Skylar Dream Journal

1. Yellowstone National Park : Escape busy crowds, unplug, and enjoy everything that awakens your inner explorer. Don’t worry ladies we don’t expect you to completely turn a getaway into a Lewis & Clark expedition, but we totally encourage adventure by taking a scenic float down the river or sit anticipate the geyser, Old Faithful, erupt multiple times a day. Trade the carpool lane for Yellowstone’s Sapphire Pool at Biscuit Basin and admire the bright blue water.. Don’t forget to pack binoculars to keep your eye out for bison, elk, coyotes, and all the rest of wild life the lush fields of Hayden Valley have to offer.
2. Denver, CO: Pack your hiking shoes, some heels, and your Skylar perfume in your carry-on bag and go on a quick adventure to Denver. This underrated city not only offers nature, but great food and nightlife. The best part is being able to pack it all in one day. Start the morning by taking a hike to the hot springs. Spritz on Willow, and head to a Rockie’s game and enjoy the field from The Rooftop at Coor’s field (Make sure to give yourself extra time like a true local to buy a $3 Coor’s before first pitch and get compliments on this “got to have” signature scent). After the game finishes, stroll around the city’s streets and pop into one of the local breweries. Enjoy a city panoramic view at dinner El Five. To top off the night open a bookcase and enter Williams & Graham, a prohibition-era speakeasy and turn back the hands of time.
3. Lake Tahoe: Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to plan a getaway with girlfriends.  Without the snow, explore the popular ski resorts-turned summer hiking destinations. Take a car ride around the lake and don’t forget to pull off for a photo-opp. Make sure to wash your worries away and take a dip in water for a perfect mid-afternoon splash. To kick up adrenaline up a notch, soar high in the sky while going parasailing to get the true bird’s eye view of what Tahoe has to offer. If you’re looking for something calmer, take a moment to go back in history at the Donner Pass museum followed by a tasty treat in Truckee. It may have been much easier to strike gold here in the past, but after an adventure here with your friends you will see your memories are priceless.
4. Big Sky, MT: Being a true Skylar gal, we know the sky’s the limit. To remind you how big the world is, and how much it has to offer take a quick trip to Big Sky. Not only do we love clean scents at Skylar, we love fresh air and R&R. Pack a picnic, a blanket, and your favorite sunnies and head off the “treasure state.” Bring yourself back to childhood and lose yourself in the clouds. Ignore TLC’S advice and take a short one mile hike to go chasin’ waterfalls- Ousel Falls is perfect for a solo, group, or even family mid-day adventure. Laugh, smile, and remember that the hills are alive with the sound of music. Pick your favorite flowers of the day along a walk and create the perfect-picture flower crown to capture your pure bliss.
5. Martha’s Vineyard, MA- If you still want to enjoy the last days of summer with a beach retreat, don’t worry Skylar gal, we’ve got the perfect place for you. Take a quick ferry ride off the coast of Massachusetts and enjoy and island retreat. Escape the mainland and let the salt air rejuvenate you. Walk through a Japanese-style garden, Mytoi, hidden in an open pine forest. Take a tour of the various lighthouses via a beach cruiser and snap your most wanderlust photo- just don’t let that Skylar rollie fall out of your back pocket. Sneak off to catch some zzz’s under a shaded tree and listen to the shore break. As the day winds down, soak in the moment and enjoy a beach side stroll at sunset. Of course, don’t forget to feel like a true Martha’s Vineyard gal- treat yourself to a fresh waffle cone topped with delicious ice cream, because even when enjoying nature we can all still enjoy a sweet treat.

We can't wait to go on adventures with you.

Xo, 

Skylar

We’ve all been there. You get a little too stressed for a little too long, only to find that copious amounts of coffee or a night with Netflix isn’t enough to balance the scales. Behind the scenes is a clear signal: Your inner voice is letting you know that it’s time to slow down, take note, and unplug. This is especially true for those of us who spend much of our time nurturing (children, co-workers, even a passion-fueled job). When we feel ourselves needing a big change, sometimes what we need more than anything is actually a little space and self-care.

But let’s be honest — we all understand this on a theoretical level, while we’re not the best at practicing it. Carving out time for ourselves can be a hard thing to do in our crazy busy lives. Especially if you have little ones counting on you on a daily basis. According to Lorna Bernstein, Founder and CEO of online wellness network Grokker, self-care is not only important, but essential.

We promise, sneaking an extra fifteen minutes of that podcast or scheduling weekly Skypes with your friends, isn’t slacking (nor is it an indulgent luxury). It’s a must-do that everyone deserves. With that in mind, we compiled a few of our fave Skylar ways to give the gift of me-time to your gal pals and, of course, yourself:

Nothing says “I love you” like brunch. If there’s a woman in this world who doesn’t fall head over heels for a good brunch, we want to meet her. Stopping by early on a Sunday morning with a bag of groceries and an “I’ve got this” look on your face is definitely at the top of our list of gifting moments we’re grateful for. Check out these fresh recipes for some culinary inspo.

Get more out of life by “going in.” Meditation may once have been reserved for Zen artists and Himalayan yogis, but those days are over. Whether your loved one has a dedicated practice or struggles to sit still for more than a few minutes, there are simple, useful ways (did we mention, free?) to get started. In fact, there’s an app for that. You can start them off with a 10-day free trial at Headspace or they can enjoy the free guided courses on Simple Habit.

Release some tension. Giving a massage, whether yourself or by buying a gift card, is almost always a welcome gift. It’s also perfect because it’s one of those things that many of us don’t think to do for ourselves.

Take the kids off their hands. For busy parents, of course. It’s honestly amazing how a couple hour break helps us show up in a bigger way when we are with the people we love. Give an open invitation for a date do whatever the littles need or want in that moment — even if it’s just a peaceful walk or solo movie. Bonus: Hanging out with children and living at their pace can definitely make you feel like a kiddo again, which has its restorative benefits too!

A really good, inspiring book. A little perspective can go a long way, especially when it’s peppered over the course of many cozy evenings. A good book to curl up with for each night before bed helps us escape, gain perspective, and rest. Not to mention, it’s a proven fact that reading fiction is actually good for you.

A free pass on household chores for the week. There’s something in particular about gifts of service, probably because time is often the most precious thing any of us have. If you’ve ever ready Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages, you know that for many of us, gifts of service are also seen as one of the top ways to express love.

As for which one is the right way to go, that’s something you’ll have to intuit for yourself. Chances are, you already know. You might just have to do a little “listening in” yourself.

Happy replenishing!