Reality TV to Reality, the Power of Crystals Endures

From "The Hills" vapid duo Spencer and Heidi Pratt (Speidi to those who love to hate the toxic couple) to Dina Manzo from "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," reality TV "stars" are crazy for crystals. So I felt a little like I was costarring in an episode of my own reality show when I visited East West Living book store in New York City.

My bracelet from East West Living.

My friend Simone and I stopped by one Saturday afternoon so she could get recommendations to soothe her eczema. I hadn't been inside East West in years and was along for the ride. Sky, a sales clerk and apparently the store's resident spiritual guru, recommended Simone mix a quality-grade of lavender oil and Shea butter for her eczema.

Meanwhile, I spotted an aromatherapy oil used to boost fertility. The store was out of the oil, but Sky said he had something better. A fertility bracelet.

For nearly an hour, I pondered purchasing the handmade bracelet ($30) -- made with rose quartz (enhances sexual well-being and confidence); moonstone (helps balance menstrual hormones and soothe anxiety); and green aventurine (promotes fertility, prosperity, and good luck) -- while Sky scanned my energy.

Sky concluded I need more calm and surrender to the intuitive, so I should incorporate pastel shades into my wardrobe and home. He also instructed me to switch sides of the bed with my husband -- something hubby's been trying to do for years. Conversely, he told Simone she needs more fire and grounding. So she should do squats, wear red, and surround herself with pink.

Who knows whether crystals or new age practices really work. But I'm open to alternative methods of health and healing, and emerged from East West Living with profound insight into myself, a few self-help homework assignments, and best of all my new fertility bracelet.

Comments

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

It's the end of an era. Conway discount stores are closing . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to New York City, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore. I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued. I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store. And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and white checkered pants with a matching lime green

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 Cultural Highlight: DanceAfrica Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Throughout Brooklyn

In her essay, " African Dance is Medicine for the Mind, Body and Spirit ," dancer, teacher and choreographer Cherie Hill wrote, "The more I perform African dance, the more I discover and enjoy euphoria. When the drums are beating and the body is dancing everything fits in sync and I feel limitless and powerful." Photo by Nate Palmer Hill is honored with a portrait by Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway that's on display at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House during the annual DanceAfrica Festival . The festival celebrates Black joy and resilience and the regal power of African dance. I mark my calendar each year for the DanceAfrica Bazaar, where I often run into old friends and see familiar faces. In a Brooklyn that has quickly become gentrified, I love to see us walking tall, beaming with pride and to quote Bey, "shining, shining, shining, y

The Re-Education of NeNe Leakes: The Reality Star Talks About College Hill, What Housewives She's Still Friends With and More

I’ve been a fan of The Real Housewives of Atlanta since the beginning. So I jumped at the chance to chat with original RHOA cast member and breakout star NeNe Leakes. It’s been a tough couple of years since NeNe parted ways with the show. In 2021 her husband Gregg lost his battle with colon cancer and earlier this year she filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, Bravo. But on the brighter side, the 54-year-old is dating again and starring in the BET limited reality series, College Hill: Celebrity Edition. Along with other headline-grabbing reality TV stars including, Big Freedia, Lamar Odom, Stacey Dash and Ray J., NeNe and the members of the cast lived together and attended classes at the historically Black Texas Southern University. We asked NeNe what it was like to go back to school, what the biggest misconception about her is, which housewives she's still friendly with, and more. Everything She Wants : What did it feel like being back in

Everything She Wants

Search This Blog