First of all, excuse the very peachy photos! My bedroom is basically a big peach (walls, curtains, all of it!) and I took these first thing in the morning.
So, what ya see is zero makeup and possibly sleep in my eyes. However – a couple of things to note! First I want to fill you in on an AMAZING lip enhancement that Jennifer Hollander of AuraSpa performed on me a few days ago. It’s called Arque Derma ( you may recall I featured this technique developed by master injector and trainer Leslie Fletcher of Torrance’s Injectability Clinic).
I arrived to Jenn’s office wanting to do something about my lip lines above my lips (“smoker’s lines”) and also for some general plumping. She took a look at me and said “we are doing Arque Derma on you”. The thing about this approach to plumping is it is not about stuffing filler in your lips and making you look like you have filler in your lips. It takes into account the entire chin to lip to nose area. So, Jenn wasn’t just filling in my lips, but rather using Restylane Refyne to restore an overall more youthful area, in total.
Pronounced ‘ARC DERMA,’ ArqueDerma® in Latin literally means ‘to inject the skin’. The name ArqueDerma® imparts a seamless mix of the artistic, ‘Arque’ (classical architecture – arches, buttresses, corbels), and medical science, ‘Derma’.
I have never seen my lips look so natural and fresh. I am NOT into the filler looking aesthetic, obviously. And if you are like me, then you strive for looking incredibly natural. This is the exact way to approach your lips if you are new to lip filler, or have been getting cheesy over-plumped lips. I actually really DO want them to be full and juicy and told Jenn I want a bit more. She said we do it in stages, never over-fill and we HAVE to look at my face and do what will look RIGHT. The profile needs to be seamless, no protruding upper lip. And that’s what this approach achieves. I could not be more thrilled!!!
As you know, I am full on in love with Jenn’s work and everything going on at AuraSpa. It is just getting better and better and is reveals all its new treatments.
Please see Jenn and tell her we sent ya!
(424) 303-5800 RoxSan Medical Building 465 N Roxbury Dr., Suite 755, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
As tempting as a second or third glass
of a refreshing white wine or sparkling rose sounds on a hot summer night, it’s
easier to resist when thinking about the aftermath: the dreaded hangover or
maybe you’ve been working on that summer body and are counting the calories.
Enter: Dry Farm Wines. What we like to think of as the best of both worlds.
Dry Farm Wines is the only
health-focused, low-alcohol, natural wine club in the world providing wine
imbibers with no-sugar, low carb wines. So you can enjoy a few glasses and
still WANT to go to the gym the next morning and not feel guilty. Too many
times, due to commercialized and processed wine, we’re forced to compromise our
priorities for those little pleasures, but Dry Farm Wines meets us halfway with
their quantifiably clean wine that’s healthier for your body. That means no
additives, no added sugars, and friendly to every diet including Paleo,
low-carb, and Keto – making these wines worry-free.
But you might be thinking, how can
they promise all of this? All Dry Farm Wines are lab-tested to ensure they meet
all their standards of purity. In lab testing, wines are inspected to be
statistically sugar/carb free, mycotoxin/mold free, and low alcohol. Dry Farm
Wines believes sugar to be public health enemy #1. All wines are tested for
fructose and glucose, leaving the total sugars to <1g/L. And since carbs in
wine come from sugar content, that makes the Dry Farm collection statistically
sugar free and carb free. While there are no standards or testing for mold in
the United States, all Dry Farm wines meet the E.U standard for mycotoxin
Ochratoxin A, or OCA—a known carcinogenic. Similarly, alcohol labels in the
United States are not required to be accurate and aren’t even tested for
accuracy. As long as it’s stated, they’re good to go! With a Dry Farm wine, the
alcohol volume is tested to verify it is at or below what is stated on the
label.
Basically, you can’t go wrong with
a Dry Farm wine this summer, or ever.
How about we introduce you to Honor MD Skincare by first sharing their brand mission called “The Honor Code”
“Our dedication to clean ingredients is way more than skin deep. Honor MD is committed to using products that are clinically proven to be effective, but are free of any “nasties” like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, oils, and many more. We use only clean, ethically sourced ingredients and all of our products are non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free, and feature environmentally friendly packaging. “
– Ursula and Dr. John Diaz, Founders of Honor MD
This expression and commitment sums up one half of why I fell head over heels for the debut of this exquisite, perfectly edited, tidy line of 4 powerhouse products to take you from morning to night and back again.
The other reason is what they’re made of. Let’s take a peek at what goes in this crystal clear purveyors of gorgeous, radiant skin, and why.
ROSE HIP SEED OIL
Extracted from the seeds of the wild rose bush in the Andes mountains, it is a rich source of Vitamins A,C and E that not only nourishes and regenerates skin, but also work together to provide powerful anti oxidant protection.
CAT’S CLAW BARK
An herbal medicine found in South America, and used in Peru for centuries, which has been shown to have remarkable anti inflammatory and healing properties.
MORINGA
Leaves of the Moringa oleifera plants are found throughout the Dominican Republic and its skin rejuvenation properties have been known to natives for hundreds of years.
COFFEE
Coffee is a South American staple, and has powerful anti oxidant activity. Its extracts have been shown to improve fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and overall skin appearance.
PAPAYA
This tropical fruit is widely used throughout the Caribbean, Central America and South America for its skin healing properties. In addition to protecting the skin from UV damage, papaya is said to make the skin glow.
SAGE
Wild sage was is found in Spain and was eventually brought to Latin America because of its multitude of uses. It is legendary for its numerous health benefits, including its powerful antioxidant properties on skin.
So there you have it. Packed with natural ingredients, but also, there is the clinical side. For example: H(ope)2O Moisturizing Serum Contains both low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to effectively penetrate the skin, helping to plump and moisturize.
What’s it all do? This baby is all about moisture and helps plump the skin to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while providing a protective barrier on the skin for long-lasting hydration. Boom.
This has been my daily go-to:
I sat down with Ursula Diaz…
We dove deep into why this skincare works. As we were talking I was falling so in love with the line, I basically couldn’t wait to crack it all open and get busy testing it all out. So far, I love every product. I’ve been using them daily, my skin feels perfectly hydrated, I’ve had no reactions, and they feel great going on.
Ursula and her husband, renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. John Diaz (we will be getting their practice on here too soon!) were dismayed by the lack of clean, results driven skincare on the market, when Ursula was pregnant with their daughter, Sage.
That’s when they decided to create: “a line of clean skincare products that was supported by science and inspired by nature and our roots. Our extensive backgrounds in skincare, plastic surgery, and beauty combined with the blessings of genetics provide the recipe for beauty that seems genetically blessed.”
The products are available on their Honor MD website. The gorgeous mist and cleanser are only $40 and $42 and I would grab that mist, my ‘go-to all day make me happy pick me up’, are a great way to get a feel for the line at an affordable price point. The get-to-work crew, Genetically Blessed and Hope2O are $185 and $95. They have an option where you can subscribe and save 10% too.
Excited for you to check out this line and please let me know what you think!!
We are thrilled to present a Q & A with the lovely trio behind Svn Space, a modern, female-focused, multi-media digital + print platform aimed at exploring the depths of the cannabis plant, with an emphasis on Hemp. We’ve been obsessing over their epic print magazine and it lives smack down in the middle of our coffee table.
Tell us more about Svn Space?
We create positive change through
awareness, conversation, understanding, and innovative product.
We elevate and share topics that
break the stigma of this historical green plant while introducing the
benefits and lifestyle to a progressive audience.
Our aim is to put a fresh, modern
perspective on what was once considered counterculture, bringing awareness to
the mainstream.
How did the three
of you come to create this unique magazine and e-commerce platform?
Monica identified the opportunity
early on to get into the Cannabis space well before CBD became the Media
darling. Both Monica and Megan come from a male-dominated Action sports world
with Transworld Media and had the desire to focus on a plant that had many
parallels to Skateboarding… yes, you read
that correctly skateboarding.
The mission, to take something that
was once considered counterculture and make this mainstream. They aligned with
Grace who launched several successful mega brands at retail from Calvin Klein
at Bloomingdales to The Pioneer Woman at Walmart and had a thorough understanding
of mainstream markets and omni-channel strategies.
Together, they create 3 strong
pillars including Megan, Creative + Content, Monica, Brand partnerships and
Grace, Marketing + Product Development along with an extremely talented and
dedicated team.
(left to right: Monica, Grace +
Megan)
Historically, why has it taken so long for Hemp to become
a household name? Why did CBD rise to the top so quickly?
Hemp has taken so long in becoming a
household name because it has been considered a Schedule 1 drug since 1970 and
has had limitations on cultivation since the late 1930’s. It was lumped in with
marijuana so many people just assumed they were the same thing. Years of
outlandish propaganda and absurd claims, thankfully we have stewards and change
agents in this space that have fought tirelessly to see this plant removed from
a Schedule 1 drug.
CBD has gained so much momentum in
recent years due to its therapeutic benefits and because it is
non-intoxicating, unlike its fellow cannabinoid THC which is intoxicating.
Can you tell us
about some of the newest innovations in Hemp?
There are some exciting things happening in Hemp right now. We are learning more about other
beneficial cannabinoids outside of just CBD. Hempcrete is a carbon negative building material that is gaining
momentum. BMW is using hemp-based biocomposites in their “i3” electric
car. There is also a lot of research going on in the hemp biofuel and
hemp bioplastics space as well as they search for alternatives for fossil fuels
and plastic.
Why did this country originally regulate Hemp and how do
you think the industry will shift?
Greed and power fueled decisions
early on and in our opinion, not having a real valid understanding and grasp to
monetize a plant that could easily be grown in someone’s yard. How do you
regulate or control something that everyone has access to? That would be like
trying to regulate how we breathe.
The industry is embracing and
accepting what this plant can do. We’ve not even begun to scratch the surface
as we emerge from old stigmas, years of propaganda and false claims. More money
will be invested into companies that are focused on education and innovation.
We will shift the way this country things about this plant as there are many
things that need to happen in order to do so:
Educate the masses
on this often-misunderstood plant.
Decriminalize and
eradicate records especially to minority groups punished for possession on a
plant that is becoming LEGAL state by state.
Speak to your
elected representatives that are in favor of legalization so that regulations
are set in place like Alcohol for both cannabis and CBD respectively, as one is
very different than the other.
In 5 years, where
do you hope Svn Space will be?
We hope to
continue to educate and normalize Hemp globally and align with similar change
agents on a path to bring the Hemp plant as a viable option for our planet in
crisis. To continue to ignite conversations and be on the forefront to bring
the masses innovations and opportunities.
How can women get
involved in the space?
Do what we
do best… educate ourselves, take charge and discover the many uses Hemp can do.
From there the opportunities are limitless from clothing to food. Turn those
ideas into actionable results and seek those that are on a similar path.
Anything else to
add to this growing industry?
It is an exciting time in the Hemp
industry. We still have so much to learn about this incredible plant from
its potential health benefits to additional industrial uses. Now that
Hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act (due to the passage of
the 2018 Farm Bill) and is no longer considered a Schedule 1 Drug, we can
do more research and learn a lot more about the numerous uses and benefits of
the plant.
A new cannabis retail boutique with deep roots in Southern California.
On a mission to set a new standard for modern cannabis retail that is inclusive, diverse and approachable by all.
Think easy, breezy so-call shopping – airy and bright – exuding with ‘wellness’ vibes. Sweet Flower is the new classy cannabis shop on the block. In the heart of We-Ho, enters this finely curated, ‘quality conscious and environmentally sound’ market for top of the line cannabis in all shapes and sized.
“Our limited series, ocean grown flower blossoms just up the coast in Carpinteria, cultivated with scrupulous care and environmental sensibility. The other brands we’ve finely curated for our stores are equally quality conscious and environmentally sound.”
Sweet Flower
EDIBLES
TINCTURES
VAPES
TEAS, TRANSDERMAL PATCHES, TOPICAL
True to their brand promise, the shop feels elevated and sophisticated. For the consumer who knows their way around product and savvy packaging but eager to learn more and engage with the “Sweet Florists” who will help curate a usage plan for you.
They Sweet Florists, as the sales people are referred to as, are lovely and well educated cannabis concierges, ready to guide you through our selection and answer any questions you may have along the way.
Customer experience is clearly a priority.
HIGH NOTES:
Unparalleled customer service
Highest quality, locally-sourced products, and retail environments distinguished by their design and inviting ambiance.
Committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer and to addressing the needs of the communities it serves.
The store is so bright, sunny and lovely – the sales peeps were incredible and overall, an amazing welcome addition to the neighborhood. It’s perfect for someone like me who only identifies with cannabis for its wellness capacities.
