places

Written by Denise Hooper

Filed under

beauty blog, makeup artist, wellness

HANGOUTS~Beauty, Wellness & Lifestyle

Oct 25, 2020

Written by Denise Hooper

Currently crushing on~MORE COMING SOON

Everyone is always asking me for recommendations on beauty, wellness and travel so I decided to start a list of all of my favorites, all the places I want to try, all of my instagram FOMO moments and where I hangout frequently.

FACIALS~

See the blog post about TAKE CARE~A serene little Venice studio with an array of self care options including-Microcurrent facial, Stem Cell, LED, Microneedling, yoga and meditation. @takecare.bodymind

Next stop FACE GYM~Had to see what all the hype was about. I had a headache and dark circles so a face massage sounded amazing. It really was like a face workout. I chose the Signature Sculpt ~Improves lymphatic drainage, lifts and tones, stimulates circulation and contours...yes please! My esthetician used all kinds of tools including a little fitness ball. The cold gua sha tools felt amazing. I left with glowing skin and a definite improvement in my dark circles. They recommend once a week which would be dreamy if I had the time. I will definitely treat myself again. Next up the Cryo Contour. The products smell amazing especially the cleanser and the Youth Reformer Serum with Palo Santo. I would also recommend the Collagen Cream and if you really want to splurge-get the PURE LIFT FACE tool. See you again soon @facegym

BEAUTY PRODUCTS~ I am a Makeup Artist for my Day Job and I get asked all the time about Oils, Mascara, Foundations and Favorite skincare. Here are my most recent favs list.

SERUMS~
Vintners Daughter
Herbivore Orchid
Uma oil
Everyday Oil
NUCIFERA~Balm, Serum and Mist

Holistic Ranch~

Face Gym~Youth Reformer Serum (with my fav Palo Santo)

FOUNDATION~
RMS
Westman Atelier
Merit
Kjaer Weis liquid and solid
Vapour
Ilia
MASCARA~
Loreal Voluminous OG favorite

RMS beauty~doesn't irritate and comes off easily

BLUSH~

Saie, Merit (Beverly Hills), RMS, Westman Atelier, Kjaer Weis, Manasi7, Alima Pure (HOPE is my fav so far) Glossier (cloud paints) Ilia, Vapour (Hush for cheeks and lips is a new fav)

SKINCARE~

Moisturizer~Ranavat Bakuchi Creme

Mist~LUA Rose Mint toner

Nucifera~The Mist

Sunscreen~Unseen by Supergoop

Poppy & Someday~Sea and Sun Shield

Eye Cream~Kjaer Weis , Saint Jane Beauty, Goldfaden MD

BODY CARE~

Deodorant ~Corpus Naturals
Nucifera~Balm, Everyday Oil, Uma

Glossier~Body wash

BOOKSHELF~Currently reading

HOW TO RULE THE WORLD FROM YOUR COUCH-Laura Day

MEDICAL MEDIUM-Celery Juice, Thyroid Healing & Liver Rescue

SARA GOTTFRIED-The Hormone Cure & Younger

AMY MEYERS-The Autoimmune Solution

Design the Life you Love~

BODY TREATMENTS~On repeat

SURYA SPA~My favorite place to hangout. I discovered Martha years ago. I've done Panchakarama (their signature week long treatment) off and on for about 13 years. This is the best treatment I can recommend if you need a restart for your body and mind. Words almost can't describe the feeling after spending 5-7 days at Surya. Blog coming soon. You can find them at the Proper Hotel in Santa Monica

@suryaspaayurveda

POPPY & SOMEDAY~

See the Places blog post on this hidden gem in Laurel Canyon. It's simply magical. @poppyandsomeday

Favorite products~ Sekhmet Salt Scrub, Sea and Sun Shield and the Marfa Moon Soap

LIFESTYLE~Always reading

GOOP @goop

WELL & GOOD @iamwellandgood

CHALKBOARD MAGAZINE @thechalkboardmag

INSTAGRAM HANGOUTS~Currently stalking

@devolkitchens What kitchen dreams are made of

@thepsychologieofhome Inspiration found

@astylistguide Beautiful color palettes

@mich_woods Dreamy goods & spaces

@sfgirlbybay Always cool with a dreamy abode

PODCASTS~Driving LA traffic

TO BE MAGNETIC @tobemagnetic

Written by Denise Hooper

The Magical Wonderland of Poppy & Someday

May 09, 2020

Written by Denise Hooper

Welcome to the magical wonderland of Poppy & Someday

Poppy & Someday has been on my radar for years. I met Kari at little markets around LA and of course followed her on Instagram. Being a Makeup Artist and a product junkie, I've always been drawn to her clean products. I finally made an appointment and headed up the hills of Laurel Canyon. Had I not just driven myself up the canyon, I would've thought I arrived in Provence or some other magical corner of France. That was my first thought..my second thought was why the hell did I wait so long to experience this heavenly place. The house is like a french cottage with a beautiful outdoor shop space. Here you may find Kari crafting pottery or magical essences for the Poppy & Someday apothecary line. You might feel like you're sneaking into someone's sacred space, yet you're welcome here in this sunshine filled wildflower wonderland with birds chirping and magic in the air. It really is a perfectly perfect sanctuary.

The treatments range from 1-2 hours and then you absolutely must languish in the tub with a cup of tea, hop over to the infra red sauna, the steam room and then back to the tub if you so desire. This is some serious FOMO-I can't believe it took me so long to book an appointment, but once I was here ..I never wanted to leave!

THE PROPRIETRESS OF THIS MAGICAL PLACE~Kari Jansen is an Herbalist,

masseuse and Ayurvedic Practitioner. I would add magical human to her resume as well. She studied herbalism and turned her passion for gardening and wildcrafting into a business with Poppy & Someday. Kari is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute of America, The Dhyana Center, California School of Herbal Studies and also holds a B.S. in Health and Nutrition.

THE PRODUCTS

The magic of wild harvested plant medicine~

Every product is handcrafted, sun infused and lovingly made with many of the herbs grown on the property. The Organic oils and potions are rooted in Ayurveda and Western Herbalism with a focus on plant ingredients. All of the products are made by hand in the canyon with no fillers, chemicals or toxins. The magical face cream is seriously magic with Rose hip oil, cocoa butter, neroli and frankincense. The Apothecary is filled with all kinds of tinctures, creams, mists, salt scrubs and an array of magical must haves. Head to her site to shop~

THE TREATMENTS~

Shirodhara~You've probably seen or heard about Shirodara. A magical, restful and restorative treatment, where herbal infused oil is poured continuously over the forehead. The treatment calms the nervous system, relieves stress and brings a feeling of contentment like you've never felt. Benefits include relief of headaches and tension, it can also regulate moods and alleviate depression. Trust me-You will fall into a state of zen and seriously pray it never ends.

Lymphatic Ayurvedic Massage~The lymphatic system is the body's natural detoxification system. The massage technique is designed to drain toxins, strengthen the immune system, boost circulation and bring balance to the body and mind. You will be treated to hot rocks, steam, herbal infused oils, Gua Sha, Aromatherapy, along with other delights. This massage choice would be a great way to enter the realm of Ayurvedic healing as each treatment is customized to the clients individual needs. Do you kind of feel like shit but you don't know why...you probably need a cleanse and a drain.

Abhyanga & Swedena Massage~

You will begin your treatment with the sweat and steam therapy of Swedena. which will be followed by the traditional Ayurvedic massage~ Abhyanga. The Abhyanga is a rejuvenating massage based on Ayurvedic principles with the therapist/s applying warm oil in a rhythmic flow. This treatment is designed to assist the body in healing along with creating balance in the mind, body and spirit.

Gua Sha Facial~ This was my first Gua Sha facial and I chose this treatment because..well my face "needed" it but also I was in the mood to try something new. I am pretty familiar with the Art of Ayurveda and try to do a Panchakarma cleanse at least once a year. ( a traditional Ayurvedic cleanse to detoxify, rejuvenate and strengthen the immune system-At Surya Spa in LA. I'll talk about them in another post) Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old holistic healing ritual that originated in India. If you haven't experienced Ayurvedic treatments or the way of life, I suggest looking into it. I would start here with any of the first three treatments on this list, you'll be hooked. It can be life changing and I really don't think there is anything that compares to Ayurveda if you are wanting to go deep into a healing journey.

The Gua Sha facial is incredibly restorative and aids in deep relaxation and renewal. This facial is recommended to reduce puffiness and inflammation, combat fine lines, dark circles, clears stagnation and bonus-it lifts sagging skin. The dark circles I've been plagued with recently disappeared after one treatment just from releasing the sinus. You can read the whole description on all of the lovely benefits of this facial and the rest of her treatments on her website-linked below.

The amazement does not end on the table, because after your treatment you are welcome to relax in the outside garden. Grab your lovely robe (from the Odd Bird Company-one of our favs) and your slippers and head outside. The healing continues in a gorgeous flower filled claw foot bathtub, steam room and infrared sauna. The birds chirping and drinking out of the pretty fountain come free. You will feel restored, nourished, beautiful and beyond relaxed.

THAT BATHTUB~It really is as glorious and restorative as it looks in photos!!

That bathtub awaits you with sea salts, a cup of tea and flowers. You will be very content sitting in your warm tub, meditating, relaxing and contemplating how you will convince Kari that she needs a roommate.

THE SPACE~This hidden gem is tucked away off Laurel Canyon and just a short drive from almost anywhere in LA, but worlds away once you arrive. Kari will greet you from her little office/pottery studio/apothecary. The whole vibe is quaint, inviting and peaceful.

You will be led to a beautiful room in an adjacent little cottage which overlooks that incredible bathtub and the garden. Here you will leave the world behind and be immersed in the healing tranquility of the space and Kari's hands.

Find all the information you need to book an appointment below or follow her IG page for inspiration, daydreaming and some serious FOMO~

website-poppyandsomeday.com

IG~poppyandsomeday

Just go..don't wait 5 years!! I can't wait to go back~

Written by Denise Hooper

hangouts

Mar 12, 2020

Written by Denise Hooper

MORE COMING SOON....

BEAUTY~WELLNESS~FOMO~FIELD NOTES

Currently crushing on~.TESS ADAMS HOLISTIC WELLNESS

FACIALS~ Do you ever feel like FOMO when looking at all of the wellness & beauty posts on IG? Well I do..so I have started a search for the Fountain of Youth. My first stop was Take Care in Venice. I heard about Tess and Sadie on the Podcast-To be Magnetic. So far I have been two times but since we are on lockdown, my Fountain of Youth quest came to a screeching halt. I am now doing beauty treatments at home and having lots of time to write about travels & daydream of future beauty treatments. For now I'll share a little about Micro current and Micro needling.

Tess is an expert at both. Upon meeting her I knew I was in good hands. The studio matches her vibe...very laid back, calm, nurturing and inviting.

MICRO CURRENT FACIAL~They had me at "Natural Facelift" Micro current is a safe and painless facial that firms, softens fine lines, reduces puffiness, tightens pores and increases circulation. Micro current is a low level electric current that mirrors the body's own natural waves. This treatment not only energizes the skin and muscle cells but also helps in lymphatic drainage, regeneration, re-educating all while creating healthier skin. You can see the difference after one treatment especially the brow lift and jaw line. The whole experience is quite relaxing. You are surrounded by crystals to help balance and clear energies and calmed by a warm biomat, which is really a treatment on it's own. Next time I will try the body patches which slim, tone and break up cellulite.

You will definitely leave feeling relaxed and glowing.

MICRO NEEDLING~

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment in which tiny punctures are created in the skin using micro-fine needles. This triggers the body's wound healing process, stimulating collagen and elastin production. During the process they use a topical application of antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, organic vitamins and minerals to enhance the experience.

I was a little nervous with this one because I wasn't sure how my skin would react or if it would hurt or how I would look on Monday morning at work. Tess has a way of calming you and I had the utmost trust in her hands. It didn't hurt. I figured I had survived a series of Fraxel treatments so I would be ok. I didn't look crazy, in fact no one even noticed. Can't wait to try it again.

Take Care offers an array of skincare and other delights including Stem Cell, Microdermabrasion, LED light therapy, Meditation, Oxygen, Human Design & so much more. Info below~

https://www.takecarebody.com

Located in Venice at 1733 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

IG @takecare.bodymind

IG @tessadamsbeauty

Written by Denise Hooper

SAN MIGUEL de ALLENDE

Feb 14, 2020

Written by Denise Hooper

Daydreaming of a trip to San Miguel?

My packing recommendations for San Miguel= Camera!! You will stop for photos at every little nook and cranny. There is so much color, architecture, light and inspiration in this town. My second must=SHOES!! Pack according to the most comfortable shoes you own. I always pack an assortment of flowy dresses to wear with sneakers. Once you start seeing women twist their ankles on the cobblestones, you will rethink those sexy shoes you have on and go back to your casa for some sneakers...trust me. I am always stalking cute cafes and Centro does not disappoint with the cute & delicious. You'll find art galleries, boutiques and all kinds of beauty in non-descript courtyards and side streets. Hopefully you will witness a magical wedding parade.. We were lucky to see a few with Mariachi bands and the infamous Mojiangas (giant 15ft tall puppets) a tradition in San Miguel. These moments were really a highlight of our stay, like a fairy tale. You may rethink your wedding plans and head to San Miguel!!

TAKE THESE ALONG-

Journal~ https://www.daydreamerswanted.com/collections/nomad-love/products/wanderlust-swept-away-journal

Tote/Backpack ~ https://www.daydreamerswanted.com/collections/mercado-love/products/backpack-tote-by-era

Poncho~https://www.daydreamerswanted.com/collections/mercado-love/products/poncho-1

Camera strap~https://www.daydreamerswanted.com/collections/nomad-love/products/lovebirds-camera-strap

A curated little guide ~

SLEEP~ It's really hard to decide where to stay in SMDA. There are magical villas on airbnb and lovely quaint hotels everywhere. I get FOMO so I usually stay in a couple of places. The last time I was there I checked out an airbnb and stayed at Casa No Name and Amparo. You will not be disappointed with a stay in either of these hotels. Just make sure you check the location of your home stay. Many are up in neighborhoods adjacent to Centro. This will mean walking up and down hills everyday unless you take a taxi. Like I said....sneakers!!

Amparo @amparosma

Casa No Name @casa_noname

Airbnb by @mynomadic.journey

CAFE CRUSH~

Don Taco Tequila @dontacotequila (vegan)

Inside Cafe~@insidecafe.mx

Tosteveresma @tosteveresma

Nectar~ @nectarencaminosilvestre

Garambullo @garambullo_fondagourmet

Explore Doce 18 Concept House~@birdiesburgers

COFFEE~

Kibok @kibokcoffeebar (absolute favorite)