DASHA®’s Co-founder and Lifestyle Director, Shannon Russo-Pollack, turns the big, fabulous 40 this month. Every month Shannon writes a column for the DASHA® blog about some of her favorite things in beauty, food, fashion, culture and at DASHA®, so we thought we’d find out 40 of some of her most favorite things (that you didn’t necessarily know she loved) in the world and share them! See if her list doesn’t have you smiling and laughing as much as us.
- Giving a big hug. Who doesn’t love to be hugged?
- Receiving a big hug. Again, who doesn’t love to be hugged?
- Inspiring people. It is so fulfilling when I am able to do something that makes a difference in someone else’s life. (This is why I love DASHA® so much!)
- Sunshine on my face. It’s the best medicine there is. It feeds my soul!
- Reading short inspirational quotes. They are great for life perspective and can keep me going all day long.
- Spending time with childhood friends. Oldies, but the best goodies. There is nothing like picking up right where you left off, as though no time has passed.
- Weekly mani/pedis. A good mani/pedi makes me feel put together on the outside, even when I’m scrambling to catch up on the inside.
- Blowouts. God bless the person who invented the hair dryer and the stylist.
- Wearing high heels. In my dream house, I would have an entire large closet devoted to high heels with red soles of course!
- A spoonful of marshmallow fluff with peanut butter. A little protein, a little indulgence! We all have our guilty pleasures!
- Dover sole. My favorite fish! It melts in your mouth.
- Breakfast with my kids before they go to school. This is the most precious, treasured time of the day with my family.
- Starbucks Green Tea Lemonade. My favorite mid-afternoon pick-me-up!
- After dinner espresso. So decadent. So delicious. I chase it down with a glass of water.
- My daughter’s voice. I love to hear sing and how happy it makes her!
- My son becoming a man. The other day he was trying to teach me about algorithms. I was like, “Where did you come from?!”
- Moments with my mom that only we can understand. You only get one mom, and I wouldn’t trade her in for anyone else!
- Standing on my head. I feel like a kid. I think I balance best on my head and in heels! Things look more interesting when you turn it around.
- My BFF, Blake. We speak our own language.
- Laughing. Instant stress buster and feels oh so good.
- Cajun ribeye steak. My absolute favorite! @Del Friscos in NYC and @Prime110 in Miami.
- Los Angeles. The sun, the palm trees, the air, the beach and my girl Nikki!
- My team at DASHA. We are so fortunate to have the best people in the world working for us.
- VINCE. Our little dog with HUGE personality.
- Acupuncture. My heaven, my zen, time with myself, my healthy high!
- Diet Coke. Sometimes, in the middle of the afternoon, it is the best thing in the entire world. I would pump it intravenously if I could.
- Herve Leger Dresses. Feminine, elegant, hot and sexy as hell!
- My Aunt Fran. Thank you for being in my life.
- Angelo’s on Mulberry Street. My favorite Italian restaurant!
- Entrepreneurs. I love people bold enough to come up with ideas and make them happen and deliver.
- Oprah Magazine. Say what you will, there is only one Oprah. She’s pretty darn amazing, and she has accomplished so much in her lifetime.
- My workouts. Always challenging and motivating but I never regret them!
- Discipline. There is nothing like actually managing to accomplish everything you set out to do that day!
- Green apples. Good for you, they taste great and they are the DASHA® thing!
- Grey Goose with club soda and a twist of lemon. My go-to drink.
- Mojito with extra mint. My go-to summer drink.
- Lady Gaga. Did you hear her sing The Sound of Music medley at the Oscars? That girl has so much talent and is the model for re-invention.
- Prince. Nothing makes me want to rock out instantly like Prince!
- Being able to my hold my own in a roomful of men. Women have come a long way, but we still have so far to go. Women are just as intelligent and capable as men, and I love seeing so many amazing women around me start and then run successful businesses! I find it very inspiring as our voices are heard more throughout the world.
- My family. They aren’t perfect, but they are mine!
What are some things that you love? Tweet @ShaPollack with the hashtag #fabat40.
DASHA® is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
