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Favorite Things Gift Giving Guide

written by Carol Crincoli, Pure Pilates Director

If I had to share my wish list with you this year, I would tell you that I crave comfort, things that spark joy and experiences that make me smile or stimulate my brain. I started thinking about what I would want this holiday season way back in October and how I could capture this comfort and joy for our community.  The final product? The Pure Pilates Holiday Care Package. Our entire staff created 9 – 15 minute workouts for you to enjoy throughout December and the dreary month of January. We offer classes for all levels of fitness. Rent for yourself or give as a gift that keeps on giving into the new year.

The studio has also put together must have Pilates props that everyone would want for their virtual workouts.  Check out our website to see all of our recommendations. I am grateful for my team and how they always show up for me and the Pure Pilates community. They have great ideas to help with your holiday shopping. Now, if you can imagine Julie Andrews singing in your ear as you read this:

 “Brown paper packages tied up with string. These are a few of our favorite things!”

Holiday Shopping may just get a bit more merry!

Check out Gratitude Soapery! Julie Chan’s friend, Kristin Blomquist, left the corporate world and now owns this company. Kristin has an amazing story and we are excited to share Julie’s gift pick! Gratitude Soapery handcrafts small batch beauty and bath products designed to enhance the power of intention. They believe in providing cues that help call to mind all the intentions you want to manifest.  The candles and soaps create strong sensory connections that help you create the platform to support your intentions. 

Need a special hostess gift or something to show your appreciation to your child’s teacher? Laura Kerwick loves the hand soaps and lotions from Molton Brown. “Whether just a soap or one of their gift packages with soap and lotion, their scents never disappoint.”

Laura Harrell has a game that can be enjoyed by a wide age range. “Elementary school kids and grandma can play Qwirkle at the same time! It’s one of my favorites.”

Check off everyone on your list with Katie Huddleston’s picks for adults, children and just about anyone you can think of.  For the grown-ups, send an annual membership to Masterclass, where they can learn and be inspired all year long.  Pro Kites USA make beautiful kites for the kiddos. You may even be able to fly it on a perfect cold, crisp winter’s day!  And for a truly unique idea, grab up to 20 of your closest family and friends and rent an AMC movie theatre.

Need some stocking stuffers? Kathy Celardo has got you covered.  Just in time for the winter and those chapped lips, Dr. Lipp Sweet Potato Tint is Flavor, Fragrance, GMO, Paraben & Cruelty-Free. She also recommends keeping your hands silky smooth with L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. And for every woman, like Kathy and I, who carry these gigantic handbags and can never find our keys, The Key Purse Hanger from The Grommet. Purchase a bunch of these stylish accessories for all your favorite girlfriends.

“You can never go wrong with Toe Sox for the Pilates enthusiast.” Marcellina Mele would love to have them in her stocking!

Tiffany Mortimer receives a great gift every year from her college roommate, who is from Bermuda.  “She sends me Christmas ornaments from various places we used to visit together or just little reminders from my visit to Bermuda (a star filled with Bermuda sand, or a Bermuda cedar ornament).  These aren’t big gifts but small reminders that always make me smile.”

“Every morning I wake up to Syd and he is always smiling!” Carol Crincoli purchased Syd from Suburban Monk for herself and many people on her holiday list last year.  If you frequent the studio, you are greeted by Syd as you walk through the door. The tiny ones make for great stocking stuffers or as lovely gifts for a co-worker or teachers.

Rebecca Noerr – “I love gifts from Etsy – especially wellness packages (spa, candles, aromatherapy) they are very unique, come in a nice package or basket and you are supporting independent creators.”

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Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.