My family knows if they want to get me a gift, they can’t go wrong if they get me something that involves tea. The fun part about having tea is the process of making it. There are so many exciting tea products that can elevate your tea experience. Here are a few of my favorites…ENJOY!
One of my favorite escapes is brewing a cup of steaming tea, grabbing a fluffy blanket, and snuggling on the couch with a good book. A cup of tea is not just a drink, it is an experience. It can be used to wake yourself up after a late night, relax after a challenging day, heal you when you’re not feeling well, and a way to join together with friends and family. For me, 2021 is all about wellness and self-care, and I can’t think of an easier way that with a cup of tea. Here are some easy ways to incorporate tea into your wellness routine:
Christmas is the time for giving, so let me help you cross some items off your list! The holiday season can be hectic, so I’ve come to love the ease of online shopping! Now, more than ever before, you won’t catch me browsing in any stores. From home, I can put on my favorite PJ’s, pour a glass of wine, sit by the fire, and avoid the mobs of people at the mall. This year is a very different year, so the list will feature gifts travelers can use at home. So, what do you get for that woman on your list that loves travel? Enjoy this Ultimate Gift Guide for Women:
Vintage Camera Bag: When traveling, my camera case often takes the pace of my purse, so I like it to be roomy and stylish. I love the vintage look of this bag and the strap looks so comfortable. It has deep compartments for your camera and lens. The bag can be used as a crossbody, which is the safest way to wear your purse when traveling. I chose this bag because you can also use it as a purse when you’re not traveling.
Christmas is the perfect time to share your favorite stories with friends and family. Maybe it’s the former language arts teacher in me talking, but I think there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book. Looking for a good book for someone this Christmas? These books are full of characters you wish you could meet, lives you’re thankful you didn’t live, and endings that you wish would never come. Pick some up as gifts or as a treat for yourself that you can enjoy after the craziness of this holiday season.
Enjoy! Happy shopping!!
By: Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient: Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations―a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….
By: Alka Joshi
The Henna Artist: Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…
Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.
Every week in October I will be having a Travel Beauty Tuesday, where I feature some amazing beauty products that I have been using. This week is all about Olive & June, my new nail polish obsession!
When I travel, I often end up at the spa treating myself to a manicure or pedicure. Since this pandemic has begun, I have missed getting pampered and having my nails colored. I hate that so many polishes chip just days after using them, and I am always looking for ones that last a long time. I have been stalking following Olive and June on Instagram, drooling over their amazing colors, and I was thrilled when I got the chance to work with them.
I was so excited to get The Everything Box. ($80)
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to be conscious not only about the food I’m putting in my body, but also what I’ve been using on my face, skin, nails, and hair. I have sensitive skin, so it’s often hard to find products that work well on my skin. I’ve been using an amazing skincare line called Restorsea Pro and I can honestly say my skin has never looked better. Travel is a wonderful adventure, but it can wreak havoc on your skin. I will definitely be bringing these products with me when I finally go on my next trip. Let me tell you all about them.
The one I use is made for normal/dry skin. I love that it removes my makeup without stripping my skin of its essential oils. It leaves my skin soft and is the perfect product to end my day with. I use a dime-size amount every night before bed to remove my makeup.
You all know how much I love jewelry, and I also love surprises, so a subscription box that sends you jewelry sounds like the perfect solution! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with mintMONGOOSE, and try out their amazing pieces of jewelry. I was so excited when I saw the package!
And I couldn’t wait to see what pieces we got!
Over the last few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to try out so many great products while in self-isolation. I’d love to share with you some of our favorite things that we think travelers will love! Take a peek…
Enjoy!
Creativity is something I try to encourage in my kids. In fact, this summer they have written “Do something creative” on their daily To Do lists. This kit is compact enough that kids can bring with them as they travel. It is great for any ability and age level. We were given two pens. The first was the 3Doodler Start “Learn from Home” pen set. I love that it doesn’t have any external hot spots so it’s perfect for ages 6-13.
It also came with 200 additional strands of 3Doodler Start plastic refills.
The second pen we got was the 3Doodler Create “Learn from Home” pen set.
This set is perfect for ages 14+
As a traveler, I love to find jewelry that can be worn during the day and then transitioned into something for evening. I was sent these beautiful earrings from byKikarose and I have not stopped wearing them. This beautiful Etsy shop has wire jewelry hand-crafted in a wide range of classic and original designs. Take a look at the beautiful earrings I got!
The earrings came in adorable cotton drawstring bags that are wonderful if you are gifting them.
Turquoise beads with round bronze hand stamped pendant ($28)
Photo credit: byKikarose
In the last year, I have become more and more interested in finding methods for relaxation (meditation, deep breathing, etc) and have been wanting to devote more time into doing it. It seems like such a simple task, but in yoga, I can’t seem to ever turn my mind off during savasana. So, I figured since I have nothing but time on my hand, along with a ton of anxiety, I would expand my search. First stop…YOGA NIDRA.
Through the use of body sensing, breath awareness, guided imagery and other practices, you are systematically guided on a meditation journey. You remain in a state of relaxed awareness, but not sleep.
Yes. I actually love doing it at home when my friend Becky leads them in a salon that has a salt cave. (Local friends…if you haven’t done this you NEED to check it out! Email me for more info.) It is so relaxing! A few weeks ago, Becky offered a virtual class so I was able to do it from my own living room.
