Over the years, I’ve become more and more athletic and you may not be able to tell from these ever-graceful gymnastic poses, BUT I’m pretty good at keeping my balance! The Road to Rio is underway, so I’ve been extremely excited to show my support of Team USA as I get ready to cheer them on at the Olympic Games!
As you know, I’ve participated in a lot of really incredible opportunities with AT&T, from supporting their golf tournaments to covering their philanthropic partnership with TOMS and more! I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining the Road to Rio Tour with them LIVE, at the Venice Beach stop on July 23rd/July 24th! As an influencer, I’m passionate about keeping you connected to the things that matter to me most and this partnership with AT&T will allow me to share with you a personalized interaction! From what the athletes are doing to gear up, to how YOU too can show your support and connect directly with the events surrounding the Olympic and Paralympic Games!
So join me in becoming an AT&T Fanmate at attfanmate.com and show Team USA some love by participating in the conversation! And, use #ATTFanmate in your social posts and follow the hashtag for updates!
I’ll be at the Venice Beach stop at the end of July for the Team USA send off which is open to the public, so I hope to see some of you there . . . high fives and hugs will be given all day!
What’s your good luck message to Team USA athletes heading to Rio? Can we expect to see you along the tour?
This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with AT&T
Over the past few weeks I’ve had the urge to just get up and go and I don’t know if that’s because the open road is calling my name again or if I just need some change. Whatever the reason, it’s inspired me to challenge myself, and you, to write out a bucket list for this summer and slowly but surely check every adventurous thing off of it!
I hope this post encourages you to write out your own summer bucket list and join the challenge! So here we go! 1) Do something that scares you! 2) Go to more music festivals! 3) Enjoy the stillness! 4) Fill up on art and knowledge! 5) Practice gratitude!
These are all photos from last summer’s fun times and amazing memories. From rock climbing in Joshua Tree, attending our very first Coachella, slow walks on the beach at sunset, and admiring the floors at every museum we could find! This will be my inspiration for this summer’s excitements! I have to stop myself sometimes and remind myself to be present and to be grateful for every day, even the slow ones. Create the slow days, enjoy the stillness, and then enthusiastically attack the next day with tenacity!!!
What’s on your summer bucket list?! Do you have any suggestions for me for our next adventure?
I’ve been a little jet setter these past few months with all of the holiday traveling, projects that’ve brought me on some adventures, and family getaways. I wanted to share with you a few of my travel essentials- whether I leave for 2 weeks or 2 days, I pack only ONE bag. I never check luggage, I know, crazy right?! Well here’s how I do it!
Airlines allow you one carry-on and one personal item on board without accruing any additional fees … usually. So in my ‘personal item’ there are some things that I pack to make my travels a bit more comfortable, each and every time.
I personally love utilizing a backpack to tote around my personal items instead of a big purse. With a big purse; the larger it is, the more I pack in it, the heavier it becomes, and then boom I can’t feel my arm. Soooo, in this backpack are the usual suspects that I pack each time, which include:
1. Lip Balm– because, dry and stagnant air while flying in airplanes
2. Facial hydrating mist– because, dry and stagnant air while flying in airplanes, and this one is the most refreshing and quickest absorbed
3. Hand lotion– I can’t get over how dry the air is when you fly, am I the only one? I mean my hair, my skin, my everything, feels so dehydrated. This one not only soothes dry skin, it also just so happens to smell like banana runts candy … swoon
4. Hand sanitizer– because I’m a bit of a germaphobe and traveling makes this hypochondriac over here all kinds of paranoid
5. Snackies– because I’ve been known to get hangry
6. Nuun vitamins– because I feel like we pick up so many germs when we travel and I don’t like being sick … yup hypochondriac thoughts in full force
7. Eye mask, ear plugs, and tissue– because, sleep. Sleep is nice and I’m a great napper!
8. Planner and pen- Some people conjure up their best ideas on the toilet or in the shower … I get the shower bit, I too think up some great things in the shower, weird I know. I also think up great ideas on planes. Also weird, but in those moments it’s nice to jot them all down!
In my carry-on I use the ‘roll method’ of packing clothing. I usually pack 1-2 pairs of shoes depending on the activities planned at said destination, a few leggings, various tops and tanks that can be mixed and matched, and something warm to layer-up with. If you aren’t one of those ‘plan out your outfits in advance’ kind of people, this method may not work for you. I challenge you to give this a go and let me know how it works for you! I also very Tetris-style, pack away the following must-have items for any trip I go on:
1. A cosmetic rollup for my toiletries- it keeps everything like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and morning hygiene items, organized and easily at my disposal. It also fits only the approved travel-sized products, and it rolls up to a nice and neat burrito of a bag.
2. Two makeup bags- this daintier makeup bag carries my ‘grab and go’ items like eye liner, mascara, and concealer (the things I can’t live without and will grab and pack no matter what size purse is with me). This larger makeup bag carries my bigger items like makeup brushes, foundation, perfume(s), and any bottled primers.
3. A ‘face-kit’ bag– I coined this bag with the term because it carries all of my morning and nightly skin care routine items. My face wash, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, SPF, oils, and serums. Hence, the whole ‘kit’ part of it. I need all of these things, I’ve convinced myself of this. This particular bag comes in different sizes and can be machine washed incase of any spills. Hallelu!
4. My technology- my vlog camera which is tiny enough to tote along anywhere, my chat light incase natural lighting fails me, an external charger, and a monkey tripod which can attach to just about anything, it’s a life saver!
These are just a few of my favorite things, the things I pack with me on any every trip I go on. I wanted to share these particular items because they make the cut no matter how long, or short, my trip will be. I hope this will help you to pack more efficiently!
Let me know what your go-to items are whether they’re in your personal carry on or something you check with your luggage! We all fancy different things for different reasons, so share with me yours!
See you later this week with my current favorite metabolism-boosting smoothie recipe! Happy week to you!
“I’m going to have to ask you to check your luggage.” Oh those dreaded words. When you travel you’re frazzled! You’re trying to take off your shoes without your feet touching the germy ground, while taking your lap top out of its case, WHILE making sure you eliminate any kind of jewelry or metal that would cause TSA to have to frisk you! Pro tip: travel as light as possible.
Corrine and I are traveling to NYC this week and we’re so excited to share with you our city adventures, our shopping finds, and what all the hub bub is about! The hub bub yes! So if you’ve been watching my videos *ahem I’ll wait here while you catch up* than you know that Tula is a company I’ve been obsessed with supported since they were a start-up company who appeared on QVC.
Well we’re beyond happy to be joining them this week at their headquarters in New York, sitting down with Dr. Raj herself, and hosting the coolest Tula product giveaway you’ve ever seen! I have a few questions myself for Dr. Raj but I’d love to have some of your questions answered too, so be sure to leave them for us in the comments! So meeting the team behind one of the companies I’m so passionate about is such an exciting event and all I could think about was, “What am I going to PACK?”!
I know I know, you were thinking the exact same thing! Well have no fear lil grasshoppers today I’m going to share with you my top 15 must-have-at-all-times-no-matter-where-I-go- items!
1. Free People tote: this bag is perfect for traveling! It carries everything, I mean everything! It has two side pockets so that your phone and your card holder don’t get lost in the abyss, and it’s as deep as the Mary Poppins bag! To see my Mary Poppins take on hand bags click here!
2. Scentbird perfume atomizer: a lipstick atomizer that is travel friendly, you get a new designer fragrance each month, and it comes in the cutest packaging! You can try a new fragrance each day if you wanted! Hey a girl’s gotta have options!
3. Tula (for lyyyyfe) revitalizing eye cream:this eye cream goes on like butter, absorbs quickly, hydrates your delicate eye area like crazy, and smells like heaven.
5. Micheal Kors wristlet: this jet set travel wristlet is large enough to accommodate your iPhone 6, your Samsung, and keeps your entire life close by – i.e. ID, credit cards, and cash.
6. Louis Vuitton agenda: this is the small agenda, 6 ring, and cutest ever life organizer you can get your hands on! I love that it’s small enough to be toted with me in any cross body bag and has slots for credit cards and ID.
7. Lanza portable hairspray: airport security has confiscated enough hairspray from me to support a Texan pageant. So now I carry with me a portable hairspray and this Lanza one smells increds!
8. Itssewann cosmetic pouches: these are handmade, laminate pouches, machine washable, convenient and come in a variety of sizes. Perfect for packing toiletries and spillable items! She also makes custom snack bags!
9. Shiseido Benefiance eye masks: whenever I travel I feel jet lagged even if it’s from LAX to SF! So I always pack eye masks so that upon my arrival to said scheduled event – I don’t look like I’ve just flown in from Egypt.
10. Caudalie hand and nail cream: whenever I travel I also feel like my skin gets SO dry. This is the perfect hand cream, it smells fresh, hydrates your hands, and conditions your cuticles. It’s always been a favorite of mine!
11. Karen Walker sunnies: love love love these! I have a thing for oversized sunglasses and these tortoise framed beauties were worth every penny! I feel so chicin them even if they’re all I have on my face – even sans the makeup!
12. Asos hand lotion in cucumber: I told you, my skin gets dry! This is my back-up go-to hand cream. Smells like a refreshing spritzer, small enough to carry in your back pocket, and won’t break the bank!
13. Canon vixia mini camera: my one and only. My most prized camera, fits in any bag, comes with me everywhere, and gets the entire room with its fish eye lens! If you’re just starting to video blog, or take any video in any capacity I highly suggest this one. It’s user-friendly, auto focus, auto everything.
14. Mpow blue tooth headphones: teeny tiny, no cords smacking you in the head, and they fold up to be a nice little hand-held accessory (perfect for the gym!).
15. Josie Maran argan oil: not only do my face and hands get dry while traveling but so does my hair! What do they put in those airplanes?! So I always carry an oil of some sort with me. I’ve recently been loving this argan oil, it’s great for your hair, skin, and nails!
And not numbered in the photo are the little trinkets that are still a part of my must have items, they’re just more commonly found. These ear plugs are everything. You can find them anywhere and they will actually allow. you. to. sleep. Hallelu!!!
Hand sanitizer is a must, especially for this germaphobe *raises both hands* so I make sure to always have with me a travel sized hand sanitizer and this one smells like a vacation.
And last but definitely not least is my lip balm. All 587 of them! Of the seven I usually carry with me, this Smith’s rose minted balm is one of my most coveted! It comes in a tube so you don’t have to stick your fingers into a tub *where are my fellow germaphobes at?* It’s silky, hydrating, and smells like a tropical breeze.
Whew! There you have it! My top 15 products, each of these things I actually carry with me in my carry on. Call me crazy or call me genius, but if you ever need a shoe shiner . . . I’m looking out!
Okay okay now on to the world’s coolest giveaway! Not only are we doing a tour of the Tula headquarters but 7 of you lucky lil honey bees are going to win some of these amazing Tula products! I’ve tried each and every one of them and I’m so excited for you have them too!
Pictured are the goodies you’ll be entering to win, the purifying face cleanser, revitalizing eye cream, illuminating face serum, hydrating day and night cream, advanced neck cream, and the exfoliating treatment mask! If I had to choose a favorite I wouldn’t be able to, they’re all so beneficial! I have a post on Tula explaining my deep love for their products here, and to enter to win one of these prizes simply leave me a comment below telling me where you’re from and what product you’d be most excited to receive! You can also TAG me on Twitter or Instagram sharing your answers with me over there and you’ll be entered to win that way too! I’ll announce the winners next Monday July 6th here on my blog and in a video!
Good luck, enjoy your week, have a happy and safe Independence Day! Let us know what your plans are and we’re so excited to share our week’s adventures with you all so stay tuned for all the happenings!
We try and take each weekend to focus on family time, exploring the different festivals around L.A., and disconnecting from the work week by getting outside. This past weekend we attended a small festival called Mercado Segrado, in the Malibu canyons. It was a celebration of the canyon spirit, the arts, and an Earth-connected kind of experience. I’m all about that spiritual life so you know I got all kinds of loopy about this!
Set in a private oak grove in Malibu featuring hand made goods, artisan vendors, fresh food, and spiritual ceremonies (more on this in a bit). Above is the view from where we were when we entered the festival, from the far back white fence. Soooo beautiful!
This is that fence, and to the left you’ll see one of the vendors – a beautiful set up of what appeared to be made of paper mache and animals formed from what looked like beautiful pieces of color paper. Beyond the fence is a small pond and the rock formation that we’ll call the “disgruntled man”. If you were able to see beyond the weeping willow tree, you’d see groves upon groves of trees and green!
Here’s a man in the wild. Joe, barefoot, shoes in hand- we were headed towards the live band area and taco stand near the back. I’m not sure that he was just as in love with the festival as we were, as it was a very female heavy crowd and we were all barefoot and swaying with the wind, but he loved all that energy floating around him!
There were tents, open spaces, and racks full of vintage clothing and goods, handmade art pieces, and soy candles – pictured above is Corrine in her element- sifting through vintage pieces underneath a meadow of trees. It was just as magical as it looks here, the sun did this to the photograph, nothing I could do could have made it look so dreamy.
Corrine found a spot under one of the trees later in the afternoon to set up our blanket for picnic times. Look at her, my lil Earth baby. She found the event this day, she follows a lot of the vendors and artists that were there on Instagram. Here under the tree we had vegetarian tacos and a rice bowl . . under a tree you guys… on the grass. Makes me want a back yard. Now about that tea ceremony…..
The words you see on the piece of paper are the words that came to me after I participated in a tea ceremony. I sometimes go into things as a bit of a skeptic and I don’t mean to, but this was one of those times. Surprisingly, I really loved it though and I’m really really interested in learning more about plant science and plant medicine.
So we all sat in a circle- Corrine, myself, and a few other ladies. The first of 3 teas that we drank was a jasmine- pink rose- and lotus tea. We started off by meditating, then we introduced ourselves to the tea (this in of itself is a whole other article), we took in the aroma of the tea, and then we slowly sipped it. We let it sit in our bellies for a bit and then we meditated with it some more until we felt words or saw colors, whatever it was we wrote them down. These were the words I felt. If I learned anything from this experience it was that everything carries with it an energy, and each day the things that we do shift that energy. By the end of the tea ceremony, 3 teas after, and an hour later, my energy had shifted from feeling overwhelmed and rushed, to a more calm and grounded feeling. It was really interesting, you should try it out some time, even if you’re a skeptic like me.
This was my view from our picnic tree as I lay out, toes in the grass, listening to folk music on a sunny Sunday afternoon before we headed back home. It was beautiful and peaceful, so if you get a chance to get out this week do it! Nature can totally be cool!
Have you been to this kind of festival before? How about tea ceremonies? Too cooky for you or would you try it? I’ll leave my tea suggestions in another article for you all about tea ceremonies and energy shifts if you like, so let me know in the comments!
FTC Disclosure: Compensation was provided by DSW® via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of DSW®.
Corrine and I are so excited to be joining DSW® at Coachella this year and sharing with you our Instagram takeover of our most favorite festival fashions! It’s here, festival season is upon us and we’re heading to Coachella this weekend to check out the festivities for the very first time ever! As Coachella newbies, you know we’ll be jotting down all of our Coachella 101 tips for you as we navigate our way through the fields, the fashion, and the performances!
Besides Coachella being known for it’s amazing line ups, surprise guest performances, and the infamous ferris wheel that makes its way into every Instagram photo from the venue….Coachella is a time for fashion! The most flowy, bohemian themed, tasselled trinkets come out of Coachella each year, inspiring the next year’s fashion themes. From bell bottoms to layered skirts, festival season has everyone’s favorite fashion items in mind and Corrine and I can’t wait to dance around in color and fabric this year! It’s a pretty awesome and pretty special thing to get to attend such a fun event with your daughter. I mean, how cool am I?!
It’s especially special for she and I to attend Coachella this year together, because Corrine is 17 now and her style is so different from mine. We look like loving yet rivaling sisters, she with a 70’s soul and a vintage heart, Corrine loves patterns and pastels. She’s obsessed with bright prints and flat sandals and loves to dress up. I on the other hand love muted colors and bohemian details, I’m more casual and I’m obsessed with wedges and contrast pairings.
I love taking a casual outfit and making something about it chic. An accessory, an iconic flair that’s most likely inspired by Corrine’s fashion sense. She loves taking something vintage and pairing it with an accessory opposite its era…. a 1930’s peacoat over a 70’s style dress. See where I’m going with this? Can you imagine how fun we look together when we’re out shopping, she makes me so proud to be her mom! So we’re really excited to share with you our outfit picks for this year’s event!
In preparation for our road trip up to the venue this year we’ve paired up our favorite festival style DSW® shoes with our most favorite fashion forward picks! 80% of festival fun is the walking around part, checking out the different stages, exploring the grounds, so to wear a comfortable (yet fashionable) pair of shoes goes without saying. Here are our picks for this year’s festivities!
I spy with my lil eye Corrine’s toes making a cameo
Later this week we’ll share with you how we styled these fun shoes and what theme we will accessorize each with. Shoes are meant to polish off your look, represent your personality, and add a lil sparkle even when you feel like a lil flare! Stay tuned for all the fun starting this Friday on through Sunday where we’ll catch you up on what we’re doing, what we’re wearing, and who we’re listening to live! Also please follow DSW’s Instagram as we’ll be hosting an Instagram takeover with our adventures featuring our looks from the event! You can follow along in our journey by using the hashtags #DSW #SaySomethingGreat!
We’d love it if you said hello if you’re on the grounds this weekend and be on the lookout for our posts from Coachella 2015! And here’s one more fancy footwork photo for the road!
Have a great week and we’ll see you this Friday!
xo- Jess and Corrine
At DSW®, we believe in the power of shoes, and in the power of shoe lovers. With thousands of fresh styles for men, women, and children, we’ve got something for everyone, no matter who they are or how they dress. Shoes say a lot about you. Say something great.
