Traveling Routines... My Hotel Bathroom

(All pictures © Bren Herrera)

If still in St. Croix attending the amazing Food and Wine Experience which spans the entire week, topped off by a super sexy Taste event at Divi Bay Carina Resort last night. And can I tell you... you must make your way here! It's my 2nd time here for the same event and it simply does not fail. The weather is perfect, the people are extremely nice, and the culture is a fantastic break from the high speed race I live in and usually am comfortable with, a la DC and New York. Plus it's just sexy.

My days have been extended with some lush sights and glutunnous eating (because if I go too long w/out food, I kind of get irritable!) and require me to pack a bag with everything I'll need for 12 hours of trekking. But since my itinerary is so diverse, ranging from fancy dinners and coastal farm visits to ATVing it up in the "rain forest, " my attire, accessories and overall look has to switch up. And that means I have to do the bag switcharoo every night.

My mornings start in the bathroom where I asses my look for the day. I thought I'd be able to easily sift through what I thought was minimal jewelry and makeup... I didn't fare so well this trip, but a great improvement from my last hops. I couldn't really make it without these. No matter how chill the trip. 3 nail polishes for a week? Clearly, a bit too much, but fun to have just in case. The bronzer from Estée's new line. Love. Love. Some under eye makeup since I'm not sleeping enough... loving the creamy one by CoverGirl.  And Bobbi Brown's longwear cream shadow stick in Bark is the best thing I could apply for a natural look all day. It gave me some color in my eye without looking like I had dolled up to  walk the island.

Since I over-did it again, I decided to make use the huge bathroom space and hang jewelry on wall mirrors, use the wine glasses to hold the 20 rings or so (because who really needs 20 rings for 9 days and stick my brushes in the tumblers. If you think about it, it's totally practical to make use of the your entire hotel room especially if you're staying for 6 nights.

This is one example of a light day's goodies that I carry. A mish-mosh of lipsticks and gloss, my favorite mascara, earpiece (because I'm still working), and jewelry I ended up sliding off.

The only way I've justified bringing all this stuff, probably more than necessary, is that it keeps me connected to my own space and place. It's lovely being on the road, seeing the world, but nothing like holding on to your comfy spot. Silly, but my things that help keep my routine somewhat normal, make an extended stay that much better!

What are your must-haves when traveling, short or long stays?

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Destress & Rejuve with Artistry's 14 Day Intense Treatment

My life as it stands is a constant loco motion. I just jumped off the train from DC to NY to attend some amazing shows during Fashion Week. I'm here all week with  a caveat ... I have to go back to DC tonight all to catch a flight 1st thing in the morning back to NY... yep. A double trip in 2 days. Thank goodness I'm only 3.5 hours away. Oh, and wait, I was here just last week for a day trip to celebrate the launch of Chic Rebellion. I've had about 4 hours of sleep in 36 hours. 

Pretty intense, right?! I love, love, love what I do and nothing makes me happier than traveling, cooking, and covering haute lifestyles around the world. But, it does take a toll on my body and mind. The level of stress is ridiculous. And oh, lucky me, handles it in a less than attractive way. Let's have a moment of confession here! My stress releases itself in my face... fortunately, I don't have wrinkles (thanks to family genes) or major acne problems, but I do break out once a month and it's just not fun. The breakouts are anticipated so I know exactly how to deal with them. The real challenge are the ensuing brown spots. 

I'm a brown girl, but a "high yellow" one as they say in Atlanta! That means any and every little mark (even if you pinch me) marks my face and is visible. My life's mission since HS has been to find that perfect cocktail of skincare products that address the biggest things that affect me. I've had little succes, mostly because I've been lazy, truth be told. 

Times have changed! Intense traveling and little sleep demand a strong skincare regiment that helps keep my skin refreshed, rested and looking young. 

My busy bee lifestyle can easily catch up to me if I'm not careful. 

This is the metaphor of my life: always on it, focused & determined!

I found daily washes the love my skin and vice versa... Neutregena grapefruit wash...Love that stuff. I swear by it. But I realized, a bit late in the game, that SPF's and daily moisturizers are essential in protecting our skin. I've gone through the catalog of options out there, and some work. Some don't. I've recently settled on Artistry's SPF 50 which is silky smooth and perfect for layering before my makeup application. 

My focus now is on restoration while I sleep! Just like my calves need to rest after running all day, my face and pores need to relax and recover from all that guk we apply and expose it to. I have been the worst about washing my face before bed. That's changed. When I became a fan of Artistry's beauty line a few months ago, I got hooked on following their development. From what I've used and seen, their chemistry knows my kind of skin and my needs. Their latest: The 14 Night Restore Program. 

14 days of intense treatment has taken over my efforts this month! In preparation for more Chic Rebellion filming and photo shoots, I was pressed to beautify my skin. According to the band, the 14 blue vials, are "an intensive two-week series that repairs the skin at the cellular level and restores its appearance to a more youthful state. This intensive treatment delivers 7 levels of restoration for 7 skin-correcting benefits, offering comparable benefits to a professional photo-skin rejuvenation."

It's really targeted for the woman that's showing unattractive signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and drying. I'm not going through any of that so for me the 2 week program is targeting a much needed area of smoothening and firming... The stress factor is no joke...I need my skin to stay calm! :) After just 7 days of slathering my face (each vial actually gives you 2 days worth!) I've seen a more "relaxed" look on areas that are normally hyperactive...  

Right now, that just works for me! It's intense enough not to have to pair with anything else... Easy, breezy! If you're looking at stifling some stress on your face, check it out. Your skin should always glow, girls. It's the first thing anyone sees when meeting you! ;) 

Check out their line of prods! If I've seen results, surely, surely you can too! Their website has all the info you'll need.  Their also on Facebook and Twitter. The 14 day program will be available Oct. 1, 2012, right in time or fall skincare switcharoo's! 

And, if you're lucky charm plays it right, you may stock up with $2,300 worth of goodies Artistry will be giving away Wed. Sept. 12 during a Twitter party I'll be co-hosting, live from Fashion Week! RSVP and join in the convo! *See* you there! 

Won't you follow and share on TWITTER| FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM  | GOOGLE + :) 

* I was not paid for this review, but did receive the treatment in order to test it out. All opinions and experiences are honest and always my own! 

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