Ahh, November is finally here and we’re inching closer to my favorite time of the year! Our family has a ton of November birthdays and lots of friends always swing into town for Thanksgiving, so this is always a happy, fun-filled month for us. The best part for me is finally being able to put away all the tacky Halloween decorations that my kids love (don’t tell them I said that) and swap it for more festive things. With the weather cooling down and some glutinous days ahead, I have 7 things to help see you through this November!
Let’s start with the eye candy, shall we? You all have heard me talk about Teri and her gorgeous creations each month, but her latest box outdid herself. This super glam box includes a gorgeous eyeshadow quad with very wearable, blendable colors, a deep, rich red lipstick, and the icing on the cake is the vegan faux mink lashes. I love that there’s a complete look included this month and it’s very appropriate for the upcoming season. Teri leaked that next month’s box will be a big one too! You can sign up for her boxes here.
November is when we start feeling the brisk weather start to happen here in NC. That’s usually my cue to switch up my skin care a bit to something that will add some extra moisture and nourishment. I just started using Maya Chia’s newest product, The Super Blend- Pressed Serum Brightening Moisture Concentrate. My skin has had great luck with Maya Chia’s other products and so far this one is following suit. The deep golden-orange color is telling of the powerful ingredients, including Astaxanthin, supercritical chia seed oil, vitamin c ester and more. I suspect that I’ll be telling you more about this product as the weather gets colder!
With lots of festive times ahead, I thought this was the perfect time to revisit organic wine with you all. If you remember, a few months back I shared a post by abeautifulpursuit.com that decoded wine labels and shared what was really hiding inside some wines. Since then I’ve been on the hunt for vegan, organic and biodynamic wines. I’ve actually had great luck finding them through Whole Foods, Total Wine and even Costco. I mostly like Pinot Noir and Cava (which I’m still looking for some good choices for that). Here’s a few I’ve liked the best so far, just in time for your Thanksgiving feast:
Top Vegan Pick- Leese-Fitch Pinot Noir– this is one of my all-time favorite wines (find it at Whole Foods, Total Wine) $12.99
Top Organic pick (also vegan)- Natura Pinot Noir and Carmeletta (widely available at my local grocery stores) $11.99
Organic, vegan Bubbly- Tarantus sparkling white wine is pretty good. I’m extremely picky about sparkling wines and like them crisp and a little on the dry side. This one isn’t quite as dry as I like, but it’s way better than some of the overly sweet sparkling wines I’ve tried and would be perfect to toast with over Thanksgiving. $9.99 (I hear Tarantus also has a Cava that’s described as brisk and clean, so it’s going to be next on my list to try, although I haven’t found it at the store)
Biodynamic- Still testing.. I really haven’t loved the few I’ve tried so far. If anyone has recommendations, let me know!
Next up.. Candles. The one part about this time of the year I don’t love is walking through the mall and being assaulted with sick, artificial pumpkin spice, apple pie, frosted cranberry crap scents. Seriously, walk within a 5-mile radius of any Bath and Body Works or Yankee Candle store and you’re sure to get a headache. The fact is, artificial fragrances typically are comprised of over a hundred chemicals and contain known carcinogens, allergens and hormone disruptors like Phthalates. Not to mention that conventional petroleum-based wax actually adds a significant amount of indoor air pollution while burning. Instead look for candles made from an all natural wax like beeswax, coconut wax, or non-GMO soy wax, and be sure they’re scented with essential oils rather than artificial fragrance. They’re actually easy to DIY, but brands like Woodlot makes really nice smelling candles with nothing artificial.
Another gentle skincare line that’s great for addressing your skin’s needs during the harsher weather ahead, is Max and Me. I had the pleasure of trying a few of their products and the even bigger pleasure of meeting founders Tanja and Max at iBE. They are absolutely lovely people and pour so much love and creativity into their products. I can’t get over the gorgeous illustrations on the packaging! I tried their Purity and Grace oil cleanser, Enchanted face oil and Sweet Serenity beauty balm. All the products smell incredible and they’re all so soothing and gentle (especially Sweet Serenity). Max and Me is based in Austria, but Beauty Heroes carries all of these products above in their online beauty shop.
Last, but not least.. Go out and vote this Tuesday. No matter who wins the election, having the right to vote is not something to be taken lightly. I am forever grateful to live in a country where my voice can be heard and I have a say in who gets elected to office here locally and on a national level.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week! xo
