A Twist of Flavor with S.Pellegrino Essenza

June 26, 2020

This post is sponsored by S. Pellegrino Essenza but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

More than ever it’s important to celebrate joy in life - both big and small. This month my husband and I have been together for 14 years!! We are so lucky to have our beautiful outdoor space as part of our Manhattan home. Since many know my passion for cooking, I felt like this month would be the perfect opportunity to make something fun and yummy like my leek and mushroom quiche with gruyere cheese.

But just because we’re home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy and get ready to celebrate. With the perfect pairing of S.Pellegrino Essenza flavored mineral water, these drinks add a twist of flavor to any dish! I love the subtle tastes of leeks and mushrooms paired with the delicious flavor of Tangerine & Wild Strawberry! For my favorite quiche recipe, follow link here.

S.Pellegrino Essenza Flavored Mineral Water is versatile, and made with natural flavors, with zero calories and zero sweeteners. That's why it's my drink of choice! The Dark Morello Cherry & Pomegranate is great with cherries alone, but I would imagine it would be delish with a charcuterie plate too. The Lemon & Lemon Zest is wonderful all on its own as a refresher but any type of seafood dish would work well with this flavor. Citrus and salmon? Count me in on that!

Which flavor would you try first? Treat yourself the next time you shop online at Walmart and grab a pack of S.Pellegrino Essenza Flavored Mineral Water, it makes every meal a delicious masterpiece!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Pain Relief with CBDMEDIC

September 27, 2019

This post is sponsored by CBDMEDIC but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Being with MaQ, my German shepherd dog, is very important to me. As much as I love going out and meeting new people, there's nothing better than spending quality time together. We're no couch potatoes but we love getting our sweat on! I'm not necessarily a gym rat or fitness guru, but figure skating has been a huge part of my life in terms of staying physically fit. Not only did it keep me in top shape I was aware of the discipline it took to stay that way, and since then I haven't changed. But what has changed is my body. All the years of being on the ice did some damage, and little aches and pains have resurfaced a lot lately. If you haven't heard by now CBD is a great alternative for pain relief and in today's post, I'm sharing a new line of ointments that are safe, powerful and effective. Continue reading to learn more!

I love to go running with my pup in the city but recently I've experienced pain in my shoulder and back. I don't believe it has stemmed from running but rather being in awkward positions while doing several photoshoots (I'm also a photographer) seems to be the culprit. But the aches around these areas feel more apparent while running, which can be very distracting. Which is why I started using CBDMEDIC Ointments. CBDMEDIC products are the first family of topical medications that combine highly effective analgesic ingredients (like menthol and camphor) with hemp oil or extract and other natural emollients. Their advanced scientific groundbreaking formulas deliver to a wide range of people, like myself, who suffer from acute pain. And yes, “CBD”—a THC-free cannabinoid-rich hemp extractor oil from the Cannabis sativa L. plant is a natural alternative for pain relief. And how cool is it that this brand has 15 years of science in the making for these products?!

I've been using the Active Sport™ for general muscle aches and pain, and for more specific targets like my back and shoulder area, I've been using the Back & Neck formula. I love the smell of them, as there's a little bit of eucalyptus and menthol - which gives that relaxing, calming scent. The menthol increases blood ﬂow to areas affected by sprains, arthritis, and muscle spasms to enable increased movement. They even have a formula for arthritis - all cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients. They do sell other products which are available at your local CVS Pharmacy. You can find your closest one here.

LOVE & XX’S,

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I Am Loved Because...

August 27, 2019

This post is sponsored by Helzberg Diamonds but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

What does love mean, really? Love is complex and quite hard to put down in words. In partnership with Helzberg Diamonds, I'm thrilled to share what love means to me in my life. I could go on forever when it comes to love, but in today's post, I will try to make it short and sweet. There's also a really fun contest with your chance to win a $250 gift card. So continue reading to hear more about my thoughts on love and how you can enter for your chance to win the prize.

I know I am loved because of our unconditional commitment we have for each other. To be fully seen by somebody, through all our failures, stupidities, ugly points, and even then, to be loved anyhow is a miracle in itself. But when it comes down to it - it really is a decision for me. My husband and I have been together for thirteen years. We have been through it all. People and circumstances have tried to break us apart, and through thick and thin we have always chosen each other. We put each other first in our lives and make our marriage a priority. Even when he asked me to marry him, I knew he was for real when he went out of his way to propose at one of my favorite places in New York City, the Met Opera. My love for the opera is unreal so even when I wanted to stop by and take some photos together, specifically for today's shoot, he was more than happy to do so. It's little things like this that also affirm I'm very much loved.

Love is at the heart of what Helzberg stands for. When Barnett Helzberg Jr. proposed to Shirley Bush in 1967, the love he felt sparked a thought - everyone should feel like this. Everyone should feel loved. This wholly romantic notion famously inspired the "I Am Loved" lapel button. Helzberg Jr.’s would say, “Buy her a diamond or give her a button, but in any case, tell her she's loved. Share a photo with #IAmLovedContest and finish the sentence "I know I am loved because..." for a chance to win a $250 gift card to Helzberg Diamonds. See your submission and the official rules HERE.

LOVE & XX’S,

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Quick Tips to Get Rid of Oil and Blackheads

February 2, 2019

This post is sponsored by Bioré, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Hey, guys! Happy Sunday! How many of you are tend to breakout and are looking for a skincare line to calm down those wicked pores? Well, I’ve got something for you! Witch Hazel, known to tighten pores & for its astringent properties is also the main ingredient in the new Bioré Skincare. I love that it calms and soothes on top of being a preventative to future breakouts on. What is hiding in your pores can be downright ick and these extra-strength products really get the job done! I like to keep my skin care cleaning regiment thorough but gentle. Bioré® Skincare targets the root of all skin problems—the evil clogged pore. So when it comes to dirt and oil they take a no-nonsense approach to fight smarter, not harder. Continue reading to learn more on how these cleansing products go straight to the source of those pesky pores for deeply clean, beautiful skin that’s ready for anything. Here are two of my latest favorite products from the brand.

BIORE WITCH HAZEL PORE CLARIFYING TONER

This light-weight Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Toner with witch hazel helps restore skin’s balance as it deep cleans and removes residue a cleanser might have missed. Witch Hazel is known to tighten pores, while salicylic acid controls oil and treats blemishes. This toner definitely gives you the benefit of clearing blemish prone skin, and the lightweight formula refines and tightens your pores. I always use this straight after cleansing my face thoroughly.

BIORE WITCH HAZEL ULTRA DEEP CLEANSING PORE STRIPS

Working like a super-magnet, the Bioré Witch Hazel ULTRA Deep Cleansing Pore Strips lift out even the most stubborn blackheads and deep down dirt & oil that can lead to acne-prone skin. Formulated with , these strips deep clean, remove blackheads, refine pores, and help prevent future breakouts. I always like to use these after wearing full-coverage makeup on a long day. I feel like they really purify and refresh my pores.

Interested in checking these two items out today? Both the witch hazel toner and pore strips are available at Walmart and other various online stores. If you tend to have complexion problems such as acne, I’d strongly recommend trying these products. Go to Biore.com to learn more. Wishing you a beautiful, cheery rest of your Sunday! :)

LOVE & XX’S,

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Top 3 Flavorful Teas

January 26, 2019

This post is sponsored by Celestial Seasonings but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Apparently I’ve turned British. Ever since first visiting London last February (my third time there will be next month!) I can’t get enough of drinking tea! I’ve always been a coffee person, but nowadays you can find me drinking at least a couple of cups of tea per day. Whether it’s with a big cup of tea as my afternoon pick-me-up, or my way to help fall asleep right before bed time, there’s certain kinds of teas that are used for certain time periods of the day. Which is why I’m thrilled to partner with Celestial Seasonings Tea and sharing with you this weekend, my top three flavorful teas of all time! They’re not all fruity or citrusy, each has its own unique flavor. So why not continue reading to find out which ones are my favorite and why I drink them so often.

There are a few reasons why I love to drink tea. I love to drink tea when I’m sick, when I need help falling asleep, and something to get me through the mid-afternoon hump we all sometimes fall into. Or even, especially on a rainy day, I like to curl up on the couch, reading a good book and sipping on one of my favorite teas. Nothing better to warm up with that a good ole’ cup of hot tea. Let’s start with my most favorite flavor when it comes to tea. It’s really quite peachy :)

1. PEACH

One of my favorite flavors in tea to drink is peach. Because you can savor it both hot and cold, you can be assured I go through a lot of peach tea. And when I tried the Country Peach Passion tea from Celestial Seasonings, it’s been the only peach tea I’ve been drinking since! A blend of floral chamomile, aromatic citrus and sweet peaches give this brew a decadent peaches and cream flavor. Makes for a really great iced tea as well during the warmer season.

2. PEPPERMINT

Peppermint tea can be enjoyed year round, hot or cold, either simply for its great taste or to help soothe the stomach. But it’s the only hot beverage I’ll drink when I’m sick. Whether I’m bed-ridden with the flu or just having a nasty cold, peppermint tea is my remedy. Celestial Seasonings’ Peppermint Herbal Tea is caffeine-free and tastes so fresh that it stands superbly on its own. The peppermint they use is sourced in the Pacific Northwest, from Oregon and Washington farmers with whom we’ve built longstanding relationships.

3. HONEY VANILLA CHAMOMILE

Soothing yourself after a long day can be tough, and there are times when simply trying to overcome stress just creates more anxiety. The good news is that there is one longstanding and deliciously easy option out there to help bring balance to your world: chamomile tea. Tasting slightly of apple, chamomile tea is a favorite among regular tea drinkers for its simple tastiness and range of benefits. I love to drink this when I have trouble sleeping due to stress and anxiety. The calming flavor along with honey & vanilla is so relaxing and never fails to put me to sleep.

Not a fan of these particular 3 flavored teas? Be sure to check out Celestial Seasonings Tea for they have a large assortment of flavors. Other factors that makes Celestial Seasonings Tea great? Their sustainability (stringless tea bags that come packaged in recycled boxes), being super affordable, as well as being zero to low calories. What are your top 3 favorite flavored teas? Whether it's opting for healthier alternatives to sugary drinks or adding in night time steps to ensure a good nights rest, you can count on Celestial Seasonings Tea. Available at Walmart. Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend (with tea, of course.) :)