WINTER SELF CAREThe dark days of winter are nature’s way of telling us it’s time to slow down, cozy up, and take care of ourselves as we rest and rejuvenate our bodies in anticipation of the spring to come. Enjoy these moody cold days by carving out time for some extra self-care, and tune into the sounds of the season as all of nature’s creatures cozy up and hunker down for winter. |
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FOREST BATH SOAKHave you tried our new bath soak? Quickly becoming a shop favorite - this blend of purifying salts and luxurious french green clay has been imbued with the scents of the mountain - resulting in a true FOREST BATH experience! |
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COZY UPThis muslin hooded robe is featured in our Clarity Cabin - the crown gem of our Wildland Retreats vacation rental spaces. Wrap yourself up in eco-friendly luxury and enjoy lazy days by the fire - you deserve it! |
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MOUNTAIN MEDICINEThe winter season is one of the most magical times to visit Idyllwild - especially our Wildland Creekside Yurt! The creek is currently flowing, and sounds absolutely magical as the sounds of the bubbling water and the wind gently blowing through the pines lull you to sleep. The clear dome top gives gorgeous views of starry night skies and beautiful mountain mornings! |
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SOUNDS OF THE SEASONEnjoy this curated selection of mellow songs specifically chosen to tune you into the sounds and vibrational energy of winter. |
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’Tis the season for potentially snowy weather - and we want to make sure you are prepared. Please read through the following and make sure you’ve got everything you need for a safe and fun stay in Idyllwild.
*IMPORTANT WARNING*: Failure to be prepared, including lack of chains or arriving after dark in snowy weather will have consequences - any and all of which you will be responsible for yourself. If you get stuck in the snow, if you can't get in the driveway because you arrived too late after check-in and the snow piled up, if you can't get up the mountain because you forgot to buy chains... all of those scenarios will be your sole responsibility. Names and contact info for local tow trucks and snow shovelers can be found here. Again, it is VITAL that you arrive before sundown on active snow days - arriving any later will be to your detriment.
That’s the question on everyone's mind, and only Mother Nature knows the answer. Winter weather is notoriously unpredictable in Idyllwild - sometimes it snows as early as October, sometimes it doesn't snow until December - and we never know exactly what days. Sometimes it snows in May, often on Mother’s Day!
Regardless of the season, it usually snows just a few days at a time, and then melts away to chilly, but sunny days perfect for hiking. Check Weather.com for the most accurate forecast up to 10 days before your stay. You can also check the Farmers Almanac for the most accurate predictions all year long (based on previous years) - but always be prepared for surprise weather changes. We recommend re-checking the weather an hour before you depart for the most accurate weather predictions.
Whether or not you will need them, depends on the weather. YOU MUST CHECK THE WEATHER and CALTRANS chain controls in the days leading up to, and immediately before departing on your trip. Please do not text us to ask about weather predictions or chains requirements, as liability prevents us from providing that information: you must check an accurate weather forecast source like The Weather Channel AND Caltrans Chain Controls. It is always a good idea to have chains if there is any chance of snow, as weather can change on a dime, and you don't want to be caught without them in a storm.
WHEN CHAINS ARE NEEDED: CalTrans requires chains when driving up or down the mountain on snowy days. FWD vehicles it is a MUST. Even if you have 4WD or AWD - ALWAYS CARRY CHAINS WITH YOU. If you have 4WD and Snow Tires, you most likely won't be required to put them on, but they may still stop you and ask for proof you have chains in your car. Again, ***BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEATHER & CALTRANS BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD*** If you don't have chains with you in snowy weather, you will most likely be asked to turn around - CalTrans will not let you pass in either direction, up OR down the mountain.
WHEN TO PUT THEM ON: There are usually signs on the road that say “chains required” - this is when you know you need to pull over and put your chains on (even if you have 4WD or AWD but don't have snow tires). Also, if the weather takes a sudden turn and you feel yourself slipping, pull over to the nearest TURNOUT and put on your chains. PLEASE do not stop in the middle of the road, you must use a TURNOUT. If you are driving a car without AWD or 4WD and snowy or icy conditions are predicted - PUT ON YOUR CHAINS BEFORE ascending or descending the mountain.
HOW TO PUT THEM ON: check out this helpful youtube tutorial featuring two capable women - YES - women can travel solo and still be ok as long as you are prepared!
PURCHASING: Some retailers will accept returns for unused chains, some will not. Be sure to CALL TO CONFIRM their policies before purchasing. It’s a really good idea to purchase chains down in the flatlands - you will pay much higher prices up here on the mountain if it suddenly snows and you need chains to get down. And you definitely won’t be able to return chains you buy on the mountain.
SUGGESTED RETAILERS: * We hear that WALMART will accept returns for unused chains * O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Hemet usually accepts returns. $46 for passenger cars. $110 for trucks/SUV’s is the 2020 pricing at O’Reilly’s, but that could change. * Les Schwab Tire Center will sell you the proper chains for your vehicle, and then you can take them back (after April is what we hear) for a full refund with receipt. Keep the receipt in a ziplock with the chains. Call them for exact details... there’s one in Temecula on the way up.
No. Front wheel drive vehicles make it safely up and down the mountain all year long. Please see above about chains for your tires - these are especially important for FWD vehicles - you could definitely get stuck and/or find yourself in dangerous conditions if you come up the mountain without them. Stay safe - bring snow chains.
Unfortunately, no. Booking a home in the mountains in winter comes with the expectation that there may be snow, and we provide you with all the information you need to be prepared. Many people "hope & pray" for snow on the days they have booked - so try to reframe any fear or hesitance you may have and consider yourself quite lucky to be able to enjoy the experience! With the right amount of preparation - snowy weather is a WONDERFUL time to experience Idyllwild.
First of all, don't panic. You aren't the first person this has happened to. Simply call these local resources for help, whether it be shoveling you out, or towing you out. Because all of the major roads are maintained by regular plowing, most people don't have trouble until they get close to their cabin. Depending on the hour you arrive, if you get stuck and cannot reach any of our local resources, you may need to abandon your car and walk to the cabin, or try to get a ride from our local car service. Please do everything you can to keep your car out of the road to avoid potentially dangerous circumstances. We will not be available to give rides, as it creates further liability that we don't have insurance coverage for in terms of having guests in personal vehicles. We hope you understand.
A GUIDE TO IDYLLWILD IN THE SNOW, including a map of the best “snow play” spots in town for sledding, etc. (Please BRING YOUR OWN sled and/or snow toys, or plan to purchase them at Fairway Market, Forest Lumber, or Village Market.). Click this link, and scroll down to the section titled “Pine Cove, Idyllwild and Mountain Center Snow-Play Areas” for nearby snow play spots. Do NOT be tempted to sled down driveways onto the street. Stay safe out there!
Snow Hikes are also a wonderful way to enjoy the snow. Some trails may be closed during snow, but others remain open - so don't be discouraged if the first place you hit is closed. A helpful tip is to google the name of your intended trail to see if there are any closure notifications BEFORE heading out. Looking for tips on how to prepare to hike in the snow? Check out this article here.
Conditions: Wanna get a birds eye view of what conditions look like in town, and on the trails? Check out these awesome LIVE nature cams & road cams that will show you exactly what conditions look like in real time.
Wishing you happy vacation planning!
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Did you know the Mayor of Idyllwild is a DOG? Not any dog... Mayor Max the famous Golden Retriever can often be seen around town greeting his constituents and visitors... you can visit his Facebook Page or his Website to ask about his schedule if you wanna be sure not to miss him!
Animal Lovers will also not want to miss a visit to LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY. Spend the afternoon playing with pups & kitties who have been rescued from death row at kill shelters, and have a forever home at the sanctuary. They are all available for adoption, since every animal adopted creates space for another to be rescued and live out their lives in paradise. Be sure to stop on by and play awhile - these lucky fur-babies love to show travelers how magical their home is!
BOOK A ONE-OF-A-KIND TOUR with Steven at "Idyllwild Experience"! We usually hate tours - but Steven's are really small groups, and he's a wealth of information plus so fun to hang out with. We recommend his "historic" tour - Idyllwild has a fascinating history!
Speaking of history, check out the Idyllwild Historical Museum for even more details about the storied history of Idyllwild and the San Jacinto Mountains through the years.
1. Spend an afternoon lounging at nearby LAKE FULMOR (pictured above) - it's the perfect leisurely hang-out spot for reading, picnicking, and fishing. Approximately 20min drive from town.
2. LAKE HEMET is the perfect destination for more active water sports, kayaking, boat rental, BBQ pits, & fishing. Approximately 20 min drive from town in the opposite direction of Lake Fulmor.
3. HURKEY CREEK is also wonderful water medicine during the seasons the creek is running - call the campground for creek conditions. Closer than Lake Hemet, and lots of fun for the kids - there's also a campground with a playground nearby.
1. ROCK CLIMBING: (Traitor Horn pictured above) did you know Idyllwild is one of the PREMIERE places to rock climb in all of California? Get more info and tips here.
2. MOUNTAIN BIKING: Idyllwild is also famous for it's gorgeous year-round biking trails. Get more info on specific Idyllwild trails here, or stop into Nomad Ventures for some in-person tips on the best Idyllwild has to offer.
3. HIKING: see below for a full section on hikes
PHAROS ATHLETIC CLUB: Offering day passes for visitors - this is the new mountain outpost of the celebrated "Pharos Athletic Club" in Echo Park Los Angeles. A true Idyllwild gem, with a community feel and the biggest hearted owners you'll ever meet, Emylee + Pieter. You can feel their passion for fitness & community the minute you walk in the door - and the GORGEOUS state of the art equipment is amazing as well!
IDYLLWILD COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE: The OG acupuncturist, and a beloved healer in town - Miles will do wonders for you body and soul. Make it a wellness weekend by booking a Feldenkrais or Craniosacral session in the studio above with his wife of MOVING LIVELY.
LILI CHARMOZ of LALITANAND YOGA : Offering Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Body Work, Mat Yoga, and Arial Yoga - she is a gem of a person and such a talented and passionate teacher!
KEELY TAYLOR BODY WORK: specializing in therapeutic body work, acupuncture, and herbal medicine - she is often booked solid, so schedule well in advance.
TAWNY HARRINGTON MOBILE MASSAGE: specializing in intuitive massage - including sound healing and aromatics - she will come to you!
IDYLLWILD MOBILE MASSAGE specializing in massage for relaxation and stress reduction, featuring hot stone massage and CBD infused massage upon request. As the name suggests, she will come to your cabin.
SAOIRSE FAE ENERGY & BODYWORK: specializing in chronic pain conditions and energetic massage. Located in Oakwood Village
MOVING LIVELY: Offering Pilates, Feldenkrais, Craniosacral and Occupational Therapy. Craniosacral & Feldenkrais body work are particularly impactful for those suffering from chronic pain and recovery from cancer and other illnesses. Located above Idyllwild Community Acupuncture.
PILATES IN THE PINES: offering an intimate Pilates class experience - small group and private lessons in a dreamy studio centrally located in the storybook enclave of Oakwood Village.
*FREE* COMMUNITY YOGA taught by Juliana Sanfelici (pictured above). Message Juliana on Instagram to confirm there is a class during your stay, she's a busy working mama and the class schedule changes: Instagram @ju_sanfelici
PRESENT & POSITIVE: a retreat center and community space offering a variety of classes, workshops, retreats and session work to the local and global community. A registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and operate entirely on a donation-based system. Click here for a calendar of classes and events.
OM SWEET AUM: Yoga shala offering a variety of yoga, pilates, and other wellness activities. Operating since 1992, Om Sweet Aum has been bringing peace and calm to the mountain for decades.
KYURI YOGA: specializing in yin/yang and yoga therapy for chronic pain/stress, anxiety, depression visit her Instagram for an updated schedule. She is available for private lessons as well.
JULIA FRODAHL YOGA: Really wonderful! goes deep. Specializing in a compassion based approach to mediation and yoga. Message her on instagram for her current Idyllwild yoga schedule.
RENA MAY YOGA: a gifted and intuitive teacher - slow and airy classes - mindful and welcoming. You will feel better just being in her presence - truly! Check out her class schedule on Facebook here, or by messaging her on Instagram. Fun Fact: she also works at the WILDLAND shop!
TRINE: a healing goddess of many modalities. From yoga, to breathwork, and beyond - message her for a schedule and menu of offerings.
ENTER SERENITY: a new yoga studio... schedule changes, check out their Facebook page or drop by their location upstairs in "The Fort" (the big brown building in the center of town) for a schedule. 54225 north circle drive unit #1 Idyllwild CA 92549
1. ERNIE MAXWELL: (google map location link) An 8.0 kilometer scenic trail that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail ascends very gently from the south end of Idyllwild to Humber Park, passing through a wonderful dense forest of pines. As you approach Humber Park, spectacular views of Suicide and Tahquitz rocks come in to view. Once you reach Humber Park, walk up the road a few hundred yards to the Devil's Slide Trail head and find a peaceful spot for a picnic lunch. If you still have some energy left, hike a half mile or so up the Devil's Slide trail for unbelievable views of both Tahquitz and Suicide rock. Return the way you came. Distance: 5 miles Elevation: 859 ft Route Type: Out & Back. Dog Friendly on-leash.
2. IDYLLWILD PARK: (google map location link) a perfect destination for many skill levels, described below. Dog friendly on-leash.
Paved Road: Easy, relaxing stroll through the county campgrounds. Several tables and open grassy areas to enjoy a picnic or simply relax with a book can be found throughout the road (unless they are already taken or reserved). You will find a lightweight travel cooler in the linen closet if you would like to bring snacks or beverages with you on your walk.
“HILLSIDE Trail”: Easy to moderate hike, depending on your athletic level. Just enough elevation to get your heart rate going, lovely views to enjoy, and boulders to climb. Walk as far as you’d like and turn around, or keep going for a “loop”. If you are interested in details on the 2 mile loop, look up “Idyllwild Park Trail” on AllTrails.com
“SUMMIT Trail”: Moderate to intense hike - significant ELEVATION gain for the average person. If you’re in great shape, this will be easy for you… but if not, stick to Hillside unless you’re down for a challenge.
3. DEVIL'S SLIDE: (google map location link) There are several ways to access Devil’s Slide. Devil's Slide to Saddle Junction Trail is a 6.9 mile trail that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate to intense based on skill level. Dog Friendly on leash. Distance: 6.9 miles Elevation: 1840 ft Route Type: Out & Back
4. BLACK MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT: (google map location link) Black Mountain Lookout is a 1.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
5. Looking for even more of a challenge? Visit IdyllwildCalifornia.com or AllTrails.com for plenty of ideas!
Photographers: what a better way to commemorate your Idyllwild experience!
Florist: Mountain Poppy Florals & Lily of the Valley Florals
Cakes & Catering:
Oh you KNOW we have a whole other list for COFFEE, FOOD, & LIBATIONS! Check it out by clicking here.
We hope this helps you plan a truly magical stay in Idyllwild!
]]>The Wild Ones is a new blog series featuring some of our favorite people living life by their own rules, making bold choices, and keeping it wild.
This week's Wild One is rock climbing goddess, eco mama and classic California girl Blair Elspeth Haddad. Read on for an insider look into her life, passions & greatest adventures.
]]>The Wild Ones is a new blog series featuring some of our favorite people living life by their own rules, making bold choices, and keeping it wild.
This week's Wild One is rock climbing goddess, eco mama and classic California girl Blair Elspeth Haddad. Read on for an insider look into her life, passions & greatest adventures.
Waking up my baby with good morning love.
Yosemite. It's insanely crowded but standing at the base of those walls is an unmatched experience. I would recommend checking out the surrounding areas for cool camping/lodging and trails (And climbs!) because there are tons of places in and around the park that are nowhere near as crowded as the valley.
My goal in life is to try to leave the planet a little cleaner and a little kinder. I also hope to give my daughter a strong personal moral code that leads her to do her best for the world and others.
Epsom Salts - Awesome for soaking and even better with a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. Also, Dry shampoo is one of my main beauty obsessions. I don’t have a long detailed routine and I like to keep my products simple and easy. Dry shampoo is one of those absolute necessities though, especially with a toddler and a love of camping. Wildland has created a light effective dry shampoo that doesn’t just cover your hair with a perfume and nothing else. It absorbs all the oiliness and helps bring my super fine hair back to life for one more day. A small amount goes a long way so it’s perfect for helping stay fresh and clean while backpacking or on a long climbing trip. With it being a dry powder instead of a spray, I am able to pack it with limited space and have less trash when I’m done. I can honestly say that this dry shampoo has replaced all the others in my beauty bag.
My biggest, wildest thing to date is climbing 500 feet up a granite wall in Yosemite. Looking out over the valley and seeing a beautiful sunset was the end to a perfect experience. It was a relatively short climb for the area but it's what got me hooked on the sport and setting more advanced goals.
]]>The Wild Ones is a new blog series featuring some of our favorite people living life by their own rules, making bold choices, and keeping it wild.
This week's Wild One is certified breathwork guide, transformational healer, & mindful life goddess Ana Lilia. Read on for reflections on her greatest life choices, and the natural beauty secrets that keep her glowing from the inside out.
]]>The Wild Ones is a new blog series featuring some of our favorite people living life by their own rules, making bold choices, and keeping it wild.
This week's Wild One is certified breathwork guide, transformational healer, & mindful life goddess Ana Lilia. Read on for reflections on her greatest life choices, and the natural beauty secrets that keep her glowing from the inside out.
My morning meditation. After dog duties, I get back in bed and meditate for 20 minutes. It helps me get centered and grounded for the day.
The most difficult choice I've made is separating from my husband. We were stuck in the blame game and there didn't seem to be a way to continue our marriage. So I decided two years ago to move out. It was heartbreaking for both of us. Since then we have each done a ton of personal healing and growth and we have reconnected and we're exploring a new way to love each other.
I was just in New Zealand. I got to spend time both in the North Island and South Island. There is so much adventure and diversity in New Zealand. I went whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, off-roading in a jeep. And also had a profound healing experience on the island of Waiheke.
I teach people how to use their breath to transform their lives. I create personalized healing journeys combining breathwork, intuitive guidance, curated music and aromatherapy. Leaving the person feeling connected with their intuition, clear, relaxed and empowered.
The good news is you don't have to live in Los Angeles to breathe with me. I recently created 3 meditations to go along with Wildland Organics Meditation Tea Treatments. It was so fun to collaborate with the Wildland team and write meditations to help you breathe, and also open up to release and receive.
I'm also preparing to go to Morocco at the end of April to lead breathwork at a retreat. The focus of the retreat is Self-Acceptance. We are going to help you reconnect with yourself, de-stress, all while exploring the magic that Morocco has to offer. For more information about the retreat and future consciously connected travel, click here.
I use tallow as my moisturizer. I suffer from eczema and tallow has been the only product to help when I get flare-ups. I always have Lucas Papaw Ointment in my purse to add moisture and shine to my lips. And I love Wildland Organics dry shampoo. It's 100% natural, it matches perfectly to my hair color and it helps to give my hair texture.
The wildest thing I've done is spend a week in the Amazon by myself. It was quite the adventure. From finding a local shaman to guide me in an Ayahuasca ceremony. The ceremony was just me, my shaman and his wife. To going out at night in the amazon river to look for crocodiles. To being the only guest at my lodge by the end of my stay. And there's no internet or reception, I really felt isolated and alone after my 6 days there. My mind started to panic after being isolated. My last adventure in the Amazon was exploring a part of the jungle that required using a machete to create a path. It felt like at any moment I could die. From the poisonous creatures all around me, to unstable ground, my guide ended up getting stuck in a sinkhole. I had to remind myself to breathe and that I am (semi) safe. It was a wonderful experience that I would do again, but this time with a friend.
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Our first Wild One is travel goddess, actress, & new mama Liesel Hlista. Read on for reflections on her greatest adventures, and the natural beauty secrets that keep her glowing from the inside out.
Showering! Lately it is the only time I get to myself without a 1 year old watching my every move.
I was working on a job and found out that a male counterpart (doing the exact same job) was making significantly more money than I was. I brought it up to the producer and was basically told that he could recast me in a "hot second" with someone that would do the job for free. I stood my ground bringing up other things that made me uncomfortable during filming and in the end had to walk away. It was difficult to stand up for myself because on paper it was a dream job but I was not being treated in a professional way. Time IS up! Women deserve to be equally respected for their work and it is inspiring to finally see that being brought to light.
Mongolia! My husband and I have a map with pins in places we have visited. We were looking at the world and saw a big empty space and said, "What about Mongolia?!" Neither of us knew anyone that had been. It turned out to be a very transformative trip. The lack of wifi was the least of our concerns. We stayed in many yurts across the vast plains of Mongolia while experiencing desert heat, insane winds, rain and snow and sometimes all in the same day. We lived like nomads for a couple weeks and it was the BEST trip that I NEVER want to take again. A one time experience that will live in me forever.
Traveler tips for Mongolia: Layers! Lots of layers! Have an open mind and an explorer mindset. Oh and don't ask, "What kind of meat is this?"
I am currently figuring out how to still pursue my dreams while being a new mommy. The intense love I have for my little one and my husband expands every day, but I am working on having that same love for myself. Motherhood is an important evolution and we need to be patient and honest with ourselves . I am not going to be exactly the same person that I was before giving birth and that is ok. I am so excited to still dream big and work hard to be the role model that my little girl deserves.
1.) I love coconut oil. I love its versatility and use it for everything (cooking, moisturizer, dental care)
2.) Thayers Witch Hazel after I wash my face and to help remove any leftover makeup.
3.) Wildland Organics Super Bar is a new fave! I use it as a body soap and for shaving. I have never liked traditional shaving creams with ingredient lists that cover half the bottle. The Super Bar provides the perfect lather without drying out my skin. I love a simplistic beauty regime that I can trust.
I've swam with sharks in the Bahamas, come face to face with a pride of lions while on a bush walk in South Africa, spent every penny I had to travel solo to Costa Rica for two months post college graduation, but none of that compared to dating in LA. There is something about this city that makes dating really difficult. A lot of people move here with big dreams and feel pressure to prove themselves which leads to a lot of insecurities that can filter into relationships. What I learned the most from that was to never settle and never compromise who you are. It also taught me what I wanted from a life mate. In the end I met my dream boat and he was right under my nose all along.
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Are you curious about making the switch to Shampoo Bars? Perhaps interested in trying... but not sure what to expect? Then you're in the right place!
This article will address all the questions you didn't even know you had - and guide you through everything you need to know to have a successful transition to an organic haircare routine.
]]>The shampoo bar experience is truly an expression of self-love. And like all love affairs, it flourishes when given time and mindful attention. Part of the magic of The Super Bar Method is that it allows you to rediscover, nourish, and support the natural radiance your hair already holds - even if you don’t believe it’s there. We promise you, it is.
Are you curious about getting in tune with the natural cycles of your hair health and revealing its natural beauty by making the switch to an organic shampoo bar? Perhaps interested in trying... but not sure what to expect? Then you're in the right place!
Our intention with this article is to intimately address any and all questions you may have - and guide you through the details that will help you enjoy a successful transition to an organic haircare routine.
Without further ado, here are detailed answers to all our most frequently asked questions about The Super Bar and shampoo bars in general.
Yes. Even better if you take a look at some of our reviews! Truly natural shampoo bars cleanse the hair using only natural ingredients - gently removing dirt and impurities without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
No, absolutely not. There are plenty of non-organic shampoo bars on the market posing as good for you that are chock full of SLS and other harmful detergents and synthetic chemicals. Buyer beware - and be sure to read the labels! Not sure where to begin? Check out our video tutorial on De-Mystifying Green Beauty Buzzwords.
For best results with shampoo bars, we recommend following The Super Bar Method. The Super Bar Method is a holistic shampoo bar regimen focused on supporting natural hair health by tuning into the body's innate rhythms and nourishing strands with exclusively plant powered products. For detailed information on this tried and true method, click here.
Only a percentage of shampoo bar users experience a true “transition" or "purge period”. The honest truth is, you won’t know until you try. From my experience, the least likely folks to experience a purge are individuals who can check 1 or more of these boxes:
LEAST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A "TRANSITION PERIOD":
Meanwhile, people MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A "TRANSITION PERIOD":
If you find yourself in the “most likely” category - fear not! I was in that category myself when I first made the switch. I not only survived the Purge, I got the BEST HAIR OF MY LIFE out of it! So… read on my friends. :-)
The “Purge" or "Transition Period” is the time it takes for your hair & scalp to detox from chemicals and begin to self-regulate on a natural cycle. Typical symptoms of purging include a waxy texture and/or a greasy/heavy feel to the hair. Never fear - this is only TEMPORARY and it’s a great sign that your hair is on its way to a healthier, more balanced state!
During the purge period, your hair and scalp are beginning to recover from the un-natural and unbalanced cleansing of traditional detergent based shampoos. Traditional "mainstream" shampoos contain surfactants in the form of detergent based cleansers that severely strip the hair and scalp of its natural sebum. Sure, they clean away dirt and bad oil, but they wash away all the GOOD oil too! That's why most people feel they can't live without conditioner - because the shampoo they are using has stripped the hair of all it's natural, nourishing oils. Shampoo bars, on the other hand, are made using a traditional natural soapmaking method - which results in gentle cleansing properties (free of detergent surfactants) that wash away dirt and impurities without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
The good news is, many people do not experience a purge period at all (see above), but if you do find yourself experiencing one, it should pass within a few weeks to a month. Tips on shortening the purge period can be found below.
Still want a second opinion? Check out this article from Heather at EcoDiva.com detailing why sticking out the purge period is worth it.
Yes! Just call on “mama”. That’s what we like to call a good ol’ fashioned Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse - because each batch of the good stuff has a little bit of the “mother culture” that has made ACV a staple in the world of natural beauty for centuries. This ancient beauty ritual will aid greatly in removing residue and impurities from any silicone or chemical laden products you may have been using. An easy DIY ACV Rinse recipe is detailed below.
Aside from shortening the purge period, ACV or our much better smelling (and more travel-friendly) Matcha Green Tea Clarifying Rinse can and often should be used at least every few weeks as a clarifying rinse to keep your roots free of residue and imbue your locks with a healthy dose of natural shine.
And finally - don’t forget to get your mixed bristle brush on! This is a VITAL step in helping your hair and scalp to self-regulate the nourishing oils your hair truly craves. Tips on how to dry brush and other natural hair care rituals are shared in detail below.
No. Shampoo bars do not dry out your hair any more than a liquid shampoo might if it isn’t a correct match for your hair type. The ingredients in our Wildland Super Bar, for example, were designed to be exceptionally conditioning without weighing hair down - making it a popular bar for all hair types. That being said, individuals with dry hair tend to need a second or third dose of hydration via our Ritual Oil as a styling aid or deep treatment. The beauty of shampoo bar life is that you can truly cater it to your own needs - especially as they change throughout the seasons of the year and the seasons of your life!
Silicones coat the hair with "fake shine" - offering a quick fix and instant gratification, at the price of long term damage. When silicones coat your hair, they prevent REAL moisture and nourishment from penetrating the hair cuticle and cortex. This leaves your hair severely dry under all that "fake shine". Which is exactly why if you currently use silicone products, you may notice if you shampoo your hair and don't use conditioner, your hair ends up a nasty frizzy mess. This is because once the shampoo washes away the "fake shine" coat from your hair, it reveals hair that is even drier than it was before. And if you use a product with silicones to correct the problem, then the vicious cycle repeats itself - leaving your hair parched, damaged, and addicted to silicone. The only real solution is to not use any silicone products, and instead, nourish your hair with real moisture and nourishing shine from natural oils.
An easy way to spot damaging silicones posing as “fake shine” in your hair products is to look for anything that ends in “cone”: Dimethicone, Methicone, Amodimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol… etc.
This answer is unique to the individual - but generally, we would recommend washing 1-3 times per week. Our bodies have miraculous abilities for self-care - and when allowed to self-regulate, the oil production of the human scalp is incredibly nourishing. Mainstream products would like you to believe you NEED them to look your best. We believe you hold the key to magnetic beauty inside you - and our products have been created to support you as you discover the infinite power and wisdom within yourself.
No worries! Here are two methods you can try.
The culprit is most likely hard water. Did you know nearly 85% of the U.S. has HARD WATER? This leads to mineral build-up in the hair, which can feel gunky and cause hair to look waxy and dull. Installing a water softening system or a much more budget-friendly showerhead filter is a great solution. An added bonus is that it also helps to clear up skin! Another solution you can try is to do monthly "chelating" washes. Chelating shampoos are more aggressive cleansers, meant to be used once in a while to wash away heavy mineral and product deposits on the hair. We recommend trying Hairprint's Chelating Shampoo. If you already have the build-up, you'll most likely need to chelate before you'll begin to feel the benefits of a new soft-water showerhead. Please note: Chelating shampoos are meant to be used sparingly - overuse can cause stripping and damage, so be mindful with how you use it.
Our shampoo bars are free of sulfates and detergents, so that's a great benefit for color-treated hair. The pH of our bar is around 8.5, which is a bit alkaline - however it can be balanced after each wash by using our Matcha Green Tea Clarifying Rinse or a DIY Apple Cider Vinegar rinse as a pH stabilzer after each wash. Washing only once or twice a week will definitely help your hair retain color (regardless of what shampoo you are using), as well as refraining from heat tool exposure and UV rays as much as possible. That being said, at the heart of things - The Super Bar Method is a NATURAL hair care regime. The heart and soul of what The Super Bar stands for is supporting your journey to discovering the best and most natural YOU. For that reason, clientele with heavily color-treated hair tend not to be ideal candidates for The Super Bar Method. On the other hand, clientele with light highlights and other subtle treatments tend to have amazing results with The Super Bar Method.
"The Waxies" is a term that describes mineral build-up on the hair that results in a waxy look and feel to the hair strands. This happens as a result of showering with hard water, rather than soft water. The problem with using hard water and organic shampoo bars is that the organic surfactant molecules essentially "grab" the minerals in the hard water and leave those deposits in your hair - which results in that yucky waxy feeling. The good news is, it is completely preventable! Simply install a showerhead filter, and you're good to go! If you find you have already fallen victim to "the waxies", you can clarify your hair with a natural "chelating shampoo" like this one from Hairprint - which is specifically formulated to wash away all those gunky mineral deposits and leave your hair feeling fresh and light again! Please note: "chelating shampoos" are NOT to be used regularly - instead, they are to be used only about once a month at most to help manage product and mineral buildup. Using a chelating shampoo any more than recommended can cause damage to your hair.
Changing hair color often - while also a beautiful form of self-expression - is really hard on your hair, and as you probably already know - causes a lot of damage. Many people who over-process their hair rely on synthetic shine products to give the illusion of healthy hair - while underneath, the hair is crying for moisture and nourishment. The same is true for over-manipulation of the hair with heat tools - those fried ends and roughed up cuticles cannot begin to heal if they keep getting fried over and over again. For best results with shampoo bars, we recommend mindful color processing with eco-friendly "clean" dyes, and as little heat manipulation as possible. That doesn't mean you can't occasionally pump up your curls with an iron, or whip out the straightener for a sleek look on a special occasion - but the intention of the shampoo bar experience is to tune into and support your hair's natural radiance. If you give it a chance to heal and shine, you might be surprised how much you love what nature gave you! Plus - imagine all the hours and years of your life you'll get back that you no longer have to spend blow drying and heat styling - it's a win, win!
Not to worry! There's an easy explanation and a quick fix. As mentioned before, The Super Bar Method is designed to support your hair's natural radiance. This is why you are loving the look and feel of your natural curls! What is happening is that your scalp has self-regulated the sebum required to keep your hair nourished, and your dry-brushing has carried that sebum down the hair shaft to naturally coat and hydrate your strands - leaving your curls looking healthy and radiant. The thing is - this amount of sebum is what your CURLS need to look good. Curly hair needs a very different level of sebum than straight hair. So when you try to blow-dry it straight, this new level of natural sebum that is great for your curls is now too heavy for a straight style. However - there is a quick and easy fix. If you really want to change your hair from curly to straight for a special (temporary) occasion, you can just clarify the hair using a natural chelating shampoo like this one from Hairprint. If you're still feeling a bit heavy - one quick wash with a detergent-based mainstream shampoo will get you where you need to be for the straight style - but it will come at a cost. You will once again be stripping your hair of all it's beautiful, natural oils that it worked so lovingly to create for you. The best way to recover from this choice (think about it like a juice cleanse after a wild weekend in Vegas) is to nourish and oil your hair in the days that follow. Try to go at least 3-5 days before your next wash, mindfully dry-brushing the natural oils that your scalp creates every day from roots to tips. You may also want to perform a deep conditioning mask before your next shampoo, to give those curls some extra love.
I would highly recommend following The Super Bar Method, and incorporating these blissful rituals into your routine to truly make the most of your shampoo bar experience - and enjoy the BEST hair of your life!
And that’s it folks! Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about shampoo bars. As we mentioned before, one of the greatest benefits of shampoo bars is how they support you in getting in tune with the natural cycles of your personal hair health.
As many of my wise native ancestors have said - your hair is like an antenna for your entire being. Like whiskers on a cat, your hair strands are far more alive than you might realize, and an integral part of who you are. Hair is far more than just a style - hair is culture, hair is expression, and if you want it to be - it can be an extension of your soul. Because of this, we believe hair deserves some pretty special treatment, and a true chance to reveal it's natural radiance.
We wish you many blessings as you embark on your organic hair care journey and encourage you to enjoy not only the beauty benefits of natural hair radiance, but to also tune into the immense spiritual benefits inherent in these mindful hair care rituals.
Love and Light,
Marisa & Daane
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The hectic holidays are upon us, and we here at Wildland totally understand finding peace during this season of "peace and joy" can be a tall order. We're hoping this gift guide will help ease any last minute gift-giving stress!
Let's jump right in and check a few gifts off your list - while saving you 15% - as our gift to you with code WELCOME15! The best part is - all orders from Wildland this holiday season come elegantly boxed and ready to gift. Enjoy $5 flat rate shipping guaranteed to be under the tree in time for Christmas if you order by Wednesday, December 19th!
Let’s start with the basics:
Part of the magic of shampoo bars (and organic products in general) is that they provide a uniquely personal experience. They may work wonders for one person… while for another… well, they may not be a perfect match. And that’s totally ok! The shampoo bar experience is all about tuning in to your own personal body chemistry and listening to your body - especially if you’re a newbie to natural products and are making the “transition” for the first time!
Here are a few ways to know if a shampoo bar is right for you:
1. You are ready to commit (or have already committed) to a completely natural hair care routine. This means no synthetic styling products, no products or conditioners with silicones or any other "cones", and not over-manipulating your hair with excessive heat. It may sound scary at first - but once you liberate yourself from the addiction to the "fake shine" of the synthetics and the constant heat damage from styling tools - you will get to enjoy the BEST HAIR OF YOUR LIFE! Not to mention, a pretty rockin' air dry!
2. You don't currently over-process, or heat style your hair daily. (OR, you are ready to make a change to a more natural approach to beautiful hair.) This means you don't currently heavily dye your hair (or, plan not to). Our clientele with light, natural-looking highlight treatments tend to love The Super Bar method. However, clientele who regularly receive full-coverage color-treatments, or have heavy highlights, aren't ideal candidates for The Super Bar Method.
3. You are interested in tuning in to your body's natural rhythms, helping your hair to heal and take care of itself the way nature intended.
If you think the above describes you - then welcome to the tribe!
Only a percentage of shampoo bar users experience a true “transition" or "purge period”, but yes - this is possible. When first using a shampoo bar, you may experience a "waxy" feel to the hair after washing. This is often referred to as "the purge" or "the waxies" in the shampoo bar community - and could be the result of one of two things: a bad reaction with hard water, OR an adjustment to balancing out your scalp's oil production. Both "the purge" and "the waxies" can usually be remedied with an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse or by using our Matcha Clarifying Rinse. The good news is that the "waxy feel" is TEMPORARY and simply a brief phase on the path to the healthiest hair of your life! More information on "The Purge" and "The Waxies" can be found here https://www.
For best results using a shampoo bar, we suggest you follow The Super Bar Method.
The Super Bar Method is a holistic shampoo bar regimen focused on supporting natural hair health, by tuning in to the body's innate rhythms and nourishing both scalp and strands with exclusively plant powered products.
Step 1: Dry Brushing
The first and arguably most important step in a successful shampoo bar regimen is to start with a healthy dose of dry brushing using a mixed bristle brush. We are often so accustomed to depending on a "product" to "fix" our hair woes that it can come as a surprise that our scalp actually holds the key to our own personal hair health!
This dry brushing step essentially "pre-conditions" your hair by distributing the nourishing natural oils produced by your scalp. Trust that your body knows what you need - and it will provide it for you if you give it a chance! Simply brush hair thoroughly from roots to tips - and yes, this goes for ALL hair types, even kinks and curls! It's also a great way to work through tangles while your hair is dry (detangling wet hair leads to breakage). To elevate the experience, use this dry brushing time to mindfully "brush out" any negative thoughts, heavy energy, or that which does not serve you. Consider it a little meditative moment of self-care, and enjoy the ritual - a great mixed bristle brush feels SO GOOD on the scalp!
For Curly Manes: If the idea of taking a brush to your kinks or curls sounds a bit scary, try to "scritch and preen" manually just using your hands to work your natural scalp sebum from your roots to the rest of your hair. The Goddess over at Green Beauty has a wonderful video on "The Science of Sebum" where she goes into detail about the science of this method, and how to perform a scritch and preen manually.
Step 2: Lather Up!
Choose your shampoo bar wisely. There are plenty of non-organic shampoo bars on the market posing as good for you that are chock full of SLS and other harmful detergents and synthetic chemicals. Buyer beware - and be sure to read the labels!
We recommend using The Super Bar, our nourishing and hydrating solution that we developed in partnership with professional chemists over the course of more than a year. We wanted a bar that was exquisite for our hair, and also worked flawlessly as a moisturizing body wash and shave lather. I'm so proud to say that We Did It! The Super Bar is now literally the ONLY everyday product in our shower. And the kicker - it's made with organic, wildcrafted, and fair trade ingredients!
Once in the shower, wet hair and rub The Super Bar between your hands to create a lather, then distribute it evenly onto the roots of your hair. Gently massage into scalp and allow the lather to cascade down to the tips of your hair, and don’t pile your hair on top of your head (as this leads to tangles). Repeat if necessary. We do not encourage a direct application of the shampoo bar to your hair - as this directly deposits the rich super fats and butters onto your strands - which can be a bit heavy and difficult to rinse out for most hair types. That being said, some customers prefer a direct application - so as always, make the ritual your own by trying different methods to see what works best for you!
Step 3: Clarify
This step is recommended once every other week for most users. However, your hair may tell you it needs this step more often, or less - we encourage you to tune in to what your body tells you it needs.
Simply follow your cleanse with our Matcha Green Tea Clarifying Rinse or a DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. This step gently removes product residue, smooths the hair cuticle, and soothes the scalp - resulting in shinier, healthier, more voluminous hair!
Our recommendation is to use the Matcha Green Tea Clarifying Rinse or a DIY Apple Cider Vinegar rinse after every shampoo during the "transition period" (see below). These rinses help to break up and remove product residue so it washes clean away, as well as add slip to the hair to reduce tangles. If you have color-treated hair, you'll want to use a rinse after every wash to help seal the cuticle and balance the pH of your hair - both key factors in helping to prevent color fade. (See more about shampoo bars and color-treated hair in the FAQs below.)
Step 4: Hydrate & Style Naturally
Follow your natural cleansing experience with a light, quick absorbing, and nourishing natural oil like our organic Ritual Oil.
It is important to commit fully to a natural regimen in order for your hair to begin to take care of itself - so PLEASE do not sabotage the process by using synthetic/chemical hair products. Using synthetic styling products will counteract all the nourishment the shampoo bar provides, and the "purge period" will never end. So be kind to yourself, and the planet, by committing to a fully natural styling routine.
Be sure to go easy on the oil - a little goes a long way! For everyday styling, simply work 1-2 pumps of Ritual Oil into the ends of your hair to tame frizzies and nourish dry ends.
If your hair is short or particularly thin or oily, try starting out with just a half a pump or no oil at all - you may find you don't need it!
If your scalp is feeling dry or itchy due to weather or other stress, try using the Ritual Oil as a deep scalp treatment - directions can be found here.
Here's a wrap-up of The Super Bar Method:
We would really like to help you on your journey toward a natural and organic hair care routine. If you'd like to try any of the products linked above, use code SUPERBARMETHOD for 20% off your entire order at checkout!
I would highly recommend incorporating these blissful rituals into your routine to truly make the most of your shampoo bar experience - and enjoy the BEST hair of your life!
Still have questions? Check out our blog post all about The Shampoo Bar Experience which addresses all the questions you didn't even know you had about making the switch PLUS a ton of helpful tips and tricks!
And don't forget to use code SUPERBARMETHOD for 20% off your entire Wildand Organics order!
Wishing you many blessings on your natural hair journey,
Marisa & Daane
]]>If you've been wondering what we've been up to since Daane quit his corporate job, and I stepped away from acting to follow our eco-entrepreneurial dreams - this is it folks! Introducing... WILDLAND ORGANICS!
Built on a foundation of conscious self-care and an essentialist lifestyle, Wildland Organics aims to be High Vibe, and Low Maintenance. Every product in our initial line will be gender neutral and have multi-use applications - making them ideal for travel, and a perfect choice for those looking to live a less cluttered lifestyle!
For more details on our brand or to follow our story, be sure to subscribe to this channel and follow us on Instagram: Wildland: @wildlandorganics Marisa: @lovemarisaq Daane: @daaneja
Product previews will be popping up in the months to come, and we are aiming for an official launch later this year - so stay tuned for exclusive early supporter perks and be a part of the adventure!
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You asked, we delivered! Here's an up close and personal tour of our Tiny Home in Topanga Canyon.
Tiny House Living, All-Natural Lifestyle & Eco-Friendly Travel — Subscribe to our YouTube Channel below to join us on the adventure of our lives! New content posted every Tuesday.
]]>You asked, we delivered! Here's an up close and personal tour of our Tiny Home in Topanga Canyon.
Tiny House Living, All-Natural Lifestyle & Eco-Friendly Travel — Subscribe to our YouTube Channel below to join us on the adventure of our lives! New content posted every Tuesday.
Also, be sure to connect with us on Insta: @lovemarisaq @daaneja @wildlandorganics
Principal Photography: Daane & Marisa Griffeth
Editor: Samantha Redinger
Where to get Native Earth Child hydrosols and flower essence tinctures! https://nativeearthchild.com
]]>Miracles do happen. Thanks to the kindness of friends, an indoor facility away from the elements was secured and the vanbuild is now back in full swing. And yes - we're already making some mistakes - WHOOPS! Watch now for details on the hunt for local live edge countertop slabs, salvaged flooring and cutting into our roof (YIKES!) for a DIY fan installation!
Also, be sure to follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates about the build!
]]>Miracles do happen. Thanks to the kindness of friends, an indoor facility away from the elements was secured and the vanbuild is now back in full swing. And yes - we're already making some mistakes - WHOOPS! Watch now for details on the hunt for local live edge countertop slabs, salvaged flooring and cutting into our roof (YIKES!) for a DIY fan installation!
Also, be sure to follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates about the build!
The Build: @wildlandorganics
Marisa: @lovemarisaq
Daane: @daaneja
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The van build has now officially begun, and boy were we in for some unpleasant surprises. From expensive and unexpected repairs to breakdowns and more weather delays - the first part of the build has been an uphill battle. Watch now for a first hand account of our early struggles, and how we overcame them. Also, be sure to follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates about the build!
The Build: @wildlandorganics
Marisa: @lovemarisaq
Daane: @daaneja
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Downsizing and prep for Vanlife is in full swing for the Griffeth clan! Arguably the most stressful part - planning, prepping and downsizing is rarely included in vanbuild vids - and we really wanted to share this part of the journey with you all! Also, be sure to follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates about the build!
The Build: @wildlandorganics
Marisa: @lovemarisaq
Daane: @daaneja
]]>We are THRILLED to announce that Wildland Organics was selected to participate in an esteemed startup accelerator program called The Summer Institute in New Brunswick, Canada. So we're packing up the Tiny House and shipping out!
The start date for the program is April 28th - so that means our vanbuild is in now OVERDRIVE. We've gotta build at warp speed if we have any hope of meeting this deadline... and we've gotta meet the deadline, because if not - we won't have a place to live! So - wish us luck and be sure to watch until the end, we have a dramatic vanbuild update for you!
]]>Just when you thought the big news was over, we've got another whopper for ya! We are THRILLED to announce that Wildland Organics was selected to participate in an esteemed startup accelerator program called The Summer Institute in New Brunswick, Canada. So we're packing up the Tiny House and shipping out!
The start date for the program is April 28th - so that means our vanbuild is in now OVERDRIVE. We've gotta build at warp speed if we have any hope of meeting this deadline... and we've gotta meet the deadline, because if not - we won't have a place to live! So - wish us luck and be sure to watch until the end, we have a dramatic vanbuild update for you!
Also, follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates about the build and our big move to Canada!
The Build: @wildlandorganics
Marisa: @lovemarisaq
Daane: @daaneja
Vanlife is what's on deck for the Griffeth clan! We just bought a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter Van and have already begun the DIY conversion process of making it into our new Tiny House on Wheels. Check out the YouTube video below for a sneak peek at all our big plans!
While you're there, be sure to hit that like button and subscribe to follow along the build journey - it is already proving to be a crazy rollercoaster of ups, downs and major surprises... you don't wanna miss a thing! Follow us on Insta for live stories and real-time updates!
The Build: @wildlandorganics
Marisa: @lovemarisaq
Daane: @daaneja
]]>Today... we will be gettin’ REAL real with you folks. Because, the truth is - as much as we LOVE tiny living, it can sometimes really suck. And in the spirit of transparency, we feel we should share the real nitty gritty truth about the not-so-fun aspects of tiny life.
So without further ado - here are the Top 3 Reasons Tiny Living sometimes Sucks.
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Today... we will be gettin’ REAL real with you folks. Because, the truth is - as much as we LOVE tiny living, it can sometimes really suck. And in the spirit of transparency, we feel we should share the real nitty gritty truth about the not-so-fun aspects of tiny life.
So without further ado - here are the Top 3 Reasons Tiny Living sometimes Sucks.
Or, the lack thereof. The truth is, when you live in ONE room with another human, and only a very thin glass paned door to the toilet… hearing each other’s poop sounds is a daily affair.
Luckily, we’ve come up with a sort-of remedy for this issue by creating a “Poop Playlist”. So...whenever one of us feels a rumble in the jungle, all we have to do say “Alexa, play “The Poop Playlist”. It’s a mix of modern folk rock tunes with lots of instrumental layers to drown-out the “other” less desirable sounds coming from the toilet room.
Awkward. So, quickly moving on to...
Getting ready at the same time as your spouse in a Tiny House is nothing short of a nightmare. We try to avoid it at all costs by staggering our schedules so one of us is getting ready at a completely different time than the other. However, when this cannot be avoided - a choreographed dance is basically required. She starts to brush her teeth, then lets me in, then she’s back in to spit, then I get to spit, then she’s back to wash her face while I try to make the most of the 2 minutes I can actually see the mirror, and on and on and on. It’s… not fun. But, since it’s usually avoidable, it’s definitely something we can live with.
And that brings us to...
Picture this: You get all ready for bed, you turn off all the lights, you grab the dog, you climb the ladder, and you get all cozied up in bed. Then: you realize you forgot something. Water, eyedrops, melatonin whatever. It’s pitch black, you have to crawl over your partner in bed, avoid stepping on the dog in the 12 inches of available floor space, and then climb all the way back down the ladder to get whatever it is you forgot in the cold & the dark. It totally sucks!
If you’re thinking about trying out the Tiny Life for yourself, we hope these little suckages don’t deter you from experiencing the overall awesomeness of Tiny Life as a whole.
We really do enjoy the Tiny Life, and encourage you to watch our YouTube channel to get a taste of the UPSIDE of Tiny Life.
We have some BIG news to share next week... so... be sure to sign up for our mailing list so you don't miss out!
Until then, Be Well and Live Light!
This week on "Live Light" we are taking a break to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary - but not to worry, we still have a beautiful video to share!
Click here to watch a lovely highlight video from our romantic and mystical Mayan Wedding Ceremony at a private cenote in Tulum, Mexico.
It was MAGIC. Pure. Absolute. Otherworldly… MAGIC. Nothing else can describe the beauty of that day. Without a doubt, it was the most extraordinary day of our lives, and we are thrilled to be able to share it with you!
For more beautiful photos and a detailed account of the day, check out our our front page feature on popular wedding blog "Once Wed"
Many thanks for your continued support of our efforts - we are so grateful to have you along on our journey toward a more mindful life.
]]>This week we’ll be discussing a PIVOTAL moment in our lives - and how what we learned could possibly help YOU create powerful change in your own life.
Here are 3 Key Secrets for Planning a Life Changing Adventure:
]]>This week we’ll be discussing a PIVOTAL moment in our lives - and how what we learned could possibly help YOU create powerful change in your own life.
A year and a half ago, our lives looked completely different. Daane was hustling hard climbing the corporate ladder, on the road constantly for business and rarely ever home. He would go months without seeing friends, miss every fun event, and his body was literally beginning to break down from all the discomfort and stress of travel.
At the same time, I was a newlywed wife, home alone. So lonely that we adopted a dog to keep me company. And as had been my “normal” routine for the last decade - I was burning the candle at both ends running my photography business AND pursuing a career in Hollywood. As any entrepreneur can tell you, running ONE business is hard enough. Running TWO… by YOURSELF… not recommended. It’s basically a recipe for an inevitable nervous breakdown.
To be honest, we were far from happy. The strain of all the time apart, the stress from constantly hustling, and just generally feeling unfulfilled, were putting a noticeable strain on our new marriage. We never had a chance to just be newlyweds.
We definitely knew something needed to change but… I honestly didn’t know what. I didn’t know if it was our jobs that needed to change, or where we were living… or what. I was so stressed out and overwhelmed with the busy-ness of my life and the craziness of his… that I just - I just knew we needed to get away. I knew that if we could just get somewhere peaceful, and disconnect from the constant work emails and the day to day stresses we might possibly have a shot at figuring it all out.
So, I asked Daane if we could go on an intentional camping trip. I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like, or what that even WAS really, at the time I suggested it… but I just knew in my heart it had to happen.
And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. He was heading to Jackson Hole to host an event for work just before the 4th of July… so, it made it easy and affordable to just fly me out once his event was over, and extend the trip into the holiday.
Daane found the most AMAZING secluded little spot at the base of the Teton Range at Bearpaw Lake.
We rented a car and a canoe in Jackson, and we drove out to Jenny Lake. We paddled the canoe all the way across the lake, pulled the canoe out of the water and had to portage 2-300 yards to String Lake. Then we paddled all the way across String Lake and Leigh Lake, before we stashed the canoe at the ranger’s cabin. We then hiked in about a mile and set up camp at Bearpaw Lake.
It was Amazing! Our very own secluded little spot overlooking some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. No WiFi, no cel coverage… nada. It was perfect. I had some time to think as we were paddling and hiking in… so by the time we settled in around the campfire that night, I was ready to ask Daane the big question:
“If you could design your ideal life right now, and time & money were no obstacle - what would it look like?”
I remember telling him to think about it… not to say anything right away.
It was a new moon so the sky was just lit up with stars. More than I’ve ever seen. We let the fire die down and just stared at the infinite possibility above us, and started thinking about what was TRULY important, and how we really wanted to live our lives.
And the surprising realization, for both of us, was that our present dreams - what we wanted NOW - was not what we wanted in our early 20’s when we first set out on our career paths. And that realization alone was like: *MIND EXPLODES*. We were like “WHAT are we DOING? WHY are we killing ourselves trying to chase dreams we don’t even care about anymore?”
And beyond that, the realization that the paths we were on, the paths we had chosen as kids, were taking us in a completely different direction than where our PRESENT adult selves really wanted to go. We realized in that moment, we were going to have to LET GO of a number of things in order to create the space for our new lives to unfold.
For Daane, it was about adjusting his priority list, letting go of outdated goals, and realizing that a dream “job” doesn’t always translate to a dream “life”. Regardless of what society taught him, he wasn’t put on this Earth to WORK, to be another cog in a wheel. He was put on this earth to live life to the fullest and create meaningful impact. Yet, the nature of his job demanded that it take priority over everything else. One New Year he had a goal of spending 20 nights in a tent while out backpacking and adventuring throughout the year. Then, he landed his dream job, and spent ONE night in a tent that entire year. He needed to find balance.
And for me, it was letting go of acting. That career path was something I chose when I was in High School. I deeply loved the craft of acting, and I still do… but as a career, it simply wasn’t a lifestyle I wanted anymore. As an actor, you’re auditioning ALL the time - taking on the emotional lives of characters that are usually going through really bad stuff - like losing a child, or a husband cheating, or being raped… and you have to put yourself in those emotional situations week after week, character after character, audition after audition... and it’s exhausting. It’s really emotionally taxing. And, while some actors can totally take on those emotions, and release them as soon as they walk out the audition door - that was never the case for me. And I needed to honor that about myself. I knew I needed to find a new career path that would leave me feeling energized and fulfilled rather than emotionally drained.
These big “Ah-Ha!” moments, led us to ask ourselves a few other key questions that IMMEDIATELY got us off the old path and we began forging a new one. We definitely didn’t want to wait for another fork in the road to reveal itself - we just made a hard right and started blazing a trail for ourselves that didn’t exist before.
And from all that, only a year and half later… we find ourselves pursuing Eco-Entrepreneurship & living in a Tiny House in Topanga Canyon. We left our luxury Santa Monica bungalow in favor of our sweet Tiny House, we both left our old “dream jobs”, and we are venturing into eco-entrepreneurship with our company Wildland Organics (more details on that later).
We are fully committed to our NEW vision together as a team. Committed to creating a life of location independence, eliminating the excess, creating a business that will leave a lasting, meaningful impact on the planet & society, and becoming what we hope will be a source of inspiration and knowledge for other people seeking to live a more mindful and fulfilling life.
It really is one of our greatest dreams - to get out there in the world, and take leaps, and show others like YOU that it’s totally possible for you to do it too. You can live tiny if you want to, you can start your own business if you want to, you can quit your job and start a new life if you want to… you can do ANYTHING. You just have to make your mind up to do it.
So, if you’re interested in making this kind of life change for yourself…. If you want to get off your current path and onto a NEW one that will serve you better and allow you to be your best self...
Here are 3 Key Secrets for Planning a Life Changing Adventure:
# 3: Take Time to VISUALIZE.
As you are enjoying the blissful state of vacay mode - take at least 10 minutes a day to truly visualize your new Ideal Life. Close your eyes and visualize yourself taking your first steps toward change, and how beautifully everything falls into place. See yourself there - living the life, you truly desire.
And we’re always here too. If you want to reach out for advice, just leave your questions in the comments below and we’ll be happy to help.
We invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you’re interested in coming along on our journey as we continue to learn, and grow. We’ll be sharing advice, all the ups and downs, and lessons we learn along the way.
Stay tuned for next week's post where we will get SUPER vulnerable and reveal the rare, but ugly downsides to Living Tiny.
Until then, we hope you will Be Well & Live Light.
]]>This week's post is all about why we LOVE tiny living - highlighting our top 5 favorite things about our new life in a 275 square foot home.
Curious to know what they are? Here's a hint: our reasons have a LOT to do with strengthening our relationship, and living a more mindful life!
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This week's YouTube episode is all about why we LOVE tiny living - highlighting our top 5 favorite things about our new life in a 275 square foot home.
Curious to know what they are? Here's a hint: our reasons have a LOT to do with strengthening our relationship, and living a more mindful life!
Click here to watch now!
If you are more of a reader than a watcher, don't worry - we've got you covered!
One of our MOST asked questions about Tiny Living, is...
“Are you actually HAPPIER living in a Tiny House?”
And the answer is…
YES!
We can definitely say that our lives are so much better now that we’re living in the Tiny...but, the reasons we are happier go far beyond just where we live.
I think what’s really magical about going Tiny is that it affects so many OTHER areas of your life. For instance, downsizing and decreasing our rent by HALF allowed Daane the financial freedom to leave his corporate job and follow his dreams of becoming an eco-entrepreneur.
DAANE: "In my previous life, I was traveling SO much for work that I really wasn’t able to live my own life. It was all airports and office time. The biggest change for me has been the freedom and ability to say YES. To say yes to my friends and birthdays and camping trips, to say yes to sunsets on the beach or working from our local cafe, and most importantly, to say yes to my family and enjoy spending TIME with each other on a daily basis."
Just that change alone made us happier people... AND it strengthened our relationship.
So here we go: Top 5 Reasons we LOVE Living Tiny.
Reason #1: It Simplifies & Unburdens Your Life
When you have a very limited amount of space to work with, it forces you to only keep what you really need, and what you really love. For example - Instead of a walk-in closet full of clothes, half of which you never wear - you just keep the stuff you actually wear. Because you just don’t have the space for anything else.
It’s like the Konmari method on crack. If you aren’t familiar with Konmari - it is “The Life Changing Magic of tidying up” a New York Times Best Selling Book - and we’ll be doing a whole video about it in a few weeks, just in time for spring cleaning. But the basic principle is about LETTING GO of things that don’t spark joy, so you can MAKE ROOM for the STUFF THAT REALLY MATTERS.
So, Tiny Life - yeah, it pretty much forces you to get rid of everything that doesn’t matter. Which leaves you feeling, so much lighter!
At that brings us to Reason #2: Living Tiny Eliminates Mindless Consumption.
You know, like when you’re out and something catches your eye - it probably doesn’t have a specific use, it probably doesn’t replace something that’s broken - but you like it, so you buy it. And you bring it home, maybe use it once or twice, and it gets stuffed in a closet before you know it. I’ve always been a fan of versatile, multi use pieces - whether it’s clothes, household goods, tools, whatever - and tiny living really requires that type of mentality.
Another example is when you’re at an event and somebody offers you a free gift to take home - full of samples and trinkets, a bunch of stuff you really don’t need - but you take it because it’s free. Or - when you walk by a sale rack and buy something just because it’s “such a great deal” that you can’t pass it up. But in reality - you didn’t actually need it at all, and never would have bought it at full price. I’m totally guilty of that one!
So... yeah - these are all great examples of Mindless Consumption that simply cannot happen when you live in a Tiny House. Impulse Purchases are also limited - because you seriously CANNOT bring more stuff into the home without getting rid of something first. Unless you plan on sleeping with it or wearing it on your person - there’s literally no where to PUT it.
Living tiny encourages you to be a very Conscious Consumer. Which, at the end of the day - SAVES YOU MONEY! YAY!!!!
Now on to Reason # 3: Indoor/Outdoor living. Having such a small indoor space really encourages you to GET OUTSIDE more. Nature has always been my biggest source of inspiration, and my office is almost exclusively outdoors now. Not to mention that we have a trail into the state park 50 yards from our driveway, so if I ever need a little inspiration, or just get my heart rate up or more oxygen in my bloodstream, I just take a little walk into the trees.
That overall happiness leads us to Reason #4: The Tiny Life Reduces Comparison Mentality
We all know the struggle of “Keeping Up with the Joneses” - or I guess, these days - the Kardashians? (reaction… )... Anyway. We all know what’s it like to feel the pressure of having to keep up with our friends… someone’s always getting a better job, a bigger house, a nicer car… and a lot of times - if we’re being honest - that can leave you feeling a bit crappy about yourself. I know I’ve fallen victim to that mentality a lot in my life - and it’s a really unhealthy way to be. Because Comparison is the KILLER of Happiness. But now that we’ve taken this totally alternative route - and we’re living in this Tiny gingerbread house, nestled into the trees, dreaming up adventurous plans for ourselves… it’s like we’re living our own weird little life now and there’s nothing to compare it to. It’s just - our weird life. And we’re happy! So who cares what everyone else is doing.
And that brings us to the final reason we love living tiny… #5. It Cultivates Closeness. The thing about being married in a Tiny House is… you can’t fight for very long … because there’s no where to go. You can’t slam a door, or go to another room… ‘cause there is no other room. So.. you just gotta come to an understanding pretty quickly.
And beyond that, sharing such a small space with someone you love really encourages you to cultivate a rhythm with them. You become intimately aware of each other’s habits and preferences… and you learn to build a life together that’s harmonious.
And if you don’t - you’ll literally be crashing into each other, and clashing - all the time. I mean, I guess that’s also a potential danger in going tiny - if you don’t have a strong relationship, you’re gonna be in some trouble. But if you do have a strong foundation in your relationship, and you decide to go tiny - it will only make your relationship stronger.
And with that, we'll wrap up this week's post! Be sure to tune in next week, where we’ll be sharing some advice that seriously, changed our lives.
Have you heard about the benefits of a Morning Ritual? Everyone from Tony Robbins to Tim Ferriss & Oprah Winfrey - have been singing the praises of Morning Rituals for years. After dabbling with morning rituals ourselves (but never sticking to it), we decided to create a 28-Day MINDFUL MORNING CHALLENGE - to hold us accountable and finally get us on the path to a dedicated morning practice.
Join us for the next 28 days as we explore ideas for mindful morning routines that will not only set you up for success, but also create space for a less stressful, happier life! And for those of you who aren't into yoga and meditation, we've got great news for you - Mindful Morning Rituals don't necessarily need to include hippy dippy stuff. The fundamental idea behind morning rituals is about creating time to be fully present and in a joyful mental state - so that could be anything from reading a good book or creating a perfect cup o' joe, to an exhilarating morning run or a play session with your pup.
Watch our latest video for more easy ways to create a life changing morning ritual for yourself. Remember, mindfulness is a daily practice - so come along as we journey together toward greater happiness and fulfillment!
While you're there - don't forget to hit thumbs up & SUBSCRIBE - and be sure to leave a comment to let us know you are IN for the Mindful Morning Challenge! We are thrilled to be on this journey with you!
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Did you know mindfulness has been scientifically proven to be a key contributor to GREATER HAPPINESS?!
Harvard researcher Matt Killingsworth discovered that people are HAPPIEST when they are mindful of the moment, and LEAST happy when their minds are wandering - either obsessing about the past or worrying about the future.
This episode of Live Light is about defining Mindfulness, identifying ways to apply the principal in daily life, and getting REAL about how we are coming up short ourselves! Mindfulness is a daily practice - join us as we journey toward greater happiness and fulfilment!
While you're there - don't forget to hit thumbs up & SUBSCRIBE - and be sure to stick around for the hilarious bloopers at the end!
Principal Photography: Daane & Marisa Griffeth
Editor: Samantha Redinger
Mindfulness Resources:
]]>Focusing on mindful living, an all-natural lifestyle & environmental stewardship - we hope "Live Light" will be a resource for anyone looking to shed the weight of the unnecessary, and get back to what's important in life. We invite you to hit subscribe & join us for adventures big and small, as we move forth with intention — to be well and Live Light.
CLICK HERE to watch our Channel Trailer - giving you an insiders look at what our channel will be all about! Don't forget to click the "thumbs up" button and hit "subscribe" - many thanks in advance for your support!
Principal Photography: Daane & Marisa Griffeth - @daaneja @lovemarisaq
Editor: Samantha Redinger
Many thanks to our very talented friends for contributing their drone skills to this video as well! Big ups to Thomas Smith @creativeboost & Scott Everts @scotty_saephotography for the gorgeous aerial views!
Also many thanks to our wedding videographer Gallardo Films - so happy we were able to include some of their beautiful footage in this video. They are THE BEST!
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As part of our journey to become a more intentional family, we decided to commit our Christmas Day to Zero-Waste, and the art of Slow Living. And man, I gotta tell ya - Slow Living is the life for me! (cue “Green Acres” theme song). We had the BEST day - just chillin’, slow livin’, and soaking up every moment of loveliness that the day had to offer.
Slow Living, by the way, doesn’t mean being lazy and doing nothing. It’s about being mindful and present in everything you do - and taking things slow, rather than rushing to just get things done. Looking back on the day, we got a whole list of things done - but because we were mindful of the moments, they felt relaxing and peaceful rather than like a hustle & bustle hassle.
We started our Christmas Day with a steaming cup of Mexican Hot Cocoa and a family foraging hike with Luna and our Christmas guest, Atlas the Marrema. The hills of Topanga were generous as always, and we came home with tons of flora with which to deck the halls.
I should mention that we’ve been so busy with the start-up business, we hadn’t had a moment to decorate the tree or put up any decorations before Christmas Day. So most of our morning was dedicated to creating a festive environment. The zero-waste wrapping I had posted about a few weeks ago turned out to be one of my favorite experiences of the day. It was a truly zen experience that I highly recommend for anyone else who is crazy about wrapping & bows. Wrapping has always been super fun for me, I have LOVED it ever since I was a kid because it gives you that opportunity to make a gift truly special for someone you love - but this new method really took it next level. I found incredible quality scraps of raw silk in the $1 bin at our local fabric store Fabric World in Venice. The frayed edges introduced the perfect amount of organic texture, and coupled with the earthy feel of the raw silk… it couldn’t have been more perfect. I got so lucky! Add to that, our foraging bounty from the morning as trimming… and a picture perfect zero-waste gift wrap for $1 was born!
The morning’s foraging was brought to even greater use when I mixed the wild flora with flowers from a $15 Trader Joe’s holiday bouquet. By mixing up store-bought blooms with wild harvested flora, I was able to transform one bouquet into four! Also in the spirit of zero-waste, we repurposed one of our moscow mule mugs into a copper vase. Just because we have to be frugal in these start-up years doesn’t mean we can’t have beautiful things - we just have to be a little more creative!
With the take-it-slow attitude of the day, we decided to make our Christmas lunch a little late… pair it with our favorite Justin Isosceles cab & make it a “dunch” of sorts. Daane whipped up an incredible pasta dish inspired by our friend Joy Wilson of Joy the Baker. He made the meal his own by cooking the sausage separately to make my half vegetarian-friendly, and added some sun-dried tomatoes for a little bit of red Christmas cheer. He’s a genius in the kitchen - I really am a lucky gal!
Our alfresco "dunch" was followed by a sweet combo of “Tina’s Toffee” made from a recipe posted by our friend Claire of Kitchy Kitchen, and a round of Old Fashioned cocktails made in Whitney A. “Lazy Bitch” style with an Amarena Cherry garnish for holiday flair. If you haven’t heard of Whitney A yet - you really must check out her YouTube vids - she’s not only hilarious, but also gives some incredible tips on creating truly fabulous cocktails with the least amount of effort and ingredients.
It was our first foray into toffee making - so the dessert didn't quite turn out like Claire's pretty pictures. Oh well! Slow Living is all about embracing life's imperfections, so we laughed it off and poured ourselves another Old Fashioned.
At this point in the late afternoon, we slowly got around to decorating the tree with wild berries and remnants of past year’s ornaments, took a delightful moment to hang our artisan stockings, & found the perfect place to hang our handmade mini wreath from a tree branch with care…
And what would Christmas be without some cute portraits of the kids?!
Around sunset, we finally cozied up by the fire and opened all of our gifts - our hearts filled with gratitude and all the warm fuzzies of the season. All in all, it was a peaceful, fun-filled day of family, nature, and lots of puppy love. We couldn’t be happier or more grateful.
Next Up: A New Year’s camping trip to Big Sur, and a VERY exciting announcement to come in the weeks ahead. We cannot wait to share the exciting news!
Thank you for joining us this Very Tiny Christmas - here’s wishing holiday blessings and cheer to all!
Love,
Daane, Marisa, Chloe, Luna & (honorary Christmas Griffeth) Atlas
]]>And what I didn't know before, is that traditional shiny wrapping paper is NOT recyclable in most cities! And even if your city DOES allow wrapping paper recycling - if it has shiny lamination, and/or glitter, and/or tape stuck to it - that renders it un-recyclable.
Inspired to do our part in reducing waste this holiday season, we have committed to getting creative with zero-waste wrapping.
Like many other ladies out there, I love me some pretty packages. Holiday wrapping is so beautiful, and makes the contents therein feel even more special… so I have no intention of giving that up. I am simply making a choice to shift what “beautiful” looks like to me.
Now that I know shiny paper and glitter aren’t recyclable, they have legitimately “lost their sparkle” in my eyes - I don’t even think they’re pretty anymore! Meanwhile, naturally-dyed fabrics, ribbons, cloth & raw paper wrapping have become positively swoon-worthy!
Here are a few ideas I found on Pinterest that are inspiring me this season:
Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport clothing and gifts. Simone LeBlanc translates the concept beautifully here into vegetable dyed, zero-waste wrapping for the holiday season. I mean, are you kidding me?? These are GORGEOUS! Photo cred to her as well on our featured image here - what a multi-talented Goddess Simone is!
Grocery bag wrapping has been a go-to method for me for years. I haven't figured out how to do it without tape... so it isn't entirely zero waste, but pretty darn close! The artist in this tutorial uses a simple ink & brush technique to hand draw on kraft paper, but you can easily do it on inside-out grocery bags for a truly eco-friendly & personalized design!
This crafty gal turned an old sweater into a super cozy wrapping alternative!
Be sure to subscribe to our blog below & stay tuned for our special Very Tiny Christmas post on December 26th!
For more info on whether non-shiny/glitter wrapping paper is recyclable in YOUR city, google “ [Your City] recycling guide” - the earth thanks you!
In regards to (non-glitter/metallic) tissue paper - according to the San Francisco Department of the Environment, tissue paper is usually made out of recycled paper, therefore the fibers are already shortened to the point where it cannot be recycled again, so tissue paper should always be reused or composted.
And finally, when it comes to boxes, bows and trims - REUSE! Save everything in a box for next year - it’s not only eco-friendly, it makes great financial sense too!
Wishing you a very happy holiday ahead!
Marisa & Daane
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This year, we've committed to purchasing only eco-friendly products from sustainable small businesses for our holiday gift giving - and we are thrilled to share all of our amazing finds for just about everyone on your list!
Now, before I delve into the gift list I would be remiss not share that my absolute favorite thing about this holiday season is how intentional and present it all feels. In holiday seasons past, when I was a previous version of myself - holiday gift choices were based on convenience (does it qualify for Amazon Prime or Free Shipping?), cost (ok, this is still a factor), and a complete lack of “big picture” awareness of where my holiday money was going, and what impact it was making.
The last part is truly the kicker… it’s where all the big feels really exist. When buying directly from a person who lovingly makes the product you are purchasing, or a small business who is carefully curating those artisan wares… that “reason for the season” fuzzy feeling happens, and holiday shopping suddenly becomes fun again! I used to have major anxiety around holiday shopping - it was just an additional box to check off my never-ending to-do list. But now, with these new “shop small, shop local” commitments we’ve made - it honestly brings me such joy to get out there and shake hands with the folks who are making the earth friendly gifts I’m giving, and know that my dollar is going towards making the world a better place.
Without further ado - here is our 2017 Eco-Chic + Mindful Living Gift Guide!
Smokeless Incense from Bodha is all the rage right now in LA... couple that with some Atmosphere Mist from Topanga local GOLDA and you'll be gifting your favorite hostess ALL the mostess!
Bodha Smokeless Incense - $28.00
GOLDA Topanga Love Atmosphere Mist - $20.00:
Canyon Coffee. If you haven't heard of them yet, you will. The duo behind this incredibly delicious organic coffee company are local LA entrepreneurs, who were kind enough to take a meeting with us (complete strangers btw!) to share their knowledge when we were just in the beginning stages of developing our own eco-conscious company. Not only are Ally Walsh & Casey Wojtalewicz incredible at what they do, they are also the epitome of grace & generosity. Qualities we will gladly line up to spend our dollar to support!
Canyon Coffee - Chochajau, Guatemala Medium Roast - $17
And speaking of the epitome of grace - we are thrilled to have recently met the beautiful artisan behind Earth + Element Elizabeth Di Prinzio. Also a Topanga Canyon local, she has devoted herself to developing a brand that brings the beauty of the Earth's elements into your home. With a lovely array of products accessible for almost every budget, Earth + Element is quickly becoming a go-to shop for everyone on our gift list year round! Our fave pick for the holidays - these earthy coffee mugs available in rustic white and the most charming shade of pale pink!
Earth + Element - Ceramic Coffee Mug - $45
Canyon Sun Mugwort & Sage Massage Oil by Poppy and Someday. Formulated with the East Indian ritual of Abhyanga (self massage) in mind, this gloriously luxurious body oil is just what the doctor ordered for overworked moms in desperate need of self-care. The benefits of Abhyanga bring vitality, tone, vigor and nourishment to the tissues of the body, increasing longevity, and strengthening the body's tolerance to stress. It also doesn't hurt that it will gift your mom's deserving skin with a beautiful golden glow!
Canyon Sun Mugwort & Sage Massage Oil - $52
What Dad doesn't need a quality, classic crewneck. Our friend Shinya Hasegawa is the creative mind behind the forward-thinking, gender inclusive brand Battenwear. His mission is to create well-made gear that can handle the demands of the great outdoors, while still being fashionable for everyday wear in the city. Committed to humane working conditions throughout their pipeline, and now being sold at hip haberdasheries like Tradesmen Los Angeles - Battenwear is definitely a brand you can get behind.
Reach-Up Sweatshirt, Olive by Battenwear - $120
As a big dreamer myself, I can tell you that mindset workshops like the ones offered by Free & Native have made all the difference for me. I have chased after dreams and lived them, as a result of getting out of my own way. Give a gift that truly keeps on giving with a digital workshop from Free & Native's "Unblocked" series.
Free & Native Unblocked Digital Workshops - $58
You can't go wrong with macrame when it comes to free-spirited girls in your life. Our radiant friend Esme Aguilar hand weaves all the gorgeous macrame pieces in her shop.
Macrame Plant Hanger - $65
Pair that with a bottle of Captain Blankenship's Golden Waves Sea Salt Shimmer Spray which gives hair that effortless beachy look + a hint of sparkle, and the bohemian darling in your life will be over the moon!
Captain Blankenship's Golden Waves Sea Salt Shimmer Spray - $28
Also found at our favorite local Green Beauty retailer - The Detox Market!
Fellow Twilight alum Nikki Reed is turning fashion savvy heads with her new eco-venture BaYou With Love. From apparel and accessories to bath, beauty & home - Nikki has designed and curated a truly special collection of eco conscious products that beautifully reflect her passion for all things sustainable.
Already partnering with the likes of Anthropologie and Earth + Element, her wares are fast becoming a staple in every eco-fashionista's closet!
Cupro Hand Dyed Scarf - $80.00
As you probably know, gifts for children are very age-specific - but here's a few gender neutral ideas that span a range of ages:
Toddler: Green Toys - Sand Play Set - $21.99 - Made in the USA from 100% Recycled Materials and using biodegradable inks on their packaging, Green Toys is a brand you can trust!
Fun for (almost) All Ages: LUSH Handmade Bath Bombs (*disclaimer: while these products are vegan, they are NOT all-natural. They contain what Lush calls "safe-synthetics" - please read their list of ingredients and make sure you consider them safe too).
LUSH Handmade Bath Bomb - Intergalactic - $7.95
8yrs & Up: Eco-Engineering Solar Rover Kit by Toysmith 4M
Give the gift of knowledge with this eco-engineering kit that encourages kids to recycle and teaches them about the power of harnessing solar energy first hand!
We hope this gift guide has sparked interest and curiosity for the incredible wares these artisans have to share. We have linked to instagrams and/or bios for each seller so that you can virtually meet them, discover what they stand for, and feel good about putting your dollars in the hands of those dedicating their lives to making impactful change.
Subscribe below for next week's tips on zero-waste gift wrapping & more eco-friendly holiday fun!
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season,
Marisa & Daane
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“Can we really do it?” we asked ourselves. The prospect of gathering 8 friends for a sit down dinner in our Tiny House was definitely daunting. Daane was particularly skeptical, as he immediately came up with every logistical reason that would make it difficult to execute: we don’t have a table, we don’t have enough seating, only 1 small oven, a small fridge, zero counter space, a tight budget… the list went on and on.
However, opening our home to celebrate the season of gratitude was something we really wanted to do - and we were gonna figure out how to make it happen.
Every obstacle was ultimately overcome - and the creativity behind coming up with solutions was actually pretty fun! I had a rough idea of what would work, but when it came to arranging everything on the day I told Daane, “I need my JoJo time” (if you are a Fixer Upper fan, you know exactly what I’m talking about). Once I had a few minutes of alone time for my mind to work out the details, everything fell into place. Of course, having Daane’s creative contribution (my very own Chip!) was crucial to bringing the Friendsgiving vision to life. Here’s how we did it:
Solution:
To make the most of the space we had, we created different “zones” for our guests to hang out. The front garden included a welcome table, drink station and room to walk around… the interior of the house was exclusively for cooking/prep, and the back deck was the main dining area with seating for 8. By consciously making all of our outdoor space a part of the experience, we tripled our available floor plan and it didn’t feel tiny at all!
For our Welcome Table: We moved our work desk off the deck, out to the front garden. Then we threw a mexican blanket over it, added a plant, some rustic wood serving bowls and voila! It transformed into beautiful welcome table with appetizers and glasses.
For our Dining Table: Instead of renting a traditional table and chairs for the deck, we opted for a creative solution that saved both space and money! We borrowed 2 picnic benches from a scrap pile on our property that weren’t being used, cleaned them up, sprinkled a little flora over them… and bibbidi bobbidi boo, they became a beautiful buffet table and main dining table for our guests to enjoy.
Creative Seating: Since our table was a just a low bench, floor seating was the only option. We didn’t have a ton of money to buy all the floor pillows I wanted (nor the space to store them when not in use) - so we had to work with what we had. Our neighbor just happened to have some small hay bales stacked in front of her house, so we asked to borrow a couple to use as seating. Though the thought of having them bare was romantically rustic to me - straw bales are SUPER messy and prickly to sit on. So we kept them wrapped up in their package and just threw some mexican blankets on them to make them comfy. We even made one of them into a side table for cocktail hour that then doubled as a full seat for dinner time.
I happen to love variety in seating - having everything all the same feels so boring to me. So to mix things up, I threw the cushion from our wicker loveseat on the floor and draped it with a vintage saddle blanket. Balanced with some woven floor pillows on the other side, and our two Adirondack chairs at the head of the table - we were all set with 8 seats!
Solution:
To keep the fridge space open for food, we posted the drink station out in the front garden near the welcome table and threw all the cold drinks and ice in our outdoor tub!
Our favorite drink of the day was a fresh pour of Boochcraft Kombucha made by our friend Adam down in San Diego. They are the only company in Southern California offering a high alcohol kombucha (7.0% ABV), which provides a healthy alternative to social drinking! It’s got the alcohol content of a craft beer, but with all the health benefits of traditional Kombucha - and tastes amazing!
Solution:
We busted out some folding tray tables to act as temporary counter space, and Daane was a master at timing the merry-go-round of food heating! Also, to save on time - we ordered a few things “pre-made” from Whole Foods and that helped A LOT. Honestly though, we were pretty depressed at the thought of serving pre-made food, so we dressed them up a bit to make them our own. The hit of the evening was definitely the cheesy mashed potatoes that we made out of a base of fresh pre-made potatoes: adding sour cream, half & half, a bag of shredded sharp cheddar & sprinkled with chives.
Solution:
Buy Nothing New. Except food of course. We could have fallen into the trap of renting tables/chairs, feeling pressured to buy new decor, etc - but we chose to make the best of what we had. The one thing besides food we did buy was ONE bouquet of fresh flowers for $20 to class up the joint. Lucky for us, my dear friend (and fabulous florist) Erin Schoneman of Sage Green Events has taught me a thing or two over the years - and I was able to split 1 bouquet into 3 different arrangements + a bit left over to drape here and there on tables for fun. Having fresh flowers really makes a space feel special, and you can easily do it without breaking the bank!
Overall, hosting our Tiny Friendsgiving was far more of a joy than a challenge. Life and circumstances brought together 8 new friends from all over the world as we celebrated all that we are grateful for, and all of our big dreams that lie ahead. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much space you have, what new things you have, or how pretty any of it is - all that matters is the awesomeness of the people you have around you. So, here’s a huge thank you to our fabulous friends for making it a Friendsgiving to remember!
Be sure to subscribe below and stay tuned - our next post will be an Eco-Friendly Gift Guide with ideas for everyone on your Holiday List!
]]>Like many of you reading this, we had seen the HGTV shows about tiny living, we were following people living the #vanlife on Instagram, and we were totally fascinated. It seemed like such an awesome challenge - increase our happiness by simplifying our lives. But could we reduce our possessions without sacrificing style? Would adopting an “essentialist” mentality allow our world to bloom in other ways?
Sure it looks fun in curated photos, or on HGTV, but what you see may not always be what you get. How could we really know if tiny living was for us?
We flip flopped back and forth about the idea, hemming and hawing about pros and cons and whether it was a good time to make the move, and how hard it would be to give up our beautiful bungalow we had put so much time & effort into improving… blah blah blah.
Then, out of the blue - we returned home from vacation and there was a threat of eviction notice waiting for us in our mailbox. Turns out, a disgruntled neighbor complained to the landlord that I was running a business out of our garage. At the time, I ran my photography business out of my home and used my garage as a studio - so yes, the accusations were all true. Santa Monica zoning laws gave the landlord the right to demand we cease and desist all operations, or get the hell out, immediately.
So there it was. The universe giving us the swift kick in the butt we needed to make a decision. Were we gonna go tiny, or not?
“It’s a sign!” I proclaimed! “We’ve gotta do it!” Daane agreed that it was now or never, so let’s figure it out. We already had a few builders in mind, so we got started on quotes and looking for a place to park it. Our plans came to a screeching halt when we realized that zoning and housing laws in Los Angeles actually made tiny homes ILLEGAL! We were both shocked and devastated by the revelation. “How can this be?” we asked ourselves… how are other people in LA living tiny and getting away with it? Under the radar and without permits is what we figured out. So then it all became a bit of a different story - if we wanted to go tiny in LA, we’d have to be renegades.
Whoa.
With all these new obstacles looming, it looked like our dream of tiny living was rapidly falling apart. We put our building plans on hold, and decided we needed to look for an apartment - any apartment - to live in while we figured this whole thing out. With heavy hearts and very sad faces, we begrudgingly forked over the cash to get a subscription to Westside Rentals (a local premium apartment listing service), and began our search. I clicked a few boxes of places we wanted to live, including “Topanga Canyon” (our dream location) - though in my head I thought “yeah right, nothing in our price range is ever available there.” Then, as if in a dream - the very first listing that popped up was “Topanga - Tiny House in the Trees”.
I about shit my pants!
I could not believe it. It was all too good to be true. A tiny house, already built and ready for move-in, in the exact location we had always wanted to live, that was pet-friendly and month-to-month! Holy bananas batman, this was IT!
As fate would have it, we were the first people to reach out to the landlord and she loved our story. She didn’t even show the house to anyone else! After an in-person meeting, doggy play-date and having our star charts read for compatibility (no joke) - the Tiny Home was ours.
All of this happened within a week of getting our threat of eviction notice, and we only had 10 days left to vacate our home. Our bungalow immediately exploded into a sea of “Keep”, “Donate”, and “Storage” boxes as we frantically tried to decide what was truly essential for living happy lives and what we could live without - at least for the time being.
We decided to get a small storage unit because the truth of the matter is we had some sentimental items that would definitely not fit in the tiny, but that we didn’t want to trash. A table that Daane’s dad had made for him, old photo albums, wedding memories and a few pieces of furniture we loved and wanted to keep for the future. Because the fact of the matter is, while we are super jazzed about the idea of tiny living now… once we start a family, we know we’re going to need a little bit more space. Yes, some people can live happily in a van with 3 kids and 2 dogs… but… we are not those people.
For now, however, we are happy as clams living in a 275 square foot gingerbread house nestled in the trees of Topanga Canyon. Here are a few pictures of our new little nest:
Subscribe below and stay tuned as we share the down and dirty details of our biggest challenges, as well as the surprising delights of Tiny, Eco-Friendly Living!
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As a working actress for over a decade — it was second nature to check my email one last time.
Any actor will tell you, as soon as you pay for a plane ticket to go on vacation, a big job or audition will be on its way to disrupt all your plans. For me, it happened at least a dozen times, but never quite like it did last February. It was a perfect sunny day in Tulum, Mexico, two days before our wedding. Palms swayed gently in the breeze just beyond our balcony as I took a few quiet moments to reflect on the awesomeness of the days to come. Having our families fly out to support us as we prepared to pledge our lives to one another was hugely significant for me, and I wanted to be 100% present upon their arrival.
Up until that point, my entire adult life had been dedicated to and designed around the art and business of acting. As a child, a teen, and into adulthood, there was a fire in me to be a performer. I never felt more alive than when I would step into a character’s shoes and tell their story from the depths of my own being. Acting was absolutely, without a doubt, the first great love of my life.
So there I was, dutifully checking in with my acting agents one last time before signing off for a mere 3 days out of a 15 year career. And like clockwork, just as I was finally ready to put my real life and family first, I get the email I had been waiting for my entire career. An audition for a Native American series regular role, on a new epic period series, set in the exact part of Texas that I grew up in. It could not have been more perfect.
Except that they needed tape of my audition by Friday February 26th. Our wedding day.
Some favorite roles as Nadja in Road House 2, Huilen in The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Pt. 2, & Ursula in Longmire
The audition required self-translation of English into a native language, along with several pages of dialogue to memorize, rehearse, tape, edit, and upload. Saying “yes” would have meant taking the majority of the precious little time we had with our families that were all together for the first — and possibly only time — EVER in our lives.
It was in that moment that I finally said “no” to my first true love. It was like turning my back on a narcissistic lover who had serially taken advantage of me, occasionally loved me, but time after time had left me disappointed and heartbroken. And I simply reached a point where I could give no more.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and shut my laptop. Literally, figuratively, and consciously shutting the door on the “opportunity of a lifetime.” Looking out over the gently rolling waves, I continued to breathe deep and knew intuitively that I was making the right decision. Being fully present for this epic REAL LIFE event was so much more important than any ol’ audition of a lifetime.
Wedding memories in Tulum, Mexico
If I’m being honest, up until that moment there was an emptiness in my heart that had been there all my life. A void caused by growing up in a broken home and the drama and trauma that ensued, so I first fell in love with acting because it was a powerful emotional outlet. Actors are called to the craft for many different reasons. For me, taking on the lives of other characters allowed me to feel my way through emotions I couldn’t face in my own life. Moreover, the roar of applause made me feel validated, wanted, and somehow of value in this world. But when I finally made the conscious decision to shut the door on that which I thought I needed, it allowed another door to open: a door to REAL life, REAL love and INFINITE possibility.
In the months that followed, I felt less and less compelled to act. Auditions would come in and I would feel more burdened than excited. The emotions and dramas of the characters and stories had no where to live comfortably because my heart was just so damn full of other beautiful things. And let me be clear - it was not the wedding, or being married, or finally feeling loved that “completed me” all of a sudden. The moment I shut my laptop in Tulum was just a tipping point — the culmination of almost 10 years of deep personal work, meditation, and healing. For the first time as an adult, I had consciously created space for life to be more important than my acting career. Once that mindset shift was in place, everything began to look different. That burning desire inside me to be a channel for the human experience as an actor began to dissipate…while the kindling of new fires inside began to grow stronger.
Like most transitions, however, this notion of rising from the ashes to become a new version of myself was pretty uncomfortable. Up to this point, my entire life path was dictated by my blind ambition to have a successful Hollywood career. With that burning desire gone, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I felt lost, without purpose, depressed, and incredibly confused. How could what I thought was my “calling” in life turn out to be something I didn’t want at all anymore?
Not sure what to do with these conflicting emotions, I felt the need to disconnect from day-to-day life to gain some perspective. I asked my husband to take an intentional trip with me, somewhere we could get away from it all and seek clarity about what we really wanted in life. We decided to go on a backcountry adventure near Jackson Hole, believing that the magic of the Tetons would help guide us on our way. Under the bright, magnificent stars of the Wyoming sky, we sat around the campfire and planted the seeds of purposeful pursuit. It was time to align our actions, careers, and goals with our truest desires, passions, and priorities. We were ready to design a life we loved.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The most amazing thing about taking time to dig deep and discover what your heart wants NOW, is that you start to realize your entire present is designed around a life you wanted in the past. As they say, people change… and dreams do too.
The concept is simple on paper of course — as you evolve on your human journey, your hopes and dreams evolve as well, so follow your bliss wherever it takes you. But what about all the investment you put into that original dream? All the blood, sweat, tears, money, and sacrifices… what about all that? How can you walk away from something you have worked so hard to achieve just when you are on the precipice of even bigger things?
You just do it.
Rip it off like a bandaid or opt for a slow burn — either way will work.
In my case, it was a bit of a slow burn. I spent 6 months on “sabbatical” from acting in an effort to step fully into living my own story. I didn’t publicly announce my sabbatical because quite frankly I needed time to process some very very uncomfortable emotions. Shame, fear, anxiety, and a tinge of sadness to name a few. It felt SO CRAZY to walk away from a career I had devoted my entire adult life to! Moreover, it felt a lot like “quitting” and I am NOT a quitter. Shifting my perspective on that was definitely the hardest part. After 6 months of reflection and settling into my new life, I have come to the realization that consciously choosing to walk away is definitely not the same as “quitting”. There is wisdom in knowing when to put an old dream to rest, and freedom in the power to choose.
Because my decision came from a place of conscious choice — it isn’t shameful. It isn’t quitting. It’s EMPOWERING. It is a powerful shift in direction toward infinite possibility, intentional living and greater purpose.
There is an incredible freedom in letting go. I am happy that I recognized my “dream” was an old dream, and that it was no longer serving me. I am thrilled and energized by the space that has been created and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. It feels like my life as an actor was so narrow, and now I can literally — do — ANYTHING!!!! Life is ripe with possibility and my heart is full as I step into the new now as a full time photographer and eco-entrepreneur.
Shooting at my photo studio in Topanga, CA
And what about all the time, money, and energy spent chasing that old dream? I don’t regret a thing. I learned so much about life, compassion and the magic of relationships by being an actor. It forced me to face my greatest fears, inspired me to take giant leaps of faith and taught me to truly believe in myself. Acting was a beautiful part of my life that I will always treasure. But like many relationships in our human experience — it simply wasn’t meant to be forever.
A whole new world of ups and downs awaits — and I invite you to come along on the journey. If you’ve ever wondered what happens next when you evolve past one dream and venture toward another, or if you’re curious what life is like starting a purposeful business (and a whole new life!) with your other half… follow our journey on Instagram and here on the Wildland Organics blog “Live Light”.
Do you have a similar story of dream-shifting to share? Perhaps a success story of happiness post dream-dump? Are you struggling with a decision of whether or not to walk away from something (or someone) you aren’t sure is still right for you? Please share your story in the comments below — I would love to hear from you!
~ Marisa Quintanilla Griffeth
“Travel Light, Live Light, Spread the Light, Be the Light.” ~ Yogi Bhajan
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