🦋 🫧🌲 FRIDAY 5 FAVORITE THINGS: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Sometimes I feel I've got to get away.. but hardly ever do. Last week I traveled to Bar Harbor, ME — a destination I have been wanting to visit for a long time. Now, with less than a week away from the space opening, it's probably not the best time to travel but a principle of the philosophy I've adopted here is "Give Yourself Time™". That's twofold for me.. 1. I have workaholic tendencies. And 2. I have to make sure I schedule time for relaxation, yoga, healthy meal prepping, a workout routine and the occasional spa day. I feel best on when I integrate a mix of self care into my life. Then there's days -like today- where I stress eat Montillo's Bakery chocolate mousse for breakfast because a new policy goes into effect on Amazon which has me on calls at 6AM. I don't want to be all work and not have continuity in other important areas of my life so a quick trip was in order. You need a reserve to pour from. Maintaining balance is hard. You need to have thicker skin so you can weather the unexpected. You cannot run on fumes. I'm telling myself this, not you. Anyhow.. in this week's Friday 5 Favorites, I'll share highlights from the trip plus other affinities and inspirations I'm finding fun & fulfilling - including the Build Your Bag event which is happening now!
"Before #1-5, here's a little Lightning Round. A round up of little things that have been sparking joy for me lately. Ok, let's go."
Drinking: A Blueberry Margarita from the Thirsty Whale in Bar Harbor, Maine
Listening to: Tainted Love by Trinix
Loving: Reviews people are leaving on Amazon for the Gingerbread Man Essential Oil Diffuser Blend.. I think he is going to be back for a Christmas in July special.
Ordering: Wallpaper for the studio walls + signage.
Wearing: The Adidas Gazelle Bold sneakers in yellow. I did not splurge on the hunter green ones everyone wants. And that's a good thing because I ended up getting them covered in mud the second day I wore them. This is why I can't be a sneaker girl. I tried.
Wanting: More vacation time + a solid Maine mug souvenir because I didn't come back with one.. preferably one with a moose on it.
Burning: Bedrock Tree Farm Lavender Candles
Watching: Just Look Up.. the story of two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence. I loved the editing. So creative!
Obsessed with: The La Sirena top dupe shirt from Amazon.. it's the perfect summer date night top for next to nada.
Listening to: "Our Summer Cape Cod Favorites" episode on the Love Ya, Bye Podcast by Maggie & Emma MacDonald
Hi, I'm Jenna
The blogs you'll find here are inspired by my interests in beauty + wellness which developed from collecting fashion magazines during my newspaper carrying days in elementary school. I later attended Umass Lowell and graduated from FIDM before working for world renowned estheticians and beauty brands like Sonya Dakar, Smashbox, Tarte & Tata Harper. Today I am an e-commerce marketer and Amazon specialist for 3 wonderful companies on Cape Cod and newly licensed LMT still studying for my esthetician's license. I'm a curious, color-obsessed creative.
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December 31, 2021
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1. FUN WALLS & MIRRORS
What's up for the weekend? Wallpaper for the treatment room, if it arrives. Before the space, I provided mobile services and will continue that on select days. Something I have enjoyed immensely is seeing the home decor (wallpaper, art, fixtures) in my clients' homes. It's ironic because I see many elements that are in Cape Saltie's esthetic like color palettes, butterflies and ferns in the homes I practice in. Recently there was a butterfly piece by an artist I discovered in Nantucket perched above an Aromatherapy session that I had one evening and I thought, Oh that's so cool. I feel like I landed in a place where I am supposed to be because what I am putting out in the world is being mirrored back to me in a very like attracts like kind of way. There's symmetry. Is that the Butterfly Effect, I wonder? Turns out it's not. The butterfly effect is the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system. Imagine a small butterfly flapping its wings and causing a comet to approach. Well that's interesting to think about too but this clearly is not a physics blog. I'd like to think that all the choices I am making now are meaningful and will all add up to something that has a lasting positive impact in my life and the lives of others. With that Aromatherapy session, I connected with the client just like I did with the art piece. What a bright, sunny person! Bringing her an hour of peace was probably one of the most fulfilling moments from the last month. She loved her session! Speaking of bright and sunny, many design elements I love were also mirrored back to me in the cozy cabin we stayed at in Maine though I did have some say in that. Yes, gold fixtures!
2. MY BLUEBERRY ERA
Maine is known for its wild blueberry harvest and I enjoyed wherever I could get it: margaritas, ice cream, chocolates, hard seltzers and souvenirs. Did you know Maine produces 99% of all the blueberries in the country, making it the single largest producer of blueberries in the United States? Read that again! Not saying 99% of our blueberries are from Maine (bummer) but of the ones produced here.. that's where they're coming from. Yum! I had an amazing Wild Blueberry Margarita at the Thirsty Whale but my favorite was the jam I took home. There must have been 10 varieties in this big country gift shop (like the ones I'd shop in Vermont) so I asked, "What's the best one?"and got directed to one with sugar as the first ingredient. It looked like the free runny jam they give away at diners. No... so I checked every other label and selected Maine Homestead because it listed Maine Wild Blueberries first. You guys, this jam is so0o0o0o good.. filled with thick clumps of bright blueberries. I used to go to those country stores in Vermont to buy provisions like this for Holiday baskets and gifts. This jam will 100% be included in that mix. 10/10.
3. CADILLAC MOUNTAIN - NORTH RIDGE
There are quite a few hikes with varying levels of difficulty to choose from when visiting Acadia. My boyfriend and I wanted coastal views, moderate difficulty and a loop. We ended up on an up & back which was perfect. On a cool Saturday morning, we hiked the North Ridge Summit Trail and (I'll speak for both of us here) and enjoyed every minute of calm because - perspective- we were supposed to get dumped on with rain but the storm held off until after a delicious dinner at Provender that night and didn't let up until the next morning. I loved waking up to the peaceful sound of the rain and then soaking away my sore feet in an epsom salt bath.
4. PROVENDER KITCHEN + BAR
All the food at Provender Kitchen + Bar was knock your socks off, let's start there. Actually let's start with the starters. I'm a little ditzy.. have I mentioned that? So.. when I made the reservation I didn't realize I made it for the bar instead of a cozy table! Oops. Well, now you know you need a reservation and that ended up working out really well for us because I LOVED my cocktail. Watermelon, spicy, tequila. And that got us ordering various apps so I could sip and savor it a little more. The smoked and fried chicken nuggets with dipping sauces stole the show then the sweet potato tots came in this huge portion so the leftovers could be served up with eggs and bacon in the morning. When in Rome.. Wonderful service, Joy!!
5. BUILD YOUR BAG EVENT
It's the event where you select a travel cosmetic bag and get 20% off everything you select to go inside with code MDW. There is SO much more to choose from this year because of all the new additions like candles, bath bombs, sheet masks and natural, vegan soaps. I treated myself before leaving by grabbing a fresh replacement of everything I use - except the bags!! I have had mine (one of each) for over a year now and they are in great shape. Really impressive for what they cost. They are sturdy, durable and easily cleaned — perfect for travel! Perfect for Maine with that lobster.. or the Cape!
