From my favorite fanny pack and minty CBD supplement to small shop finds and cute tees that give back, I’m sharing holiday gift ideas for the gals in your life. 

Holiday Gift Guide For Her

Lucky Brand Basel Rain Boots

I’ve had two pairs of the leather Basel booties – they are so comfortable (walkable!). Now that I live in Seattle (hello, rain!), I’m eying this waterproof pair that could be dressed up or down.

Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo

This one of a kind whipped shampoo lives up to the hype – I am obsessed! It’s currently all I use and has helped to decrease how often I wash my hair. It’s so exfoliating, leaves my hair squeaky clean, and smells incredible (rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint essential oils, ahh!).

Beautycounter All Bright C Serum

a.k.a. sunshine in a bottle, this brightening Vitamin C serum is the daytime companion to the Resurfacing Peel. Think of the two products as BFFs, the ultimate glow duo! This game-changing serum has an ultra-potent 10% blend of two forms of vitamin C to instantly brighten skin and help reduce the appearance of existing dark spots. It also includes antioxidant-rich turmeric (which gives it a gorgeous yellow color) and camu camu to help protect against new dark spots and promote an even skin tone – obsessed!

15% off + free shipping on all orders $50+ through 11/30.

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

This is the Beautycounter gateway product for many people and one of my top three skincare products! Don’t be fooled by the name – you don’t actually peel when you use this. It’s similar to a serum that exfoliates dead skin cells to help minimize pores, fine lines, and acne scars while improving skin tone, texture, dullness, and literally makes your skin glow! It is amazing for all skin types.

15% off + free shipping on all orders $50+ through 11/30.

Waffle Robe

I’ve been wanting a robe, and have my eyes on this waffle weave one from Parachute Home or this super plush robe from Brook Linen. After all, 2020 has been the year of cozy loungewear! Both robes are 20% off this weekend.

Primally Pure

Primally Pure is another one of my top favorite safer skincare brands. I love their clean deodorants, body butters, and lip balms – which all make great stocking stuffers. This body butter trio is a favorite of mine to break up and give as gifts.

Use code HILL25 for 25% off your Primally Pure order through 11/30.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

My Lulu fanny has become a staple in my every day. It’s the perfect size to hold my phone, keys, poop bags (for dog walks), lip balm, etc. The thick strap is adjustable, so I switch from wearing on my hip to across my chest. It comes in a bunch of fun colors, too!

Inspirational Mug

I spotted this cute mug from one of my favorite small shops, Heyday Bozeman. Fill it with a hand cream and lip balm and gift to your girlfriend. But if your coffee or tea is always getting cold like mine is, a Yeti mug will keep your beverages hot all morning long.

Cute Protective Face Mask

While my mom has been sewing most of my protective face masks this year, I’ve seen so many cute and feminine styles from small shops. You can’t go wrong by stuffing a cute face mask or two into stockings this year. It’s something we all need!

Pique Tea Sun Goddess Matcha

I love matcha lattes, iced or hot, and have been enjoying Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha. I mix it with a couple ounces of boiling water before pouring over a glass full of ice, Forager cashew milk, and bit of maple syrup. Pique’s organic ceremonial grade matcha is quadruple screened for heavy metals and pesticides. You can read more about it here.

Bodem Goose Neck Electric Kettle

This is the electric kettle I have and use daily to make my matcha or cup of hot herbal tea. No more kettle taking up space on the stove. I love the matte black and cork combo, it’s quiet, and heats up water fast.

North Face Waterproof Parka

I’ve been looking for a warm (I’m always cold!) waterproof jacket for these cold and rainy Seattle winters. I am eyeing The North Face Metropolis III Hooded Water Resistant Down Parka and The North Face or the Arctic Waterproof 550-Fill-Power Down Parka. Lululemon also has some really warm coats (like this one), but are quite the splurge.

Girl Get After It 

Girl Get After It is a wellness movement bringing women together through sweatworking events and gear that gives back. I love to support this small business, based in Bozeman Montana, by repping their cute gear. Plus, they just partnered with Lululemon on a few pieces, too – super cool! Snag this cute Dreamer Tee, cozy sweatshirt, or pair of socks for your sister or bestie.

Equilibria CBD

I’ve been taking Equilibria’s Daily CBD drops for a couple of months and can say that it’s significantly helped with my chronic anxiety and has helped me to feel more calm overall. I take the mint drops morning and evening. Know someone who could use a bit of stress relief? Slip a bottle into their stocking this year!

All Equilibria products are of the highest quality, ethically sourced from their Colorado farm, fully traceable, and third-party tested. 

Use code REFHPARKER2 for $20 off your Equilibria order.

Shop Small This Season

While I’ve linked many of my favorite items that I use daily, along with some items that are on my wish list, I encourage you to think about shopping small this season by supporting small and local businesses – they need our support this year more than ever.

Here are a few ideas:

• local restaurant gift certificates that can be used at a later date
• local spa gift certificates that can be used at a later date
• shop on Etsy
• some of my favorite small businesses:
  • Broken Top Candle Company
  • Girl Get After It
  • Heyday Bozeman
  • Seattle Elderberry
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Who doesn’t like to see what other people purchase? What products someone swears by… what “must-have” items your internet bestie has in their house. I know I am always curious! I’ve noticed a trend with my online shopping since COVID (ahem, it’s increasing), and Amazon purchases seem far too easy with the app at my fingertips and our Prime account a press away.

Today I’m sharing a dozen items I’ve purchased (and some I continue to buy) from Amazon that I love and use regularly. It’s quite the mix-up, from my favorite coffee and coziest bedding to safer self tanner and Koba’s incredibly plush dog bed.

Please let me know if you purchase and end up loving one of these finds!

My Amazon Favorites

Bedsure Cotton/Linen Duvet Cover: I am obsessed with linen bedding and don’t know if I’ll ever use anything else. Linen bedding can be really pricey, so I was super excited to find this duvet + two pillow shams for under $70. They’re soft and airy – particularly great for warm summer nights – but also cozy in the colder winter months with another blanket or two. I am a sucker for all things grey and love the button details on this set, too.

Mayorga Organic Decaf Coffee: I had been on the hunt for a good dcaf for what felt like forever and so I was stoked when I found this coffee. I like my coffee bold and strong; I’ve wasted my money on so many decafs that are completely flavorless. Not only do these beans make a delicious cup of joe, but they’re also organic and decaffeinated by water processing (most decaf is often made by using chemicals – no thanks!). While I’m drinking mostly decaf these days, we always have a bag of the regular dark roast coffee on hand, too.

Beauty By Earth Self Tanner: My fair, freckled skin doesn’t fare well with a lot of sun exposure. And as I get older, I’m much more conscious of time spent in the sun. But who doesn’t love the look of sun-kissed, bronzed skin? This self tanner is not full of icky, toxic ingredients like most – it uses natural ingredients like organic shea butter and coconut oil that you can recognize and pronounce. Plus, it doesn’t make you look like an orange oompa loompa. A little goes a long way: one application is enough for me!

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub: My favorite facial cleanser, hands down. And for under $10 – yes please! We always have a bottle of this in our shower. I use it most days of the week, and while it is extremely exfoliating, it doesn’t strip my skin. While I love my Beautycounter products through and through, I’ve recommended this face scrub to many people already as it’s great for most skin types.

Alba Botanica Very Emollient Herbal Healing Body Lotion: I started using this lotion when my eczema flares were more frequent. Luckily, it isn’t bothering me lately, but I still really like this body lotion. It’s gentle, soothing, smells lovely, and has a low rating on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database – key for me!

Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Mascara: While I’m pretty minimalistic when it comes to makeup, I do love bold lashes. I really like this safer mascara as it’s not dry or clumpy. I layer it over a coat of the Lashfood Collagen Lash Primer to get the longest, most voluminous lashes I can get.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: I’m always looking for ways to add in quality sources of protein, and I find mixing a scoop of the unflavored collagen peptides into my morning cup of decaf or afternoon matcha latte an easy solution. I have a post all about why I love collagen peptides.

Tea Organizer: You could use this organizer endless ways I’m sure, but I keep it in the kitchen pantry to organize our selection of teas. There’s really not much more to it – I just like not having a bunch of random tea boxes in my cupboards, and this was a simple solution.

USA Pan Baking Sheets: USA pans are awesome! They’re made of commercial grade, heavy gauged aluminized steel with a nonstick silicon coating that’s PTFE, PFOA and BPA free. I use this large “cookie sheet” all of the time for roasting veggies, and my muffin pan is well used and loved. 

Collapsable Dog Food/Water Bowls: An inexpensive find that we use all of the time. Whether we’re hiking or road-tripping across the country, these silicone dog bowls are great as they’re collapsable and easy to clean. They come with a handy climbing buckle (hook) to attach to our backpacks for easy access when we’re on the trails.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses: As my work is all online, I spend more time than I’d like in front of a screen; a cheap pair of blue light blocking glasses seemed like a smart choice in effort to prevent eye strain as much as possible. I think the big round shape is kind of fun, and they’re very lightweight.

Calming Shag Fur Donut Cuddler Dog Bed: Probably the softest dog bed ever, we splurged a little on this one (anything for Koba!). We got the biggest size possible (Donut XL 45″), and it’s perfect for our big, fluffy dog who loves to burrow. This dog bed has over 13,000 reviews on Amazon!

 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Hi!

It’s been a really nice, low-key weekend around here, and as I am on my computer with a puppy snoozing at my feet, I felt inclined to share in this little space of mine I show up at every so often.

The Weekender

— The highlight of our weekend was, without a doubt, dog-sitting a 4-month-old miniature Australian Shepard, Georgia; Nick and I both fell head over heels. She and Koba have been playing non-stop, and aside from pee puddles in the house and needing to chew on all the things, the house feels even homier with the double dose of puppy love. 

— I am planning to make these grain-free gingerbread chocolate chip muffins via Lexi’s Clean Kitchen in the morning. How could I not be excited about breakfast this week? 

— It was a big week for Beautycounter! Get this: Beautycounter is the top trending beauty brand of 2018! Yes, that means people are Google-ing safer personal care products. We are making strides towards getting safer skincare in the hands of everyone, and it is so exciting! To top it off, Beautycounter also won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award to recognize our work in Washington DC fighting for better beauty laws. It feels pretty darn good to be a part of this movement.

— We are headed to cold Colorado on Sunday, and to say that we are ready to head West is an understatement. The mountains (and family time) are calling! 

— Christmas came early in the way of a beautiful Omega juicer, and Nick and I immediately jumped on the celery juice train. Of course I want to juice more than stalks of celery, but I am very curious to see what the hype is all about. Seeing that I deal with chronic gut/skin issues, I am eager to see if sipping straight celery juice, in fact, has miracle healing powers. I recommend checking out @medicalmedium, the man and NY Times best-selling author behind said celery juice “movement.”

— We had the best quick lunch at Fresh Kitchen Saturday afternoon after a gym date, and now I want to eat all the mashed cauliflower – holy yum!

I’m off to snuggle puppies and get ready for this final week before a much-needed Christmas vacation! 

xx Hill

Have you tried celery juice?

What holiday recipes have you been enjoying?

Almond Flour Banana Muffins with Coconut steal the show, consistency performing as the most viewed page on the blog day after day. And it’s easy to know why. These muffins are ridiculously simple to make, low in sugar, high in flavor and healthy fats, and gluten-free.

I originally published this recipe almost five years ago in a descriptive blog post (my writing skills are a bit rusty now) accompanied by a few inconsistently styled photos that make me cringe.

I pull up this recipe on my phone nearly every week as it is a major stress-reliever having a nutrient-dense and satisfying breakfast option on hand (they store well in the freezer). I could nearly recite the recipe in my sleep, but I usually reference it to double check that I’m not forgetting an ingredient.

One of my goals this year is to play around with my Canon DSLR camera, and so I figured this recipe would be a suitable subject for practicing my skills. I have an immense amount to learn in regards to light, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but the only way I will learn and improve is by hands on application of trial and error.

I first photographed the muffins late afternoon which resulted in a set of distasteful, shadowy photos — ugh. Persistent to practice, I tried shooting them again in mid-morning light which resulted in bright photos that were more appealing to my eye, but far from perfect.

My point here is that practice what you are passionate about, and forget about perfection. Would most professional food photographers gawk at these photos? I presume yes. But when there is passion, persistence, and practice, there is a way.

I hope you’ll check out the muffin recipe if you haven’t already, and… if you add a handful or two of dark chocolate chunks, you will absolutely fall in love with this recipe and wonder why you hadn’t made it sooner — enjoy!

What is something you are passionate about that you’d like to practice?

What is your favorite muffin recipe?

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Hey there and happy Friday before a long weekend (hello four days off)! I broke out my Toddy cold brew coffee maker this week and made a batch of strong (decaf) cold brew coffee for the first time in ages. It’s been hibernating in the back of my cupboard, but this summer heat has me craving all the icy cold beverages. Since I haven’t blogged nearly at all in 2017, there is oh so much we could catch up on. However, hopefully you’re itching to get your long weekend started (I know I am), so we’ll keep this virtual coffee date brief..

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d say that I am looking forward to a semi-spontaneous camping trip this weekend. Hiking, SUP-ing, swimming, campfires and sunshine — yes please!

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d give you update on my gut health. Since (finally!) being diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) this spring, I’ve fully dedicated myself to healing my gut. It’s been a long, tedious process; but, I am feeling better which makes me hopeful and motivated after struggling with with a multitude of symptoms the past couple of years.

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d tell you that I am eager to see Thank You for Your Service. If you would have said let’s watch a military movie a couple of years ago, I probably wouldn’t have been too interested; now that it’s a piece of my life, I’m tuned in.

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d probably talk about how freaking real Saturn Returns is (I’m a believer — keep reading…), and ask if you’ve experienced it in your life? My late twenties are making those terrible teen years look darn good.

• The Skinny on Saturn Returns: What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d disclose with the utmost vulnerability that I’m no longer engaged. In this rocky chapter of change and transition, I am choosing joy, gratitude, and to not be afraid of this new path that lies ahead of me.

If we were having coffee this afternoon, I’d share photos from my recent family vacation to Kauai. There’s something about tropical air and sea salt in your hair that soothes the soul.

Have a safe & happy 4th of July!

xo Hill

 

Virtual Coffee Date I // Virtual Coffee Date II // Virtual Coffee Date III

Virtual Coffee Date IV // Virtual Coffee Date V

Alright, 2016… don’t be too offended, but I’m not overwhelmed with sadness to see you go. You were one heck of a challenging year. For that reason, I didn’t have the mental energy to show up to this space often. But, nevertheless, I dug up a few pieces of the good stuff.

Nutrition Nut on the Run | 2016 Highlights

Most Exciting Post | A Surprise-Filled Weekend in D.C.

Most Vulnerable Post | I am not my story.

Most Procrastinated Posts | I finished the travel post series from our mother-daughter European adventure.

• Europe Diary 2015 // Stockholm, Sweden (The End!)
• Europe Diary 2015 // Switzerland (Part 2)
• Europe Diary 2015 // Switzerland (Part 1)
• Europe Diary 2015 // Cinque Terre, Italy (Part 2)
• Europe Diary 2015 // Cinque Terre, Italy (Part 1)
• Europe Diary 2015 // The Calanques (Marseille, France)
• Europe Diary 2015 // Aix-en-Provence, France
• Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 3
• Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 2
• Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 1
• Paris // Where We Stayed

Nutrition Nut Recipes of 2016 | 5 of which contain dark chocolate – go figure!

• Dark Chocolate Almond Bark with Coconut & Ginger
• Chocolate Almond Butter Cup Smoothie
• Detox Kale Salad with Lemon Avocado Dressing
• Dark Chocolate Matcha Truffles
• Gluten-Free Hemp Banana Bread Muffins
• Maple Chili Roasted Butternut Squash
• Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Almond Butter Cups
• Grain-Free Apple Pumpkin Muffins

I could not be more ready for a fresh, new year. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and joy-filled 2017! xo