gated entrance to our private change room where we met up. We then soaked in several of the mineral pools and grotto (which we shared with a duck) and a toast with champagne (thank you Kathy), before having lunch in the So-Cal inspired restaurant on the premises. We started with an amazingly refreshing non-alcoholic drink made with cucumbers, chia seeds, fresh squeezed lemon juice and agave necter. Everyone loved it and everyone wants to make it now. You could easily turn it into a cocktail by adding… you guessed it; tequila!

These photos give you a little idea of the scenery surrounding this ideal location and our fabulous meetup. Thank you Dylan.

See Two Bunch Palms Website Below:

TO BOOK A SPA TREATMENT OR STAY:

https://www.twobunchpalms.com

“Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. Go some distance away, because work will be in perspective and a lack of harmony is more readily seen.” —Leonardo da Vinci

FYI – the last time I visited Two Bunch Palms and learned about the fascinating history here was in 2015 with my late husband Don, and my late best friend, Colleen (who passed away 8 months after Don). I posted about the visit here: https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2015/02/22/travelhealing-spa-two-bunch-palms/

Art & Culture

Maison Bleue Moderne

Oh, just another magnificent modernism maison.

I love observing how other people live. Very nice of the owners to open up their homes and let others take a peek inside and make them feel terribly envious by doing so. I was feeling very Bleue in this home…but in the most positive way.

This home is like stepping into a vacation. It’s a nod to the owners’ appreciation of beauty and being by the ocean with a modern nautical theme (despite being in the desert) as variations of water colors flow throughout, from vibrant turquoise to rich navy blues. It’s just gorgeous. I’m aware that I overuse this word but I just can’t think of another better word to describe this house and many others on the modernism open home tours.

Michelle Boudreau (pic below) recently re-designed the 1958 William Krisel originally designed Alexander Company home. She seamlessly merged materials and new spaces with modern technology while respecting the existing mid-century cherished design details.

“***The philosophy of the renovation was to establish a good relationship with the existing structure as it had beautiful bones***.” Boudreau states. I did notice that she herself has beautiful bone structure. Just had to add this tidbit of info.

To create a poetic home that embraces the Palm Springs lifestyle, Boudreau selected from brands such as Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Hunter Douglas & Tidelli.

The 2,400 square foot artful interior space boasts four bedrooms & four bathrooms. And lots of ~~gorgeous~~ attractive coffee-table books which I adore. The home and the books are inspired by the owners’ colorful personalities and passion for sailing and travel.

The home is nestled below the San Gorgonio mountain range in Vista Las Palmas, Palm Springs.

Simply breathtaking!

All photos: d. king

Modernism week is on until February 27th. Get tickets for events while they last here:

https://modernismweek.com/

Health + LifeStyle

Supplement Sunday: CoenzymeQ10

CoQ10: More than just Heart Health

Composition with food that contains Coenzyme Q10.

This article was written by Chancellor Faloon from Life Extension Magazine (the science of a healthier life).

I’ve been taking Life Extension Supplements which unfortunately are not available in Canada (although you can order them online) for over a year now and have had no issues whatsoever with asthma or otherwise. The quality is top-notch and I’ve added CoQ10 to my repertoire of necessary supplements. Their magazine offers so many interesting articles…so I thought it best to share a few from the experts – starting with CoQ10. References are included at bottom of page.

While CoQ10 is best known for promoting heart health, research is continually showing a diverse range of body-wide applications.

CoQ10 Improves Metabolic Syndrome
A meta-analysis was done of trials that tested coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on patients with metabolic syndrome. Compared to a a placebo, CoQ10 supplementation lowered inflammation markers and increased levels of a cell-signaling protein related to improved regulation of glucose and fatty-acid breakdown.¹
CoQ10 Increases Blood Flow
In a clinical trial, CoQ10 (ubiquinol) improved cardiovascular function, as shown by increased flow-mediated dilation² (widening of an artery when blood flow increases) and levels of nitric oxide (which aids in dilation). Harmful LDL oxidation was reduced with a higher dose.³
CoQ10 Enhances Exercise Performance
Exercise performance and several biomarkers related to fatigue were improved in mice and humans given CoQ10 (ubiquinol). Liver and muscle glycogen content increased, providing the body with more fuel for prolonged exercise.^4-6
CoQ10 Increases Cellular Energy
In a cell study, CoQ10 (ubiquinol) was able to prevent age-induced oxidative stress, increase the formation of new *mitochondria (the cells’ energy generators), and was associated with the removal of old, damaged *mitochondria.⁷
CoQ10 Protects Aging Heart Muscle
A recent review shows supporting evidence that CoQ10 can benefit heart failure patients by preventing age-related reductions in myocardial (heart muscle) ATP, the powerhouse of our cells.⁸
CoQ10 Mediates Inflammation
To see if CoQ10 could prevent damage that may occur with strenuous exercise, 100 firemen were randomized to receive CoQ10 (ubiquinol) or a placebo. The CoQ10 group had significantly improved hematological (blood) parameters, increases in beneficial growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines.⁹
CoQ10 Protects Against Acetaminophen Liver Injury
A study in mice found that CoQ10 protected against acetaminophen– (Tylenol®) induced liver injury. CoQ10 also enhanced removal of damaged *mitochondria.¹⁰

*Mitochondria (in the most simple terms I was able to find) are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are **organelles that act like a digestive system which takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy rich molecules for the cell. The biochemical processes of the cell are known as cellular respiration.

An** organelle is a subcellular structure that has one or more specific jobs to perform in the cell, much like an organ does in the body.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

Dludla PV, Orlando P, Silvestri S, et al. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Adipokine Levels and Alleviates Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Conditions of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 4;21(9).
Kelm M. Flow-mediated dilatation in human circulation: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2002 Jan;282(1):H1-5.
Sabbatinelli J, Orlando P, Galeazzi R, et al. Ubiquinol Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Subjects with Mild-to-Moderate Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 15;12(4).
Chen HC, Huang CC, Lin TJ, et al. Ubiquinol Supplementation Alters Exercise Induced Fatigue by Increasing Lipid Utilization in Mice. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 23;11(11).
Cooke M, Iosia M, Buford T, et al. Effects of acute and 14-day coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise performance in both trained and untrained individuals. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Mar 4;5:8.
Orlando P, Silvestri S, Galeazzi R, et al. Effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after intense exercise in young athletes. Redox Rep. 2018 Dec;23(1):136-45.
Niu YJ, Zhou W, Nie ZW, et al. Ubiquinol-10 delays postovulatory oocyte aging by improving mitochondrial renewal in pigs. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Jan 20;12(2):1256-71.
Di Lorenzo A, Iannuzzo G, Parlato A, et al. Clinical Evidence for Q10 Coenzyme Supplementation in Heart Failure: From Energetics to Functional Improvement. J Clin Med. 2020 Apr 27;9(5):1266.
Diaz-Castro J, Moreno-Fernandez J, Chirosa I, et al. Beneficial Effect of Ubiquinol on Hematological and Inflammatory Signaling during Exercise. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 6;12(2).
Zhang P, Chen S, Tang H, et al. CoQ10 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing mitophagy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 1;410:115355.

Health + LifeStyle

LifeStyle: details, details

It’s all in the details

(fyi – no animal was hurt to make these products – not even the tiger rug).

Love these trays – reminds me of another brand I love.

In a nutsell…worldly, mixed up, eclectic, exotic essentials for the home. Even just a little something sprinkled here and there around the home makes one feel more alive.

Elevated Kitsch meets Glamour in a colorful manner.

Photos this page: d. king

https://detailsbymrk.com/

Store location – South Granville, Vancouver.

THINKAboutit

Monday Mood: Resolutions

I didn’t make any resolutions this year because I remember what happened last time.

Actually I didn’t make any last time either. But I can see what happens when you do. It can get disappointing.

One of the most popular resolutions is to get more in shape starting January 1^st. Like making a resolution to work out more at your gym, but wait a sec…your gym is no longer open. Or; to finally take that trip or cruise you’ve been putting off forever. Except…notice that they’re making it a little harder to travel by air or boat these days? Or; sign up for that new course or maybe take a dance class…but we’re not allowed to sit together or touch one another. It’s a whole new era. One hard to get used to, and one that will hopefully change sooner than later. Add to that, the political climate (history has a way of repeating itself but this time it’s really different) and all appears out of control.

On the plus side is having to come up with alternatives and solutions. We’re more crafty and smarter than we give ourselves credit for.

We must take control of our own lives. We must do our own homework and critical thinking because depending on who you talk to, you’ll get two completely different versions.

Forbes Magazine said:

“We are living in a new era dominated by Millennial hoodie-and-Converse-wearing billionaires, a world in which a staggering rate of change and disruptive innovation is the order of the day. Old-fashioned charisma is no longer enough to get attention, get ahead, or get the job anymore. Now, it’s those with the fearlessness to go after what they want and the audacity to do it how they want, who are making their mark and changing the world.”

I can’t change the world but if I could change some things about myself…

Here is my personal Wish List of outstanding attributes in a person in no particular order:

The Wit of Fran Lebowitz

The Body of Raquel Welch (circa One Million Years B.C.)

The Knowledge of Einstein

The Power of Oprah

The Talent of Meryl Streep

The Voice of Whitney Houston

The Riches of a Rockefeller (I don’t need to have as much as Bezos – a Rockefeller will do).

The Athletic Ability of Serena Williams

The Strength of Wonder Woman

The Chutzpah of Cher

The Charisma of Princess Diana

The Style of Coco Chanel

The Chicness of Jackie O

The Coolness of Kate Moss

The Patience of a Buddha

The Tenacity of Ruth Bader Ginsberg

The Respect of – Rodney Dangerfield

How about you?

Answer really quickly. TRY IT. If you could have:

The Wit of

The Body of

The Knowledge of

The Power of

The Talent of

The Voice of

The Riches of

The Athletic Ability of

The Strength of

The Chutzpah of

The Charisma of

The Style of

The Chicness of

The Coolness of

The Patience of

The Tenacity of

The Respect of

This was fun right?

We can always try to imagine what it’s like to be in another’s shoes. Speaking of shoes:

In light of everything that’s happening now (or not) my plan in the absence of going to film and wine festivals, fashion shows, restaurant openings and other gatherings, will be to focus on publishing health and beauty articles, tried and true recipes, art, fashion, culture and canine news. May the gatherings be temporarily put “on hold.”

“Unreported Truths” author Alex Berenson stated “Don’t be afraid of Covid. “ Don’t be afraid of one another.” This is a respiratory virus. It spreads between people. And the only way to make it go away permanently is to lock us all away permanently. And that can’t happen. That is not compatible with life.

Life is short. We want to Live it!

So what’s it going to be for you?

STYLE

Tracy Turco’s style: because we can all use a little glamour

Ummm… maybe high impact glamour is what I really meant to say.

Photo taken from Tracy’s new Website (see link at bottom of page).

Tracy is someone I met in Palm Springs last year and I’m happy that she’s become a friend. Needless to say, Tracy stands out from any crowd and has a multitude of talents to her credit. There’s almost nothing that she cannot accomplish. She’s also a gracious hostess. I find her inspiring.

And earlier this week she launched a new website that lists all of her creative ventures and adventures. To name a few.…if you’re looking for a cool place to stay in Palm Springs you might consider the ART Hotel, Tiki Hotel or Tiki House that she personally designed.

For now, I thought it would be perfect to share a tidbit of information taken from her actual website. At the bottom of this page you can go directly to the website where you’ll find everything you need to know.

Taken from Tracy’s website:

The creative mind behind brands such as SalonTea, Tracy Stern Shoes, Tea & Co. and a whole lot more, Tracy Turco – formerly Tracy Strern – is an artist, designer, author, hotelier, entrepreneur and style icon residing in the midcentury mecca of Palm Springs. As an interior designer she has brought her touch to numerous stylish residences and businesses, as well as vacation homes and colorful boutique hotels such as the Tiki House, Art Hotel and Tiki Hotel in Palm Springs, not to mention her own home decor collection.

Tracy also attended numerous Paris fashion house shows as well, regularly seen front row dressed by luminaries such as Emanuel Ungaro and Guy Laroche to name but a few. She was voted ‘Best Dressed New Yorker’ five years in a row by the respected Avenue magazine, and has also featured on style-driven TV shows such as Bravo’s ‘Mad Fashion’.

Tracy’s shoe line came into being when she created a patented design for interchangeable uppers on a shoe giving multiple shoes with just one pair.

From there the Tracy Stern Shoes line took off internationally, selling to destinations such as Japan, Russia, Paris and Italy. It was equally popular with celebrities around the world including the likes of Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan.

Didn’t I tell you she was inspiring? For more go to:

http://tracyturco.com

My Previous Post: Tracy’s Tiki Tea Party:

https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2020/02/11/life-style-tracy-turcos-terrific-tiki-tea-party/

Girl Who Would be King

Feel-good Friday: Stir Crazy

The only upside of self isolating is all the time you have for self reflection. Which, by the way, can be a positive.

Having said that, we would prefer it be of our own accord. Not a forced thing.

But since this is a totally new situation we try to make the best of it. I don’t know how you’re handling it but I’m spending quality time with my dogs (more than usual), getting back to reading, watching movies on TV (mostly comedies; one million ways to die in the West, etc.) and stirring the pot; for real. Good opportunity to get back to good ol fashioned cooking. Something else that had fallen by the wayside with my over abundance of socializing. Also time to work on a little project I’ve been mulling over to do with Palm Springs. More on this later – no one’s going anywhere for now.

As I’m leaving Palm Springs shortly I’m using up the contents of my fridge and trying to be as creative as can be with the contents. Note: there’s not much left to the imagination.

So last night I roasted fresh compari tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, spices and chilli peppers. Fresh squeezed lemon over top and grated toscano pepper cheese. Very simple comfort food with spaghetti. Simply delicious. It doesn’t take many ingredients to make a great meal.

I also want to say that I posted a few poems the other day. To those who follow via e-mail I believe I made a mistake in publishing one of the poems. At first I thought it was timely, but when I re-read it, I realized it was more depressing than uplifting so I decided to delete the post from my website. Also; we don’t know who the author is, so best to leave it alone.

These are strange times for sure. Something like covid-19 virus has never happened in our lifetime. Let’s hope things get back to normal soon. However, maybe this will make us wake up to what is most important in life in general. Simple but important things like Health, Family, Friends.

And one more positive – it’s officially SPRING! I’ll meet you back here very soon.

beauty

Beauty in a box: Rachel Zoe’s Spring box of Style

The Spring box of Style never felt so good as at a time like this. A little pick-me-up.

Here’s what’s inside:

**ERNO LASZLO** Hydraphel Skin Supplement

This is considered one of those holy grail skincare items. Erno Laszlo was one of the first luxury skincare products. He had many famous clients. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Ava Gardner to Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich and Jackie Kennedy. That’s not a bad lineup.

This one is an easy-to-use toner that offers high-impact results to your regular skincare routine. It gently clears away flakes and aging skin cells while it sweeps on calming, skin-renewing nutrients. So far I love it. It reduces redness too while supporting natural renewal and repair. Retails at $60.00

**R + CO.** Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion

I’m starting to pay more attention to hair health (more on this in a separate post). For now I use this vegan + cruelty free lightweight hydrating cream on damp hair for a smooth finish. It leaves hair soft, glossy and manageable. Retails at $29.00

I must admit when I first found out there was yet another camel bag in the Spring mix I was not so excited, as I already own several. However, this one is different. It’s a sueded 2-tone vegan leather shoulder bag with an interior pocket that’s appealingly structured, and comes in quite handy as a lightweight shopping bag. Very nice. Retails at $74.00

I own many gold, silver and beaded bracelets that I love but there’s something about a chain-link bracelet that adds instant glamour to everything. This elegantly crafted chain-link by Rachel’s friend Nikki Reed you can wear with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to an evening gown. Wear alone or with other bracelets. It’s 6″ with a 2″ extender sustainably made with gold plated recycled brass. Retails at $195.00

These tortoise and black sunglasses are both striking and timeless and supposed to look great on everyone….except me. We got a choice between the two and I chose tortoise. Yet again; my sister gets another pair of my sunglasses that don’t suit me….but they all happen to look great on her.

Retails at $85.00

Get exclusive seasonal styles delivered right to your door…four times a year! And don’t worry, you can change or cancel your membership at any time with no questions asked. How great is that?

https://www.boxofstyle.com/

All images: taken from Box of Style Website

Health + LifeStyle

Vitamins to help boost your Immune System

In light of all this pandemic panic we can use a little humour:

However on a more serious note:

I, like countless others am staying put right now. Of course I’m still walking my dogs outdoors and I have gone to yoga (with my own mat) but for the most part avoiding social interactions as much as humanly possible. Taking the COVID-19 situation more seriously now especially since I’m still in California, planning to make my way back to Vancouver very soon. So many events are cancelled. It takes something really major to cancel popular sporting events, parties and music festivals. Many businesses have already begun to suffer. Hope we get back to some normalcy soon. Only time will tell, for better or for worse.

Until then, trying to stay healthy with a morning tea concoction of fresh squeezed organic lemon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, apple cider vinegar + organic raw honey. It’s delicious. Followed by a cup of coffee with added cinnamon to the grounds. This incorporates some of the super spices. Mid morning I usually make a smoothie using frozen organic blueberries or açaí, half a banana, fresh (or frozen) ginger, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, topped with organic unsweetened almond or coconut milk, 3 Tbsp. of organic whey protein (grass fed bought at market) + a little turmeric powder. It’s the best! Taking lots of vitamins too and trying to get plenty of rest. Emphasis on trying.

**My lineup** includes **Super Omega-3**, **Ester-C,** Advanced **Turmeric** (because I broke 2 fingers), **Mega B** **complex**, **Vitamin D3**, **L-Lysine**, Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes, **Probiotic** (has Prebiotics from Inulin), Extend-Release **Magnesium**. Layla + Jia Jia are stress releasers (*sometimes* *not* so). Not shown: ***Leaf** **Source** + ****Samuraw** **Organic** **complete** *but only because I’m out*.

Other recommended supplements to help boost your immune system: Quercetin, N-A-C (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) to treat respiratory issues such as bronchitis – an amino precursor to glutathione, and 2 grams of Vitamin C per day.

What’s the difference between an Epidemic and a Pandemic

An epidemic is defined as “an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time.” A pandemic is a type of epidemic (one with greater range and coverage), an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. While a pandemic may be characterized as a type of epidemic, you would not say that an epidemic is a type of pandemic.

Epidemic is a term that is often broadly used to describe any problem that has grown out of control such as an event in which a disease is actively spreading. In contrast, the term pandemic relates to geographic spread and is used to describe a disease that affects a whole country or the entire world.

Even so, it doesn’t do much good to panic….unless of course, you test positive for the virus. And even then, your survival rate depending on factors of age and overall health are not dire.

Wishing you a weekend of wellness. Let’s keep our fingers crossed (and washed) that this terrible virus will go away in short order.

I recommend the two products below available online and in select health stores. Full disclosure: both are formulated by my brother Brad King. Aside from him being my brother, you should know that I believe these are excellent quality products and would take them regardless.

*Leaf Source: The world’s cleanest + most powerful humic – fulvic acid complex. Find out more at: https://leafsource.com/

**SAMURAW NUTRITION: the very first truly natural 100% whole food derived multi-vitamin/mineral/probiotic. Available at: https://www.samuraw.com/

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

STYLE

Thick as Thieves – a boutique

Have you ever walked into a boutique and wanted to sit down, make yourself at home, have a cup of tea and just enjoy the space?

Thick as Thieves in Palm Springs is such a place. You kinda want to move into the place.

Look up, look way up. The macrame was done by hand by the owners mother. All of it. Photos: d. king

Thick As Thieves was started by Jeremy Smick and Samantha Caltagirone, a husband and wife team who packed up everything they owned and moved from the Midwest to beautiful Palm Springs, California to open their first brick and mortar boutique store in early 2017. With a little budget and a lot of creativity, the duo created a highly curated shop of handmade goods, gifts, clothing, oddities and unique finds that blend industrial, primitive, modern and global styles. In December 2019, their store was named 1 of 50 Best Home Stores in America by House Beautiful Magazine. They’ve also been honored to be included in Goop’s Travel Guide as Best Shops in Palm Springs, California.