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! 

FMG TV: Finding Your Voice with Thyroid Yoga Creator Fern Olivia

I am thrilled to announce a new interview series I'll be doing here on FashionMeGreen.com! My first guest is the very brave and inspiring Fern Olivia. Fern Olivia is a holistic practitioner, the creator of Thyroid Yoga and Ajai Alchemy. She contributes regularly to sites like Mind Body Green, leads retreats around the world, and is an integral force in the wellness community in Los Angeles, CA. I sat down with Fern to learn more about her journey to managing her thyroid condition which lead to the founding of Thyroid Yoga- a unique practice that helps to strengthen the thyroid and treat thyroid issues from a holistic place. 

(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.)

Fern truly is an inspiration in how she has used her experience to create a system of healing and living that worked for her and is now helping so many others. A lot of gems dropped from Fern's mouth during our chat. I hope you will enjoy hearing more about how she found her voice, and realized that not speaking up had affected her health. So often these things are connected but we get caught up in life and miss the clues. From thyroid health, to beauty rituals and how to balance social media with real life, Fern shares her wise words in this interview. I hope you enjoy this video and please join us in the comments below to continue this important conversation. 

Many thanks to Fern Olivia, Amber Wyatt, and Winc. 

Five Books to Help You Tap into and Support your Creative Self

Living creatively is both an innate need for self expression, and a challenge. They say that everyone has a book, screen play, or exhibit inside them, but how many people actually realize the dream of producing and sharing that creativity they feel called to? For whatever reason we get blocked. We are blocked by fear, doubt, insecurity and even ego. Yet, we still feel the need to express ourselves. Lucky for us this is not a single person battle. Many creators out there have gone through the same trials and devised ways to break through the resistance and create! Here are some resources I've found helpful along the way:

(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.)

Elle Luna's book, The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion. Not only a success story of someone who followed her bliss to find the meaningful work she is meant to do (so inspiring!), but a how-to guide on how you too can tune into your creative calling and make it work for you and your life. 

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Gives you exercises and asks questions you (and others) may not think to ask that help show you what you really want. Pretty powerful stuff. What I valued most was the author's ability to guide us through our own thoughts and doubts to help us cross over to the other side and see what's possible.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have so much respect for Elizabeth Gilbert and her ability to stay humble and hungry amidst her success. She keeps questioning and growing and pushing to better understand herself and her role in this world and how it all works. We are so lucky she shares her insights with us and invites us along on her journey. Is there something you are curious about? Maybe just a little? Once you read the book, you will know what I am referencing and how powerful that question can be.

The War of Art: Break Through The Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battle by Steven Pressfield. This is a new resource for me, yet it struck me with such familiarity it felt as though I was connecting to some deeper knowing part of me finally put into words. The vocabulary and straightforward explanations on how we work as creative beings (both amateur and professional) hit home. Before long, I found myself quoting the book to another creative friend, and that is when I knew it was helping to shape the way I work and see my creative work.

Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All by Russell Simmons. I include this one in this lineup because there were some key takeaways for me that relate to creative work. The biggest one is to share your gift with the world. Give it out honestly and generously and the world will respond. It is a Law of Cause and Effect. Banish doubt and wherever you are in life do the best you can. Do everything that is within your control with passion and positivity and the world will take note and reward you. I type these things out now to share with you, but also to remind myself of their truth. The book provides stories and examples that are super motivating and help to light the fire for sharing your talent. 

Three Apps to Help you Travel like a Local

A slight deviation from my normal posts, in the spirit of summer and travel, I wanted to share some fantastic resources to help make your trips more interesting, cultural and successful. 

The Culture List- a new app that curates smaller museums and venues with cultural installations and scientific exhibits. This app tunes into the smaller fries out there (less of the mainstream tourist traps) and helps you dive into experiences and activities alongside locals. Set your filter to a certain genre (science, culture, modern, etc) and let the location based app deliver the goods. You can even select the 'free' option for fun cheap thrills. 

Farfetch Discover- Long have I been a fan of Farfetch. Their curation of fashion from around the globe made accessible through their one-stop marketplace is genius. Now, if you want to apply those same luxury standards to your travel shopping check out their app, Farfetch Discover, for style savvy city guides. Curated by city with the best boutiques- it is like having a local fashionista's  best of the best shopping list right in your pocket. To go green when you shop while traveling, look for items made in the country or city you are visiting. Also, you can always apply the Wear No Evil method (check out my book to learn more).

Atlas Obscura- Okay, so this one isn't an app, but it is a really unique resources. The name says it all- an atlas of obscure things.  There are some creepy things you'll find listed here, and also some pretty amazing hidden gems. What I like about the site is the historical element. You'll learn more about an area than meets the eye and get off the beaten path to experience it. Definitely not another boring travel site, and if you are the one in charge of organizing a date or group outing, you will get mad props for choosing something so interesting. 

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.