Bath and Beauty Essentials for Your Next Warm Weather Trip!

I love the anticipation of warm weather trips. Whether it's February in the frozen NorthEast and I'm heading to a tropical paradise, or whether it's summer and I'm heading to my local beach destination for a weekend of relaxation and Zen, there is such a spirit of carefree anticipation. I find summer and warm weather packing to be a sweet relief. Farewell bulky sweaters, thick socks, boots, and heavy jeans, hello, lightweight sundresses, sarongs, sandals, floppy hats and bathing suits.

Unfortunately the same ease can't always be applied to packing toiletries. In the summer and beneath the sun, our skin and hair have so many more needs. There's the need for sun protection, after sun protection, bug protection, and these needs can take up a lot of space in your suitcase or bag.

But it doesn't have to be this way! I find many warm weather items and toiletries can serve a multi- purpose.

Here are my easy to pack bath and beauty essentials for your next warm weather trip!

1) Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap

Cooling, and light, this liquid soap tingles the skin and soothes after a day beneath the hot sun. This was my savior, when I went to Zanzibar during the peak of the summer heat. Each cooling shower (and I took about three a day) provided the perfect dose of cooling relief.

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap is great because it can be used in many different ways. You can use the soap as a shampoo and as toothpaste. I also used this soap to wash out my swim suits after each brush with salty/sandy ocean water or chlorinated pool water.

2) Sojourn Herbal Apothecary's Whipped Herbal Mosquito Repellent

Formerly known as Touch of Ohm, Sojourn Herbal Apothecary's Whipped Herbal Mosquito Repellent is a wonderful, organic, alternative to chemical bug sprays. The whipped shea based cream goes on smooth and absorbs into your skin without leaving a greasy residue. It smells like a bouquet of lavender and is gentle enough to use on children and babies. Most importantly- NO BUG BITES!

3) Benefit Bad Gal Lash

I love this super dark, lash lengthening mascara for so many reasons. It's light weight, doesn't clump, doesn't run down my face in tracks if I begin to sweat or pool around my lower lid creating the effect of a fresh shiner. In the summer, when your skin is already glowing and lovely, it's nice to take a break from a full make-up routine to focus on one or two key assets. I always begin with the eyes as they are the first thing people see.

4) NARS Eyeliner in Kyoto

Adding to the theme of eye enhancement, you can't go wrong with this golden olive shimmer eyeliner. It's a great summer shade and looks good on every skin tone.

5) Fresh Sugar Berry Lip Tint

I love this lemon scented ultra moisturizing lip tint. Not only do my lips look like I've just eaten a pint of berries, sugar berry lip tint can double as a rouge or blush. A swipe on each cheekbone with a quick blend of your finger, will leave a splash of sparkly color.  Suddenly, without much fuss, you're ready for a night out!

6) Kiss My Face Continuous Coverage Spray Sunscreen with Anti-Oxidant Defenders

Paraben-Free, Aluminum-Free, Sulfate-Free, and chock full of anti-oxidants I use this sunscreen on both my face and body. The formula is light weight and most importantly sprays on clear (for those of you with darker skin- no chalky blue residue!). This sunscreen has a pleasant coconut scent and is not greasy or sticky.

7) Sojourn Herbal Apothecary Provence Whipped Body Butter

This light, not at all greasy whipped shea butter is the perfect skin moisturizer for a warm day. I'm deeply in love with the calming lavender scent and love the fact that this product can double as a leave in conditioner for thicker curly/wavy hair.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your warm weather favorites?

Fall Travel Essentials

This is a guest post by N'Djamena Walker of Je Veux J'adore

When choosing to travel during the Fall season, the decision can be filled with gnawing questions of location, location, location. With temperatures not quite low enough to warrant a tropical getaway and a snow-filled ski trip still a few months away, deciding on the perfect destination can be a bit tricky.

The consummate compromise?

Look to a countryside vacation to satisfy any autumnal wanderlust.

There's nothing like the pure, crisp air  and lush, kaleidoscopic vegetation during this time of the year to center oneself, and finally take a moment to simply relax. With this intention in mind, no suitcase will be complete without these 10 essential pieces for a fully-functional Fall travel wardrobe. Classic, versatile, and effortless, even for a fledgling fashion plate, these items can be mixed-and-matched to accommodate anything - from unpredictable weather to unexpected excursions - whether traipsing into town for a Michelin-rated dinner, or cavorting in the country for a vineyard visit or two.

(note: a healthy dose of both are highly recommended!)

*Collage was created/edited by N'Djamena via Polyvore

1) The Scarf 

 Whether used as a blanket to fight the chilly plane air, or layered over a loose tank when temperatures rise, a scarf or pashmina is the #1 piece no traveler should be without during this time of year.

Pictured: Acne Oversized 'Canada' Pashmina in Camel

2) The Hat - Wide Brimmed Fedora 

 A chic choice to not only protect your face from the still-bright sun, but also provide a bit a warmth - especially during the evening when temperatures can take a drastic dip.

Pictured: Weekend by MaxMara 'Dentice' Hat 

3) The Pant - Black Skinny Jeans 

This closet staple will serve endless outfiit options, time and time again. Whether paired with boots, heels, or flats, the sleek silhouette will keep you looking chic and streamlined.

Pictured: Mango Super Slim Jeans in Black Denim 

4) The Transitional Piece- Long Sleeve Jersey Dress 

 Easily fold-able, essentially wrinkle-free and able to seamlessly transition from casual to cocktail attire, this piece is an absolute must.

Pictured: 2nd Day Jersey 'Binca' Dress

5) The Sweater - Longline Cardigan 

Cozy and comfortable, a long cardigan is a perfect choice for when a light, extra layer is in order, whether wearing jeans and boots, or a dress and heels.

Pictured: L'Agence Long Sleeve Boyfriend Cardigan 

6) The Boot - Rainproof Boots

 Ideal for navigating both city and country terrain, a waterproof boot which looks equally at home frolicking on the English Moor as it does on strolling down Main Street is essential

Pictured: Hunter 'Regent Carlyle' Boots 7) The Heel -  Single Sole Pumps 

A firm believer in the idea that you never know where the night (or day, for that matter) may take you, a  clean, classic pump is a fool-proof method for taking a casual outfit to the next level.

Pictured: Kurt Geiger London 'Cilla' Pumps

8) The Jacket - Tailored Blazer 

Easily layered and always sophisticated, a sharp blazer is ideal for adding warmth without bulk.

Pictured: Zara Gathered Shoulder Blazer

9) The Shirt - White Silk Blouse 

 Light, breathable and classic, every closet - and suitcase - should contain at least one.

Pictured: Equipment 'Reese' Blouse 

10) The Bag - Crossbody Satchel 

This bag ultimately ties any ensemble together - the sleeker the shape, the more versatile the bag and therefore, the better!

Pictured: Topshop Embossed Satchel 

Beauty Bonus: Don't forget to pack these must-have items to ensure a fresh, dewy complexion throughout your travels - after all, nothing complements a great outfit more than great skin!

Evian Facial Mist - Spray to revive dull, dehydrated skin both on and off the plane.

Sea Buckthorn Oil - Apply topically to face to moisturize, protect against free radicals and combat signs of aging.

Try: Sibu Sea Buckhtorn Oil Topical Treatment

Kohl Eyeliner - A multi-tasker's dream; draw a thin line to define eyes for a subtle daytime look, or for a smokier, evening look draw thicker line on top and bottom lash lines and smudge. No time for mascara? Dot in between lashes directly on lash line to create the illusion of fuller, thicker lashes.

Try: Laura Mercier Supreme Black Kohl Eyeliner

Dior Creme de Rose - This luxe lip balm exemplifies the term overachiever, also highly effective as a skin softener, cuticle cream, and even solid perfume.

A lifelong lover of fashion, N'Djamena Walker can recount CNN's Style With Elsa Klensch as one of her very first memories of fit. Today, the 28 year old spends her days working in the industry as an Operations and Territory Account Manager for a national brand and private label women's wear wholesaler, and has been enlisted to lend her styling talents for multiple projects. By night, she can be found working diligently on her blog Je Veux...J'Adore... as well as on her work as a contributing fashion writer for such sites as Joonbug.com and Dualshow.com. Counting runway reporting and trend forecasting as specialization areas, and having multiple New York Fashion Weeks under her belt, she hopes to continue both her fashion writing and travel journeys - as well as add to her international Vogue collection - by attending and reporting on the ready-to-wear and haute couture collections in London, Milan, Paris, Berlin and Sydney.

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