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Fall Skincare Routine
As the weather is changing for some of us and we're settling into our fall routines–I thought I'd share with you one of the staples I've found that lasts me through any season, my fall skincare routine. No matter what season I'm in, I've always struggled with clogged pores and dry skin, even despite how diligent I am about taking care of my skin–but recently I feel like I have finally come to a product routine that has improved that drastically.I also want to add that before quarantine I was regularly getting facials to help me find a good medium with my skin, but since quarantine, I wasn't able to get a facial in seven or so months. Recently I just went back to my facialist who knows my skin so well, and she said that my skin is looking better than it ever has–I seriously owe it to these products and routine.Skin can be such an important topic for all of us, though we don't always talk about it–having clean and clear skin really can attribute to your confidence! I know that some of my issues can be issues that we all experience, especially in the fall season, so I'm excited to share with you and hope this helps!My Morning Routine
Morning cleanse:
Follain balancing cleanser mixed with ISUN Crystal Cleansing Exfoliant
In the mornings, after I cleanse but before I apply product, I always spray this
on my face.
Then I apply these products in order:
1)
2)
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
3)
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
4)
Biossance Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil
mixed with
Follain Replenish + Protect Moisturizer
My Nighttime Routine
1)
Garden Apothecary Spun Gold: The Cleanser
I always double cleanse or cleanse once and then use
Odacite Blue Aura Cleansing Water
2)
3)
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
4)
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
5)
Biossance Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil
mixed with
OR
Carasoin Cold Fusion Intense Moisture
(by itself)
Other Nighttime Products
January Labs Pure & Gentle Cleansing Gel
January Labs Revitalizing Day Cream
Henua Organics Recharging Moisturizer
and
Each of these products is amazing on their own–but in this routine, I've found the perfect fit for my skin! To find out more information on each of the products and what they target, click the links included above. And to see some of my other skin and self-care staples, follow The Clean Stuff where I regularly post my favorite clean picks. xo
Implementing the Art of Needing Less
This year has brought about so many realizations and enabled the quest to be flexible, to leave my hands in an open posture and realize how out of control we are! I think we have all had to pull our big kid pants up a time or two. No? But when things don't go the way we planned, there is always a reason, redemption, and the best lessons learned!As I reflect on our house renovation time, we prepped to be out of our home for one month which turned into two, which turned into eight. Wowsa! To prepare for the initial predicted time frame, I packed what I suspected I would need for a month. I had a major light bulb moment during this time because one month's worth of basics STILL felt like too much during those eight months. I had never been in a situation like this where I was away from home for an extended period of time, and I could not have been more thankful for what it revealed. I remember moving into our house, and I was overwhelmed at the amount of things we had. I went through droves of boxes and gave away loads of clothes and shoes and bags and all the things. It felt like an entire weight was lifted off of my shoulders, and I loved knowing that these things were all going to someone who could use them! 
Fast forward to the beginning of summer. Jase and I spend a few months in Idaho during this time, and I again packed just the basics, from work out clothes to sweatshirts to swimsuits, and the other everyday necessities. The minimal amount of packing was still way too much, and I again was reminded of how little we need + how refreshing it is to lessen our material load. We arrived back home to LA, and Jase and I both went through our closets once again! These trips away from home have been so inspiring to us - we are on our fourth giveaway round since we moved in, and it is becoming a routine!From this point forward, we are going to purchase with greater intention and necessity, we are going to clean out our closets at minimum once a month and just keep things moving! How do you hope to minimize your life? Have you realized this same thing during this past year and quarantine season?
I hope you've enjoyed following along on our home renovation process and all the thoughts and updates that have come along with it! It's been such a special season for us. For more updates, follow along right here on the blog in our Making A Home series or on my Instagram. I would love to hear from you. x
The Sense of Home
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been quite the year. Alongside the craziness, there have been so many important silver linings. I look back to the beginning of quarantine, and I remember thinking over and over again how I didn't want to miss the positive parts and what we were supposed to learn, shift, and observe. I wanted to keep my eyes and heart wide open.As y'all might know after following along with us here on the blog, we purchased our new home in November of 2018. We closed three days after the Woolsey fire, which caused significant smoke damage to our home, burned down the home next door along with two other houses on our street. It was a wild undertaking. We moved out of our previous home in LA in February of 2019 and started renovating our new home. As we were told, renovation takes way longer than expected + adding fire remediation and doing all with a nontoxic approach devised an entirely new level of time, research, and logistics. I think my half glass full mentality from my excitement to start this project didn't want to believe that, but man was it true. It actually took four times longer than we were told. Because of this, we doubled our stay at a hotel, then moved into an apartment with one of our best couple friends – we both needed a 6-month place to stay, so it was a perfect way to save some money in the process. We moved into our home in October 2019 with a lot of moving parts still + we didn't know if any of our previous furniture would work, and it turned out most sizing was not suitable (insert tear emoji here). We began the furnishing process about a month later in December with COVID-related delays on shipping, and I can now say we are almost complete (mid-November is the last delivery-hooray)! What a process, but truly we feel so grateful we had this opportunity, learned so much, and are extra appreciative to be settled.
I am extreme homebody, so this year I really had to develop a new sense of home – and while my circumstances were different, I realized that so many are also experiencing this at the current time. I learned that any place can be a cozy home. This past year, we lived in a hotel room, an apartment, a room above a garage, and our home (which was quite an organization nightmare and an endless list of to-dos), and every place felt just as doable and cozy and perfect for the time. I was forced to go against my comfort, and I am so thankful because it always transforms my perspective and increases my appreciation.In my opinion, one of the most amazing parts about the pandemic restrictions has been the time at home. What a learning journey for traveling, working men/women to be at home with the fam more, for marriages to exist side by side 24/7, for kids to be out of school and sports, for jobs to be lost or relocated to the house. Not to mention, it left space to think and process and reflect on what is important, which can be super uncomfortable but ultra-redeeming.
It has been so interesting to watch how everyone copes so differently. Jase was FaceTiming his buddies non-stop, using the stay-at-home orders to develop funny social media content while grieving the loss of not getting to use his gift and passion of hosting. I, on the other hand, am an innate introvert, so with the tragedy set aside, being homebound was my version of heaven. I was trying new healthy recipes, discovered a biodynamic organic farm that is 15 minutes from our house, saved emotional energy from having to decide on a social plan, and had more quality time to connect with my family and friends virtually. Oh! And puzzles! And my work has always been at home, so my adjustment was a little less severe.Also, I was grateful for the unifying feeling that every single person was in this together. We were both more alert to reach out to others, to take flowers to the neighbors, to thank the mailman. This whole journey has taught me two things that no other circumstance could have taught me: be grateful for ALL services, provisions, people, and love – and, ANY place can be home. Perspective is everything.To see more of our home renovation follow along with our Making A Home series, right here on the blog.
Parachute Home: Impeccable Bedding
You guys probably have gathered throughout this Making A Home series here on the blog that I have a slight addiction to clean bedding that is sustainable and socially responsible. I mean, what is not to love? It is such a reminder that there is not a lack of incredibly comfy and soft materials that are health-benefiting and earth-conscious.Parachute is a key brand that has made our home extra cozy + it delivers the perfect neutral accents. If you have tried this brand, you probably are a lifer. We fell into that category pretty quickly and fell in love with the quality of their premium sheets, towels, robes, slippers and all things soft and wonderful.Did you know that Madewell and Parachute made the most beautiful striped bedding and jammies? I had to make a quick mention of that because it was like a brand-partnering dream.Through the recommendation of Ashley Kane, we also got the down mattress topper, and our bed truly feels like a cloud. Our other staples we have in our home are the body pillow with the vintage linen cover, the quilts (a dream), and their bedding. Their slippers and robes are heavenly, too, and are the best addition to spa feels.See below for all of the things we have in our house. Happy shopping! And for other exclusive looks of the areas of our some, take a peek at the rest of the Making A Home series we have right here on the blog. xo
Linens and Towels: Magic Linen
Last week, we got so extra close to finishing our home - we are 80% complete and waiting for a few final things. It was the most rewarding feeling and extra fun to see the vision come to life. As y'all know, creating cozy guest bedrooms is a passion of mine, and Magic Linen has been such a game changer in this process.We decided to give even extra love to the upstairs bedroom because our parents will stay there when they come into town, so the comfort must be at an all-time high. Enter Magic Linen bedding - the coziest in all the land + I love how it sits on the bed and it naturally is not wrinkly, which can always be one of the downsides of linen.
Their towels are also a dream and make the bath experience extra lovely! And I am also majorly heart-eyeing this apron and their tea towels, which are stonewashed for extra softness! This brand is a win on every level, and I couldn't recommend it more!To see more of our home and some of our favorite brands we've included along the way throughout our renovation check right here on the blog in our Making A Home series.
Nontoxic Color: Ecos Paints
Paint seems to be something that is overlooked when considering toxicity in the home. I was completely dedicated to eliminate all chemical compounds in anything that I could control during our renovation this last year. Traditional paints, primers, stains, paint thinner, and varnishes are full of harmful chemicals, additives, and toxins.Here are some names to keep your eye on: formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, APEOs, bisphenol, glycols, and solvents. And there are many more!The chemicals in paint fumes can cause both short- and long-term health effects. During the painting process, many experience symptoms such as watery eyes, headaches, nausea, dizziness and breathing problems. Vision problems, lung irritation, and throat irritation are in the line up too. Isn't that wild? If you are exposed to VOCs every day (which is present in paint) can also cause cancer as well as damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
All of that to say, I did not want that easily avoidable risk in our home. My sweet friends from Branch Basics told me about Ecos Paints and I couldn't believe my eyes! For 35 years, they have helped people create healthier living environments with their premium quality, eco-friendly paints, stains and varnishes. They are completely non-toxic, contain no odor, zero VOCs, free of harsh chemicals + they are fully transparent about ingredients and have exceptional coverage. Not to mention, they are so helpful and lovely to work with!Their water-based products were uniquely formulated without the harsh chemicals found in conventional paints. Using a unique technology combining sustainable ingredients and a proprietary mixing process, their products deliver best-in-class appearance and enhanced durability - with no harsh fumes or odors. Yay!
Colors in Our Home
Child of Heaven is on our walls and the color of our kitchen cabinets is Desert Mirage. We could not be happier with the outcome and will be loyal customers for life!Excited to share with you another feature in our series Making A Home, where I've been able to share with you an update each week of the process of us renovating our home and all that we've included in it. For more on our home, check right here on the blog or follow along on my Instagram. xo
Halcyon Lake: Timeless and Artisan-Focused Rugs
I remember coming across a Halcyon Lake rug for the first time online and was so enamored by the textures, material, and quality. This company is a family owned business that started in the 70s in Australia. It is grounded by a philosophy that is timeless yet relevant to the modern times. With a forward-thinking and global outlook, they source and present collections that honor and respect the artistry of a rug.They are fully committed to delivering a product and service of the highest quality by standing firm on their deep core values: integrity, honesty, and transparency. They have the most beautiful desire to establish long-term relationships with clients while making a difference in the lives of our artisan makers. I am such an advocate of their investment in quality product and sustainability.
Their Story
Halcyon Lake was established in 1984, but the company’s true beginnings were in 1973 with the founding of Berber Carpets International, a flooring business run by Noel Kiely who first discovered and brought Berber carpets to Australia. The carpet had such success across the country, leaving a lasting impression on the interior design industry. Almost 20 years after the establishment of Berber Carpets, Halcyon Lake was founded due to an increasing demand for rugs in a similar style and texture of the carpets. Fueled by passion and a commitment to quality, the family business is now in its fifth decade of trade.What I love most is that their heritage in the industry has helped establish long-lasting relationships with makers and manufacturers all around the world, some of whom they still work with today.I love seeing companies care so much about not only the quality of product but the people behind the product. It creates such beautiful soul, meaning, and only encourages the charm of artistry.
The Story Behind the Rug
The Citizenry: Globally Inspired Decor
I remember going to a cozy dinner with The Citizenry team in Malibu last year, and my love for them immediately expanded. Not only are their pieces gorgeous, meaningful and beautifully hand-picked, but their mission aligns so much with mine: Make Your Home a Sanctuary.
They believe that our homes should be a reflection of the journey we take, which I think is the most purposeful perspective on how to design, create, and enjoy the place you reside to the fullest capacity. They travel the world to develop the exclusive collections of home goods - can it get any better? When I started designing our home and as I get older, the more I want everything in it to mean something. There is so much value in that and a basket just isn't a plain basket when it has a story, a purpose, and soul to it.
They partner with master artisans, blending a modern style with their time-tested techniques. As they travel to each country and only use local materials, the relationships have become entirely sustainable. Oh! And what is even better? They set out to celebrate the people behind the products - it is a way to share their stories with you!
I hope you've been enjoying our series on Making A Home. Jase and I have been so grateful for this process, and it has been even more special to share it with you each week on the blog! Stay tuned for more pictures to come, including a look at our before and afters of our home renovation.
What We Have In Our Home
Anik Rug ▪️Claro Pillow ▪️Claro Pillow ▪️Chunky Blanket ▪️Linen Bedding ▪️Rattan Lounge Chair ▪️Tesso Lounge Chair ▪️Storage Baskets ▪️Floor Vase ▪️Bed Blanket ▪️Round Jute Rug ▪️[show_shopthepost_widget id="4134070"]
AllModern for a Cozy Backyard
So excited to share another week with you on Making A Home. We've been in a series on the blog about Jase and I's process of renovating our home, and it's been so much fun to be able to share each week with you a different area of our house as well as brands and products we've come to love along the way!One of the things that attracted us most to our home was the backyard. Jase and I both love spending time in nature. There is something about stepping outside that immediately brings a sense of peace, calm, and simplicity. When friends are over or family is in town, we cherish the time in the backyard because it seems to dissipate distractions and leads to the sweetest memories and meaningful conversations.One of the most special things about moving into our house has been making it fitting to the lifestyle we value and prioritize; vitamin D, conversations, space for vulnerability, slowing down, enjoying nature, fun summer evenings outside, and days by the pool!Has anyone else noticed that quality outdoor furniture can be incredibly expensive? It was quite a mind-blowing realization for us recently, but I am all about researching to find a solution. I came upon AllModern and was completely beside myself with excitement. They have the most beautiful outdoor furniture that lends to creating such cozy spaces outside. We are over the moon about the comfy chairs behind the fireplace and sit in the sofa and chairs almost every evening taking in the quiet and enjoy the restful space. We are so looking forward to enjoying meals outside with our friends and family on the long dining table. It fits perfectly in this area and brings the whole area together.
What Is In Our Backyard
Outdoor Dining Set ▪️ Patio Chairs ▪️Lounge Chairs ▪️ Outdoor Sofa ▪️Coffee Table ▪️Side Table (no longer online) ▪️Black Planters ▪️Small Planters ▪️[show_shopthepost_widget id="4134117"]In partnership with AllModern.