Gym Bag Essentials with Credo Beauty

Growing up in a ski resort town, with nature's playground offering a course for just about any kind of exercise, I'm not sure how or why I came to love gyms so much... I suppose I can trace it back to my time in London. When I lived in London, I ran outside a lot and played tennis too. But London is notorious for rain, and rain it did. So, I got a gym membership and really came to love the reliability of always having a place to get my exercise in- rain or shine, day or night. I also treat the gym a little like a spa. It helps trick my psyche into going in the first place! I shower, and steam, and sometimes even meditate in the sauna if I have it alone for a few minutes. I've found that taking a little extra time to pamper myself at the gym makes all the difference.

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

When Credo Beauty sent me their new clean beauty starter kit, I thought, "This will be great for my gym bag!" Here's a peek at what have become my gym essentials:

FLIP FLOPS- for post workout showers, and steam room or sauna sessions.

EARBUDS- when I want to plug into my tunes or the TV while I sweat it out.

I'M GLASSY WATER BOTTLE- this is  a new addition that I am loving! I used to recycle plastic bottles from buying bottled water when I'm running around (not always BPA-free) and reuse them. I know this isn't great because when they heat up (like when I leave them in my car and the sun bakes them) toxic molecules from the plastic release into the water and then I am basically drinking chemical water. My I'm Glassy water bottle is made of glass and perfect for reusing in a safe way. (gifted- thank you!)

CREDO BEAUTY DETOX BEAUTY KIT- with travel and sample size haircare, deodorant, cleansing balm, eye cream, face moisturizer, and a resurfacing mask (which I use after the shower and before I steam so it can sit while I steam for 10 mins), it really is the perfect gym bag companion. (gifted)

CLEAN UNDIES- a clean pair after a workout and pamper session make all the difference. 

What are your must-haves in your gym bag? Oh- and if you are loving any classes or workout exercises please share those too! 

Home Spa Day with Kai

Taking time to truly relax seems like a rare experience these days, yet it is so important. Since my move to California, I have tried to set a new intention for work-life balance, which includes time to read and just chill, sans screens. In an age where we are uber connected and constantly updated, I find myself yearning for some restorative offline time. The Universe must have heard my pledge, because a home and beauty brand just up the the coast from me in Malibu recently reached out to collaborate. I instantly said yes and began to craft my at home spa day with their intoxicating signature gardenia scent... Kai. 

As a Malibu-based company, Kai is very connected to the beauty of the world around them. All of their products are paraben, sulfate, phthalate and phosphate-free. They are also a cruelty-free brand that is made in the USA. All of these things attracted me to Kai, along with the quality of their products. 

An assortment of a few of my favorite things... RADIANT ROSEWATER by Shiva Rose (thank you Garden Collage!), KAI SKYLIGHT CANDLE, EXTRAORDINARY FACE OIL by Circ Cell, KAI LINEN SPRAY, NECKLACE AND EARRINGS by Padgett Hoke #madeinUSA

At Home Spa Day Essentials

• Relaxing music. I like to play the Spotify playlists under 'Chill' where you will find a classic Spa Treatment list and something a bit more hip with the Mellow Beats Playlist.
• A Kai Candle and Kai Reed Diffuser to set the stage with a fresh gardenia scent.
• Hot water + fresh lemon. Simple and satisfying.
• Good reads. I recently read Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All by Russell Simmons and really enjoyed the connection of spiritual mindfulness with the work you do. A great reminder to give freely to the world the gift you have to give and it will all work out beautifully.
• Healthy snacks. Fresh fruit and snap peas are my go-to snacks these days and are perfect for keeping digestion light.

The Perfect Bath

I love to unwind with a bath, and over the years I have learned a few things that make baths not only enjoyable but beneficial. 

• Run a bath at a temperature that feels warm (but doesn't scald) when you hold your elbow under the stream of water. This usually ensures a perfect temperature.
• Add Kai Bathing Bubbles or Body Wash for a delicious smell and some fun bubbles.
• Add one half cup to one cup of epsom salts to help pull toxins out and ease sore muscles.
• Drop five to ten drops of argan oil for an extra level of hydration that soaks into your skin.
• Use the Kai Body Buffer to gently scrub away dead skin cells and increase circulation for a healthy glow.
• Add rose petals for a special touch.
• When you get out of the bath try to air dry and let the oils soak in. Follow up by misting Kai Body Glow on arms and legs and rub in for added moisture that is lighter than lotion, yet still hydrating. Perfect for summer.

Clothing by Averti. #madeinLA #naturalfibers Check out this post to see more from Averti. 

Jewelry by Padgett Hoke. #madeinUSA

Photos: Davis Bell (thank you, thank you!) Many thanks to Kai for sponsoring this post.

Book & Beauty Review: The Vacationers by Emma Straub

As summer rounds the corner and nears its end, it felt very appropriate to indulge in a summer fling. A beach read fling, that is. You know what I'm talking about. A summer read that feels more like you are reading a movie than a literary complex or inspiring novel. This is exactly where I would place The Vacationers by Emma Straub. 

BOOK REVIEW: The story was predictable and the characters pretty classic. It all centers around a middle- upper class family from New York City who take a family vacation to Mallorca, Spain. They bring their emotional baggage, expectations, a long-time girlfriend of the son, and their best gay couple with them. For anyone who has been on an international family vacation, it certainly hits a familiar cord. 

While the story itself isn't great, the writing is. The flow and use of perspective- which both seamlessly move from one character to the other at different stage of the story is pretty remarkable. By the end, you really are invested in what happens to the characters and find a satisfying finish. This isn't a book I would hands down recommend, but if you are looking for a light read during a vacation or plane ride, this is a good fit. I would also suggest aspiring novelists read Emma's work. Her voice and manipulation of the omnipresent narrator are pretty impressive and something I feel would inspire.

BEAUTY REVIEW: The Desert Island Look

There wasn't much description around the appearances of the characters in The Vacationers, and so your imagination is left to fill in the blanks. I immediately went to my own interpretation of what I call 'The Desert Island' look. It uses the basics- the essential products you would want if you were stranded on a desert (or tropical) island. The key to this look is to keep everything pretty subdued and only offer a hint of enhancing what you've got. In other words, break out the highlighter and bronzer! 

Here's how to get the look:

1. Start with a tinted moisturizer and apply fully to face and down neck. Add an extra layer to your nose or any other areas that might be slightly red.

2. Use a cream or powder highlighter in the following areas: inner corners of the eyes (swept out across the lid), brow bone, cheek bone (swept out and up toward ears), just above the eye brows, and a dab on your cupid's bow. 

3. Blend a cream blush in a caramel shade into the apples of your cheeks and sweep up and out toward your ears.

4. Using a fluffy brush , dip bronzer onto the brush and blow off excess. Then, sweep in the hollows of cheeks up and out toward ears. Repeat application to brush and sweep across jawline, underneath and down neck. Repeat application to brush once more and sweep across hairline on the forehead from the center down toward ears on each side.

5. Add a coat of mascara. Keep it light and natural looking.

6. Swipe on some lip balm with a shiny finish.