A beauty girls guide to packing part 2

So now with the makeup out of the way, it's on to the big picture of packing and the looming decisions of t-shirts, bathing suits and sundresses that will compactly fit in my REI backpack. Yes, that's right, I'll be traveling via backpack for the next few months so making key packing choices is imperative. Luckily, I've been researching on some amazing travel blogs/sites (many linked to the side of this one) and have an expert backpack traveller friend, Mary, who has given me invaluable advice along the way of this process.  As a follow-up to my previous post on cosmetics, and to inform my family and friends who have seen the likes of my medicine cabinet so know what I'm working with, here is what I managed to whittle down to in terms of personal care items, not bad right?

Better yet, it all managed to fit nicely packed into this rather compact toiletry bag. I was really proud of this situation.

Next came the real stuff, i.e. clothes and basic necessities. I won't bore you with every detail of what I'm bringing, feel free to message me if you are interested, but here's the general list of what made the cut:
- Hiking Shoes
- Running Shoes
- Chaco Sandals
- Flat gold sandals (these are going out shoes)
- Bras, Sport Bras, Underwear (these are life-changing)
- 4 cotton tshirts
- 4 cotton tanks
- 2 nicer tanks
- swimsuit, 1-piece and 2
- 2 long dresses
- 1 short black cotton dress
- Jeans and Jean shorts
- Leggings and workout pants
- Nike dry fit shorts
- yoga mat and towel (also to be used as a bath/beach towel)
- Sleep sack
- Alarm clock
- Lock for backpack
- Scarf
- first-aid kit and pills
- Carry-on day pack with travel pillow, travel docs, flip flops, books, travel journal, kindle, iphone, etc…

Before...

And it all fit in here!

I also wanted to share some tentative Central/South America itinerary details in preparation for my departure:

January 29-February 3: Nicaragua

February: Based in Santiago

March: Based in Buenos Aires

End of March/Beginning of April: Peru, Macchu Pichu

Mid-April: Brazil

End of April/Early May: Tentative- Columbia, Ecuador, Bolivia…any other suggestions?

Plane takes off in 2 days…Hasta Pronto!

A beauty girl's guide to packing part 1

For those that know me well, you might agree I am not the most minimalistic person… that and the fact I've been working in the beauty industry in New York City for the last 3 years caused quite a dilemma when deciding to pack for the next 3 months via backpack. Part of my journey is really about discovering a different side of me and in order to do that I really felt it was necessary to create a more simplistic environment. It took some convincing to myself that there were certain "essentials" in my normal routine that I'd have to bid a fond adios to. As an fyi, my normal medicine cabinet may or may not resemble this. It was clearly necessary to cut down to the bare minimum. However, don't you worry my fellow CoverGirl's…a girl could never go without any mascara, so here I present to you my "pared-down, must-have, cosmetic essentials" (that happen to fit nicely in a small LeSportsac case). This should take me from daytime classes to a night on the town, and I promise I won't be wearing makeup while hiking, camping, skiing, etc...
- COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation
- Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
- NARS The Multiple in Laguna
- NARS Blush in Orgasm
- MAC Pigment in Gold Mode
- Tweezers
- Eyelash Curler
- COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Marble and Peony
- COVERGIRL LashBlast 24Hour
- COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast in Violet Voltage
- Pencil Sharpener
- Chloe rollerball perfume

I love playing the part of beauty editor if even just for a minute, so to all my fellow PR's, I fully accept samples and would be happy to be added to your distribution list. Kidding of course…stay tuned to later this week when I share my WHOLE backpack's worth of supplies (hopefully I'll be able to fit a few items of clothing in there). Plane takes off in 5 days!!

Photos from Belize

Here is a small sampling of photos from my recent trip, still figuring out how I can link to this to the side of the blog, but for now...enjoy and happy friday!

Namaste Series: flowing over the ocean

My next yoga practice I'd like to include in the namaste series also took place in Belize, but this time over the ocean at a spectacular property, Ak'Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort about a mile north of our hotel on Ambergris Caye near the town of San Pedro. I definitely recommend checking out their website for information on upcoming retreats. My sister and I had seen this beautiful property while taking a water taxi into town and inquired right away about community classes. Luckily for us, they offered a morning class every weekday at 9am so we set out on our last full day in Belize to experience it for ourselves. Although I personally enjoy a little humidity and heat while practicing yoga, I have to admit it was quite breathtaking to practice while listening to the waves softly hit the shore and the breeze blow calmly across the palapa. The picture-perfect weather, combined with an energetic community of yogis and a well-traveled instructor proved to be one of my favorite experiences on this vacation and one of my favorite yoga classes I've ever participated in. Namaste.
Note: the image above is taken from the Ak'Bol website, as we didn't have our camera with us that morning.

Fear…and overcoming it

For those of you that know my mother, you might know she is apt to experiencing what many of us would refer to as your typical set of fears and/or neuroses including, but not limited to heights, claustrophobia, large bodies of water….you get the point. I was thinking a lot about this after getting back from our recent trip to Belize because I realized the power fear can have over us and how powerful it is when we overcome it.  During this trip, we, and I mean all of us, flew in puddle jumper planes, climbed rocks through dark enclosed caves, tubed down strong currents and swam among sharks in the middle of the ocean.  The fact that my mom participated, and even enjoyed, almost all of the adventures proved how strong we can be if we don't let fears inhibit our mind and bodies. Sure, it's not always easy, but it can open you up to so many new experiences and discoveries about yourself. Proud of you mom!

Namaste Series: zen in the jungle

Since deepening my yoga experience is one thing I would like to accomplish through this journey, I wanted to create a series of posts discussing my various yoga practices around the world. The first experience of the namaste series took place on the palapa at Black Rodge Lodge in the Belize jungle. Although the practice was self-led, involving the basic sun salutations and warrior poses to the tunes of MC Yogi, nothing beats looking out into the vast jungle while the body easily flows in the temperate, humid air.   I look forward to continued shavasanas around the world and sharing these experiences. Namaste.

Welcome to the Jungle…and the Beach

Ok, so technically, my own adventure has yet to begin, but since I was fortunate enough to join my mom and sister on an extraordinary vacation over the holidays, I thought I would include some of the highlights  and thoughts of Belize. This small Central American country of about 300,000 is bursting with ecological wonders and extremely kind people. We started our trip in the jungle area near San Ignacio, at a spectacular hotel, Black Rock Lodge. I absolutely loved it here, so peaceful and serene. I don't think I have ever slept better than listening to a jungle rainstorm through our open air cabin, waking up to the sunrise. Leisurely days at Black Rock can be spent enjoying a fresh juice overlooking the river, reading a book in a hammock or scoping out Toucans and other birds in the nearby trees. Although we we did enjoy a bit of this relaxing, laid back vibe, we opted to partake in some more adventurous excursions during our time on this side of the country. The ATM  (which stands for Actun Tunichil Muknal) was by far the most interesting outdoor tour I have ever experienced which included hiking through the jungle, wading through rivers and culminated in an extensive climb and swim through ancient Mayan caves while inspecting ritual artifacts including a full human skeleton! Not only did we absorb such rich history and cultural lessons, but to experience such a stark contrast in nature between the humid, lush jungle to the cool, dark cave was an exhilarating experience all in its own. The rest of our time in the jungle was spent meeting new friends during communal dinners at Black Rock, horseback riding, cave tubing down the river and simply relaxing. From San Ignacio we departed to the beach, on the Southern area of San Pedro. I found it pretty remarkable that there could be such a diverse landscape of beach and jungle in one small country, it felt like a whole other world from where we had just come. This part of the trip was much more sun-focused including enjoying some time by the pool, walking along the beach and in the shops in town, taking a water taxi to neighboring islands and  experiencing the best snorkeling I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy. We actually swam among sharks and stingrays.. check out my sister's facebook page for images. After four fabulous meals of grilled lobster and red wine, we ended the fabulous vacation on the highest note. I would 100% venture back to Belize, and since Mom seems to be interested in pursuing the real estate market there, hopefully it won't be too long until I do!

Happy New Year

I'm really looking forward to a 2012 filled with new adventures. A yoga teacher recently told me that instead of New Years "Resolutions" which feel binding, restrictive and difficult to achieve, she likes to make New Years "Evolutions"; things we can bring into our lives to make us happier, lighter, wholer beings. Today, I'll be thinking of things I want to bring in or let go to evolve myself into a better person in 2012. Happy and Healthy New Year!!