Off the Mat is a series on YBC that shares bits and pieces about what goes on off the yoga mat, and in my everyday life.

This year feels like it is off to a great start! I feel the best I've ever felt - physically, emotionally and mentally. Sure, I have my days when I ride the struggle bus - don't we all? - but for the most part I just feel so good, and so positive about everything going on in my life.

Wearing Lately

I got these Beats in-ear headphones recently and while I like them, I think I like my Bose ie2 headphones better?! While they both have great sound quality, there's something about the shape of the earpiece for Bose that I just like better I think, but I'm going to give them a few more tries before I decide for sure.

While in Las Vegas with Lauren for our book shoot, I scooped up this bright pink lipstick called Candy Yum Yum (pic above) that I absolutely love. It's definitely a bright, bold color, but don't be scared. If I can rock it, so can you.

Duster from Free People - went really well with my leotard and sneakers hahahaha

The other thing Lauren and I both picked up while in Vegas (I swear, that city has the best shopping), is this duster from Free People. I got a charcoal one and she got a light grey, which I stole to keep me warm during our desert photoshoot.

Listening to Lately

I've been listening to the following on repeat at my house:

Kygo, Always here for you (so good for yoga and walking the dog)

Selena Gomez, Hands to myself (like this for cooling down, warming up, and yoga)

Lukas Graham, 7 Years (this is great for warm ups, cool downs, yoga, and walking the dog)

Reading Lately

I finally finished Unravel. It took me a while to get into it but it had an ending I really didn't see coming at all. Overall, decent. Nothing to drop everything and buy, but I liked it.

Next up, I'm considering a recommendation from my cousin called The Last Anniversary. The author is the same person who wrote Big Little Lies which I liked. Another one I am considering is What Alice Forgot. Oh my goodness, I just realized the author of What Alice Forgot is the same Liane Moriarty that wrote the aforementioned two - haha, guess there's a bit of a pattern going on with me here!

Doing Lately

With an upcoming move within the next few months, I've been making time to hang out with friends who live close by. I really cherish our quality time together - going out for breakfasts, meeting for cappuccinos on the weekends, meeting up to workout together - it's so nice, after years of living abroad, to have your old friends live right down the road.

AMRAP workout from snapchat (@yogaby_candace)

I've also really been excited to hit the gym after my week off in Las Vegas for the shoot for our book. At some point leading up to the shoot, the gym started to feel like work, which really took the joy out of it. Now that I'm back in there doing my own thing just for fun and without a real goal in mind (like getting in shape for the shoot), I have been enjoy it so much, although the picture above from my snapchat (@yogaby_candace) doesn't really suggest it, haha.

Post photoshoot nap after 4:30am call time - wearing my favorite eye mask

I've also been working on getting my sleep back in order. It kind of went the wayside with all the travel earlier this month. I have been aiming for at least eight hours of sleep. I find that if I can get nine, I feel like a million bucks. Any less than eight and I feel an undercurrent of blah throughout the day. Eight is like the bare minimum. Things I use to help me fall and stay asleep: my favorite eye mask (this tempurpedic thing will change your life - and it's on sale!), lavender eye pillow (I generally fall asleep on my side, so I put the eye pillow right under my nose and oh my goodness, that scent of lavender takes me away!), and whenever I need help falling asleep I'll take melatonin but I don't like to do this too often because I always wake up exactly 4 hours after I take it. Weird, right? I can usually fall right back to sleep but it annoys me that I always wake up a couple hours after taking it.

Using Lately

The amazing people at Tata Harper sent me a bunch of products to try and I was so psyched about it because I've heard incredible things about this beauty brand. I love that they are all natural - non gmo, gluten-free, synthetic-free, and has no fillers. They're also cruelty free, do not participate in animal testing, and are made in Vermont.

I've only had the products a few days but right off the bat I've been taken by the Moisturizing Mask which you can use morning or night. It's not a traditional mask in that you need to wash it off (they suggest wiping it off with a tissue if you use it before applying your make-up in the morning) and when you use it at night you can just leave it on overnight. It's basically like a super intense moisturizer that leaves skin looking and feeling dewy and radiant. I love it! It's not too thick so you feel like your skin can't breathe, but rather it's a lightweight creamy base that soaks right into the skin.

The other product I'm really loving right away is the Hydrafting Floral Essence. It's essentially a spray made from flowers that helps to liven up the skin and you can use it over make-up if your skin needs a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day. I'll keep you guys posted on the other products as I get more time to use them.

Traveling to

Upcoming adventures include a wedding in New Orleans next month! I'm so excited to see one of my dearest friends tie the knot and now just need to find a dress. I've been creeping Rent the Runway, which I haven't used since my own wedding six years ago, but it's still going strong! You can rent a dress, necklace or outfit using my link and get $20 off (I'll get $20 off too, so it's a win-win).

How are things in your life off the mat? What have you been up to? Read anything good lately? Tried any new food or beauty products I should know about? Let me know what's up down in the comments below!

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Off the Mat - January