JOSIE'S PICKS Gettin' Spooky

With Halloween around the corner, you can find orange and black decorations in the shapes of pumpkins, witches and black cats easily. But what if you want to decorate in a more subtle, spooky way? I suggest homemade and vintage curiosities found on Etsy so that your All Hallow's Eve is whimsical, eco-friendly and ever-so-grown-up. Used as centerpieces for a festive feast or to pepper your place, these picks will surely set the mood and will last you for years to come. Happy haunting!

1. Vintage Book Trio 2. Handmade Amber Medicine Bottle 3. Vintage Handmade Wooden Cups 4. Nesting Geode Dishes 5. Vintage Owl Print 6. Spooky Autumn Twisted Tree

A DAY IN THE LIFE Exploring

I'm almost home lovelies, but until then I wanted to leave you with a few snaps from my time in Pennsylvania. Check out this little cafe! Great name, right? I also really got into the season with my venture about a local farmers market. Think they'll let me carry on a bucket of pumpkins on the plane?

Also, what are you going to be for Halloween?

A DAY IN THE LIFE The Office

Welcome to the home of Josie Maran Cosmetics and to Chicological. While I'm away, I thought I'd have the team share some photos of where we work every day. There's our chalkboard door which we love to decorate, but then end up covered in reds and pinks after, the table where we all squish together and eat lunch (it's true!), a few interesting things for inspiration (notice pumpkins, pinecones, pomegranates) and Moroccan touches throughout so that we maintain a connection to our roots.

And that photo on top? That's where I sit to take a product from idea to creation. Pretty cool, huh?

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Movement

I get asked a lot about my fitness routine. Well, if you're a mother and you work like I do, you'll probably relate to this answer: running around in life, of course! I do workout on Workout Wednesdays at the office and I like to go to the gym every now and then, but I primarily stay healthy by simply moving. I think a lot of people guilt themselves if they don't make it to that cardio class or get on the treadmill. . .but I say, just find a way to shake it up a little. Why not dance while making dinner? Or go outside to run around with your kids? Here's a few calorie burning fun activities that will make you forget you're working out, but will help you keep fit. (These are calories burned in an hour for a 150 lb. person on average). What about you? How do you move while not at the gym?

Cooking: 180 calories
Surfing: 207 calories
Table tennis: 270 calories
Bicycling: 270 calories
Kayaking: 342 calories
Gardening: 369 calories
Dancing: 378 calories
Hiking: 405 calories

Oh, and these photos are dug up from the archives. I was almost 10 years younger then!

JOSIE'S PICKS Autumn Hike

One of the wonderful things about autumn is going out for a hike with good company especially after being on the go so much. Throw some organic trail mix and a thermos of warm tea into your picnic basket, gather your blankets and scarves into your rucksack and bound out into nature to have a day away.

Here are a few vintage and organic finds for a great seasonal hike.

Happy trails,

1. Infusion Rucksack 2. Vintage Thermos 4. Autumn Picnic Basket 3. Vintage Red Lantern 5. Wheat Colored Neckwarmer 6. Organic Granola

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY The Beginning

So how, you may ask, did Workout Wednesday begin? Like Josie mentioned, she believes in balance and that extends to her outlook about her company. How can we possibly be making products that are good for you outside without focusing on the beauty within? How can we support each other in caring about the world around us without looking at our own lives, too?

And so, eight months ago, Workout Wednesday was born at Josie Maran Cosmetics. We huffed and puffed our way through it at first, but over time we saw change. Sure, it was fun to share a plate of cookies at the lunch table, but it was even sweeter to support each other in becoming stronger and healthier; To get each other through running around the block and up the stairs rather than bowing out.

So here is our advice to starting your own Workout Wednesday or Tuesday, or even every other Monday:

-First, start by making simple changes for yourself. Take the stairs, park a little further, pick a grocery basket over a cart. Yes, there are some here who workout more than once a week, but even those who don't have seen changes in their strength, endurance and health simply with one hour a week of activity.

-Find a lunch buddy who will share in healthy choices. Perhaps you bring a big salad and they bring soup to split. Meet each other for a water break to get your proper fill.  Or stock your drawer with nutritious snacks like raw almonds or whole fruit that can be passed around. Whatever the small change, share it.

-Finally, dedicate one day (or more if you can!) to movement. That means a workout, a hike, a walk around the block, or dancing around your living room. Find what is best for you, but most importantly—stick to it.
All you need is to begin.

How do you stay healthy?

Leave a comment and your email address and we'll select one on Friday, September 16 as the winner of an Argan Sun Protection for Body.

LIVING IN BALANCE Work + Play

On the boxes of my cosmetics you'll find this printed:

“I believe in balance.

I believe that doing the right thing can be glamorous.
I believe in beauty without the baggage.”

While this speaks to my beauty philosophy, this also extends to how I want to live my life. How I think about work + play. How I strive to be.

As part of the journey through Chicological, I will be sharing ideas on healthy, active and green living whether from my own experience or from the friends and family that help me achieve this balance. And a huge part of this community is the team at Josie Maran Cosmetics. Every Wednesday, we throw on our workout clothes and sweat it out in an hour of serious exercise. Sure, it's grueling and we see each other red-faced and tired, but it brings us together. Starting next week, we'll give you a peek inside our "Workout Wednesdays" and bring you wellness tips to hopefully make your life better. So maybe you'll join us by running in your own neighborhood or simply by eating a nutritious breakfast, but whatever it is, just think: balance.

Sending you love from the Big Apple,