Vibrancy Givers: June Edition

Keeping it short & sweet.

Popping on today with eight highlights from June. Keeping it short and sweet as I’m writing this between packing for an exciting trip to Miami and the Dominican Republic for a special bachelorette celebration. June quickly rolled into summer and I’m so ready for it. Without further ado:

1. Spirulina Mint Chip Smoothie

Oh, I’ve been making this one on repeat. It’s inspired by my favorite smoothie at Juice Ranch in Santa Barbara. The flavor is so invigorating and honestly the perfect wake-me-up in the morning if you’re a non-coffee drinker like me. Mint Chip Ice Cream was my all-time favorite growing up, so this one’s a nostalgic ode to it. For more nostalgic, thick, creamy, ice-cream-like smoothies, I shared my other current go-to’s here earlier this week.

You’ll need:

• ½ Frozen Avocado

• 1.5 Frozen Bananas

• 1 Tablespoon Cacao Nibs

• 1 Teaspoon Green Spirulina

• ½ Teaspoon Peppermint Extract

• 2 Pitted Dates

• Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves

• Pinch of Sea Salt

• ¾ Cup Cashew Mylk

Blend it up and enjoy it topped with more cacao nibs :)

2. Vitamix Stainless Steel Blender

That brings me to the blender that’s seriously changing the game for me. I’ve been blending up multiple smoothies a day just because of how easy this one is to clean and, well, because it’s summer and that’s what’s being made in the kitchen most days. I’ve been seeing so much come out about plastic blenders—how when you blend at high speeds, especially with heat or over time, tiny microplastics can shed into your food. And if you’re blending anything hot, it can potentially release chemicals like BPA or similar compounds, even if it’s labeled “BPA-free.” I finally made the switch to stainless steel for peace of mind. Besides feeling so much safer intuitively, the stainless steel also makes the smoothies come out extra cold, which is exactly what I’ve been craving on hot summer days. I honestly can’t imagine going back now.

3. Flamingo Estate

Earlier this month, my mom and I went to a summer kick-off event at the iconic Flamingo Estate and let’s just say—it was even more magical than the photos make it out to be. Honestly, it’s rare these days for places to live up to the hype with social media, but this one really does. Every room was filled with the heavenly sage scents of their candles and decked out with its own unique magic. We were there for Crown Affair—hands down one of my favorite hair care brands that I use daily.

4. RVR Venice

Carter and I had dinner at RVR for the first time last Friday and it was such a standout. I love that kind of food, especially in summer—it’s light, bright, and so fun to share. RVR is a dimly lit izakaya on Abbot Kinney, great for a high-energy dinner with grilled skewers, veggies, and lots of vinyl playing. If you remember MTN (same location) this is a reboot from the same Gjelina chef and he knows what he’s doing. We got lucky and sat across from the chef’s wife who told us everything we needed to try. The Siesta cocktail was basically my dream summer drink—blood orange margarita vibes over one big ice cube. And the Strawberry Granita over Coconut Sorbet totally made my top dessert list. I’m a chocolate girl through and through, but this combo with a little lime zest on top… perfection.

5. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

One of the perks of living in Topanga is being not too far from Santa Barbara or Ojai. I did a little day trip up to Montecito to check out a friend’s gorgeous newly opened Pilates studio and then wandered through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Even with summer right around the corner, I was surprised by how much was still blooming. It was such a peaceful hour to myself.

6. Wren Wellness Club

I’ve been to my fair share of contrast therapy spots and I’m calling this one the best yet. The ice cube they give you at the beginning of the session stayed cold the entire 60 minutes and something about the dry sauna instead of infrared felt really refreshing—it’s a different kind of classic sweat. The cold plunges weren’t overly cold either, just the right bearable temperature. I’m on board with a cold plunge not needing to be so damn cold that it shocks our nervous systems. I think we need to be a little more gentle with our hormones than we realize and we can’t cold plunge the same way men do. I try not to do too much research and just go off my own intuitive feeling and this is what I’ve always felt. The more controversial stuff I see come out about cold plunging, the more I realize there’s no need to overdo it with a cold plunge that feels like negative zero degrees. I also loved that the private “room” was outdoors, so I could feel the sunshine on my face while moving between the sauna and the plunge.

7. Holey Grail Donuts

This wasn’t my first time trying these all-time favorite donuts but it was my first time back in a while. I originally found them on a trip to Kauai two years ago and now that PCH has been back open, I’ve had a few more trips down through Santa Monica and grabbed a box for the road the other day. Holey Grail Donuts uses taro as their base and cooks them in 100% organic, sustainably sourced coconut oil—the fresh, Hawaiian way. You can’t go wrong with any of the flavors but I love their classic OG sea salt. Nothing too fancy.

8. Oak Essentials Deodorant

Bravo, Oak Essentials. A natural deodorant I’m actually excited to put on. A lot of natural deodorants are coming out these days that still have harmful ingredients they aren’t disclosing. This one is the real deal. The blue tansy scent and color are everything and the texture is so silky smooth.

I’ll be honest—I did the whole deodorant detox in 2020, which really worked for me, but lately I’ve been loving the subtle scent of this one. I also rotate in the Agent Nateur Rose deodorant—both are so gentle and lovely. This aluminum-free deodorant balances the underarm microbiome and actually neutralizes scent at the source, which is a different approach from many others on the market. The blue tansy-powered formula soothes sensitive skin and leaves the softest, grounding scent. Basically, this deodorizes you from the inside out.

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I hope you’re soaking up the summer sun somewhere good today.

With love,

x Emily