Category Archives: LIFE + STYLE

This March, Owala turns FIVE. And we’re about to blow your party hat off!

February 24, 2025

If there’s one party you don’t want to miss, it’s this one. Owala’s 5th Birthday Bash includes 10 special-edition bottles with 5 party themes. Count me in! These have been my fave bottles since they launched and it feels like they come up with better and better designs – if that’s possible!

To celebrate, they’ve created 10 special-edition bottles scheduled for launch on Monday, March 17. Stay tuned!! Each is inspired by one of five different iconic party themes— Hoedown Showdown, Splash Bash, Neon Dance Party, Black Tie Affair, and Girls Night In.

If it’s not obvious – I am obsessed!!

“Every Owala® water bottle is engineered to make it ridiculously easy to stay hydrated. Because we believe that a properly hydrated human is a happy human. And happy humans tend to spend more time doing what they love.”

labeled : LIFE + STYLE - TECH + GEAR | LEAVE A COMMENT

COUNTERPART: Finally, a Charger That’s as Stylish as It is Smart

February 9, 2025

Meet Counterpart, the chic, consciously designed charger that’s here to upgrade both your space and your charging experience.

Let’s be honest—charging is a mess. My home has been a graveyard of tangled cords, mismatched adapters, and chargers that mysteriously stop working – a never-ending clutter with tangled cords, mystery adapters, and obsolete cables that seem to multiply overnight. The average American buys four chargers a year, contributing to a never-ending cycle of electronic waste and frustration. But what if there was a better way?

Meet Counterpart, the chic, consciously designed charger that’s here to upgrade both your space and your charging experience.

Most chargers are forgettable at best, eyesores at worst. Counterpart is different. With its sleek, rippled silicone exterior and button-enabled cord retractor, it looks like something that actually belongs on my desk, not stuffed behind it. The materials—silicone and post-consumer plastic—make it feel both premium and durable

A Design That Belongs in Your Home

Forget those clunky, forgettable chargers that get hidden behind furniture. Counterpart is a statement piece—sleek, sculptural, and meant to be seen. Crafted from silicone and post-consumer plastic, it’s as stylish as it is sustainable. The soft, rippled exterior isn’t just visually appealing; it’s durable and satisfying to the touch. Plus, the button-enabled cord retractor keeps everything neat and organized. No more cord chaos—just a beautifully designed essential that effortlessly blends into your space.

The Future is USB-C

Counterpart isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about smart, future-forward tech. Powered by USB-C, the industry’s gold standard, it’s designed for speed, efficiency, and longevity. Here’s why that matters:

  • Reversibility – No more flipping the connector five times before it fits. USB-C works both ways.
  • Speed – Faster power delivery means less time waiting for your devices to charge.
  • Recyclability – USB-C contains fewer materials, making it easier to repurpose.
  • Versatility – From phones to laptops, USB-C is the universal standard.
  • Durability – Built to last, reducing waste and constant replacements.

DEETS:  35 Watts of GaN charging for all of your favorite USB-C compatible devices. With our retractable cord feature, you can throw it in your bag or your back pocket, no pesky tail. 75mm, 4 foot cord. 100-240V input.

The Counterpart charger works with devices that have USB-C ports. If your phone or other device has a Lightning or other port, you may use an adapter.

35 Watts may not be efficient for larger devices but is powerful enough for Macbook Air and smaller, including:

Phones Tablets E-Readers Game Consoles Earbuds Headphones VR Headsets And More

Charging, But Make It Conscious

Counterpart believes that when you love your things, you take better care of them. That’s why they are committed to sustainability—not just in materials, but in mindset. They are proud members of 1% for the Planet, pledging a portion of sales to environmental causes. And when it’s time to retire your old, dust-covered chargers –  they help you recycle them responsibly with our interactive e-waste recycling map.

Technology is a huge part of our lives, but how we interact with it matters. Beyond creating beautifully designed essentials, Counterpart is sparking conversations around digital wellbeing and tech-conscious living.

Counterpart isn’t just another charger—it’s the first one I actually want to use. It’s stylish, smart, and built to last. If you’re tired of cord clutter and short-lived adapters, this is the upgrade you need.

Ready to upgrade? Counterpart is available now in a range of gorgeous colors. And because we love a good deal—buy any color, get half off Pucker with code VDAY2025. Because charging should be effortless, elegant, and just a little bit fun.

The Mind is an Instrument—Train It Like One with Alphabeats

January 21, 2025

 As a self-proclaimed biohacker and wellness enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for tools that take lifestyle optimization to the next level. Enter Alphabeats: a cutting-edge neurofeedback system that fuses the power of your favorite music with advanced brainwave training. Think of it as a Peloton for your mind—except instead of pedaling, you’re tuning your brain into peak performance.

Here’s the deal: Alphabeats uses a sleek headband to monitor your brainwaves, delivering real-time feedback to nudge your mind into an alpha state. For those unfamiliar, the alpha state is that sweet spot of calm, focused energy—perfect for everything from smashing deadlines to acing a golf swing.

Why Alphabeats is Your Mental Wingman

Whether you’re an athlete gearing up for competition, an entrepreneur juggling high-stakes decisions, or simply someone looking to enhance focus and recovery, Alphabeats has you covered.

  • Beat Stress: With just 7 to 15 minutes per session, Alphabeats helps you master stress management, prepping you for high-pressure moments.
  • Sharpen Focus: Block out distractions and zero in on your goals with a newfound mental clarity that feels almost Zen.
  • Improve Sleep: Post-game jitters or a tough day at work? Let Alphabeats guide your brain to unwind, ensuring deeper, restorative sleep.

The Alchemy of Neurofeedback and Music

What makes Alphabeats unique is its use of music as a medium for neurofeedback. Imagine training your brain while jamming to your favorite tracks—it’s biohacking meets playlist perfection. By pairing music with real-time insights from your brainwaves, Alphabeats creates a personalized feedback loop that keeps your mind in tune and engaged.

How It Works

  1. Pair Your Headband: Lightweight, comfortable, and designed to seamlessly sync with the Alphabeats app.
  2. Choose Your Goal: Whether you want to chill out, focus, or recover, Alphabeats tailors the experience to your needs.
  3. Pick Your Playlist: Select tracks you love—the app works its magic to transform them into mental training tools.
  4. Train and Develop: Sit back, relax, and let the neurofeedback guide your brain into peak performance zones.

From Athletes to Everyday Warriors

Some of the world’s top athletes swear by Alphabeats, from Taekwondo fighters to professional showjumpers. But it’s not just for pros—anyone looking to enhance their mental game can benefit. As LPGA golfer Dewi Weber put it, “Living with chaos and anxiety isn’t fun, and Alphabeats has helped me find ways to calm myself down and be a little more chill.”

Insights You Can See

Post-session, the Alphabeats app provides detailed stats on your brain activity, tracking your growth over time. It’s like having a personal coach for your mental fitness, showing you where you excel and where there’s room to grow.

Why It’s a Game Changer

What sets Alphabeats apart from meditation apps or mindfulness exercises is its ability to actively guide your brain toward optimal performance. This isn’t just about feeling good in the moment—it’s about building long-term resilience and mental agility.

So, if you’re ready to unlock the secrets of a balanced mind and take your mental game to the next level, Alphabeats might just be your new favorite biohacking tool. After all, the mind is an instrument—don’t you want to play it like a pro?

Ready to Train Your Brain?
Visit Alphabeats to learn more, and start your journey toward mental mastery today.

Eco Hotel Offers Life-Changing Vegan and Creative Journey Retreats and Introduces Trail Running for Beginners Package

August 7, 2024

The Stanford Inn & Resort is a pet and family-friendly eco-resort on California’s lush Mendocino Coast and the only 100% plant-based resort in the United States. Just outside Mendocino village, on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the property is a haven for guests looking to reconnect with nature and themselves. The resort’s lobby – featuring a curated bookshop, fireplace and comfy couches and reading chairs – is spacious and welcoming. The guest rooms and suites are paneled in warm pine and redwood, many with ocean views and wood-burning fireplaces. Included with each stay is a chef-prepared organic plant-based breakfast at their award-winning, farm-to-table vegan restaurant, Ravens (which offers lunch and dinner as well). Many of the menu’s ingredients are sourced from the resort’s own organic farm and lush gardens. Their Aquatic Center features a saltwater swimming pool, dry sauna, and hot tub – all housed in a delightful greenhouse that provides warmth and comfort throughout the year. The resort’s wellness center offers an unparalleled variety of experiences including nutrition and cooking classes, creative playshops, breathwork and meditation classes, guided hikes and trail runs, and gardening, nature, and mushroom foraging walks. Their spa facility – Massage in the Forest – offers massage, facials, and Ayurvedic treatments.

 

Ravens restaurant enchants even non-vegan diners (they got raves from O, the Oprah Magazine) and to take home some of that magic, guests can learn the joy of plant-based living while experiencing the luxury of the Inn at one of their Vegan Retreats, with one retreat occurring per season. Whether already vegan or merely vegan-curious, these retreats are life-changing. From cooking to nutrition, long-term habit change to environmental and ethical discussions, participants learn everything they need to know to be a happier, healthier person.

Retreat attendees enjoy:

  • Four nights at the indulgent Stanford Inn & Resort
  • Four plant-based breakfasts
  • Four plant-based dinners
  • Two plant-based cooking classes
  • Nutrition/healthy living class with author/nutritionist Sid Garza-Hillman
  • Small Steps Class (Stress Management and Habit Change) with author/nutritionist Sid Garza-Hillman
  • “Bringing it Home” conversation – how to apply what was learned
  • Complimentary copies of four books
  • Mountain bike rental

The upcoming Vegan Retreat is Thursday, September 5 – Monday, September 9, 2024. The price is $2,610 per person plus tax (single occupancy) and $1,850 per person plus tax (double occupancy). Gratuities are not included.

Another way guests can enrich their lives and open their minds is by participating in the inn’s Creative Journey Retreats. Joan Stanford, who owns and operates the inn with her husband Jeff, conducts the retreats. She is a registered art therapist and author and her “playshops” offer a profound opportunity for self-expression and discovery. By moving past self-judgement and into a truly creative space, Joan helps guests regain their love of creativity and discover insights about their lives and relationships.

Included in the Creative Journey Retreat:

  • Three nights lodging
  • Three breakfasts
  • Three dinners
  • Five creative experiences facilitated by Joan (art-making, writing, nature walk)
  • Open studio time (optional)
  • Complimentary copy of Joan’s book, “The Art of Play”

The upcoming Creative Journey Retreat is Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27, 2024. The cost is $1910 per person plus tax (single occupancy) or $2620 per person plus tax (double occupancy). Gratuities are not included. Guests must call the Stanford Inn directly to book the Creative Journey Retreat at 800-331-8884.

It’s worth noting that if guests are not able to attend these set-date retreats, various private retreat packages can be added to a stay at any time of year which can include plant-based cooking classes, creative playshops and more.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Sid Garza-Hillman, who is also the resort’s Wellness Director, leads the brand new Trail Running for Beginners package. With this package, guests will learn proper form, pacing, nutrition on and off the trails, and a breathwork technique that improves fitness and endurance.

This package includes:

  • Three dinners
  • Three trail runs
  • Nutrition for Trail Runners class
  • “Breathing for Trail Runners” Breathwork Class
  • Special gift of three books

The cost is $555 per person plus tax or $890 per couple plus tax. Pricing does not include lodging or gratuities. There is a three-night minimum, and the package is subject to availability.

Beyond their special retreats and packages, the Inn enables their guests to experience something more than just a getaway to a beautiful place – they foster an interlude that is meaningful and life affirming.

“We hope our guests will gain a sense of connection,” says Jeff Stanford. “In these times, connecting with nature is so vital for well-being. We arise within nature and without recognizing and experiencing our bond with nature it can be challenging to connect with ourselves and each other.”

Photos: Daniel Turbert Photography

Rediscovering Sleep: A Journey with Helight’s Red Light Sleep Therapy™

July 17, 2024

Ah, sleep – that elusive, delicate dance of rest we crave but so often miss out on, especially during midlife. Enter Helight Sleep: your new bedside bestie, scientifically engineered to transform your nights into a symphony of serene slumber. Let’s dive into this marvel and see why it’s capturing the hearts (and sleep cycles) of many.

USE CODE: GROOMEDLA10 for 10% off yours now through July 31,2024

The Magic of Red Light: What’s the Buzz?

Helight Sleep isn’t just another gadget; it’s a revolution in sleep therapy. With its patented protocol, this little device emits pure red light at 630 nanometers – a wavelength that speaks directly to your body’s natural rhythm. Inspired by NASA (yes, you read that right), this award-winning technology is here to take your sleep game to the next level.

How It Works: From Turning On to Deep Slumber

TURN ON

Simply turn on Helight Sleep before you get cozy in bed. It kicks off with 14 minutes of pure red light, gradually fading out to signal your body that it’s time to wind down. The best part? It’s completely automatic – no fumbling with settings when you’re already half-asleep.

RELAX

Close your eyes and let the magic happen. The red light penetrates through your eyelids, activating photosensitive cells that help your body relax. It’s like a gentle lullaby for your brain, coaxing it into a state of calm and tranquility.

SLEEP

This is where the real magic happens. Helight Sleep’s signals promote deeper, more restful sleep, ensuring you wake up refreshed and rejuvenated. The device turns off completely after 28 minutes, leaving you in undisturbed slumber.

The Midlife Miracle: Tackling Perimenopause and Sleep Issues

Let’s get real – midlife comes with its own set of challenges, and sleep can often take a hit, especially during perimenopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, and those random 3 AM wake-up calls can leave us feeling less than fabulous. Helight Sleep offers a natural, non-invasive solution to help combat these disruptions. Imagine drifting off effortlessly, night after night, and waking up feeling like you’ve just had the best sleep of your life. Pure bliss!

Why Helight Sleep is a Game-Changer

  • Trusted by Pros: From sleep doctors to pro athletes, Helight Sleep has a loyal following who swear by its benefits.
  • NASA-Inspired: If it’s good enough for astronauts, it’s good enough for us! The technology is based on scientific research that’s out of this world.
  • Portable & Travel-Friendly: Whether you’re at home or on the go, Helight Sleep is compact and easy to carry, ensuring you never miss a good night’s sleep.
  • No Subscription Needed: It’s a one-time investment in your well-being, with no recurring costs or apps to manage.
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed: With a 60-night money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free and see the results for yourself.

The Verdict: A Must-Have for Every Nightstand

Priced at $139, Helight Sleep is a small price to pay for the gift of great sleep. With a 4.8/5 rating, it’s clear that users are loving the transformation it brings to their nightly routines. And with a two-year manufacturer warranty, you can rest easy knowing it’s a quality investment.

Ready to Transform Your Nights?

For best results, make Helight Sleep a part of your nightly ritual. While some might feel the benefits within a few nights, others may take up to 21 days to fully adapt. But one thing’s for sure – once you experience the deep, restful sleep it provides, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

So, here’s to better sleep and brighter mornings! Sweet dreams await with Helight Sleep. 🌙✨