Whew, it’s been awhile! Fall has been a whirlwind for us – we had a couple of family visits, I caught a cold that absolutely refused to go away, and my trusty 10-year-old Macbook decided it was time for retirement. Needless to say, I know I’ve been pretty radio silent here but I’m so happy to be back in front of my new Macbook typing out a blog post.
I wasn’t sure how to re-start posting after a month of quiet. Writing, to me, is like riding a bicycle. I don’t forget how to do it but it’s a little shaky for those first few moments. So let’s get out those shakes and wobbles! Here is a list, in no particular order, of everything I’ve been loving lately and what’s brought me joy this fall:
Beauty & Skincare
Native White Tea & Lilac Body Wash: I’ve been a fan of Native deodorant for awhile now and reach for their Cotton & Lily scent for the cooler months. I picked up their White Tea & Lilac Body Wash on a whim at Target and I cannot get enough of this scent! It’s light but has staying power and I love how the scent remains instead of washing down the drain.
Caudalie Resveratrol: I have a more in-depth review of this Caudalie anti-aging serum here but Resveratrol worked wonders for me this fall when the crazy temperature swings were wreaking havoc on my skin.
Daily Movement & Mindfulness
Yoga: I had been in a really good rhythm with my daily movement before getting sick and I felt quickly sidelined with my lingering cough. Although I started to feel more like myself, I knew I had to work to get myself back to my cardio and strength workouts. I decided to take a pause and focus my daily movement on mindfulness and giving myself grace instead of seeking out workouts where the goal is to burn calories. District Flow Yoga’s Yang/Yin Flow and Restore classes have been a fantastic way to get in the daily movement that helps me to relieve stress and tension. I love to take this class when I need to unwind and let the world just melt away for an hour.
Nightly Stretching: I mentioned in my goals for the rest of the year post that I wanted to prioritize flexibility and mobility. I am proud of myself that I’ve been consistent in this practice. It’s not always an everyday action but carving out those 5, 10, or 15 minutes has already made a big difference. I’ve never been super flexible but that hasn’t been an issue – until I started working from home and spend more time sitting. Consistently stretching (I swear by Mady Morrison’s YouTube channel)
Meditation: Hear me out – I know people make it seem like meditation is a magical cure-all. I’m not one of those people but I have noticed that setting aside time before work for even 5 minutes of a guided meditation and deep breathing puts me in a better head space for the day. My go-tos for guided meditations are from Melissa Wood Health (love Yasmine, her voice is so calming) and Gabby Bernstein.
Style
Lake Pajamas Lounge Set: It’s no exaggeration when I say I’ve practically been living in this lounge set; in fact, I’m wearing the set right now! Like all of Lake Pajamas pieces, the fabric is luxuriously soft and makes you feel like you’re on a cloud. I always size up with this brand’s PJs for a more relaxed fit.
Backless Sneakers: We’re in that sweet spot of weather right now where it’s not chilly enough for boots but not warm enough for sandals. Right now, I’ve been reaching for my backless sneakers when I’m heading out for a walk with Riley or off to a yoga or barre class. Sperry’s Crest Vibe Sneaker is incredibly comfortable – I wore them all over Disneyland for 3 days with no problems – and their backless version is just as good!
Home
Forge Candle Co.: I found this candle company by happenstance and their “Cardamom & Cream” has quickly become a favorite scent. It gives off a cozy aroma but not overly sweet. I’ve been enjoying this candle nearly every night and still haven’t hit the bottom – Forge Candle Co. says their candles have a burn time of 60 hours and I think I’ve exceeded that! I’ll definitely be ordering another Cardamom & Cream candle.
