As you probably already know, skincare is seasonal! Changing temperatures and climates brings about very different reactions in our skin. Right now, it’s winter, and you might be suffering from major dry skin. I know I am! Even more so than usual, my skin is THIRSTY and soaking up every last bit of moisturizer and hydrating ingredients (think: hyaluronic acid). Facial oils have been popular for a while now, but I wanted to share one that I’ve been particularly loving – argan oil.
I was introduced to argan oil through Josie Maran’s incredible all natural argan oil line. So far every product I’ve tried has been incredible – soothing, moisturizing, and non-pore clogging. Whatever your skin type, chances are you could likely benefit from using some kind of oil on your face! To find out if argan oil might be the missing product in your winter skincare arsenal, read on to learn more about all of the different argan oil benefits.
What is argan oil and how do you use it?
Argan oil comes from the kernals of the argan tree, which is found in Morocco – you probably have heard of Moroccan Oil, but did you know that it is the same as argan oil? It can come as a pure oil, or mixed into a product for its many benefits. It’s completely all natural and organic – Josie Maran makes some of my favorite argan oil products!
Argan oil benefits for your skin, hair, and nails:
+ It’s very hydrating! Argan oil is most often used to moisturize and soften skin and hair. It can be used on your whole body – including your lips, nails, and feet.
+ Filled with vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids that are good for your skin.
+ It smooths and conditions hair.
+ Has anti-aging benefits for your skin.
+ It absorbs easily into the skin, is not greasy, and doesn’t clog pores . Believe it or not, it is actually often used as an acne treatment and is safe for oily skin as well!
+ It’s all natural and organic.
Shop my favorite argan oil products + more below. Some of my favorites: Josie Maran 100% pure argan oil and Pure Argan Milk, which I use after washing my face and largely credit for bringing moisture back to my skin this winter.
Forget about being fashionably late – there’s something to be said about being early. You hear it all the time, but it turns out there really some truth in the saying, the early bird gets the worm. There are a whole slew of benefits to being early – in LA, it means less traffic. On vacation, it means less people at tourist attractions. If I’m being honest, for me it means fewer people in my photos. There’s a reason why early mornings are some of the best times to shoot! At a sample sale, you get first pick on items. At networking events, you’re among the first people to make a stronger impression. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. So why is it we have such a difficult time being on time, much less early?
I may not have the answer, but one thing I will say is being on time takes a level of effort and discipline. I have so much respect for the people in my life that are not only on time, but always early!
Being early applies to more than just showing up to your hair appointment on time. Think about trendsetters, innovators, and entrepreneurs that were the first to have a particular good idea. Not only did they have the idea at the right time, they were also able to quickly bring their ideas to life. I’m far from being the first blogger, but I have so much respect for the trailblazers that paved the way.
When it comes to personal style, I don’t claim to be a trendsetter. My style isn’t super high fashion or complicated. It’s much more comfortable, relaxed, and attainable. At the end of the day I still work a corporate job and have to dress appropriately for the office! This particular look combines some of my favorite trends at the moment – white boots and accessories with a newsboy cap, and one of my favorite pieces from last year – a mesh turtleneck! As much as I love fun prints, colors, and statement pieces, I’ve found that as I’ve gotten older, I tend to gravitate more towards neutrals and pieces I can wear over and over again. Mixing up higher quality basics with more fun, on-trend pieces allows me to keep my wardrobe fresh and interesting.
On an unrelated note – I had my aura read for the first time tonight, and it was so fun and enlightening. If you’ve never done it before, I highly recommend the experience! You can learn more about it here and here.
Even though I’m an introvert at heart, I love a good party every now and then. I mean, who doesn’t? December is my favorite time of year – I love the holiday season and all of the festivities that come with it. Not to mention, December happens to be my birth month! Naturally, this means lots of holiday parties, events, indulgent dinners, and nights out. As much as I try to maintain a healthy routine, it can be almost impossible to stay entirely on track this time of year.
Determined to do it all, I’ve been trying my best to be a healthier party goer. The goal is to be social and not miss out (even though there’s nothing I love more than staying in), while sticking to some semblance of a health and wellness routine. The key is always balance, and with a little effort and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can manage your social calendar without gaining a pound. Who says you have to sacrifice your waistline for a social life?
Tips for being a healthier party goer
+ Checks and balances
Life would be oh so great if we could just eat whatever you want, drink as much as we want, never workout, and not gain a pound. Unfortunately for most of us, that’s just not the reality of life. When it comes to going out, the biggest thing is making sure everything balances out. Meaning, if you indulge more in one area, you have to tighten up in another. Some examples: if you’re planning on drinking more than normal, maybe skip the dessert one night. If you want seconds of your favorite holiday dish, keep the portion size small. Of course, you know your body best, and if you rarely indulge, there’s no need to be so strict either! If your routine is usually pretty light and healthy, you have to trust your body to be able to handle a few extra cocktails and a slice of pie.
+ Make healthy choices
Most parties will have healthier options. Stick to veggies and proteins. If you’re worried about the options that will be available, consider bringing a healthier dish as a contribution. There’s also no shame in bringing your own healthy snack! In college, I would pack wheat PB&J sandwiches in my purse if I knew there was late night pizza in my future and I wanted to avoid it. A little discipline goes a long way! When it comes to alcohol, stick to clear spirits (tequila, vodka) with sparkling water and extra lemon/lime.
If you’re really craving a cocktail, have just one – craft cocktails are FILLED with sugar and one will usually do the trick. Switch to cleaner drinks after if you want to continue drinking. If you’re not into vodka sodas, sip some bubbly!! A glass of champagne is less than 100 calories, and you’re much less likely to chug a glass of champagne because of the bubbles. If you’re worried about standing around without an alcoholic beverage, grab a glass of sparkling water and lime. You’ll save yourself from tons of calories, unnecessary sugar, and a nasty hangover the next day.
+ Eat before parties and enough
I hear so many girls say they won’t eat before events or will skip meals – I’m guilty of this too – but the reality is your body needs fuel! When you don’t eat, your body essentially goes into “starvation mode” and begins to hold onto extra calories, effectively slowing your metabolism. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten is to always have a small snack before going out – an apple, a little bit of protein (turkey slices, hard boiled egg), a handful of nuts – it’ll settle your stomach and prevent you from gorging at the actual event. If you’re on a stricter diet, make sure to eat in advance if you aren’t sure what will be available to eat at a party. The last thing you want is to show up starving and have no healthy options available.
+ Drink water
Especially if you’re drinking. The age old advice to alternate an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water is tried and trued. Staying hydrated will stave off hunger and hangovers – such a no brainer!
+ Up the workouts
Squeeze in a workout whenever you have an extra moment. If your schedule is extra busy, try incorporating HIIT or treadmill intervals into your routine – these quick, high intensity workouts are super effective at torching calories on the fly. Schedule your workouts into your calendar or sign up for a workout class with a friend – that way you can be accountable! Making time to take care of yourself and your health and wellness is ALWAYS worth it.
Of course, you want to look appropriately festive for all of your holiday events! If you’re looking for a holiday party outfit that will take you from office to night, this duster jacket has been one of my favorite pieces. I can’t get enough of all things metallic right now – festive without being over the top! I’ve linked my entire outfit below, as well as some of my other favorite metallic holiday pieces.
Happy Holidays, everyone!! How do you stay healthy during this time of year? xx
When you think of Thanksgiving, the first things that come to mind: family, gratitude, and of course, a feast. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a month of holiday parties and gatherings through the end of the year. We love it for being the happiest time of year… but hate the weight gain that come with it. When it comes to maintaining healthy routines and our waistline, every little bit of effort makes a difference. Read on for some easy tips for a healthier Thanksgiving (and holiday season!).
Tips for a healthier turkey day:
+ Sweat before you feast. Most fitness studios will offer some variation of a “turkey burn” class so you can get your workout in before you feast. Or get the whole family in on it for a 5k/local turkey trot! Every year, I do a turkey day yoga sculpt class in the morning before I spend the rest of the day cooking and eating – so worth it!
+ Drink water – a no brainer, but it’s so easy to mistake boredom or thirst for hunger. Constantly sipping water throughout the day will help you better gauge how hungry you are for the big feast. Which brings me to my next point…
+ Eat breakfast! Too often we automatically think that in order to eat X, we have to starve ourselves first. This is so bad for your body for so many reasons! As a general rule of thumb, when you starve yourself, your body goes into starvation mode and begins hanging onto fat. Also, skipping meals causes your blood sugar to drop, slows down your metabolism, and makes it more likely to overeat when you do eat next. If you’re looking to eat a light meal before your big Thanksgiving, opt for eggs (PROTEIN), a smoothie, oatmeal, something to get your digestion and metabolism going!
+ Be a social butterfly. Catch up with everyone at Thanksgiving. Cousin’s new significant other? Introduce yourself. Extended family you haven’t seen in years? Ask them about their lives. Ever notice how when you’re busy talking and socializing, you tend to eat less? Keep yourself busy and distracted from shoveling food into your mouth.
+ Eat slowly. In between chatting with everyone, don’t forget to put your fork down in between bites and eat slowly. It’s much easier to overeat when you wolf your food down, so take small bites, chew, and re-evaluate how hungry you are. Thanksgiving food tends to be decadent, and you might find you’re full sooner than you expected.
+ Go for your favorites. I am not a fan of deprivation at all. Personally, I find that when I tell myself I can’t have something, I end up wanting it more. This is also true with food. When it comes to Thanksgiving, nothing is off limits, but listening to hunger cues is important! I try to load my plate with my favorite side dishes, and skip the ones I don’t care for as much.
+ Make a healthier plate. If you are trying to be more conscious of what you’re eating, even on Thanksgiving, then there are a few simple things you can do to load your plate accordingly. Go heavy on the protein (white meat turkey), load up on veggie sides (roasted vegetables, crunchy salads), go easy on the carbs (stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes), and limit dessert.
+ Move after you eat. A light walk, stretching, anything to get your blood flowing and digestion going. Fresh air is the best after a large meal! Oh, and a cup of detox tea.
+ Practice gratitude. Get rid of the guilt! Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and appreciating what we have. Getting rid of negative thoughts about food and focusing on the present and everything we have to be thankful for (loved ones, our health, our bodies, the meal we just ate…) is what the day is about. Tomorrow is a new day, and the perfect chance to get back on your healthy routine.
Follow me on Instagram and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! xx
This weekend my boyfriend and I hosted our first Friendsgiving. It was so much fun, and I’m seriously still full from all of the amazing food! Recipes to everything we made below… including an unexpectedly delicious mashed potatoes recipe from 2 Chainz ; ). As a newbie hostess, it was also a learning experience! AJ and I love hosting people for hanging out by the pool, birthdays, football, etc. I’m on my way home to Minnesota where I’ll be spending actual Thanksgiving with my family! If you’re hosting Thanskgiving this year, here are some last minute, easy hosting tips that will make the day run smoothly!
Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving
+ Plan ahead – the week before, we planned out our menu and got all of the ingredients in advance. Some recipes can also be made ahead of time, making the actual day itself easier!
+ Timing is everything – when you’re preparing a large meal, it can be difficult to time all of the dishes perfectly! The turkey finished cooking much earlier than we anticipated, and there was a bit of a scramble to keep it warm until dinnertime. Do a little mental math beforehand to make sure all of your dishes will be done around the same time (some will need to be kept warm in the oven!).
+ More food is better than less – you don’t want to run out!
+ Simplify clean up – consider using disposable plates, cutlery, and napkins. I found some chic bamboo plates and cutlery online, as well as some thicker disposable white napkins. We also used plastic cups to avoid broken glass. This made cleaning up a relative breeze!
+ Set the scene – decorations don’t have to be complicated! Small votive candles always add a nice touch to any table, as well as flowers! This time of year especially, there are so many gorgeous burgundy and orange colors you can incorporate into your decor.
+ Fresh blooms go a long way – you can never go wrong with fresh flowers. Gathering a ton of inspiration from Pinterest, I was determined to make some DIY table runners. Visiting the LA Flower Market is an experience in and of itself, and I came out with so many fresh flowers and greenery, and had a blast making eucalyptus garlands at home. It’s also super easy to do yourself! Thinking of making a tutorial on this.
And a couple things I learned…
+ Assign seats – this will make sitting down for dinner a breeze, as your guests will not be scrambling to find a spot to sit.
+ Provide entertainment. Avoid awkward table talk (the worst thing: politics) and provide games or other entertainment for guests when they aren’t eating.
+ Create little tasks for guests to help with – more often than not, they want to help! This gives them time to hang out with you as well.
+ Stop and enjoy the evening – not everything has to be perfect! Take a moment to stop running around and make time to speak with every guest and thank them for coming.
Our Thanksgiving Menu
+ Spatchcocked turkey (note: cooks very quickly and looks obscene, but the meat is incredibly juicy and tender)
