#top wellness blogger

It’s Spring time and it’s time to bring in some fresh flowers, but instead of some store bought ones. Shake things up and go flower picking. In Miami, you can trek it to  U Pick Kendall. This activity not only gives back to local farmers, but it also helps you reel in a variety of health benefits in just under a few minutes. 

Here are some health benefits to flower picking: 

1. Lowers blood pressure

2. Reduces stress

3. Improves Mood

4. Improves Focus 

5. Combats depression

Photos by Viktorria Yaskinka 

 Sanibelleis a new wellness brand with single-use hydrating hand sanitizer ampules and wipes that not only reduce  99.9% of illness-causing germs, but they also leaves hands feeling hydrated thanks to key ingredients vitamin E + aloe. So how does it kill germs? It uses the CDC-approvedactive antimicrobial ingredient, Benzalkonium Chloride .13% and the formula is alcohol-freeso it won’t leave a strong smell or dry out hands. I absolutely love it. You can stick in your gym bag before a workout or tote it in your bag for everyday use. Check out Sanibelle,HERE

Tenth Street has every style hat imaginable on their. easy to shop site. I wanted something a la  Stevie Nicks but that I could also make look high fashion and found this beautiful one called Seville. Made out of wool felt this guacho styled head-piece can be worn with an LBD, a great jumpsuit or a. cool flowy top and jeans. Check out Tenth Street HERE for all your hat needs. They also. have men’s.

Mauby is an LA brand made by a women for women.I fell in love with the Just Right Cardigan . It is  timeless and cozy to pair up with practically everything in your closet during the cooler months. Although I am usually based in warm Miami, this soft and well-made piece, I can still snuggle inside my apartment and on future travels for years to come. Get itHERE

Eau Palm Beachis a wellness hotel that sits beachside an hour away from Miami. The former Ritz Carlton property got revamped with famed interior designer Johnathan Adler’s hands and made it to the Forbes list for best luxury hotels. This pet-friendly hidden gem has cruelty-free beauty products in rooms, sustainable and recyclable coffee, beachside yoga and meditation, intention setting before a spa service and the best handmade vegetarian burgers as well as fresh seafood. The hotel is also extremely eco-friendly marking all turtle nests and turning off lights near the beach for nesting season. After being quarantined for so long, I finally made my first solo trip with my pup and it brought me back to life. Most people don’t like to travel alone but this is the kinda of place that makes easy to especially if you’re single. Sometimes, we need to reconnect with ourselves after all, it’s good to get to know oneself when traveling.  I packed my journal, a book, some bikinis, hats, a pajama, sunscreen, sandals and some workout clothes. It was all I needed. Here’s what my trip looked like: 

Day 1: I checked in around 3p.m. and walked my pup around the property (there’s a doggy station which makes it easy) before heading to the beach to sit under an umbrella and read my book. 

I took some selfies on there and then headed to the restaurant looking over the ocean to order some food and a drink. I ordered the tuna tartare and a spicy watermelon margarita. It was a spicy combo together. Beware the drink although delicious is definitely strong.  

This is the restaurant below and a nice place to watch the sunset. 

I finished the day by ordering room service. Elmo and I split the Wagyu burger and we went for an evening stroll around the property and watched a movie.

Day 2: I woke up at 5 a.m. made coffee in my room, took Elmo for a 30 minute walk around the property, and then headed to a sunrise private yoga and meditation class at 7 a.m. The class was really relaxing and had a gentle flow. Afterwards, I headed to breakfast (wait till you try the home-made butter here.) and then back to my room to get ready for a quick dip at the beach.  

It was a New Moon (the beginning of a new lunar cycle) so I decided to set some intentions by the water and use seashells to charge instead of crystals which felt amazing. I highly recommend. You’ll feel tingles across your arm and an incredible sense of grounding.  

After the beach, it was time for a spa experience. I booked the Royal Treatment which combines reflexology (my favorite), neck, shoulders and hand massage with a scrub and mask. It was deeply healing and relaxing. The Spa is really spacious with lots of amenities and resting areas like below. 

This is where you set an intention/ make a wish before your treatment using a candle and placing it in the water. 

I wrapped up the day by going to the pool before heading to dinner. 

Then grabbed Elmo for another evening stroll. We sat on beach chairs watching the sunset.

The next day was check out which is at 12p.m. It gave me enough time to go back to the beach one last time before driving back home. If you live in Miami or visit Miami, Eau Palm Beach is one hidden gem, I highly recommend visiting. 

Ready to raise your aura and bring good fortune?  Luna Sundara’s Palo Santo bracelets can definitely do both. Burning Palo Santo myself weekly, I can attest that it really does give you good calming vibes. Luna Sundara’s eco-friendly sustainable bracelets are made by local artisans in Peru and Ecuador using Palo Santo wood and Huayruro seeds. Besides having medicinal qualities, it is associated with good luck and wealth. Not bad for a wellness bracelet that only costs $14.  Get it HERE

Dove has been cruelty-free for a minute now and they recently sent me some of their Glowing Mango Butter & Almond Butter products to test out. Hands down the Instant Foaming Bodywash was my favorite. It smells delicious and feels so refreshing. The quick rinse formula gives you a light, airy lather.  Priced at $5.99/22 fl. oz. You can find it HERE

 Aging gracefully is important to me as it is to the majority of us. The big question is how does one do that? Well, besides having a healthy mind (staying positive) and body (exercise and eating good), is using healthy clean cruelty-free products likeSky Organics. I started using their products in March when they sent me a few samples to test out and within a week, I started seeing my skin looking a lot more glowy and healthy. The products are so clean. 

 Here’s 6 oils you need now and why. 

1.Argan Oil - helps repair hair and moisturize it. I like to apply it in mine in between workouts before I wash every 3 to 4 days. It leaves hair shiny and healthy. The vitamins in it are known to promote cell production and make hair thicker. 

2.Castor Oil: Helps stimulate brow and lash growth. 

3.Jojoba Oil- Makes a great oil for cleansing. You can take off your makeup with it or refresh in the mornings or evening. It works for all skin types and leaves skin so hydrated. Additionally, people with eczema and psoriasis may find it useful for treating their skin. 

4. Vitamin E Oil: Works for the entire body. It’s great to apply after a shower. Many people swear by the effects of it overnight. It helps to reduce inflammation, reduce hyper pigmentation and wrinkles. 

5.Marula Face-high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it helps acne prone skin and aging skin. 

6.Rose Hip Oil-it comes from the seeds of rose bush and helps with stress, inflammation, reducing skin pigmentation and delaying wrinkles. This oil also helps with discoloration and acne lesions. 

Face masks work when they have natural ingredients like 23 Skin .This Miami-made brand keeps it simple with a cruelty-free, add water mix that feels delicious on skin with application.23 Skin offers 3 different mask options that leave your skin clean and extremely hydrated. There’s matcha, sea weed and pink clay options. The sea weed one can also be used all over the body in the shower for a delicious detoxing experience. Ingredients are all natural and organic. You can see my before and after. No makeup needed (I only added mascara). Use code: “Annie20″ to save 20% off your purchase. HERE