Daily

San Francisco weekend with Kia

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This post is sponsored by Kia Motors America; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Next weekend will be another quick trip up to San Francisco. I still cannot believe that we live so close to such an amazing city. Then again, San Jose is pretty fantastic to explore all the time too — don’t get me wrong!

Kia Motors invited me up to check out the Kia Soul EV (EV stands for Electric Vehicle) and to write a blog post about it to create some awareness to those in the Bay Area who’d also like to attend. The Kia Soul EV never takes gasoline (what a world we live in!). It’s 100% all-electric and 100% gas-free. That wasn’t around when I was looking at buying my first vehicle, actually in fact — the Kia Soul was one of the cars I had in mind when I was looking to purchase my very first car. So it’ll be kinda cool to hop back into one of the Souls again after 8 years or so especially now that there’s an EV version! Fun fact: The Kia Soul EV can be recharged by plugging the car into your standard household outlet. Literally… the same one you’d use to charge your phone, can charge your freakin’ car. Crazy hey?!

2016 Kia Soul EVPhoto from Kia Motors America website

It’s National Drive Electric Week, and while I haven’t had the chance to drive an electric vehicle yet, there are PLENTY on the roads here in the Bay Area. You guys. California still amazes me. You’ll see fancy cars everywhere you look on the roads here, so wild. California is the Electric Vehicle capital of America, which isn’t surprising to me considering how innovative the Bay Area is. So many inspiring people, everywhere. Now that my own vehicle is starting to get old and tired (so sad!), it wouldn’t surprise me that we’d start looking at EV’s next considering it would lower our carbon footprint in a huge way.

So if you’re around San Francisco, pop by the PIER 27 on the Embarcadero next weekend (Saturday October 8 and Sunday October 9 from 11a-5pm both days), and enjoy a free ride and drive in the latest electric vehicles. How will a Kia Soul EV fit into your lifestyle?

Disclaimer: To keep things honest and crystal-clear: I was provided compensation for this blog post. But I’m actually pretty pumped about heading to SF next weekend and checking it out in person. Stay tuned to my twitter as I’ll be tweetin’ out pics when I’m there (keep a look out for the hashtag #bestrideEVer)!

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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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