Category Archives: LIFE + STYLE

Fall Foliage Map!

October 1, 2017

Check out HIPCAMP !

It’s the official start of fall and the harbinger of shorter days, making it one of the best times of year to go outside.

Hipcamp is a startup that creates new places to stay in nature by unlocking access to beautiful private lands such as nature preserves, farms, and ranches. Aside from their cool interactive map, Hipcamp has hand-picked a few unique nature stays in America’s top 5 leaf-viewing regions:

HIPCAMP.COM‘S TOP 10 CAMPGROUNDS FOR FALL FOLIAGE

Each campground hyperlinked below contains multiple discrete campsites.

 

HIPCAMP’S FALL FOLIAGE MAP

You can adjust the slider on the left to see where fall peaks during the next few weeks. As temperatures drop, you can comfortably enjoy nature’s color show while camping in cabins, treehouses, camper vans, glamping tents and more—and, of course, in the old fashioned way: in a tent.

*This map is based on annual predictions and therefore cannot be 100% accurate for foliage conditions right now, but is a good tool to help guide your travels.

 

Men’s Essentials: Start of Fall Guide  

 

Summer is officially over. No matter what climate you are rocking, I have compiled the hottest ‘must haves’ for the diligently dapper gentlemen that have confidence and class while living that endless summer vibe. Groomed LA always brings you the most accurate and honest opinions of what to buy and the brands below are no exception. These four brands are vastly different but share a common mission of bringing the highest quality products while enriching your personal style. To all the stylish men out there… this ones for you! 

Pangea Man is the sexiest men’s line we have seen in a long time. These intricate and detailed patterns are perfect for the worldly man. Even though these trunks are geared toward swimwear, I still love to wear them as shorts paired with a James Perse tee or Vince henley. These shorts were developed around the globe to bring culture to those who can’t seem to find the time to travel. “PANGEA embodies the notion that there is always more to discover, more to do, more to see. We believe that true adventure is the exploration of the unknown. And while the world may feel smaller, there is still so much to explore. Our designs are inspired by our own experiences traveling to some of the farthest places in the world. We went there, not so you don’t have to, but so you can, in style.” – Nicholas Bradley, Designer. 

Glossier is a an internationally famous brand and we had the chance to try out some of their best products and I must admit, this high-fashion brand is not bias when it comes to gender equality. The ‘boy brow’ is something I use every single day and have found that groomed brows for men is a necessary step in your daily routine. I never thought about grooming my browns until I got my hands on this product. All brow needs have been considered to create an unbeatable brow product: one to thicken, fill in, and groom brows into place. The creamy wax formula is inspired by traditional hair pomade for soft, flexible hold that doesn’t stiffen or flake. Each of the three shades add an oomph of color, while the clear option gives you the same soft, conditioning hold minus the pigment. Glossier is inspired by healthy, face-framing brows and consider brow grooming the last crucial step to heading out into the world: brush your teeth, brush your brows, and then maybe brush your hair.

Comfortably chic footwear is rarely discussed so I decided to research the top notch brands in men’s comfort wear and the UGG Men’s collection wins first place by a long shot. The scuff slippers  lined with high quality Australian sheep fur is an absolute must during the colder months. These slippers are perfect for leisurely wear around the house with ultimate warmth and comfort. These lightweight embossed suede outsole delivers long-lasting durability. I guarantee you will be hooked the second you try them on. 

Scotch Porter is a collection of grooming products for the modern day man who wants to look his best at all times. The brand prides itself on the motto: “when you look good, you feel good!” Scotch Porter has developed a line that takes your style to the next level with their hair and beard collections consisting of hydrating shampoo, conditioner and hair balm. This collection is enriched with Marshmallow Root, Agave Nectar and Broccoli Seed Oil to create shine, definition and texture. “We exist to provide healthy and effective products that help men to feel confident and look their best as they set out to explore the world and build their dreams”.

– Calvin Quallis, CEO Scotch Porter

xx Jonathan Stinson 

This Will Save You From Suffering Motion Sickness Ever Again

September 21, 2017

My son is a puker. He pukes on long car rides. Flying to grandparents in Canada or NYC is hell for anyone sitting next to us. There is vomit. The whole time. When we went to Catalina – the boat getting there was a disaster. We try Dramamine, and those pressure point bands do nothing.

We all know that holiday season involves planes, trains, and automobiles even before the celebration with family and friends begins. But how can you feel festive when just the idea of traveling gives you motion sickness?

To combat the effects from motion sickness, a new technology has the answer to relieving holiday travel anxiety and let me tell you, if we travel anywhere I am glueing this to my son’s wrist.

The ReliefBand,® is a wearable, drug-free, clinically proven device to alleviate the nausea associated with motion sickness. The reusable device works within minutes helping you arrive at your destination calmly and ready to enjoy yourself.

The Reliefband® uses accurately programmed pulses with highly specific waveform, frequency, and intensity to stimulate the median nerve on the underside of the wrist, the Reliefband® taps into the body’s natural neural pathways to block the waves of nausea produced by the stomach.

This the first in a new breed of over the counter devices called a “treatable” – a wearable device to actually treat a condition rather than just monitor symptoms or activity.

This is probably the best Christmas present I could give to our family, and to all those strangers on planes sitting anywhere in our vicinity.

http://www.reliefband.com

$89.99.

GROOMED LA – GET OUTSIDE! COMING SOON!!!

September 18, 2017

Groomed LA gets us outside – in nature – for the ultimate wellness and healing.

We are talking communing with nature, dropping everything (including our phones – yikes!) and getting quiet. LA life has us frazzled, parenting has us frustrated, and we have taken note.

Please join us as we bring you the ultimate anti-dote to all things high-maintenance.

Groomed LA – Get Outside! is soon to be your ultimate go-to guide for outdoor adventure and getting back to nature. No appointment necessary!

The Luxury Wine Gift You Need To Send This Holiday Season

September 15, 2017

Behold!

The 2017 HALL & WALT Holiday Gift Guide

From Napa and Sonoma Counties

Listen. There are two things I only ever want as gifts. Ok, three. Massages, candles and wine.

It’s just around the corner. Gift season peeps. And get used to it cuz it aint going away until Jan. 1, 2018. Before you know it you’ll be figuring out what wine goes to whom for Thanksgiving and so on. If you’re a parent, then I’ll meet you at the kitchen island with your besites, scarfing candy corn and washing it down with Pinot just before you hustle out to go trick-or-treating.

Enter HALL & WALT.

This Napa/Sonoma county sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir Holiday Gift Sets are inspired by a pursuit of classic varietal flavors. And we at GLA are all about the pure classic note.

For HALL, known for producing big, bold Cabernets, the sets are all about quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet.

The WALT Pinot Noir brand focuses on wines of a place, with fruit sourced from up and down the California Coast. WALT Single Vineyard Pinot Noir wines allow pinotfiles to be introduced to vineyards that span 1,000 miles as far South as Santa Barbara, all the way up to Willamete Valley in Oregon.

(Road trip anyone? Wine tasting? Whatdaya say? I’m in!)

Check out the stunningly curated gifting options, send them directly to lucky lovers, friends, bosses and co-workers and for the love of the wine gods, order some for yourself. The boxes are stunning (fyi!).

Also, by all means – this wonderful company will work with you to curate and personalize a gift.

Becoming a member will knock down prices too, of course.

Above is a myriad of gift sets perfect for the novice wine drinker to the ultimate Cabernet and Pinot collector.

One stand-out set includes flagship wines from both HALL & WALT in the Heritage Set.

The 2014 Kathryn Hall Cabernet exudes warmth and allure with enticing aromas of sweet dark plum, cocoa powder, and dusty earth. This wine is paired with 2015 Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir for the set, a single vineyard Pinot Noir that showcases Wild blueberry nuances, crushed rock, and hints of truffle to create this firm, spicy oak structure and focused palate. 

I think I just fainted!

Sets will be available for purchase at both (www.hallwines.com) (www.waltwines.com) next month.

Book this page and you are good until 2018!