Ways To Show Yourself Some Love — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
As a collective, we tend to make a huge deal about Valentine’s Day, a holiday meant to celebrate affection-filled relationships with others — particularly spouses and life partners, significant others, paramours, and crushes. Some eagerly post photos of the floral bouquets and heart-shaped balloons they received on their Instagram feeds, gushing about how lucky they are to receive these tokens of appreciation, while others take to Facebook to write lengthy posts (complete with photo collages) that detail their years-long relationships . For every person who appreciates Valentine’s Day, however, there’s another who virulently loathes the day — hence the rise of T-shirts emblazoned with messages like “Cupid is Stupid” and “Love Blah Blah Blah Drink” or, for that matter, heart-shaped cookies decorates with phrases like “Love Stinks” and “Go Away.” And then there are those (like myself) who don’t give the day too much thought since, after all, love is something that should be expressed year-round. Whatever your thoughts on V-Day, the fact is, we expend a lot of energy just thinking about this holiday. So, while contemplating the idea of Valentine’s Day this year, I found myself wondering why we make such a huge fuss about celebrating romantic connections and yet we don’t do much to toast self-love. And isn’t self-love the most important foundation? After all, as RuPaul so wisely says when closing our every single episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”
With that in mind, then, I decided to play upon the idea of February being the month of love in order to encourage all of you to shower yourselves some TLC! To that end, then, I made an appearance on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” to dish about the many ways you can pamper and love yourself.
Read on for some ideas and check out the segment here!
UPGRADE YOUR NIGHTTIME ROUTINE WITH OLAY BODY’S PREMIUM RETINOL COLLECTION
Ladies, body care is the new skincare! After all, we’ve managed to create and maintain elaborate 5- and 7-step regimens to keep our complexions dewy, clear, and radiant, so it’s time to stop neglecting the skin below the neck. Luckily, Olay is making it easy to elevate your bodycare routine with the launch of two luxurious products that contain retinol, a high-end ingredient typically found in facial care products that’s known to stimulate cellular turnover and boost collagen synthesis, transforming skin and giving it a healthier and more vibrant appearance.
To feel even more confident in the skin you’re in, check out the Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash with Retinol ($7.99 at most major retailers) and the Olay Nighttime Rinse-Off Body Conditioner With Retinol ($7.99 at most major retailers), a two-step system designed for nighttime use. Before bed, shower with the Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash With Retinol, creating a rich lather, then rinse the cleanser off and reach for the the Olay Nighttime Rinse-Off Body Conditioner. You can then smooth the body conditioner onto skin and rinse as indicated, which will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Not only do these dermatologist-approved products leave skin feeling revitalized immediately after use, but they work as you sleep to renew and moisturize skin overnight, so you can wake up to more vibrant and healthier-looking skin.
PAMPER YOURSELF AT SKINSPIRIT AUSTIN
When is the last time you treated yourself to a professional facial? If you can’t recall, it’s time to book one STAT!
At SkinSpirit Austin, you can treat yourself to some top-notch pampering — whether you’re game for a dermaplaning treatment, chemical peel, microneedling session, or a dermal filler treatment with Restylane or Juvederm.
SkinSpirit is the number one provider of Botox and dermal fillers in the U.S, and it offers award-winning facials, as well as cutting-edge skin-rejuvenation and body treatments – all performed by expert practitioners to deliver natural-looking results
Founded in California in 2003, SkinSpirit is a pioneer in aesthetic face and body treatments. The business now incorporates 17 spa and clinic locations throughout California, Texas, Washington, and Utah — among them a new downtown Austin location that opened in 2020.
SkinSpirit Austin is located at 405 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 110, in Downton Austin’s Market District and you can book an appointment by calling 737.255.8200 or visiting SkinSpirit.com. Right now, when you call SkinSpirit Austin to book a treatment and mention “We Are Austin,” you’ll receive a $50 gift card for yourself and a $50 gift card for a friend, which you can use on any services offered.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED WITH A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DIVORCE CASE
No one fantasizes about getting married and having it end in divorce, right? Even the most amicable of conscious un-couplings can be emotionally taxing for all involved. Extricating yourself from a shared life with someone and learning how to start anew can feel daunting and bring up seemingly conflicting emotions that range from relief, elation, and excitement to grief, anger, disappointment, and anxiety. During this hard transitional periods, then, it’s absolutely paramount to focus on self-care, healing, and fostering a sense of optimism about the future.
And that’s what The Divorce Case aims to accomplish. The Divorce Case is a monthly subscription box and online community designed for women who are going through or have gone through a divorce. It was created by Lauren Peacock, a relationship expert and best-selling author who went through a divorce herself. Drawing from her own experiences, Peacock carefully curates these packages, hand-picking items that encourage divorcees to feel empowered and focus on the positive next steps in their lives. Every monthly box includes 5-7 self-care items, which can range from scented candles and hand creams to journals, engraved corkscrews, cocktail-inspired jelly beans, chocolate bars, lavender-scented bath salts, funny cocktail napkins, and more. Not only will you get a surprise in the mail each month but, with your subscription to The Divorce Case, you’ll enjoy access to a weekly self-help column penned by Lauren Peacock herself and you’ll be part of a members-only online community for divorcees.
You can pick between a 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, or year-long subscription plan, with prices starting at $49.99/month. Visit TheDivorceCase.com to subscribe!
SAY IT —AND WEAR IT — LOUD WITH #HASHTAGBYT
You can give yourself words of affirmation — and wear them too! — with some comfy threads from #HashtagbyT. If you’re well past your 20s and you feel like you’re thriving and on your glow up, then pick up the #AginginReverse Women’s Cropped Hoodie ($50 at MshakaMedia.com) or the #AginginReverse T-shirt ($25 at MshakaMedia.com).
And that’s not all. With #HashtagbyT, you can express your thoughts and feelings succinctly but powerfully. Want to show your family and friends how much you appreciate them? Then peep the #MyFamilyIsDope and #MyFriendsAreDope styles available. Want to make an impactful statement on the current pandemic and the need to follow experts’ guidelines on mask-wearing, social distancing, and quarantining? The pick up an #OutsideIsClosed or a #MaskorVentilator T-shirt. Your words are powerful –whether you’re uttering them, writing them, or wearing them — and these T-shirts are a great reminder of that truth.
Launched last September, #HashtagByT is the brainchild of Thembisa S. Mshaka, an award-winning writer, producer, filmmaker, voice actor, and activist, and entertainment branding specialist. Mshaka has worked on advertising and creating campaigns for such musical legends as Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Prince, George Michael, and Jill Scott, and she’s earned 6 Voice Arts Awards nominations for her work as the voice of WNBA, Publix, and the Women of Team USA/NBC Sports. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mshaka found herself yearning for ways to keep her creative juices flowing, and she found herself thinking about the positive reactions her clever and poignant hashtags elicited throughout different social media platforms. Soon enough, this “Aha!” moment turned into a business venture, and Mshaka began using her wordsmith skills to create wearable art via #HashtagbyT.
You can find a vast assortment of #HashtagbyT pieces at MshakaMedia.com
FOSTER A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT WITH WALL ART FROM IKONICK WOMEN
Surround yourself with positivity — right down to the artwork hanging on your walls — with some standout pieces from Ikonick Women. Created to inspire and empower, the Ikonick Women collection incorporates striking canvas art with positive messages, quotes, and designs that function as daily self-worth reminders. Take, for instance, the “Note To Self” canvas shown second above, which lists 7 mood-lifting, confidence-boosting affirmations ranging from “I am Strong” to “I am Grateful.” Similarly, the “Know Your Worth” canvas ( pictured last above) features these three insightful words emblazoned atop a pink background that’s meant to resemble a gift bag — right down to the three-dimensional ribbon handle.
With their modern and simple aesthetic and their positive sentiments, these pieces will infuse some good energy into your home or office. Plus, all pieces are handmade in the U.S. and they’re eco-friendly, featuring UL Ecologo and UL Greenguard Gold certified 1 water-based HP latex inks. Moreover, they’re very reasonably priced, with prices starting at just $90 at Ikonick.com/women
SNACK SMARTER WITH CORE FOODS’ CORE BARS
Eating is a necessity, but eating healthy is an art. And we can all be accomplished artists with the help of CORE Bars, which make the art of healthy eating easy and convenient. Made by CORE Foods, these plant-based, organic, refrigerated bars provide superior nutrition and immune support thanks to a combination of probiotics (healthy bacteria that boost gut health and fortify the immune system) and prebiotic fiber (which help good bacteria thrive).
CORE Bars’ main line consists of six delicious flavors like Peanut Butter Chocolate, Blueberry Banana Almond, and Dark Chocolate Cherry. They may taste as yummy as a candy bar, but they’re packed with nutrients and constitute an excellent source of fiber and protein, plus they contain no added sugars.
CORE Bars retail for $2.99 each or $19.99 for an 8-pack, and they’re available at CoreFoods.com, as well as in the produce and dairy section of retailers like Target, CVS, and Walmart.
PRIORITIZE WELLNESS WITH VIT SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements can be a great way to make sure we receive all the nutrients we need, but the truth is not all supplements are created equal. Many supplements contain eyebrow-raising additives that detract from their purported benefits — whether it’s the artificial colors and flavors, sugar, and sugar alcohols in chewable gummy and jelly bean vitamins or the filler ingredients in capsules that only serve to make them look more enticing to consumers (these additives can include magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, and propylene glycol, to name a few).
For benefit-focused supplements you can trust, check out vit, which specializes in optimally-dosed, highly bioavailable formulas that address and support a variety of individual health needs — whether you’re looking to lower your stress levels, strengthen your immune system, or improve your productivity and concentration.
Vit’s supplements feature clean, quality ingredients in plant-based softgels. All vit products are non-GMO and made without synthetic colors, artificial flavors, preservatives or fillers. Plus, each 30-day supply is just $10 and the recommended dosage is a single pill daily, so vit supplements are designed to make wellness simple, affordable and accessible to all.
There are 5 supplement varieties: the immune-boosting Pocketful of Sunshine, which combines Vitamin D3 and energizing lemon, orange, rosemary and clove essential oil; In the Zone, which provides prolonged energy and boosts productivity with a blend of ginseng, gotu kola, and natural caffeine from green coffee beans and green tea extracts; Cloud Nine, which is formulated with B vitamins and adaptogens like ashwagandha, eleuthero and schisandra that improve the body’s response to daily physical and mental stressors; Hearts & Minds, which promotes healthy heart and brain function with pure, sustainable Omega-3 fish oil, EPA and DHA; and Beyond Gorgeous, which is formulated with 5,000 mcg of biotin, as well as vitamin C and argan oil to moisturize and strengthen your hair, skin and nails.
Pick these up on Amazon.com
GET THE REST YOU NEED WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM SAATVA
Did you know 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep? And women are about 1.5 times more likely than men to have insomnia and other sleep-related challenges that can, in turn, lead to short-term problems like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability and trouble remembering things, and which can result in long-term health issues like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and more. To safeguard your health and live your best life, then, it’s important to get the recommended amount of shut-eye every evening. One way to embark on the journey toward better sleep involves investing in transforming your bedroom into a haven of relaxation and comfort.
To transform your bedroom into a sleep oasis, look to Saatva, the largest online retailer of luxury, made-to-order mattresses in the US. The company is headquartered in NYC and in Austin, and it offers 7 different types of mattresses – from its bestselling and chiropractor-approved innerspring, to its never-boxed, supportive memory foam to its adjustable air mattress that has 50 firmness settings.
Their newest model is the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress, a 100% natural and organic latex hybrid mattress that combines the buoyant, pressure-free support of natural latex with the responsive innerspring feel people love. Handcrafted using natural, non-toxic materials, it boasts a medium firmness that supports 95% of sleepers — whether you’re a back sleeper, side sleeper, or a combination of both. Plus, the sustainably sourced latex is naturally hypoallergenic, free of harmful chemicals, and boasts antimicrobial properties, so it resists dust mites, mold and mildew.
In addition to luxurious yet affordable mattresses, Saatva offers cozy top-of-bed products like its plush Organic Weighted Blanket ($295 at Saatva.com), a diamond-quilted, 100% organic cotton velvet blanket that provides gentle, even pressure, creating a sensation of being hugged that’s soothing and calming.
Lastly, to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud, check out the Saatva hypoallergenic Down Alternative Pillow, which features a soft, breathable 100% organic cotton cover. The pillow is made with microdenier down alternative fibers that create mciro air pockets for a plush feel, while spring-like memory fiber clusters offer greater support and durability.
Through April 16th, CBS Austin viewers can visit Saatva.com/cbsaustin to receive a $225 credit on any order of $1000 or more.
KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP WITH BEACON40
For overall health and wellness, you need to show your brain some love too — and I’m not talking about doing more crossword puzzles or solving Sudokus on a daily basis! BEACON40 is a beacon of hope in the quest for long-lasting cognitive health. Designed to help improve mental acuity, memory and attention, BEACON40 is a revolutionary wellness device that stimulates the brain’s activity by delivering pulses of 40Hz light.
While researching the effects of light therapy on Alzheimer’s patients, MIT neuroscientists discovered that flickering light shone into patients’ eyes induced gamma oscillation in their brains. In other words, their work showed that pulsating light can stimulate the brain to function at a healthy gamma rhythm (a healthy brain has a gamma frequency of 40 Hz). That’s why BEACON40 was precisely engineered to deliver lights pulsing at 40Hz, mirroring the brain’s healthy gamma rhythm and improving cognitive function. Though it’s particularly beneficial for those grappling with Alzheimer’s and dementia, BEACON40 can benefit absolutely anyone, improving focus and concentration — all of which is so important right now when so many of us are working from home and juggling family and kids!
Not only is this device effective, but it’s safe, silent, and non-invasive. You can just sit comfortably with the BEACON40 lights in your peripheral view and reap the device’s benefits while going about your daily routine – whether you’re working, reading, or watching TV.
BEACON40 lighting kits start at $249 at HomeoLux.com
