Celebrate the Summer Solstice 2015 | Portland, OR Edition

Summer officially starts this Sunday! Whose excited? I know I am, although I feel like summer has already started and that for some reason it already feels like it is flying by. Here are a few ways to get out and celebrate the Summer Solstice; which is at 9:39am on June 21, 2015 for those who live in PDX. 

Celebrate the Summer Solstice 2015 | Portland, OR Edition |  Athleta Porltnad

Looking for a fun way to kick of summer? If you are in Portland the Athleta at Brewery Blocks​ (and I think Althleta’s across the country – check your local store) is hosting a Summer Solstice event on Sunday 6/21 from 9-11am. Join instructor Jasmine Ziska for an invigorating sun salutations class celebrating the beginning of summer.  Greenleaf Juicing Company​ will be in house sampling fresh juices.  Since this is a special day for Dads, bring the kiddos and let them have fun at our Father’s day card making station while you take class! We are camping but are planning to stop in to join the fun and have Edith join in the card making. 

Celebrate the Summer Solstice 2015 | Portland, OR Edition

Once your done celebrating the Summer Solstice at Athleta grab your bike and head across the river to North Portland for the North Sunday Parkways. Enjoy 9.5 miles of care free (except local traffic) bliss as you bike, walk or roller blade around North Portland. Plan to stop for some free ice cream, a concert in the park or a jump in the bouncy castle or maybe a little disc golf or zumba. 

Celebrate the Summer Solstice 2015 | Portland, OR Edition

If yoga and biking aren’t your thing than just get out and spend some time in nature. You don’t need to live in Portland to do this but if you do why not head to Forest Park and explore the trails? There are so many beautiful trails and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the start of summer. Might I suggest starting at the Audubon Society and heading up the Wildwood Trail to Pittock Mansion for beautiful views and if you time it just right you just might be able to fit in a few sun salutations at 9:39am to ring in the Summer Solstice. 

Disclaimer: Athleta provided me with a free top and yoga mat in exchange for sharing their event. I think it’s a great event and was happy to share. All other events are ones I chose to share. I received no compensation for this post. 

SPRING FAVORITES | Food | Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature’s Bakery

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds
SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery
Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds. When I was pregnant with Edith I must have gone through about five bottles (maybe more) or sriracha. I was obsessed with having it on everything and just couldn’t get enough. While it’s almost three years (yes my baby is turning three in three weeks) since I was pregnant with Edith my love for sriracha shines on. To say I was eager to try the new Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds was an understatement and let me tell you they do not disappoint.
SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery
These almonds have a nice spice to them without being too over the top and they are bold, savory and have just a bit of a nice vinegar tang. We brought these hiking with us last weekend and between the three of us (Edith included) we finished off 3/4 of the tin. We would have finished off the entire tin but we had to practice a little restraint since we had brunch plans but oh it was hard.

These are a great hiking snack, moving snack – ooo these would be so good tossed into some popcorn with a little vegan butter and nutritional yeast – and these would be great for a cocktail party. Basically these are just good. I know I’m rambling but they are. 
SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery
Tidbit Food Farm & Gardens. I am embarrassed to say how often we head to this food cart pod (and how many more trips we already have planned) but after the first visit we were hooked. The first time we visited we had vegan waffles, ramen and salad – all were so delicious. On our last trip we got an amazing vegan burger from Earth Burger and oh the fries and the smoothie – they were so good. We also went back for another salad from Garden Monster; a bit on the pricey side but so good (try the vegan ranch). I love the layout of this food pod, all the vegan food options and the location. Tip: If you can’t find a seat grab your food to go and head one block down to the park. 

SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery

Tidbit Food Farm – Earth Burger

SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery

Tidbit Food Farm – Salad Monster

Nature’s Bakery. I figured I should end my food favorites with the snack that we don’t leave home without these days. We have been devouring Nature’s Bakery fig bars for the past few months. We received a stock for our snack dates over on Naturally Family and we have been eating them ever since. I have to say I was a fan of these bars before we received samples but we got to sample the soon to be released gluten free bars and OMG they are simply amazing. 

SPRING FAVORITES | Food |  Sriracha Almonds, Tidbit Food Farm, Nature's Bakery

The regular whole grain bars are delicious but the gluten free bars are soft and moist and oh so good. I’m thinking I need to go get one to snack on right now just writing about them. They are a fan among everyone in our family and our snack date groups. Just so good. 

What foods are you loving right now? 

SPRING FAVORITES | Makeup | Gressa, Lily Lolo and Au Naturale

Instead of sharing my monthly favorites I am doing a roundup this week of my Spring favorites since I missed posting April and May monthly favorites (oops). Today it’s all about the makeup, coming up we’ll have skincare, food and fitness and other random favorites. Enjoy!
SPRING FAVORITES | Makeup | Gressa, Lily Lolo and Au Naturale

For years and years I only wore a tinted moisturizer and I don’t think I even owned a foundation until two or so years ago. Honestly foundation is something that I’m still trying to figure out. I personally don’t need a ton of coverage and I hate the feeling of too much makeup on my face so finding a light weight light to medium coverage foundation that is also on the more natural side has proven to be a challenge – until now. 

Gressa kindly sent me their Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation* and I have been loving it. I have to say I was pretty intimidated by it being a serum foundation but after some playing around I have finally figured it out. First off the vial looks super tiny but with this type of foundation you really only need 2-4 single drops to get good coverage. I have tried applying it with my hands, a beauty blender, a flat foundation brush and a buffing brush and I have to say I think a buffing brush gives the best finish and a beauty blender comes in second. Overall I am loving this product so far and would definitely recommend it. Side note for those fellow Portlanders Gressa is local and you can find Gressa Skincare (not the makeup) at Whole Foods. 

SPRING FAVORITES | Makeup | Gressa, Lily Lolo and Au Naturale

Along with my foundation I have been wearing this Lily Lolo pressed blush* in Just Peachy. I tend to go for more of a pink cheek but after giving this matte peach a try it has become my go to blush. It gives my cheeks just a bit of color without over doing it and it goes really well with the tan I am starting to get (don’t worry I am wearing sunscreen!) I will say with this color of blush that it is a very subtle and natural look which I like but if you are going for a bolder look you may want to try a different color.

Also from Lily Lolo is my go to lip product the Lip Gloss in High Flyer*, it is a burnt orange color but don’t worry it’s pretty neutral. It is basically one of those colors that just enhances your natural lip color and because it is a gloss it gives it nice sheen to the lips without being sticky. The best part? This lip gloss smells (and tastes) like chocolate. 

Lastly, I finally found a natural and organic creme concealer that actually works. I have been using this creme concealer from Au Naturale* to cover my dark circles for over a month now and I really like it. If you follow my beauty IG: runwithbeauty you know that I have been on the search for a concealer and I thrilled to have one that works now. This also works great as and eyeshadow base. I will say this however I find that it can crease a bit so I set it with a translucent powder to help lengthen the wear time. Also if you are looking for a highlighting/illuminating concealer this isn’t the one but if you need one to cover dark circles or spots than this is your concealer. 

What are your Spring makeup favorites? How are you changing things up for Summer? 

 Disclaimer: This post contains no sponsored content. Occasionally I am sent products for review but they will only be featured if I truly like them and use them regularly. All sample items are marked with (*).