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5 | Double Lined Racerback Tank
8 | Stone Bookends
9 | Lace Bodysuit
Miss Madds Must Haves: Spring 2018
Spring has sprung and I'm sitting by the lake eating a gluten free, dairy free, soy free, fun free burrito wondering how it's already May. April, my wonderful fabulous birth month, has come and gone once more, leaving me a few hundred dollars short in my bank account and a few pounds heavier because #treat #yo #self.
Spring has seen a few key life changes, including but not limited to:
- Going gluten, soy, dairy, and egg free based on some surprising results from my Everlywell at-home food sensitivity test kit
- Choosing to spend less time and money on Torchy's and more time and money on restaurants I really want to experience like Suerte, Il Brutto, and Sway
- Becoming eerily obsessed with Gucci. I can't stop spending my money. Someone please send help.
- Finally caving and signing up for Amazon Prime, which I deeply regret based on my many late-night beauty purchases (many of which are listed below)
- Deciding that Phoenix is underrated and everyone should go there at least once
- Wondering why I don't shoot film more often and dreaming about a 70's inspired photo shoot
I wanted to share just a few of the products I'm loving this spring with each and every one of you! I've linked everything in the text, but also have a section at the bottom dedicated to all the clothes I'm currently drooling over. If you want to hear what I'm listening to this spring, be sure to check out my SPRING | 18 playlist on Spotify!
Beauty
Osea Calming Skincare Starter Kit — They are currently sold out online, but you can buy from Milk and Honey in-store! This vegan, seaweed-based skincare set has worked WONDERS on my dry, tired, irritated skin.
Josie Maran Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation Fluid — I love how hydrating and pigmented this foundation is. It doesn't cover up quite as much as my Benefit "Hello Flawless" Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation, but it doesn't seem to irritate my skin as much.
Facial Steamer — My dear sweet baby gal beauty guru Hunter Wuensce of Vital Blonde turned me on to the idea of facial steaming, and I've found that it's really helped with the effectiveness of my activated enzyme weekly face masks as well as evening the overall tone of my skin.
Jade Roller — Does this thing work? Who knows. Does it feel amazing? Definitely.
Cold Compress Eye Mask — I didn't know heaven on earth could exist until I woke up after a sleepless night, put this eye mask on, and fell back asleep for 10 more minutes.
Gadgets
Everyday Photo Backpack — If you're a photographer looking for a small lightweight backpack for everyday shooting, you need to check this out. The camera bag fits in the bottom half of the backpack while the top has room for your wallet, phone, keys, chargers, laptop, and more.
Laptop Sleeve with Mousepad — The IT guys at my office were less than thrilled when I spilled water on my laptop and had to get it repaired, so I finally invested in a sleeve for my MacBook Pro. I love that it's lightweight and the opening flap doubles as a mousepad.
Will Leather Goods Oaxacan Duffle — I've been carrying the same duffle for nine years so asked for this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind duffle for my birthday. Each has a different print, and comes with a lifetime warranty and custom monogramming.
Books
The Lover's Dictionary — This book is creative, raw, and beautifully written. Set up like a dictionary, each word harkening a different memory in the story of one flawed relationship.
I'm Judging You — So dramatic that it literally makes me cry laughing. Basically one large diatribe about why people are the worst sometimes.
Brands to Check Out
Zoe & Piper — Healing gemstones and spiritual symbols mark the designs of this jewelry company. I adore their monthly subscription box and simple stretch bracelets.
Sommer Swim — I got tons of DMs on Instagram asking where I got my red bikini I wore in Arizona. This company is one of my faves for swim! I also have my eye on a neon green suit from Nada Swim.
Beehive — I've always loved this Austin boutique, but their current spring inventory is amazing! I love the retro, girly vibe.
The Night Sky — They make prints based on the stars at a certain time on a certain day at a certain location. HOW COOL IS THAT?
Clothes and Accessories
It's been a great spring so far, filled with travel, wellness, and lots of fun moments with friends. I can't wait to share more style, beauty, and wellness moments with you this month!
Photo via Sustain Natural on Instagram.
Why I Use Organic Feminine Care Products
Do you know exactly what's in a tampon? No? That's probably for a very good reason: Companies that manufacture feminine care products aren't been legally obliged to provide a list of ingredients on the package.
Wait WHAT?
You heard me, people! Feminine care brands aren't required to disclose what goes into their products... The very products that happen to be very up close and personal to one of the most absorbent parts of a woman's body. The vagina is the most permeable organ in the women's body, and absorb roughly 10-80% more toxins than even being exposed to toxins orally.
Before I get started, I just want to let you guys know that this is in no way a sponsored post. I use Sustain Natural (more on that later) and pay for it myself each month! I was genuinely surprised when I found out the FDA doesn't regulate what goes into feminine care products and, after speaking with a good number of women friends over the past few months, realized that many people were in the same boat as me.
Why waste money on organic? Conventional cotton is heavily treated with pesticides, and has been referred to as one of the dirtiest crops in the world (I mean seriously who wants to even risk having pesticides be in anything that goes remotely near their vagina?). Many feminine hygiene products are bleached in chlorine, leading to the creation of toxic chemical compounds known as dioxins.
The World Health Organization has flagged dioxins as having the capability to disrupt hormones and damage the immune system when exposure levels are too high, and in extreme cases could cause reproductive and development issues. The FDA claims that the levels of dioxins that may be present in feminine hygiene products wouldn't be high enough with monthly exposure to cause THAAAAT much damage, but for people with sensitive bodies, it can't be a bad idea to nix toxic feminine products from your bathroom shelves and purses altogether.
I've always had a sensitive system... To everything. Makeup, food, alcohol, medicine. You name it, I probably have some sort of sensitivity to it (if my body doesn't produce it and it doesn't come from Mother Earth, it's probably not affecting me in a positive way.) I've dealt with hormonal problems from the very start of my period, which started about two years later than most of my friends. I was on birth control before I was having sex, deal with crippling cramps each month, get cystic acne when I ovulate, and have terrible PMS symptoms. Meanwhile, the only thing any OBGYN seems apt to tell me is that I should get on birth control. But the joke's on them! I can't take because of a genetic condition I have called Copper Toxicity, as estrogen inhibits the body's ability to break copper down and detox it from your system.
What if the multi-billion dollar feminine hygiene industry's lack of regulation has something to do with the increasing amount of hormone and women's health issues in young women today?
More and more, I've been finding articles detailing how prolonged exposure to toxins may be to blame for many women who deal with hormonal issues. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to go completely toxin-free, but after learning about the lack of transparency in the feminine care industry it seems awfully dumb not to try and eliminate toxins from that *ahem* area of my life.
A girl with hormonal problems... Putting a tampon... With toxins that may contribute to hormone problems... Is a problem.
My business law professor always told us that we vote with our wallets, and I think that is such an important statement when it comes to working toward more healthy feminine care products. You don't need to wear a period cup to vote against toxic feminine care products! There are tons of amazing brands that offer toxin-free options for women.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend a few extra dollars (and get my products delivered to my doorstep) each month and know that the products I'm putting in my body aren't going to expose me to any toxins that may mess with my hormones or the balance in my body.
Companies Reshaping Feminine Care
- LOLA - 100% Organic cotton, toxin-free, dye-free, delivered to your doorstep. They have tons of products including compact applicator/non-applicator/cardboard applicator tampons, ultra thin pads, ultra thin liners, supplements and essential oils for cramp relief, and a first period kit. Choose your subscription and adjust how much of which product you need at any time. LOLA gives back to the community, providing low-income women and girls across the US with feminine care products.
- Sustain Natural - 100% Organic cotton, rayon-free, fragrance-free, no animal by-products, no parabens, delivered to your doorstep. Not only do they have feminine care products, but they also sell condoms, lube, and wipes. Build your personal period product arsenal by plugging in details about how long and how heavy your period is, what products you prefer to use, and how many boxes of each you'd like to receive.
- THINX - Period Panties, activewear & 100% organic cotton tampons and undies, delivered to your doorstep. Yes! The infamous period panties. Do they really work and keep you from bleeding through without a tampon? I have no idea (trying them soon), but I've heard nothing but good feedback from friends. Build a period panty kit, or order individually. They also have great a small blog called Periodical with tons of up-front, no BS, super wonderful articles.
- Cora - 100% organic cotton, made with ethically-sourced ingredients, Global Organic Textile Standard certified, delivered to your doorstep. Pick your subscription and products, or head to Day One for tons of great information as well as personal essays from women. For every month of Cora you purchase, a month's supply of pads is supplied to a girl in need.
I've found comfort in moving in a more natural path with my health, but even if you have no interest in eating a more plant-based diet, getting off all medication, and living toxin-free (like I said... I'm not quite there yet), it's always a good idea to be vigilant when it comes to picking the products you use in your everyday life. The organic tampon debate continues, and will likely continue for some time with the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act introduced in 2017 by Rep. Grace Meng. For now, I'll stick to buying my organic tampons and having them delivered to my doorstep monthly!
My First Month Using Le Tote Clothing Subscription
I always thought that clothing subscription boxes were for moms. Mainly because my mom has a subscription to StitchFix and I just always thought these things were for busy ladies who were trying to deal with their kids' BS, their pets' BS, and their husband's BS. But then I tried a subscription to Le Tote... And I have finally seen the light.
Guys! What have I been doing all my life? This box is amazing.
Reasons Le Tote stands out:
- You can keep and wear the clothes until you're tired of them
- You can purchase singular items from the box (with up to 50% discount on each)
- You can preview your box and switch items out if you don't like what they pick
How it works:
You basically go online, create an account, and do a short quiz to help them get a feel for your style. They ask you about what kinds of tops, coats, sweaters, pants, skirts, and dresses you like to wear, and assemble your first box within a few minutes so you can see what you're going to be getting before it comes. I LOVED this aspect of Le Tote, because I am a control freak! I actually didn't love the products they picked, so I kind of did my own thang and I could NOT have been happier with what I got.
When you get the box in the mail, you can keep the clothes and wear them as long as you want. Just be sure to keep them in great condition (or purchase clothing insurance if you're accident-prone!) After you wear your clothes a few times, you can return them using the pre-labeled packaging included with the tote. Or, you can keep the items you love and Le Tote will charge your card the discounted price for each piece. It's up to 50% off the regular retail price!
You can rate your box piece by piece and let the stylists know if there was any issue with the overall style, fit, material, or color.
See what was in my tote:
Pricing:
$59/Month. If you purchase every item from a tote, however, you will get a month free! Great deal if you are the kind of person who spends $60+ on clothes each month anyway. And a great way to online shop with the ability to get up to 50% off of pieces and return them easily (they give you a mailer you can send unwanted items back in!)
Le Tote is totally #MaddyApproved! Can't wait to keep trying out new services and products to share with you guys. Have you used a subscription box for clothing? Which is your favorite? Comment below and let me know!
This is not a sponsored post. The viewpoint above is the unbiased opinion of Maddy Hill, and the selected products were paid for.
My Go-To Fall Accessory
Today I'm talking all things Wood Watches by JORD -- My favorite fall accessory! This wood watch company caught my eye about a year ago, and their products have only gotten CUTER with time. If you haven't yet entered my giveaway, this is your LAST CHANCE to win $100 toward your JORD Watch! Read till the end to see you you can enter.
My favorite is the Frankie 35 in Zebrawood and Champagne, which you may have seen on my Instagram lately. It's a great late summer or early fall watch, since it has a lot of warm tones that can transition from those hot August days to cooler September and October temps (Okay, so I know it's not CHILLY yet but I can pretend, right?)
For warmer weather, I paired it with some casual high waisted shorts and an effortless off-the-shoulder floral top from Zara. I opted for light brown leather sandals, to keep with the warm tones in the watch.
When we had a little cool front following the hurricane, however, I had fun mixing the "zebra" streaks in the watch with thicker textured sweaters. My favorite pairing was my Frankie 35mm watch with my new Topshop Boucle Jersey Boyfriend Blazer! I've also been pairing it with some great sweaters from Abercrombie & Fitch (yes, you read it right.)
A few other JORD Watches you should be checking out:
- The NEW Cassia Series! Polished and delicate, with beautiful neutral face colors to choose from.
- Frankie Series in Sandalwood & Smoke: A larger version of the Frankie 35mm, if you're wanting to make a bolder statement.
- Cora Series in Kora & Rose Gold: Similar to the Frankie 35 Series, but with a smaller, less pronounced face and smoother transition between band and face..
Click below to see each collection:
And most importantly... don't forget to enter my giveaway! The winner will receive $!00 to use toward a JORD Watch, but every single person who enters will get a $25 credit! So WHY are you waiting? CLICK HERE to enter!