I've had a longstanding love affair with everything rose-related for quite some time now. So it's no surprise that when it came time to create a signature cocktail for our rehearsal dinner, I immediately started brainstorming how to incorporate one of my favorite all-purpose blooms with another one of my favorites: champagne!
Read MoreNavigating the world of soaps can get complicated with all of the different options available today. These little bars are tasked with keeping our largest organ, our skin, clean, so it’s important to understand the difference between the commercial products that can strip the skin of its precious properties and the natural soaps that actually deliver the ultimate goal of cleansing with some bonus benefits.
Read MoreIt might look alien and have a strong odor (ok, strong is putting it mildly), but this prickly, surprisingly pleasant tasting, smelly fruit is actually so full health benefits it's worth trying it once to see if you like it. In this video we explore the health benefits of durian, how to cut it, and how to use it in your skincare regimen. Living in NYC, we have easy access to it in our Chinatown markets. So if you come across it at a local specialty market or along your travels, here's what you can do with it.
Read MoreWith the cold weather season upon us, one of my favorite ways to warm up is with a soothing, deliciously warm herbal bath. When it comes to bath teas or soaks, there are a few go-to ingredients commonly found in most products, such as calendula, chamomile, lavender and rose. These flowers are carefully chosen for their antioxidant and rejuvenating properties, as well as powerful aromatherapy that can soothe and heal both the skin and mind. There are, however, other overlooked herbs and flowers that you can explore as you seek to add variety to your bath (and/or tea) ritual, such as immortelle and mallow. In today's blog we'll explore these two ingredients and teach you how to make an easy DIY bath tea soak!
Read MoreWhen we talk about some of the most potent properties in our favorite nontoxic green beauty products, a number of ingredients come to mind, such as white willow bark, evening primrose, carrot seed oil, and barbary fig seed oil/prickly pear seed oil (to name a few). These ingredients are all-natural superstars, but you probably don’t have them lying around in your cupboard or easy access to them in their purest form. What you do have access to, however, are a number of highly effective herbs and plants that will become staples for your DIY clean beauty regimen. This two-part series will educate you on exactly what these natural gems are, and help you choose the ones that are best for your skin type and needs.
Read MoreIf you're on Instagram, then you're probably no stranger to the world of acai bowls. Just explore #acai on Insta, and a sea of purple creations emerges. Whether you're a part of this trend or still new to it, the power of acai is undeniable and its popularity is well deserved. But did you know you can add this superfood to your skincare routine with a brightening facial that boasts amazing anti-aging results, too?
Read MoreBy now you've probably realized that your local farmer's market (and your fridge) is teaming with truly amazing natural ingredients that you can incorporate into your everyday or weekly skincare routine. But just because it's all-natural goodness, doesn't mean that you can just put any fruit or veggie on your face. Ingredients straight from the earth can be very potent, and therefore you need to know how and if you should be using them. In the first of a two-part series, we explore how to safely and effectively use common herbs you probably have in your kitchen right now for gentle skincare treatments.
Read MoreIf you've been living in a cold weather region for the past six months, then you know what I mean when I say, "OMG, thank GOODNESS winter is finally over!" As a New Yorker, complaining about the weather is one of our favorite pastimes, but we also love to celebrate when the sun is shining, the days are longer and we can start dining outdoors and on rooftops again. So every year I like to kickoff the season with a spring soirée to celebrate surviving the cold and welcoming the warmth. We usually focus on the healthy bites we're serving, but this time it's all about the cocktails!
Read MoreIf you aren't currently using an all-natural toner, you're missing out on a must-have beauty product for healthy, balanced skin: hydrosols. You might know them as floral waters, distillates, mists, sprays, toners or flower waters. However you wish to refer to these precious miracle waters, one thing is certain, they are one of the most underrated yet essential steps in caring for your skin. But before you rush out and pick up any hydrosol, read this guide to find out the perfect one for you.
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