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Beauty Fitness Health Lifestyle Travel

The Only Holiday Gift Guide You’ll Need in 2020

December 6, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

the only holiday gift guide you'll need in 2020

Whether it feels like it or not, the holidays are here. I know for me, it still feels like March (thanks pandemic/COVID-19). Luckily though, the holidays can be a happy time, full of love and cheer. And although this year definitely looks different, and many of us won’t be traveling to see our family and friends, that doesn’t mean we can’t think of our loved ones and surprise them with a gift!

I love gift giving (is that cliché to say?). I especially love when the recipient doesn’t know they’re getting a gift. I put a lot of thought into what I choose for each person, and I’ve done plenty of research on 2020’s top gifts. To save you some time, I’m sharing some of these gifts with you! Whether they’re things you want to gift to loved ones, or things you want to gift yourself (hello self-care), there’s something for everyone on this list. Enjoy!


FITNESS + WELLNESS

  • NOURISHED Vitamins

Nourished Vitamins are multivitamins that are made completely by YOU! There are 28 different vitamins to choose from. You pick the seven that you want (or you can take a quiz and get a stack built for you!), and your vitamin is 3D printed into a gummy! I love love love Nourished vitamins, because with most multivitamins, there are things that I don’t need, instead of the things I do need. But Nourished lets me choose! I built a stack geared toward mind, immunity, heart health, and hair growth. You get 28 gummies individually wrapped (with your name on the wrappers, how fun!), and can get monthly boxes auto sent to you when you’re running out.

Nourished Vitamin Stack blog review
Nourished multivitamin stack blog review holiday gift guide

**NOTE: the individual wrappers contain ZERO plastic, and they are compostable! I try my best to buy from companies that are eco-friendly, so Nourished is a win-win. The gummies are also sugar-free and vegan.

Nourished multivitamin stack blog review holiday gift guide

**DISCOUNT: First time customers receive 50% off a one-month subscription with code LAUNCH50 (or receive free shipping on a three-month subscription box) @ https://us.get-nourished.com!

  • Medterra CBD Oil

Medterra CBD oil (Cannabidiol oil) is probably the best gift you can give, because it has a plethora of uses! CBD can help alleviate things like pain, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s also recommended for overall well-being.

The Medterra CBD products I regularly take/use are: The Keep Calm and Sleep Tight gummies, Liposomal Good Morning capsules, 3000mg tincture, and the rapid cooling pain relief cream.

**DISCOUNT: Get 20% off your order by using code: lyndsay20 at medterracbd.com!

Medterra CBD oil gummies
Medterra CBD good morning capsules blog review

  • Dosha Mat

The Dosha Mat is an acupressure mat that can help everyone, and for so many different reasons! It’s perfect for those who suffer from migraines, depression, anxiety, sciatica pain and more. Get more info about it here!

dosha mat acupressure mat
  • Perfect Hydration

For all the water lovers in your circle, Perfect Hydration water is, well, perfect! Perfect Hydration is 9.5+ pH electrolyte enhanced water that works great for those who are active and on-the-go. People forget it’s not only water that we need to hydrate ourselves, we need electrolytes as well. The water is also alkaline, which means you’re getting essential minerals!

Perfect Hydration 9.5+ pH Electrolyte Enhanced Alkaline Drinking Water

  • Jumpstart Energy Shot

Jumpstart Energy Shots are perfect for those seeking more energy + better focus, especially if they’re on-the-go! Jumpstart is meant to be taken before workouts or sporting events because it boosts natural performance. It provides a healthy “pick-me-up”, as it gives you vitamins and nutrients without all the sugar. Get a 12-pack (regular or grape flavor) here!

Jumpstart energy shot for focus


TRAVEL

  • EGGTRONIC Laptop Power Bank
eggtronic laptop power bank holiday gift guide

For your loved ones who are always working while traveling, the EGGTRONIC Laptop Power Bank is a perfect gift! This power bank is a USB-C ultra fast battery pack that charges your laptops, phones, tablets, and any other USB-C and USB devices. It looks extra stylish with its canvas covering, and it’s slim enough to fit right in your bag!

eggtronic laptop power bank holiday gift guide


SELF-CARE

  • Alleyoop
pictured from top left: hold tight [setting spray], 11th hour in baby pearl [eyeshadow stick that I use as highlighter], pen pal 4-in-1, slow your roll in sage [aluminum-free deodorant], bottoms up [biodegradable body cleansing cloths]
pictured from top left: hold tight [setting spray], 11th hour in baby pearl [eyeshadow stick that I use as highlighter], pen pal 4-in-1, slow your roll in sage [aluminum-free deodorant], bottoms up [biodegradable body cleansing cloths]

Alleyoop is probably my favorite company ever. Based in Los Angeles, Alleyoop is a women-founded and women-run beauty company dedicated to taking care, not time. Their makeup and body care products are multifunctional, time-saving, compact, and TSA-approved. They’re all cruelty-free, as well as free of parabens, latex, aluminum, and phthalates. I honestly can’t say enough good things about Alleyoop!

**DISCOUNT: Right now, Alleyoop is having a promo where when you bundle 3 items, you get 15% off PLUS one of their BRAND NEW cosmetic bags! Use code: BYOB @ meetalleyoop.com!

the cosmetic case you get for free during alleyoop's current promo. use code BYOB. image borrowed from meetalleyoop.com
the cosmetic case you get for free during alleyoop’s current promo. use code BYOB. image borrowed from meetalleyoop.com

I have almost all the Alleyoop products, and still, I’m going to buy duplicates just because this deal is SO GOOD! And be sure to check out the other Alleyoop products that aren’t shown here! [multi-mood lip trio, all-in-one razor, tip off makeup removing swabs, and SO. MUCH. MORE.]

pictured from top: multi-tasker 4-in-1 brush [sponge for concealer, + blush, brow, and eyeshadow brush], pen pal 4-in-1 [eyeliner, brow liner, highlight, and lipliner], stack the odds in sassy pants [blush, contour/bronzer, highlighter, + mirror]
pictured from top: multi-tasker 4-in-1 brush [sponge for concealer, + blush, brow, and eyeshadow brush], pen pal 4-in-1 [eyeliner, brow liner, highlight, and lipliner], stack the odds in sassy pants [blush, contour/bronzer, highlighter, + mirror]
multi-tasker 4-in-1 brush + stack the odds multi-use face palette in sassy pants
multi-tasker 4-in-1 brush + stack the odds multi-use face palette in sassy pants

  • STELLARGIRL

STELLARGIRL is a relatively new company & platform for strong and like-minded women to connect and help each other be, well, stellar! They created a glimmer lotion (3 years in the making) that is pretty awesome. It’s hella hydrating and the glimmer definitely pops. This is a must-give for your friends and family who love to shine! Get your Glimmer Lotion here.

STELLARGIRL glimmer lotion


PET

  • Fetching Fields Plant-Based Treats

Fetching Fields dog treats are the perfect stocking stuffer for your pup (or for a friend with pups)! They are human grade, certified organic, plant-based treat bars that are made in the U.S., with your dog’s wellness in mind. They’re also gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

Fetching Fields Plant-Based Treats
fetching fields trekking tails plant-based treat bars. there are 3 different flavors: trekking tails, sit & stay, and on vacay.

We don’t follow a plant-based lifestyle, but my dog Archie LOVES these treats!! It’s really great because Archie is picky AND smart, and he refuses to eat anything plant-related. With FF, Archie is able to get the nutrients he needs. The bars are nice because they are easily broken into 10 pieces, and are individually wrapped for extra convenience when you’re on-the-go.

Fetching Fields Plant-Based Treats
Archie trying really hard to not eat the treat while I was taking pictures; do you see his little tongue?!

Get Fetching Fields treats on Amazon or their website!

  • Whistle FIT Health and Activity Tracker
whistle dog tracker
whistle FIT pet tracker

The Whistle FIT pet tracker is pretty great! Our pup Archie has been wearing one for years. He’s fairly active and it’s cool to track and see when he was active and when he was resting (especially when he’s at the sitter). Whistle Labs also makes the new Whistle GO Explore, which looks amazing!

whistle FIT pet tracker instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvA-paRBXar/?igshid=1dc4uv4efskgq

**DISCOUNT: Get your Whistle FIT here, and be sure to select the “save 15%” coupon!

  • Medterra Pet CBD

In addition to CBD for humans, Medterra makes CBD products for pets! Medterra offers tinctures and treats for both dogs and cats. We use the tincture (beef flavor) because it’s easy to either put the oil on Archie’s food, or put it directly in his mouth. The treats are great too though; they’re convenient and easy to take anywhere!

medterra pet cbd

**DISCOUNT: Use code lyndsay20 for 20% off Medterra CBD pet tinctures and treats @ medterracbd.com/category-pets!


TEACHING

  • Outschool Gift Cards

Outschool is an online education platform for kids aged 3-17 that offers all kinds of classes taught by teachers of various backgrounds. It’s nice because classes are offered at different times throughout the day, so you can always find something for whatever availability your child has. The cost of the classes are set by the teacher, and often, they will have promos such as discounts or sometimes even $1 classes.

I’ve been teaching with Outschool since the summer and it’s honestly a really great platform! I teach math, and right now I am teaching a 4-week course called “Fun With Fractions (& How They Relate to Decimals and Percents)“, as well as a one-time class by the same name.

fun with fractions outschool class

**DISCOUNT: Sign up your kiddo for Outschool and get $20 in credit just by clicking this link!

I hope this gift guide is helpful and you find some great gifts for your loved ones! Comment below if there’s anything you think I should add 🙂

Thank you for stopping by!

// Find me on Instagram //

Filed Under: Beauty, Fitness, Health, Lifestyle, Travel Tagged With: beauty, christmas, health, holiday, holiday gift guide, travel

Lifestyle Travel

5 Tips That Will Make Your Vacation Experience Better

November 28, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Photo by Pexels from Pixabay

Are you looking for ways that you can make your vacation more fun? We’ve got your back with tips that will give you an amazing holiday. These tips include: choosing a fun destination, utilizing shipping services, planning for fun activities, being present, and detoxing from devices. Read on to get a detailed explanation.

Choosing A Fun Destination

When planning for your vacation travel, find out about extraordinary places that you would want to visit. Do some research to learn more about the destination city and its environment/what they offer. For instance, if it’s a hilly place that hosts sports like mountain climbing and biking, it will help you plan for those activities.

If your favorite travel bloggers have been to that place, you can ask them what they thought was the best thing to do while there. Note that anti-mainstream/less traveled locations will give you a more exhilarating experience than iconic, popular destinations.

Utilize Shipping Services for Easy Travel

As we all know, dragging your suitcases and other items in the airport is not fun. Instead of enjoying your journey, you become tired and end up paying for extra costs like luggage fees. You can send certain luggage ahead of your holiday, like golf clubs through https://www.shiply.com/us/ltl-freight-shipping. Doing this will allow you to travel light.

You will have all your items delivered on time and at the right destination. You also get the door-to-door services at an inexpensive fee. Let the shipping company do the carrying for you as you enjoy your trip!

Plan Ahead for Fun Activities

Before your vaca starts, you need to think about the activities you want to participate in. List the fun activities on your to-do-list so you know which one you will prioritize. Early planning will help you de-stress, reduce your hassles, and save you time.

If you are not planning to pre-book a tour, you can explore the various local activities available and then use this information to prepare. It will save you money and make your vacation more exciting. Do not wait till the last day; planning ahead works!

Enjoy the Moment By Being Present

People will often think of their past experiences, possible future experiences, or even get worried about what might go wrong during their vacations. These thoughts will make you absent and anxious. Constantly thinking and stressing about other things/things we can’t control leaves no room to be in the moment. It’s a vacation; you need to have fun!

Enjoy the smells, the sounds, feelings, and sights. If you will be traveling to another country, smell and taste the new food. Learn about their culture and experience it. Focus your mind and energy on having unlimited fun.

Just Unplug

Your devices will always be with you, but vacation is usually a one or two-time experience (depending on how often you travel, of course). To have a truly enjoyable experience, you need to detox from these devices. Take a break from your social media, because being glued to those screens (and being engulfed in other people’s lives) will make you miss the present moment.

When going for dinner, you can leave your phone behind, and bond with your family, friends, or partner. It is your vacation, and you can get away with unanswered messages or calls. Make the most of it!

Bottom Line

If you want to have an exquisite vaca experience, you need to choose a great destination. Use shipping services to send your belongings ahead so that you can travel light. You can also plan for fun activities and take a break from your devices. Finally, be present to experience the moment. You won’t regret any of it!

*Be sure to follow all COVID-19 protocols and safety measures, and hold off on non-essential travel until COVID-19 is under control.*

What are your vacation plans? Where do you like to travel?

Thank you for reading! Find me on Instagram to connect! 🙂

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Travel Tagged With: holiday, travel, vacation

Ambassador Fitness Reviews

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer For A Fitness Fanatic + Discount

December 18, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for your fitness-loving friend, look no further! I have been introduced to a product that will change your fitness lifestyle forever.

ShowerPill.

Disclosure: I received a free box of ShowerPill wipes as part of my #sweatpink ambassadorship with Fit Approach, plus compensation. All opinions are 100% my own.

What Is ShowerPill?

“ShowerPill is an antibacterial wipe for your body (NOT a pill).  It is like wiping down with soap and water which leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized. One wipe cleans your entire body.  It will save you time, decrease chance of skin infections and keep you fresh & clean when a “traditional shower” is not possible” (website).

Stocking Stuffer ShowerPill Holiday

Why Is It Called ShowerPill?

“The word “ShowerPill” is directly from the locker rooms of college athletes during training camp double-days who jokingly wished for a hypothetical “pill” to instantly clean themselves after a long exhausting workout” (website).

Stocking Stuffer Holiday ShowerPill

A Few Facts:

  • Extra thick like a washcloth
  • Kills 99.99% of germs including Staph
  • Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
  • Quick dry solution, no sticky residue
  • Light fresh scent
  • Hypoallergenic & Gentle on Sensitive Skin
  • Paraben & Alcohol FREE

Each box contains 10 individually-wrapped wipes, so it’s easy to stuff in your gym bag, purse, or even your pocket! There’s also a package that contains 250 wipes, so if you’re a gym or yoga studio owner (for example), you can provide wipes for everyone.

ShowerPill Holiday Stocking Stuffer

With the individual wrapping, they fit perfectly in a holiday stocking! I would LOVE to receive ShowerPill wipes this holiday, because it is irritating and gross to go from yoga to babysitting to the grocery store without a shower/wipe-down in between. ShowerPill works for my lifestyle because I am always on-the-go. Plus, when I babysit, we play outside and sometimes get muddy. Being able to wipe down before my next babysitting job is super refreshing! And like I said, on the days I do yoga, I definitely need ShowerPill. Even if it’s just stretching, I sweat!

My boyfriend, Tim, especially loves these wipes. He had knee surgery right before Thanksgiving, and he needs to clean his surgical site after each workout. His gym is 20 minutes (or more, depending on traffic) away from our apartment, so ShowerPill wipes have been a life-saver!

After using the wipes, Tim said,

“These wipes are alright. Like, I spent most of the time figuring out what I wanted to wipe off first. Like you don’t go [privates] to neck, but you also don’t want to wipe your arm pits then go everywhere else. A bit of a struggle. I’d probably use 2 wipes if I was a regular user.”

Let me add that Tim is a pretty goofy guy who likes to make jokes. 😉

ShowerPill Surgery Holiday Stocking Stuffer  Surgery ShowerPill Holiday Stocking Stuffer

And guess what? You can get 20% off 2 boxes of ShowerPill with code holiday20 through Jan. 1 (2015) at www.showerpill.com! Holiday shopping on a budget? This is perfect for you, friends, and family! (Must purchase 2+ boxes for discount to apply).

Check out ShowerPill on their website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

  • Do you use any type of shower wipe? When do you use it?
  • What is your favorite gift to give to your fitness friends?

Thank you for reading!

[subscribe2]

XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Ambassador, Fitness, Reviews Tagged With: #holidaysweat, #noexcuses, #sweatpink, athlete, athletic, blog, body wipe, California, christmas, Cleveland, fit, Fit Approach, fitness, holiday, LA, Los Angeles, new year, shower, ShowerPill, SoCal, stocking stuffer, surgery, The Balanced Brunette, workout, yoga

Lifestyle Personal SoCal

What Are You Thankful For? A SCBS Link Up

November 25, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

Happy Tuesday! This month, I am the head blogger for the SoCal Blogger Society link up. Check out the bloggers participating below, and link up with us if you’d like!
 photo monthlylinkupbadge_zpsff0e4704.jpg

Since Thanksgiving is this week, I would like to share who and what I am thankful for.

SCBS Nov LinkUp Pic

My Parents

My mom and dad live in Ohio- 2300 miles away from me (LA). It’s hard being so far away from them, but they do everything they can to make sure I know I’m loved. Whether it’s helping me pay my rent, sending me essential oils to help my immune system, or sending a text to check up on me, my parents are there giving me support. I look up to them so much, and I’m thankful to have such smart, loving parents!

Archie

Puppies are the best anti-depressants. Ever. No matter how much I’m feeling down, Archie is always there to lick my tears and give me snuggles. He loves unconditionally, and he is a little ball of happiness. Plus, he’s just so dang cute!

Archie In LA Blog Button Tim

My boyfriend, Tim, is my partner-in-crime. We’ve been best friends for 20+ years. We’ve been dating for exactly 2 years. We laugh EVERY day. Tim is my backbone; my support system. He loves me for me, and encourages me to live the life I want. I’m thankful to have a partner who truly makes me a better person.

hiking with tim

California Weather

It may be silly, but I am incredibly thankful for the weather in SoCal. The abundant sunshine helps my bipolar and seasonal affective disorder bearable in the winter. Even when it’s cloudy and in the 60s, I love the weather. Like, LOVE it. 68 & sunny is my perfect day, and that happens pretty often this time of year. Plus I live 6 miles from the ocean. It’s perfect!

LA Los Angeles SoCal Palm Tree

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

I invite you to link up with us below!

An InLinkz Link-upCheck out my feature on SoCal Blogger Society and get more info on this month’s link up!

[subscribe2]

XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Personal, SoCal Tagged With: #socalbloggersociety, autumn, boyfriend, California, dad, dog, fall, grateful, head blogger, holiday, host, LA, link up, linkup, Los Angeles, mom, November, parents, pet, SCBS, SD, SF, SoCal, SoCal Blogger Society, thankful, thankful for, Thanksgiving, Weather

Lifestyle Personal

Fourth of July & A Trip Back Home

July 4, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 8 Comments

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family. 🙂 I’m really happy right now because I am spending my holiday (and the next 3 weeks) on Kelleys Island in Ohio with my family! Yes, Ohio has islands. LOL. Lake Erie has a few of them, and Kelleys Island happens to be the one I practically grew up on. We camped here every single year since I was 4, and now my parents own a house right on the lake.

856I took this picture tonight from the front yard of the island house. Amazing, right?! It’s absolutely amazing. I keep joking that a SoCal resident vacations on a tiny island in Ohio haha. I’m on the island for about a week (even running a 5k tomorrow- I’ll update on that tomorrow!), in Ohio for two weeks, and then Chicago for one week. I’ll blog as much as I can, but it’ll be pretty busy! We don’t have very good internet up here at the island, so it’s been really hard to keep up with blogging and Facebook. Bare with me!

I’m still pretty jet-lagged, so this is going to be a shorter post. But I wanted to note how awesome it is being able to spend time with family. They’re all in Cleveland and I am in Los Angeles, which is about 2300 miles apart. I have two nephews under the age of 7, soon to be 3 come September. I feel like I am missing out on so much since I live so far away. It’s hard. However, I realize that by not living here, I appreciate it more. I value my time with my nephews, parents, and brothers.. even my dog Emma! She lives with my parents still (they couldn’t bare to let her go), and she follows me EVERYWHERE every time I am home! I just love it. It’s like she totally remembers me. She gets really excited when she sees me, she sleeps with me every night, and she won’t leave my side. Sometimes it feels like I never left. It feels so good to be home.

866 With my pup Emma

831 Little brother Mike & I on the golf cart

The pictures aren’t edited so they’re not the best quality, but I wanted to share them anyway. 🙂 Now it’s time for bed! Being in the Eastern time zone has me all messed up. Three hours makes a HUGE difference! 5k in the morning along the quarry, followed by an awesome day with my family and a few island friends whom I haven’t seen in two years!!

Have an amazing & safe holiday!!

XO,

Lyndsay

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Personal Tagged With: 4th, 5K, brother, dog, family, Fourth of July, friends, happy, holiday, Independence Day, July, Kelleys Island, puppy, race, trip, vacation, virtual race

Bipolar Disorder Nutrition Personal

Old Journals

December 20, 2013 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

I am in Ohio for the holidays for the next two weeks (I grew up in Cleveland), and I need to go through all my stuff I left at my parents before moving to LA. My old room is almost like a shrine- everything is where it was when I left! I was going through everything earlier today, and found a bunch of old journals/diaries. I have been keeping a journal since the 3rd grade.

This particular one I found is from 2009-2011. These were the years when my nutrition was AWFUL. I lived with my big brother, and all we consumed was pizza and Mountain Dew. My entire diet consisted of frozen and fast foods. Everything was refined, processed, FAKE. Reading these journal entries, it’s interesting to read how unhappy I was. Granted, having bipolar disorder means I have highs and lows at any given time. But looking back at these years, I was completely unstable. I was more depressed than anything, but my thoughts were all over the place. I almost don’t recognize the writings, as if it wasn’t ME who wrote these entries.

So the years when my nutrition was horrible, my moods were unstable. I find that so interesting. To be fair, I have had some times when my nutrition was great, and my moods were not (for example, this past summer). Sometimes I cycle into an episode for other reasons, like moving across the country (drastic life changes are a major trigger). But even then, my journal entries looked nothing like the ones from 2009-2011. I can’t help but wonder how much my poor nutrition played a role in my mental health.

Has this been something you have noticed, too? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Filed Under: Bipolar Disorder, Nutrition, Personal Tagged With: bipolar, Cleveland, diary, fitness, holiday, Jacksonville, journal, mental, mood, nutrition, physical, San Diego, SoCal, Sydney

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