1. Eat Good Fats

Your skin is made out of fat. What? Yes. Every single cell in your body actually requires fat to maintain the integrity of it’s membrane. It’s extremely important for maintaining the flexibility of your arteries and veins, ensuring nutrients get into your cells and keeping your skin smooth and hydrated. In order to get the right fats into your diet you want to focus on foods that are higher in omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and even medium chain triglycerides. When you’re looking to get more good fats in think about increasing your consumption of these foods:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Grass Fed Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Small Cold Water Fish (like mackerel, herring and sardines)
• Avocados
• Salmon

Bonus - neurons are made out of fat - so increasing your consumption of good fats will also help your brain function! 

2. Increase Your Zinc Consumption

The most integral nutrient for your skin is zinc but let’s be honest, when we’re talking about skin it’s not the first thing that comes to mind. However, this trace mineral is found in every cell in your body, and more than 100 different enzymes need it to function. In fact, the top layer of your skin is concentrated with up to six times more of the mineral than is found in the lower layers. While maintaining your skin health, zinc is also the mineral that your taste buds and your immune system relies on. This little mineral packs a punch - and good levels will keep your skin healthy and young for a long time. 

To determine the right dosing of zinc you should chat with a Naturopathic Doctor or medical professional, but you can also increase your zinc levels through consuming more of these foods:

Pumpkin Seeds 

Oysters

Dark Leafy Greens

Almonds

Chickpeas

3. Hydration 

If you have blotchy skin or bags under your eyes then you definitely want to be thinking about your hydration status. It’s one of the easiest things to work into your routine and will make the most impact on your skin health, not to mention that when your skin is dehydrated wrinkles and fine lines are more pronounced. The easiest way to start working more water into your daily routine is to start your morning with TWO big glasses of water. Why? Because we’ve slept anywhere from 5 to 10 hours without so much as a single ounce of water. So before your morning cup of java, drink up! Down the hatch if you will. This will ensure that you’re replenishing those important fluids before your coffee dehydrates you even more, and gets you off on a great footing for the rest of your day.

On top of these three nutrients, many people talk about things like hyaluronic acid and collagen in maintaining your skin health. These will be beneficial for your skin health, and the research supporting it’s use is very strong, but skin health is also about getting the right nutrients into your cells. Without the right foundations, you’ll always be playing catchup, and my goal is to get your skin to a place where you don’t constantly need to do this. However, if you wanted to get more collagen into your nutrition routine you might want to consider drinking some bone broth. It’s incredibly rich in trace minerals and collagen, not to mention yummy! Try a glass of it in the morning (I like mine warmed up)!

BONE BROTH FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Ingredients

4 lbs beef bones with marrow

4 carrots, chopped

4 celery stalks, chopped

2 medium onions (quartered with peel on)

4 garlic cloves (peel on and smashed)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 bay leaves

2 tsp thyme

2 tbsp parsley

18-20 cups cold water

Directions

Place all ingredients in a 10 quart capacity crock-pot.

Add in water.

Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce and simmer gently, skimming the fat that rises to the surface occasionally.

Simmer for 24-48 hours.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Discard solids and strain remainder in a bowl through a colander. Let stock cool to room temperature, cover and chill.

Use within a week or freeze up to 3 months.

TAG US & YOU MIGHT WIN!

Tag shots of your bone broth or anything that relates to this article on Instagram or Facebook and you might win a set of Madison and White Luxury Satin Pillowcases! Use hashtags & tag us: #madisonandwhite @madisonandwhite @drashleymargeson

Meet Dr. Ashley

Dr. Ashley Margeson is a Naturopathic Doctor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who believes that your health shouldn’t hold you back from living your best life. She works with passionate people, moms and dads, athletes, go-getters, professionals, and retirees to help them achieve (and maintain) their health goals. Current obsessions include yoga pants, coffee, super comfy beds and Instagram (find me at @ashley_margeson!) 

Website: www.ashleymargeson.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drashleymargeson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drashleymargeson

1. Lavender

I’ll have you know, this is one of my favourite herbs. It is as pretty to look at as it is to smell, and that aromatic nature is actually an extremely effective solution for restlessness and anxiety - not to mention sleep. Lavender eases us into sleep by affecting our relaxation mechanism from the part of our brain known as the amygdala. This gland controls our emotional output and the lavender oils amplify our ability to move into the slow-wave form of sleep. Our muscles relax here, and our heartbeat slows significantly. It’s like taking the edge off to allow your body to ease into sleep. 

If you’re not a fan of the smell of lavender, there are capsules that provide an easy and smell-free way of improving your sleep. In fact, a placebo-controlled trial found that lavender significantly reduced the restlessness impacting your ability to get to sleep. It was also found to help you get to sleep easier, and wake up easier in the morning. 

2. It's called 5-HTP

Known by it’s full name of 5-hydroxytryptophan, this natural product increases the creation of serotonin in your central nervous system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects everything from your sleep to your temperature to your emotional balance. Serotonin affects your ability to sleep better by improving the ability of serotonin to communicate with different parts of your brain. This product, derived from the seeds of the griffon simplicifolia plant, is a great addition to helping you both get to sleep, and stay asleep. 

3. Melatonin

There are 526 000 results for “melatonin and sleep” on google in case you’re wondering. That’s a crazy amount. So why so many? Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland to make you sleepy. It rises in the evening, and falls in the morning, opposite to your cortisol curve (which spikes in the morning to wake you up). If your melatonin production is low, or high at the wrong time, you’re going to have trouble falling asleep when you want. One of the reasons your melatonin production might not be high at the right time is that blue light (like the light emitting off your phone, computer screen, or television) stops the production of melatonin. This is why one of my first recommendations for people who are having trouble sleeping is to nix the electronics before bed (or at least download something like f.lux which removes blue light from your screens as the sun goes down). 

4. Valerian

Valerian is a very commonly used herb to help people with sleep disorders and insomnia. It can act as an anti-anxiety solution but it’s also a sedative. Unlike lavender, which takes the edge off and promotes relaxation, valerian does that plus being able to knock you out. It’s a hard hitter in terms of natural products for sleep but it consistently delivers time and time again. 

5. Chamomile

For a little bit of a gentler approach than valerian, chamomile is the perfect late night tea to incorporate into your bed-time routine. Caffeine is counterintuitive to falling asleep, so if you crave a warm drink at night chamomile tea might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It is a mild sedative when consumed in liquid form and has been shown to calm anxiety. 

Ready to start snoozing your way through the night? Give these natural solutions a go. In fact, if you’re looking to shake up your bed-time routine you can even combine the herbs that I’ve mentioned above (chamomile, valerian and lavender) into a tea together. Tried these out and still counting sheep? Let’s set up a complimentary consultation to chat. 

Happy Dreams!

-Dr. Ashley

Dr. Ashley Margeson is a Naturopathic Doctor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who believes that your health shouldn’t hold you back from living your best life. She works with passionate people, moms and dads, athletes, go-getters, professionals, and retirees to help them achieve (and maintain) their health goals. Current obsessions include yoga pants, coffee, super comfy beds and Instagram (find me at @ashley_margeson!) 

Website: www.ashleymargeson.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drashleymargeson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drashleymargeson

Want a thicker and shinier mane that Aslan the Lion would be jealous of? We all do – and these nutritious superfoods pack a punch when it comes to transforming your dull, dreary locks into supermodel manes. Or… keeping those summertime waves we’ve all come to love (but can we also get excited for fall boots and pumpkin season? Absolutely!) The bonus? Most of these foods are great for helping to clear your skin and strengthen your nails too! Talk about these foods being perfect for getting your body in tip top shape!

FOR VEGANS:

Walnuts

These yummy nuts are filled with a potent blend of omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, vitamin E, copper and a bit of protein! The biotin (that’s vitamin B7) can help strengthen your hair, reduce hair loss and improve growth. This vitamin is used in the creation of fatty acids, glucose and some amino acids (the building blocks of protein!) but it’s also been shown to strengthen your hair follicles. Basically biotin is responsible for giving us healthy hair and ensuring it stays on our heads! CLICK FOR RECIPE

Sweet Potatoes

This awesome root vegetable (carrots can do this too!) is packed with beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A when it’s digested. Vitamin A helps your scalp produce sebum oil, an important fluid that provides natural hydration to dull, dry locks. Vitamin A can also encourage hair growth and improve the circulation of oxygen to hair follicles throughout your scalp. Super important for ensuring the right nutrients end up in the right place to help your hair out. Diabetic? Don’t worry – sweet potatoes have been shown to help stabilize your blood sugar values – pretty cool eh?

Spinach

My favourite addition to an omelet (made with egg whites) is this dark leafy green. Not only are dark leafy greens filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and zinc, these foods can help strengthen our natural collagen. This helps keep our hair follicles strong and can reduce the look of wrinkles. Bonus if you’re eating a pile of leafy greens before you start getting wrinkles because it’ll help delay the process! 

Lentils

Vegan or Vegetarian? Make sure you’ve got a pile of lentils in your diet. And I seriously mean a pile. Lentils are one of the only bean family that is considered a “complete protein”. Otherwise you need to eat a combination of beans (think 3 bean salads) to get the right nutrients into your body. Lentils have the protein we need for healthy, shiny hair, but they’re also packed full of folic acid and iron which are responsible for binding oxygen to your red blood cells. This means that you get more oxygen to your scalp and hair follicles. Good scalp circulation means quicker, stronger hair growth and faster cell renewal! Win!

FOR VEGETARIANS INCLUDE:

Eggs 

Google “Eggs and hair growth” and you’ll end up with a bunch of results telling you how to use eggs as a conditioner for your hair. I tried that once, and ended up looking like I had scrambled eggs all over my head. Not the look we’re going for!

That being said, eating eggs is definitely going to help your hair out. Why? They’re packed full of protein, biotin, folic acid, selenium and zinc. Every single nutrient that’s been shown to be beneficial for keeping your hair healthy and strong! Worried about the cholesterol? Cholesterol is only an issue if it’s oxidized – it’s actually really important for keeping our brains and blood vessels healthy. To avoid oxidation keep your eggs yolks whole while you’re cooking them! Add a few eggs to your morning routine, I even bet you’ll feel full for longer too!

FOR FLEXATARIANS INCLUDE:

Fatty Fish

I’m talking mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. These fishy friends are packed full of omega-3 essential oils! These omega-3’s help strengthen the integrity of your cell membrane, which acts as the gatekeeper of the cell. This way you’re able to get the right products in and out of your cells (like those that eventually make up your hair – healthy cells equals healthy hair). 

When it comes to your hair, proper amounts of omega-3’s in your diet can also stop you from getting a dry, itchy, flaky scalp. Bonus? Omega-3’s are hugely important for keeping your skin looking great (especially if you’ve got eczema or psoriasis), keeping your heart healthy and your brain functioning at it’s optimum. It’s been shown to protect new moms against postpartum depression, and can regulate your mood swings – not to mention being a component in protecting your brain against Alzheimer’s. I’ll call that a win-win-win for fatty fish. GRAB RECIPE HERE

There you go folks, foods that are not only healthy for you – they’re also great for your hair! Let us know in the comments below which foods you’re planning on getting into your diet!

-Dr Ashley

Dr. Ashley Margeson is a Naturopathic Doctor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who believes that your health shouldn’t hold you back from living your best life. She works with passionate people, moms and dads, athletes, go-getters, professionals, and retirees to help them achieve (and maintain) their health goals. Current obsessions include yoga pants, coffee, super comfy beds and Instagram (find me at @ashley_margeson!) 

Website: www.ashleymargeson.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drashleymargeson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drashleymargeson

Let's get technical for a moment in order to understand the ways that we can create a plant-based night of beauty sleep. We went to Meghan Telpher, a certified nutritionist, to get a sense of where to begin. In her book, "UnDiet: Eat Your Way to Vibrant Health," she talks about the biological importance of conscious eating. 

"The human body nervous system has two parts: somatic and autonomic. The somantic is the peripheral part that is associated with voluntary control, such as moving your arm or turning your head. We also have the autonomic nervous system that takes care of the involuntary vital functions, such as breathing, keeping the heart beating, digestion, and elimination.... The autonomic nervous system is divided into two branches: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. They serve two very different roles, both important to survival." Meghan Telpher, UnDiet

When we are stressed out, the sympathetic system, fires and impacts our entire sense of well being. It can lead to insomnia, higher heart rates and blood pressure, the immune systems start to shut down, and adrenaline spikes. During periods of stress, you might tend to choose bad foods, drink too much, and stay up late. Every choice we make will impact our appearance and our sense of well being. 

The parasympathetic nervous system is the opposite. We are relaxed. Our breathing is slow, our immune system increases to fight against infection, and our entire sense of wellness provides the body the opportunity to recover and heal and give skin that healthy glow. 

How can we create a better night of beauty rest that combats daily stress? 

1. COCKTAIL TIME

Instead of rushing to making dinner, slow down and celebrate the process of cooking. Make a switch from that glass of wine to a Goji Mango Virgin Cocktail. Goji Berries have been shown in a double-blind study, after just 14 days of consuming goji berry juice, that test subjects reported better sleep, increase ease of awakening the next more, and a greater sense of well being. Here is the cocktail you should try tonight!

GOJI MANGO VIRGIN COCKTAIL

1/2 Mango, Pit and Peel Removed

1/2 Orange, Peeled

1/2 Lime, juiced

1 Cup of Kombucha

2 TBSP of Dried Goji Berry

Sweetner, to taste, we like Xylol 

DIRECTIONS: Juice the mango and orange. Whisk in the lime juice, kombucha, and goji berries. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, or until goji berries have swelled and are saturated with juice. Add additional lime juice if desired and sweeten with stevia or other sweeter to taste. Recipe taken from "Superfood Juices: 100 Delicious, Energizing & Nutrient-Dense Recipes by Julie Morris. We love this book!

2. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Sprinkle some on top of a dinner salad because pumpkin seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. According to One Green Plant: 

"Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan,  the serotonin-producing amino acid. Pumpkin seeds also contain high amounts of zinc, which helps the brain convert tryptophan into serotonin." One Green Plant

Serotonin is said to help improve and create healthy sleep patterns. If you don't like pumpkin seeds, no worries. Many seeds like flax, chia, sesame, and hemp seeds also contain rich plant-based sources of omegas-3 that can help contribute to a better night of beauty sleep. In fact, omega-3 is a fantastic way in which to help boost the radiance of hair and skin.

3. CUT THE CAFFEINE

The best means to improve beauty sleep, which includes beautiful hair, skin, and a sense of wellbeing, is to cut caffeine off by lunch. Meghan Telphner goes in depth in her book, UnDiet, and explains that "the effects of caffeine on our stress hormones can impair the mighty restorative deep-sleep cycles. This in turn affects the strength of our immune system, as well as levels of alertness the next day." We want to add this impacts dark circles under the eyes, puffy and splotchy skin, and reduced hair growth. Simply, switch to herbal tea in the afternoon to set yourself up for a gorgeous night of beauty sleep.

In our move to create a consciously-made beauty pillowcase, we want to acknowledge that beauty is more than skin deep. It's a lifestyle. We hope to promote healthy ways to help you feel more confident every day you wake. Let us know what you think. Send us an email or leave a comment on our social media pages. Want more? Shop our pillowcases and get started on creating a healthier night of beauty sleep right now!

STEP 1: DETANGLE HAIR BEFORE YOU SHOWER

The best trick on avoiding tangles and knots, which can cause hair breakage and hair loss, is to use a WIDE TOOTH COMB to detangle hair BEFORE you shower. It's one of the best tricks for hair. It's also crazy easy to implement into your routine and that's a bonus.

STEP 2: WRAP IT AND CHILL.

Wrap hair up immediately after you shower and leave hair wrapped until its around 80% dry. You can take it out sooner, if you prefer, but we recommend letting it dry wrapped in the towel until the heavy dampness is gone. This is prep work for the final step. 

STEP 3: ADD PRODUCT

To purist out there that want the most natural experience possible, skip this step. However, we love adding products that can help create beach waves, define curls, or add some shine. Once the hair is at least half-way dry, add your favorite product. Use a wide tooth comb, fingertips, or a detangling brush to spread product evenly and let air dry.

Doing this once a week is an awesome way to make your hair healthy and gorgeous! Show us your results on Facebook or Instagram and add the hashtag #Madisonandwhite We want to see how you rock it!

MONROW

REFORMATION 

Who knew that a dress with a mock neck and cap sleeve dress could be so sexy? Reformation did. This company already has cult status with Hollywood actresses and celebrities, but we love it because you can dress it down with a jean jacket or play up it up with a Burberry trench. The Edie Dress ($78) could be worked into regular wardrobe rotation with slight modifications from textured tights to pendant necklaces. It meets the all the hallmarks of an awesome LBD. 

MICHAEL STARS

Michael Stars, established in 1986, offers a beautiful 3/4 Sleeve Shirt Dress that is perfect for the daily grind or a quick trip weekend trip to SanFran. It's a versatile dress that can be layered with other pieces for cool spring mornings. The semi-fitted dress is also great for those days when you just need to look gorgeous, but also feel relaxed. It's no wonder that Michael Stars has focused their designs on people who love the relaxed vibe of coastal living and the refinement of impeccably constructed clothes. 

READY, SET, GO!

The Little Black Dress is a legend because all that you need is a piece of statement jewelry, a gorgeous jacket, a clutch or handbag, and your favorite heels. It can be adapted for every event in life,from PTA meetings to a girl's night out. When is the last time you updated your LBD? What is your favorite way to style your LBD? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag: #MWLBD

Meet Kamela Hurley, founder of Madison and White and mother of two children under the age of four. She was born and raised in Southern California. 

1. YOU ARE WHAT YOU DRINK & EAT

Growing up in Southern California, I was blessed to have a family that ate foods mostly grown from local farms. However, by the time I reached high school I had discovered fast food. By the time I reached the age of seventeen, my doctor told me that I had high cholesterol that was mostly triggered from sugar-ladden sodas and daily lunch trips to fast food joints. I had acne. I wasn't overweight, because I was young and participated in competitive sports, but my doctor said I had to make a change or face serious consequences in the future. It was shocking to me but it would take several years for me to really make a lifestyle change.  After high school, I kept up with the bad lifestyle choices and became overweight. It was when I was introduced to yoga at university that I made a significant lifestyle change. I took time to consider what I was eating, where it came from, and its impact on me and the environment. I became a vegetarian for the next seven years (until I met my husband) and I even spent a year living a raw diet. The weight melted away and my acne cleared up. My skin was glowing and I took pride in being me. The best advice I can offer is to eat as well as you can, drink water, and skip fast food always. In addition, to that advice I want to also mention moderation is the best in any situation. I love wine and mixed drinks like the next girl, but not every night and not to the point I'm wasted. Here are some books that I personally recommend as a way to help kick start some changes:

The Beauty Diet: Looking Good Has Never Been So Delicious by Lisa Drayer

The Perricone Prescription by Nicholas Perricone

2. WAKEUP AND MAKEUP.

For many years, I was a true Cali hippy. I loved yoga, long days spent in nature-the beach for certain, and I didn't wear makeup. As I grew older, I discovered the joy of using makeup and particularly during my first pregnancy when makeup was one of the few things that made me feel better. From department stores to drugstores to organic labels, I tried it all. I can say that along the way I learned that wearing just a little bit of makeup to enhance my features lifted my spirits and made me feel more confident. I also found that when I applied makeup that I was also nurturing some personal space to dream and image a positive future. So even if you have never worn makeup in your life, I encourage you to experiment. Taking time to appreciate your beauty is one of the best beauty hacks available.

3. GET YOUR BEAUTY REST

It took years to learn how to eat well and feel great wearing makeup. It took about the same time to learn how much sleep I needed to feel I was functioning at my best. Of course, there were the late night parties or early morning traveling that just couldn't be avoided, but setting a schedule that work on an everyday basis was much harder. It actually became more difficult after having children. These days I acknowledge that some nights I just need to go to sleep and I do just that. Getting enough sleep is one the best beauty hacks that you can give to your body and reap the benefits overnight. 

Now, this post wouldn't be complete without mention of our Sleeping Beauty Kits. Our luxury satin pillowcases provide the luxury bedding experience, but our pillowcases are packed with benefits. Our pillowcases stop bedhead, reduce frizzy hair, and knock out those pesky sleep wrinkles, which contribute to lines and wrinkles. It's like sleeping with your hairdresser and aesthetician every single night of the week. It's an 8 hour treatment that works to benefit your hair and skin.

Boudoir Photography

Boudoir.Photography is a curated IG feed, of B&W photography, that features some of the hottest women and photographers working at the moment. This feed is going to help you reframe the things you can do at home. Yes, there are lots of half-naked ladies on the feed, but let it inspire you on new ways to seduce. Who knew a couch could be so sexy?

For Love and Lemons 

For Love and Lemons is an LA fashion brand that offers some of the most smouldering lingerie, swimwear, and dresses. You are going to rethink that morning cup of coffee. In fact, after viewing their feed...you might decide to skip coffee altogether and just stay in bed! 

Dita Von Teese

In case you are a tea drinker, we are happen to mention Dita Von Teese as being one of the sexiest Instagram accounts on Instagram. Her playful blend of subversion, pin-up, burlesque, and Hollywood glamour has had us hooked for years! We agree with her self professed claim as being the Official Instagram of Burlesque Queen. 

Monique of She Pole Dance Studio

Keeping our inspiration local, we are complete inspired by Monique_ShePoleDance. Although this account is private, send a request or better yet head to Monique's She Pole Dance studio to experience it firsthand. Monique inspires women to love their curves, express their sexy, shake that booty, and above all have fun at the same time. The benefits of learning pole dance isn't just a stronger core, but a more confident attitude...particularly behind closed doors.

Chanel Official 

Don't overlook Chanel Official. The images invoke primal reactions like desire, touch, seduction, and many other hallmarks that had us select this as one of the sexiest accounts on Instagrams. Even if you never plan to own a single thing by Chanel, don't let that stop you from getting some inspiration.

We hope that we have inspired you to look beyond your daily Instagram feed in order to discover something a bit sexier for this Valentine's Day celebrate. 

We also recommend these Instagram Hashtags for further exploration-but be warned this content isn't filter since hashtags are updated constantly:

• #kisstime
• #sexy
• #makeoutsesh
• #lovequotes
• #couplegoals
• #sexyquotes

An 80's pop star in corset, garters, and bustier might pop to mind when you think of lingerie. You might have even laughed at the idea of making lingerie an everyday essential. Yet, despite all the demands that woman have on their plate, we want to give you three reasons why you should try something other than a t-shirt bra and boy shorts.

EXPRESSION

Style isn't fashion. Okay...we don't want to launch into a huge debate, because what we just said, style isn't fashion, happens to be fighting words. Suffice it to say, Madison and White truly from the bottom of her heart believes that every single damn woman in the world is gorgeous. We also love that every single woman has a unique voice that expresses her own sense of style. So before we start crying about how awesome that mind-blowing concept is...let's crash land back to earth. Every. Day. Matters. When you take time to express your mood, you are celebrating your vision, ideas, and dreams. Wearing the same beige high brief panties just doesn't do justice.

PASSION

Passion, and this another concept where books have been written, doesn't just have to be bad romance novel.  We are totally smitten by Evgenia 2016 Collection because it includes so many variations on ideas of passion. Dress up your everyday lingerie as a bombshell sex kitten or, as your mood predicts, make it just a sensual experience that celebrates your gorgeous body and uniqueness. Okay, we had to include one corset, which in this case is actually a sexy version of shapewear and can be worn for more than just a one time romp in the bedroom.

EVERYDAY LUXURY

Deadlines. Meetings. Family. Hopes. Dream. Life Goals. Traffic jams. Life is complex. Most people, if anything like us, are lucky to get the laundry done. Yet, as much as we rise to the occasion to meet all of life challenges, we also remember that the world we live in is a physical one. We only have this moment and in this moment we should celebrate the bodies that we have. Reward yourself with things that feel good. We promise that when you take time to properly care for yourself that it is a necessity. When you care for yourself, you can then care for everything else that you love. Love is, after all, the ultimate everyday essential, so pull those undergarment on in the morning with heart.

Ladies in the US, the British lingerie company, Rigby and Peller has just launched at fancy malls somewhere near you. We expect that they will do very well. If at the end of this, you just want to get naked in bed-our pillowcases will give you a reason to do that. Our Holiday 2015 Collection is launching in October.

It's in the Eyes: Eyelash Extensions

Lady Gaga has been very grounded in her award show appearances lately, which leaves us studying her even more closely. We adored her mostly nude makeup, but it was the eyelashes that truly struck us as Hollywood bombshell. One of the amazing tricks floating around Hollywood to have beautiful eyelashes everyday is...no drumroll necessary...eyelash extensions. Although they can be on the pricey side with the average set costing between $150-$300, they do last from three to six weeks depending on the growth rate of your eyelashes, and a fill around $45 to $75.

Eyelash Extension

The eyelash extensions come in a variety of shapes, materials, and colors. Synthetic, silk, and mink eyelash extensions tend to be the most common materials to choose from and vary in price as well. The next consideration would be color and shape.    @London_Lash located in London, Ontario has recently been loving D-shape eyelashes. Here is a snap from her Instagram feed and we can't help but adore them too! Bombshell gorgeous! Imagine waking up every morning with eyelashes like those!

Taylor Schilling was breathtaking at the Emmy award show in her yellow dress and red lipstick...but notice how the whole look is balanced by her strong brows and perfectly shaped eyelashes.

Lola Lash Bar in Calgary, Winks Eyelash Boutique in Toronto, also offer eyebrow services to help compliment gorgeous eyelashes. With a bit of red lipstick, you are bombshell ready!

Feeling Timid? No Worries. You've Got Options.

If the idea is intimidating or you're on a budget, many eyelash extension artists also offer eyelash tinting, which help to darken eyelashes and lasts up to two months. There is also lash lift/perm that curls eyelashes. Lastly, why not try a set of false lashes? We recommend newbies take some time on the weekend to get comfortable with learning how to apply false lashes. We also recommend you watch this video to get an idea of how its done.

HOW TO CARE FOR EYELASH EXTENSIONS

We recommend that you follow all the tips that your lash artist provides when rendering your first set, but we have one other trick that will help stretch your dollar. Our Sleeping Beauty Kit help save eyelash extensions. The surface of our pillowcases allows eyelash extensions to glide easily across the surface as you sleep. Cotton pillowcases, no matter the thread count, can cause eyelashes to fall out sooner due to the fiber structure of cotton. 

1. The Romantic

2. The Minimalist

3.  The Bohemian

4. The Bombshell

Seductive. Intelligent. Sensual. What do you say intelligent? Yes! The bombshell might play the airhead but that is just intelligent means. Marilyn Monroe represents the essential archetype of the bombshell and she was extremely intelligent about how she worked her charm. The bombshell nightstand will borrow style elements from other styles but make it their own. If you are the bombshell, and your nightstand reflects your seductive nature, remember to celebrate that intelligence. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

5. The Preppy

THE BOTTOMLINE

5 WAYS TO SLEEP BETTER TONIGHT

Whatever quality of sleep that you got last night, today is the day to make it better! 

WORKOUT

Sleep Foundation has recently published the results of a new study that individuals that workout for at least 150 minutes a week felt more alert and sleep significantly better.  That breaks down to at least 30 minutes, five days a week, of heart-pumping physical activity. Fitness is also linked to helping reduce stress and we believe that's because this 30 minutes of fitness should be fun! Dance in your living room, take the dog for a walk, get out on a SUP board, better yet go to the park with the kids, or borrow them if you have to, and climb the playground equipment! It all counts as long as you focused on moving your body, You don't need a gym to get this done and you don't even need workout equipment to get it done, Popsugar created the "Anywhere Workout" schedule for the week. Give it a try and tweet us to let us know if its working...you might even win something if you do!

COLORING 

Let's get back to our roots. Think way back to those days in your childhood spent coloring. It turns out that adults are reclaiming the joy of coloring. We totally love this this as a wonderful way to unwind after work. 

EAT CLEAN

Nothing could inspire us more than Tosca Reno, who looks better in her mid fifties than she has in her whole life. She single-handedly started the Eat Clean movement and has proven that food doesn't have to be complicated to taste good. Try one week and you'll start to understand how removing fast and processed foods can impact your sleep. 

UNPLUG

We are as addicted to our electronics as the next person but if you want to sleep better tonight, then you have to unplug. Turn off phones, tablets, laptops, and TV at least two hours before going to bed. It's believed that the blue light that powers our electronics actually helps to wake our minds off. In fact, blue light therapy is used to help seasonal depression disorders and to help reset the internal harmony clock on when we naturally wake up and go to sleep. So stay clear of the blue light at night!

SCHEDULE IT

 Okay in a world that is overplayed and over scheduled, the last thing that seems important is scheduling the time you go to sleep, but studies indicate that going to sleep at the same time plays a vital role in the quality of your sleep. If you have to use an alarm in the morning to force you out of bed, then that is a sign that your sleep rhythms are off. You need to hit the sack earlier so that your body can start to wake up feeling more refreshed. Being on a schedule helps to ensure that healthy sleep patterns are established. We personally love the Sleep Cycle App  and it's the only time that our phones get near our bed. Of Course, an awesome night of sleep wouldn't be complete without mentioning our Silk and Satin Pillowcases! We are crushing hard on the simplicity of our Sand Dollar Satin Pillowcase. A classic that will transform how you sleep at night.

Life is hectic. Your vacation shouldn't be. With a little bit of organization and consideration, your vacation with small children can be great or at least not a disaster. As a mother of two children under the age of three, nothing could be worse than 5 hours stuck in an airplane. Without making you read more, here are my golden rules for traveling:

1. HAMMER THE PLAYGROUND. 

Nothing is more essential than hitting any playground you can before your flight. It might sound insane but if the airport isn't close to your home. Leave two hours early and hit a park. Let your kids go bananas. They have lots of energy to burn off on a regular day-on a day where a flight is involved they might have double the energy to burn. Go for any family activity where legs can stretch and arms can flap. We did this recently for our California adventure and it helped tons. We made time in our schedule to

2. SELECT YOUR SEATS.

Don't sit at the front of the plane where children meltdowns are center stage for the entire plane! Book your seats toward the back of the plane. Remember, families get to pre-board before the rest of the flight even if you aren't flying first class! If the flight attendants seem like their game is off, then approach them and negotiate. It's amazing how wonderful people, even attendants, can be.

3. BE KIND. DON'T WHINE.

Kids, even the young ones, always know. They know if you are happy, grumpy, and stressed. They are energy creatures so good at understanding you, that they should almost work for the circus. So...when Mamma and Dadda are upset and frazzled, they are too! No reason to get freaked out about taking a flight. Plan everything. Put together your wardrobe and then pull out two outfits to reduce on packing. Leave your house way early so you don't hit traffic and make your reward dinner at a sit down restaurant. We actually got to our recent flight four hours early. That sounds insane to do with kids, but the opposite was actually true! The entire airport was on relax mode. Security was a breeze! We were are LAX without having to wait for a single line!! That translated into a crazy cool and comfortable experience for the entire family! There weren't any people getting ruthless at the snack shop or a lack of seats near the gate. It was just easy, kind, and that meant our kids weren't whining! It's a win-win!

4. THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Since we had arrived early to our gate by an hour, maybe even an hour and a half, we found an open area that was going through renovations. I had flashbacks to Tom Hanks in Terminal. Wasn't this awesome?! We played tag around the chairs for forty-something minutes. Next up...ah, mamma had packed a yellow mini NFL football. We had a blast tossing the ball around and security never even arrested us! I don't recommend football when others are present but when the place is yours--go for it! Our three year old got tired, we pulled out travel pillows by Pacific Coast (which are now sold out but the most amazing pillows ever! We love Pacific Coast Pillow Inserts and been hooked since we stayed at a Starwood Hotel in Washington, DC. Looking for Pillow Inserts-that link has a great article to give you ideas!) So we kept playing as my three year old relaxed. We played in the airport right up to boarding. It was awesome fun--at least for being stuck in an airport

5. USE YOGA TO HELP YOUR ADULT MIND RELAX.

Children can be like the water that made the Grand Canyon. They teach us how to become better people. When in the midst of any struggle with children in which you get frustrated, angry, or tense, think about a different moment in which something had been difficult, like holding a yoga pose. You hold the yoga pose that is hard and challenging because it makes your mind, body, and spirit stronger! However, something that new people to yoga have to understand is that trying hard doesn't help you master the post. You have to, ahem, you are going to really hate this is you have young children, but you have to Let it Go! Let it Go! Let it Go! Acknowledge that it is tough to travel with kids, give yourself space to breathe and tell yourself that you are doing your best! It's only a flight. Once you land, forget everything that was difficult and remember-hey, you're on vacation!

It's a FACT! Our pillowcases work but don't take it from us! Take it from Jill Dunn and Marilyn Denis on CTV as they talked about Beauty Facts & Myths on May 9, 2015.