Gift Guide – For The Littles

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for the munchkins and anyone who is young at heart

Even though I created this gift guide specifically for the littles in our lives, I think anyone on your list would love to receive them because they’re all so fun! Let me explain.

Food Between Friends Cookbook – best friends Julie and Jesse (Julie is my friend and her stories will make you want to cook all the things!) whip together their favorite recipes, putting their own Southern and Southwestern spins on them in this cookbook perfect for your family! Teach ’em how to cook young, let them help you put the ingredients together, and share time in the kitchen with them … this is still one of my favorite things to do with Corrine. Available now for pre-order, March 9th is the day! I’m including it now because this kind of gift is perfect for any time of year

Annoying Orange plush toys – pssst, did you know that yours truly is the voice of Lil Sis, Annoying Orange’s little sister?! I represent other characters in the YouTube series and have been friends with the creators for over 10 years now. I’m so proud to include them in my gift guide and what they’ve accomplished, and I know your little (or your friends) would be proud to have a plush toy like this around. Squishiesss are all the rage

Valerie Confections – the most decadent of treats, this local treasure was founded by chocolatier Valerie Gordon and her partner Stan Weightman Jr. A perfect gift for the littles under the tree this year and anyone who loves a sweet treat! She’s also offering holiday menus if you live in the Los Angeles area, check it out

Paper Please stationary and gifts – founded by my friends Christine & Friedia, this local stationary shop has all of your paper needs and adorable gifts to include this holiday season. I especially love their puzzles, books, and sticker sets that you can decorate together with your little ones. Get artsy!

This Saves Lives treats – besides being delicious and nutritious, this bar saves lives. With every purchase from This Saves Lives you send a packet of life-saving food to a child in need, providing a packet of powerful peanut paste full of vitamins and nutrients specifically made to treat severe acute malnutrition. I really wanted to include this philanthropic company because … what a wonderful way to get your kiddos to eat well than to present it to them in this most beautiful packaging! I’ve had almost every one of their snack bars and I’m here to tell you that when you purchase a box for the littles, purchase a box for yourself too

And there you have it! The last of my gift guides this holiday season, I have one more treat for you coming up this Friday. I really wanted to showcase my friend’s companies, highlight local businesses to support, and encourage everyone to shop small when you can. Me love you.

Will this be for him, for her, for the littles, or for the ones that have it all?

Gift Guide – For The One Who Has It All

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for anyone who has everything and wants nothing

But what about that person on your list who has it all and you really want to get them something special? Well these five gift ideas are sure to dazzle them … here’s the gifts that keep on giving.

TOPTOPE – the ‘best thing since the hat box’ invented by my super genius friend Lindsay Albanese! This is a hat clip but beyond your wildest dreams of what a ‘hat clip’ could look like. It’s classic and chic, the styles are timeless and versatile (perfect for her or him!), and the magnet will hold that hat in place no matter the travel, gust of wind, or stranger that bumps into you unexpectedly. TOPTOTE is a part of Lindsay’s “Serviceable Style™ collection of fashion accessories and products designed to bring ease and order into your life” and I’m here for vouch for it! Attach it to your luggage, your bag, your belt loop… endless possibilities and if you check out her site you’ll see all of the other travel accessories you didn’t even know you needed and now won’t be able to live without! Guaranteed that person on your list doesn’t have anything like this

Ayara Thai Pad Thai Kit & Cooking Lessons – family owned and operated right here in the heart of L.A., you’ll need to look no further for the best Thai in town! My wonderful friends Vanda and Michael ensure that your experience feels like home. With traditional recipes passed down from family member to family member, you too can be a part of the family by purchasing their Pad Thai Kit (and other cooking kits), virtual cooking lessons, and special sauces to make in the comfort of your own home. What a wonderful gift this would be to receive for anyone who has everything already. The gift of food haha. Food is family and family is love <3

Hedley & Bennett Gift Bundles – another local company here in Los Angeles (what can I say, I love supporting my friends) founded by my girl Ellen Bennett, her aprons are absolutely stunning and it’s no wonder they’re wildly popular! When the world shut down because of Covid, H&B pivoted to quickly create face masks for front line service members and our community. For the one who has it all, gift them a bundle that they can grill, cook, and bake with. The cutest part is the message on the inside of the box, “put this on and make something”…. deal!

The McBride Sisters Wine Shop – I could need nothing in the entire world and if you gifted me a membership to this wine club, it’d be the gift of the season! Something for everyone, there’s a tasting selection for anyone who love reds, blends, rieslings, and bubbles. One for them, two for you, go go go

OMA The Label Jewelry – OMA’s pieces are exquisite and perfect for every day. Created by Neumi Anekhe, a New York based fashion stylist, her mission is to create quality pieces at affordable prices and I’m here for it. Whoever you gift these dainty pieces to, they will feel empowered and confident.

The gifts that continue to give the whole year through, I hope you loved this gift guide as much as I did. Honestly, if I were given any one of these, I’d be over the moon.

One for them, two for you, which will you be gifting them and you? haha xoxo

Gift Guide – For Him

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for him, for her – this is for anyone who loves androgyny

Keeping with the theme of supporting local and shopping small, I want to highlight some of my favorite items to gift that special fella in your life. These brands have inspired me to lean into my own androgynous side, they’re perfect for a sexy wind down, a lil spark up, and the all around chill-mode time.

Custom woodwork from my friend Aaron – hand crafted, pure art, these custom designs by my friend A Massey Design are one of a kind! I just ordered a personalized cutting board from him and this Connect Four game caught my eye when I was on his Etsy! It’s made of Walnut and brass and the game tokens are made of Zebrawood. Best part, you can customize anything in his shop with your (or your friend’s) name or logo! Gogogo

DoubleBlind Magazine – maybe they’re a reader! I love a good reader ha! This is such a good read, blending spirit and science, DoubleBlind prints biannually and should be a staple on everyone’s coffee table <3

The Sexy Smoker (of plant powered offerings…) – these perfectly pre-rolled Barbari CBD spliffs are made with CBD-rich hemp flower Suver Haze. They’re citrusy and reel in the focus while bumpin’ up the productivity… or just bumpin’ 😉

Concrete Cat Incense Bowl + Ashtray – the perfect spot to rest their Barbari spliffs or favorite incense, this ashtray bowl is handmade (so every piece is unique) and made of concrete. So dreamy!

Give them a spa day! – this cushy robe is everything! It’s luxurious and soft and will make you want to snuggle them all day. Pssst: this is a hard gift to try and not keep for yourself

Talk about Kush(y) – I swear I’m like, so good with the puns. This Kush candle from The Flower Pot is hand poured in L.A. and burns the scent of florals and brushed suede. Everything from Boy Smells is divine, but this cannabis candle is one of my favorites from their line and I know who ever you gift it to will love it just as much as I do

BONUS! Use code FLOWERPOTFRIDAYS for 15% off your cart total for anything purchased from The Flower Pot, let’s get to shoppin’!

Can you believe there are only 21 sleeps left until Christmas?

Gift Guide – For The Fitness Lover

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let’s eat the good stuff and push through the rough stuff

Setting aside time to create movement for myself isn’t always easy. Mom guilt is a real thing and even though my baby girl is a grown woman, it doesn’t mean that I don’t feel guilty, even now when I could legit retire from parenting ha!

Movement to me is my mental health. Making time for myself isn’t selfish (and f*ck it if it is), it makes me a better mom, a better girlfriend, and a better human. It opens up space in my mind to take on the day and I’m thankful for an able body that allows me to move through the muck of it all.

Connecting to our community and coaching you is a purpose of mine and giving you my energy in a place where we can laugh and sweat together (sup Zoom) is my passion. I’d love for us to not get used to the loss of human connection that this year has brought on. Let’s bring it back and eat the good stuff and push through the rough stuff. So if you’d like to move through it with us, I’ve got you.

Here are my picks for you and for the fitness lovers in your life <3

  • Lacey’s Holiday Deals + Steals – whether it be a package of Zoom classes to work out with us, your 7 day meal plan, the virtual platform, or Lacey’s Stone Tone Core program it’s all here! I hope to see you at least 3x a week to move it out and to keep it movin’!
  • Turmeric Salve – we work out at least 3 days a week and in Zoom camps we work out 5 days a week… this salve has saved my muscles. I do a bath bomb or bath soak from The Flower Pot, pop out of the bath and rub on some salve and thennn…
  • Stress Finesse – to finesse my stress I love all of TFP tinctures and this one does what it says and says what it does. Zen through plant power, I love to drop this in mid-day, light a candle, and child’s pose
  • Super Beauty Vitamins – collagen … free radicals … oxidative damage – oh my! These lil beauty babies are vitamins that protect against oxidative damage, promote collagen production, and neutralize free radicals. I keep them by my bed side table so I don’t forget to take them, rotating through these and my Ritual vitamins which you’ve heard me talk about before
  • CBD Pre-Rolled Spliffs – the word spliff is just fun to say, try it aloud. These are Barbari Airplane Mode CBD spliffs! They’re pre-rolled relaxation with CBD-rich hemp flower so you can toke it on up and relax it on down. I feel very speak easy when I smoke these chillin’ just in my robe (BONUS: enter FLOWERPOTFRIDAYS at checkout for 15% off your TFP cart!)
  • FRE Skincare – this skincare line was specifically designed for skin that sweats. I mean, how perfect is that so we don’t burn our eyes out when we’re sweating our faces off. Complete with a face wash, serum, hydrating SPF, and detox mask – they’re having a sale right now and it comes with a traveling bag so it’s perfect for under the tree or as a stocking stuffer!

So there you have it ya cool cats and kittens! My personal fitness faves, from me to you, from you to yourself, or from you to a loved one … because nothing says “I love you” like the gift of health (mental health, heart health, and physical health) <3

Tell me where you are in your shopping to do’s … 1) are you just getting started 2) did you start in February bc you’re annoying like that jkjkjkjkjk or 3) do you wait until the night before and scramble to wrap something?

2020 Gift Guides Start Here – Self Care

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Cancel your plans, I’ve got you!

Today marks the ‘almost’ end of this month and an ‘almost’ close to this wild year that has been 2020. Thanksgiving was yesterday, I hope you enjoyed your holiday however you spent it and I want to wish you a very happy National Native American Heritage Day.

So while people are sifting through online sales and email alerts for even more sales, I guess it’s time I begin sharing my gift guides for this holiday season. So cancel your plans (tbh did we really have any), I’ve got you!

This year I wanted to focus on shopping small and supporting local and I’d love for you to help me do that. Our friends who have small owned restaurants and businesses need us more now than ever and I’m so happy to share with you my close friends and brands that I love. You’ll see me highlight these kinds of offerings over the next few weeks leading into the new year.

a big part of self care is checking in with our mental health

As I speak to my personal experience with each of these brands you’ll notice that I take pause for myself because mental health is everything. Health is wealth and in my opinion mental health is equally as important as your heart and physical health.

A gift for yourself, a gift for a friend or a loved one (ahem this is perfect for moms, sisters, SIL, daughters, dad, brothers, all of ’em!), you just can’t go wrong gifting wellness.

  • OSEA Malibu – family owned and operated, this company is truly an entire family passion. Their ingredients are all organic, plant based, and their USDA certified organic seaweed (which is present in almost all of their formulations) is sourced directly from a family-operated cooperative on the shores of Patagonia. So much of their line has lived on my vanity for the past five years, it’s a spa in my very own bathroom! And today you get a FREE FULL SIZED (yes I’m screaming) Hyaluronic Sea Serum with all purchases of $135+
  • Trestique – female founded, Trestique knows how to make you look and feel your best! Their motto encompasses the “simple beauty routine” and sustainability has been woven into their product line. Goals! They’re a cruelty-free brand featuring creamy formulas and high performance built-in tools, so you get luxury products at a reasonable price. The Essential Mix featured above is less than $80 and the Mini 5 is less than $49. This year especially, my beauty routine has been a grounding sense of normalcy and this is the most perfect 5-minute makeup routine
  • The Flower Pot LA aka TFP – you’ve seen TFP all over my life, I just cannot rave enough about this company. I have a series called #FlowerPotFridays on my Instagram where I highlight TFP’s offerings and how I use them in my daily life for relief and recovery … they are my mood shifters and energy lifters! The Flower Pot was founded by my dear friend Rebecca, who personally curates these plant powered offerings for you and has aesthetics on LOCK … peep my IG for her beautifully branded gift boxes. You can always count on TFP products to be natural, non-toxic, ethically sourced, and sustainably produced. For your wellness gifts use the CODE: FLOWERPOTFRIDAYS at checkout and receive 15% off your cart total
  • the Daughter Of The Land Bath Soak, the Queen Idia candle from Liha Beauty, and the Bloom Farms Recovery Tincture featured above are all a part of my daily ritual to unwind, recover, and keep my lil spirit still
  • KNC Beauty – retinol infused eye masks… ummm they had me at retinol, yes please! In 20 minutes your eyes will be revived and bonus… they’re all natural! My favorite thing to do is to keep these babies in the refrigerator and to pop them on in the morning while I get ready. It takes my eyes from kinda wonky to totally wide eyed. So like, self care but make it fashunnnn <3
  • Mason Grey LA – I LIVE in this robe! I mean, Lacey probably wonders if I ever get around to washing it because I wear it so often, but who is really putting on pants these days? And it is the coziest, most chicest robe evaaaaar

This is one of my favorite things to do- share with you products I love, companies I support, and highlight the small businesses that could really use our business as we close out this year. Let’s support one another, let’s grant ourselves grace, and let’s find time for self care. This holiday season I hope you too find time to be still, take care of yourself, and give yourself the gift of wellness.

From me and mine, to you and yours – Happy Holidays. (I can say that now, it’s offish)

So tell me, how did you spend yesterday? I love hearing your stories <3

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Delivering Smiles This Holiday Season – A Family Tradition

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This post is sponsored by Amazon, however all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Tis the season… the season of holiday celebrations, family time, and sharing traditions. So I want to share with you what this ‘season’ means to me and my family and what some of our traditions are.

This is my favorite time of year because it’s the one time that most of my family is in the same state, under the same roof. It happens only once a year, and it’s such a special time for us all to reconnect and spend time doing things that are traditional to our family. Traditions are so significant, they bridge time and distance and link generations. 

Every member of our family contributes to activating the rest of us to be philanthropic, especially this time of year, and we also all contribute to burning at least one thing for dinner… but of course. This year, it was my dad’s turn. This is my dad, Michael, he’s one of my heroes. He is a veteran, a loving husband, and humble father. This year he asked us to volunteer at the VA so most of us will be volunteering our time in person, but those unable to join us will also be participating in a different way! Amazon makes it easy to give back to organizations we collectively love and support. This way, we’re all in it together.

Our family realizes that a lot of families go without many of the things we take for granted this time of year and aren’t able to give back in this way, so it’s a privilege for us to come together and give back – and it brings us closer as a result. We also realize that we’re connecting to an entire community of families that give back with Amazon this holiday season.

Want in on all the feel good? Well, there are three really easy ways to do it, my personal favorite being through AmazonSmile Charity Lists. You can browse by cause or search for an organization’s needs and the items you purchase are donated and delivered directly to the charity. I love this method because it takes the guessing out of it for us, we simply see what they need and we’re able to purchase those items for them directly.  

You can also donate a portion of the purchase price of your eligible products on Amazon to the charity of your choice with AmazonSmile by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com –  and if you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can donate with Alexa to a registered charity simply by saying “Alexa, I want to make a donation.” Choices like this really do make it rewarding to give back when and where you’re able.  

The organization near and dear to us is the Best Friends Animal Society. We chose to purchase items for them, shopping from their list as they are a part of the AmazonSmile Charity List. As a home that has adopted two fur babies, BFAS has a mission that resonates so closely with our family. Their mission statement is, “Best friends – save them all.” They believe that just because cats and dogs don’t have a safe place to call home doesn’t mean they should be euthanized. They work closely with volunteers, shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations to educate communities and encourage them to adopt, donate, spread the word, and volunteer to help reach their goals. 

Philanthropy practiced this way allows all members of our family to be connected, and I hope you join us in this tradition! Encourage your family members to contribute to your communities in person and virtually. Amazon makes it so easy to give back to charities you love. Start a new tradition that’s timeless and that connects your family the way it does ours, and please let me know which organizations you’ll be #DeliveringSmiles to so we can check them out! 

Happy holidays from me and mine to you and yours <3

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide For Him

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For the special fellow in your life…. and ahem I also made this unisex so you can snag these gems for anyone really <3

But I wanted to add things to this guide that weren’t your standard cologne, tie, and wallet gifts. Those are all really great but for a lil more somethin’ somethin’, here ya go, from me to you.

Chuck Taylors – I love these for myself but when Joe wears them with some nice jeans, a tee shirt, and a blazer … hubba hubba

Fleece Jogger Pants – who doesn’t love to be cozy while they run errands to Trader Joe’s and the post office? For $15 buy him one in every color!

Aesop Shine Oil – created to ‘maintain the mane’ this oil is great for beards too! Jojoba and florals make up this lightweight oil that will keep itch at bay and you won’t be able to stay away … smells yummm

Heavy Bag Kit – punching bags. Everyone needs one. Lace up baby

Ember Ceramic Mug – this high tech mug will keep his coffee warm, maintain the perfect temperature, and even notifies you when it’s reached its chosen heat. Pick one up for yourself while you’re at it

Motiv Fitness Ring – sleek, stylish, and waterproof, this ring tracks fitness, sleep, and heart rate. How cool is that

Have you checked out my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide For Her? I could combine both of these gift guides and it would make me happy to receive them alllll. So tell me again, what are you plans for this holiday? Ya lovin it or leavin it???

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide For Her

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Of all the holidays I feel like Valentine’s Day gets the most flack. Just me? Some people love it, some people leave it, and some people do like Joe and I and celebrate the day before or after … ummm hello discounted chocolates! We’re just not about those set menus and hiked up couples pricing.

But if you’re someone who celebrates and you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for her, this guide is perfect for every lovely in your life <3 I say this because it’s literally the list I gave Joe when he asked what I wanted 😉 

Madewell Jersey Robe – we’re all about that cuddled up, keep me warm, cozy 24-7 life aren’t we. This. Is. It! Not too heavy where she’ll be sweating beneath it, yet thick enough to not have to wear anything else at all … hubba hubba

Diptyque Candle – I never understood all the fuss over these candles until someone gifted one to me. Okay WE GET IT, you’re supreme candles we get it

Bose Speaker – water resistant (hello singing in the shower), blue tooth (hello wireless, she doesn’t need any more wires on the counter with her straightener, curling iron, phone charger..), and compact (hello beach bag my old friend)

Herbal Green Tea Set – the cutest ever, it’s a sip of tea with a spot of sugar and she’ll be feeling like Mary Poppins in no time. And the medicine it’s helping to go down is life.. she’s had a rough day, this helps. And some tequila. Maybe tie a bottle of it to the top of this gift box

Gucci Belt Bag – hey I love my boujee tendencies too and if you’re gonna splurge go Gucci baby

Marble Cheese Tray – I’ve never met a cheese I don’t like and I’m sure she hasn’t either. Unless it’s feety. Well this cutie baby is perfect for hosting, it’s perfect to stack pizza on even, and it’s like really pretty. Just like she is

So tell me, you celebrate this holiday or do you think it’s a buncha mumbo jumbo? You can tell me, I won’t tell anyone. 

 

 

 

Santa’s Helper Pt2 With Banhez Mezcal Epi 2 GIVEAWAY

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Happy Friday!!! Today I’m back with another installment of our holiday cocktail series featuring my favorite smokey beverage, Banhez Mezcal! This is Santa’s Helper Pt 2, the follow up to Episode 1 and in this recipe we sweeten with agave instead of our homemade cranberry syrup and I love the addition of cranberry bitters! So if you’re pressed for time and need to whip together something fancy and fast, this is for you!

Don’t forget I’m hosting an exciting GIVEAWAY with Banhez which includes the entire cocktail creating kit you see in this video! PLUS a 1L bottle of Banhez Mezcal so now you can make these cocktails at home! All you have to do to enter is comment on this post and the other two episodes by Monday and I’ll pick the winner next week! To purchase a bottle of Banhez for yourself and a friend (ahem this makes the perfect gift) I’ll link you HERE!

Santa’s Helper #2

2 oz Banhez Ensemble

1/4 oz agave

2 dashes Fee Brother’s Old Fashioned Bitters

2-4 dashes Fee Brother’s Cranberry Bitters (modify for how much of that cranberry flavor you want)

Stir in Japanese stirring glass (or pint glass) with a long spoon until you can easily move the spoon through the ice. Strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnish with orange zest and a rosemary sprig.

Banhez Pro Tip: this recipe is easy to batch but given how spirit-forward it is, it can lose flavor the longer it sits in ice, so keep that in mind 😉 

Tada! It’s sweet and tangy, light yet flavorful, and the smokiness of the Banhez Mezcal won’t go unnoticed! This is one of my favorites because of how quickly you can stir together the ingredients given most of them are already in your pantry!

Give this a try and let me know what you think, I know you’re gonna want to batch this! P.S. did you hear that I’m hosting a giveaway featuring this beautiful set below?! Enter in the comments, good luck <3

Giveaway Entry Rules:
– must be 21+ years old to enter
– winner will be selected at random
– enter as many times as you like, the more you enter, the more chances you have to win!
– an ‘entry’ is a comment on all 3 of my Banhez Mezcal cocktail recipes that’s here on my blog. Here’s Epi 1 and Epi 3 for you, be sure to comment on all 3 articles and good luck!
– stumped on what comment to leave? Tell me a fun fact about yourself or what your plans are for the holidays!
– and drink responsibly always please and thank you <3
, love Mama Lizama

Interested in learning more about Banhez? I’ve linked you here: BANHEZ IG: @banhezmezcalartesanal, BANHEZ FB: https://www.facebook.com/banhezmezcalartesanal