It’s almost impossible to walk the cobbled streets of Lisbon without feeling like you’re in a modern day fairy tale. The proximity to the sea means that you can’t go a city block without finding some of the post incredible seafood straight from the Mediterranean. And even though the city is struggling with an influx of tourism, you can easily break away from the tourist traps to find special, secluded spots.

To Stay

Lisbon is filled with beautiful boutique hotels and guest houses. I particularly love staying in these types of cozy accommodations because it gives you a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and get an authentic feel for the city you’re visiting. Here are the two that I stayed in and couldn’t recommend more highly.

The view from our Casa de Patio apartment.

Garam Lisboa – The Garam Lisboa guesthouse is located in the Estrela district of Lisbon. The owners have decked out each room in simple and elegant Balinese décor that immediately transports you to a completely zen-like atmosphere. My favorite part of the experience was gathering around the kitchen table to share a communal breakfast with the rest of the guests. Copenhagen Coffee House is only a few steps away so you can beat your jet lag with a delicious European-style coffee in the morning.

Casa de Patio – Where Garam Lisboa has a bit more of a sophisticated, grown-up feel (no kids allowed!), Casa de Patio is perfect for a group of when you want to feel a bit more at home. Located in the centrally-located Santa Catarina neighborhood, they offer a range of apartments and guest houses overlooking a shared courtyard. Because they’re a part of the larger Shaidu group of guesthouses, they have an incredible staff and network to help make plans around Lisbon (and beyond).

To Eat

Lisbon may get a reputation for being one of the pricier European capitals, but it’s easy to have a great meal at any price. Seafood is obviously Lisbon’s key selling point, and you cannot leave Lisbon without inhaling a few succulent and flaky pasteis de nata. Here are three places for some of my favorite meals

Alma ($$$) – Alma is certainly on the spendier side, but it’s absolutely worthy of its two Michelin stars. Tucked into an unassuming side street (and around the corner from an Organii!), this spot beautifully marries traditional Portuguese dishes with a modern twist. Avoiding the frenzy that was attempting to get a dinner reservation, we snagged a table for lunch instead – managing to have almost the same dishes from the dinner menu at a much more reasonable price. I would also recommend the a la carte menu over the tempting prix fixe meal. The couple next to us looked practically war-weary by the time their final prix fixe dish came and the a la carte options come with a number of gratis bites to round out the meal.

Time Out Market ($-$$) – I was wary of this Instagram hotspot but it ended up being a repeat visit. The sprawling food hall is the perfect choice when you can’t decide what you want to eat or just want to sample a little of everything. Grab a friend, a bunch of small plates, and the mental fortitude to jockey for seats at some of the communal tables. Alternatively, you can pony up to one of the cocktail bars and treat your road-weary limbs to an Aperol spritz (or three…). Just try to resist post-tipple souvenir shopping and save the gift purchases for the more reasonably priced boutiques around Lisbon.

Cervejaria Ramiro Seafood ($$) – Come for the seafood, stay for the coin-operated beer machine. Or maybe vice versa. If seafood is on your mind, this is your spot. Head straight to the entrance where you generate a deli-style ticket for your seat. The tickets are generated by language, and you’ll hear a panoply of names and numbers being called out. While you wait, grab a beer from the coin-operated machine (bring change!) and wait to hear the magic words. The menu is based on seafood ingredient, not dish, and the norm appeared to be pointing out other people’s food to your waiter in a polite yet enthusiastic manner. The jumbo prawns and a massive heap of garlic bread to sop up the rich, smoky sauce were a table favorite.

To Do

Port Tasting – What vodka is to Russia and sake is to Japan, port is to Portugal. You’ve got two options when it comes to port tastings – a stroll through the city center with visits to multiple locations or a sit-down experience at a single spot. We chose the latter (mostly because my feet couldn’t handle any more walking) and we drank for three. straight. hours. Accompanied by a spread of indulgent local cheeses, we opted for multiple flights of white, tawny, and ruby varieties to really understand the complexity of port. By the time our server came out with his ‘special’ bottle to celebrate his last day on the job, I was a complete port convert. Hot tip: ibuprofen and a slow morning the next day.

Day trip to Cascais – If you can’t make it to Porto, consider Cascais. A brisk train ride west of Lisbon and you’re right in the heart of this seaside resort, with long beach promenades and historical buildings held-over from the town’s time as the summer retreat for Portuguese nobility.

Exploring the city – The best way to experience any city is of course to lace up your most comfortable pair of shoes and hoof it around town. With winding alleys and jeweled tiles shimmering on each and every building, there is so much to see before you even make it inside the countless museums and shops that Lisbon is known for. Better yet, take a tuk tuk ride up to the highest part of the city and let gravity guide you down to the waterfront. When the sun finally starts to set, a cold beer and soulful fado music at a cozy bar will cap off your day of exploring.

To Enjoy

Shopping at Principe Real – Each Lisbon neighborhood has a very distinct personality and flair. My bar-none favorite, however, was Principe Real. The shopping was absolutely next level and a stroll down Rua Dom Pedro V immediately transports you away from the throngs of tourists swarming the city center. My must-visit is the Embaixada Shopping Gallery, a 19th century palace filled with boutiques showing off high-end Portuguese brands (including Organic Bio). Just down the street is the high-end 21PR Concept Store, a boutique carrying a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, housewares, and more for the perfect souvenir. And once you’ve had your fill of retail therapy, a coffee in the Principe Real Garden is the perfect way to end the afternoon.

Shopping at Organii – Organii is a organic products and natural clothes shop based in Lisbon that has been around for 15(!) years. They have a beautifully curated range of skincare and cosmetics, with product lines for men and baby. I was introduced to some new favorites (hello ila spa), and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their excellent in-house line of skincare. They also have a facial spa tucked in the back of their Principe Real store that I was dying to try, read on!

Organii has multiple locations throughout Lisbon and Porto, but if you can only visit one I recommend the Principe Real location in the Embaixada Shopping Gallery.

Organic Facial – There is simply no better way to beat the wear and tear of jetlag like a spa visit. By some stroke of serendipity, there happened to be an opening at the Organii Spa with the fabulous facialist Margarida on the day I visited. The prices for the in-house Organii services are insanely reasonable, and I couldn’t resist booking the Organii Bio Skin Ebssencial facial that swapped steaming and extractions for a 15 minute massage (this should be a thing everywhere).

The Organii Bio Day Spa is located in their Principe Real location at PRAÇA DO PRÍNCIPE REAL, Nº 26. Hours are Mon-Sat 12PM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.

LX Factory – When you want your first flavor of Lisbon, the LX Factory is a great place to start. An outdoor market filled with boutiques, food vendors, and galleries, we could have spent hours just wandering around and taking in the sights. In one building we managed to find a sustainable coffee house, a burlesque-themed escape room, and a gallery filled with impressionist art.

And there you have it – my favorite places in Lisbon! I hope you have a chance to fall in love with this magical city like I did. Have you been to Portugal? What have I missed? Already planning my next visit…

Hello friends and welcome to another “Brands I Love”! I’m talking all about the absolutely magical skincare brand and retailer Essential Apothecary Alchemist.

I was lucky enough to stop in to the apothecary and spend a lovely afternoon with Kate Poole, the founder and creator behind Essential Apothecary Alchemist. Essential Apothecary Alchemist products are made with plant-based ingredients, the majority of which are organically sourced. All batches are handmade and feature essential oils targeted toward nourishing the skin. One of my favorite features is the prominence of hydrosols. These plant-infused waters replace the typical fillers that you might see in conventional beauty products, and add an extra dose of healing ingredients. You can read more about hydrosols on the Essential Apothecary Alchemist’s blog.

Kate and her daughter Jessie are well-known in the Seattle community, not only from Essential Apothecary Alchemist but also for their beautiful store E. Smith Mercantile. 

The dreamy store features clean beauty products by brands like Sundays and Ritual de Fille. 

What I love about the Essential Apothecary Alchemist line of products is that they follow the idea of making your own alchemy. They can all be mixed and matched depending on your skin type and needs. The Hydrate mist and Nectar serum, for example, can be mixed in the Radiance facial scrub to add a little extra oomph. I especially love mixing the Nectar serum with the Lush moisturizer for another layer of hydration.

One of the most special finds is what Kate calls her ‘5 Elements Blends’, essential oil jojoba blends based in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These blends are designed for the seasonal changes that our bodies go through during the year. After Kate walked me through the line, I was immediately drawn to the grounding Winter blend.

Another beautiful element to Essential Apothecary Alchemist is their collaboration with Seattle-based artist Olivia Knapp, whose intricate pen-and-ink logo is seen above. Her minimalist yet traditional designs offer a unique visual seen throughout the entire Essential Apothecary Alchemist line. I highly recommend you check her out if you’re interested in visual arts.

So what’s next for Essential Apothecary Alchemist? Kate hinted at a Baby Alchemy Company and an expansion into Northern Idaho to grow all the botanicals sourced for Essential Apothecary Alchemist products. I can’t wait to see what Kate’s brilliant mind comes up with next.

If you’re interested in learning more about Essential Apothecary Alchemist, you can check out their website and fantastic blog here. While the Seattle workshop is no longer open, for those in the Seattle area you can call Kate directly at 206-919-2983 for special times to visit. You can shop the Essential Apothecary Alchemist collection online or through a number of green beauty retailers. As always, I encourage you to shop local and support brands directly when you can!

This review was not posted for compensation. I will always disclose any paid or affiliated content. 

I’ll be the first to admit that Los Angeles has just never seemed to be my kind of city. It’s too big, too spread out, and that traffic! No thank you. Granted, I made up my mind before ever going which seems a bit unfair. Luckily my mom and I decided to make a girls trip out of a long weekend and did a whistle stop tour of all the green beauty that West LA had to offer. We were able to do this without a car which made the trip even better, thanks to comfy walking shoes and the occasional Lyft ride. Read on for more about our LA adventure!

To Stay: We stayed in an AirBnB right off of Abbott Kinney. Super chic and free beach cruisers – what more could you want? It was a little dark at night but overall we found the area safe and within walking distance to everything we needed.

To Eat: There was really no shortage of good food around Abbott Kinney. From food trucks serving the most delicious smoothies to gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free pastries that still tasted like heaven, this town really has it all. Here are some of our favorite spots – 

Kreation ($) – This was the only spot we managed to go to multiple times during a relatively brief trip. Highly recommend for a guilt-free, healthy meal.

The Butcher’s Daughter ($) – Perfect for a coffee to go, though waiting out the brunch line is not for the faint of heart. Hot tip: for being such an active city, no one seemed to be out before 9:30 am. Get there early and skip the line!

Loews Hotel Santa Monica ($$) – For amazing views of the ocean with a scenic mountain backdrop, we grabbed a poolside table at the Loews Hotel. Somehow a hotel that starts at $600/night has a ridiculously reasonable lunch menu and we got fish tacos and mushroom flatbreads for under $30.

Rose Cafe ($$$) – Our favorite meal was by far Rose Cafe. Gorgeous space and really creative food, but do not come hungry unless you plan on a real splurge. We mistakenly ordered a scallop dish to share before realizing that it literally had two scallops on the plate. No wonder LA people are so skinny…

To Do: Shopping on Abbott Kinney was a repeat favorite activity (read on for more below), and who could pass up people watching on the Santa Monica Pier? We also went to the Artists & Fleas vintage market (every Saturday 11 – 4 pm) and ate our way through the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. We were committed to minimizing car usage, so thank goodness for comfortable sandals. That being said, this area is incredibly walkable and our Lyft rides were no more than 10 minutes to get around Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. 

To Enjoy: One of the high points of the trip was definitely visiting the OSEA Malibu flagship for some shopping and their signature Cranial Wave Facials. My mom and I both booked the same treatment but the facialist made sure to customize each treatment. Plus, facials at the flagship come with a product credit so you won’t be leaving empty handed! After all that walking we also indulged in nontoxic pedicures at Alchemie Spa. Located right next to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, this was the perfect way to refresh road-weary toes!

Just off the traffic of Abbott Kinney is the most serene spot in town – OSEA Malibu! They almost had to drag us away after our facials, we could have stayed in this courtyard all afternoon.

Strange Invisible, so insanely chic.

To Buy: This was the real danger zone. We literally spent hours walking up and down Abbott Kinney doing a constant mental negotiation that we had both packed carry-on bags with limited spare room. While I didn’t make it to Credo and The Detox Market (both a little farther away), it gave me a chance to check out a few other retailers I might not have tried before. There were four definite high points:

Strange Invisible – Even in the “natural” space, I really avoid fragrance retailers because the smells just tend to be overwhelming. The Strange Invisible store was a breath of fresh air (pun very much intended). Perfume in the front, green skincare and makeup in the back, it was a total dream. Brands included Le Prunier, RMS, Habit, Little Barn Apothecary, and Kosas.

Hourglass Cosmetics – If you love Beauty Unhyped as much as I do, you’ll understand why I was drawn to the major glow that is Hourglass. I’ve been so intrigued by their illuminating powders that we stopped in for a *quick look* after our facials and ended up getting full makeovers. The products, the packaging, and the quality of service was totally on point. 

OSEA Malibu – Obviously we couldn’t resist using the product credit that came with our facials for skincare at OSEA. It was great to see the full OSEA line, although someone please tell me where I can buy their special seaweed! After debating the splurge, my mom and I teamed up our credit for a jar of the Vitamin C Probiotic Polish. It’s pretty tingly on my sensitive skin but she now swears by it. 

Saje – If you haven’t been to an outpost of the Canadian brand Saje, it’s kind of like Aveda but with a major emphasis on essential oils. The Saje Tingle Mint line is actually incredibly similar to the Aveda Rosemary Mint line. After resisting the hard upsell on $200 ultrasonic diffuser, we did walk away with an assortment of their essential oil blends and as many Tingle Mind body washes as we could carry.

And that is how it only took me a long weekend to fall in love with this part of LA. There were so many more things I left wanting to do and see – let me know if you have any recommendations for my next visit!

Any time I’m in a new city I immediately start to seek out green beauty retailers and services. Even if I’m not trying to go on a shopping spree, I love connecting with these spots as a way to understand the local community and culture. After much frantic Googling before moving to Seattle, I kept seeing the same name over and over again – Sarah Kahn. Sarah and her eponymous salon Sarah Kahn Hair in Queen Anne is an absolute gem for any green beauty lover in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest.

It doesn’t hurt that the salon is insanely chic. Yes, that is black rorschach printed wallpaper in a room filled with Boy Smells candles and Jonathan Adler decor. 

Let’s start with the hair. Sarah and her co-conspirator Taylor (equally lovely and a complete beauty obsessive) are known for their great cuts and above all, fantastic color. Just a few minute spent perusing the Sarah Kahn Hair Instagram page will show you what I meant. Beautiful golden blondes, rich toned brunettes, and balayage to make you swoon. All of it done with such an artistic edge that it always looks rich. Granted, these services aren’t cheap. However, having bitten the bullet and committed to PB&J’s for a month in exchange for a few precious hours in Sarah’s chair, I can absolutely say it’s worth it.

So what’s it like getting your hair done by one of Seattle’s best colorists? It’s definitely not a casual affair. I talked to Sarah extensively prior to booking my service, and her new client intake requests both inspiration photos on real people (no celebrities, luckily her Instagram page has plenty of material to choose from) as well as pictures of your own hair. This ensures that your service is booked for the right amount of time and that you know what is realistic for each appointment. Sarah walked me through each step of the process and explained what could be done with one versus multiple visits. I was looking for something natural but with a little punch, and I could not be happier with how it all turned out. I especially loved that the salon felt so cozy and intimate, like you were hanging out at a friend’s house instead of a busy salon where they try to rush you out the door.

The makeup counter of dreams! I couldn’t resist giving myself a makeup touch-up while my color processed.

As if hair wasn’t enough, Sarah’s salon is also a heaven for high-end natural hair, skin, and makeup. She stocks impressive ranges from color cosmetics brands like RMS and Kjaer Weis, and has skincare staples from Yuli, Josh Rosebrook, and hometown favorites Herbivore Cosmetics. She also had me swooning over the scents from haircare brands Rahua and Reverie. You can see a full list of the brands they carry here.

Overall, Sarah Kahn hair is an absolute must-visit for any beauty obsessive in Seattle. Beautiful product, fantastic service an in intimate salon setting, and some of the nicest people in the business.

Sarah Kahn Hair is located inside (got this wrong the first time) the Marqueen Hotel at 600 Queen Anne Avenue North. 

*All products and services from Sarah Kahn hair described above were purchased myself. No complimentary services were provided in exchange for this review.

From one Washington to another! 2019 started off as a total whirlwind and I feel like I’ve been going a million miles an hour since January 1. With just a few weeks’ notice, I packed my bags and shipped off for Seattle for the winter. Now that I’ve had the chance to settle in, here’s what I’ve been up to and here’s what I’m looking forward to –

The view from Gas Works Park is incredible, highly recommend for a picnic on a sunny day.

Glow Up with Sarah Kahn and Jill Bucy

My first day in Seattle was spent walking off my little bit of East/West Coast jetlag and of course my feet took me straight to Sarah Kahn Hair. This super chic salon has a fantastic retail selection of green beauty products and I am already lining up to get a coveted spot in Sarah’s chair to have her freshen up my color. Next door is the renowned Jill Bucy Skincare, offering two signature product lines: Biologique Recherché and Tata Harper. Stay tuned for my review of my first BR facial at Jill Bucy!

Sarah Kahn carries a fantastic range of green beauty, including RMS, Kjaer Weis, Josh Rosebrook, and local favorite Herbivore. I even picked up my favorite Cedar Stack candle from Boy Smells. 

Snowshoeing

Now this was a surprise joy. After a few slightly terrifying ski experiences, I wasn’t sure snow activities were meant for me. Turns out I just needed a different activity! After hearing that the only difference between a beginner and expert snow-shoer was 40 steps, I gave it a try and really loved it (even the few times I was literally climbing up a hill on my hands and knees).

Only an hour drive outside of Seattle and you are in some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever experienced. 

Seattle Opera

Coming from the land of the Kennedy Center, I wasn’t sure what the vibe of the Seattle Opera would be. Two words – nose rings. I snagged tickets to a beautiful performance of Il Trovatore and the people watching was a show into itself! It was great to see such a young and laid back crowd at something so typically reserved for the old and fussy. Well played Seattle.

Living Follain

One of my goals while in Seattle was to connect with as many local brand founders as possible. This city is known for some of the biggest green beauty brands out there – hello Herbivore! – and I knew my first port of call had to be Follain. Luckily within a few weeks there was a founder event with Kari Gran and Innersense Organics, and I met a few really lovely local bloggers and entrepreneurs who gave me the lowdown on their favorite places and things to do.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

This was both a New Year’s challenge and a practical necessity. I really didn’t want to haul multiple suitcases to Seattle for just a few months and I was lucky that my new workplace had a very business casual environment (ie. one wardrobe for weekdays and weekends). After listening to Emma Guns and her 26 Habits this year, I thought this would be the perfect time to give a seriously edited wardrobe a try. So I gave myself ONE checked bag for three months (and a lot of vacuum bags). I may continue to supplement with my Rent the Runway subscription, but we’ll see how the first month goes.

Coming Up…

There are so many new things I’m excited to try while I’m here, and my list starts with –

Weekend trips to Vancouver, Portland, and LA…

Introduction to Herbalism course…

Bunjee aerobics at Coreo Fitness…

And of course, exploring natural skincare!

If you have any recommendations for this beautiful city, please let me know!

I’ll admit it, for a long time I was not a perfume girl. It just seemed like something that never really clicked – maybe I didn’t quite have the nose for it. It wasn’t until I had the very fortunate circumstances of working alongside Susannah Compton of Florescent during my brief stint at Follain that I really started to appreciate fragrance for its artistry and ability to transform.

Cut to a year ago when I was furiously underway with plans for my wedding. I was trying to carve out a few special areas that would be truly and uniquely myself, little details that wouldn’t get lost in the fray. I decided to go as bold as I could, and reached out to Susannah to see if she would consider making a bespoke fragrance for my wedding day. I thank my lucky stars that she said yes!

We started with a phone call, that was half laughing and catching up and half getting down to business. We talked through my favorite perfumes and what I wanted to feel from something that would capture such a special moment. I envisioned a variation of Susannah’s classic Sundays perfume, a heady blend of jasmine that first captured my imagination years before. Instead of jasmine, a romantic rose mixed with a slightly sexy, grounding base was what we decided on. After that, it was time for the master to go to work.

A few days later, a box arrived with my first homework assignment. Susannah explained that there were three layers, or notes, to a perfume, consisting of the top, middle, and base. In addition to identifying the individual scents that I wanted, she would also need to come up with the right ratio to create a balanced fragrance. The first step was picking the ingredients.

This part of the process was like opening up a jumbo crayon box and realizing you’ve been coloring with a pencil. “Rose” became a husky version from Bulgaria, a sweet version from Turkey, and an absolutely magical version from Morocco. Base notes of Palo Santo and Frankincense travelled far and wide, and Italian Bergamot was like nothing I had ever encountered. I spent an evening closing my eyes and taking notes on each one, marveling at how different a single flower or wood could be. Dutifully scoring each one, I reported back with my favorites in each category. A few weeks later, a new box appeared and we repeated the process.

Before I knew it, the big day had arrived and so had my magical fragrance. After playing with a few variations of the final blend, Susannah created a mixture of two types of vetiver (giving it that spicy sexiness), two types of rose absolute (the romantic and traditional element), clary sage, clary sage absolute, styrax and benzoin. The high concentration of rose gave the perfume a beautiful deep gold color, and holding it up to the light made it look like molten sunshine. In the end, Susannah made a small rollerball to carry with me (shown above), a solid balm to warm up with the skin throughout the day, and a full size bottle to spray generously and often.

Now, every morning starts with a spritz (or four) of this beautiful perfume, taking me back to a day filled with love and friendship. With one whiff, I’m reminded of the generosity of a dear friend who turned me into a fragrance girl after all!

*Photo credit at the top goes to my amazing wedding photographer Joriann of Chris Joriann Photography.