Self-Care Tips for Stressful Times
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more cheerful. Overall, we are feeling more positive with May on the horizon. For now, we continue to stay home and stay safe.
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more vibrant. Overall, a bit of the mental fog is lifting and we are feeling more optimistic with May on the horizon. For now, we will continue to stay home and stay safe.
How are you doing during this stressful time? Now that you have likely had much more time at home are you changing up your self-care routines? As we already know, deep-breathing, exercise, healthy eating and proper rest are essential for self-care and stress reduction. I've also found that spa time at home is important for wellbeing.
Though there is less need to dress up on days like these, it doesn’t mean self-care should take a back seat. I’ll admit, I have had a few days where a shower felt like too much trouble, but I find I definitely feel better (physically and emotionally) when I take the time to care for my skin, hair, and nails.
I’m digging in my drawers for facial scrubs, masks, and serums that are half-used or forgotten. By the way, doesn’t it feel good to go through the items that have not been frontline and either use or dump them? It’s cost-effective, green and, honestly, my drawers have never looked better. Now that we have the luxury of time, I want to share a few of my must-haves for a spa day at home.
My necessities for a self-care home spa experience:
*Plush bamboo towels (2 matching sets in white for easy care laundering)
*A comfy, absorbent spa robe
*A fragrant candle like Jo Malone’s Basil and Neroli
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Body wash - Le Labo - Bergamote 22
*Skin serums and moisturizers from Peter Thomas Roth
*My Clarisonic Mia (a lifechanger for my skin)
*My DIY beauty elixir (see below)
*Cucumber and lemon water in a carafe
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill or downtemp' on spotify)
I’m planning to purchase this BeautyFIX box on sale that does not require a subscription right now. $24.99 for products worth over $100.00 and should come in handy since I’m no longer shopping in stores.
It’s nice to let our skin breathe (sans makeup except for business zooms) but moisture is key. I’ve recently renewed my appreciation for a household product that is a miracle in a jar. Read this post on My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin that I wrote a couple of years back.
I found these great tips for Self-Care from Virtuoso:
How to have the ultimate Self-Care Day
In need of some wanderlust?
Favorite Travel Spa Experiences from the Curated Travel Blog
Hello From Our Home to Yours in the Age of 'Physical Distancing'
Hello Friends,
Who could’ve known, just a few short months ago, what our current ‘normal’ would look like? Though our world feels like it’s turned upside right now I do hope you are finding moments of comfort, connection and even humor as our lives have slowed down.
Hello Friends,
Who could’ve known, just a few short months ago, what our current ‘normal’ would look like? Though our world feels like it’s turned upside right now I do hope you are finding moments of comfort, connection and even humor as our lives have slowed down.
I’m on day 19 of my ‘physical distancing’ and am hunkered down with my husband here in Chico in Northern California. We are healthy, comfortable and yet concerned about the state of our world right now. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, truth be told. How are you coping? How has this new chapter impacted your life?
I shared a few thoughts on Instagram earlier this week:
A glimpse of our world in the ‘slow life’ era.
We’ve been busy in the kitchen. Destination themed dinners have been a hit (think paella, sangria and fried plantains from Spain with the Gipsy Kings playing in the background). We’ve been trying to keep our meals fresh with lots of veggies and salads but I also broke down and baked chocolate chip cookies for the first time in years.
WOW! Hello cookies, we’ve missed you!
With all the home cooking we are now doing I must confess to missing some of the dishes at our local restaurants. We’ve ordered take out once or twice and plan to do it again soon to support the local businesses.
You will find the recipe to these soft and yummy chocolate chip cookies on my Pinterest board here. By the way, I used a light whole wheat flour and they turned out perfectly.
This made us laugh today. Does your home cooking weeks on end leave you feeling like this?
Humor from my wise mom.:)
This video popped up in the images on my phone today. We were in Provence this week last year and it is a good reminder of the beauty of that trip and to have hope that we will be traveling again someday soon.
I’ve had a number of friends and clients reach out to see how my world in the travel business is faring during Covid-19. Though I’ve had a number of changes, including my two biggest groups (one to Paris and a Med cruise) cancel within two hours of each other, many of the other trips I’ve worked on for clients are being postponed rather than cancelled. This is hugely helpful for the travel industry as well as our own peace of mind. Those of us who are energized and motivated by travel are feeling like our wings have been clipped about now. Don’t dispair! Look towards the future, plot your travels for next fall, 2021 and beyond. I share more tips in this post on How to Keep Your Wanderlust Spirit Alive.
Thank you for reading today. Stay healthy and please reach out if you are so inclined. Let me know if there is specific content I can share - Travel inspiration? Travel tips? Travel Updates? Health and Wellness? - that would be helpful. Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below or by email. We will get through this chapter by supporting each other.
Be well,
Heather
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A Solo Roadtrip to Charming Tiburon & Sausalito
On a picture-perfect day earlier this month, I hit the road for a solo trip to the San Francisco Bay area, a short three-hour drive from my home in Chico. While I thoroughly enjoy traveling with Mr. CT, my husband, there is something slightly decadent about a solo trip every now and then. I was headed to the Preferred Hotels event at Cavallo Point Lodge for the evening but my first stop was the charming Waters Edge Hotel, my hotel for the night, with an expansive view of the San Francisco skyline.
On a picture-perfect day earlier this month, I hit the road for a solo trip to the San Francisco Bay area, a short three-hour drive from my home in Chico. While I thoroughly enjoy traveling with Mr. CT, my husband, there is something slightly decadent about a solo trip every now and then. I was headed to the Preferred Hotels event at Cavallo Point Lodge for the evening but my first stop was the charming Waters Edge Hotel, my hotel for the night, with an expansive view of the San Francisco skyline.
“This may be San Francisco Bay — Tiburon is located on the north side of the Golden Gate, just around Richardson Bay from Sausalito — but there’s something decidedly New England about Waters Edge. The view takes in what is quite unmistakably San Francisco’s skyline, as well as the nature preserve of Angel Island, but the hotel itself is a departure, an urbane retreat in muted creams and unfinished woods, with a deck overlooking the moored sailboats of the neighboring yacht clubs — not an everyday sight in today’s Northern California.”
A tour of my sunny room at Waters Edge Hotel
The Preferred Hotels event at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito
Made to order breakfast in bed delivered with a newspaper and freshly brewed coffee.
Dine: Luna Blu for Italian, Sam’s Anchor Cafe (next door to Waters Edge) for overwater deck dining or an easy night-cap, Caffe Acri for a latte. Keep an eye out for the new Michael Mina restaurant under construction.
Stroll: Galleries, wine shops, cafes, boutiques and yoga studios are sprinkled along the meandering walkways of Tiburon. It feels like a nod to history but with a fresh view.
Stay: Waters Edge Hotel for the stunning views of the city, breakfast delivered to your room, wood-burning fireplaces, 5 pm wine & cheese and friendly service or book through us or online at the Cavallo Point Lodge for a luxuriuous stay near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Virtuoso Amenities for your stay at Cavallo Point Lodge (Sausalito)
For 2020:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD Resort/Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Contact us to book your next getaway to San Francisco and beyond!
Other posts on Travels
Valentine's Day Eye-Candy Plus Our Favorite Kind of Surprise
With the cold, damp, often drab days of February upon us, I thought it would be fun to share a little Valentine’s Day themed eye-candy to warm us up.
With the cold, damp, often drab days of February upon us, I thought it would be fun to share a little Valentine’s Day themed eye-candy to warm us up.
Anything strike your fancy?
Ready for Valentine’s Day? Hearts, roses, chocolates, bling, a spa day (this has my vote), a movie night, a walk in the park, homemade chocolate chip cookies or a takeout dinner for two at home?
Romantic, kitchy, chill, skip it…..whatever strikes your fancy is what Valentine’s Day should be about.
Valentine’s Day View From Home
For the last several years Mr. C.T. and I have skipped the crowds and celebrated at home with a gourmet take-out dinner from our favorite Bacio Catering here in Chico. Dinner is always delicious and the weather sometimes cooperates for an usually warm al fresco dinner on the terrace.
A fabulous sunset was an extra bonus! More at Valentine’s Evening at Home.
As it turns out we will be changing it up this year. My husband thoughtfully tucked a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway to wine country under the Christmas tree for me. It must be challenging to surprise a travel advisor with a trip, but Mr. C.T. nailed it!
The Kenwood Inn is a charming old-world style spa hotel in the Sonoma Valley wine country and it’s been on my list to experience for many years. We are looking forward to spa treatments, wine tasting, world-class dining plus an ‘aphrodite dinner’ event during our 2-night-stay.
Follow along with us in wine country on Curated Travel Instagram.
By the way, if you are considering a romantic movie or two here are some ideas. Roman Holiday is one of my favorites for obvious Italy based reasons. :)
Do you have any fun plans for Valentine’s Day?
xx
If you are considering giving the gift of travel (or a gift certificate!) contact us at Curated Travel to help make your travel dreams come true.
More from the Curated Travel Blog
A Quick Weekend Getaway to Wine Country
We were initially on the fence as to whether we should book a weekend getaway to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. With our Mediterranean Cruise on the horizon we thought it might be a bit decadent, or at the very least, travel overkill.
Wine Country Getaway
We were initially on the fence as to whether we should book a weekend getaway to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. With our Mediterranean Cruise on the horizon we thought it might be a bit decadent, or at the very least, travel overkill. The stresses of life be what they may, we decided a break from the routine would be the perfect antidote.
Once we decided to make the short trip to Sonoma Valley, we booked a hotel (more on that later), and made the difficult decision of where to dine for lunch. Pro Tip: Wine country is very busy on the weekends and restaurants book up so plan ahead. I booked on Open Table and we scored a lovely patio seat at one of our favorites, El Dorado Kitchen, on Sonoma Square. It was a picture perfect wine country day. Wasn’t it nice that they even personalized our menus? The food at El Dorado Kitchen is super fresh and the service was friendly and impeccable.
Though it’s difficult to find an available reservation in wine country for a late summer weekend we discovered a new boutique hotel, Hotel e, right in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa. The hotel is brand spanking new, sparkling clean and colorful with an energetic, accomodating staff. They have specialized touches like luxury linens and clothes steamers in each room. Hotel e is in the perfect location for exploring the up and coming downtown area.
For our anniversary dinner we chose Willi’s Wine Bar. We had dined at the original location previously but it burned down in the wine country fire two years ago. The new location is fresh and modern in the Town & Country Shopping Center. They had me at sparkling rosé, goat cheese balls and a decadent chocolate with candle.
This was a quick trip so we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, a leisurely walk and a stop at a beautiful winery on the way home. Matanzas Creek is a verdant spot with lavender fields, classic wine country landscaping and sweeping views. We enjoyed their prize winning sauvignon blancs and lush reds.
In the end, we were glad we made the decision to book a getaway, enjoy a change of pace, and explore some new views and flavors. Even a quick getaway can be stress relieving and restorative. Plus, a wedding anniversary is always worth celebrating!
For more on travel to wine country and travel ideas contact me at Curated Travel. I’d love to put a dream trip together for you.
A Chic Evening with the KNOT Pro in San Francisco (The Video Edition)
I recently shared a blog post about our festive evening with the KNOT Pro in San Francisco last month. What a fun surprise to see a video from the event pop up on the KNOT Pro blog. They do such a fantastic job with both media and style. I am honored to have my Curated Travel voted best of the KNOT for 2018.
I recently shared a blog post about our festive evening with the KNOT Pro in San Francisco last month. What a fun surprise to see a video from the event pop up on the KNOT Pro blog. They do such a fantastic job with both media and style. I am honored to have my Curated Travel voted best of the KNOT for 2018.
ENJOY the video!
I recently shared a blog post about our festive evening with the KNOT Pro in San Francisco last month. What a fun surprise to see a video from the event pop up on the KNOT Pro blog. They do such a fantastic job with both media and style. I am honored to have my Curated Travel voted best of the KNOT for 2018. ENJOY the video!
Read the stylish blog post from the KNOT Pro here.
My take on the event here.
It's engagement season, so if you know any newly engaged couples looking to plan a dreamy honeymoon, please share my information with them. Honeymoons, destination weddings, anniversary trips, babymoons and dreamy destinations are my specialty. I am currently taking new travel clients so feel free to share.
Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!
A Festive Evening with the KNOT Pro on Treasure Island, San Francisco
The KNOT premiere wedding website threw a festive event in San Francisco for members of the KNOT Pro. It was a celebratory evening since I had recently been notified that my Curated Travel won ‘Best of the KNOT’ for romance travel for 2018. Why not attend a stylish, chic, hosted event on Treasure Island, San Francisco? Scott and I packed up and made the quick trip to San Francisco in early December.
A Festive Evening with the KNOT Pro on Treasure Island
The KNOT premiere wedding website threw a festive event in San Francisco for members of the KNOT Pro. It was a celebratory evening since I had recently been notified that my Curated Travel won 'Best of the KNOT' for romance travel for 2018. Why not attend a stylish, chic, hosted event on Treasure Island, San Francisco? Scott and I packed up and made the quick trip to San Francisco in early December. We booked a suite at the perfectly located Hotel Diva, enjoyed tapas and a pre-celebration vino (for me) at my new favorite spot on the corner, The European, before heading across the bridge to the Aracely Cafe on Treasure Island.
The cafe/event center was transformed with sleek lounge areas, bar top tables for cocktails and mingling, tables filled with fresh flowers and stylish details. Inside the floral arrangements were lush, the bar area was well-stocked and an army of servers were generous with hand-served delicacies. Inside the event space, surrounded by walls of billowy ivory panels, the DJ spun beats from ambient chill to techno beats as the evening wore on. My fellow attendees were energetic, entrepreneurial and chic.
I'll be honest, I was on the more mature end of the age range, but I was thrilled to be part of this group of movers and shakers in San Francisco and beyond. My advice for attending an event that represents your new career, a new circle, a new chapter of life and owning it? Put on the outfit that makes you feel your most confident, add a smudge of your favorite lipstick, remember a stash of your business cards (as well as mints!), put on your best smile and take the leap! Scott and I enjoyed a memorable evening and capped it off viewing the city lights from the shore of Treasure Island.
The next day we relished the festive feel of San Francisco at a few of our favorite haunts: the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus for brunch and to view the impressive tree under the stained glass dome, a walk through Union Square with a photo by the tree, purchasing some blooms from the flower stand on the corner, a walk down Maiden Lane and lunch at an old favorite for Mexican fare, Colibri.
My collaboration with the KNOT Throws a Dream Wedding.
Curated Travel Wins Best of the KNOT for Travel Specialists.
Thank you to the KNOT Pro for the invitation to this stylish event!
Blog Post from the KNOT Pro.
Here is a video of the event
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
This winery is appointment only as far as tastings are concerned. That is interesting considering this estate focuses on a single wine, a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon. They're definitely experts in this variety! It has more of a formal atmosphere and bookings are often booked solid a month in advance. For those who have high standards, this is a luxurious option to consider checking out.
Here is another winery that requires reservations due to popularity! This facility is newly remodeled, complete with a massive pendulum in the center of the wine caves. This makes it feel like you're in an art museum instead of a wine cellar. The patio outdoors features gorgeous views and comfortable furniture to relax on.
The French architecture of this estate is eye-catching from miles away! They're known for their sparkling wine and Pinot Noir varieties. Their tour ends with samples of each of their wines as well as cheeses, fish, fresh caviar, fruit, and charcuterie meats. All three of their terraces deserve to be viewed when you visit, each offer different views of the estate.
There are over sixty wines available at this Italian style winery! It's open seven days a week and there is no appointment necessary. The grounds are perfect for having a picnic, as there is an onsite deli here with food options including a large variety of gourmet cheeses! It's children and dog-friendly, and the customer service is outstanding. This is a fitting choice whether you're new to the wine tasting process or you're a pro!
This is a smaller estate and vineyard that's extremely close to the downtown area of Napa. The busy atmosphere makes it feel more like a bar than a tasting room. They produce the largest amounts of Pinot Grigio in Napa Valley, so don't leave without trying a glass or two!
Utilizing professional transportation guarantees safety, and it opens up your options. It's a lot easier to visit multiple destinations in one day with a chauffeur who is familiar with the area. Check out Napa Wine Tour Transportation for a well-rounded experience!
For more on Wine Country.