Daily, Fashion

Never stop living your city

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Never-stopWhen is the last time you truly explored the city you live in? Why feel the need to get away from where you live each weekend? Step outside your comfort zone and stop living for the weekends.

california-theatre

Black-on-Black[What I’m wearing: White Sierra targhee insulated jacket, Zara jeans, ASOS purse, Ray Ban sunnies, and Target sneakers.]

dtsjGet outside. Don’t take it for granted.

I’m guarded when it comes to my private life. This year has had so many up’s and down’s and I know I’ll never get over the death of my Daddio, and I have to say, the only thing that is keeping me sane is keeping busy, exploring, but embracing those huge waves of sadness and accepting it for what it is. It’s tough man. Luckily for the past few weeks it’s been nothing but being positive and happiness all around. I think it’s because my brain is otherwise occupied with literally getting out of the house whether it be to meet a friend for coffee, taking Alfie out on his adventures for the weekly Pom Friday posts, or just getting out on my own and exercising. That’s definitely helping, plus time heals a little bit, too.

Hearts-Delight

I feel like I’m still new to this area California/USA in general, I still see the area I live in through fresh eyes, and I appreciate the history of what I see. Why put your life on the back-burner? Let’s go explore together.

Veros-Coffee

Lauren-And-IThat’s my pal Lauren from pink on the cheek!

A few weeks ago a couple of Bay Area Bloggers met up in downtown San Jose specifically for picture-taking and catching up on each other’s lives. Brooks-Heritage

Veros-Coffee-outsideIt was so fun! We first met up at Vero’s Coffee Bar, which I’ve never heard of — and I’m always on the hunt to check out the local coffee spots. They have fantastic vanilla lattes if you’re in the area.

Alfie and I always go out on weekday adventures together, this year lacking a little more — but I’m pushing myself to head out as often as we did last summer. Last week I took him on a little hike, and this week I took him back to one of my secret spots to get away from the house, and the heat.

Alfie-exploresCalifornia is fantastic for bringing your dogs along with you. The majority of places are dog-friendly, and don’t mind seeing a cute face like our little fella. I also love to bring snacks with me (and for Alfie!) whenever we go out.

stasher-bagHis treats are in another bag, but I used this stasher bag to hold my unsweetened dried mango from Trader Joe’s.

I recently found Stasher Bag on social media and I love that they’re completely free of harmful chemicals (yay for BPA’s, latex, lead and phthalate free!).

Some handy tips from Stasher:

  • is the world’s first, and only, self-sealing, airtight, non-plastic bag!
  • Stasher bags are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.
  • Stasher features a pinch-press airtight seal and non-porous surface so you don’t have to worry about any leaks.
  • To close the bag, simple squeeze out any excess air and then pinch the bag closed (you won’t slide your fingers across like you do with a ziploc).

I’m thinking of using my larger Stasher bag for carry-on liquids for my next airplane ride. It’s perfect size, and clear.

If you were interested in purchasing from them, I have a 10% off coupon for you guys when you use SPIFFY10 at checkout. I don’t make commission or anything off it, it’s genuinely a 10% off with no strings attached.

Why-not-exploreDon’t take the city you live in, for granted. Explore it. [What I’m wearing: White Sierra Wooly Bully Jacket, Canada Home T, Zara jeans, Ray Ban sunnies, and Brooks Chariot Heritage sneakers.]

Thanks to White Sierra, the Home Tee, Stasher Bags, and Brooks for making this post happen.

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Beauty

Period Talk | 5 New products you’ll want to have

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PTheaderI never thought the day would come when I would openly blog about that time of the month (and no, I’m not getting paid to promote any of these brands. I reached out to them).

I don’t know why, but I still hate walking over to the tampon aisle of the store each month. Why don’t I ever consider buying them on sale, and stock piling them? Why do I feel the need to rush out immediately after it starts and grab a box then? Alternatively these days we can order products online via Amazon and even Google has those services (at least, here in the Bay Area). Regardless of that, it’s still pretty crappy to forget what week you’re on and unexpectedly get that not-so-friendly visit from that Aunt Flow of yours.

Kali-box-closedSubscription services are everywhere these days. From beauty boxes, candy boxes, men’s razors, and now period boxes. Here are 5 self-pampering subscription boxes that are new-to-me that I thought I’d introduce you to as well. In case you weren’t already aware of this awesomeness.

kali-tamponsI don’t mean to get all hippy on you, but… I want something that is organic, and made of non-toxic materials. There are tons of chemicals and nasty ingredients sitting on those shelves at your big box stores. Treat yourself — and the environment right. I’m sure you’d rather a healthier alternative with organic and hypoallergenic tampons right? It definitely means a lot to me, considering I’m much more conscious of what I put on/in my body, after a yearly outbreak of unexplained hives. Not to mention these are so much nicer (and instagram worthy – hey it’s true) than the one’s sold at our regular stores.

Kali-box1 — KALI|  $19.95/month Kali has organic tampons and the subscription (I have the Kali Gift Box) comes with a beautifully presented box that has organic cotton feminine wipes, and an relaxing hydrating rosewater toner. Note: Kali has the option for you to select 3 different boxes and whether or not you want to do monthly/every other month, or tampons only (which is bi-monthly).

Cora-Women2 — CORA|  $10.00/month CORA uses 100% organic cotton tampons with BPA-free applicators. I want to display the perfectly designed and discreet box of tampons. Black and white! A minimalists dream. They’re probably the most stylish one’s of the bunch and I kind of want to share them all with my friends. The package even comes with a vegan-box to cart your tampons around with you, not only that look at the little black box that you can store things (well, tampons I guess too) in – stylin’! No more hiding my tampons under the bathroom sink, have them out for display even — no one will know what the heck they are! Probably the fanciest period subscription box out there with a amount of product to cater to each individual. Each box your purchase, CORA gives back to the community and gives plant-based, biodegradable pads to women in need, in India. Plus, they’re now available at Target stores around the USA! Congrats to them. I also have a bit of a discount for you guys, sweet. Get $5.00 off your subscription using the code CORA5NANCY (valid until November 2016).

Lola3 — LOLA|  $10.00/month LOLA tampons are made with 100% organic cotton, and have BPA-free applicators, you’ll also notice they’re colour coded in shades of blue. That way, it’s easy to grab a light/regular/or super sized. Note: LOLA has the option to buy 1 box for $10.00 or 2 boxes for $18.00

Monthly-Gift4 — MONTHLY GIFT|  $10.00/month A fantastic play on words considering they actually gift you goodies you want during your period. Chocolate? Yas please. To get started you fill out a profile about your cycle, and which products you prefer to use. What’s excellent about Monthly Gift is that they also can include CHOCOLATE in your subscription. However, you can opt out, by why would you? Note: Monthly Gift has 3 payment options (yearly, bi-yearly, or monthly) the $10.00/month box is if you sign up for 1 year.

Conscious-Period5 — CONSCIOUS PERIOD|  $8.50/month Conscious Period uses 100% organic cotton tampons with BPA-free applicators. For every box of Conscious Period tampons sold, they donate a box of organic biodegradable pads to a woman living in homelessness in the USA. Conscious Period plans to provide these same women with employment opportunities to produce and package the pads to fill shelters’ long-term needs. Each box comes with 18 tampons, plus 2 bonus tampons that are maked with “share with a friend” and “share with a stranger.”

Cora-tamponsWhat do you think? Think you’ll ever switch from the brands that you’ve known forever, and over to any of these brands? I’m loving that they’re finally being recognised by huge stores — like I stated above, Cora is now available at Target!

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Daily

What’s In My Purse? | Fall Edition

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whats-in-my-purseI’m always curious as to what other people carry around with them in their purses. I’ve done these sort of blog posts in the past and they’ve always been a big hit. Now is a good time as any to show you what’s in my purse – for Fall. On an every day basis I mainly keep this bag incredibly empty apart from the wallet, sunnies, keys and phone. But this week has been a busy one and I needed a few more things. So, while it’s still chalker-blocked I thought I’d dump everything out in a neat flatlay and show you some products worthy of checking out!

what-is-in-my-purse-2016No. 1 | I recently purchased this large suede unstructured tote from ASOS. I’ve been loving it! Although it’s much larger than I usually carry (say, a cross body) it’s still pretty handy to have around. 

No. 2 | For my birthday this year I headed to the outlets and purchased myself a Prada wallet (for much cheaper!) that doubles as a clutch. There isn’t too much in there, but I do love how sturdy it is and of course… incredibly well made.

No. 3 | This is a custom made minimalist wallet that I received from The Navis on Etsy. I reached out to them a while back and asked if they wanted to collaborate together, and they agreed! There’s another photo below, but I selected the colours I wanted my wallet to be, and they made it specifically for me to fit my new Nexus 5X phone (since it was a listing for an iPhone sleeve). I’ve brought it along with me to coffee shops and strangers have walked up to me asking where I got it from! Since it holds my Nexus 5X well, it also has room for a card or cash, and when I’m running out the door to do an errand or two, I grab my keys and this, and I’m set. No fuss!

No. 4 | My plain muji notebook. It’s slim + lightweight. /// No. 5 | Gotta have a pen to write in the muji note book! The clear ball point pen is also from muji. /// No. 6 | Bobbi Brown Extra hand cream. I try to buy this at the outlets since it seems to be a few bucks cheaper there (but not always available). /// No. 7 | Dior lipgloss! /// No. 8 | Mints from World Market (they’re not amazing) /// No. 9 | Lip balm from Acca Kappa that I bought at Home on Water in Newfoundland.  /// No. 10 | Burberry Kisses Gloss in Nude Beige /// No. 11 | Muji case + business card buttons for spiffykerms.com /// No. 12 | Gotta have car keys for the wheels! /// No. 13 | Trader Joe’s snacks /// No. 14 | Sunnies that got scratched up (fell off my face and on the concrete) when Alfie was attacked back in April :( No. 15 | Quarters for meters (in a Daiso zip pouch).

I hate it when I have a ton of miscellaneous products just floating around in my bag like wild. I tend to usually consolidate them all into a makeup pouch so they’re not competing for my hand when I reach in to grab an essential – my phone, or wallet when paying for something! That’s not pictured here because I forgot to include it. Oops. But you get the drift.

What do you cart around in your wallet?

Etsy-wallet

Disclaimer. While I did receive product, this is not a sponsored post by any means. I reached out to Roma and Alona from The Navis on Etsy so I could bring more attention to their Etsy shop and help out a small business owner!

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