February favorites

What I'm loving for the romance month

I struggle with self care - it has always comes second. I am a high energy individual, which means I often don’t realize I am sorely lacking in something until I’m already falling apart. This energy has always been a crutch, and perhaps a perverse source of pride: a woman such as myself has no need to slow down. Rest and relaxation are for other people, but have always felt alien to me. As I age, self care becomes more and more important, and it comes in unexpected and varied forms - whether it is my body that simply doesn’t have the same energy I did a decade ago (its much harder to function after a 10 hour work day followed by 2-3 social events a night, the way I used to do 6 days a week), my skin requires more of me, as does my back (regular massages are a must, as are regular facials - both of which take time), a requirement to move my body once a day due to knees that deteriorate if not strengthened regularly (due to injury), or the ruthless prioritization needed to act as an executive building new product strategy at a digital health company, an interior designer, a writer, and someone who also enjoys doing a bevy of other things in my spare time, as many of us do.

Without a strict discipline (and a lot of magical thinking) I have often been guilty of letting self care slide almost any time life gets busy, which is often. But this post is in defense of self care (the right kind of self care, which is to say the self care that does not include eschewing responsibilities to friends, family, and neighbors, that does not serve as a shortcut for selfishness).

This time of the year we appreciate the little things - luxurious little things that distract us from the short days and cold weather (though I know living in San Francisco, I’m not really allowed to complain about that). This winter in particular feels like a true lock in: everyone I know (myself included) is extremely busy with work and associated responsibilities. Taking care of ones self becomes even more important in times like these: a routine with little indulgences is how we pinch ourselves to remind ourselves we are human, not machine. The difference between a normal month and a busy month should be just that: there’s more to do, not that you drop your commitments to yourself in exchange for longer hours.

I’ve found personally that no matter how tired I am or how badly I think I need an extra hour of sleep, my morning routine and solo time will always make me feel better than rushing around to get on a 7AM call. Getting out of bed early is not my favorite, but the calm that allows me to get my ducks in a row and start the day on the right foot is worth it every single time.

The best things in life, of course, are free: waking up early and watching the sunrise, a hike through the redwoods, taking a long, hot shower (not 100% free but you get the picture) - but these are a pretty close second.

Speaking of morning routines, I start with a multivitamin and hot coffee (but in the winter? That’s going to be a maple latte), warm socks before my body acclimates to the day, and a cozy sweater (work appropriate, of course).

A new workout set, I’ve really been into the white piping on black, like with my new favorite top and leggings from Monday Body. Very chic and very 90s! I pair it with a little headband and tiny Aureum sunglasses or FREYRS shades. I haven’t felt feminine in workout clothing in years, and this combination really does the trick for me.

Freda Salvador loafers that make me feel much more dressed up when I’m doing silk pants with a tee shirt (or: chic girl lazy). The more I can stray from sneakers during the winter the more together I feel.

If you know me you know I am VERY picky with makeup. I hardly wear anything and when I do, especially when it’s daily makeup (and ESPECIALLY in the depths of winter), it needs to be practically invisible on my skin. Lately I’ve been feeling a bit gloopy with my tinted SPFs (a wee bit too glowy, know what I mean?) and have been opting for No Makeup Makeup foundation and brush - which are LITERALLY invisible - it looks like a real life filter. Paired with SOSHE lip liner (I wear candid) and the black lipbalm by Finding Ferdinand (IYKYK) I reach the apex of everyday elevated. This combination feels like just the right amount of doing when its cold and dark (honestly - I’ll be hard pressed to ever wear more than this).

Before

After!!!

Winter is all about staying hydrated and I am officially a baby who can’t drink water without delicious electrolytes (these are my favorites - plant based and not too sweet or salty!). It’s okay to play tricks on yourself if they work.

I’m on a skin firming mission and love treating myself to the quad of the Ziip Halo (NECESSITIES for 10% off!), U Beauty sculpt concentrate on my neck (ELLIEH20 for 20% off), firming peptide serum, and extreme cream morning and night. If your face feels tight your life….feels tight. This routine is what allows me to wear very little makeup and its shockingly very low effort. A very easy way to emerge from your cocoon in the spring.

Sorry but….laundry that smells amazing is a must, no matter the time of year. I’m a sucker for my pod + booster.

Many of us are not be drinking this time of year, but I LOVE a sexy little mocktail or soda with added benefits (ELLIE10 gives you 10% off Cann!)

An everything shower hits differently in the winter. I level up with a pine-y cleansing balm, minty scalp scrub, a botanical elixir, and delicate face oil. Finish your morning or nighttime routine with the most hydrating plasma lip compound, and a turmeric face mask that my friend put me on to.

You’ve already heard that this is everyones new favorite hand soap so pardon the repetition but, it’s mine too (and ELLIE15 gets you 15% off because it turns out we love each other). You better believe when I’m out of the bathroom for the evening I’m lighting my favorite candle and using a cloche because I love being a girl!!

I have been LOVING the aggressive femininity of wearing a charm bracelet and clanking it around all over the place (ideally, iced coffee in hand). If you’ve been following me for a while you know I’ve been a strong advocate for the charm bracelet, and have been eschewing my panthere nearly daily for my new Monica Vinader number. It is simply too cute!

Eating well (and eating at all) always tends to vex me with a challenging work schedule that keeps me back to back from morning until evening, so I’ve been trying to optimize my meals with a mix of protein bars (these are my current favorites), smoothies (these make it easier to get enough protein) and finding the right meal delivery service (I’m in my first week of Locale and frankly, I want to scream from the rooftops about it - high protein, SO delicious). I found many options available were either the same thing every day (lettuce and chickpeas….cool…) or badly executed. Locale is delicious, well priced, and the variety is stellar.

That’s what I’m loving this month to get me through the winter doldrums, talk soon xoxo