Happy Friday, Bare Beauties.  I can’t believe that it’s been a week since I was at the W.E.L.L. Summit in New York.  It was kind of a stretch for me to go; two of my bff’s are also having baby showers there this fall, (which I would not miss for the world) and we are also heading up north for Thanksgiving, and, fall is just busy AF in general, no?  Oh, yeah, and I’m pregnant and so, so tired.  It took me some time to convince myself that I needed to go, and then it took some more time to convince my family that I needed to go, but I got there, and I am so glad that I did.  It’s funny, as soon as I arrived on Friday morning for the welcome lunch, Sara Divello, author of Where in the Om am I, led us in a quick blessing and meditation.  She said, thank you, I recognize all that you did to be here.  I  recognize that you cleaned up your house, stocked it with food for your family, watered your plants, made childcare arrangements, laid out their clothes and pre-packed their lunch, took time off of work, budgeted to make the trip financially possible, got up extra early to make your flight – thank you.  I recognize the effort and sacrifices made to be here, and I know it wasn’t easy, and I thank you.  Y’all, I CRIED.  It was so nice to have a pat on the back that I didn’t even know I needed.  Right then and there, I knew I had made the right decision to attend the W.E.L.L. Summit, and I was so happy to be there.  I was obviously in need of some TLC and some time for myself.

Many trade shows focus on product and networking, and they are absolutely necessary, and I definitely get something out of them.  However, I usually feel a little bit of social anxiety, and I leave feeling like I didn’t speak to enough people, or say the right things, and I go home feeling somewhat depleted.  This was so different.  There was definitely time to network and seek out those you wanted to connect with, but W.E.L.L. Summit is more about filling your cup so that you have enough to give to the world, and you don’t end up empty.  It was a safe space to be truly open and ready to listen, learn, grow and even make friends.  If you are interested in physical, spiritual and mental wellness, go.  If you are at a crossroads, creative, or otherwise, and feel stuck, go.  If you love nutrition, meditation, yoga and Clean beauty, and want to know more, go!  I learned so much, and I left feeling empowered and positive and grateful and inspired.  To read more about the speakers, breakout sessions, and workshops, click here.  I’ll be filling you in more on which breakout sessions I attended and which speakers and industry leaders I found most helpful and interesting, but I just wanted to gush a lil’ about this special conference.

Yesterday, I was featured on one of my favorite mama websites, Shop Buru.  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the founder, Morgan Hutchinson, a few times.  She is a gem and a real go-getter with lots of positive energy to spare.  When Morgan had her first child, Olive, she quickly realized that there was a void in the market: there was nowhere to find fashionable clothes that you can also nurse in.  I know the feeling!  I think all I wore were big button-down shirts for months when I was breastfeeding.  Morgan has created a shop that features chic clothes that can be worn before, during and after nursing, and she inspires me to try a little harder to up my #momstyle.  She recently interviewed me about motherhood and asked me to pick my favorite pieces from her shop.  Read the interview here, and shop my picks here.

Last, I wanted to let you know that one of my favorite haircare lines, AHNESTI, is on sale at 15% OFF at The Choosy Chick!  (Use Coupon Code AHNESTISAVE15)

Ahnesti Uplifting Shampoo and Conditioner are the perfect “weekday” shampoo and conditioner duo.  You know, a shampoo and conditioner that nourish, moisturize and protect your hair and keep it in great shape, but still give you a good hair-day.  Ahesti Uplifting shampoo provides a seriously luxurious lather – the kind you sometimes long for if you’ve already switched over to Green haircare.  (Green shampoos are known for being low-lather compared to conventional shampoos, which contain the same harsh surfactants that you wash your car with.)  And, the scent is clean and fresh and “salon-y” (think Biolage, only the scent is natural, not synthetic).  I found that Ahnesti Uplifting conditioner is a little on the rich side for being of the “volumizing” variety, so I use just a small amount on the lower half of my hair.  However, my normally-super-tangly wet hair barely needs a comb-through after the shower.  That never happens to me.  Ever.  And, if you have extra-dry, brittle hair, Ahnesti has a Replenishing shampoo and conditioner duo, too.

I also really like Ahnesti Eterniti Hair and Scalp Refresher.  This unique product is perfect for after a workout, next-day-hair, or when there’s no time to re-wash hair after a long, hot day.  Unlike dry shampoo, which masks dirt and oil and leaves a film, Ahnesti’s hair and scalp refresher actually cleanses hair, restoring volume, shine and manageability.  So, how does it work?  Ahnesti Eternity Hair and Scalp Refresher is a cleansing refresher-spray.  Organic Lavender Alcohol (made from lavender essential oil and grain) is a non-flammable, color-safe purifier and deodorizer that won’t strip or damage hair.  Coco Glucoside is a surfactant derived from coconut oil and fruit sugar that cleanses the scalp and adds texture to hair.  Rice Extract helps hair retain moisture, preventing fly-aways.  This is such a cool formula.

That’s all for this week.  I hope you have a great weekend!

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