good vibes only
the gift guide - the zen friend
Posts tagged #goop
A CLEAN BEAUTY LIFESTYLE
Using natural and organic products has always been important to me. Ok, wait, let me take a step back. Eating natural and organic products has always been important to me. It was probably something that started early on during my summers in Belgium. Everything was from the farm, baked fresh, and required a short shelf life. I would return back home to the states and didn't understand how/why we ate bread that lasted a week plus. I also loved the system they used for glass bottles. At the beginning of the week water and other beverages would be dropped off in crates. When you finished a bottle you would return the empty glass bottle to the crate. At the end of the week the delivery company would pick up your empty bottles. Always recycling and always glass. I digress.
When you're getting ready for the arrival of your first baby you want everything to be perfect. I did tons of research on the best baby skin care products, formula, cleaning products for our home, etc. After Luke was born something changed. Maybe it was the time we spent together nursing but I kept thinking, is this stuff I'm wearing on my face ok for him to have on his? The same went for my body lotion. And so it began...the hunt for as many natural and organic products as I could find! If you want to see more on my summer beauty routine click here!
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SUMMER BEAUTY HACKS
+ Bright eyes without the cake! Add a drop of your favorite face oil into the palm of your hand. Mix with concealer and dab over dark circles. My absolute favorite organic concealer plus this oil
+ For the low back, the slinky silk summer tops and dresses Nippie Covers
+ Traveling? No problem! Favorite Travel Steamer
+ Not exactly a beauty hack but wanted to share this mascara. I use it everyday unless I'm shooting for the blog or going to a formal event. On those occasions I still wear my pharmacy brand stuff (which I hate doing but its always darker and lasts!). Still haven't found an organic one that I can wear 24/7.
MY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
WEEKEND RECAP - A DAY IN SAG HARBOR
THE WANDERER DRESS
I had the loveliest weekend celebrating my sister's bachelorette in the Hamptons. Her friends organized an Airbnb in Southampton that was gorgeous! It comfortably fit all ten of us and included a pool and lovely gardens. On Friday night we went to Wollfer Kitchen and Saturday drinks at the Wollfer wine stand followed by a restaurant called Calissa. Both were great! Call me crazy but my happiness on vacation usually revolves around food. Most people would say the beach or pool but nope, not me! Give me a delicious lunch followed by and iced tea and I'm at my happiest.
I brought two bags with me this weekend: this one and this one. It was the perfect combination! Also lots of questions about the dress I wore out on Saturday night in blush - only found it white and black here. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday week!
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SAG HARBOR
Breakfast at Provisions : When I discovered this place about 7 years ago it was love at first sight. As you know I have a serious love for healthy foods and even more so organic and dairy-free options. If you're heading to Sag Harbor or just passing through, stopping here is a must. I recommend the watermelon juice and my absolute favorite thing to eat is the baby buddha (ask for both the tahini and green herb dressing.
Lunch on the go at Harbor Market & Kitchen: Last summer we rented a house in Sag Harbor and Frank and I stumbled upon this place while on a morning bike ride. Everything is delicious! They have vegan and gluten free options and will also happily satisfy a carnivore:) You can eat in at their communal tables or pack a to-go basket for the beach. My favorites are the salmon cakes, tahini brownies, and jasmine iced green tea.
Coffee/Tea and a cookie break (while shopping) at Sylvester & Co.: Lynda Sylvester starting making cold brew 20 years ago. You can drink her now famous coffee here on tap along with a delicious homemade dark chocolate peanut butter cup. Yes I was a little bit indulgent on this trip!
Frozen Yogurt at Buddha Berry: Every time I go here I beg them to open in Connecticut. Their frozen yogurt is delicious and they have the most amazing dairy-free options that are coconut milk based. This weekend it was match (obviously I was in heaven).
Shopping at Goop: I loved last years pop-up in Amagansett and this one doesn't disappoint! Don't miss the beautiful outdoor garden in the back! I treated myself to this diffuser that has been on my wishlist for a long time. Last night we diffused this oil and my bedroom smelled amazing!
For buried treasure stop in Bloom: I couldn't find a website for this gem but trust me, its a must visit. The picture above was shot in the back cottage. BLOOM 43 Madison St, Sag Harbor, NY
IN MY BAG
5 MINUTE MAKEUP - SUMMER EDITION
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apply moisturizer - I like this one because its the perfect balance of hydration and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily
SPF - THIS IS SUPER LIGHT AND I APPLY A LAYER RIGHT OVER MY MOISTURIZER. IF THATS TOO MUCH FOR YOU JUST USE THIS!
Foundation - I absolutely love this foundation. Its organic so the consistency will be slightly different than what you're used to but I suggest you put a few drops of your favorite face oil on your hand and mix before you apply. I use this under my eyes and on blemishes. Its great as an all over base too when you're looking for more coverage. The shade I use is like porcelain
Blush - You will fall in love with this blush. I love how creamy it is and I also use it on my lips and mix with a gloss. The shade I use is blossoming
LAST STEP - MASCARA! FULL Disclosure I don't love this as much as drug-store $8 mascara however the trade off is that this is natural and clean. For photoshoots and big events I still use the alternative!
facial 2x a week - always leaves my skin looking bright and clear like I just had a facial
warning - it burns a little!
UNDER 100 - GETTING BACK TO THE GYM
what I'm wearing
Three years and two babies later I'm finally ready to head back into the gym. When I was pregnant with Luke I pictured myself 8 weeks post-partum - jogging around the park pushing a Bob stroller with one hand and an iced tea in the other. A girl can dream!! Well that never happened and now I'm a little embarrassed to admit how long its been since I really exercised. Hence the inspiration for this under $100 roundup. Slight disclaimer today: these sneaks and this pair of wireless headphones are under $150 but I wanted to include them because they were a recent purchase (gifting myself for Mother's Day) and I LOVE them both! Is my gym journey something you would like me to share? PS tagged my favorite 100% natural deodorant above!
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5 MINUTE MAKEUP
Hi friends! If you told me last year that I would be posting about makeup I would have laughed! Up until a few months ago my routine consisted of a motley collection of samples I received at the Saks beauty counter, in event gift bags, CVS mascara, and a Laura Mercier foundation stick that I swear by. Even for photoshoots I would throw on a little extra blush and bronzer and be on my way! I don't have a ton of time in the morning (who really does?) so I always kept it really simple. It wasn't until I met Siobhan from Organachs that I starting thinking about refining my products and more importantly switching to natural and organic products. After she introduced me to the Kjaer Weiss line it seemed so obvious. "I would never use a product containing any of these chemicals on Luke or Harrison, so why would I use them on myself?...EVERYDAY!". After a super simple makeup application I was hooked! I'm definetly a makeup rookie but here are a couple tips that I've learned so far:
- Be cautious when trying new products. I made the mistake of trying multiple things at once and after I developed a rash it was hard to figure out which product it was from
- Beauty Hack: Apply face oil before applying foundation especially if you use foundation all over (which I wouldn't recommend) It will prevent your skin from looking cake-like or dry and will give you an overall dewy glow!
5 minute makeup
step 1: apply face oil
step 2: foundation
step 3: apply cream blush
step 4: apply bronzer
step 5: fill in brow
step 6: mascara
favorite makeup pouch
SPRING FEVER
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SNOW DAY and I'm sitting here imagining myself walking down a warm Charleston street in this pretty dress, straw bag in hand filled with flowers! LOL one can dream! This dress almost made it into this week's lust list but it just didn't fit! A great price point though for this style and quality. I also found this style for under $100 IF you can go without a bra (I wish!). AND these white sneaks are so cute for spring/summer and also under $100. Love the jute sole!
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also loving...
THE GIFT GUIDE - UNDER $100
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My final gift guide this holiday season! It's crunch time! I'm so confused by Christmas this year...maybe its because it falls on a Monday? I have to say though - retailers have been doing a GREAT job at communicating shipping deadlines and almost all of the larger stores are offering expedited shipping at no extra charge or for free. So lets talk gifts under $100. I just ordered this speaker for the boys playroom and I love it! If you know someone who is in to cycling I found this one which looks cool too. This jewelry case is a great price point at $65, love the color, and is the perfect gift for all the "tweens" in your life. Personally I think the hardest category to shop for! Hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday and Happy shopping:)
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MY SKINCARE ROUTINE
Lately I've been getting a ton of emails and messages on social media asking about my skincare routine. The most important thing for me has been understanding the type of skin that I have. Growing up (especially in my teens) I suffered from acne and breakouts. In college I actually tried products like Proactive and I found myself managing blackheads and clogged pores on a daily basis. On the flip side my sister's skin? You could not find a pore on her face! She's always suffered from eczema and dry skin though. Genetics!
In the last couple of years I feel like I finally have a good handle on my skin. I credit most of my success to consistency and using natural or organic products. I started a very basic nightly routine about ten years ago and have been diligent over the years. I first posted about this topic here after I had Harrison. I loved the products I was using but still felt like something was missing. Then I discovered Organachs Farm to Skin in Westport, CT. I've finally found the place I was always looking for - a natural and organic destination for skincare and makeup. Immediately I connected with owner and curator Siobhan McKinley over her passion and love for natural products. She believes, as I do, that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Here are the products I love from Organachs and some of my skincare tips:
- Voya Even Pure Moisturizer - The thing I like most about this moisturizer is you can wear it day and night. I like to keep my routine simple and with this you don't have to have a night cream. In the mornings I use it solo (unless my skin is very dry) and at night after my face oil.
- May Lindstrom Honey Mud - I've been using this for about a month now and I'm HOOKED! I use it as a cleanser during the week as well as a mask once a week. It is purifying, smells amazing, and consistency is something you would want to eat!
- Ursa Major Deodorant - I'm constantly on the hunt for a natural deodorant and this one works! No aluminum or harsh metals and it smells really fresh.
Be Diligent at Night: Remove your Makeup! You're exhausted, its been a long day at work or with the kids and the last thing you want to spend time on is washing, toning, and applying a face oil or night cream. But I PROMISE! You will thank yourself in the morning!
Get Oily: I'm an oil addict. Applying oil to your oily t-zone may seem counterintuitive but actually if you are cleansing and exfoliating your skin properly, oils can clarify and offer your skin many nutrients its needs. I LOVE this one. My favorite part about using natural oils? They smell AMAZING and many have the added benefit of aromatherapy.
Find the Right Moisturizer: Not all moisturizers are created equal. Most brands make a light and a heavier formula depending on the time of year and skin type. Listen to your skin - you may need to go a little lighter in the summer. During the winter, even with an oily t zone, I layer an oil and a moisturizer.
Facials: For me facials are a luxury. Of course it would be great to have one weekly but for most thats not realistic. BUT, I do think there are real benefits to a monthly one. If you're local and interested in a natural and organic experience, Organachs is the ultimate destination. Last month I had the VOYA anti aging restorative facial. During it, hand harvested seaweed from Ireland was placed on my face over a seaweed mask. The leaves detoxify, hydrate, and firm the skin while also helping to stimulate collagen production. I left feeling rehydrated and my skin looked amazing! This facial is definitely on my wish list this Christmas!
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MY BEAUTY ROUTINE
Hi there! Welcome to my first beauty post! Since starting The Girl Guide I've received so many questions about my skincare routine. I'm a big fan of the "less is more" approach and I have to admit, it's pretty basic. BUT the key has always been natural ingredients. I've been using Tata Harper skincare for almost 8 years! She is sort of a pioneer in the organic skincare space. When I met her I was instantly inspired by her story - her step dad was diagnosed with Cancer and when she started to help him "detox" the products he was using, she realized there was nothing 100% natural/organic on the market. I love everything about her line especially the scents of her products, so natural and clean.
About two years ago a discovered JuiceBeauty at Whole Foods. I was looking for an affordable moisturizer to switch things up a bit and I fell in love! You can't beat the prices (my antioxidant moisturizer is $39) and I find it to be really effective during the dry winter months. SO when I heard that one of my favorite websites/brands GOOP was teaming up with Juice Beauty I was super psyched. I bought this discovery set and I'm only about three weeks in but I LOVE it! Especially the face oil!
- I first tried this face wash when I purchased a Theory x Lola box for International Women's day. It was filled with goodies and one of my favorites was this product. I use it every night (in the morning's I just splash water on my face and re-apply moisturizer). The smell is very clean!
- I have a thing for face oils....I used to think it was weird - how does applying oil to your face not make you break out? Now that I've been using them for years I'm addicted. I highly recommend this one and this one is my new favorite.
- The first skincare product I ever switched from mainstream to holistic was my deodorant. I once read an article linking aluminum containing antiperspirants to breast cancer and I immediately switched to an all natural deodorant. Disclaimer: The natural ones are NEVER going to work as well as the chemical ridden ones, BUT thats a trade I'm willing to make! This is my current favorite.
Check out this article, Clean Beauty - And Why It's Important and you'll be hooked just like I am!
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SKINCARE
FACE OIL
FACE WASH
FACE MASKS
DEODORANT
