No, I am not talking about some new metal band. Nor am I referring an industrial city that has seen better days. I am talking deodorant here. Weird huh?
A friend of mine recently shared an article regarding the cancer connection to environmental toxins as well as things we put in our bodies and on our bodies. Skin is the largest organ of the body. It reminded me I wanted to share some great alternatives to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants. Brace yourself. Just kidding! I am not going to get all preachy here, it’s up to you to investigate and decide for yourselves. Our family made the switch a couple of years ago to deodorants free from Aluminum, parabens, petrochemicals, Propylene Glycol, and artificial fragrances and synthetic dyes. If you are like me, when you switch to something you haven’t tried before, you try them all. These remain my favorites for various reasons and I switch back and forth between them.
A few of my favorite alternatives to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants
The Healthy Deodorant: This smells the best! I love it. LAVANILLA or vanilla and water for Peace. This one for sure will make you feel like you have just stepped out onto the most beautiful beach. I found this at Sephora before we left CONUS. It is available online on their website.
Lafe’s: Active Citrus & Bergamot. One of the complaints of natural deodorants is they don’t keep you from perspiring. Well guess what folks! You are meant to perspire. Expelling toxins out of your armpits is natural. This product does a great job for active people. I found it of all places at Giant (local grocery store in VA)
Schmidt’s: Rose + Vanilla and Charcoal Magnesium, how could you go wrong? The Rose and Vanilla has ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E. My son brought me this after I had used and liked the other one. I prefer the Charcoal Magnesium even though it has a more masculine scent. But they both work about the same. These can be found at TJ Maxx or online at Amazon.
If you have tried any products such as these please share in the comments on Facebook or here on Poppy’s Loaded Purse. I am always on the hunt for good products we all can love!
Let’s switch travel gears here and talk packing our overnight bag. Do we all want to feel and look our best while relaxing or being active on summer holidays? You bet! It doesn’t matter if we are leisurely enjoying a tropical destination, on an action-packed city break, or an outdoor adventure, we want to step out that door in the morning looking fabulous. Guys, don’t run, these can be used by you too. Here are my top two favorite picks for any kind of trip:
The secret is out on this uber-nourishing secret
A Dynamic Duo you will love
Kesaradi Oil: Dubbed as Ayurveda’s Skin Brightening, revitalizing, uber-nourishing secret. Well the jig is up! Secrets revealed here. It arrived in this beautiful cylinder from Iyura. The instructions say three drops for the day and three again at night applied to clean face. This little brown bottle is a signature blend of Precious Saffron, Rose and 16 Ayurvedic Herbs. I use it only during the day because of a special treat in #2 below. In just a few short months, my face is brighter, softer, and some tiny lines are even disappearing. It has evened out my skin tone as well. I absolutely love the way my face feels. Truly like a baby’s bottom! Also, they now have a night time product called Manjish Glow Elixir. The key ingredient is Indian Madder which is used to give the skin an even-toned, clear appearance according to their site. I have yet to try this one but it’s on order and I can barely wait! The two can be purchased together for $76.50. Check out these great products and a full list of ingredients on their beautiful website The Ayurvedic Experience
tip: when using this product during the day, allow a little time for drying and absorption
Youth to the People Youth Duo Mini: A superfood face wash and superfood moisture cream. This mini duo is action packed! Kale, green tea, spinach and vitamins make for a crisp, residue free wash and light weight yet moisture packed cream (w Hyaluronic acid). After a long day of fun this IS exactly what you need. Youth to the People is a California Based Company using cold-pressed extracts made in the USA and 100% vegan ingredients. This dynamic duo is for ALL skin types and small enough to fit in any overnight or beach bag. All materials completely recyclable. We are going to use the little pots to make lip balm. The facewash bottle is small enough to reuse for other favorite travel products. Available online at Sephora.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
It’s worth mentioning my honorable mentions. I do like Too Faced Hangover RX 3-in-1 prime, set, refresh spray. It’s claim to fame is true but with a small cost. Most of the ingredients are good and pure and it does come labeled silicon, alcohol and oil free. There are however several ingredients that are listed in the Cosmetics Database as low or moderate hazards primarily for allergens, contaminations and toxicity. Let me stress LOW. The same is true for two other honorable mentions. Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil for face, and Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil for face, have great ingredients and come with a label of no mineral oil, no parabens and no phthalates. Sounds good to me. Staying out of my quest for no negativity, I love both, they fit in your overnight bag but… be warned.
If you have some favorite facial products you never leave home without share them! We are not keeping secrets here!
When we moved to the UK in 1999 my children were one, three and five. It was our first time living abroad and I wanted to see and do everything. We tried, a lot. We saw Thomas the Tank Engine and road on one of the trains, we went to Stratford Upon Avon to learn about Shakespeare and Teletubbies. We went to Legoland Windsor, Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Cardiff, Warwick, Edenborough and beyond. I had the pages of the National Trust Publication dogeared. I can’t remember when it occurred but somewhere in the first two years the older boys said one Friday “Mummy what are we going to do this weekend?” I replied, “Lever Castle”. Then hear respectively “not another castle!” and “not another castle!” like little parrots.
Were we having fun? I thought so but when I thought about it again, some weekends my aggressive schedule of seeing everything to infinity and beyond was a bit aggravating. Not just for them, but me too. Many times, it rained. Many times, we got pouty. Many times, we just plain weren’t having fun. I knew I had to come up with a better plan.
And then I discovered Center Parcs. Brilliant! Even more exciting is the amount of Center Parcs in Europe in all the right places. Center Parcs are holiday villages centered around an Aqua Mundo (indoor water park) complete with shops, restaurants, groceries and gaming in a large tropical setting. Many parks also have outdoor pools, and or lakes. Usually there are lake activities like boating, fishing, banana boats and swimming, and paddle boards. Inside, the Aqua Mondo offers lazy rivers, giant water slides, wave pool, dive school, white water rafting and snorkeling. Outside activities range from tennis, soccer, archery, zip line, bike rental,s family bikes and golf. Some have indoor pirate ship with endless amounts of sand play, high ropes courses, bowling and disco. You can sign up for kids clubs, cooking class or scuba diving. Others offer elaborate spa features and fine dining options. There are simple villas or VIP villas, boathouses and treehouses. Each property is relatively unique but offers the indoor tropical paradise. It really is a resort destination in and of itself.
We moved around from UK to Turkey then back to the US. Eventually we moved back to Europe. This time I had one littler one and a huge age gap. How do we satisfy all palates of travel? Not to mention small crowded hotel rooms with not enough beds. The answer is simple. In Amsterdam you can see Anne Frank House, take a canal cruise, shop the market, eat at the floating Chinese Restaurant and still be back in time to surf in the Aqua Mondo at De Emhof. In Belgium, you can spend one day in Brussels, see the Manneken Pis, the Flower Carpet and still enjoy lovely afternoons and nights at De Vossemeren. At Bispinger Heide in Germany you can hit an amusement park, visit a village lost in time on a carriage ride through the Heide and still make it back to Center Parcs for tropical fun.
What I realized as a mom was, if I wanted to see and do the things we wanted to see and do as adults here in Europe we needed to make it just as fun and enjoyable for our kids. I could go to the Flanders Fields/ WWI museum or Bastogne by day and still promise my kids afternoons and evenings of endless fun relaxing, swimming and playing in a lovely destination. They came to love them and look forward to the “boring old things” and “stupid sites”. The other beauty is I could do them myself if Superman was TDY or such. Superman’s, like other servicemembers or military civilians, job required quite a bit of travel away from us. It became my travel passion to help military families get some balance, sanity and recreation during long separation from their spouse.
Center Parcs can be booked well in advance to get a great
deal. They offer short and long breaks and mid-week options. If you need a
winter break that gets you out of the cold or a summer holiday that gets you
the most out of your family time, pick a park! A really great time to go is during American
school Holidays vs. European school holidays. It’s a great option if you are
coming from the US also. You can select a few in different countries and see as
much as possible. Take my word for it, if there are things you want to see and
do here and have children who might not enjoy a full itinerary of city, culture
and the like, Center Parcs is for you.
Great for families with babies, young children, older kids who like a bit of variety and active adults. Don’t let bad weather, small kids or whinny tweens and teens stop you! Maybe you know someone you want to share this with, please do. And Lastly, get Packing!
“You cannot come to
Italy once and never visit Tropea”
Tropea is in the what is known as the Costa degli Dei, “The Coast of the Gods” and is one of Italy’s finest summer holiday destinations. Its historic center sits high above the sea on a rocky cliff. This seaside village is as interesting as it is large on sites and serves as a good base for a week-long holiday. That is what we found to be true one summer we spent a week at its beaches and sites and the other week in Rome, Naples, Pompei, Pisa and Milan. Yes, it is true, we raced through Italy so we could park our family at this amazing beach paradise.
Getting here is quite easy. The nearest airport is Lamezia Terme. The train from the airport takes about one hour and is super cheap. Renting a vehicle in my opinion is the better option. We drove down from Germany which afforded us the ability to stay in a lovely holiday villa in Zambrone.
Looking East from Zambrone
The beach down below from Villa Jenna
I cannot say enough good things about Villa Jenna. In fact, my guest comment still exists on their webpage. This holiday villa is British owned. The day we arrived the property manager a British expat met us for the keys and gave us a ton of information and insight of what to see and do and how to get around. The views were spectacular, the beach was right down the hill, along with local restaurants and a grocery store. Between the books (I read 2 whilst there), family games/puzzles, and a well outfitted kitchen we could not want for anything. Tropea was a short drive as well as other villages along the Costa degli Dei which made Villa Jenna the perfect venue for our summer holiday. We considered a purchase in this villa quad until one night a brush fire came up the hill about 300 yards away. It jumped the road and traveled to the villa at the top. When the fire brigade arrived with what looked like a garden hose and the owner came out beating the fire with a broom, our thoughts? good for the week but no thanks on the purchase.
Tip: always buy trip insurance for major holidays.
Sunset our first evening in Villa Jenna
Stromboli Island from Villa Jenna
Check out the views from Villa Jenna. Adventure Trekking on Stromboli Island is possible and will only set you back around 190euro. That includes an overnight, half-board and up close and personal view of an active volcano!
Also found in Zambrone is Capo Cozzo, ranked as a number one
nature site, when you arrive you will get it. It is a lovely place to enjoy a day of quiet sunbathing
on the rocks, snorkeling and swimming. You will find it well hidden from
aggressive tourism on a rough road. Park in the blue spaces, tickets available
at the tobacco shop or walk from the train station. You will not want to miss
this day out. Also close by is the Mariner’s Cave. Shipwrecked with nothing to
do and not much hope of being rescued, mariners spent endless days carving in their
grotto home. Parking here is a little shiftier. You can pay a young man to “watch”
your vehicle whilst you climb down into the cave site.
Tip: Go early morning to beat the crowds and wear a light jacket inside if you tend to get cold.
The true unique gem of this area is Tropea itself. It is consistently listed as an Italian Blue Flag beach. But there is more to meet the eye than just the beach. High on an island rock sitting almost on top of the beach is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola. Entrance fees are two euros which for the pictures alone is well worth it. Fun awaits you down below from the beach. Imagine my sons delight when they discovered you can walk along the rocks on the side and when you reach the back there is a jump off spot into the gorgeous blue water. We spent hours here. Also, underneath you can walk through a cavern to the other side where there is yet another beautiful beach. Like many Italian beaches, you can rent your umbrella and chairs for the day, a paddle boat (bring water and a hat), or just enjoy playing in the water. Dramatic views can be enjoyed in any direction from the beach as well as the end of the pedestrian stroll high above the cliff.
Santuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola
View of Monastary from the beach
Walk along here to an amazing jump off point
A natural pool exists at the back. Perfect for endless jumping and swimming in the beautiful azure waters
From TripSavvy: Blue Flag Beaches in Italy. The blue flag is awarded to beaches based on stringent criteria including water quality, the beach’s code of conduct, environmental education and management (including cleanliness of beach and availability of toilets), and safety services (including adequate lifeguards and wheelchair accessibility).
It is truly a gorgeous site
End of the Corso Vittorio Emmanuale
The historic center is home to a winding maze of streets peppered with shops and cafes. Market day was an interesting mix of old and new, from dish soap, and kitchen cutlery to small antiques. As a family of six speaking English we felt like well welcomed unicorns! The Corso Vittorio Emmanuale is café lined street that dead ends at a barrier of metal railings where you can look over and take in the beauty of the sea. Many locals and tourists alike are usually seen roaming up and down enjoying passeggiata, people watching or just sitting with a coffee or drinks. My favorite time to enjoy this was at night. We could not figure out what everyone was doing at first. It felt like being in a school of fish until we reached the end of the street and saw the incredible view. The Piazza Ercole is the bustling central square of Tropea. Here you can find the tourist information center and places to book additional travel over to the Aeolian Islands or Stromboli. Also found in the historic center is the Duomo, Palazzo Vescovile, many lovely old and brightly colored homes, and remnants of old walls of protection from days long past.
Speaking of Stromboli (it’s cheesy then puny), my family’s
goal each time we go to Italy is to eat pizza and gelato every day. You will
for sure find an abundance of these in Tropea along with seafood and other regional
or Mediterranean fare. I tend to lean towards seafood by like the 2nd
day, that’s just me though. But you
cannot leave Tropea with out trying the Cipolla di Tropea gelato. That’s right,
Onion Gelato. Tropea is known for its sweet red onions. How genius to make it
into a gelato!
Let me preface with I am not a souvenir shopper. I did however make a heavy purchase here I just could not resist. In many Italian villages, artist have been turning ceramic roofs tiles into art. Friends, these may fit in your checked bag if you learn how to pack light. I will add a few tips here and you can follow my page for future tips for packing light. Or if you are a seasoned packer leave a tip in the comments.
Italian home carved in ceramic
A more traditional piece of art on authentic roof tile
Lastly, you will leave this place relaxed, refreshed, and
sun kissed. Tropea and the Costa degli Dei is truly a well-loved, less traveled
beach holiday destination with cultural delights you will remember for a lifetime
and be glad you did not miss!
Tips: book a place with a washer/dryer so you can bring less clothes (have a game/card/book night just once so you don’t feel like you are doing laundry on holiday). Consider wearing an outfit more than 2 times, you are not going to run into the same people and who cares anyway. It’s summer, pack your light weight cotton dresses that can be worn anywhere. Shoes! Wear a pair, bring a pair, that is it!
Allow me to introduce my number one favorite thing: A little Black Dress. Wait! First meet my BFF and doppelganger, Lynn. We have many things in common such as we grew up on the same street, we like dry salad, Champagne, and cute summer dresses. I married Superman (see my bio), she married Ironman (no really, he has done many). I am an outfit repeater. So is she. Not that I feel the need to confess, but I am.
I recently purchased this cute number on sale for $15 at Old Navy or at Old Navy Dresses . It went on holiday to the beach with me. I wore it on a 4 hour drive back north, arrived late in the evening, slept in it. Wait did I just reveal that? I got up took a shower and put it back on for an appointment in Georgetown. Then went to lunch. Back on the road, I made it back down to the North Carolina shore by dinner. That was a fast 24 hour turn around!
Enter another BFF Chrissy who had arrived in NC the previous day and after a day at the beach was ready for dinner. She handed me this gorgeous coral colored fringed Monroe by LuLaRoe. Chrissy always says “you will not have a bad day if you are wearing fringe”. I have such good friends! Off to dinner we went . That’s nearly 28 hours in the same dress.
This black dress is so amazing! It still looked freshly laundered. You can wear it traveling, out for the day, as a beach cover up, to dinner, add and subtract accessories as needed. It can be rolled, folded, even worn to bed. I am not going to lie, this is by far one of the most favorite things I have bought all summer!
I propose a toast: here’s to BFFs and Little Black Dresses and things we can all Love!
File this under: One for your Overnight Bag, for your Holiday Bag, for your Beach Bag, and Keep your Purse Loaded. We are not breaking the bank on this one.
