LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS – UNDER $25!

For all you procrastinators out there, myself included, this post will save you a trip to the mall of madness the night before Christmas! Here is a peek into my favorite last minute Christmas gifts under $25! Yes under 25 bucks and great for your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, co-workers, and in laws!

These make for perfect stocking stuffers but also they’re nice enough to wrap up and place under the tree. If you’re participating in a Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange, these fall right under that $25 limit!


I had to unwrap these to take photos for you, so here’s to hoping my family doesn’t read this post until after Christmas 😉 I bought these gifts this weekend, the weekend before Christmas and it’s already mayhem. I also purchased the PTR masks for myself because they’re the best deal you’ll find all season! Go get ’em now, trust me, they’re just now back in stock!

Peter Thomas Roth (PTR) mask sampler kit – hands down my favorite masks this year! Yes that’s a pretty bold statement but let me tell ya why! After China my skin developed these little bumps and I found out were hydration bumps. My skin wasn’t receiving enough moisture so I needed to up my exfoliation and hydration game. This sampler kit comes with PTR’s most popular masks designed to brighten dullness, hydrate dryness, and detoxify clogged pores. It polishes, it smoothes, it soothes! I’m a walking billboard for these I swear! I love all 6 of them so I purchased 3 of these just for myself. $25 at Sephora when they’re usually $44, go buy them up! Best investment all year, I promise!


Wooden snowman ornament – my mother in law loves snowmen, they’re so festive and jolly! Each year I try to find a cute snowman item to gift her and since she puts up the most beautiful Christmas tree, I thought a personal addition to it would be perfect!

Nest holiday scented candle – a go to for any gift, who doesn’t love candles?! They’re thoughtful, they’re warming, and this particular one smells exactly like Christmas! A legit pine, fresh, snowy kind of scent.



Duke Cannon working man’s face wash – if your man is like my man who is like most men, than they probably use your shampoo to wash their hair, body, and face! LOL I try and leave products in and around the shower in the hopes that Joe will be enticed enough to start using them. I think most men get sexier as they age, and I think it’s because they start to look more rugged. But I definitely want Joe to take care of his skin, so I got him this Duke Cannon face wash. It’s frothy, smells like “productivity” (that is just hilarious to me), and has vitamin C to brighten up the skin. A big reason why I adore this company is because a portion of each sale benefits US Veterans. As an Army Brat I love this so much and it’ll help Joe take better care of his skin so I love it even more!

So just a quick guide on last minute Christmas gift ideas, I think a pretty card with a thoughtful handwritten note works just as nicely. But you’d better get started now, the malls are already giving me anxiety 😉

Are you ready for Christmas? Did you do all of your holiday shopping months ago, or are you like me and you wait until the night before?! 

Happy Holidays from my family to yours, I wish you a beautiful one!

 

 

 

 

 

BEAUTY CORNER: MUST TRY SKIN CARE PRODUCTS!

There’s one thing we can thank 2016 for, upping its makeup game! Thanks to Instagram videos, trend upon trend, and each of our inner makeup artists, we now have “highlighting on fleek” and weird tools to apply contour with . . . like hand mixers 😉

I’m pretty adventurous when it comes to trying the new ‘it’ look, but using kitchen utensils during my makeup application is where I draw the line! LOL I’ve also tried a lot of different skincare regimens this year and the products featured today are on my must try list!


Ole Henriksen’s Feel the Difference perfecting face mask – perfect for those monthly breakouts! See what I did there 😉 It’s rich in antioxidants, goes on cool, and the borage & linseed oil help to repair

Glossier Priming Moisturizer – containing hyaluronic acid, you know it’s immediately one of my favorites!  This super light cream allows for you to build up to the amount of moisture you need without it becoming heavy

Glossier Super Bounce – again with the hyaluronic acid! I love this ingredient because it’s the plumping agent in your skin that transforms the cells from raisins to big ol’ grapes! This serum is the key to perfect makeup application

Algenist 360 eye serum – free of sulfates and parabens, you can apply this eye serum around your ENTIRE eye! Ground breaking if you have hooded eyes like me! Most eye creams intend to thicken up the skin under your eyes as this is where it’s the thinnest, hence we age there there quickest booo! But not this one, it’s brightening, hydrating, and should be renamed to ‘bags be gone’ haha



Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream – this has easily become one of my holy grail products. For dry, dehydrated skin, this silky moisturizer offers that deep hydration it really needs. It feels rich but is never heavy, goes on creamy and is absorbed quickly. It’s created with anti-aging properties, wrinkle fighting ingredients, and is free of parabens and sulfates. What’s not to love!

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – this lil pot of magic heats from a balm to an oil in the palm of your hand. It removes all makeup, dirt, and oil lickety split! You won’t even need to cleanse your skin once more after removing it with a warm cloth or cotton round. And if you’re wondering if it leaves behind any residue or greasy traces, I’m happy to report that the answer is no

I’ll continue to try out all the latest and greatest products and report back on what I love, what I believe works, and things I recommend for you. So let me know what you’d like for me to review next <3

 

GET READY WITH ME – YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY LOOK!

‘Tis the season and it’s my most favorite time of year! With all of the holiday gatherings, ugly sweater parties, white elephant gift exchanges, and office celebrations, I thought I’d share my favorite holiday look with you! It’s super easy and I hope you like this glittery creation!

This is my video tutorial, step by step. Do you like these fast paced tutorials or would you prefer a real-time version with voice over instructions? Let me know in the comments 😀

Featuring these products in order of appearance:

Sephora makeup primer, NARS foundation, Beauty blender, Maybelline concealer, Sephora contour pen, Besame setting powder, Brow Gal brow palette, Brow Gal brow gel, Pop Magnetic setting mist, Kevin Aucoin eye lash curler, Stila liquid eyeliner, IT Cosmetics mascara, Ciate + Olivia Palermo palette, Lit glitter set, Makeup Forever pencil liner, Milani blush, Sephora lip liner, Ciate lipstick, Becca highlighter in Opal 

Happy holidays and please follow along on my YouTube channel for #Vlogmas! We video blog every day until Christmas!

 

Are you Christmas ready? Have you done all of your gift shopping? I haven’t even started eeeek! 

 

BEIJING CHINA AND OUR PERSONAL TCM TOUR!!!

The longest flight I’ve ever been on was 5 hours on a trip to Mexico for our wedding venue vacation, and here I was this time last week gearing up for a 12 hour flight to China! C H I N A! Talk about traveling, it was a full day of flights, transportation, time adjustments, and language barriers. I had nothing to complain about though, one of my closest friends, Miya, and I were headed into a week of Beijing explorations, new adventures, and a personal experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine (aka TCM)!

I have so many stories to share I don’t even know where to begin, so I’ll start with how it all began. Miya and I were invited by Juicertrip to join their Ctrip group of travel enthusiasts to journey around Beijing learning all about Traditional Chinese Medicine. Miya is 100% holistic by belief and lifestyle and I love submerging myself into new ideas and cultures, so there we were! We found ourselves among 8 other bloggers and journalists, and two of the writers were from one of our favorite blogs, our friends, Local Adventurer! First on the agenda was a traditional Chinese cuisine served family style, where we got to know one other and learn more about what we were to embark on in the coming days.

Among our days of visiting China’s famous landmarks, were first hand experiences in acupuncture, healing massages, medicinal herbs, natural hot springs, and stress fighting Tai Chi moves!


This was us at the Beijing University Of Chinese Medicine. So much was happening here I had to capture all of the things going on in this one moment. From left to right: Dan laughing at the situation before snapping a photo, as our professor instructs us on how to make flu prevention sachets. Caroline, Franka, and Erin smiling over Franka’s interpretation of the featured herbs, while Amanda and Miya got started. Not pictured, Josh, Lena, and Jackson who were taking awesome photos. Also not pictured, each of us deeply inhaling each bowl of herbs to guess what each contained 😉



From these 6 herbs, of which we could easily identify cinnamon and eucalyptus, we created these beautiful scented “flu sachets” that you smell daily and is believed to ward off the flu. There are so many plants, herbs, and medicinal substances used in TCM that an entire museum is dedicated to the history of Chinese medicine and it’s materials. It was pretty fascinating to learn about what goes into different medicines and powders, and the powers each has to heal from within. The idea of internal related to external really settles in when you get to see what 657 acupuncture points actually looks like on the human body. I’m captivated by the idea of healing the way China views medicine and not ‘numbing’ the way we do here. I’m the girl who even thinks I’m about to maybe get a headache and I pop a pill. I don’t like being uncomfortable I’m the first to admit it. I learned so many different ways to heal ailments naturally on this trip.



A very exciting moment for the group was when we got to share our enthusiasm with local officials and members of the press during the opening ceremony. Check us out following along in some traditional Tai Chi moves directly following the speeches. Our Sifu instructed us on how to relieve stress and pains simply by moving our bodies. It was like a beautiful dance, reminiscent of yoga meets martial arts. Tai Chi has been performed for centuries in China to lower stress and anxiety, and enhance balance, flexibility, and mood. Big thanks to Dan for capturing this moment, if you spot me you’ll see how focused I was!


Once we got back to our hotel, the Beijing Jinyufengshan Spa Resort, we took a dip in their renowned natural hot springs! A few times we all looked at each other to remind ourselves that we were sitting in a hot spring, in the middle of winter, in CHINA!  These 39+ degrees Celsius pools of water are rich in minerals which get absorbed through the skin and were the perfect addition to our trip. Our evenings of hot tea and hot springs.

I can’t thank everyone enough for this incredible trip and the memories our group created along the way.This post was just a glimpse into our 3 days in Beijing with one of the coolest group of people and I can’t wait to share what Miya and I did with our remaining 3 days ! David and Hash of Juicertrip, our friends on the Ctrip team, the Beijing Tourism Development Committee, and our gracious hosts, thank you all so much for having us and we can’t wait to visit again!


And more picture time! Dan once again with his photography skills! Here we are doing our own version of ‘Forbidden City Tai Chi’, “Still Got Juice” style! Ha! From exploring the Great Wall, wandering the Forbidden City, going temple trekking, and experiencing Beijing the way we did, it couldn’t have been a more memorable trip. I’ll leave you with this fun video Miya created while we were at the Forbidden city, spinning in circles the way we do when we find the perfect center point.

 

You can follow along in our adventures from this trip using the hashtags #juicertrip #ctrip #visitbeijing and #TCM_Beijing! If you’d like to learn more about Beijing, TCM, and the trip we took you can check out these links!

Beijing China Official on FaceBook
Visit Beijing on YouTube 
Visit Beijing on Instagram
Visit Beijing on Pinterest

 

Have you ever heard of TCM? Do you practice different forms of holistic approaches in your own lifestyle? Ever been to China! Hen gaoxing jian dao ni! 

BOOKS TO READ WHEN READING BOOKS ISN’T YOUR THING

Joe recently said to me, “I never see you read” and I threw him a nasty lil look because, rude, but also, true. I NEVER read, I mean I read all day long though. It’s part of my job to know what’s new and exciting, who’s doing what, and when the new Apple thingamajig is dropping. I just never read books. Ya know, those tangible-page-flipping-library-kinda material. I do however love the smell of libraries and old book stores I just never find myself seeking them out.

So I’ve piled together the books we have laying around here at home and I’ll share with you why you should read them. Partially so that I can help you discover your inner nerd again because nerds rule, but mainly for myself because I really do need to find time to sit down and feed my brain something besides mindless scrolling of endless status updates.

Damn Good Advice (for people with talent!) – this book was actually gifted to Joe by our incredible friends Sebastian and Karissa but I’ve heard so many good things about it. Offering up advice, information, and inspiration for you creatives out there, I think this read will be a nice little reset if you’re feeling creatively blocked.

Think Rich Grow Rich – this book is a personal development book that focuses on ’13 steps’ and how each principal is necessary to achieve success, promoting the focus of ‘long term goals’. I read all of 3 pages (yes I know, eye roll) but it’s interesting so I’ll pick it back up and report back soon!

The E Myth Revisited – this book addresses the myths of being an entrepreneur, how to let things go and chuck ’em up to casualties of war, and defines the difference between working on your business and working in your business. I honestly have zero clue what the hell that even means but I’m intrigued! Once I read it I’ll give you my full review.

Bossypants – oh Tina Fey how I adore thee. I’ve only read a few chapters of this book but it’s like she and I are besties, she just doesn’t know it yet! She writes in her own voice (duh Jess it’s an autobiography) but it’s legit like I can hear her telling me these stories, like I’m right there with her. And they’re damn hilarious! The woman is smart, sassy, and witty! This is a must read for everyone, everyone I tell you!

Saltwater Buddha – Joe has had this book sitting in our book shelf since I’ve known him and he says this book is awesome and I believe him. I think we can all feel a little lost sometimes and this book is spiritual, travel driven, and all about finding your focus . . . all the things I love! Can’t wait to read it!

Beauty Detox Solution – this was given to me by my hyper brain angel face bff Nikki last year and I’ve perused and pulled information from every chapter! If you know me than you know I’m obsessed with skin care, with feeling young forever, and dammit, looking it too! This book educates you on the food you put into your body and the effects it has on your body inside and out. I love learning new things and finding out about the timing of foods, and what vitamins do what and when is pretty fascinating. Do it <333

Are there any books you’ve recently picked up that I should add to my list?

My goal is to read at least one book a month and I think it’ll be a nice way to start and end the day, a little zen a little zoning out. Do it with me!

 

 

 

 

MERCADO SEGRADO – ARTISANS AND EATS!

The perks of raising the world’s most perfect flower child is that she knows when anything zen-y and cool is happening in our area! Mercado Segrado in Topanga Canyon is an artisan goods and healthy eats event that happens annually and we’ve turned it into a family tradition.  Full of organic food options, art, and hand crafted goods, if you love festivals than you’ll love this one. We especially love supporting local artists and eating from locally sourced venues!




This year, the background for the event was the grounds of Paramount Ranch in Agoura. It’s an old western set, with open spaces, barns, and buildings that look like they came straight out of a John Wayne film. The festival in past years have been held in Topanga Canyon but each year it becomes larger and this location didn’t disappoint!

We had a few favorite vendors that we kept popping our heads into to check out, Earth + Element being one of them! She makes some of the most beautiful ceramics you’ve ever seen, a ’boutique with a conscience’ <3 Their Moon Mugs are out of this world beautiful, check them out if you love ceramics like we do. And DL Skateboards– we couldn’t get over the craftsmanship and admired their boards throughout the day.

Each skateboard is handcrafted from a single piece of solid oak wood, they’re gripped with sand from Topanga Canyon, and the wheels and hardware are all made with parts from right here in California. How awesome is that?! If that weren’t convincing enough for you to go check them out, you should know that they also believe in the bartering system! Yes, you can barter for a board lol that’s the damn best! If I had a military issue canvas tent (ahem dad send me one from your basement!) to barter with, it’d be for the Deep Sun board. It’s my favorite, the colors just make me happy!



And of course, no travel post of ours is complete without a food photo! Pictured here is mango sticky rice. Made to perfection, this was one of many eats and treats featured at Mercado Segrado and we would’ve ordered another one if the line weren’t so long, it was one of the most popular dishes!


Pro tips: Wear comfy shoes- you’ll be walking around on unsteady rock all day, bring a hat and sunscreen- it’s an open space and you’ll want to explore the grounds, and get there when it opens- it’s nice to visit each pop-up tent and vendor there, and then have a seat to listen to one of the live performances take place. Take it all in it only happens once a year.

 

Do you have any local events near you that you HAVE to go to each time they come around again? 

 

SOPHISTICATED STYLE WITH LINDSAY ALBANESE + MONROW

I am so proud to share this post! My incredible friend, Lindsay Albanese teamed up with MONROW, and created a capsule collection that is sophisticated, timeless, and CHIC! I’m fawning over every piece, but honestly, I wouldn’t have expected anything less from this triple threat! Lindsay is a style expert, the savviest entrepreneur I know, and THE highly revered ‘Stylist-Next-Door’.

So I quickly jumped at the opportunity to order early, as once the collection is sold out it’s sold out! If you know me than you know I love simplicity, my closet is mostly monochromatic (as seen here), and I choose comfort over trend. With this capsule collection though you don’t have to decide on one or the other, it’s the perfect medley of comfort, class, and eternal style. If I can make an outfit look elegant and trendy, than anyone can . . . and I say this as I type in sweatpants and a holey racerback 😉




I paired the Lindsay Albanese Roam Sweatshirt with an asymmetrical mini skirt, thigh high boots, and simple accessories. I love the juxtaposition between my messy high-bun and this streamlined look. I felt comfortable, sexy, and sassy!

Head over to MONROW and get in on the pieces! You’ll forever have something to wear to any occasion because each article can be dressed up or dressed down in an endless amount of ways!


How would you wear this collection? Do you enjoy a sleek, fluid kind of look, or is comfort and casual more your speed?

 

 

BEST MOM FRIENDLY BATHING SUITS

If I’m being honest, I really hate when things are referred to as being ‘mom friendly’, and I’m a mom! I don’t know if it’s me assuming the phrase denotes negativity or it’s just me being paranoid that I’m fully defined by my mom hat. Either way I really wanted to share my favorite ‘mom friendly’ bathing suits.

I say that with a smirk because here I am saying it’s crappy to say ‘mom bod’ or ‘dad bod’ like what the hell does that even mean? But in this case, this momma over here has some rips and tears in this fabric and there’s just some bathing suits I prefer to wear! But these styles still make me feel beautiful, sexy, and fierce, which is important to me because I love to feel feminine! Whether you’re trying to conceal your tummy area, hips, or booty and thighs, I’ve got ya covered, literally! Disclaimer: rock your damn body no matter your size or shape because we only get one body in this life, so we mine as well love the shit out of it! We’re perfect just the way we are. *I have to remind myself of this all the time* <333

THE HIGH-WAISTED BIKINI


I’m especially fond of this type of bikini even though you run the risk of looking like you’re in a diaper haha I’ll take my chances! This conceals whatever pooch it is that I think I have, I also got a few stretch marks from having my daughter so beyond wearing a one-piece, this is my favorite version of a bikini. Also this style has scrunched Brazilian cut bottoms so you’re booty looks hot hot hot!

THE CROCHET SEXY ONE PIECE


Honestly, this is probably my all time favorite go-to bathing suit. I even wear it under jeans as seen here, or with a summer skirt because I think it can double as a sexy top. Crochet one pieces come in so many different colors and styles and if you’re trying to conceal your tummy or your hips, and even if you’re busty, I think this style flatters everyone. I refer to this bathing suit as my ‘mommy cover-up’ but it’s actually the best version of a one-piece that I’ve ever put on. It’s sexy but not offensive. And even if it were, if people don’t like it, tell them to close their eyes.

THE SIDE-CUTOUT ONE PIECE / COVER UP

Processed with Snapseed.

I just purchased this suit for our trip to Azul Beach trip when we did our wedding site visit because I wanted as many options for the beach and pool that I could possibly pack! I fell in love with this style because it’s got an open back, a higher neckline, deep side cut outs, and it comes attached to it’s own mesh cover up. This felt stunning on, I felt sexy yet modest . . . though I did have to keep tugging at the sides as to not have a nip slip, but hey, all’s fair when you’re on vacation. This style is perfect for concealing just about anything, for us bustier ladies though, be cautious of your lady bits when you’re in the pool LOL

So these are my favorite styles for us ladies, whether you’re a momma like me or if you just want a little more coverage in some areas, I think these bathing suits will make you feel beautiful, sexy, and fierce!

Rock it baby!

Are there any particular styles that you like that weren’t featured in today’s article? Do you like a high-waisted bikini even if you aren’t trying to conceal anything? What’s your style?! Do tell!

 

 

THE RISE FESTIVAL – THE GOOD THE BAD THE BEAUTIFUL

Everything you need to know about having a successful launch at the Rise Festival from someone who maybe-almost-kind-of didn’t have a perfect night at the coveted lantern ceremony. Could have been disastrous.

It was on Miya’s bucket list to cross off the Rise festival from her to do’s this year, which is I believe, one of the most breath taking and spiritual events you can ever partake in. So of course I told her to count me IN! Our Rise Festival took place about 32 miles northeast of Las Vegas in the middle of the desert and was the perfect setting for what would be one of the most intense visceral experiences either one of us had ever felt! You’ll see!




1. Have your tickets mailed to you – if this is an option do it. Will Call was 45 minutes away from the event and completely out of the way unless you were already staying in Vegas. It would’ve been MUCH easier if they’d made tickets available ON site, in alphabetical order … ya know, the same way they distributed the lanterns and mats. LOLZ
2. Fuel up before entering the site – the location is sooo in the middle of the desert that you should enter Moapa Travel Center into your GPS as it’s on the Moapa River Reservation. If you’re parking in the lot instead of using the shuttle system (those never seem to be the best option for me) than you’re not going to want to fill up at 11pm in the middle of nowhere.
3. Arrive early – The earlier the better I think. We arrived at Will Call around 3pm and then got to the event around 4:30pm, which made for PERFECT timing. We were able to grab a drink, take some awesome photos during the most spectacular sunset, order food from the food trucks BEFORE all hell broke loose, and write our intentions onto our lanterns while there was still light out.
4. Layer up and tote a bandana– Did I mention we were in the desert? lol Once the sun went down it was actually kind of chilly and windy out. Layers will keep you warm and a bandana of some sort will keep the sand out of your nose. We were blowing chimneys out of our nostrils when we got back to our hotel later that night.
5. TO LIGHT THE LANTERN – the most important part right! To Actually getting your lantern to rise and be with the 10,000 others! So thankfully they passed out an extra lantern to all of the participants as we only purchased one lantern each. Well the wind decided to pick up JUST as we lit our torches, and as I lit the fuel cell, the flame burned holes throughout my lantern making the first two attempts a big fat fail. Also it was momentarily disastrous as lanterns flew by my head and flames zipped by my very heavily hair sprayed hair. But we ducked and dodged, and third time’s a charm! Here’s what we learned:

– You need someone to help you hold the lantern upright so that the lantern walls stay open and don’t collapse onto your flame. Preferably all of your friends (make this a whole group event!) will hold your lantern up right until the heat has filled the lantern and it’s ready to rise on its own.
– Light the fuel cell with the tiki torch until the entire fuel cell is on fire, this takes a few minutes. Pro top: remove the paper wrapper surrounding the fuel cell BEFORE lighting it on fire.
– Once the fuel cell is red with fire, as your friends hold up the walls of your lantern, slowly take your lantern towards the ground. This will help to keep the wind out of your way and allow the flame a chance to create enough heat to fill your lantern with hot air.
– Once you feel your lantern start to naturally tug away and lift from your light grips, slowly stand up and allow the lantern to release! Boom, you did it!



It only took me THREE tries to get my lantern to rise, but when it did, I legit cried. It was so moving, symbolic, and serene! To watch your lantern float away among thousandssss of other lanterns, lighting up the night sky, it was so surreal!

Oh, and they had a live band playing on stage …  so imagine writing your hopes, dreams, and prayers onto this ‘intention lantern’ with thousands of other people, in the middle of the desert, enjoying the breeze, all WHILE being serenaded with beautiful music. Right?! Unbelievable.

I uploaded the video of my lantern and I (the ‘3rd one’s a charm’ one) and our festival moments onto my Instagram account if you want to experience it <333

P.S. oh and don’t bother waiting in the 183,821 person line to get your photo in front of the RISE sign. I mean you can if you’re into that kind of thing but Miya and I took ours behind the sign and didn’t have to wait for didly. Just tell people to mirror the image in their minds.

Have you ever heard of this kind of event? Have you been? Would you want to go? I hope this post was helpful if you do!