SEASONAL TRANSITION
I’ve been building out my “inner beauty” routine as we are transitioning from autumn to winter, to be more mindful of looking inward and implementing energy-giving, soul-inspiring moments throughout my day. As the seasons change, we have to be super intentional about the new routines we are creating in our life. For me, I have started to notice how daylight savings and the shorter days of light affect my mood. Since realizing this, I’ve started trying to get to sleep earlier so that I can wake up earlier and have a longer day -- which makes me feel more energized and excited about the day, rather than focused on the shorter hours of sunlight.
I’ve also been trying to be more mindful about paying attention to the things that have been giving me energy or taking energy from me. I made a list that may be helpful to creating your own list:
ENERGY GIVERS
Dancing to music in my living room
Going to yoga / moving my body every day (without hesitation / excuses)
Making lists of small, achievable tasks for each day
Getting organized / cleaning my space
Taking my supplements
Preparing a nourishing meal
Meditation / prayer
Going to bed early / waking up early
ENERGY TAKERS
Staying up late
Alcohol
Too much caffeine
Eating unhealthy food
Blue light at night
Lack of focus
Mindless scrolling on social media
The first few energy givers I grouped into a mental note just called “movement.” In the spring I found a yoga studio super close to my house and started regularly going once a week, and since then have transitioned to going 3-4 times per week. I can honestly say that whenever I go, I always have a better day. Because I have been consistent about going, I feel that I’ve been able to notice the physical, emotional and mental impact that working out has on me.
The next mental category I’ve created for things that give me energy is called “focus.” For me, this entails not getting into a headspace of going over and over in my mind, all the things I need to get done. I would often get into a space of procrastinating or making excuses as to why I couldn’t work on something even when I had the time to do so. Instead, honing in on “focus” has meant transitioning into a headspace of making lists of productive, achievable, smaller tasks that I can check off throughout the day for a sense of progress, rather than only making checklists of big tasks that actually require many small tasks to accomplish. This helps bigger goals seem more attainable in the moment, and has helped me stay focused and excited while working on more involved creative projects. I would also group meditation into this category, as I have been switching it out for scrolling through social media before I go to bed and right when I wake up. I end my day with nature sounds, and start my day with a guided morning meditation.
The third category for me in focusing on what gives me energy is “nourishment.” This means taking time to prepare foods, snacks, drinks, and meals that will make me feel good and help me have an uplifting day, while also being intuitive and listening to what my body is craving. I also make sure to take my daily supplements: vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin D, omega 3’s and a multivitamin. I’ve also been taking a few new supplements by Olly Wellness for my “inner beauty” routine:
has antioxidants, minerals and botanicals for purifying skin
has melatonin and l-theanine for renewing your skin while you sleep
reduces fine lines & boosts skin resilience
So as we go through seasonal transitions, centering your headspace on movement, focus and nourishment can be so helpful in times of change.
This post is sponsored by Olly Wellness. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
MELLOW MOUNTAIN MOOD
This blog post is sponsored by OLLY Wellness. As always, all opinions and recommendations are my own.
Summer is coming to an end, and with it, I can feel the transition of the seasons taking me from an energized & high-intensity mindset, to a more reflective and relaxed headspace. I decided to take some much-needed time to chill in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado this week -- a place where I’ve lived and grown up and makes me feel like my most centered self.
I often need to remind myself that it's okay to take time to rest. For me, I tend to get caught up in my everyday to-do lists, work, and even the personal goals I set for myself mentally, physically and creatively. I'm beginning to realize that rest is not just as mindless as "taking a break" but it's actually a really important & restorative part of the creative process as a whole. I think that it is so powerful to be able to go do or explore something different for a while, and then be able to come back with fresh ideas and new perspectives on whatever you may be working on. I took myself down to one of my favorite spots by the river, did some journaling, shot some film photos of the sunset, and just listened to how quiet it was. I sat next to the water on the smooth rocks: breathing deeply and taking it all in.
Whenever I'm going to have some chill time to myself, I also bring along my Miss Mellow supplements from Olly Wellness, with herbal ingredients like chasteberry & dong quai root for helping with mood swings and balancing hormones -- to help you create your own peaceful bliss wherever you go.
Since we can’t always escape to the mountains, I think there are ways we can implement rest in our daily routines, without making it seem lazy or unintentional. One way that I think we can encompass rest is by building it into our day by setting aside a specific time for it. If you are similar to me, I tend to only “rest” once everything I need to do is complete in a given day. But usually, I end up feeling so burnt out by the time that I can accept the “rest,” that I feel like I’m unable to be intentional with how I rest. I have started to build rest into my day by taking mini breaks throughout the day. I give myself an attainable 2-3 smaller tasks to accomplish, and reward those little victories with something that will revive my mood and put me in a refreshed headspace. Whether that be a 10 minute walk outside, making yourself an iced oat latte or doing a meditation, taking time to reset throughout the day has become such an important part of my routine.
I’ve also recently been learning so much when it comes to my cycle! I’ve done some research on the four stages of the menstrual cycle, so I can be more in tune of when I should really let my body rest. These Miss Mellow supplements are also great for helping with PMS symptoms!
This is what I eat & focus on in my four stages of my cycle:
Menstrual Phase: a time for inner reflection, nourishing my body, and making self-care a priority, I eat warming foods, teas, root vegetables & berries
Follicular Phase: a time for creativity & new beginnings, I eat lots of veggies like broccoli, carrot, citrus fruits, and fermented foods
Ovulatory Phase: high energy levels, I eat lighter foods like quinoa, spinach, tomatoes, nuts, as well as herbs of dandelion & maca for detoxing & balancing the body
Luteal Phase: a time for organization, rest, and I navigate sugar cravings by eating foods with vitamin B, such as sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and herbs of ashwagandha to help balance stress
During my Luteal & Menstrual phases is usually when I’ll take the Miss Mellow supplements on a daily basis, when I need some extra herbal support through cravings & mood swings. Miss Mellow also has another natural plant ingredient called Isoflavones, which have powerful properties that help keep hormones in check during PMS.
All in all, I hope you’re able to integrate rest into your daily routines, find some time to spend outside, and learn more about how you can be best in tune with your body’s natural rhythms.
Lots of love,
A
SUNSHOWERS
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Moen. All opinions are 100% mine.
Hi friends, happy summer! We celebrated the summer solstice this week with an exciting new house project -- we decided to install our very own outdoor shower in our backyard! After moving into our cute beach house a few months ago, we thought it was about time to create even more ways to spend time in the beautiful California sunshine. The summer months are such a special time to be in Southern California: going on bike rides, spending long days swimming in the ocean, and spending time with friends! Having an outdoor shower has been such a dream of mine for so long, and I wanted to take some time to share our process of bringing it to life.
First of all, I knew we would definitely want a rain shower head for our project. I started looking for showerheads that would work well for rinsing off after the beach, with a handheld component to rinse sand off of our feet. I found out about the new Nebia by Moen Spa Shower, which actually uses a special spray technology to create the sensation of more water, while actually using almost half! I was so happy to find out that it even came with a separate magnetic handshower. Sourcing products like this that are better for the planet, and that conserve resources, is always so important to me as well. I was very impressed with the design style of this showerhead, and decided to order it in the Chrome/White colorway.
For the base of the shower, I ordered this freestanding shower base made of hardwood and fir wood. It ended up being the perfect, simple piece that we needed to attach the showerhead to. We actually separated the base from the back piece, and attached the longer piece to the wall, so we could add some extra height! I love that it even came with a shelf for our ceramic soap dish, and my favorite clean & organic shampoo & conditioner.
To add a little more aesthetic to the shower area, I picked up a wicker towel hook, a white wooden step stool, and even planted a tiny olive tree in a terracotta pot -- which also gets watered by the shower water, and let’s a little less water go to waste. It’s so great to have found a shower system that allows us to conserve water, and have such a cute place to rinse off after salty days in the ocean.
The Nebia by Moen Spa Shower was pretty simple to install -- we just followed the easy DIY instructions that came in the box! It was so seamless to set up, that we actually were able to finish this whole project in just one day. I was particularly pleased that we were able to connect it to our outdoor water hose, with no problems at all! You can also definitely install this showerhead inside, to turn your bathroom into a total spa experience.
If you want to check out more of thoughtfully designed home products from Moen , you can follow this link!
WINTER BLUES WELLNESS ROUTINE
This blog post is sponsored by OLLY Wellness. As always, all opinions and recommendations are my own.
This year I am focusing on listening to my body more & giving myself grace on a daily basis. Taking time throughout the day to slow down and reset has become one of my favorite mindfulness practices. I will usually either just take five minutes to light a candle & journal about how I'm feeling, or go outside for a quick walk in the sunshine. When I take time for these things, it affirms that I am actively drawing awareness & love towards the way I'm feeling -- to acknowledge whatever is stressing me out, let it flow, and refocus.
In 2021 I am choosing to listen to my body better, to be more in tune with my physical, mental, and emotional states. As I’ve been reflecting on some mindful aspirations I have for this year, I came up with a new wellness routine I hope to use as a guide for myself, and hope you can find something that resonates with you to bring into the year ahead as well. This is a list of things we can all come back to, pick & choose what feels right for our bodies on any given day, and implement into our daily practices.
MAKE ART
As a creative person, who mainly focuses on photography, writing, and styling for work, I think it’s so important to set aside time to create just for fun. Sitting down at my kitchen table with some watercolors and an empty sketchbook page is such a calming activity. I also enjoy taking a drive to the beach and shooting film photos of the colors of the sunset. Even writing poetry in my journal or arranging a bouquet of flowers recharges my creative energy so much.
SPEND TIME OUTDOORS
Just being outside energizes me more than anything. Going outdoors to feel the sunshine on my skin is the most healing thing I can do for my body when I feel stressed. Even if I only have a few minutes to step outside, each moment is so restorative. If possible, consider even bringing your work outdoors for a change of scenery and breath of fresh air. These practices don’t always have to be a “break” from work -- they can be incorporated into your daily routines.
EAT NOURISHING FOODS
At the beginning of quarantine last year, I’ll be the first to admit I was side-tracked by the stress of the state of the world, and I craved comfort foods all the time. I’ve learned to reframe my mindset of what is “comforting” to my body to consume when it comes to food. At the beginning of 2021 I decided I was going to be more conscious in the decisions of what foods I was eating, and I have never felt better. Eating fresh, organic fruits & veggies has made my body feel so invigorated and cared for. There is something so empowering about choosing to eat foods that are good for you, and something even better about taking the time to cook something nourishing for yourself.
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
I have a daily practice of taking many different types of vitamins! For me, I currently take these daily supplements: Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D + K2, & Omega 3’s. As an OLLY Wellness Ambassador this year, I am so excited to try out so many of their amazing, natural supplements, to see what works best in my overall wellness routine. Lately I have been trying out taking a few Goodbye Stress gummies -- which has an herb called lemon balm for helping to quiet the mind. I’m so inspired by the power of plants, and how they can help restore, support, and invigorate our bodies & minds.
MOVE YOUR BODY
I always used to make excuses about not working out. I used to go in waves of working out a lot consistently, and then long stretches of not at all. I recently realized that if I wanted to be kind to my body consistently, and take time each day to let my body move, it was just a decision I had to make. I found a new path around a lake near my house that I love doing a morning walk or jog around. I also found that my local yoga studio was doing zoom classes, and even started doing a cardio dance class I now love, that I found on YouTube. Working out looks different for everyone, you just have to find what practice brings you joy. I promise that you will always feel better after working out, than you felt before. Even if you only have 15 minutes, give yourself that time to create those endorphins that will recharge your day.
HYDRATE
Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day -- listen to your body and what it’s telling you. There’s no magic number for how much water everyone should drink in a day, but I have found that having a big mason jar filled with water sitting at my desk encourages me to stay hydrated throughout the day. When I wake up in the morning is usually when I feel the most dehydrated, so I always make a cup of tea, and pour myself a small glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
CLEAN & ORGANIZE:
If I feel stressed and unfocused, cleaning and organizing my space always seems to help. I feel like I can always do my best work in a calm, clean, peaceful, quiet environment. It also alleviates stress because I usually am able to get rid of things -- and decluttering is something I’m constantly trying to do this year. If something doesn’t bring me joy, I’m choosing to donate it, sell it, or give it to someone who could use it. I don’t like throwing things away, which is where the clutter comes from sometimes. I’m always looking for ways to reuse or repurpose clothing, glass jars, containers, tote bags, etc. But also always trying to simplify and only have what I really love, wear, and use.
REST & RECHARGE
It’s so important to carve time out in your day to just be. Whether that is laying on the couch and reading a book, or vegging out and watching a show, it’s okay to allow yourself that time. My favorite way to rest and recharge from work is spending time with the people in my life. As an extrovert, I always feel so happy after having a good conversation with friends or family. Maybe it’s just taking an evening to do a face mask, light candles in your room and listen to quiet music. Whatever recharges you, I would encourage you to take some time each day to do those things.
Wishing you all a restful & mindful 2021.
-A
3 DREAMY GETAWAYS CLOSE TO LA
Since living in California for the past two-and-a-half years, I’ve had the chance to explore so many different landscapes and awe-inspiring nature that this beautiful state has to offer. From coastal treehouses to cabins in the mountains, I’ve put together a list of my top ten favorite Airbnbs I’ve ever visited in California.
1. The Big Bear Treehouse is one of my favorite places to stay in the San Bernardino Mountains. You can walk right from the cabin and into the National Forest, for an early riser-hike, or a walk under the stars and pines.
2. I first explored Los Alamos in the summer of 2019, and found it to be the cutest little town — complete with a few delicious cafes and places for wine tasting! The Bodega House is adjacent to Bodega Los Alamos, making it the perfect wine-tasting stay.
3. In the canyons above Malibu, is my very favorite place in SoCal: Topanga Canyon. The winding tree-lined roads, hiking trails, and ocean views, make this the most ideal place for a quick getaway out of LA. I’ve stayed at The Topanga Bungalows multiple times: including a night in their adorable tiny house cabin.
BEST FALL CABINS IN SoCal
One of the first places I grew to love in Southern California was Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 2 hours outside of Los Angeles, along with Idyllwild just above Palm Springs. The quaint character of these mountain towns makes them the coziest places for a fall or winter getaway.
1. A cozy getaway in Lake Arrowhead is the Morning Woods A-Frame — nestled among towering pines. Inside you’ll find a warming fireplace, and a lofted bedroom for snuggling to watch the snow fall.
3. Idyllhaus This mid-century gem in Idyllwild is filled with thoughtfully curated modern mountain furnishings, and complete with a beautiful soaking tub looking over the forest.
4. One of the most renowned Airbnbs in Idyllwild is none other than the Idyllcreek A-Frame — a secluded & updated cabin originally built in the 1960s.
5. This magical Rancho Pines A-Frame cabin is nestled in Lower Moonridge of Big Bear Lake. Afternoon light pours into the bedroom at the top of the house, and is the coziest place to bake berry crisp, or take a dip in the hot tub under the pines and stars.
GO WATERLESS
This post is sponsored by Waterl<ss! As always, all opinions are my own.
Springtime always makes me so appreciative of all blooming things — nothing can grow without a healthy balance of sunshine & winter. Lately, I’ve been thinking so much more about water conservation.
Conserving our water usage keeps water pure and clean, while also protecting the environment. Only 2% of the Earth's fresh supply of water is locked in ice caps and glaciers, while 97.5% of the earth's water is saltwater. I was so excited to find out about Waterl<ss Hair Care — a company with a mission to help people of all hair types and textures get great hair without having to use water!
I’ve particularly been a fan of their Dry Conditioner, which is so moisturizing for dry ends, and detangles hair without water. Waterl<ss is also conscious of their ingredients by making their products paraben-free and sulfate-free.
I’m really interested in learning more about the impact we have on water pollution — and eager to hear from more companies who are making a more conscious effort for conservation!
A LIFE OUTDOORS
Thanks to REI and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!
A life outdoors is a life well lived -- filled with hiking through pine trees and playing in the snow. This year, I’m making a conscious effort to celebrate sustainably by cozying up in REI’s new sustainable line of garments and goods. When you shop on REI.com, you will often have the option of selecting one of the following sustainability attributes:
↠ Animal welfare
↠ Fair Trade ↠ Organically grown cotton
↠ bluesign® : this logo on a material or product tells you that environmental, health and safety issues have been thoroughly addressed during its creation.
↠ Recycled materials
↠ Forest Stewardship Council™️
REI Co-op just came out with a new sustainable line of clothing, inspired by a trip to Norway that the REI Co- Op founders took to Norway in 1969. This year, the co-op wanted to nod to that history through a collection honoring Norwegian heritage and style. Some of my favorite pieces from the collection are the Wallace Lake Beanie and the Norseland Insulated Jacket. I also picked up these super comfy Active Pursuits Capris and Emergence Fleece Pullover for a cozy day of snowshoeing. I also brought along my REI Co-op Hydro Flask Life Coffee Flask, filled with hot cocoa for a morning walk through the pines.
Some of my favorite ethical brands that are available at REI are Patagonia, Stasher, and Saola! I’ve particularly been loving these sustainable shoes by Saola, which have so many cool eco-friendly components and are available at REI!
↠ These shoes have removable insoles made from natural cork and BLOOM®: a plant-based foam made with algae biomass (algae is renewable feedstock sourced from lakes and ponds) ↠ The stitched uppers deliver the look and feel of suede but are made with recycled PET from plastic bottles; each pair is made of 3-4 recycled bottles
↠ Each pair of Saola shoes sold supports wildlife preservation projects. It feels so good to give mindfully this year, and to encourage the people I love to get outside more this snowy season.
Patagonia has some amazing sustainability efforts as well -- my favorite new pants for hiking are my Grand Pitch Cords. They are so comfortable, and even have Fair Trade Certified sewing. As a brand, Patagonia has the mindset that the best products are functional, repairable and, most of all, durable. Their goal is to minimize their impact on the environment and produce gear and clothing that lasts for generations – and can be recycled if necessary so the materials remain in use and not in landfills.
It feels so good to give mindfully this year, and to encourage the people I love to get outside more this snowy season.
FUELED FOR ADVENTURE
Up at our favorite cabin in Big Bear, brewing up some morning goodness to fuel up for a full day of hiking ahead. It’s been so fun starting our mornings with pumpkin pancakes and a warm cup of coffee — so easy to brew with the new Mr. Coffee HotCup Single Serve/Pod Free Coffeemaker!
I love that this coffeemaker is pod-free, so I can start my day with a conscious decision to reduce my daily waste in such an easy way. This coffeemaker has a more sustainable focus, as it eliminates the single-use plastics of single-use pods. Instead, I just use 1 compostable filter, scoop up my favorite organic grounds, and let the Mr. Coffee coffeemaker work its magic!
A few minutes later I’m sipping a cozy cup of coffee while making breakfast with friends. There’s no other way I’d rather start this beautiful holiday season.
I’m so excited to be partnering with Mr. Coffee on this post, and as always, all opinions are my own!
AUTUMN IMMUNITY
Fall is always the season where I feel most creative: the colder air, drives up the coast or through the mountains, and colorful leaves, all inspire my creative practice this time of year. After weekends spent exploring, I always come back home feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work.
Especially during this busy season, I want to make sure I’m taking a step back to care for my body and health. Growing up, I always took elderberry to keep my immune system up during the colder months.
Olly just came out with an Active Immunity + Elderberry Immune Support Vitamin, with Zinc, Vitamin C, and Echinacea — a coneflower used in herbal medicine, known for its antibiotic properties!
I also love that these little vitamins have a Blood Orange flavor, and Olly does not use any artificial flavors or colors! Adding a routine of mindfulness for my body this fall to stay healthy :)
BREWING MINDFULNESS
There’s nothing quite like cozying up at a cabin in the woods, enjoying a hot cup of coffee in your favorite camp mug. A few friends and I ventured out to Lake Arrowhead, California for a few days in the mountains. On our first morning at the cabin, we woke up to the sunrise and made paleo banana pancakes for breakfast, along with organic Peet’s Coffee! We brought Yosemite Dos Sierras, a blend with chocolatey and nutty flavor notes. This Peet’s Organic blend is also Rainforest-Alliance certified. Peet’s has ethical initiatives to support communities and the environment where their coffees are grown. This particular blend comes from Finca La Cabaña, which is a sustainable estate on the southwestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia. This place is renowned for its biodiversity and natural coffee production.
Peet’s has direct relationships with many coffee farmers, to better understand the social, environmental, and economic conditions on farms. As an advocate of the planet, I think it’s so important to understand where the things we consume come from: whether that’s clothing, food, products, or coffee -- so that we may know better the impact we leave through the things that we purchase. Making mindful decisions about what I consume brings me so much joy, especially when brands like Peet’s go an extra step in providing consumers with important sustainability, environmental, and ethical information to consult when considering their coffees!
Be sure to take Peet’s Organic Coffee on your next adventure or incorporate it into your brewing options at home. Click here to see where you can purchase it for yourself.
I’m so excited to be partnering with Peet’s Organic Coffee on this post, and as always, all opinions are my own. P.S. this coffee is truly delicious!
MOUNTAIN MORNINGS
Celebrating National Coffee Day by reminiscing of mornings spent in the mountains. Last time we were up in Yosemite, we got to call a little airstream our home for a few days while we explored the National Park. Our mornings were spent waking up with the sun pouring through our windows, and coffee pouring into our camp mugs.
It was so easy to bring along our Mr. Coffee At-Home Pour Over for brewing up some morning goodness -- so we were fueled up and ready to head out and explore for the day.
The Mr. Coffee At-Home Pourover has a little screen, which walks you through a step by step guide of the pour over process! This makes sure you get the right temperature and ratio and of water and coffee, thanks to the integrated auto measure scale. It also comes with a temperature controlled gooseneck kettle, which allows water to flow evenly through the coffee grounds to create the boldest flavor. The guide also makes sure to let you know when to pause for blooming!
This post is brought to you by Mr. Coffee, but as always, all opinions are my own!
RISE + GRIND
I often find that early mornings are when I feel most inspired and invigorated for the day ahead. There's something about getting a good night of sleep, waking up with the sun, making a cup of coffee, and beginning my work day from my little sunshine-filled home workspace.
The newest addition to our kitchen is our Mr. Coffee At-Home Pour Over for brewing up some morning goodness. I love how this setup has a little screen which walks you through a step by step guide of the pour over process! It’s been such a therapeutic and relaxing part of my morning routine as we’re getting closer to fall — staying cozy these September days with a dark roast in my hands and warm sunlight pouring in the windows.
This post is brought to you by Mr. Coffee, but as always, all opinions are my own!
WAKING UP OUT WEST
Sam and I are currently on a road trip from California to Colorado. On our first night of camping, we drove into the night to our camp spot in Sedona, Arizona. We arrived late that night, made some grilled cheese, and fell asleep under the stars in the back of Sam’s old Land Cruiser: cozying up with our new Blue Plaid Fleece Blanket by Ozark Trail. We woke up to a desert sunrise, with golden rays peeking through our windows. We pulled our little camp stove out, made some breakfast tacos, and of course, some pour over coffee. Sam has been teaching me how to measure out the perfect ratio of water and coffee beans, in a therapeutic process to craft the perfect morning cup of joe. We sat on the back of the tailgate and enjoyed the sunshine while sipping from our Ozark Trail Tumblers, before setting out for another day of exploring.
Thanks to Walmart for partnering with me on my summertime travels. As always, these opinions are all my own. You can pick up all your summer camping goods by clicking HERE.
SHOP THE POST
SUMMER MANE
In the summer months, I think that messy hair is often a sign of a good day: those windows-rolled-down, driving by the coast sort of days. I love creating a tousled, salty-hair inspired wavy style for my everyday look lately. Taming my summer mane just got so much easier with my amazing new Bed Head Blow Out Freak™ One-Step volume booster dryer. It also has Ego Boost™ Mixed Pattern Bristles for volume, definition and texture :) It’s so great to be able to create those voluminous beachy waves in a matter of minutes, so I can get back to exploring outside.
This post is sponsored by Bed Head and Her Campus Media. As always, all opinions are my own :)
HONEST TO GOODNESS: CLEAN SKINCARE
Hey babes! So happy to be sharing a few polaroids from last week, celebrating the kickoff Her Conference with Honest Beauty — one of my favorite lines of clean skincare & makeup products. I honestly love so many of their products, especially their volumizing mascara and sparkly eyeshadows. I also brought home a few new products to try out: including the Gentle Gel Cleanser (which I found to be so refreshing!) and also the Organic Beauty Facial Oil (which uses avocado and apricot oils to make your skin super luminous and glowy).
It was incredible to actually be able to chat one on one with some amazing people from the Honest Beauty team about how they are redefining what people think of when it comes to clean beauty with their Honest Free Guarantee. This means that Honest Beauty promises that all their products are free of harsh ingredients like Parabens, Silicones, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Fragrances, Dyes and many more! In an effort to always be more mindful about the products I use on my skin & face everyday, I love knowing that my Honest Beauty essentials are made with clean, safe ingredients and actually work.
To check out all my favorite clean-beauty favorites from Honest Beauty, you can click HERE.
This post is sponsored by Honest Beauty and the InfluenceHer Collective. As always, all opinions are my own.
MINDFUL SLEEP
As I've been getting settled into my new apartment, I've been trying to create mindful habits to cultivate rest. I've been getting in a routine of making a cup of tea with honey, putting on my essential oil diffuser, lighting a few candles, and reading some of my favorite books.
Self-care is so important, and purposefully setting time aside to care for yourself is an act of self-love.
When I was in college, I took a class about sleep and the importance of rest, and it really inspired me to be more mindful about creating healthy sleep patterns. It’s so easy to just throw on a movie or scroll through your phone when you get into bed at night, or reach for your phone right away in the morning. I can honestly say that on the nights I am not on my phone for about 30 minutes before I go to bed that I get a better night of sleep. Blue light from computer or phone screens makes your brain think that it’s day time, time to be alert, which can definitely disrupt your sleep schedule. Also I have found that when I wake up, turn off my alarm, and I don’t directly check social media but instead light a candle or journal for a few minutes, I always have a more positive day.
Right before I go to bed, I also have been taking 2 Beauty Sleep gummies by Olly Nutrition. They are even a certified B Corp! These gummies have honestly helped me get a better night of sleep, and I wake up feeling refreshed and ready for more days spent creating. Their melatonin gummies are made with L-Theanine and botanicals like chamomile and lemon balm. These gummies are an important part of my night time routine — as they also encourage a calm feeling, and support a healthy sleep cycle.
This post is sponsored by Olly Nutrition, but as always, all opinions are my own.
HERE COMES THE SUN
Sunlight for the skin is like poetry for the soul — both arise in you a warm glow. Every afternoon, golden sunshine pours into my windows, always making me think about what light does to everything it touches. In a physical sense, light provides depth and contrast, brilliant highlights and shadow play. Metaphorically, when someone is full of light, you can feel their warmth, their kindness, their presence so vibrantly.
I just moved into my new apartment, and I’m still arranging and re-arranging the furniture around. All I knew is that my bed absolutely needed to be facing the windows so that I could bask in the light every time the sun comes around. Last night, in what feels like the first time in a long time, I sat down with my journal and a couple of my favorite books, and cozied up in my new favorite organic cotton sheets by Under the Canopy.
The cotton used to make their soft & breathable sheets and pillowcases was grown and sourced responsibly, and contain no GMOs or pesticides. These practices respect both the Earth and the health of the farmers. Organic cotton also saves water, energy, & reduces your carbon footprint. All their paper packing is also Forest Stewardship Council certified! And best of all, because of the high-quality fibers in organic cotton, the sheets actually soften with each wash. So i’ll be spending these springtime evenings watching the sunset over the mountains from my bedroom window, surrounded by poetry and books and quiet time to reflect. These earth-friendly sheets will be available at Bed Bath & Beyond this fall.
This post is sponsored by Under the Canopy and the InfluenceHer Collective. All opinions are my own.
WAKE UP WAVY
A little over a month ago, I decided it was time to change up my look and finally get the fringe bangs I’d always dreamed of. It’s so incredible how something as simple as a haircut can bring so many more possibilities to a look. Your look can be a work of art, and I love getting creative with my hair. I’ve always been inspired by 70’s style and retro haircuts. My new cut has inspired me so much, and it’s been so fun finding different ways to style it. I’ve especially been loving the Bed Head® Morning After™ Hair Smoother & Hair Straightener!
The Bed Head® Morning After™ Hair Smoother is perfect for refreshing second day hair by detangling and smoothing out last night’s creases to create volume. I cannot even begin to count how many times I have accidentally burned myself using my curling iron! This amazing smoothing brush protects your hands and scalp from excess heat, and is as easy to use as brushing your hair.
The Bed Head® Morning After™ Hair Straightener is amazing, especially for my bangs, to create flexible waves. On this tool, there’s even LED Heat Settings and Tourmaline Ceramic Technology that offers three unique settings to use for days when you wash your hair, for the second day after washing, or even third day hair. I love how you can get a smooth, straight look from using this tool, or fresh gentle waves.
Both tools bring so much life and shine back to my hair when I wake up the morning, and I’m excited to style flowy beach waves all summer long. I love recreating looks that remind me of sunny days by the sea.
This post is sponsored by Bed Head and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Wanderlogue possible! Wishing you all a lovely May.
Out by the Western Coast
This blog post is sponsored by Blurb.
"Out by the Western Coast --
a recently graduated 20-something, a one-way ticket, dad's old film camera, and the life-giving joy of falling in love with wonder."
This holiday season, Blurb helped me to bring my vision to life of creating a photo book of some of my favorite film photographs I have taken while living in California. This place has grown to mean so much to me since moving here in May -- love, passion, and creativity brought me to pack up all my things and move from a tiny town in the midwest to a place where I set out to follow my dreams. If you’d like to purchase my book or see a preview of the inside of my creation, check it out by clicking here!
It definitely hasn't been an easy road, but one day I know I will look back on this part of my life and feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia for the people and places who helped me along the way to my aspirations: because I imagine that when I look back at this time of my life, I'll be thankful for all the little things that have made up these every-days: and I wanted a book to capture that.
If you’d like to create your own photo book this holiday season, click here to check out all of Blurb’s amazing options for customizing your own work of art. Blurb is an independent, creative book-making and self-publishing platform. They make it so easy for anyone to create photo books and magazines in print and digital formats. For those of you who are well-versed in design, you can also use Blurb’s Adobe® InDesign® plug-in or Lightroom® integration for even more creative control over your book. My Imagewrap Hardcover, large square 12×12 in book was created with Blurb's plug-in for Adobe® InDesign®. I also absolutely loved the amazing paper quality of the Premium Matte, which was the perfect choice to compliment my film photos. As soon as I received my book, I was in awe of the incredible quality, and loved flipping through the pages. I cannot wait to order another one.
Happy holidays dreamers!
Thank you to Blurb for sponsoring this post.