It's a little more than five weeks until Christmas. Every year my kids get harder and harder to buy for. I don't want to just buy a bunch of gift cards (which I know they would probably love). To save some time, here are some top picks for tweens/teens this holiday season.
BirchBox. Each month, your teen will receive a box of awesome beauty samples. Sometimes they even through in a healthy snack. I love this gift in that it can continue past Christmas. $10 per month.
Hoverboard. We started seeing a couple of them around the neighborhood and my 14 year old decided she needed one ASAP. Price $290-up.
Retro Mini-Refrigerator: I don't know if it's their burgeoning need for independence, but my 12-year old would think this is the coolest gift ever. Especially when he has a friend or two over to play video games. $119.
Gaming Chair. With the new Star Wars game just out, I know my son will be playing more than I'd like. This chair is a perfect combination of gaming and desk chair. $123.
Headphones/Ear Buds. My kids go through these more than I'd like. Most teens want Beats, and I'm not opposed to them, but after reading the reviews, Skull Candy get the best reviews. $75.
Coloring Books. Ok, if your teen girls haven't asked for one yet, they will. It just started getting hot with my daughter a few months ago and she loves it. I love it. It's not an electronic. $14.95.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Balancing Your Chakras
Do you ever get the feeling you are out of balance? I do. It's usually when I'm feeling anxiety or stress. Between work, kids, life, it adds up. When I'm stressed or out of balance, I can always tell because I'll wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.
And I'm an AT LEAST 8 hour a night sleeper. Sleep is practically a hobby for me. Which is why it's so important for me to stay in balance. Besides the usual trying to eat right, exercise, meditating (which I need to more of), I am always on the lookout for something to bring a little peace and harmony into my life.
Which brings me to chakras. I wandered into the Aveda store recently and they asked if I wanted to "explore my chakra balance." I thought, sure why not. It was a really great experience, and I highly recommend it next time you are in an Aveda store.
According to Aveda,...The 7 Chakras; Your hair, scalp and skin are all part of one ecosystem: your body. When healthy and happy, your body has the power to make you look and feel beautiful. Ayurveda, the 5,000 year-old healing tradition from India on which Aveda's foundational principals are based, teaches us that chakras - our body's energy centers - can help this happen.
I'm was sold. At the store, they show you the 7 chakras associated with your body and you choose three chakras from the list whose words/symbols appeal to you today. Next, you smell the three balancing body mists associated with those chakras. If you prefer one aroma over the others, that's your senses weighing in on the balancing aroma that's right for you.
The seven chakras are:
1. Grounded. This is related to security and basic needs. The aroma is organic patchouli, vetiver and olibanum. Color is red. when this chakra is balanced, one has good energy, a feeling of security and healthy body awareness. When imbalanced, one feels lethargy, resistance to change and the need to slow down.
2. Nourished is related to pleasure and our relationship with others. The aroma is organic sandalwood, orange and geranium. Color is orange. When in balance, one has stable energy, alertness, unblocked emotions and is connected to all five senses. When imbalanced, one feels out of touch with one's senses.
3.Intention is related to power, motivation, intention and desire. The aroma is organic fir, balsam, lavender and lemon. Color is yellow. When this chakra is balanced, one achieves goals, is self-confident and has strong motivation and direction. When out of balance, one experiences mental blocks, nervousness and impatience.
4.Harmony is related to sympathy, empathy and love. The aroma is organic sandalwood, mandarin and palmarosa. Color is green. When the heart chakra is balanced, one feels love and connection to self and others. When out of balance, one experiences depression, loss of connection and apathy.
5. Expressive is related to creativity, self-expression and communication. Color is blue. The aroma is organic grapefruit, rosemary and ylang ylang. When balanced, one has inner trust, self-reliance and easily expresses ideas and thoughts. When out of balance, one feels selfish, has feelings of rejection and has difficulty expressing oneself.
6. Insight is related to intuition, imagination and perception. The color is dark blue and the aroma is organic petitgrain, orange and geranium. When balanced, one will feel intuitive, connected and mentally fit. When unbalanced, one has mental blocks, over-thinks and lacks depth.
7. Wisdom is related to wisdom and enlightenment. The color is violet and the aroma is angelica, elemi and organic olibanum. When balanced, one feels strong, unclouded and experiences joy. When unbalanced, one feels loss of self, spiritual abandonment and lack of connection to the universe.
Sounds like a lot, but the process is actually really fun and takes only minutes. It was really interesting to me. I ended up liking both #4 and #7. You can use the body mists while meditating, doing yoga, or whenever you feel the need. I tend to keep one by my bed and the other kind of floats around the house. The aromas themselves smell amazing, and hey if they offer a little balance to my life, then GREAT!!
What do you do to create more balance in your life?
Thursday, July 2, 2015
I'm Loving....
All things red, white, and blue right now. I mean 4th of July is a few days away!!
I love this time of year, it's like summer is in full swing, days are gorgeous and the kids are loving not being in school.
We're off to the beach today, but wanted to share some of my fav red, white, and blue inspired pins.
What will you be doing for the 4th?
I love this time of year, it's like summer is in full swing, days are gorgeous and the kids are loving not being in school.
We're off to the beach today, but wanted to share some of my fav red, white, and blue inspired pins.
What will you be doing for the 4th?
If you follow me on Pinterest, you know that I love pinning doors and streets. I don't know why, but I love them. Usually they are some random European street that I dream of walking down one day, but this is my favorite pin from Boston.
I've made this berry salad and it is seriously yummy. Perfect for summer!
How cute is this saying??
This outfit is perfect for walking around town. Love the shoes and bag!
I know if I brought this sangria to the neighborhood 4th of July party, it will be gone in seconds.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Summer in San Diego: What to Do With a Teen
It's summer! I love summer in San Diego...long, warm days at the beach or pool. Perfection!
This year, we are making a sort of 'to-do' list to keep us busy and active.
If you have any ideas... please send them my way!
5 Things to Do This Summer in San Diego With a Teen
1.Beach: Our favorites... Del Mar Beach, Coronado, and La Jolla Shores. Pretty much any beach is great, however these are our favorites. The waves are perfect for surfing, boarding, or just jumping the waves. Bonus..if you go to Del Mar, they have the best ice cream scoops at the snack bar. Warning..they are huge!
2. Kayaking/SUP: A few years ago, we tried SUP and we love it. Try Coronado Bay (across from Hotel Del) or Mission Bay for calmer waves.
3. Bike Ride: Take a group and rent bikes for a few hours or the day. Ride around Coronado Island or Mission Bay. There are great places to stop to grab a bite to eat, sit under a tree and enjoy the ocean breezes.
4. Aquatica: SeaWorld's Aquatica located in Chula Vista is something the kids love to do every summer. It's a great water park full of fun rides for all ages. Get there early to snag shade, then let the kids run around.
5. Shopping: Let's face it, most teen girls love to do a little shopping. We want to try a couple different areas of town near the beach for fun things they wouldn't find in the mall. Thinking... Mission Beach and La Jolla.
This year, we are making a sort of 'to-do' list to keep us busy and active.
If you have any ideas... please send them my way!
5 Things to Do This Summer in San Diego With a Teen
1.Beach: Our favorites... Del Mar Beach, Coronado, and La Jolla Shores. Pretty much any beach is great, however these are our favorites. The waves are perfect for surfing, boarding, or just jumping the waves. Bonus..if you go to Del Mar, they have the best ice cream scoops at the snack bar. Warning..they are huge!
2. Kayaking/SUP: A few years ago, we tried SUP and we love it. Try Coronado Bay (across from Hotel Del) or Mission Bay for calmer waves.
3. Bike Ride: Take a group and rent bikes for a few hours or the day. Ride around Coronado Island or Mission Bay. There are great places to stop to grab a bite to eat, sit under a tree and enjoy the ocean breezes.
4. Aquatica: SeaWorld's Aquatica located in Chula Vista is something the kids love to do every summer. It's a great water park full of fun rides for all ages. Get there early to snag shade, then let the kids run around.
5. Shopping: Let's face it, most teen girls love to do a little shopping. We want to try a couple different areas of town near the beach for fun things they wouldn't find in the mall. Thinking... Mission Beach and La Jolla.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Finding the Perfect Reusable Water Bottle
If you live in California, then the topic of water is probably going to come up at some point in a conversation, online, or in the news. When it rains, we do a little happy dance. Ok, I don't. But I also don't complain about it.
I recently read this article about bottled water, and it reminded me that I probably buy too much. While this author is clearly against any form of bottled water, I don't think I can realistically never use them again, simply because I'm just not that organized. And with kids, well, the convenience factor often times outweighs my good intentions.
But that doesn't mean I can't take a few small steps and that starts with having the right refillable bottles around that my kids and I might actually use.
I have had this one for a little while and I love it. It's BPA-free and you can infuse your water with any type of citrus - lemon, lime, clementine, etc. It's also top-rack dishwasher safe!
My kids are not big reusable bottled water drinkers. They swear they start to smell funny after a few uses. It's a challenge, but I've found a few that so far are doing the trick - and all are BPA-free!
CamelBak Better Bottle. My son likes this one because of the flip up straw, and I've found they are pretty easy to clean.
Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle: My daughter likes these because you can find some pretty cool designs. I on the other hand am not a huge fan for two reasons: 1- It's really hard to put ice in them 2- those little caps seem to always get lost.
Reduce Everyday, WaterWeek: I don't have these yet, but I love the idea. If I saw them at Target, I might just have to have them. Five bottles stored in a container, ready to go when you are. They come in smaller versions too for the little ones.
I recently read this article about bottled water, and it reminded me that I probably buy too much. While this author is clearly against any form of bottled water, I don't think I can realistically never use them again, simply because I'm just not that organized. And with kids, well, the convenience factor often times outweighs my good intentions.
But that doesn't mean I can't take a few small steps and that starts with having the right refillable bottles around that my kids and I might actually use.
I have had this one for a little while and I love it. It's BPA-free and you can infuse your water with any type of citrus - lemon, lime, clementine, etc. It's also top-rack dishwasher safe!
My kids are not big reusable bottled water drinkers. They swear they start to smell funny after a few uses. It's a challenge, but I've found a few that so far are doing the trick - and all are BPA-free!
CamelBak Better Bottle. My son likes this one because of the flip up straw, and I've found they are pretty easy to clean.
Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle: My daughter likes these because you can find some pretty cool designs. I on the other hand am not a huge fan for two reasons: 1- It's really hard to put ice in them 2- those little caps seem to always get lost.
Reduce Everyday, WaterWeek: I don't have these yet, but I love the idea. If I saw them at Target, I might just have to have them. Five bottles stored in a container, ready to go when you are. They come in smaller versions too for the little ones.