Oh Yes We Did!The Holiday Collection Has Launched: 2020

Be thinking of "me-time" and the need for self care. Yes, of course I am all about gifting and I get so excited to find the perfect gift for someone and watch their face when they open it! But let's be honest, there is also something to be said about self care. Especially right now!

During the pandemic I started coloring my own hair at home (yes - embrace the scary thought - it was a must to get the grays to magically disappear) and have continued doing it now even though my favorite salon is open again. The reason why is simple ~ it forces me to have some "me-time". I have really enjoyed the time while my hair is processing (usually 30 minutes) and I can take this time to putz in the bathroom (maybe touchup my eyebrows, play with some makeup, apply a facial mask, shave my legs.....you get the point). As I look at our Beautycounter Holiday Collection I see a common theme - I should say a much needed common theme - around self care and rituals.

Don't always put yourself last, be sure to reward and love on yourself too! Take a long warm shower or bath and indulge by using our gorgeous Sugarbuff Body Polish to slough off all the dullness and follow up with a wonderful hydrating moisturizer to treat and protect your skin. Have some fun playing with new fall/winter makeup colors that shimmer and glow. Dive into your skincare routine by treating and caring for your beautiful face with rich hydration and brightness-boosting treatments. This is your time! Trust me, you will love it :)

Here is a personal peak at the collection (and note I am due for a hair color touchup and some personal "me-time"....Oh Yes!). Enjoy!

What do you do with a bunch of fresh kale?

Yesterday I was looking for a healthy lunch option and I noticed that I had 2 beautiful bundles of fresh kale in my fridge. I was not in the mood for a smoothie, soup, kale chips, or salad so I thought about what else I could make? Make kale pesto....or at least try! I absolutely love homemade pesto and make it in the summer a lot! It is so easy to make and tastes great fresh! So, following the same steps I use to make basil pesto I started cocktailing a kale pesto by adding a couple handfuls of washed and cut up kale (removing the steams), 2 small cloves of garlic, a squeeze of fresh lemon, olive oil to your liking, fresh parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. In my house my daughter has a severe nut allergy so I make mine without any nuts and we still love it! Adjust the ingredients to your liking - more garlic, less garlic, etc. After adding all the items I use my small Cuisinart food processor and blend until desired smoothness. And Done! I added it to a couple whole grain crackers for lunch and it was delicious. I was so impressed with the flavor - now don't get me wrong, basil is my favorite, but this kale pesto is packed with so many nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that it is a no brainer to make as a healthy lunch addition or as a pasta sauce or side dip. I will be on the look out for kale pesto recipes to get inspired to tweak and try new twists to this new lunch favorite. Enjoy!