This past Sunday I attended a really fun event at Red Bee Honey with the Connecticut Bloggers Collective. The event, LIQUID GOLD: A Taste + Test Wellness Bar, featured Red Bee honey and handcrafted skincare. Lydia and I headed Red Bee's Honey House Barn in Weston, Connecticut on Sunday morning to join beekeeper, author and honey sommelier, Marina Marchese on a journey into the fascinating world of bees. She discussed the many uses of honey and bee products for health and beauty. Marina has perfected the art of honey tasting, transferring the skills of the wine sommelier to the artisanal honey tasting table.


I attended a VIP preview before the main event started to try out 5 limited harvest honeys perfectly paired with cheeses and food. I skipped the cheese since I'm not a fan, but I was really excited to try out all the different types of honey since I pretty much know nothing about it. Learning new things should be one of my goals for 2018. It's fascinating how the honey flavor changes based on what flowers the bees visit while making it. That should be self-explanatory but it's something most people don't even think about.

We tried out the following honey flavors: 

• Orange Blossom honey - floral, fruity and rich in vitamin C 
• Blueberry Blossom honey - fruity and a good source of antioxidants 
• Buckwheat honey - robust and a good source of iron 
• Creamy Clover honey - delicious notes of cinnamon 
• Gold leaf honeycomb - raw honey with amazing benefits

My favorites were orange, blueberry and clover. Each honey was paired with something to bring out it's unique flavor notes. Here's what we paired with each:

Creamy Clover honey with coconut shavings and bee pollen. This was one of my favorite combinations. I bought some of the clover honey to take home!

Blueberry blossom honey with brie cheese. (I didn't try this with the cheese but the honey alone is delicious!) I almost bought some but decided on another instead.

Buckwheat honey with dark chocolate and almond. This was surprisingly delicious! When we first smelled this before tasting I didn't think I would like it, but when paired with the chocolate it was amazing.

Gold leaf honeycomb with a cracker. This honey was still on the comb so if you ate that part there was a nice bit of crunch. This was another favorite of mine, just so simple

Orange blossom honey with goat cheese and fresh rosemary. This was another one I had alone since I don't like cheese. You could really taste the orange in this honey which I found very interesting. I bought a small jar of this along with the clover honey. Not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I know it will be delicious!

After the VIP preview we joined the rest of the bloggers upstairs at a taste and test wellness bar where the honey we had just tested was out for everyone to taste. We were also able to test out some of Red Bee's honey-based beauty products. While we were mingling, tasting and testing we sipped on a honey elixir made with chamomile tea and a teeny bit of alcohol.

The Workerbee Rescue Balm was SUPER hydrating, perfect for dry winter skin. I really liked the Honeybee Butter Balm, it goes on very smooth and not oily at all. I also got to take home some Red Bee lip balm. A perfect goodie bag item because I am ADDICTED to chapstick. My lips are always super dry. I got the lavender flavor which is very subtle and you can even taste a bit of honey.




Thank you so much to Red Bee and Marina for having us and teaching us the importance of bees!

For the past year or so I've been lucky enough to have Aveda send me some of their amazing hair, skincare and beauty products. Over that time there have been a few knockouts that I have run out of because I love them so much! Today I 'm sharing my current skincare routine as well as some of my favorite Aveda products!

Night

Aveda Tulasāra™ Wedding Masque Overnight and Eye Overnight

Every night right before bed I use Aveda tulasāra™ wedding masque overnight and Aveda tulasāra™ wedding masque eye overnight. I started using them in February 2017 and am totally hooked. I'm almost out of both products so I'll have to order some more.  The scent is amazing and the cream goes on super smooth with no greasy feel. I wake up with my skin feeling hydrated and smooth. There's actually a more in-depth process to using this masque that I've since been too lazy to keep up with, but in case you want to try it out:

1. Sweep wedding masque for face onto décolleté, neck and face. Breathe in the relaxing aroma with jasmine, camomile and grapefruit.
2. Massage your shanka pressure points counterclockwise 7 times, then clockwise 7 times, then in slow, pulsing motions 7 times.
3. Place index and middle fingers on the sthapani point and repeat massage motions. Sleep, and wake up to wedding-day skin.

After (or before) the wedding masque, gently apply the accompanying eye wedding masque with ring fingertips around the whole eyelid and under-eye.

Morning & Night:

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

I’ve been plagued by dark spots on my face for quite a while. They’re old acne scars, and I’m sure no one else notices them, but I'm self conscious. I decided to get rid of them and did some research. I chose Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution and it didn’t disappoint!

At first, I balked at the price ($49.50) but in the end I decided that if it worked it would be worth it. I’ve used other Kiehl’s products in the past (and present) and was confident it would work. I’m now on day 101 of using it morning and night with my usual routine and the dark spots are  gone! I have some new ones on my chin to get rid of now, it's a never-ending curse.

I repurchased the dark spot solution in the larger size during a Kiehl's promo deal (to get deluxe samples of their Midnight Recovery line, another favorite!) and started using that on November 1st. The first bottle lasted 80 days when used morning and night.

I read in reviews that the top doesn’t stay on tightly so when I traveled I made sure to put it in a plastic bag to avoid it getting all over my other products. I’ve definitely lost some product due to the loose top, but that is the ONLY issue I’ve had.

In the Shower:

bliss triple oxygen instant energizing foaming mask

A few times a week while I'm in the shower I like to use bliss' triple oxygen foaming mask. Previously I used Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial, which I got from the "free table" at my old job in New York City. Once that ran out I started using the bliss, which I had gotten free from Kohl's. Both work great but I love the smell of the bliss facial.

Aveda Shampure Collection

This is my newest acquisition from Aveda. Earlier this month they sent over the Shampure shampoo, conditioner, body mist and composition oil. When I wash my hair I apply conditioner to the ends of my hair first and then shampoo to the roots and rinse them off together. I'm not sure how prolonged use will affect my hair but after the first couple weeks it's soft and smooth, so an A+ rating so far! I also use the composition oil while in the shower but you can use it on dry skin as well. The scent of these products is very subtle but extremely calming. It's made up of 25 pure flower and plant essences including certified organic lavender, petitgrain and ylang ylang.

Aveda Candrimā Collection

This is another favorite Aveda product, the Aveda Candrimā cream cleansing oil. The fragrance, made with ginger and ginger lily, is so comforting. I ran out a few weeks ago so I'll need to buy some more. I use it at the end of my shower and then rinse it off for the perfect relaxing scent to finish my shower. It also comes as a body moisturizer which I frequently use and am also running out of. The horror!!! This product is limited edition for the holiday season so it's time to order it again if you like the scent! It will make a perfect gift for friends and family too.

Previously: Aveda invati

I wash my hair every other day and used the exfoliating shampoo and thickening conditioner each time. Unfortunately using them started making my hair a little too greasy so I had to switch to a different shampoo and conditioner. But the scent is amazing and I loved how smooth my hair felt afterward. So if you want thicker, fuller hair, give it a go!

Face Masks

I also use some face masks throughout the month when I'm feeling extra fancy. Below are the ones I'm currently using as well as a few I've tried in the past. I still have two Sephora sheet masks I have yet to use. Perhaps this weekend!

ORIGINS Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores

This is my current favorite. I bought it after getting a sample from Sephora. It does a great job of cleaning my pores and making me feel fresh. I've always been too afraid of the peel off masks so this is a great alternative. Do you have a peel off charcoal mask that you like?

Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask

"A mask that helps to purify skin and visibly minimize pores." I still have a TON of this left since it's in a big tub so I'll be enjoying it for quite a long time. My skin always feels tight and fresh after using it. Such an odd but satisfying feeling, right?

Tata Harper Clarifying Mask

"A complexion clearing treatment with an AHA superfruit blend and quartz sand micro crystals to create the look of a clearer, more refined complexion. " I only had a small sample of this so I used it twice, but I really liked how it made my skin feel. Once I run out of my current full-size masks I may buy this in a larger size.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Hydrogel Eye Mask Depuffing & Moisturizing

"A mega-refreshing hydrogel mask that eliminates signs of fatigue." This mask has a really nice cooling effect for my constantly tired eyes. I used it 3 times before it became too dry to reuse. At only $4, I will definitely re-buy this in my next Sephora order.

Nails:

Chanel Nail Polish

Since I was already taking photos I figured I should show off my Chanel nail polish collection! I allow myself to splurge and buy a new one every once in a while. I prefer to paint my own nails rather than going to the salon so instead of a manicure I just buy a Chanel polish for the same price that I can use more than once. (I also use Essie and a few other random brands)

Just in time for the holidays, The Red Door invited me to their spa at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT to try out a Signature Mani/Pedi. The Red Door offers everything from facials, massage and body treatments to nail care, hair design, make up artistry and more.  I had previously visited this location for a massage and was eager to see if this second visit would keep up the high standards of my first. It did not disappoint!

It has been quite a while since I've gone for a professional manicure and pedicure and this made me remember how much I enjoy them. Normally I paint my own nails and it's not as fun. I have to remove my old polish, try to smooth out my nails, put on the new nail polish and hope I don't smudge them before they dry. It's become such a chore so being able to enjoy having my nails done was a nice change.

The Red Door's Signature Mani/Pedi includes their signature luxurious exfoliation with Olive Oil Salt Scrub and a warm cream reflexology inspired massage with their Signature Luxurious Body Cream. In between each step my legs (and arms) were sprayed with a bit of Red Door's Olive Oil Moisturizing Body Spray. You also get a warm neck pillow to help relax even more.

The warm neck pillow and getting the Salt Scrub massaged into my legs

One of my favorite parts of going to get my nails done is mini massages. At cheap nail salons you just get a quick hand and foot massage, but at The Red Door massages are extended to the elbow and knee for extra pampering. They also include a customized essential oil foot bath. Finish off with a paraffin treatment and you're good to go with softer hands and feet complete with perfectly polished nails. My technician Kristin also used an Ultra Healing Body Balm to really seal in the moisture. It's been 3 days since my appointment and my feet are still as soft as a baby's bottom.

This was 100x better than any other mani/pedi I've received. Kristin did an amazing job and made sure I was comfortable (and hydrated!) throughout the process. I'm not the best at small talk but she made it very easy. We gabbed about Christmas cookies, meals and other fun stuff. ;)

The final product with Kimono Over and Limited Addiction (they looked so great I had to buy them!)

You can book your own appointment via The Red Door website. And, since we're in the last couple weeks before Christmas, head to their gift page where you can purchase a gift card (in a dollar amount,) a gift certificate (for a specific service) or a Red Door membership for everyone on your list! Be sure to check out their current promotions as well!

Gift cards and serviecs list

More photos from my day at the spa are below!

Entrance to the spa with, what else, a Red Door!

Pedicure area

Letting the paraffin wax work it's magic

Getting Kimono Over painted on my toes

Those are REAL roses and they have been there since October - insanity!

The relaxation room, complete with blankets since it's Winter.

Hydrating with water while letting my nails dry in the relaxation room

All done, and very happy!