Social Media has assuredly contributed to the recent clean skincare revolution. We have an abundant source of knowledge at our fingertips that we would have never had access to 10+ years ago.

Since first starting my wellness journey – I’ve taken an especially large interest in clean beauty products. At this point in time, the law that governs cosmetics regulation has not been updated since 1938. Yes, you read that correctly. 80 flippin’ years! This means that essentially any company can add whatever ingredient into a personal product they’d like and they don’t have to disclose it either – even known carcinogens have been found to have been used in a large array of products over the years. If this doesn’t make you cringe, then ugh – I’m not sure what will.

Recent studies have revealed the horrible impact these toxic ingredients are starting to have. Scientific evidentiary support has identified that these ingredients can contribute to multiple types of cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities, and other health issues are on the rise as well.

I’ve always thought it was unusual how normalized it is to slather on a multitude of ‘unknown’ ingredients right onto our largest organ each day. We need a drastic shift in the beauty industry and beyond anything, we need transparency and tighter regulations. I applaud the integrity of all the clean beauty brands that are spearheading this movement globally.

Below are some of my favorite clean, non-toxic and cruelty-free brands that offer products for every skin-care need. This segment will focus particularly on some of my favorite masques.

Summer Friday – Overtime Mask. Summertime Friday was founded by one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Marianna Hewitt, and Lauren Gores Ireland. After years of searching endlessly for the perfect beauty product, they created their own line of masks comprised of  “good-for-you” ingredients. I used the Overtime Mask twice a week. It smells like fall (pumpkin yumminess) and gives my skin the subtle exfoliation it craves!

Osmia Organics – The Adzuki Nourishing Mask: The brand was founded by Sarah Villafranco and the line has an emphasis on catering to all of the senses. The ingredients are beautiful, clean and smell amazing!  The Adzuki Nourishing Mask is made from adzuki beans and quinoa for gentle exfoliation. The aroma is fresh and smells of sandalwood, lavender, and rose geranium. This mask feels so refreshing and I love using it a few times a week!

OY-L – The Exfoliating Manuka Mask: The founder, Andrea Pierce-Naymon, was inspired by her personal journey as well as her daughter’s when it came to creating a clean skincare line. She left the fashion world “to create OY-L an all natural skin care line on a mission to provide beauty without secrets”. OY-L’s manuka mask is chock full of amazing ingredients. It smells like lavender and honey goodness. The mask is downright addicting and I have a difficult time not wanting to use it every day – savoring it is by far the most challenging part!

Tammy Fender: Restorative Radiance Mask: I had the pleasure of meeting Tammy back in May during a launch of her skincare line at Moon Juice. Her passion for clean ingredients was so apparent upon meeting her. She is known to many as the “holistic guru”. I loved her magnetic energy — and her skincare line has been a wonderful introduction into the clean beauty world for me. The Restorative Radiance Mask has a subtle floral aroma and is infused with baobab, floral waters, and lotus.  My skin feels insanely soft after using. I have seen a dramatic improvement in texture from using it only once a week. A little goes a long way too!

I have wanted to write a post about nutrition for a long while. I have consciously decided that I want to have more of a leading focus on overall wellness. I’ve always been into working out and over the last few years especially, I’ve been trying to soak up as much as I can about nutrition. I have incessantly researched adaptogens, Ayurveda, whole foods, supplements, superfoods, and CBD. I’m still always learning and I’m of the mindset that everyone’s wellness journey is ongoing.  Though, I’m undeniably happy with where I’m at these days nutritionally.

Overall wellbeing – emotionally, physically, and spiritually really aligns consummately with where I’m at in life today. I wanted to introduce some of my favorite wellness brands that are large components of my daily nutritional intake.

1. Adaptogens: categorized as a group of herbs that aid your body in “adapting” to distinctive needs. An example of this would be that the natural apoptogenic substance(s) help the body adapt to stress and assist the body in normalizing a variety of processes. While there are a variety of substances that can temporarily alleviate some of the body’s responses to stress, adaptogens assist in remedying the body’s ailments in a natural and gentle way. Adaptogenic herbs have been used in Chinese and Indian cultures as medicinal properties for thousands of years.  Below you can find my favorite Adaptogenic c blends and brands that I incorporate into my daily diet.

• Moodbeli is a brand that I first discovered shortly after moving to Los Angeles. I’m so happy that I found them because they’ve played a pivotal role in my wellness journey. Over the last year, I have experimented with adding their blends to smoothies, teas, a variety of desserts, and soups. Here are my favorite blends that I use daily along with their website description and some ways in which I take them:
• Mushroom Adaptogen: “This blend of wildcrafted Adaptogenic mushrooms and raw cacao may nourish the immune system and enhance well-being. Tastes like cocoa when mixed with plant milk of choice—no mushroom taste.” I like to use this one in either my morning protein shake or in hot water with honey during the evening.
• Golden Turmeric: consisting of turmeric, black pepper, and ginger – is “An ancient, earthy and warming turmeric blend that may help tame indigestion, soothe inflammation, and ease joint pain” I use this blend almost every single day. I blend it with hot water, coconut cream, a few drops of stevia, and a tbsp of coconut oil. It’s something I look forward to having each evening!
• Ceremony Tonic: “An indulgent and activating blend of raw cacao, matcha green tea, and maca root to inspire focus, mindfulness, and shared ceremony.” I add this one to hot water in the morning and sometimes use it in place of coffee.
• Holy Ashwagandha: “Three potent ingredients from the Ayurvedic tradition—Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, and Shatavari—blended with a hint of coriander to relieve stress and promote well-being.” This is assuredly my favorite blend. I like to refer to it as my personal holy trinity. Ashwagandha is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of the word ashva, (meaning horse) and gandha (meaning smell). The root is said to have a strong aroma is often described as “horse-like.” I have found this blend to be the most helpful in combatting stress and my arthritic pain. It is most notably known for reducing anxiety and stress.

Moon Juice is another Adaptogenic brand that I first discovered when I attended a clean skincare event. Their brand has a chief focus on beauty and wellbeing. One of the first things that really captivated me about Moon Juice was their unique packaging and branding. They are very well-known now in the LA community.

• Power Dust: “is an Adaptogenic blend of elite super-herbs and super-mushrooms that help combat the effects of stress to fuel your physical and entrepreneurial feats. The ingredients are found to Boost energy and reduce fatigue, Help restore and sustain energy level, and support healthy cardiovascular function.” The packaging on this blend is tan dreaminess. I love to add it to my daily smoothies.
• Deep Chocolate Mushroom Adaptogenic Protein: “used for energy + focus + recovery. Ketogenic, bio-fermented brown rice protein with adaptogenic super-herbs and super-mushrooms for super benefits. Vanilla Mushroom Adaptogenic Protein^™helps to reduce stress, restore and sustain energy, and control stress-related weight gain, while boosting focus and mental stamina” I add this to my daily protein shake and typically have it first thing in the morning or 25 minutes following my workout.

 2. Supplements: I love a wide range of supplements – but lately, I have been looking to simplify my daily supplement intake and have loved the Ritual Essential for Women vitamins. I am a mostly plant-based, so I have to be incredibly cognizant of my daily nutrient consumption.

• The Essential for Women Supplements: include folate, omega-3, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D3, Iron, Vitamin K2, Boron, Vitamin E, and Magnesium. It also smells and tastes like peppermint goodness!

3. CBD or otherwise known as Cannabidiol is a cannabis compound that has a considerable amount of medicinal benefits. CBD-rich cannabis does not contain THC and is non-psychoactive. It is a wonderful holistic approach to a range of ailments. If you are looking for relief with the following: inflammation, seizures, anxiety, arthritis, spasms, psychosis, chronic pain, or depression – CBD may be a suitable alternative for you. I have found it to be especially helpful with my anxiety and arthritis. My go-to brand for CBD products is Cured Nutrition. They’re based in Colorado and have a vast selection of hemp-infused spices, cookies, dog treats, and oils. I love their Cured Dough. It’s made with Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil and Nut Butter. I usually will have one of these for dessert after dinner. The Cured Full Spectrum Raw Oil consists of hemp cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids.  I love to take this in the evening before bed and sometimes will add a couple of drops to my tea!

Many of us are guilty of spending absent-mindedly. A typical day in Los Angeles for me usually involves a few Uber rides, working at a café, followed by a great lunch spot – none of which, I usually track my spending on. On a few occasions, I’ve looked at my online bank account with near certainty that my debit card had been compromised. I’ll even admit that I’ve gone as far as calling my bank to resolve it only to have that ‘aha moment’ during the call that it was, in fact, a purchase I had made. Oooops!

Since I’m no ridiculously wealthy Angelino, I thought I would try a different approach when it comes to my spending habits. Today, every purchase I made would be followed by a ‘mindful moment’.  I was ready to embrace all of the convoluted emotions that would come with this new found awareness. Though ultimately, the goal is to take away a newfound sense of financial power.

After opening my fridge to an underwhelming amount of breakfast options, I decided to take an Uber to my favorite delicatessen. I should also note that I’m considered an alien by many for not owning a car here in Los Angeles. I’ve done the careful calculations, though – if I owned a car here, I would pay roughly $250 more a month between the car payment, insurance, gas, and occasional parking ticket. Most importantly, I’m avoiding terrible road rage and countless headaches. I’d say that’s priceless!

The first Uber ride of the day was $6.32… “not so bad”, I thought. Upon arriving, I ordered my favorite – the kale and squash quinoa bowl with a small coffee. I decided early on in the day that so long as the food portion of my spending served as a contribution to my overall health, I’d be in good shape. $12.76 for a big bowl of grains and greens – oh and the coffee too. If you ask some people, they’ll argue that coffee is not the healthiest of beverage choices. Being that I’m Italian and Greek, it should come as no surprise that I strongly disagree. Most of my family members would even say it’s essential!

After breakfast, I took an Uber to Griffith Park to go on a hike. The total was a whopping $4.50! I realized before starting the hike, not having water would assuredly result in an unfavorable outcome. So, I purchased an Evian for $2.50 at a nearby stand. Fortunately, I at least had the smarts to remember to bring a $3.00 ‘perfect bar’ that I had purchased the day before.

When adventure beckons, I often just pick up and go. A carry-on, my camera, and my phone will usually suffice. As long as I’m able to capture some incredible moments on the go… I don’t need much. OtterBox has long provided me with a peace of mind knowing that my phone is fiercely protected! All that I have to be thinking about when the time comes to capture my most memorable travel moments is “should I be photographing this in portrait mode or landscape?”

My smartphone plays an exceptionally important role in my life. Not only am I having to document my travels and most cherished memories on it – but it’s also directly correlated to my livelihood. My need for an ultra-protective phone case is all too real.

So when I made my way to the top of Preikestolen in Norway and actually had service (to my surprise), I was able to not only capture some extraordinary photos… but I also posted some Instagram Stories and Facetimed my mom to share the experience with her! The fact that Otterbox is able to withstand such rugged terrain has offered me such an immense relief when traveling.

So here are 5 reasons to why OtterBox is the ultimate phone case to have:

1.EASE OF TRAVEL WITH THE TOUGHEST CASE EVER– I have dropped my phone more times than I can count. Throughout my most recent 3-week trip to Finland, Estonia, and Norway – I dropped my phone at least a dozen times. Whether it was on an arduous hike or nudged off a dining table, OtterBox has provided my phone with so much durability and protection… that I don’t even experience fleeting moments of panic anymore!

2. SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT PERPETUALLY GIVES BACK – As a company, OtterBox is pretty remarkable. Their mission on their website states, ‘We Grow to Give.’ PAUSE! Four powerful words that have some seriously strong resonance. A leading goal of the brand is to find continual ways to give back. Through the OtterCares Foundation, they are committed to Inspiring Kids to Change the World. I personally love the feeling that is accompanied by purchasing a product that has a residual positive impact on others.

3. PROTECTIVE YET STYLISH – The OtterBox Symmetry series is my absolute favorite. The cases from this line are ultra-slim and sleek. They also offer an array of solid colors & designs. I find myself coordinating my phone case with my outfit more than usual now. They’re also ideal to bring along on a trip since they offer a simplified installation. I can take off and put a new OtterBox case on in under 20 seconds.

4. YOU CAN TAKE UNDERWATER PHOTOS – A few years ago, OtterBox released their toughest phone cases ever, the Armor Series. They’re dustproof, waterproof, drop proof, and crush proof. The series of cases is a reinvention of the classic Otterbox case and offers 4 layers of protection. It can even tolerate submersion for 30 minutes in up to 6.6 feet of water! So now you can have a peace of mind when you want to snorkel and document your little sea friends.

5. AFFORDABILITY – The average OtterBox phone case costs $39.95. That’s less than what I pay for myself to go out to eat in Los Angeles most days. You can also find some amazing occasional sales on select styles on their website. One of my favorite cases, the Confetti Pop from the Symmetry Series, is currently 30% off right now!

My style has evolved and become far more minimalistic since moving in with my significant other and I’ve had a much larger focus on creating a cozy, easeful space for us both. Particularly, I have wanted our bedroom to be a place that promotes relaxation and contentment.

I’ve had a vision of creating a cozy bedroom reading corner ever since we first moved in. Finding the perfect marriage of colors and textures was important to me. I wanted Scandinavian elements with some sprinkled in pops of color. Pinpointing my signature style hasn’t always been effortless – but travel has definitely played a pivotal role in inspiration. I’ve particularly fallen in love with Nordic & Danish interior because it’s an aesthetic that can be easily elevated or subdued by the use of color!

The bedroom did prove to have some challenges along the way. There was only one obvious part of the room that was big enough to allow for a corner chair – but it was aside of a large window that leaked in copious amounts of natural light. The Joybird Briar chair in Royale Evergreen ended up being the PERFECT accent piece for the space. The lush green thoroughly complements the other neutral tones throughout the room. I also love how the Rune Floor Lamp adds an extra layer of modernity to the space as well. Our bedroom is truly our little haven now!

Cognitive Power. 

Change your thoughts. Change your world – Norman Vincent Peale

This is a phrase that we’ve more than likely encountered at some stage in our life. It’s a phrase that’s worthy of a thorough examination and I’d go as far as saying that it can even prompt some serious introspection. Oddly enough, this phrase is on the main page of my website. I’ve personally always been curious about the cognitive power that our mind can have over us. I’ve recognized this past year how a considerable number of thoughts have led me down this incredible, entrepreneurial-spirited path that I’m on. It hasn’t always been easy. I’m prone to self-defeating notions and have often refuted and second-guessed my accomplishments.

I’ve always wished I could forgo this ill-favored character flaw. It doesn’t serve me, so why would I allow it to take up any space in my life? Sometimes our thoughts covertly fester in a way that has subconsciously changed our views. Our thoughts eventually become our intentions thus manifesting a reflection of how we react to the world around us.

Counteracting this quality has always been at the forefront of my mind. I’ve had numerous events happen in my life that I can specifically pinpoint as the outcome from having had positive, self-assured thoughts. The problem is — sustaining that same level of positivity in the face of adversity. It’s by no means an easy feat.

While the self-employed journey has continued to bring me some incredible opportunities, I admit that I could unquestionably elevate the level of my success if only I could cultivate a more affirmative mentality.

That brings me to… ACCESS CONSCIOUSNESS!

I was first approached by a PR agency that was orchestrating a press event for something called Bars Media Day back in April. After reading the introduction of the service, I decided fairly quickly that it was something of interest to me. I should mention that I don’t easily fall for any of the Los Angeles new-age claptrap services that seemingly offer obscure results. I’m always open to learning about new techniques but do remain skeptical typically.

Without really knowing the minutiae of how it worked – I was decisively intrigued by the following points:

“This process can help with: Greater mental clarity, Motivation, Significant increase in joy & happiness, and Deeper relaxation:

These were all factors that I was, of course, eager to improve upon.

When I arrived at the event space, I was greeted by a woman named Jessica with a wonderful energy. I soon after learned that she would be facilitating and  ‘running my bars‘. It turns out that she was also a life coach – no wonder her energy was incredibly positive!

I had absolutely no idea whatsoever as to what expect. For all I knew, I would be doing yoga, with a crystal in one hand and a kombucha in the other – that sounds like joy and happiness, right? To me, it sounds like pure bliss!

Jessica explained that Bars is different than any other modality and focuses on  32 points on the head (okay, so it definitely sounds like I won’t be doing yoga with kombucha) — and that it’s essentially like hitting the delete button on all of your excess files — & what happens to your computer when your hard drive is way too full? It doesn’t work properly – it would seem befitting that the same concept can be applied to your mind and overall wellbeing.

During the process of having my bars ran, I felt fleeting sensations of tingling and sweeping lightness that came over my body – but the most interesting thing that I noticed during it… was the heat emitting from the back of my head. ENERGY YA’LL!

After the hour was over, I stood up and… WOW. For the first time in what I would have to guess as being 5+ years, I could detect no ounce of anxiety whatsoever. Anxiety can sometimes be a tricky little thing because even when you’re not incredibly cognizant of its presence or the hindrance it can cause, it’s usually there on the backburner playing a role in some capacity.

BUT THIS! I truly felt a sense of lightness and ease that I had never experienced before. I left feeling awoken and open. That’s the best way that I can describe it. I knew that it was a feeling that if sustainable, could truly alter how I show up in the world. Needless to say, I was hooked. I contacted Jessica and arranged a day to learn how to facilitate BARS myself alongside my boyfriend.

Here is a list of the most noticeable differences after just two weeks of Running Bars with my boyfriend:

• If a presented offer doesn’t work out, I don’t feel defeated – only motivated to get a bigger, better, and more befitting one!
• Saying NO to things that do not serve me or offer any sense of real reciprocity all of the sudden felt easier
• I felt a greater sense of patience in most circumstances that previously used to challenge that beautiful quality
• Situations of negativity that used to consume me, even if only partially impact me, no longer felt like they weighed me down

• I felt like I had an easier time recognizing my accomplishments and improvements (for me this is a HUGE one because often I feel like I’m my own worst critic at times).  Being able to tell yourself “you’re doing great” can really propel you towards more opportunity.
• Spending more quality time with my boyfriend
• Turning in from work at a reasonable hour (I could continue to work 16 hour days even if 3 hours of that day isn’t an optimal use of my energy)
• I cleaned and organized way more frequently than I use to. This may seem like a small detail – but to me, it was massive considering before I use to seldom have the energy.
• I stepped up my entrepreneurial game and created 8 new detailed Business Intelligence spreadsheets so that I can track my expenses, revenue, goals, etc .. like a boss!
• It has become much easier to maintain a steady gym routine

There you have it. I’m sure I’m forgetting some – but the most exciting part about all of this is that I feel like I’m only just starting to scratch the surface with Access Bars. I feel like the longer I do it, the more boundless the outcomes will be.

Here are some helpful links you can reference for more information:

• Access Consciousness 
• Jessica Colp – BARS Facilitator and Life Coach
• More Information about Access Bars