To keep or not to keep, that is the question. You’ve already swapped out your jeans for shorts, Winter coats for breezy tanks, and boots in favor of open-toed sandals. But what about your everyday beauty products? With Summer almost here, it’s time to give the ol’ heave-ho to some of your traditional staples in favor of some new, all-natural ones.
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, we asked some of our milk + honey partisans to share with us their favorite Mom-isms and memories. We love our Moms! Keep reading.
In my eight-year career as a licensed massage therapist, I have worked with a lot of mothers. From relaxing and ache-relieving prenatal work for expectant mothers, to women who are balancing a full plate of job responsibilities and child-rearing, to stay-at-home moms, those who are nursing newborns, coordinating their schedules around the school drop-off and pickup times, managing a household, fundraising, PTA-committed, and after-school ferrying to this lesson or that soccer team, the to-do list of a mother is literally endless.
Even when the kids grow up and move out on their own, it’s a lifelong bond that sustains throughout our whole lives. Beyond the day-to-day minutia and the emotional labor of mothering, there is so much that is culturally wrapped up in the archetype of “Mother.” And as human beings, we start to “should” on ourselves about what it is to be a mother. Not only do we try to measure up to what society dictates what motherhood is, we try to shoehorn that into our own identities, expectations of ourselves, and busy schedules. Being a mother can be an emotionally complex roller coaster ride: a constant dance of your child’s needs vs. your needs.
It can be very hard to justify self-care as a mother. There will always be something that your children need, and it is easy to prioritize those needs without a second thought. But at some point, because we are all finite human beings, our energy stores run low, and our giving power dwindles. There is a popular analogy I like to use in the treatment room with those who are mothers or caregivers: in the event of an emergency on an airplane, the oxygen masks are released from the upper compartment. You are always instructed to put the oxygen mask first over your own nose and mouth before attending to your children. Why is that? Because, as caregivers and mothers, if we cannot breathe first, we cannot help anyone else. Past a certain point, it can become nearly emotionally impossible.
Here’s hoping no one ever has to experience anything like the above scenario, literally or figuratively. And all of this is to say that self-care is, at the end of the day, just as crucial as the oxygen we breathe! So if this rings true for you, or if it’s bringing someone to mind whom you know and love that would benefit from some much-needed self-care, guess what? In celebration and support of mothers everywhere, milk + honey is offering exclusive Mother’s Day packages and specials. It’s one-stop shopping for services to help you or someone you love create a day of relaxation, love, and gratitude.
Contributor: Kelly M, one of our talented 2nd Street District massage therapists.
While it’s easy (and fun!) to get swept away in the excitement of SXSW, it’s just as easy to burn out before your final panel takes the stage. To help you maintain that bright-eyed, busy-tailed sensibility, we’ve culled some of our favorite express treatments for you — all quick enough to press the “refresh” button without missing your next meeting.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1955, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He unified a nation in 1963 with his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech during the March on Washington, and in 1965 he led a march through Selma to help gain African-Americans the right to vote in the South. He championed for the rights of African-Americans, and it’s because of his work that African-Americans are able to become astronauts, industry leaders, and even the president. On January 18, we honor a man who did so much for our country, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In retrospect, 2015 was an amazing year. We saw love win and the world come together to adopt the first universal climate agreement in Paris. In the African-American community, we witnessed great moments like the 50th Anniversary of the March on Selma and Viola Davis’ impassioned speech, after becoming the first African-American woman in history to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. We saw a football team unite behind a young man at the University of Missouri, who went on a hunger strike to protest the school’s handling of racial tension. It’s moments like these that allow me to believe that Dr. King would be proud to see us and what the future has become. But, as bright as 2015 seemed, it wasn’t without its shadows. So, with all the goodness in my heart, I choose to believe that in 2016 we, as a nation, will revitalize the vision of Dr. King, and what better day than January 18 to breathe life back into his dream.
What many people might not know is that Martin Luther King Jr. Day has evolved from a federal holiday into so much more. In 1983, legislation was signed to create a holiday marking Dr. King’s birth, and Americans first observed this holiday three years later in 1986. Then, in 1994, Congress chose to honor Dr. King by passing the King Holiday and Service Act and marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national day of service. Congress entrusted the Corporation for National and Community Service to lead this effort, and thus a Day of Service was born. On this day, the Corporation for National and Community Service asks us to join hands and serve our community in remembrance of Dr. King. So, on January 18, don’t just take a day off — take a day on and answer one of Dr. King’s most important questions, “ What are you doing for others?”
This year, I’ve decided to take his question to heart, and participate in the Day of Service. I will be volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, where I’ll sort through hundreds of pounds of food that is used to feed Central Texans who suffer from hunger. For those looking to lend a helping hand in your area, click here to find Day of Service events in your community. Volunteering isn’t the only way to experience Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In Austin and Houston, there are many events going on such as parades, speech competitions, and marches in his memory. No matter how you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to remember the man who preached nonviolence, fought for the equality of others, and most importantly, helped move America forward.
If you’re looking to lend a helping hand in your community, or just want to experience the energy at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, check out some of these exciting events in Austin and Houston:
Day of Service in events Austin: Concordia University | Houston-Tillotson University | Austin Parks Foundation| Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities in Austin: March and Festival | MLK Oratory Competition
Day of Service in events Houston: University of Houston | The Student Conservation Association | Houston Food Bank
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities in Houston: Children’s Museum of Houston | Youth Parade | Battle of the Bands | MLK Grande Parade Houston
We’ve already given thanks. We’ve gotten amazing deals (looking at you, Brown Amber Saturday). Now, it’s time for something even more important — giving back. Giving Tuesday, which takes place today, Dec. 1st, is a day of giving back and celebrating the spirit of generosity. We thought we’d get into the spirit by highlighting five local Austin non-profit organizations we love.
Girlstart empowers young girls in STEM (science, math, engineering, and technology). We’re
LifeWorks is an incredible organization that serves 6,000 youth and families working toward a path to self sufficiency in the face of some of life’s most difficult challenges. This organization creates support for their clients through counseling, housing, education, and youth development.
I Live Here, I Give Here’s mission is to encourage the Austin community in giving back to local organizations. ILHIGH works with over 500 local non-profits and has created the program, Amplify Austin, which launched a 24-hour giving day in March.
Rescuing animals since 2008, Austin Pets Alive! has saved more than 25,000 cats and dogs and is working toward creating a “No-Kill Central Texas.”
Founded in 1981, Capital Area Food Bank doesn’t only feed the hungry, but it stomps out hunger all together. This organization serves nearly 46,000 people a week, serves 21 counties in Central Texas, and provides food and grocery products to a network of 300 partner agencies.
Award show season is here, and with it, a fresh batch of star-studded looks straight from the red carpet. Last night’s Golden Globe Awards ushered in a sea of apple-red, intricate black lace, and body-skimming gowns, as well as a noticeable return to classic Hollywood beauty “moves.” Think dramatic waves to rival equally dramatic eyes, matte red lips, and enviable haircuts. Our favorite looks from the evening, listed below, are simply meant to inspire our own hair/styling routines — or if you’re feeling a bit gutsy (and are currently sporting long hair), it might just be time to try the “the chop” á la Sienna Miller. Just sayin’.
Amy Adams
When we think Old Hollywood glamour-turned-modern day beauty, Amy Adams tops our list. For the Globes, makeup artist Stephen Sollitto chose a subtle champagne-meets-copper eye to complement her soft waves and ice blue Atelier Versace gown.
[source: Instagram user ellevonunwerth]
Gwyneth Paltrow
Love her or hate her, she knows how to make her mark. This time, it’s in cotton-candy pink with a low-key twist. Unlike her more iconic pink moment — in pale pink Ralph Lauren at the 1999 Oscars — Paltrow’s Michael Kors gown was a sportier version of sexy, a silhouette that her stylist David Babaii highlighted with ’70s hair: straight from the crown to the jawline, and then perfectly undone, loose curls to finish.
[Source: Instagram user cinemaobsession]
Viola Davis
Davis rarely makes the wrong move on the red carpet, case in point. Not only was her ruby-tinged Donna Karan gown a source of bold color choice, her eyes and lips also proved to be statement-worthy. The juxtaposition of shimmer-y mauve eyeshadow and classic red lip resulted in one seriously glamorous look.
[source: Instagram user slymagazine]
Sienna Miller
This British beauty tied for Best Dressed and Best Haircut of the night — at least in our books. If ever there were real-time motivation to go for “the chop,” this would be it. Her barely-there makeup, courtesy of makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, allowed us to focus on the gorgeous embellishments of her Miu Miu gown and, of course, that ridiculously awesome bedhead bob.
[source: Instagram user ctilburymakeup]
Emma Stone
Stone knows how to wear dramatic looks with ease. Chanel makeup artist Rachel Goodwin not only emphasized the redhead’s feline eyes with a smokey cat eye, she also paired it with a soft berry-hued lip and tousled waves. It’s one-part dressed up, one-part just-woke-up, and we love it.
[source: Instagram user sarabonotti]
If last year’s hair craze was “the lob” — that’s a long short bob, in case you were wondering — then 2014 is already all about the bob. It’s chic, shapes/sculpts your face, and let’s face it, it’s one of the easier hair lengths to manage on a day-to-day basis. You can do an edgier cut (blunt layers), a softer one (reminiscent of a 1920s flapper bob), or have a little more fun with it and add some ombré while you’re at it.
Look to the most recent slew of celebrities to go short and blunt for proof of its now-trending popularity.
Kristen Wiig
Julianne Hough
Reese Witherspoon
Zosia Mamet
and Beyoncé, for just a hot second.
There’s also Michelle Dockery of ‘Downton Abbey,’ Lena Dunham, Elisabeth Moss of ‘Mad Men,’ and Kat Graham of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ doing it too.
Are you feeling the bob? With the New Year-new you resolutions and attitude set into motion, this is the time to experiment. Translation: chop it all off. And we’ve got just the place for you to do it…
Source: getwiigywithit/Instagram, juleshough/Instagram, swartists/Instagram, hamadiorganics/Instagram, beyonce/Instagram
