Beach Babe Accessories

I have a beach getaway lined up in a few weeks and I could not be more excited. I can't wait to just lounge around in the sun, dip my toes in the water and bask in the ocean's salty breeze. A few things on my checklist are a new swim suit, a floppy hat, cover ups, copious amounts of sunscreen, and I am even going to try my hand at DIYing some beaded bracelets.  I've rounded up some of my favourites below.

1. Mara Hoffman Modal Kaftan 

2. Color-Block Sandals 

3. Zhuu We Run This Beach

4. Land Over Sea Sunscreen Stick

5. Star Mela Selma Embroidered Pouch

6. Jewel Embellished Slide Sandals

7. Ray-Ban Aviator Flash Lenses 

8. Harvest Front Twist Open Piece

9. Sensi Studio Striped Maxi Tote

10. Flopy Brim Hat with Thin Cognac Sash

11. Beaded Bacelet

Do you have any summer holiday plans? What are your beach must haves?

Ethical Fashion With Lou Harvey

It took me all of 10 seconds of perusing Lou Harvey's website and collection of accessories to realize I had fallen for the brand. Bold patterns, pretty colours, and social responsibility are three themes dear to my heart, and are ones that Lou Harvey prides herself on showcasing. The South African brand creates fun, yet functional products, and the line ranges from laminated bags, totes, cosmetic pouches, wallets, to travel, baby and tech accessories. It's no wonder that the brand has exploded on the African scene and is making it's way all over the world (welcome to Canada, Lou)!

The vibrant colours and floral prints, that are synonymous with Lou Harvey, originally caught my attention, but I love how durable the material is -it's waterproof and machine washable! I have been using my Beatrice cosmetic pouch as a clutch (as seen in this post) because the pattern is so fun to play with, but it's also great to transport key items from bag to bag. The baby cosmetic (seen below in Alex Sage) is also perfect for storing lipsticks, hair ties and other small items that are usually consumed by the bottomless pit that is my purse!

What I truly admire about this brand is the story of the lady behind the bag, Lou. The bags and accessories are manufactured in Durban, Africa and seriously it lifts my spirits and warms my heart to learn how much of a difference Lou is making in this community. The factories are closely watched to oversee production, and to ensure proper working conditions are met, and Lou employs "Grannies"- the women who care for children whose parents have been directly affected by AIDS and HIV. Not only are these women able to find work and support their families and communities, but they are also encouraged to set up their own mini factories, and in turn Lou purchases the products back. It really is special to discover a company that is striving to make a positive impact on, not only the world, but within it's local community. 

If you're looking to treat yourself to the perfect summer bag or accessory,  one that is stylish, unique and ethically created, look no further!  Lou Harvey can be found around the GTA, and also online.  Thank you to Lou Harvey for not only sponsoring this post, but for implementing ethical fashion practices. The world needs more brands like yours! 

{Lou Harvey cosmetic pouch and mini cosmetic, Lilly Pulitzer jumpsuit, Target sandals}

What do you think of this little date night number? Green is a huuuuuugggge step outside my comfort zone (I think I received one too many "carrot" jokes as a kid), but I'm glad I ended up with this piece from the Lilly Pulitzer for Target line. I'm so ready for the beach!

Tips For a Better Sleep

Getting a good nights sleep is something I seriously value. A few months back I was going through a phase where I was unable to get a solid night's sleep and my livelihood was becoming seriously disrupted. I would wake up a few times throughout the night, be up for the morning around 4:30am, and go to work exhausted. I have since gotten back on track and have learned how to encourage my body to sleep better and fight against strange waking patterns. Here are a few of my tips for a better sleep:

1. No eating after 7:30/8, especially foods high in sugar. I'll admit- on weekends I rarely stay true to this rule, but on weeknights I have come to the realization that if I have sugar so close to bed time I am unable to fall asleep within a reasonable time-frame, or alternatively, I'll wake up with a face paced beating heart. 

2. Keep the phone off your nightstand. It's so easy to roll over and check your phone while you are in the falling asleep phase, or tossing and turning phase. Sometimes I'll see things that rev me up, or just the light in general catches my eye. Try keeping electronics a few extra feet away from the bed for a proper nights sleep.

3. Relax with a warm bubble bath, a tea and some light stretching. If I have too much energy before bed I'll make a soothing tea and fill the bath tub with some of my Perk Naturals Lavender and Lemon body scrub. It's relaxing and signals my body that it's time to wind down. Just before you get into bed do a few easy stretches and deep breathing exercises. It actually works!

4. Clear your head by reading a chapter of a book (and not on a black-lit device!). It sometimes can help to wind down your busy mind by lighting a candle and reading a chapter or two of a book. Just avoid the suspenseful books that suck you in for hours on end!

5. De-clutter and organize. Spend a few minutes de-cluttering your room and put away any clothes that may be lying around. I find it does help to know you are in a tidy environment. I also try to have my breakfast prepared (overnight oats, duh!), along with my lunch, and I try to lay out my clothes for the next day. I don't go to bed stressing about what to wear or eat the next day and that is just one less thing to rack your brain over while trying to fall asleep!

I hope these help! Do you have any tried and true remedies for sleeplessness?