© 2024 Mer-made LA

  • Buy the Best Health & Wellness Gifts this Black Friday

    Snail mucin may be trending, but you won’t find it on my list. Check out these other beauty, health & wellness gifts for your Black Friday shopping. Dive in!

     

    Beauty, Health & Wellness Stocking Stuffers 

    Herbivore is one of my favorite beauty brands, and I just added their limited edition Hot Coco Coconut Oil Body Scrub Mini to my cart. This would make a great stocking stuffer and it’s on Black Friday sale for up to 20% off.

     

    Give Them R&R with These Wellness Gifts

    This dry brush from Goop is a great way to add relaxation and exfoliation into your daily ritual. Gift it to yourself  or anyone on your list for a Goop-approved health & wellness gift.

    I swapped out my foam roller for a cork roller months ago, and I love that it’s natural and sustainable. Here’s a similar one on Amazon, currently on sale with a $10 coupon. 

    High-Tech Wearable Wellness

    You can’t have a health & wellness gift guide without some wearable tech! My Garmin Watch and Oura Ring are the two pieces of tech I wear 24/7, and they definitely help me improve upon my fitness and performance. The Oura Ring and a smart watch like the Garmin Forerunner should be top of your list for health & wellness gifts this year. Read on to learn why!

    Garmin Forerunner GPS Multisport Watch

    As a runner, a Garmin GPS Watch has been a staple for me for years. The Forerunner series is specifically tailored to runners, as the name suggests. It’s also a multipart watch, and can be used in GPS mode with other sports like running and swimming. This makes it a good entry point for anyone wanting to dabble in triathlons! 

    My current Garmin watch is the Forerunner 245 Music, and it’s currently on sale as a Black Friday Deal for up to 43% off! My version is a 245S where the “S” means it’s a smaller form factor. Since I have small wrists, this fits better on me. If you want a Small and a sale, the slightly newer version (255S) is on sale for up to 25% off!

    The music feature means you can load music on the watch itself and connect it to your headphones, without carrying your phone around the gym or on a run. (I don’t run with music, read my running coaching blog to learn why!).  

    Oura Ring: The Gift of A Sleep Lab on Your Finger

    The other wearable in those pictures above: my Oura Ring! It’s my favorite piece of health tech and I wear it 24/7. It monitors HR, HRV, temperature (pair it with Natural Cycles!), and SPO2 to bring you insights into your sleep and total body wellness. My referral link will get you $40 off the Oura Ring, and many styles are already on sale for Black Friday. If you buy just one thing for yourself this year, make it this!

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

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  • Vitamin A Swim Better Than Black Friday Sale 2023

    Black Friday is quickly approaching and my inbox is full of sales. One you  definitely don’t want to miss is Vitamin A Swim’s Better than Black Friday sale! Take 30% off all full-priced items from 11/17-11/19 with code “BF2023.” Since this is their best sale of the year, I put together a fun guide covering all your Winter needs.  Put your favorites in your cart now.  Dive in!

    If you’re new to Vitamin A, they’re a woman-founded, sustainable swimwear brand based in California. I love their chic, high-quality pieces and wear them to swim surf, free dive, and lounge. They’re gorgeous, high-quality, and made ethically, which is why I love this brand. If you haven’t tried them before, now is definitely the time. Whether you have an upcoming trip or just love a deal, bring home some Cali sunshine with these picks!

    Destination: Hawaii

    I’m so excited to be going back to Maui in December! (Stay tuned for my Maui packing guide). These suits and prints say “tropical paradise,” and they’re all in my cart for Hawaii.

     

    I’ve loved this print since it debuted this year, and I can’t wait to try the Swim Tee! I plan to wear it surfing, snorkeling, and free diving for some extra coverage without needing to reapply SPF everywhere. 

    Raya Long Sleeve Swim Tee – Matisse EcoLux BT

    Cover up. For extra protection when you just can’t seem to leave the water, the Raya Lo… [More]

    Price: $132.00
    Buy Now
     
    The California High Leg is my favorite Vitamin A Swim bottom. It’s such a classic and universally flattering shape. Size up if you want to pull the sides higher up on your hips! 

    California High Leg – Matisse EcoLux BT

    Small but mighty, the California High-Leg is the perfect low coverage swim bottom to fe… [More]

    Price: $105.00
    Buy Now

     
    Lucky for me, I already have this bikini! The Aloe Bloom print is more of a neutral tropical vibe, and it fits right into any destination. 

    California High Leg – Aloe Bloom EcoLux BT

    Small but mighty, the California High-Leg is the perfect low coverage swim bottom to fe… [More]

    Price: $105.00
    Buy Now
     
    Its matching sarong is on sale already; how cute is that?

    Sirena Sarong – Aloe Bloom Crinkle Linen

    From poolside to coastline. Add versitile sustainability to your cover-up with our Crin… [More]

    Price: $65.00
    Buy Now
     I love this bucket hat! The natural straw is recycled and handwoven, and provides extra sun coverage with an island vibe.

    Cannes Straw Bucket Hat – Natural

    Tailor-made for sunny days, this chic, hand-woven bucket hat is crafted from recycled s… [More]

    Price: $99.00
    Buy Now

    Bachelorette, Honeymoon, & apres ski

    White is a timeless bikini staple, and it looks oh-so-chic in the winter. If you have a bachelorette party, honeymoon, or ski trip coming up (for the hot tub!), these are your go-to ‘kinis. 

    Choose a white bikini in the timeless Moss silhouette for a classic you’ll love to repeat.

     

    Moss Adjustable Side String Bottom – White…

    A cheeky bikini bottom with a ring & slider for adjustability, designed to lay flat aga… [More]

    Price: $112.00
    Buy Now
     
    Vitamin A is known for their linen coverups, and this Sirena sarong is perfect for lounging beachside and poolside. 

    Sirena Sarong – White Crinkle Linen

    From poolside to coastline. Add versitile sustainability to your cover-up with our Crin… [More]

    Price: $60.00
    Buy Now
     
    Resort wear should be cute, comfortable, and easy, basically everything that this organic cotton dress embodies.

    Strapless West Dress – White Organic Rib

    Super soft, super sustainable. This side-slit strapless dress perfectly hugs your curve… [More]

    Price: $155.00
    Buy Now

    Classic and Chic LBBs for the Bahamas

    Close to the US, with warm turquoise waters, the Bahamas are a favorite winter destination for many. Channel your favorite celebrity with a chic LBB (little black bikini). If you don’t have an LBB yet, the Vitamin A Better Than Black Friday sale is the time to get one! 

    I love the upcycled gold details on the Cosmo top! 

    Cosmo Top – Black EcoRib

    It’s in the details. This essential halter top gives you upcycled shine and support. M… [More]

    Price: $110.00
    Buy Now
     
    This has to be the prettiest beach bag I’ve ever seen. Black and natural straw neutrals will go with all your swimsuits and resort wear. 

    Tash Woven Tote – Natural/Black

    td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}Hand-woven straw tote to … [More]

    Price: $115.00
    Buy Now
     
    Toss on this dress for instant chic on vacation. I love that it’s made from organic cotton and can be dressed up or down. It comes in multiple colors, if you’re not feeling monochromatic. 🙂 

    Strapless West Dress – Black Organic Rib

    Super soft, super sustainable. This side-slit strapless dress perfectly hugs your curve… [More]

    Price: $155.00
    Buy No
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  • Real or Fake: How to Choose the Most Sustainable Christmas Tree

    I love the holiday season, and I’m excited to put up our Christmas Tree this year! Like everything else, Christmas has an environmental impact. That’s part of being human: everything we do has an environmental impact. But, we can take conscious steps to reduce our impact while still participating in beloved traditions. In today’s post,  learn whether a real or fake Christmas tree is more sustainable choice, and why.

    Why a Real Christmas Tree is a More Sustainable Choice

     Every year I LOVE going to a local tree lot and purchasing a big, beautiful, real Christmas Tree. The short answer is that real Christmas Trees are more sustainable than artificial ones! Plus, they smell sooo good. Fragrant pine needles aside, what makes a real tree more sustainable than an artificial one?

    Artificial Trees Have Higher Carbon Emissions

    According to the Nature Conservancy, 10 million artificial trees are purchased in the US each year, 90% of them from China. Manufacturing and shipping artificial trees across the globe  requires a significant amount of energy and produces carbon emissions. 

    Artificial Trees are Harder to Recycle, Meaning They End Up In the Landfill

    Furthermore, once they’ve reached their end of life, artificial Christmas Trees are difficult to recycle, so all that plastic usually ends up in the landfill. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade easily; according to the UN,  it takes 20-500 years to decompose, and even then, it just gets smaller. Plastic waste is a huge environmental issue. While plastic is necessary in many parts of our modern lives, eliminating plastic where we don’t need it can help reduce our overall environmental footprint.  

    Real Christmas Trees Support Sustainable, Responsible Forestry 

    By contrast, real Christmas trees from responsibly managed farms take far fewer resources to produce. They absorb carbon dioxide while on the farm, and can be 100% composted or used for local ecosystem management projects once Christmas is over. Purchasing a real Christmas Tree from a local farm saves carbon emissions, and supports forest development. The Nature Conservancy states that out of the 350-500 million trees on farms in the US, about 10 million are harvested each year for Christmas trees. So many more hundreds of millions of trees remain on those farms, and your purchase supports them. Further, these tree farms plant 1-3 seedlings for every tree cut down. Being sustainable and fighting climate change is about using our resources more responsibly and sustainably–and supporting sustainable tree farms does just that. 

    How to Make Your Christmas Tree More Eco-Friendly & Sustainable

    If you don’t have a Christmas Tree, yet, I’d encourage you to choose a local, real tree. If you already have an artificial Christmas Tree, that’s ok, too! Many actions we take on a daily basis contribute to our environmental footprint, and often to a greater extent than our yearly Christmas Tree. Read on for how to make your Christmas Tree more eco-friendly this year!  

     

    How to Minimize the Environmental Footprint of Your Christmas Tree

    If you already have an artificial Christmas Tree, my advice is to keep using it! Using what you’ve already got is usually a good place to start when minimizing your environmental footprint. Once your artificial tree has lost its luster and you’re thinking of moving on, consider repurposing,  donating, or upcycling it before ultimately recycling or disposing of it. The more use you can get out of your tree, the better.

    If you’re buying a real Christmas Tree this year, save any extra branches to make a wreath for your front door, or garland for your mantlepiece!  Real Christmas Trees often need to have some branches cut off before they’ll fit in a tree stand, and they’re perfect for wreaths and garlands.  I added some decorative holly and a fabric flower I already had to our extra Christmas Tree branches. When the season is over, I compost the branches but save the decorations for next year’s wreath. 

    Another consideration for your eco-friendly Christmas tree is the lights. Opt for LED lights that are more energy efficient, or put your lights on a timer so they aren’t always on. Definitely make sure you turn off the lights when you aren’t home!

    As you prepare for the holiday season, I encourage you to make a commitment to sustainability.  Whether that’s reusing an artificial Christmas Tree you already have, disposing of holiday decor properly, or decorating a real Christmas Tree, eco-friendly choices will make your holiday just a little bit brighter. 

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

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  • Why Indie Bookstores Are a Sustainable Choice

    Britney’s highly anticipated memoir released on Tuesday, and I’ve been so excited to read it. As soon as it was announced, I went online and pre-ordered it–from my local Indie bookstore! It was such a delight picking it up, and reminded me what a gem a local bookstore is. Indie bookstores are also a sustainable option for people and planet, which is what today’s post is all about.

    Firstly, I’m not going to shame you for buying books online. I buy some books that way, too. My philosophy is that even small changes can make a big sustainability impact, and that you can start now, without overhauling your whole lifestyle. So this blog post is to encourage you to try an Indie bookstore, and choose that option when you can. Not only is it more sustainable, it’s a lot more fun, too. 

    why indie bookstores are sustainable for people and planet

    If you’re lucky, an Indie bookstores is a part of your local community. It employs neighbors, and puts money back into the community through its tax dollars. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, local businesses generate 3x the economic benefit for your community, compared to shopping at a chain. They also host community events like book clubs, connecting readers to each other. And since they’re local to you, you can lessen the environmental impact of shipping and pick it up yourself (which is what I did, and it’s so fun!). My local bookstore, {pages}, puts online book purchases outside in their courtyard, with the buyer’s name on the spine, just like a library would do. It was so cute and quaint, and the easiest pickup experience. 

    The courtyard behind {pages}, where you pick up online orders.

    The ordered books have the buyer’s last name on the spines, and it’s an honor system.

     

    Indie bookstores connect you to the authors

    One of my favorite things about Indie bookstores is that I’ve been able to purchase several signed copies from them! One of my favorite authors always gives signed copies to her local bookstore in the Bay Area, so when she has a new release, I preorder, request a signed copy, and the friendly employees take care of the rest. When my mom requested a book for her birthday, I bought it from Book Soup, an Indie bookstore in West Hollywood where the author was signing copies. So she got a signed copy and a unique gift for a book she was excited for!

    No, this isn’t a signed copy, but I was still excited for it!

    INDIE BOOKSTORES OFFER A WHOLE EXPERIENCE

    In addition to the fun pickup experience, it’s relaxing and nostalgic to wander the shelves of a local bookstore and discover a new book. Many books at {pages}, for example, have little notes tucked under them, with recommendations by the store’s employees, to help you choose! It’s a very personal touch, and something you just don’t get online or at a bigger chain store. 

    So as you look for Fall reads to cozy up to, check your local bookstore. It makes for a great Saturday morning activity: grab some coffee, bundle up, and go wander your local Indie bookstore. You’ll leave with your new book same-day, a relaxing experience, and the joy of supporting your community. 

    Do you have a favorite bookstore? Let me know in the comments! 

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  • 5 Tips for a Sustainable Halloween

    What’s the scariest part of Halloween? The amount of waste it generates! Read on for 5 easy tips for a more sustainable Halloween.

    1. reuse, thrift, borrow, or make your own costume

    Unfortunately, many costumes are purchased for a single night of use, and often end up in the landfill once disposed. To minimize your costume’s environmental impact, consider these options for a more sustainable Halloween:

    Reuse or borrow a costume

    The most sustainable Halloween costume? The one in your closet already! Wearing a costume from a previous year is easier on the environment and your wallet, plus, you’ll know it fits well! Swap with a friend if you want to wear something new, or exchange your kids’ costumes with other parents. 

    Make Your Own Costume

    Store-bought costumes are often made from uncomfortable, synthetic materials that are either too hot or too cold for the weather. What could be more comfortable than wearing your own closet?

    Look in your closet for staples that easily convert into a costume, with little or no purchase necessary. Think Black Cat, Ballerina, Lumberjack, Risky Business, etc.! There are LOTS of ideas online for this, just make sure you know what you’ll do with the costume pieces after Halloween: can they be repurposed, reused again, or recycled? 

    Grainy photo, but here we’re a lumberjack and maple tree–an easy costume that we made out of clothes and supplies we already had at home. Plus, we had fun making it together! We saved the leaf decorations and recycled the cardboard box that made the tree when Halloween was over.

    Buy a Costume

    Thrift stores such as Goodwill are a great place to find items that complement a homemade costume.

    If you must buy new, my suggestion is to buy something “classic,” that you know you’ll want to wear in future years. 

    For kids, I’d suggest buying a costume that you know they’ll wear year-round! Many kids like to dress up outside of Halloween, and this way, their costume can do double duty. If your child has younger siblings, hold onto their costume for next year, and it might get some reuse that way as well.

    2. buy healthier candy

    Traditional candy brands may be tasty, but their ingredients are kinda junky. Look at the label closely, and you’ll probably find palm oil (not a sustainable option unless it’s RSPO Certified Sustainable), refined sugars, corn oil, fillers, gums, flavors, and artificial coloring. Unreal makes some better-for-you and amazing-tasting replacements for some common candy favorites, like these, which are similar to Snickers. The bags are definitely smaller than bulk bags of traditional candy, and they can be pricy. Consider adding some of these to your mix.


     

    3. recycle your candy wrappers with terracycle 

    Single serving candy inherently produces more waste than bulk snacks. But in the interest of safety, you can’t avoid this entirely if you want to hand out candy or go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. My suggestion is to limit what you purchase and consume, and to recycle the wrappers with Terracycle! 

    The reason these wrappers aren’t recyclable via store drop off or curbside bins is that they’re typically multi-layer, that is, a layer of plastic and aluminum foil. Terracycle can pull these layers apart and effectively recycle them. To make an impact beyond Halloween night, try the Kitchen Separation Box, which not only accepts snack wrappers, but also accepts many other common household items that you otherwise can’t recycle.  

     

    4. avoid disposable decorations and reuse the ones you have 

    Like costumes, Halloween decorations tend to be plastic-based, and often single use. Instead of purchasing disposable, plastic decorations (like spider webs or gel clings), consider reusable, or organic decorations. Think pumpkins and gourds (just compost them, see #5!), cut out paper bats or stars, or reuse string lights. Did you buy a pumpkin carving kit? Make sure you save it for next year, too!

    5. compost your pumpkin and roast the seeds!  

    We carved mini pumpkins last year and they turned out so cute!! They were much easier to carve, and had all the same spooky, flickering magic.
     
    Bodhi wanted to eat the pumpkin right away, but you might want to cook or roast it first. 😉 
     

    When you’re carving, don’t forget to compost the innards, or roast the seeds! This recipe from Minimalist Baker shows you how. Once your pumpkin starts to decompose, put it in your compost bin (so long as it isn’t painted, glittered, etc.), or compost it in your backyard. So it can “come back to life” next year!
     

    Have a safe, spooky, and sustainable Halloween!

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

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  • 10 Random Things I’m Loving: Fall Favorites

    Now a few days into October, there’s no denying it: it’s Autumn. I’m excited for all my fall favorites: Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Fall sunsets, Spooky Season, and my birthday. Today on the blog, 10 Random Things I’m Loving: Fall Edition. Dive into pumpkin spice, apples, and all things cozy– with a sustainable edge, of course!

    1. Purely Elizabeth pumpkin cinnamon Ancient grain granola


    PSL fans, this is for you. This Pumpkin Cinnamon granola is seriously addicting, and packed with healthy ingredients! Purely Elizabeth is my favorite granola– I love every flavor! Unlike other seasonal treats, you won’t find any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or other junk in this. Blueberry Hemp is another favorite I’m loving right now. 

    2. Jennifer Behr Padded Headbands

    The padded headband is back, and Jennifer Behr makes the chicest styles and colors– sustainably. Every piece is handmade in Brooklyn, where the workers are paid a living wage, and their obsolete inventory at the end of the year fits “in one shoebox.” Made of premium silks, satins, velvets, and crystals, these accessories will last decades. I got the Kate headband in Cappuccino, and it’s lightweight, silky perfection. I also love this Tori headband in Forest velvet, looking ahead to the holidays. If you’re not ready for a bigger headband, try the slimmer profile Tiana headband, and see how quickly it becomes one of your fall favorites, too.

     

    3. vitamin a swim Playa Linen Boyfriend Shirt

     

    Catch me wearing the Playa Linen Shirt on any given day–it’s perfect for layering and adding sun protection without being too hot! This cinnamon shade is called Desert, which is perfect for Fall. You can also buy it in a set with matching linen shorts.

     

     

    4. Vuori boyfriend jogger

    Fall is the season of everything boyfriend-sized, from jeans to shirts to joggers. Vuori is famous for their joggers, but did you know they’re also a Climate Neutral Certified Brand? As a V1 Community member, Vuori is my go-to for activewear and loungewear. These Boyfriend Joggers are soft and cozy enough for errands, WFH, or lounging on the weekend, and they’re the perfect weight for transitional weather, making them one of my fall favorites and also a year round staple! #therisetheshine
     

    5. Only murders in the building on hulu

    Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin are hilarious in this series! And it always seems to take place in Autumn in New York City, which really makes me want to plan a trip! Oh and Selena’s character is always wearing the most stylish and cozy cashmere sweaters. Season 3 centers around Oliver’s play-turned-musical, which made it extra fun for my inner theatre kid. 
     

    6. Spiced apple cider spindrift

    I looove this seasonal flavor! Spindrift is my favorite sparkling water because it’s just fruit, no funky “flavors” added. This Spiced Apple Cider flavor is crisp, refreshing, and perfectly Fall. 
     

     

    Like the cheese balls of the 90s, but real food. Made with real cheddar and heirloom corn (seeds that have been around at least 100 years, grown sustainably, and never genetically modified), they’re a delicious snack that doesn’t last long in our house. Use them in a Halloween-themed charcuterie board, or eat them straight from the bag, like I do. 

    8. Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray

    This wave spray is hydrating, smells amazing, and makes soft waves! As a brand, DAE is Leaping Bunny certified and donates a portion of purchases to charities bringing clean water to developing nations.

     

    9. Ed Sheeran’s Autumn Variations album

    We recently saw Ed Sheeran in concert at SoFi Stadium and it was truly an amazing show! There are no pre-recorded tracks– he makes all beats and harmonies on the spot using a Loop Pedal. It was really impressive! He recently released a new album “Autumn Variations” which I’m excited to listen through! But he’s not my favorite ginger…(see number 10!).  

    1o. Pumpkin Spice Golden Retriever

    Bodhi is our Golden Retriever and he’s very much a red-golden, so we affectionately call him our Pumpkin Spice Golden. I’m enjoying walks with him in the cool Autumn air!
     

    That’s all for now, I hope you’re enjoying the changing seasons wherever you’re located! 

    Disclosure: Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. I would never recommend anything I wouldn’t personally use, and the income goes to keeping this site updated and free for everyone!

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