natural

Turkish Crystals

Josie Girl 1 Comment

After our gulet trip in Turkey, the kids and I returned to the United States, whereas my parents continued to travel around in Turkey for another 9 days. One of their favorite stops was the spice market in Istanbul. My mother, an incredible cook, got suckered into spending a fortune on spices (more on that in a future post) — and yet, they have not gone unused. Quite the contrary, we have been using them daily since she returned to Oregon. Our favorite, is a Turkish crystal / spice that you put in a cup with hot water and inhale. It is like Vicks Vapor Rub — but natural.  My mother was told that it was a cure all for everything — congestion, cough, sore throat, depression, anxiety, you name it. And I have to say, that it feels AMAZING when you inhale it.

 

My parents bought a ton — and are freezing the bulk of it — to keep it fresh. All you need is a little bit.

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RESTORE Face Cream

Josie Girl 3 Comments

As most of you know, I am highly obsessed with anything from Dr. Roger’s RESTORE product line. I don’t leave my house without the healing balm and have a tub of it in every room. I use it on my lips, under my kid’s noses (to prevent bloody noses which they seem to get all winter long due to the dryness), on bruises and scratches (I had a bad fall last week and have been using the healing balm to keep it moist), and I even use the healing balm as a face cream when in super dry climates (high altitude). SOOOOOOOO, I am ecstatic that there is now a face cream that is available to purchase. And even though I just bought it, I feel like I am going to be equally obsessed with it and won’t leave my house without it. RESTORE face cream! Soft, pillowy, and rich!

 

These products make me so happy — they are made with natural ingredients and make such a difference on my skin.

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Westman Atelier Mascara

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I am a tough critic with mascara — so when I say I am IN LOVE with Westman Atelier, please do not take it lightly. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS MASCARA. It is the most incredible, luxurious, and out of this world mascara and I have never encountered *any* mascara that compares. Westman Atelier mascara, hands down, the best mascara and best money I have spent in a very long time. This mascara is far from inexpensive ($62) but it makes a huge difference.

 

Looks like a baton. YES, it’s large and luxurious but oh so worth it.

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11.11 Eau de Parfum

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I am a cult follower of the fragrance 11 11 by Lake & Skye. Ever since it first came out, I have been buying it nonstop and wearing it every second of every day. I basically shower in it. People always comment on how I smell (to toot my own horn); for example last week, the Lottery ticket salesman said I smelled so nice, and then a young couple on the subway told me the same thing…(on a side note, it reminded me how nice it is to give compliments to strangers). The original 11 11 is an essential oil in a small tube with a roller ball. I carry it everywhere I go and apply it when I need a quick pick me up. That said, because it is an oil, the smell disappears quickly. So I was thrilled when I found out they released an eau de parfum in a larger size.

Pretty classic bottle, simple and bold fragrance.

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Fresh Deodorant

Josie Girl 3 Comments

It’s almost DEJA VU because I write so much about deodorant (read here and here). That said, I haven’t found the perfect deodorant (total Goldilocks over here….). I use natural deodorant (almost exclusively Agent Nateur) but there are times that I need to use stronger stuff (like Secret… GASP) so I don’t sweat (and then smell).  Recently, when I was at a local boutique in Seattle, the salesperson told me that there are times she has to use a sorta natural deodorant — natural because it is alcohol free, but only sorta because it has aluminum in it. She says Fresh Sugar Deodorant is better than Secret, but worse than Agent Nateur, and is the perfect deodorant for those special situations. SO HAPPY.

 

Fresh sugar. Apparently, Sugar is a natural humectant that helps attract and seal in moisture. Who knew?

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Ilary Perfume

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The other day, I was walking down the street with a good friend and was entranced by her smell. It was divine, amazing, luscious, and beautiful, and I knew I needed to know more about the scent ASAP! Luckily, she put me in touch with the creator of the perfume who happens to be a good friend of hers. This incredible scent, ILARY, is created by Hillary. Hillary currently lives in Chicago with her husband and 2 young sons. and is busy building her perfume empire. I had the opportunity to interview her about her company. Take a look! And Thank you Hillary!

 

ILARY

 

How did you start your own perfume?

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Onda Beauty

Josie Girl 2 Comments

As a devoted regular of Taryn Toomey and her class, I have met a group of tremendously talented and incredible women. One of them, is Larissa, who just started Onda, a store that sells natural beauty products. She has incredible taste and has curated the best assortment of products currently on the market. She is incredibly thoughtful, knowledgeable, and is a walking encyclopedia on every item — Enjoy!

 

Larissa: a beauty inside and out!

Larissa: a beauty inside and out!

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Natural Deodorant: Agent Nateur

Josie Girl 6 Comments

I am constantly on the search for several things: the best granola, natural deodorant, lipstick, and cookie (who needs anything else?). For each, I always think I have found “the best,” until my next new discovery. But honestly, I just found the best new natural deodorant, and I don’t think I will ever say that again… because THIS ONE, is seriously… The. Best. Natural. Deodorant. Ever.

 

Don't judge a book by its cover, but COME ON, this packaging is gorgeous. Seriously, I felt bad recycling the box! (But I am not a hoarder, and what would one do with a deodorant box anyways!)

Don’t judge a book by its cover, but COME ON, this packaging is gorgeous. Seriously, I felt bad recycling the box!

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Honey Harvesting

Josie Girl 3 Comments

All my California friends are doing the bee thing — meaning, they have bees and they harvest honey for fun. DON’T YOU LOVE CALIFORNIA? I swear I am going to be the first Manhattanite mother with a bee farm — really, seriously, I am doing it. Get ready, Natori Family, here come the bees! I am learning from my dear friends out west — and thankfully, my good friend, Katie, agreed to do a post on how to harvest honey — so fascinating (nature is insane, right?) — take a look!

_____

 

As summer comes to a close and fall ushers in, we did our honey harvest recently to capture sweetness to carry us through the winter. Beekeeping seems intimidating from afar, but once you get into it, you see that the hard working honey bees mind their own “bzzz-ness” for the most part and the honey harvesting process is fun, easy and satisfying…truly, five simple steps!

 

The first step is pulling frames full of honey from the hive. We only take only half of the frames and leave the rest of the honey filled frames for the bees to feed themselves over the winter. Paul uses smoke to calm the bees while he does his work.

 

Paul and his bees.

Paul and his bees.

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Kypris Moonlight Catalyst

Josie Girl 2 Comments

As a female in my late  30s (denial), I constantly feel like I am fighting wrinkles and / or acne. So, I am constantly searching for the right moisturizer, serum, magic potion. I want my skin to be hydrated (decrease wrinkles) while combating acne (no oil).  So when I found out about Kypris Moonlight Catalyst, a night-time serum that helps BOTH, I was over the moon. And highly hopeful.

 

Look at the box! White and gold and sparkly!

Look at the box! White and gold and sparkly!

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Switchel – The New Hipster Drink

Josie Girl 2 Comments

In my search for the best New York Kombucha (because I miss every day, my Humm Kombucha from Oregon), I came across “Switchel.” Switchel, originated in the Caribbean and popular in America in the 17th century, is the new ‘wellness’ drink on the east coast.  I bought a case (very hopeful that it would work out).  Love.

 

Up Mountain Switchel

Up Mountain Switchel

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Smudge Stick

Josie Girl 7 Comments

Smudging is the act of burning sage (or other dried herbs, but most commonly sage) and is an ancient art, considered one of the oldest and purest forms of cleansing a person or place.  I love the hippy dippyness of cleansing a room or the spirit of a person with the strong, distinct smell of smoldering (sage) smoke.

 

Me getting smudged.

Me getting smudged. Negative energy BE GONE!

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Saint Olio Natural Cleaner

Josie Girl 3 Comments

Earlier this summer, I posted about natural deodorants and highlighted the Saint Olio one. Since then, I have become hooked on Saint Olio’s natural cleaners. This all purpose cleaner is perfect for the bathroom or kitchen, or anywhere that you want a clean surface and smell. My son walked into the bathroom recently and said “it smells like lemonade in here!” Well sort of, as it is citron and lemony, truly so fresh and airy.

 

The magic natural all purpose cleaner.

The magic natural all purpose cleaner.

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Dr. Singha Mustard Bath

Josie Girl 6 Comments

With the unbelievably freezing cold weather in New York City (and everywhere else), everyone is sniffling and getting sick. So, here is a natural cold remedy / muscle soreness / all around healer to help us out… Dr. Singha Mustard Bath Salts! It will kick your cold to the curb.  Stimulating, rejuvenating and cleansing, Dr. Singha Mustard Bath uplifts and restores by helping detoxify your body.

 

Dr. Singh

Dr. Singh Mustard Bath and Dinosaurs (the perfect pairing)

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Grizzlie’s Granola

Josie Girl 6 Comments

Best Granola Ever. I am addicted and obsessed with granola and this is HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE brand. No other type of granola comes close to this heavenly bowl of goodness! For the past several years (at least 5 years, or even more!), my dear mother in Eugene, Oregon, has been sending me boxes of this granola from the bin in our local grocery store (which is ten times better than any Whole Foods) to New York City. I never knew that it was sold elsewhere! Until I found it in a random Korean Deli Store in Upper Manhattan. It was startling, exhilarating, and life changing! Grizzlie’s Granola — Aunt Maple’s Crunchy Granola — the best of the best.

 

Heaven in a bag

Heaven in a bag

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Kids No-Rinse Conditioner

Josie Girl 6 Comments

My kids hate having their hair washed. “Wash hair night” isn’t fun for any of us, as they scream and whine like little (grumpy) puppy dogs. So when my hairdresser recently suggested I purchase a natural leave-in-conditioner (no rinsing), I was happy to try it out. And what a success! Now instead of pouring water over their head TWO times (shampoo and conditioner), I only have to rinse their hair once.  Little Green not only smells good and conditions their hair, but it is natural and green, too. Amen.

 

Little Green

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