Sleep W.E.L.L, Live Well

I've been wanting to get this post live for quite some time now but as you know, life gets in the way sometimes. What with the holidays and what seems like illness on top of sick, we are rolling right into 2016 this week, which made me start thinking about what my "resolutions" for the New Year are. I kind of don't like making resolutions because I should want to be better all year long, not just at the New Year but let's be honest, resolutions are a good way to get yourself motivated and make a little "improvements list" for yourself. One thing that I am so glad that I did for myself in 2015 was attending the W.E.L.L. Summit in November. I learned a lot about things I was already aware of (ethical clothing + green beauty) but there were things I wasn't expecting to take away from the weekend that are now on my "improvements list". One of these things was to really take a hold of what my family is sleeping on. It won't be an immediate change but educating myself and others is the first step in sleeping well to live well. Two brands on site at the W.E.L.L. Summit were Coyuchi and Naturepedic, both of which want you to be aware of what traditional mattresses and bedding can contain. Let's not be scared, let's just take control. I had the opportunity to chat with the folks at Coyuchi and Naturepedic about the importance of Sleeping Well so that you could learn a lil' about it too!

Sleeping well is so important to living a healthy lifestyle, but it's not just about the amount of sleep you get but about where you are sleeping and what on. What is the most important thing you think my readers should know about what they are sleeping on?

Eileen Mockus, CEO of Coyuchi says, "It’s important to create an organic bed made with certified organic materials that are safely produced.  Then look for the right fabrics that are best for how you sleep.  Sateen sheets and a warmer blanket are best for those who sleep cold. Percale and a lightweight blanket work best for warm sleepers."

Heidi Baumgart of Naturepedic adds that "Good sleep is necessary for good health! We’ve all heard that cell phones, bright lights, noise, and other factors can impact the quality of sleep, but most people don’t consider the mattress. Conventional mattresses contain chemicals that are foreign to our bodies and may also be impacting the health and quality of sleep. Your sleep environment should be a safe and comfortable place to escape the chemical bombardment of modern day life. There’s enough pollution in our environment, we can at least try to eliminate it from our bedrooms."

What is important to look out for when searching for bedding/home textiles that is healthy for our families?

"Naturepedic mattresses are made with certified organic cotton fabric and filling, organic wool and some models have certified organic latex." says Heidi. "NONE of our products contain flame retardant chemicals or a slew of other chemicals that may show up in mattresses made with more flammable materials such as polyurethane foam. Here’s our list of chemicals we just won’t use!" 

Eileen gives some great (and easy) advice on what to look for in your bedding. "Look for certified organic cotton, processed to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) so there is assurance the product is safely produced.  It’s best to avoid wrinkle free or easy care type finishes that are likely to contain formaldehyde.  Avoid softeners as they reduce absorbency which is a key element to comfort while sleeping."

When asked what their favorite products were, the Sleep WELL duo were happy to make recommendation for my Prim and Propah readers. "My favorite Coyuchi product is our 300 Percale Sheets which are crisp and smooth, and cool to the touch." Eileen says. "I like to pair the 300 Percale with a fashion duvet, such as our Geo Stripe Duvet, with a lightweight down insert. Top the bed with a throw blanket such as our Cozy Cotton throw and there's an extra layer for colder nights. Layering the bed looks great and is a practical way to sleep soundly as the temperatures change each season." 

Heidi has us covered whether the Naturepedic mattress is for Mama or Baby. "My favorite adult mattress is the EOS Organic Sleep System. The EOS has customizable comfort layers for different levels of firmness, so you and your sleeping partners can choose totally different feels! The EOS is shipped Ground in five boxes and you can actually swap your comfort layers within 90 days if it just wasn’t exactly the right feel. And a Naturepedic MUST is our waterproof protector pads made with organic cotton fabrics. We have three different ones for baby, kids, and adults. A waterproof pad is an investment to protect your mattress from spills and more, especially if you have kids or pets in bed."

One thing is for certain, these brands are paving the way for us to sleep better by making a conscious decision about what we are sleeping on. You can make a quick start by changing up your sheets and set a long term goal for your next mattress to be all organic, you just have to set your mind to making your environment, especially at home, a better one. When I asked Eileen and Heidi what they had in store for the future both made mention that the brands are looking to expand, either in presence or product lines.

"In January 2016, we'll bring some new printed sheets that mix and match with our solid and embroidered sheets. We have some new linen bedding, sheet sets, duvets and blankets" says Eileen. "We love linen for bedding because of its ability to naturally regulate temperature and due to it's great durability for long term use."

"We are very excited about the expansion of Naturepedic Organic Mattress Galleries around the country. Over the past two years we have grown to serve Beverly Hills, Toronto, Dallas, Boston, Detroit, and most recently Silicon Valley." Heidi excitedly tells me. "It has been amazing to open our doors to these communities to provide our expertise about healthier sleep. Naturepedic’s goal is to educate and provide a safer sleep environment for everyone!"

You can find Naturepedic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Looking to connect with Coyuchi? You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, too!

Holiday Cocktail Recipes Get in My Belly

Oooooh the Holidays, they're enough to drive you to drink, which is why I am sharing a tasty holiday drink recipe with you today! I was lucky enough to enjoy a delicious and delightful tasting dinner at The Cottage in Chestnut Hill last week and not only did we eat like Queens, we learned how to make some yummy holiday drinks! When I first heard we were making an Italian Egg Nog Martini, I was not impressed. I am not a huge fan of egg nog in it's usual holiday uses but this scrumptious drink totally changed my mind. Super simple to make and will sure to be a hit at our Christmas Eve dinner!

Another backlogged Holiday Recipe I wanted to share with you all before we have to spend time with our families and therefore need liquid courage/backup/relief/friendship. This was a drink that I learned how to make when I was flower arranging with the folks of Alice's Table at The Met Bar in Boston. The drink is pretty easy to make though finding Walnut Bitters was the bane of my existence and thus the reason this post has taken so long. I did locate them on Amazon and made my own simple syrup by heating up on the stovetop 2 parts sugar, 1 part water with cinnamon sticks. It's as simple as combining all ingredients one by one, topping off the drink with Hard Cider, garnishing with cinnamon sticks!

And if you need a little something to warm you up, the folks at The Cottage have once again got you covered with a simply delicious Irish Hot Chocolate. Sure to be a hit with dessert, this is warm and toasty and yummy and all the things you want when you're curled up by the fire. I am so happy that there are master bartenders at fine establishments that welcome you in for a drink but want you to be able to the same at home. Those are the places that I like to eat!

What are you drinkin' this holiday?

Groupon Coupon? Not Just a Clever Rhyme

So I have been using Groupon for as long as Groupon has been around. Remember when Groupon had deals that would only go live if a certain amount of people purchased it? That's how long I have been using Groupon. What I have always loved about Groupon is that they haven't let themselves go stale. There is a lot of competition on the 'nets these days and in order to stand the test of time and the ever changing online landscape, one must adapt. Groupon continues to do that. The recent introduction of Groupon Coupons is no exception. When I am searching for deals at let's say LOFT, I'll be honest, sometimes I just google "LOFT coupon code" and usually I am brought up down and all around. With Groupon Coupons, it appears to me that all the deals and promo codes are consolidated into one spot so that you can see which deal suits what you're looking for. Take a look. I want to see what percentage that LOFT has on sale (because you know they always do)...

Groupon coupons brings you right to the site and then you're free to shop. Easy as that. You don't have to purchase a "Groupon", you're just using their coupon site as a guide for deals. Plus since they must have a lot of existing relationships in place, the coupon side has over 70,000 coupons for more than 9,000 stores. I'm not even sure I know 1,000 stores so that's a lot. New coupons are added every day and you can be sure that you're favorite store has a spot on their homepage (mine are! Hello Target, LOFT, ULTA and Modcloth).

Also, I know that I am always getting coupons for my crafting on my receipts (ie Joann's and AC Moore) but half the time I lose those before I get to use them. Total Bummer. Turns out, I can just pull up Groupon Coupons and print out a coupon to take with me on my next crafting excursion. The whole point is that I am not going to have to search around for coupons as much, and any time saved, is worth something to me!

Will you give Groupon Coupons a shot before you shop?

*This post was sponsored by Groupon. All opinions are 100% my own. I really do use Groupon a lot, OK?

I first found Cause I Run through the JUGS/ Boston Green Blog as I often find good things in and around town (Boston). I was immediately like "I WANT TO KNOW MORE" because coming off of the WELL Summit, I am all thinking about who makes my clothes, what am I putting on my body, where was my food grown and all the questions that you ask yourself because you should actually care about these things... Cause I Run is just getting started but creator/doer/magic maker Amanda Yanchury is hoping to create a sustainable athletic/leisure line that will stand the test of time and help you develop a mind set that has you making thoughtful purchases, even for your workout gear. Not only that? Amanda plans to "give back" to worthwhile organizations, developing lasting relationships so that this small business of hers can be a kindness powerhouse. I had the opportunity to chat a little with Amanda and am excited to see what is in store for Cause I Run. I sincerely hope that you will sign up for their email list so you can be the first to know about their upcoming Kickstarter!

Give us a little background on what Cause I Run is all about. What was the inspiration the sparked the creation of CIR?

I've been running for just over 5 years, and I was always the fashionista of my group of friends growing up -- and my mom used to call me her "personal shopper." Then I started working from home for a year and a half, and one day I realized that "athleisure" was my entire day-to-day wardrobe. I started thinking about the clothes I was wearing. As runners, the clothes we wear represents us and what we stand for in the most public of ways, when captured in race photos (and let's be honest, shared on social media). There are lots of runners who are altruistic and generous by nature, as evidenced by the multitude of running events with a charitable giving component, and yet the clothes we wear might not necessarily reflect those values. Most are constructed by workers making pennies on the dollar in sometimes unsafe conditions. Runners deserve athletic wear that is ethically made. Aside from producing ethically and sustainably, I also wanted to help people in a real, tangible way -- so runners can give back even before they line up at the starting line. A percentage of each purchase will go toward one of our chosen causes. The name just came to me one day, and there was no going back. 

What is one easy tip that you can give about how to make educated and ethical purchases?

​

Buying ethically is tough, but it is possible. My advice is to start by picking one big-ticket item that you'll intend to wear for years. Search around for independent brands and save up for that one purchase. Then tell all your friends. :-)

Can you give us a little peek at what CIR is going to be offering and when we can start giving back with our purchases?

I'm so excited to say that we have our first prototypes in hand and our production partner is 

​working on perfecting​

 them as we speak! We'll have a line of women's athletic wear available for pre-order in early 2016 via Kickstarter. This first collection will include a tank top and running capris -- and we'll have unisex t-shirts available too in the interim, until we're able to get started on the men's collection!

When you aren't "running" your super sweet business, what do you love to do for fun in New England?

I moved to Boston from San Diego last June, so I mostly spend my time preparing for winter. Just kidding (sort of). When I'm not training for a race, I enjoy exploring my new 'hood (Cambridge/Somerville) and connecting with fellow women and/or product-based entrepreneurs. 

I love what you are doing with Cause I Run. Where do you hope to see the brand go in the future?

Thank you -- I can't wait to share it! My hope for Cause I Run is to create lasting partnerships with a few really amazing organizations who are listening to communities in need and enabling them to lift themselves up. Aside from using recycled materials, another way we can value sustainability is to help make lasting positive changes for people. And I already have big plans for the next three collections, including expanding to men's active wear, and more athleisure items like sweatshirts, joggers, and more. Make sure to sign up for the email list to know when we launch!

Be sure to catch Cause I Run on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

"What do the holidays mean to you?" It's an interesting question when you think about the wide range of answers you could receive when you ask it. The holidays will come and go with the blink of an eye but don't you think it would be amazing to stop and take note of what we have, what we are thankful for and + also take the opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes the holidays so special for other people? Every day this week, you can stop by to find out what the holidays mean to a variety of talented ladies, some of whom you may know and others you might not... but one thing is for certain, they were excited to share their experiences with you. They are bloggers, makers, teachers, writers ...they are women who I admire. Each lady submitted a picture of their choice to show a little more about themselves and I love what everyone contributed! I am going to introduce you to each woman with one thing I love about them.

• Emily of Shell Chic'd is stylin' and profilin' especially when it comes to those whimsical, nautical things about New England, right down to her great clothes. She's a little bit preppy, a little bit sassy but a whole lot of cute!
• Renata of Untouchable Blog isn't just a fashion blogger, she's a fashion writer. Her pieces aren't fluff, they're well researched and enjoyable to read and I think there should more writers like her. *Drops Mic*
• Jessica of Oh I Design combines a sweet and thoughtful personality with a killer eye for design and I'm all like OMG can we be #BestFriendsForever? Now that we're both trying to spread the good word about wellness and natural beauty, I am definitely keeping my eyes peeled for what Jess has up next!
• Alaina of So Alaina writes from the heart and with honestly. *swoon* I think I can speak for us both when I say that the more that we know more about each other, the more we really like eachother! Values and Integrity and a little bit of Sass!
• Emily of Livin Lemon is as lovely as the sun is bright. When she walks in, I'm immediately psyched and have to look up ;-)! She's fun and fit and happens to blog about yummy things!
• Lynn of Gold West Vintage is a jewelry + fashion blogger who will always has the eye candy flowing and I have to say that I have had a renewed interest in Gold because of all the intros Lynn's posted on her feeds. Bonus: She sprinkles snaps of an adorable baby in there, too which this Mama likes!
• Katherine of Style Tab is a self proclaimed crazy cat lady but one who's got style and grace all over the place. She blogs about attainable style  + fashion but has fun personality which makes her an "it" girl in my eyes!
• Amanda of Prim and Propah wanted to round up as many ladies as possible to put something together that was sentimental, fun, spirited and a little bit dangerous. 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

What could make this an even better series, you ask? My answer to you would be, 5 AMAZING brands who jumped at the chance to help us celebrate by offering giveaways to our readers. Make sure to read each gal's blurb (+ click their picture to visit their site) and also see what Yummie by Heather Thomson has for one lucky reader!

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"What do the holidays mean to you?" It's an interesting question when you think about the wide range of answers you could receive when you ask it. The holidays will come and go with the blink of an eye but don't you think it would be amazing to stop and take note of what we have, what we are thankful for and + also take the opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes the holidays so special for other people? Every day this week, you can stop by to find out what the holidays mean to a variety of talented ladies, some of whom you may know and others you might not... but one thing is for certain, they were excited to share their experiences with you. They are bloggers, makers, teachers, writers ...they are women who I admire. Each lady submitted a picture of their choice to show a little more about themselves and I love what everyone contributed! I am going to introduce you to each woman with one thing I love about them.

• Annie of Annie Legasse is cute as a button but sassy as a lioness CT gal who has never met a food she doesn't like. That in and of itself is enough to love her but she's one to watch, especially if you like bagels.
• Alex of Literally-Everything is my go to gal for the best instagram snaps, encouragement because she AOK#1, and a fantastic blog where she covers, well, literally everything but in a really stylized way!
• Molly of What Molly Did keeps me motivated with her crafty crochet, her forays into fitness and her decision to do what it is she loves rather than waste her days doing something she doesn't. Dang that inspires me!
• Noelle of Rue Le Chat is the purrrrrrfect feline friendly gal who has seriously been talking about a Boston cat cafe as long as I have known her. She's classy and sophisticated and a poised lady about Boston.
• Julie of Posh and Prep has a hand to be envied. Her calligraphy is popping up all over the place because it is amazing. Spending time with her is just as amazing so she is the kind of "shop small" you can really support!
• Shauna of Like So Pretty invited me to my first every blogger event and I will forever keep that precious little memory tucked in my brain. Since then, I've seen her on the scene and love her more each time I see her. So.many.adjectives.pretty.funny.sweet.etc.

What could make this an even better series, you ask? My answer to you would be, 5 AMAZING brands who jumped at the chance to help us celebrate by offering giveaways to our readers. Make sure to read each gal's blurb (+ click their picture to visit their site) and also see what Alaffia has for one lucky reader!

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"What do the holidays mean to you?" It's an interesting question when you think about the wide range of answers you could receive when you ask it. The holidays will come and go with the blink of an eye but don't you think it would be amazing to stop and take note of what we have, what we are thankful for and + also take the opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes the holidays so special for other people? Every day this week, you can stop by to find out what the holidays mean to a variety of talented ladies, some of whom you may know and others you might not... but one thing is for certain, they were excited to share their experiences with you. They are bloggers, makers, teachers, writers ...they are women who I admire. Each lady submitted a picture of their choice to show a little more about themselves and I love what everyone contributed! I am going to introduce you to each woman with one thing I love about them.

• Alaina of Extras by Alaina is ever so talented but more importantly she is as lovely as the Backstreet Boys are my favorite boy band. Did that make sense? She gets it, I'm sure. She's awesome that way.
• Ali of Ali Singer Yoga is a yoga instructor with heart. Her Yoga Hub has brought together yogis from the Boston area to unite to make a difference. She is a generous soul whose light shines bright!
• Beverly of Linkouture creates gorgeous and accessible jewelry but what I admire about her the most is her Mompreneurial spirit that keeps creative juices flowing while she spends beautiful days with her daughter.
• Ana of Scavengenius is my favorite Brazilian girl on the Boston scene. She loves her dog, snaps her everyday in the most lovely way and has a kind heart that makes me smile.
• Alicia of Alicia Tenise is a girl about town in our nation's capital. I've loved drooling over her style posts for years now because she has this authentic air about her that makes me appreciate the time and care that she puts into her posts!
• Jenny of Jenny Ravikumar is a yoga teacher, self-love guru, advanced reiki practicioner and crystal healer. As if that weren't enough, her new role as Mama Bear has got me feeling like she's truly a kindred spirit!

What could make this an even better series, you ask? My answer to you would be, 5 AMAZING brands who jumped at the chance to help us celebrate by offering giveaways to our readers. Make sure to read each gal's blurb (+ click their picture to visit their site) and also see what Michal Golan Jewelry has for one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"What do the holidays mean to you?" It's an interesting question when you think about the wide range of answers you could receive when you ask it. The holidays will come and go with the blink of an eye but don't you think it would be amazing to stop and take note of what we have, what we are thankful for and + also take the opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes the holidays so special for other people? Every day this week, you can stop by to find out what the holidays mean to a variety of talented ladies, some of whom you may know and others you might not... but one thing is for certain, they were excited to share their experiences with you. They are bloggers, makers, teachers, writers ...they are women who I admire. Each lady submitted a picture of their choice to show a little more about themselves and I love what everyone contributed! I am going to introduce you to each woman with one thing I love about them.

• Becky of Pop and Circumstance is like a tall, beautiful glass of sweet tea... no really, she is gorgeous, super lovable and has an eye for vintage finds that I could only dream of having!
• Lani of Mon Petit Chou Chou is the kind of stylish mother I always try to be. She makes being a Mama look good + she has a super generous heart (which I love!) Also, one time I saw her on TV and was like "You Go Girl!"
• Sarah of Everyday Starlet is so skilled at the art of makeup application that it makes me feel like a total amateur, though tbh I am an amateur. She has lots of great tips and tricks plus, she totally rocks the interesting hair colors, which you know I am a fan of!
• Summer of Summerlandish is so friggin' hilarious, I don't know what else to say about her. I follow her "American in Australia" adventures where she makes me laugh and once in awhile, she shares an experience that makes me feel like I am not alone in this world (being a crazy blond person that is)!
• Kelly of Gets Me Everytime danced her way into my heart with her Toyidermy crafts and sharp wit but has stayed there with her amazing way of being a friend. I love her outlook on life and she seems to like me enough, so I'll keep her around! 
• Jenna of Boston Chic Party is so lovely, I'm telling ya! She combines cooking/baking with personal style, to whip a delish recipe for online eye candy you won't want to miss!

What could make this an even better series, you ask? My answer to you would be, 5 AMAZING brands who jumped at the chance to help us celebrate by offering giveaways to our readers. Make sure to read each gal's blurb (+ click their picture to visit their site) and also see what Honeybee Gardens Cosmetics has for one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"What do the holidays mean to you?" It's an interesting question when you think about the wide range of answers you could receive when you ask it. The holidays will come and go with the blink of an eye but don't you think it would be amazing to stop and take note of what we have, what we are thankful for and + also take the opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes the holidays so special for other people? Every day this week, you can stop by to find out what the holidays mean to a variety of talented ladies, some of whom you may know and others you might not... but one thing is for certain, they were excited to share their experiences with you. They are bloggers, makers, teachers, writers ...they are women who I admire. Each lady submitted a picture of their choice to show a little more about themselves and I love what everyone contributed! I am going to introduce you to each woman with one thing I love about them.

• Natalie of The Boston Day Book has a voracious love of travel + adventure. I love that she has seen so much and been to so many places. She's one lady who is fun to follow!
• Elizabeth of ElizabethCraneSwartz.com is as spirited as she is creative. Elizabeth hand paints the most wonderful jewelry and blogs about life in such a stylish way that you can't help but want to join her in whatever it is she is doing!
• Michelle of Littlest Warrior Apparel is an amazing woman and my definitition of "Warrior Mama". Littlest Warrior Apparel is not even a year old yet but Michelle + her family have made it their job to spread awareness and inclusion one t shirt at a time!
• Gabriella of By Gabriella is one of the first ladies that I ever met through blogging and what I love about her is that she is such a champion for "Woman Power" be it through sharing other's stories/recipes/DIYs or through The Lady Project.
• Quiana of Harlem Lovebirds is not only raising two kids, putting NH bloggers on the map and rocking her positive attitude on the 'nets but she is doing it all with such grace, class and overall friendliness that you just can't help but love her!
• Elissa of Style Wire is gorgeous, sassy and has a touch of edge to her style posts. She makes me laugh and is definitely a gal to watch!

What could make this an even better series, you ask? My answer to you would be, 5 AMAZING brands who jumped at the chance to help us celebrate by offering giveaways to our readers. Make sure to read each gal's blurb (+ click their picture to visit their site) and also see what Synergy Organic Clothing has for one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway