Archive for December, 2012

We Can’t Look Back Without Looking Ahead: Hopes & Goals for 2013

Sunday, December 30th, 2012

Every year the week leading up to January 1st seems to have a similar tone to it – we take a deep breath to mark that the holidays are behind us, we make plans for ringing in the new year, we remember highlights from the year that’s coming to a close and talk about what we want to accomplish in the year ahead. Maybe it’s just me but this year feels a little different. I was never really fearful that the world would end with the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, but the fact that it didn’t really excites me – it’s like a new lease on life!

I hear a lot of media and people a-buzz talking about what they want to change about themselves or their lives in 2013; the theme “New Year, New You” seems to pop up every year. For the team at Zobha though, it’s not about reinvention, it’s about continuing to grow, evolve, and challenge ourselves in new ways. 2012 was a big year for so many people and as we sat around the office talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly, it became apparent that we can’t look back at all that we’ve accomplished without looking ahead at everything on the horizon – both personally and professionally. In talking to the team I realized that while not everyone sets a “new year’s resolution” per se, everyone has goals, dreams, hopes for the future and I felt compelled to capture some of the most popular themes amongst our team:

  • Spend more time with loved ones. Some people have specific things they want to do with children, spouses, parents, friends, etc., and some people just generally spoke about being more connected to the ones they love, but the theme of spending more time with loved ones was a popular one.
  • Volunteer for a charity or organization that speaks to you. At Zobha we are always looking for ways to give back and many of us want to take it one step further and build that dedication into our personal lives as well.
  • Enjoy what we have. Take time to read a book purely for pleasure, enjoy the great outdoors more, appreciate your surroundings – we work so hard for all that we have, but like Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
  • Be healthier. Setting new workout and fitness goals, holding ourselves to a higher nutritional standard, and working to limit the stresses of every day life.

From our family to yours, we want to thank you for all your support over the years for helping to make this brand more than a clothing brand, but a community of people that want to make a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our loved ones.

Have a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Jen & The Zobha Family

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The Skinny on The Latest Diet Fads

Monday, December 24th, 2012

The holiday season is a time for giving thanks, being merry, and spending time with our friends and family, but let’s face it, it’s also a time of great temptation and stress. We’ve been talking a lot about ways to battle the pounds between holiday parties and family feasts. There’s lots of interest today in fad diets like cleanses and juice diets. There’s no blanket solution to fighting the inevitable holiday weight gain, but we explored some of the latest crazes and gathered our findings here to help determine what solution is best for you:

 

  • Cleansing: Cleanse diets gained a lot of attention when Beyonce used the Master Cleanse to drop pounds for the filming of Dream Girls. The Master Cleanse is just one of many cleanses on the market but here are a few important things to keep in mind:
    • While a cleanse is not a long-term diet solution, it is a great way to reboot your normal workout and diet regimen, especially after a period of social eating and added stress like the holidays.
    • Look for cleanses that have the best nutritional make-up; cleanses made up of pressed juices versus pasteurized are best. The Zobha Team found Blue Print and Evolution to be good options.
  • Juicing: Juice diets vary from being structured like cleanses, to a lifestyle change where healthy juice blends are substituted for meals. When doing a juice diet the first question is whether to juice or to blend. If you’re a novice to juicing, here are some tips for figuring out which is best for you:
    • Smoothies are pulverized fruit and vegetables into liquid form, which maintains the nutrients and vitamins. Juice is made by separating the liquid and most of the nutrients from the pulp, which fanatics of juicing claim speeds up the process of getting vitamins and nutrients to your body.

These are a few ways to keep your system clean and functioning at its best, but holiday weight gain isn’t just about over eating, stress is a big factor for many people. It’s important to take time, even if its just 20 minutes a day, to do something for yourself. A brisk walk or run, a yoga class, or a good hike are a few ways to free your mind and distress. A little bit goes a long way!

Before making any drastic changes to your diet you should consult your doctor. This information is what we found helpful, but there is a plethora of information out there and in the end you and your physician can determine what’s best for you and your body.

 

Cheers to a happy & healthy new year!

The Zobha Team

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Highlights from the Jeffrey Levin Trunk Show

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

It was such a treat to have Jeffrey Levin, the artist behind our Jeffrey Levin for Zobha jewelry collection, in our new store in Mill Valley this month. As we’ve articulated in past blogs, the coming together of two artists is really a beautiful thing and at Zobha we are so happy to celebrate this collaboration within the Zobha community.

Jeffrey was in the Zobha Mill Valley store for 2 days showcasing his full collection and exposing the Zobha community to even more of his beautiful styles and unique handmade jewelry pieces. The reaction from the community was everything we hoped for. People were able to speak with Jeffrey directly and hear the story behind how he created special pieces.

All of Jeffrey’s jewelry is handmade from precious metals and inspired by unique and beautiful things that Jeffrey has encountered. A few of my favorite pieces will forever stand out in mind because of the story behind them.

This piece comes from the Jeffrey Levin NDU line, which is a collection inspired by Jeffrey’s South African heritage. This particular piece is from the Coming of Age collection and signifies the right of passage that boys go through in South Africa when they become young men. When you’re looking at the collection and hearing Jeffrey talk about the ritual you can feel the history and influence behind each piece.

Another favorite of mine, was the Roset Pendants. At first glance it may seem like a relatively simple piece but hearing the amount of time Jeffrey spent molding each rose petal perfectly really gives you an appreciation for the attention to detail, care and craftsmanship that goes into every piece he creates.

 

The best part was, if you couldn’t decide which piece you liked most at the trunk show, Jeffrey found a way to make something special and unique just for you, so a few lucky customers went home with custom, one-of-a-kind pieces! He is an amazing artist. A great friend. And an inspiring individual.

I hope you can join us the next time Jeffrey joins us in Mill Valley. Follow us on Facebook for information on upcoming events.

 

- The Zobha Team

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3 Tips to Finding a Workout Class That Suits You

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

Hello Friends of Zobha,

If you’re anything like me, you know how hard it can be to find a workout class that motivates you and keeps you coming back for more. I have tried a ton of different classes but even after I find the type of workout I want to do, I wind up trying a number of different instructors before landing on the one that’s right for me. As a result I have found myself getting in a rut and not trying new workouts. To keep myself going I have put together a short list of to-do’s before I sign up for a new class! Hopefully these can help others experiencing the same struggle:

  1. Prior to signing up, research your options online or on Yelp. This way you can get a gist of what students have experienced in the past including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  2. Make sure to look into whether or not there’s any prep work needed upon arrival. For example, if they prefer you to show up to class 10 minutes early, this would be the perfect time to call ahead and check!
  3. Last but not least, make sure to pick a class that suits your fitness level. From yoga classes to boot camps, this ensures you know what you’re getting yourself into!

Hopefully these tips will help end your tiring and strenuous search for the perfect class.  As for now, what’s the latest workout class you’ve taken?  We want to know!

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Introducing Jewelry | Jeffrey Levin for Zobha

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Update (Published 12/3): Jeffrey Levin will be bringing his exquisite jewelry collection to the Zobha store in Mill Valley this weekend! If you’re in the area but sure to stop by and meet the artist himself. He’ll be showcasing a broader selection of his designs and will be taking orders for custom, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Jeffrey Levin Trunk Show @ Zobha, 30 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA

Friday, December 7: 12 – 6PM

Saturday, December 8: 10 – 2PM

Original Post (Published 9/17)

It takes courage for an artist to enter the creative space of another artist.  And even more so to attempt a collaboration.  But when the endeavor is inspired and the motive sincere, the result is art and the artists’ gift to one another is respect and admiration.  I know this to be true, because it happened when I met Jeffrey Levin: jeweler, kindred spirit and creator of the new Jeffrey Levin jewelry collection for Zobha.

This past Spring, Jeffrey Levin (pronounced Le-veen) invited me to his home in Santa Monica to begin work on a small gift to myself: a bespoke set of stack rings.  After admiring his lovely home, we compared sketches and exchanged ideas.  The real work began, however, when Jeffrey brought out an exquisite antique chest of drawers.  When opened, it revealed rows of small compartments that held his jewelry making tools, as well as the precious metals and stones that he uses in his designs. It was a joy to touch and work with materials so very different from the ones that I use at Zobha.  As we worked, Jeffrey shared his personal story and how it has influenced his artistic journey.

He was born in Cape Town, South Africa to parents of Lithuanian and Egyptian-French ancestry.  His father and uncle were both jewelers and he spent much of his childhood in and around his uncle’s workroom.  Even now the “distinct sounds and smells of hammering,” are his favorite part of jewelry making.  Outside of the workshop and his family home, Jeffrey observed and was inspired by the Ndebele people of South Africa-particularly their vibrant, celebratory “coming-of-age art.”

Jeffrey takes pride in his classical training.  He apprenticed formally for four years in his nativeSouth Africa.  The systematic, disciplined program focused upon technical mastery and skill building, but Jeffrey also had to tackle courses in gemology, design and theory.  After completing his apprenticeship he worked for some of the finest jewelers in South Africa before the political strife of the times led him to New York City.  Success followed, and so too a longing for our warm California sun.  His pieces are  fresh, modern, elegant but with an edge.  Jeffrey’s designs mix metals, precious stones and organic materials in a way that complement our Zobha aesthetic beautifully.

Almost all of us wear at least a single piece of jewelry.  Whether a ring or a string bracelet, these small treasures might  represent a life created, a friendship forged or a cherished memory-one that we can relive each time we glance down at a finger or wrist.  I gave my daughter Julia one of the necklaces in the new collection.

It’s made up of our initials, which are cast in silver and nestle against a tiny rose gold heart.  When I see it, I am reminded of the jeweler and how carefully he set those letters into the metal and how close the wearer is to my own heart.  Zobha’s new jewelry collection is available now at www.zobha.com.  I know you will love it.

With Grace,

Jamie


 

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