POST-TRAVEL REMEDIES: POST-VACATION BEAUTY TIPS

LA MER CREME DE LA MER, CUYANA LEATHER TRAVEL CASE SET.

As I've mentioned before, travel causes us to neglect a lot of important self care. Earlier this week, I shared some nutrition tips to help you get back on track after vacation when you overdo it. Today, I'm shifting the focus from nutrition to beauty + wellness. 

Most of us have some type of beauty routine when we're at home to properly care for our skin, hair and nails that we rarely stick to whilst traveling. When I got to London after 3 months of hopping around, my hair was dry like straw, my roots had grown out (and NOT in a chic ombré fashion), my skin had broken out like I was a teenager, and don't get me started on my nails. Needless to say, I needed help. Sometimes you can do these things on your own, but other times? You need to call in the professionals. 

So if you find yourself in need of some beauty or wellness TLC after neglecting yourself for a bit (be it from traveling, the holidays or any other reason) Here are a few tips I found to be extremely helpful. 

1. REFRESH YOUR HAIR WITH A NEW CUT AND COLOR

My hair had grown pretty long but it was in bad shape (I got really creative at masking it to look somewhat decent in pictures for editorial purposes). So when I got to London I started searching for salon partners to help me fix the mess on my head. Enter Atliers Salon by Josh Wood. 

Josh Wood is credited as being the most influential and respected hair colorist in the world and owns multiple salons across London. I went to Lansdowne Atelier (which is set in an idyllic Mews House right by Holland Park) and fell in love with the beautiful interior. Since they're in collaboration with SoHo House, they serve fresh menu items from their cafe so I got to enjoy a delicious açai bowl and an almond milk latte whilst getting my hair done. First, I sat down in the chair and let Danielle Keates (Instagram here) freshen up my color. I'm pretty protective of who I let treat my blonde (I mean, it's part of my blog title if that tells you anything) and she did not disappoint. Not only is she incredibly talented at what she does, but she was so sweet and lovely to chat with. After she finished my color, I sat down with James Pryce (Instagram here) to cut off my dead ends. Originally I asked him to keep as much of my length as he could, but he managed to talk me into trying a long bob with some grown out fringe. Normally I wouldn't cave so easily but I quickly decided James could do anything he wanted when I learned he was the one who did Kate Middleton's wedding hair (WHAT?!) I'm so glad I listened to him because I absolutely love the cut -- especially the grown-out "fringe" (or bangs as we call them in the states). 

Aside from giving me the fresh look I needed, they provided me with appropriate product to care for my damaged locks and maintain my new do. I will absolutely go back to them whenever I'm in London, and I recommend you go see them if you're in the area as well.  

While a refresh to your hair isn't something you should do on your own, there are some things that you can. Danielle told me that it's important to use a purple shampoo and purple conditioner (if you're a blonde) to keep brassiness at bay. Not a blonde? Try something for all colored hair (like this Oribe shampoo and conditioner) or if your hair is more damaged try a nourishing repair shampoo and conditioner (can you tell that I LOVE Oribe? It smells amazing!) 

Regardless of your hair's condition, it's important to keep your it nourished, so try a daily nourishing oil for your ends (like this amazing Oribe gold lust) and a mask (like this living proof restore mask or this Moroccan Oil intense hydrating mask) that you can use once a week or every few days for some extra TLC. 

And aside from what you use topically, it's also worth taking some hair and nail supplements like these Red Carpet Capsules or Marlyn Formula 50. 

 

2. REFRESH YOUR SKIN WITH A FACIAL

Your skin is constantly picking up dirt + impurities, but especially whilst traveling. Prior to moving abroad, I got facials (from Niki at Hyde Salon) on a regular basis because I started noticing a drastic improvement in the quality of my skin. Niki explained that proper extractions pulled out all that dirt your skin naturally collects and prevents it from turning to blemishes. 

Extractions aren't something I'd recommend on your own, so go for a proper facial with someone you trust. And if you can't swing a facial at the moment, go for a pore purifying clay mask instead (my favorite is this one by Vichy that I picked up at a pharmacy in France).

I decided to make a day of it and go to the spa rather than just a facial, so I went to Mokara at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. They did a fantastic job treating and extracting without picking or over-agitating my skin (not to mention they used organic Hungarian products by Éminence that were incredibly luxurious). Even days later my skin still feels significantly better than it has in months. 

After the facial I wanted to make the most of the facilities at Mokara, so I went for a steam in the sauna  (and also sampled the soap, lotion and every other toiletry they had available, because #spaday) until it was time for my next treatment-- which brings me to my next topic...

3. REFRESH YOUR MUSCLES WITH A MASSAGE

I've always thought of a massage a simple a form of relaxation and a way to spoil myself. But while getting one at The Heritage Killenard during my stay in Ireland, my therapist told me she was seriously concerned about all the knots and tension all over my body. After a bit of questioning we realized it was from lugging my suitcases everywhere, which she proceeded to warn me could lead to serious back injuries or muscle strains. She advised I avoid carrying luggage if possible, or to at least start getting regular massages. Seeing as I'm not in a position to hire my own bellhop, a massage now and then is the more affordable option. So during my spa day at  Mokara at the Omni Hotel in Nashville, they worked on the knots and tension I'd accrued since Ireland. 

I may sound like a diva for saying this, but it really was necessary. I didn't realize how much damage I had done to my muscles and how tender I was all over from haphazardly throwing my <overweight> suitcase from trains to planes to automobiles. And to make matters worse, my suitcase wheel broke way back in Lake Como so I had to exert even more energy to pull it everywhere (I have friends as my witnesses). Long story short, whether you realize it or not travel takes a toll on your body. In addition to all the luggage, you also have to consider the shift in your bed at different hotels, attempting to sleep in a terribly uncomfortable seat during an international flight, combatting dehydration and overall, just burning through way more energy than normal. If getting a proper massage after a long trip is within budget, it really does leave you feeling noticeably different after. 

After my treatments at Mokara, I spent almost 2 hours in their relaxation room to let myself rest (without my laptop). I read my book. I drank some champagne. I flipped through some magazines. I even laid there with my eyes closed for a bit doing absolutely nothing. After months of going non-stop, and weeks of continuing that pace when I got home, it felt really great not only to take care of myself, but to feel pampered too. 

If you find yourself in Nashville and are in need of any sort of spa service (or if you simply want a day of relaxation) be sure to visit Mokara. You won't be disappointed. 

While I found these 3 things to be the most vital, there are dozens of other things you can do to tend to yourself and make up for some of that vacation neglect. Go for a mani + pedi. Soak for a while in a nice bubble bath. Exfoliate dead skin with a sugar scrub. The list goes on. 

What else do you do to get back on track in this department after a vacation? Let me know in the comments below! Stay tuned for more post-travel remedies next week. Until then? Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

xx-- Whitney

Post Travel Remedies: 4 Tips to get back on track after vacation

Travel is an amazing experience that clearly, I'm a big fan of. But the other side to this statement is that it also causes us to neglect self-care. Vacation is a time when we over-eat and create amazing memories, not fret about flossing or counting calories. So after living abroad the last 4.5 months, I decided to put together a set of tools to help you reset after overdoing it on holiday. And what better time to talk about being your best self than January- the start of a new year!?

Over the next week, I'll be sharing simple tips to help you get back on track in every department from fitness to beauty. But first, let's address the obvious: nutrition.

Traveling sets the perfect stage for a #cheatmeal. Trust me, I know. Living in Europe means I indulged in my fair share of less than healthy foods: croissants in Paris, gelato in Italy, paella in Spain... need I go on? And in my personal opinion, you should experience those things whilst traveling (YOLO, right?) But we all know that terrible feeling when the magic of the holiday has worn off and suddenly you're back home and your pants don't fit. Snapping back to reality is hard (I write as I'm currently eating chocolate covered caramel candy). 

When I decided to extend my time abroad for another 6 weeks, I knew things had to change. I felt borderline sick from all the overeating and the lack of exercise over the last 3 months.  I was committed to making my next 6 weeks in London a step in the right direction regarding my health, and I knew it had to start with diet.

The good news is that it didn't take long for me to start feeling like my old self thanks to a few simple steps. So if you too find yourself experiencing those post-holiday-snug-pants-blues, fear not. Here's how to get back on track after vacation: 

1. HIT RESET WITH A JUICE CLEANSE: PLENISH

Okay, I'm about to go on a bit of a rant, but I feel that juice cleanses require some explanation. Maybe this is a twisted way of thinking, but I've found it easier to avoid diet mishaps when I can't eat anything. Hear me out for a second. I may wake up and say "I'm going to eat really healthy today!" and make it through the morning with a healthy breakfast. Maybe even lunch. But then come afternoon, I decide to snack on some carrots... which would go great with hummus... and pita chips are great with hummus too... aaaaaannnd suddenly the entire bag is gone. The point is, when I've spent the last however many days letting myself eat whatever sounds good, it's really tricky to catch yourself (or at least to stop yourself) in the act. So without fail, I now do a juice cleanse on my first day back home. Paying for the juice and mentally preparing myself gets me in the right mindset and helps me commit to a healthy decision once instead of having to decide over and over and over every time I walk to the fridge. If you pay for the juice and it's already in your fridge, I find it's a lot easier to stick with the decision rather than sliding down a slippery slope of healthy eating. 

But aside from being a convenient, easy way to kick start a detox period and healthy eating plan there are tons of health benefits that made me want to juice. So after researching my endless options, I landed on PLENISH: a prominent juice company in London (that Gwyneth Paltrow named "the best cleanse she tried across the pond).  PLENISH was created for people living ultra demanding lives and wanting a healthy, practical way to hit the reset button and restore their health and balance.  Devised by nutrition experts, their cold-pressed juices are designed to, well... Plenish.

By consuming raw, organic green juices while eliminating processed sugars, coffee and alcohol, meat and too much cooked food, you assist your system in becoming an oxygen-drenched alkaline one, which will help reduce inflammation and support immunity and health. You're flooding your system with all the vitamins, minerals and phytonurients your body needs (all whilst drinking juices that actually taste lovely). I've done my fair share of juice cleanses and this was by far my favorite one yet (I felt the most satisfied and energized I've ever felt whilst juicing). My favorite flavour?  BUILD: featuring nut milk, cashews, vanilla, dates, cinnamon, sea salt and water (it was so filling and tasted like a shake!)

For those of you in the U.K., I highly recommend giving PLENISH a go- whether you've just returned from holiday or not! And for those of you that are stateside, you can still learn plenty about PLENISH and juicing in general to help you plan a cleanse that's right for you over on their website. 

 

2. PUT THE WINE DOWN AND HYDRATE

TOWEL: THE BEACH PEOPLE, SANDALS: J. CREW, BATHING SUIT: MIRACLESUIT, SUNGLASSES: PRADA (SIMILAR HERE)

This is pretty obvious, but it couldn't be more important to drink lots of water (and for the record, that's coconut water, not a cocktail). It's key to flush out those toxins and help release extra weight and bloat from over-indulgence. Drink tons of water both while you're juicing and while you're eating solid foods. If you need accountability, get a water bottle to carry around and calculate how many you need to drink per day (the general rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces). 

And in case you missed that first bit, let me reiterate: put the wine down (all alcohol really). Not only does this combat your goal of re-hydration and getting the deep sleep you need, it also means you're consuming empty calories. Try taking a week off (or at least a few days) for ultimate results. Need to reward yourself for giving up your beloved glass of cabernet? Try buying some fun wine accessories like these gold stemless glasses or these Gilded Rim red wine glasses to treat yourself when you finish your week away. 

3. CATCH UP ON SLEEP

If you're like me, vacation hardly means rest. I'm out late getting drinks and up early for adventures, meaning I'm guilty of not getting enough z's. According to research at Uppsala University, people feel hungrier and reach for larger portions when their tired (which you probably already know). So after days of sleep deprivation, you're bound to keep up the over-eating simply due to fatigue. Combat that temptation and catch up on sleep as soon as you get home. As a slave to productivity, I realize this may not be easy. A lot of us prefer to knock out annoyances like unpacking and laundry straight away rather than having it hang over our head. But prioritizing catching up on sleep is the best thing you can do with your time those first couple of days. So make like Sleeping Beauty and tell Snow White she can whistle when you wake up. 

4. GROCERY SHOP AND MEAL PREP

This has been clutch for me (especially now that I'm back home in the states). As someone who is always on the go, I need my meals to be convenient -- which means I eat out a lot. Not only does it get expensive, but it gives you little control over what you're actually eating. So finding meals that are healthy and you'll be excited about really is the best way to go (which usually means making it yourself). I realized that it's totally unrealistic for me to cook multiple nights a week, so I've started to make 2 big batches of a couple different dishes, store them in Pyrex (these glass containers are way better than plastic Tupperware), and voilà! I have on the go meals ready for the rest of the week. I realize this is no new discovery and most of you are probably like "Cool, Whit. We've been meal-prepping since like, 2004." But speaking as someone who is rarely home long enough justify going to go to the grocery store, this feels groundbreaking. Regardless of your lifestyle, chances are you'll be home for a bit after a vacation, so find some recipes that a). are healthy and you'll be excited to eat, but also b). are simple enough to shop for and prep. 

For some of my favorite recipes, check out my Pinterest 'Food + Drink' board!

So there you have it! These 4 simple nutrition tips are a sure-fire way to have you feeling brand new, no matter the damage done on vacation. But stay tuned for even more post-travel remedies on the blog this week... our work here isn't finished just yet. 

Thanks to PLENISH for providing me with a wonderful juicing experience and helping me reset after my travels! 

WHAT TO DO IN SANTORINI (AND WHAT TO PACK!)

I've been sharing all about my time in Greece this week, but particularly where to eat in Santorini and where to stay in Santorini. To wrap things up, today we're talking about all the things to do in Santorini (and what you need to pack before you go!)

I'll start by disclaiming that you could be perfectly content sitting poolside at a resort and soaking up the views for the entirety of your stay. With that said, you'd also be missing some amazing things that are absolutely worth doing. 

CHOOSE YAFY | SANTORINI YACHTING CLUB

Choose Yafy is a Singapore based company, with a branch in Santorini. I actually found them in the Arrivals Hall of the Santorini Airport and their staff helped me put together an amazing boat tour for me and my friends at the last minute. They take pride in providing an intimate look into the local culture and provide tailor-made trips to suit all kinds of specific interests. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We did a sailing tour embarking from Ammoudi Bay in Oia. We boarded the Lagoon 400 (a beautiful catamaran) and set sail towards the Volcano and Hot Springs for a quick swim in the therapeutic waters (word to the wise- bring a bathing suit you don't care about if you decide to swim!) From there we continued on to the Volcanic Red Sand beach for some more swimming and a bit of snorkeling. But my favorite part was lounging in trampoline on the front of the boat all day (hammock style). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Prices vary based on the size of the boat and how many people are on each tour (I recommend a smaller group. We basically had the boat to ourselves- other than an Austrailian couple we were chatting with!) Regardless of which tour you select, they come with unlimited wine (yes please) and a delicious feast. After touring around some of the best spots on the island, our skipper parked the boat, fired up the grill and pretty soon we were eating pork + chicken, complete with Greek salad, stuffed grape leaves and tons of tzatziki. When we finished our meal, we headed to the best spot to watch the sunset on the water. It was the perfect ending to an increible day. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I cant recommend a sailing tour enough, and Choose Yafy made the entire experience so seamless and wonderful. Do yourself a favor and book a tour with them whilst visiting Santorini!

 

 

FISH PEDICURES AT KISSINGFISH SANTORINI

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I had wanted to get a fish pedicure for such a long time, and I was so excited to finally try it in Santorini! Garra Rufa, also called nibble fish, originate from streams, ponds and lakes in the Middle East, so given the close proximity these fish spas are pretty popular all over the Greek isles. These little guys have no teeth but are able to nibble off your dead skin cells, thus exfoliating your feet. For only €15 you can sit with your feet in the tank for 20 minutes. 

Evidently, the practice is frowned upon and even banned in several of the states because it's not seen as sanitary (although I hardly doubt one go is going to kill you). While the concept is a bit strange (and I definitely had some ticklish moments) it was really fun to experience and I'd recommend giving it a go at least once!

DONKEY RIDES 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I'll be completely honest. I don't know much about the donkey rides in Santorini other than this: If you ride the cable car down to the port of Fira (or if you're a brave soul who takes the stairs), one of your options to get back to the top is to ride donkeys for €5 (give or take). There were tons of people doing it so we said "why not?!" The views were awesome (The smell? Not so much) and there were definitely some scary moments when you thought the donkey you were riding was going to run right off a cliff. But overall, it was really fun and I'm glad we did it. I will say, there was a part of me that wondered if this was some form of animal cruelty, but this sign gave me a bit of peace. That being said, I probably could do more research (just haven't yet #realtalk). So, if you know something I don't about these guys that I don't, I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

WHAT TO PACK

So hopefully by now I've convinced you that you have to take a trip of your own to Santorini (as if you really needed me to). Once you book your trip, it's time to start thinking about what you want to pack! Overall, I pretty much lived in flowy sundresses that double as beach cover ups, flat sandals and a bathing suit. I also loved playing up the blue and white vibe to match the island (#basic). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I love this color blue (especially for a bathing suit) and was so happy to have it with me in Greece. I also love this top and this one piece in the same color (also this option in a similar color but different style). If you like the idea of blue but don't want to be too matchy matchy, try something with navy like this striped bikini, this crochet number, or you can get a little wild with this tie-dye.

In keeping with the blue and white theme, I love the textile of this breezy cover-up  and this breezy-boho off the shoulder dress. And for sandals, I love casual + chic basics like this Beno slide or this Payce slide. 

DRESSES + COVER UPS

BATHING SUITS

SANDALS

And that's a wrap! I hope these posts help you with planning a trip to Santorini- and an amazing one at that! It truly is an incredible place and even more beautiful than the photos. Still have questions or want more information? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much to Kapari Natural Resort, Rocabella Santorini Resort & Spa, Perivolas Hotel and Choose Yafy/ Santorni Yachting Club for providing us with an unforgettable trip!