JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Self Tanning Cream

Now that autumn has arrived, you're probably finding that you're not spending so many (sunblock covered) hours outdoors. The days are shorter and sweaters are everywhere! But this doesn't mean you can't have a healthy glow. My Argan Self Tanning Cream is perfect to get sunkissed sans harmful rays because autumn or not, as my mom always told me, one of the best aging secrets is to avoid too much exposure anyway.

Here are my sun-free tanning tips:

-Start by exfoliating your skin with a homemade scrub. You can mix one part Epsom salt and one part 100% Pure Argan Oil for a depuffing skin conditioner, or organic essential oil or honey and rock sugar which acts as a very rich emollient. 

-One you've rinsed and dried your skin, use the 100% Pure Argan Oil all over your body, focusing on elbows and knees.

-Making crosshatch motions, rub the Argan Self Tanning Cream over body (think front and back and side to side), going around (or skimming over) knees and elbows, and around face. Once finished, wash hands immediately.

-Color will become more noticeable over a week's time.

WINNER What's In Your Kitchen Giveaway

Congratulations to Francine, winner of our WHAT'S IN YOUR KITCHEN Giveaway. Her recipe entry of natural peanut butter rice treats is simple, family-friendly and as you can see, delicious! We can't wait to test it out in the office.

Natural Peanut Butter Rice Treats
Ingredients
7 cups puffed brown rice
1 1/2 cups crunchy organic peanut butter (no sugar or salt)
2/3 cup agave nectar
1 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract  
 
Directions
Prepare a 9 x 9 pan by criss-crossing wax paper with a 5 inch overlap on each side.
 
Pour the puffed rice into a large bowl, set aside. Melt the peanut butter and agave nectar over low heat (or microwave 1-2 minutes) until liquid. Stir together well then add the vanilla extract. Continue stirring until all ingredients are well incorporated.
 
Combine the peanut butter mixture with the puffed rice and mix well (until the rice is well coated). Pour into the prepared pan. Fold over the wax paper overhang and press down hard to firm up the treats.
 
Refrigerate treats for a few hours before cutting into squares.

BEHIND THE SCENES Spring/Summer 2012

Yesterday's shoot for our Spring/Summer 2012 campaign was close to home—at the Josie Maran Cosmetics offices actually! It's always nice to have the team around and to spend a day working on another side of the process. Some days I am developing new products and other days I spend entirely behind the computer heading up the company, but this time I just got to go back to my roots as a model and proudly show my line.

We'll be announcing the winner for our What's In Your Kitchen Giveaway today so check back here!

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

GET THE LOOK Giles Spring 2012

When we spotted the Giles Spring 2012 show, we were super excited. A chance to recreate a beauty look using mostly our favorite multi-use products, our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain? Yay! Plus, the hair looks just like Josie wears her hair on down days—natural and beautifully wavy. So, put away your straight iron, skip the heavy eye makeup because this look is all about being color-kissed in an effortless and simple way.

1. Let hair air-dry and while still damp, work in a dime-sized drop of Argan Oil Hair Serum. The point is to let your natural texture and shape shine without worry.

2. Prep face with a drop of Argan Oil followed by a our Argan Tinted Moisturizer. This will leave your face luminescent and bare-looking while still giving you some coverage and sun-protection. 

3. Using an Argan Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in the color of your choice, dot the apples of your cheeks. Blend slightly so that you have a pop of color but no blotches.

4. To complete the look, softly use the same Argan Magic Marker on your lips or another color to give a popsicle-stained hue that works with the rich colors of fall focusing on the center of your pout. 

WHAT'S IN YOUR KITCHEN Giveaway

Now that I've been giving you a peek into my kitchen, I'm wondering, what's in yours? We're looking for your favorite fresh, organic and delicious recipes + 4-5 original photos in the same style as my Undressed Burrata Salad photos. Think step-by-step photos with ingredients so that the rest of our readers can whip it up in their own kitchens!

The winner of the What's In Your Kitchen giveaway will get a Deluxe 100% Pure Argan Oil ($92 value!) to keep their chef hands and face moisturized. We'll pick a winner next Wednesday, September 28 so turn in your entries by Tuesday, September 27.

Submit entries HERE.

Photos from one of our favorite food blogs, Stonesoup.

IN THE KITCHEN Undressed Burrata Salad

The simplicity and deliciousness of undresed salad is underappreciated. We're used to topping greens with dressing, covering them in oil and drowning out the natural flavors. While you need some fat in the meal to digest the fat soluble vitamins in vegetables, a great complement is some fresh cheese or raw nuts like almonds or pecans. For this salad, I chose burrata, a fresh Italian cheese made from cream and mozzarella. It's so yummy and rich, it's hard not to want to eat the whole container! With summer coming to an official end, this meal was easy to whip up and a perfect goodbye to the season.

Undressed Burrata Salad

3 Organic Roma or Heirloom Tomatoes
1 Bunch of Organic Sweet baby Basil
1 Container of Burrata
Sea salt (or flavored sea salt if you choose)

Simply wash and slice the tomatoes and arrange on a plate. Top each slice with a small scoop of burrata followed by the basil and sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve!

SEPHORA GRAND OPENING Meatpacking District

Before you head out for the weekend, check out Josie's snap for her red carpet interview at the Grand Opening of Sephora in the Meatpacking District of NYC. A showstopper of a store, she got to check out the modern and art-filled space (like this perfume chandelier), plus mingle with the likes of Charlotte Ronson, Peter Thomas Roth and an actress who has been known to wear our Argan Oil Hair Serum, the lovely Zoe Saldana. If you're in the city, pop in and tell us what you think! And for more photos of Josie at the event, see here.

BEAUTY GIVES BACK Marie Claire Exclusive

With Morocco being the source of Argan Oil and home to the wonderful Berber women who taught me all about it, it will always be dear and inspiring to me. That is why I am honored to partner with Marie Claire to exclusively offer my Natural Radiance Collection through Sephora. By buying this set (which you can read about and purchase here), you can help the Marocavie Association provide drinking water and other services to Moroccan communities that need it. It truly is beauty that gives back!

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.