5 Reasons to Cut Back on Your Drinking

Hi lovelies,

Looking at TV, you might think that drinking alcohol is just part of our activities of daily living. On daytime dramas, one participant in a conversation usually pours a drink for him-/herself, if not another for the other participant. All night life is depicted in bars, lounges, or at quiet, romantic tables-for-two with, of course, two cocktails present. Movies generally involve a lot of drinking. Even our language excuses the use of alcohol, e.g., “nightcap,” “toddy,” “ice-breaker.” A bottle of wine makes the perfect gift when invited to dinner or in the way lovers interact.

What Exactly Is the Problem?
The problem is that alcohol can be toxic, and it can lead to an alcohol addiction. You can drink too much both at one time (“binge” drinking) and over time. There is a toxicity that can emerge beyond a certain amount, but that varies. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) has made guidelines based on what it called the “alcoholic drink-equivalent,” which you can think of as the “exchange currency” of drinking.

The alcohol drink-equivalent that is used to compare all other alcoholic beverages is 14 grams (3/5 ounces of pure alcohol):

• 12 ounces of 5% alcohol (a regular beer),

• 5 ounces of wine (12%), or

• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor; and

• varying amounts of mixed beverages (e.g., margarita, mimosa, etc).

Reasons to Cut Back: Your Quality of Life
For those in good health, the NIAA recommends that moderation confine you to two drinks (or fewer) per day for men and one drink (or less) a day for non-pregnant women, taking into consideration metabolism, fat distribution, and lifestyle gender differences.

Here’s something disturbing: there may be no actual safe amount (certainly true in pregnancy). The NIAA guidelines, however, suggest that going beyond them certainly puts your health—and even your life—in danger.

Here’s to Better Health and to a Happy Life
Studies have demonstrated that a person’s self-reported health was best among subjects who consumed 1-2 or less drinks per day. The “self-reported” health aspect may not be actual health, but how one perceives his or her health. Therefore, it isn’t some objective score like your height or weight, but is all about one’s subjective feelings of well-being, attitude, and sense of participation in life, which directly impacts one’s happiness socially, professionally, and in relationships. While the concept of happiness may not be scientific, the data on those who feel happy, compared to those who don’t, is. And with less drinking, the science is just happier.

While it is tempting to stop listing reasons to cut back right here (happiness in life is the ideal in life, right?), this blog would be incomplete if I didn’t give you other reasons. 5 come to mind:

Here’s to avoiding disability.

We all want to stay active, strong, and vibrant as long as we can. It has been proven that alcohol use is a leading cause of disability, especially in our later years when we should be enjoying the fruits of our earlier, productive years. In fact, the amount of alcohol use—the amount that lowers your risk of lifetime disability the most—is zero!

Here’s to a long life.
Signs of alcoholism include illnesses commonly associated with the unhealthy consumption of alcohol and alcoholism, make it likely your time will run out before expected, are high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, infections, and cancers.

Here’s to a mentally stable life.
Mental changes associated with excess alcohol include depression, anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and gateways into other substance abuse disorders.

Here’s to a productive life.
Studies have found that a higher consumption of alcohol causes an increased risk of unemployment, since workplace performance is reduced and absenteeism is increased. For those who are watching the bottom line of their businesses, that is a really bad combination. Everyone is replaceable, so cutting back on drinking will make this less likely.

Here’s to your love life.
On drinking, Shakespeare wrote, “it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.” Excessive alcohol effects erectile function and vaginal secretions, stamina, libido in general, and even jeopardizes “the mood” when something careless is uttered or done. The fact is, nothing sabotages the charm of normal sexual interaction like being inebriated. Sexiness is inversely proportional to the amount you drink.

I think that life, death, disease, employment, mental health, and love cover all the important bases, don’t you? You could probably think of dozens of other reasons to cut back on drinking, as it applies to you, but these 5 should give you a starting point that logically says you need go no further.

Why Every Influencer Is Brunching at Cleo's on Third Street

Hi lovelies,

I had the best time celebrating my birthday with a boss babe brunch this past Sunday at Cleo 3rd Street in West Hollywood.  They just launched an impressive and super yummy new brunch menu this December with the coveted bottomless brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am - 3pm. I promise you, you and your friends won’t want to leave!

The brunch also includes a cool and curated music playlist that is the perfect companion to the delicious entrees, shareable plates, and flowing bubbly.

The Brunch Skinny:
The celebrated Mediterranean-inspired restaurant will bring new flavors to brunch, including Ricotta Waffles with Nutella ganache, mixed berries, and crème fraiche. The Avocado Toast is topped with cilantro, feta, pickled shallots, and radish. The featured bottomless brunch cocktails are Mimosa, White Sangria, and Bellini, each an additional $18 to go bottomless with brunch. 

ABOUT: 
Cleo Mediterráneo is an acclaimed culinary concept from sbe's world-renowned Disruptive Group, joined by Katsuya, Umami Burger, Cleo, Fi'lia, Carna, Leynia and Diez y Seis.  Cleo 3rd Street  is located at8384 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048. For reservations, call 323-579-1600 or book via OpenTable. For more information on Cleo follow @cleorestaurant or #cleorestaurant on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer Loves Organic Aromas Nebulizing Diffusers

Hi lovelies,

Nothing makes your house a home like creating a warm and inviting ambiance for you, your family, and your loved ones than through a curated scented experience.

One of my favorite ways to make sure that my home stays cozy is by using Organic Aromas Nebulizing Diffusers.

They help me to create a loving environment at-home through aromatherapy and the lovely scents joy to my home.  

The Organic Aromas essential oil diffusers provide a healthy and efficient way to spread the health benefits of essential oils throughout your home while adding pleasant scents that elevates everyone’s mood.

They also offer a range of various scents from juniper, lavender, ylang ylang, grapefruit, pine, formosa, welcome home, sweet basil, lime, ocean breeze, sweet ginger, meditation, and more.

This way you can mix-and-match scents based on the experience and mood that you are trying to create in your home.

Another great way to keep your home smelling and feeling good is to hire a professional maid service to come in and tidy up.

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WHEN TO USE ORGANIC AROMAS NEBULIZING DIFFUSERS

USE WHILE MEDITATING
I also love using my nebulizing diffuser when I’m meditating. The clean and fresh air with a hint of scent aids in relaxing me while I settle my mind for the mediation.

USE WHILE ENTERTAINING
Another time that I love using Organic Aromas oil diffusers is when I’m hosting friends and family at my home. Making sure that we have yummy food, refreshing beverages, soothing music, fun games, and a curated scented experience with aromatherapy essential oils. The essential oils makes sure that everyone feels welcomed and calm.

USE WHILE READING
The oil diffuser is the perfect companion when you’re relaxing and unwinding with your favorite book. It creates the perfect atmosphere for getting lost in your novel. 

USE WHILE COOKING
When I’m in the kitchen, sometimes the smell of the food while prepping and cooking can be less than desirable, think fish, onion, and garlic smells. In order to make sure that my kitchen and home stays smelling fresh, clean, and inviting, I use my air diffuser to overpower the unpleasant smells and fill the air with pleasant smells instead.

USE WHILE DOING AT-HOME EXERCISES
Another crucial time to utilize the calming effects of the oil diffusers is when you’re moving your body in a mindful way at-home. When I’m doing yoga, stretches, or pilates at-home, I love making sure that my home is filled with relaxing scents.

USE ANYTIME
Whether you’re cooking, entertaining, doing yoga, reading, or just relaxing, Organic Aromas Nebulizing Diffusers is the perfect way to create a peaceful and calming experience at-home. 

3 Ways To Create A Relaxing Garden Area

Hi lovelies,

For those of you blessed with a garden space, consider what you might need to do to enhance your relaxation time outdoors. 

By taking a few (reasonably) easy steps, you will be able to refresh your mind, soothe your soul, and de-stress your body during your time at home. What greater incentive do you need?

#1: Create your own private nook
If you live alone and your garden is already secluded, then that's perfect; you will have all of the privacy that you need. If that isn't the case, then you might want to add certain features to create your own enclosure. You can do this with bamboo fencing, pre-grown shrubs and bushes, or a privacy screen. Be sure to include comfortable outdoor seating too, as you will then have somewhere to sit and relax as you wile away your day. And place fragrant plants around your seated area to soothe yourself with aromatherapy, such as lavender, clematis, and the sweet smell of gardenia. Add a table for your books, magazines, and refreshments, and your relaxation zone will be almost complete. 

#2: Block out any nuisance sounds
Should you be living somewhere remote, then you might have all of the peace and quiet you could ever need when trying to relax in your garden. But if you're living within a busy neighborhood, then noise might be a problem for you. From the sound of traffic to the loud conversations of your neighbors, it might be difficult to get much peace at all. Therefore, find ways to block out these nuisance sounds.

One way to do this is to add bamboo or metal wind chimes around your enclosed area. They're easy to incorporate into your garden, as they can hang from any raised point, so you don't have to do a lot of maintenance to achieve a sense of tranquility. 

Another way to block out sounds is to add a water feature. You can do this by purchasing something at your local garden center, such as an ornamental feature that provides a waterfall or a fountain. Alternatively, consider installing a pond in your garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can add waterfalls and other features as suits your desires. Visit your local garden center, and check out ePumps for the Tsurumi 50PN2.4S and other pumps your pond will need. 

#3: Attract wildlife to your garden

Snow White attracted birds and butterflies to her windows through song, but as she is only a fairy tale character, you will need to do more than sing a tuneful melody if you want to benefit from the relaxing sights and sounds of nature's wildlife.

You can do this by planting bird feeders in your garden, as you will then have regular winged visitors to your garden when they know there is food waiting for them. And to attract butterflies and bees, and other insect wildlife, plant a few herbaceous plants around your garden area. You will benefit from the colors and fragrances of these plants as much as your insect friends do, so your opportunities for relaxation will be multiplied.

We all need to de-stress, and if you have managed to create a garden that will allow you to do so, you will have many opportunities to relax and unwind. So, follow our suggestions, and leave a comment if you have any other ideas for a relaxing garden area.

Photo credit for this collaborative post: (Pixabay CC0)

Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Running Perfectly

Hi lovelies,

Being a homeowner brings with it a lot of benefits. Having the freedom to unleash your inner interior designer and decorate your rooms in your own style has to be one of the biggest benefits! However, there are also a lot of responsibilities that come with owning your home. Taking care of every aspect of your property is essential to keep it running smoothly. Regularly maintaining your home will help save you from the hassle of lots of bigger problems and expense in the future.

Here are some of the ways that you can make sure that your home stays looking great and in perfect working order:

Clear Out Your Clutter
Clutter is something that seems to creep into your home over time slowly. Everything can be neat and tidy, then one day you will look around to find that you are surrounded by mounds of ‘stuff.’ Clutter is a problem for many reasons, but some of the main issues are that it attracts dust and can be a major trip hazard too! 

Having lots of clutter littering your house can make it feel like an unorganized place to live, and in turn, can make life feel more stressful. To be able to relax in your home you will want it to feel like a homely sanctuary. Unfortunately, lots of clutter can have the opposite effect, and instead, create a stressful living environment.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. You can make decluttering manageable by taking time to tidy things away little and often. This is the key to keeping your home clutter-free and fabulous.

Don’t Skip Services
As a homeowner, sometimes you will inevitably need to call in the professionals. Calling in a technician is not something that only needs to happen when something breaks; it is something that you should do to keep your home well-maintained. Getting items such as your HVAC serviced regularly by a company such as mes-ac.com is crucial to keeping it working at its best. Not getting your heating and air conditioning means that potential issues won’t be picked up. If your HVAC unit then breaks you could find yourself uncomfortably hot in the scorching summer, and freezing in the winter months.

Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
The best way to handle potential problems in your home before they become a significant issue is to get them sorted out as soon as you notice them. If you think that you may have a leak, or you have seen a crack, it is far better to get it checked out when it first appears. Ignoring potential issues allows them to become a bigger problem at a later date. By taking action early, you will help to prevent the problem from escalating further.

Spring Clean
Spring cleaning is the ultimate way of showing your home some love. A good top to toe clean will help you identify any issues such as mold or mildew, and will help your home look at its very best.

*Photo credit for this collaborative post: Image credit - Pexels CC0 License

3 Ways to Turn Your Home into a De-Stressing Centre

Hi lovelies,

Stress will kill you. That’s something we’ve all been told growing up, and it’s also one of those bits of folksy wisdom that also turns out to be backed up by scientific evidence.

When our stress levels are elevated, it’s not just a matter of us “feeling” one way or another. The sensation of stress is connected to “stress hormones,” particularly cortisol and adrenaline. In short-term situations, elevated levels of these hormones may save our lives. But when they are heightened over a prolonged period of time, they contribute to systematic damage to the various organs of the body – not to mention premature ageing.

Our homes should be naturally relaxing paradises – but often they just add to the stress we are already experiencing.

Here are some tips on how to turn your home into a de-stressing centre, instead.

Fill it with furniture and features that up the comfort level dramatically

It would be difficult to relax and de-stress your home, if you had no comfortable furniture, and the overall ornamentation and style of the home naturally worked against you.

The first step in helping to turn your home into a de-stressing paradise, is to get some furniture that you find both comfortable and visually appealing. For some, that may mean classic shell chairs, for others, the kind of plush sofas you can melt into.

It’s generally pretty easy to figure out when your furniture is making it more difficult for you to relax. Just ask yourself the question, “is there anywhere in this house other than the bed where I’d feel comfortable curling up with a good book?”

If not, you’ve got some work to do.

Be sparing with the gadgets – and don’t have too many things going at one time

It’s difficult to de-stress when you are constantly being bombarded with information from all sides at once. And yet, that is the situation that most of us find ourselves in, in the modern world.

Not only do we have to deal with the demands of our bosses, take care of those ominous-looking letters from Inland Revenue, and deal with everything that goes along with maintaining family and social connections – but we also have to deal with dozens of daily news reports that convince us that we’re facing the end times. Then, there’s the latest entertainment gossip, and more.

If you want your home to be a de-stress paradise, consider going easy on the gadgets. Specifically, spend less time online, and less time watching TV.

Also, try to do only one thing at a time if you can, rather than overloading your attention and stressing yourself out by “multitasking.”

Always have the fridge stocked with nutritious, home-cooked meals

It’s hardly a secret that home-cooked meals, from whole food ingredients, are better for us than processed snacks.

But it’s not only a matter of how long you might live, or how free you might be from some kind of illness years down the line. Eating nutritious food – and the right amount of it – helps to regulate your hormones and keep everything behaving as it should.

When you don’t have enough nutritious food in the house, you’ll likely tend to either starve yourself (which contributes to significantly elevated stress hormone levels), or you will order takeaway, and experience mood and energy instability as a result.

Cook your food in big batches, and always keep the fridge stocked with nutritious meals.

*Photo credit for collaborative post: Pixabay - CC0 License

4 Things To Remember When Buying Your First Home

Hi lovelies,

Buying your first home is a big step and it’s the most expensive purchase you’re ever going to make, so you need to make sure that you don’t rush into things. It’s harder than ever for young people to get their foot on the property ladder and people spend a long time saving up the deposit that they need. When they finally get there and it’s time to start looking at houses, a lot of people find that they don’t really know what they’re looking for. If you’re about to start looking for your first home, here are a few simple tips that you should follow. 

Photo From Pexels CCO License

Always Budget First 
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re looking at houses, but if you want to avoid disappointment, you should always budget first. If you start looking without a clear budget in mind, you might fall in love with a house, only to realize that you can’t afford it. You need to look at how much you have for a deposit and what you can realistically afford to spend each month. It’s also a good idea to look into home loan pre-approval so you can work out what kind of mortgage you’re likely to get before you start viewing houses. If you go in with a clear budget in mind, you can manage your expectations and you won’t waste time looking at places that you will never be able to afford. 

List Your Priorities 
When you are trying to narrow down your options, you need to make a list of your priorities for the house and for the area that you live. Do you want somewhere with a nice outdoor space? Do you want a big kitchen? Are you willing to live in a rural area where there isn’t much going on or would you rather be nearer to the centre of a city? If you list your priorities and then rank them in order of importance, it will be a lot easier to choose which houses you want to view. 

Imagine Yourself Living There 
When you start viewing houses, you need to think about the practical stuff and check for any damage or signs of damp etc. but you also need to really think about whether you could imagine yourself living there. It’s important that your house feels like a home, and even a house that is perfect on paper might not necessarily be right for you. Keep that in mind when looking around and try to imagine where you would put all of your things and how you would use the different rooms. 

Always Get A Survey Done 
No matter how many times you look around a house, there are always things that you will miss. You don’t want to buy a house that has lots of hidden problems that are expensive to fix, which is why you need to have an independent survey done before you buy. A surveyor will be able to spot things like roof damage, damp problems, faulty plumbing, and dangerous wiring. You won’t notice these things yourself, so always get a professional opinion as well. 

If you follow these tips when you are viewing houses, you can make sure that your first home is perfect.

4 Great Ways To Make Your Wedding Day More Personal

Hi lovelies,

Weddings are filled with tradition, which is great, but sometimes it feels like you’re just doing things because that’s how they’ve always been done. Some people love tradition and they want to have the typical wedding, but a lot of people are moving away from that these days. Instead of following all of the traditions, they’re finding ways to put their own stamp on the wedding day and make it more personal to them. A wedding is about celebrating your relationship, after all, so making it more personal is the best way to make it special. If you want to make your wedding more personal, here are a few simple ways to do it.

Pixabay CCO License

Write Your Own Vows 
The wedding vows haven’t changed for a long time and although there are variations on them, they’re all basically the same thing. A lot of people find that they don’t really connect with the vows that much and they don’t feel very personal, so they decide to write their own instead. It gives you more of an opportunity to tell your partner how you feel about them. Some people want them to be soppy and romantic but if that’s not what your relationship is like, you could write some funny ones instead. If you don’t know where to start, visit https://www.theknot.com/content/tips-for-writing-your-own-wedding-vows for a good guide on writing your own vows. 

Choose Your Own Playlist 
If you book a wedding DJ and get them to choose a playlist, you’ll get the same songs that you always get at weddings. If that’s the kind of music that you like, you might be happy with that. But if you and your guests would rather have something different, why not choose your own playlist instead? You could even book a wedding band (check out https://www.alivenetwork.com/hirelivemusic/wedding_bands_in.asp?area=Hertfordshire for a registry of the best ones) and get them to play covers of all of your favourite songs. Picking your own playlist makes the reception more fun and personal for you and it gives your guests something a bit different. 

Ignore Wedding Dress Trends 
One of the most important parts of the wedding planning process is picking your dream dress. If you love the idea of a traditional dress, that’s great, but you don’t have to do that. It’s your wedding and you can do whatever you like, so think outside the box when it comes to picking a dress. 

Create Your Own Wedding Rings 
Wedding bands are another thing that you can easily personalize. You could just buy some rings from a jeweller, but there are some great places where you can get custom made rings from. A ring with the wedding date or an inscription on is a lot more personal than a ready made wedding band. You don’t have to go for a traditional gold or silver either if you don’t want to, you have complete freedom over the material and design so you can pick something that is ideal for you. 

You don’t have to follow wedding traditions if you don’t want to. If you want to make your day more personal to you, these are the best ways to do it. 

Are Your Hobbies Harming Your Health?

Hi lovelies,

There are so many hobbies out there that people enjoy. Reading. Writing. Running. Skipping. You can list around a hundred hobbies, and there will be avid and excited followers of all of them. Some hobbies are healthy to have, and there are others that are just as fun, but perhaps not as healthy. It's very easy to follow and embrace hobbies that aren't so great for your health, but not always as easy to enjoy a hobby that is fantastic for your wellbeing. You should be able to enjoy whatever it is that's making you happy, but can you really appreciate it if it's affecting your health?

There are a lot of things that you can spend time doing, but the one thing that you need to know is whether you are doing something that is good for you or not. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few hobbies that you could be engaging in that are truly detrimental to your health.

Netflix and what?
Those binge-watched TV shows on your Netflix account make you feel happy. You've caught right up to the latest and greatest TV shows in your life, and that makes you feel fantastic. Here's the thing: spending time sitting on the couch and catching up on those shows could be having a toll on your health without you even realising. Sedentary life is not the life we humans were meant to lead: we are not slugs. You can still binge-watch those shows, but why not use a step like this while you do it? Or try weighted hula hoops while you watch; getting your heart going while you enjoy your show is a good way around it.

Gigging Away

Whether you are in a band or you are watching concerts live as much as possible, you need to pay attention to the way that your hearing is working. Exposure to loud music is not great on the ears, and if you're a musician yourself, you need to learn more about your hearing and the impact of the music on it. It doesn't mean that you have to give up something you love: it just means you have to get smart about it.

Excessive exercise
Running is supposed to be a healthy hobby, but it's not always the best thing for your body when it's in excess - much like anything else. You wouldn't mind the odd cheeseburger but probably wouldn't eat ten in a row. The same goes for running. Pushing yourself past your limits, running harder than your body is truly ready for and causing injury to your legs is one of the worst ways to spend your time. Talking to your doctor about what's safe for you can help you to find a healthy balance in your favourite hobby and allow you to enjoy it.

Hobbies should complement your life, not harm your health. Review what works for you and what you enjoy, and you'll start to feel great about yourself.

*Photo credit for this guest post: Image Source

Simple Ways To Make Your Home Feel Like a Home

Hi lovelies,

Moving into a new house can be stressful. Even once the boxes are put away and you’ve put up your gallery wall, there can still be a feeling of newness that can stop you from feeling 100% comfortable. Sometimes it can take until your moving in party, or once your decorating is completely finished to allow you to settle into the feeling of being truly home. 

Many renters and house-sharers know that there is a huge difference between simply living in a place where you go to eat, sleep and wash and a home that really feels like home and you feel comfortable in. There's often the difficulty of not being able to decorate, knowing that your tenancy is only for a year and also living with people who you may not know.  But a sense of home is all about how you see things, and regardless of the external factors it is possible to curate true warmth, joy and personality no matter where you’re living.

Figuring out how to make your house feel like a real home is about finding out what makes you feel safe and cosy at home. Only you know what truly makes you feel at peace and warm, safe, and happy, but by sitting down and brainstorming on what those things are and then coming up with creative ways on how  to incorporate them into your house or apartment is the first step toward creating a sense of home. Here are some ideas to get you started.

First Impressions 
The hallway is a great starting place and goes a long way in creating the initial impression people have when entering your home.  Make sure your passage is clear of shoes, bags and other clutter. Keeping the colours light and airy to help the space feel less claustrophobic. Keep a door mat on both sides of the door to stop dirt and mud from the outside creating a mess on your carpets. 

Keep Your Clutter Away and Clean Up 
No-one likes mess and unnecessary clutter. A messy or unclean home can invite a whole host of health problems not to mention invite yucky vermin into you home. Think you’ve got a rat or mice problem? Sort it out quickly by hiring a Pest Control service, get your home feeling safe and clean again as soon as possible. 

Let Your Nose Do The Talking
Nothing is nicer than entering a home that smells great. Smell plays a huge role in creating a pleasing environment. Fill your home with air diffusers, incense, scented candles or even fresh flowers, for a home that smells clean and lovely. 

Let The Sun Shine!
It’s a well-known fact that colours can affect our moods. Cool colours like sky blue or lilac are known for being fresh while yellows are known for being invigorating. Warm and autumnal colours are known for making a room feel relaxing. Warms also work really well with neutrals and allow you to keep your space from looking too bland. 

Your home should reflect your personality.
Most importantly, being authentic to your own personal tastes and interior style will instantly add character and atmosphere in your home. If you create an environment that you love to be in, the rest should naturally follow. 

4 Ways to Make Your Space More Comfy

Hi lovelies,

Right before the holidays, I redesigned my apartment, and I can’t lie, I love it. I created my space to mirror fashion showrooms and spas by honing in on all of the senses from scented candles, jewelry displays, to knitted blankets.

I wanted to share with you a few ways to make your own space, whether it’s your home, office, apartment, or dorm, into your own personal oasis and place to decompress and express yourself. Plus, another way to elevate the ambiance of your home is with super stylish white flameless LED taper candles.

It’s also helpful to have a maid service come to your home as well to keep everything tidy and clean.

4 Ways to Make Your Space More Comfy

#1: Add scented candles

I’m obsessed with making sure that my space smells yummy and that the moment someone walks into my place, they notice the lovely and inviting scents. Depending on your mood, likes, and seasons, scented candles are an easy way to elevate your space. Try spices and richer scents in the winter and opt for citrus and fruity scents in warmer weather.

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#2: Add some texture with a throw

I love snuggling up on my comfy couch with a soft throw. It adds a bit of warmth and depth to your place by placing a throw over your armchair, sofa, couch, or chair. It can just be decorative or you can use it to keep and your bae warm. Step up your style game by picking throws with different textures from cotton, faux-fur, knitted, and more and opt for different colors and patterns.

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#3: Change up your sofa

The sofa is often times the centerpiece of your living room, so updating where you place your tushies can totally change the vibe of your place. Opt for an updated fabric like velvet or leather. Don’t be afraid to think out-of-box with a modern and sleek style and go for a funky print.

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#4: Toss in some pillows

Nothing updates a room like new pillows! Whether they are just decorative or you actually lay your head on them for a little R&R, jazzing up your space with a few new pillows can make all of the difference. Go for some pillows with some sequins for added sparkle or a faux-fur pillow for added softness.

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer Loves Katana West Hollywood

Hi lovelies,

I had an amazing girls night this past Friday night with one of my lovely BFFs who’s also a lifestyle influencer.

The first thing that we noticed about Katana, a hotspot in West Hollywood with an enviable menu and super yummy drinks, was the friendly staff and sleek ambiance located on the heart of Sunset Blvd with an amazing view of LA’s coveted skyline.

The next thing that we noticed was the new Vegan Omakase menu that we were dying to try. My favorite dishes were the Roasted Cauliflower, Miso Eggplant, and Grilled Corn along with the Organic Kale Salad, and the Assorted Vegan Nigri.

But it wouldn’t be a complete girls night without delicious cocktails. We sipped on Lychee Cocktails and the Roxberry cocktail was also one of our favorites.

We danced in our seats to the beats by the DJ and enjoyed the warm rooftop breeze of a summer night in L.A., while catching up and laughing the night away.

I’m officially obsessed with the Kobe Pepper skewers and we ordered two extra rolls of the Kani Maki creamy baked crab wrapped in soy paper!

We can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

KATANA :: WEST HOLLYWOOD :: VEGAN OMAKASE

Must-Have Favorites From My Amazon Shop

Hi lovelies,

I’ve been working on curating my Amazon Shop just for you guys of all of my favorite things that I love and use on a daily basis!

Check them out here and let me know what you think!

SHOP MY AMAZON SHOP HERE

How Every Lifestyle Influencer Elevates Their At-Home Experience With Dr. Vranjes Room Diffusers

Hi lovelies,

One of my favorite ways to make my place feel like a home, is to make sure that it always smells yummy and sweet.

When scented candles just won’t cut it, I turn to Dr. Vranjes Scented Room Diffusers, plus by using the room diffuser, I never have to worry if I left my candles burning when I leave or go to sleep, so it’s a safe way to create an inviting, pleasant, and warm home environment, without the worry.

My favorite scent is the Rosso Nobile, which makes my home blossom with the sweet scent of bouquets of the finest Tuscan wines. It’s the ideal way to enhance my mood and the mood of my guests along with creating a stress-free ambiance while enhancing an overall sense of happiness and wellbeing.

DR. VRANJES FIRENZE ROSSO NOBILE ROOM DIFFUSER

Why Every Lifestyle Influencer Is Drinking Fleurs de Prairie Rosé

Hi lovelies,

The sun to shining, the wildflowers are blooming, and the rosé is flowing. But more importantly, women are coming together to flourish. That’s why celebrating the official launch for the Fleurs de Prairie Rosé Seeds of Beauty campaign was such an honor.

We sipped on the chilled rosé, nibbled on yummy bites, created colorful flower crowns, and learned more how they are empowering inspirational women to unite for a common cause of spreading their creativity, businesses, and passions.

Get the insider scoop below and don’t forget to check out more on Fleurs de Prairie Rosé, here, and join them on Instagram, here.

SEEDS OF BEAUTY

The 2019 Seeds of Beauty Campaign recognizes and supports women who are dedicated to creating beauty in their community; those who are powered by kindness, strengthened by generosity and always in celebration of the hustle. Fleurs de Prairie champions those who inspire each other to #FleurishTogether.

WHY WE LOVE THE WINE

BACKGROUND

“Fleurs de Prairie” translates as “wildflowers,” celebrating the beautiful fields of wisteria, lavender, poppy, and sunflowers carpeting Provence. The wine is sourced from select Provençal vineyards that dot the coastal wind-swept hillsides of the region. The Mediterranean combination of sun, wind, mild water stress, and ocean influence provide ideal conditions for grapes to ripen to the perfect balance of flavor and freshness.

APPELLATION

Côtes de Provence

VARIETAL COMPOSITION

60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% other varietals (Mourvedre, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rolle

VINTAGE NOTES

Provence produced beautiful 2018 rosés due to the year’s generally mild spring and sunny, dry summer. The continuing drought impacted yields across the board, but quality remained high.

TASTING NOTES

Crafted in the traditional Provençal style, Fleurs de Prairie is a pale salmon color with delicate flavors of strawberry, rose petals, and herbs. Its bright, refreshing acidity makes it a perfect companion with a meal or as an aperitif.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were picked at the peak of ripeness during the early morning hours to preserve maximum fruit expression. The fruit was then immediately crushed and sent to tank to chill prior to yeast inoculation. The wines were fermented slowly over 2 weeks at around 55˚F. Throughout the winemaking process the wines were kept in a near zero oxygen environment to preserve the color and intense fruit aromas.

TECHNICAL DATA

pH 3.4    •    RS ‹3.0 g/L    •    Alc. 13.0%

WINEMAKER

Vincent Euzet

PRODUCER

Les Grands Chais de France

*via fleursdeprairie.com