After a long, cold winter, the spring (or vernal) equinox marks the emergence of flowers and foliage on a once barren landscape. As these tiny hints of life lift their leafy heads up to the sun, so, too, do many of us as we prepare for more time outdoors. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, embrace March 20, 2023 and the beginning of days with more abundant sunlight by visiting one of these great places. Explore Your Own Backyard How much do you know about where you live? Most of us put down roots but spend our lives missing...

The way you celebrate Valentine’s Day – or don’t – has a lot to do with where you were raised. In the U.S., children exchange Valentine’s cards with their classmates while lovers exchange chocolates, jewelry, and flowers. But these “traditions” aren’t the same worldwide. In Italy, young couples may profess their love on Valentine’s Day, but their elders rarely follow suit. And as for Galentine’s, Malentine’s, or Friend’s Day, those celebrations have been in existence for less than a generation. What does all of this mean for those who want to honor the importance of love in all of its...

After a month of celebrations and gatherings with familiar faces, you may be tempted to hunker down and hermit for a while. We get it. Everyone needs a little R & R, but a brand new year is also cause for celebration and experimentation. Stepping out of your comfort zone – in a controlled way – helps expand your world and your life. Here are some things we’re going to try this year and some words of wisdom that remind us of the benefits of such efforts.  Learn to Be a Better Cook  If you’ve made a resolution to change...

Among your many senses, your ability to perceive scents, like freshly baked bread or a floral bouquet, brings joy to your life. These scents can evoke happy memories and even warn you of danger, in the case of smoke or a gas leak. Most of the time, our sense of smell functions normally, but a variety of things can cause your sense of smell to waiver. The Nose Knows The olfactory sensory neurons that interpret scents are located high inside the nose. When the neurons detect molecules in the air, the information is relayed to the brain for interpretation. While...

The winter solstice marks both the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. And for many of us, that astrological shift coincides with the coldest temperatures of the year. To offset winter’s gloom and frigid weather, we’re innately drawn to scents that remind us of holiday gatherings, cozy nights with our loved ones, and sweet treats that make us smile. When master perfumers capture those evocative scents, they speak to our spirit and brighten the darkness. Since learning about fragrance notes can be confusing, we’ve gathered some of our favorite winter fragrances to share how...

At holiday time, the thought that you put into each gift is something the recipient will always remember. And over the years, we’ve learned that gifts that recognize our loved ones’ needs and passions are often the most appreciated. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of gifts that anyone on your list would appreciate, from adventurous souls to precious fur babies. Gifts for Adventurous Friends Know someone who is curious by nature? How about that friend who’s always open to new experiences? Tapping into someone’s naturally adventurous side is simple when it comes to self-care. And you won’t break the...

Picking out gifts for your loved ones should be a joyous experience, but let’s face facts. It isn’t always easy to find the right gift for the man that seems to have everything. Instead of choosing something generic or impersonal, give the gift of self-care this year. Men appreciate high quality grooming, body, and fragrance products as much as women, and by giving the men in your life products that keep them looking and smelling great, you’ll show them that taking time for themselves is both well-deserved and worth the indulgence. Best Men’s Grooming Gifts You may not know it,...

Every holiday season presents new opportunities to share gifts with the special women in our lives. Gift giving is an art, and it can be difficult to find something creative for your closest friends and loved ones. During the holiday season, our thoughts turn to those we love and share time with throughout the year. The people on your gift list have diverse interests, which means thinking creatively before you make a purchase. To make your shopping a little easier, we’ve compiled a list based on many of the types of people in our own lives. We hope you find...

Remember the first time you decided to grow a mustache or beard? Testosterone and hair growth are closely connected, and when hormone levels are low, hair growth can be sparse. Depending on the number of hair follicles you have, growing a full beard may be problematic, but these insightful tips may help. Tip #1 Commit to a Skincare Routine Okay, that probably sounds counterintuitive, but a good skincare routine will improve your chances of growing healthy facial hair. Just like your scalp, your facial skin needs to be clean, moisturized, and exfoliated regularly to help reduce irritation, redness, and beard...

Are you the type of person who likes to start each season with a fresh slate? Some people change their skincare or exercise routine seasonally to make the most of natural sunlight and warmth, and when the early part of November rolls around and the leaves begin to fall, we’d be wise to take a cue from Mother Nature and shake off the old in preparation for the new … skin, that is. What is Dry Brushing?  Dry brushing is an excellent way to slough off dead skin cells, invigorate your circulation, and detoxify your lymphatic system. The ages-old Ayurveda...