#BestNine of 2017 + Welcome to 2018 #SobeSavvy #LifestyleBlog

January 1, 2018SobeSavvy 33 Comments

Happy New Year everyone! In my opinion, 2017 flew by which is why its so important to value time, cherish moments and capture memories because before you know it a new year is here. I have enjoyed sharing the savvy of my life and inspiring others to be savvy via my lifestyle blog, SobeSavvy.com. In case you missed it, here are the BEST NINE 2017 (from left to right in photo above):

1. Family Travel Guide to Arlington,VA ~ Read this #soTravelsavvy post about where to eat, stay, play for a weekend of fun in Arlington,VA

2. Jill Yoga Girls and Ladies Activewear ~ Thru my #getLovelyfit fitness journey, my daughter and I had the opportunity to collaborate with a company that combines two of our interests: yoga + fashion. Check out our Mommy & Me moves and learn more about JillYoga.com >>here.

3. Whispering Angel Rosé Wine ~Hello, my name is Leslie and I love wine. Not only did I share how to host your own wine tasting at home tips on the blog, but started a #SobeSavvySips series where I share recipes and reviews for not only wine but spirits/beer too. In honor of National Rosé Day, I featured this wine on Instagram. It has been one of my favorite wines to introduce to others. Read wine review >>here.

4. ‘808 Converstion Starters for Couples‘ ~ This book featured on my Instagram and later reviewed on the blog sparked an interest amongst singles that were dating and couples who have been married for awhile. The art of conversation is a dying art with all the texting and ‘sexting’ going on, so I believe this book was refreshing and fun to explore. This book is available to buy >>here.

5. Polished Nail Bar’s Grand Opening ~ I had a blast at this VIP event for media/bloggers here in Raleigh,NC and have since returned to get my nails ready for the holidays. I highly recommend you treat yourself and a loved one to a mani/pedi for Valentine’s Day (which is right around the corner). Read more about Polished Nail Bar >>here.

6. Our Visit to the North Carolina Zoo ~My husband ,daughter and I planned a Sunday Funday to the North Carolina Zoo and shared a recap of the visit. Our daughter, fondly referred to on the blog as #outandaboutAva, loved the experience. I also shared some #SobeSavvyTips on why a visit to the zoo during the Fall season should not be missed!

7. Luxury Family Travel to Atlanta,GA ~ We have enjoyed several family trips to Atlanta because there is so much family fun to be had there. In 2017, we road tripped to the ATL for our daughter’s Spring Break and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta. That was a delightful (and relaxing) experience where we enjoyed making many family memories.

8. NC Farm Tour in Asheville,NC ~This mom got a chance to getaway for a few days and joined other food and travel writers on an agritourism trip to Asheville,NC to get a true farm to table experience. We all left with a greater appeciation of our NC Farmers. That was my first visit to Asheville and staying at a bed and breakfast. I gave readers a #soNCsavvy full recap of the trip on the blog and also shared an inside look of the Sweet Biscuit Inn.

9. byKikisol in store Fashion Event with Torrid + Groupon Promo ~if you ever had the pleasure of attending a byKikisol blogger event here in the Triangle, then you know it’s going to be a fun time for creatives, influencers , bloggers and fashionistas. I got my model on in the dressing room at their Torrid Fall Fashion event and shared a Groupon Promo encouraging readers to grab a deal!

For 2018, as always I do a detox ( which I have shared online in the past..you can read posts here). However, this year I will take the whole month of January to unplug, reset and prepare to bring you more Lifestyle|Food|Travel|Fun stories on the blog!

Thank you for a wonderful 2017..here’s to all the best in 2018!

#TransformationTuesday: How to Get Glowing #Skin, #Detox From Within !

January 19, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

Change in weather, diet or stress are just 3 of the many things that can wreak havoc on one’s skin. After the new year began, I found that my skin had lost its glow and for a reason why I did not know!

I began the year with a resolution to reintroduce healthy habits into my lifestyle. I tried a detox body treatment for the first time at Exhale (read about my pamper me session here ! ) So it was quite a surprise to me when last week, my face became red, flaky and itchy. It was just overall uncomfortable. Was it eczema ? an allergic reaction? psoriasis? seborrheic dermatitis?..I did not know! What I did know was like the picture below.. my skin was SAD 😦

I researched the internet and decided I would do a detox for my facial skin. My breakout occurred in my Tzone area (forhead, nose,chin) and looked at the facial map as a map on where the problem may lie.

OK by the looks of it something I ate may be the culprit so let’s do a detox. I decided upon Dr. OZ‘S 3 DAY Detox as it was simple, took little time and prep, cost was minimal, easy to follow and had rave reviews.

The shakes were easy to make and I looked forward to the breakfast and dinner one. Lunchtime was most challenging but I knew I was giving my body what it needs via the leafy greens to combat what was going on with my facial skin.

To understand the importance of detoxing, here are a few graphics that breaks it down as to why everyone should try a detox for the skin.

All you need is a weekend and this past 3 day weekend made it possible along with my suppostive husband and my willpower to do what is good for me from the inside out !

So here is my before, during (where I applied this honey/nutmeg mask that I loved as well) and after of the past 3 days.

I hope I have inspired you to try a detox and encouraged you to love the skin you are in! Remember beauty is skin deep … it starts from within. This Transformation Tuesday treat yourself to a skin detox!

Detox From Within & Start 2016 Feeling Zen! @exhalespa #LoewsAtlanta #ExhaleSpa #Hammam #Yoga

January 4, 2016SobeSavvy 4 Comments

After the Halloween candy of October, the many plates of stuffing with turkey on Thanksgiving in November and the hustle and bustle of the holidays in December, it’s a wonder that everyone is looking to get back on track in January with a detox!

Exhale Atlanta Midtown http://exhalespa.com/locations/atlanta-midtown located inside the Loews Atlanta Hotel offers many options to locals and visitors alike who are looking to improve their health from the inside out.

After reviewing the online menu, I chose to start my new year trying something new! A speciality treatment offered by Exhale Spa caught my attention described on the website as follows: HAMMAM DETOX THERAPY | 30 Mins: A revitalizing body scrub therapy as you lounge inside the co-ed Hamman. Enjoy a head-to-toe exfoliation to soften skin, increase perspiration, and stimulate detoxification.

My therapist, Alicia Perdue greeted me in the relaxtion lounge with a selection of scrubs and asked me to choose based on scent. I gravitated towards both the geranium and jasmine sugar scrubs and she advised she will customize the scrub to my liking . They also had a salt based scrub with a ginger scent that I will try next time!

While she prepared the hammam, I sipped on a detox tea as part of the service. She advised the purpose of the tea before and after the scrub is to assist with detoxification as it starts from within. I really enjoyed the treatment and left feeling like a new flower blooming in a botanical garden!

Before treatment…

After detox, all smiles….

After my spa treatment, I got changed for my Exhale Chill Yoga class instructed by Stephanie Johnson.
This restorative yoga practice was just what I needed after a day of travel and a night of ringing in the new year! Calming, relaxing and informative are just some of the words my guest and I used to describe this class. The studio space was serene and inviting. Yoga mats and props are provided, just bring an open mind and leave with an open heart!