PICTURES ON PALMS – Page 4 – notes of a salty soul and her bucket list dreams

3 Apps That I’m Currently Obsessed With

1. Calm: I can’t tell you enough about this app! It’s so amazing that I have made my family and friends download it. I am a regular at meditating but sometimes it’s nice to find something different that will get you to that relaxing state that is needed to even start meditating. It’s completely free and there are different sounds and listening tools for your liking. I use it as soon as I wake up and right before I go to bed and sometimes even when I am taking a bath or shower. I hope you love it and discover the life changing benefits of meditation with this app!

2. Preview: I don’t know how many times I’ve uploaded a new pic on Instagram and then regretted it because it didn’t go well with the overall look or feel of my feed but it was just too late to take it off because some people actually appreciated it or liked it. (haha) I use this app so much now and I have fallen hard. Right before I upload anything to IG now, I can see if it’s the right decision. What’s also great about this app is that you can schedule posts as well so keeping up with a nice feed can be a little less stressful.

3. Lightroom CC: I get asked all the time what kind of camera I use for my pics and I always answer iphone. I used to just use the set up filters given but after I discovered Lightroom that’s all I use now. It’s so easy to use and pictures end up looking like you used a professional camera. It’s totally free as well!

Download these apps and let me know what you think! I would love to hear. You can find me on IG @carlaloren. XO

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5 Must Read Books for 2018

Every year around December I always look back and wished I read more. It’s not always easy when you are working 24/7 and then exhausted once you hit the bed but I’m definitely going to read more starting in 2018. I currently just finished ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ and I must say it was amazing. It is a tear jerker but you’ll love reading it.

Here below are 5 books I truly recommend to put on your reading list for the new year. Have you read any of them?

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long Term World Travel || Buy
The Art of Racing in the Rain || Buy
The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying || Buy
How Did You Get This Number || Buy
Autobiography of a Yogi || Buy

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EASY BREEZY COOKIES | 3 INGREDIENTS ONLY

I’m so excited to share this recipe with you guys! I baked them today and I’m so happy how they turned out, I HAD to write about it. Let’s just say that I am NOT a baker. I don’t like measuring every single ingredient and I just don’t have that baker’s touch but I do it anyways because it’s super fun. Healthy baking is my favorite thing to do when it’s cloudy and cold outside. There’s something about fall that gets my oven gloves going. Cozy nights are best when you have a candle lit and the smell of sweet cookies take over the house. So here it is. Pure and simple. You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry, some of you might even make them after you read this. Oh yes, and don’t forget the touch of honey at the end! It makes the cookie complete. Much love, C.

YOU NEED:

Your favorite Vanilla Protein Powder | 2 scoops (I use Tone It Up or Quest Protein)
Egg whites (around 1/4 cup)
Peanut Butter (3 to 4 cups)
Honey (lil sprinkle)

HOW TO:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all ingredients together
Spray lightly on foil
Make into balls and then press down with a fork
Bake for 10 minutes
Let them cool a bit and add your honey on top
Enjoy!

Hope you love them!

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DESERT GETAWAY | Scottsdale + Sedona

Even though I am a mega beach girl I do crave the desert frequently. There is something about nights in the desert I find really amazing. I love the brightness of the moon and stars at night and the cactus silhouettes. We decided on Sedona for Labor Day weekend because it was a place we’ve never been and heard so much about. Since my best friend from childhood lives in Phoenix we decided to stay a night in Scottsdale then road trip to Sedona the next day. Arizona has it’s own special character and it’s so special. We stayed at the best hotels, ate the best food, and we were one with nature. Definitely a great place to visit when you have a couple of days to wander within in the US.

We ended up getting an upgrade on our rental car so we were stoked. It was spacious and really comfortable, you’ll know why that came in handy in a bit. We stayed at the super cute, and very instagrammable Saguaro Scottsdale.

They had the most comfortable and beautiful rooms. I wanted everything for my apartment back home when we arrived. Every detail in the lobby, outside of the hotel and inside of the rooms were areas you need to take pictures of. They have a party pool and a quiet pool with colorful and beautiful tanning beds and an area where you can chill on ac crochet hammock. They have floaties for the party pool and great music to jam out to when your getting sun kissed by that Arizona sun. The staff is incredibly nice and super helpful with any recommendations!

After we checked out of the hotel, we went straight to get some grub because we were starving. So we went to this amazing spot called, The Daily Dose. Definitely recommend trying this place out because the entire menu is so good you’ll have a hard time picking out what to get. After we had our coffee and some good food it was time to head on the road.

When you are driving to Sedona make sure to make some stops along the way by those big hand like cactus because they are beautiful and you won’t find them in Sedona! The coolest cactus I’ve ever seen. Sedona definitely didn’t disappoint. You definitely know when you are getting close because the view of the Red Rock mountains are just breath taking. As many of you already know, I get so inspired by my travels and ideas just start popping all over the place when I experience a new place. Sedona brought so many ideas into my mind I remember saying I wished I brought my sketch book.

Sedona is special. Between the eclectic shops, art galleries, and lauded dining you’ll want to come there often. Another thing that you must do in Sedona is hike and mountain bike. They have so many hikes in that little town, you’d get major FOMO if you didn’t get out there at least for one. The views are to die for and make great photos for many years to come.

The hotel I do recommend you stay in when visiting is the Kimpton Amara. The space is just the perfect stay for a Sedona getaway. The inside and outside decor is a mix of Southwestern vibe with a touch of Palm Springs. You’ll feel completely relaxed and full of life after your stay. What’s so great about this place is the mountain views and it’s surroundings of plants and streams. You won’t even feel like you’re in the desert. You must try The Hudson for lunch or brunch too! The staff is super nice and the food is auuuhhmazing.

Unfortunately we had such a busy day exploring the city and their was a massive amount of people for Labor Day weekend we only had the chance to do one hike. Our car came in handy when we had to change into our workout gear on the road. We didn’t waste any time changing in the spacious car.

We drove during sunset and the cloud formation blew my mind. It’s those little memory glances that make the best of traveling. Arizona is beautiful and can’t wait to come back and visit some new places. Experience all you can when here because there is so much to do and see that you will only experience in Arizona. Until next time…xo CP

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PIÑA COLADA | OVERNIGHT OATS

Lately I’ve been trying to find ways to get creative with my morning oatmeal because there are endless possibilities. If some of you don’t know what overnight oats are, it’s a non cooking way of eating oatmeal. You just soak them in liquid and let it sit overnight and you have a creamier yummy way of eating breakfast. I love overnight oats because it’s also a great on the go breakfast or snack that you can eat anywhere. Make sure to have mason jars around to make a couple for the week!

Thankfully I love making recipes I find from the Tone It Up girls because their recipes are seriously so good and healthy. The recipe I will be telling you about is one I got from them but with my added ingredient that adds a bit more protein and an extra layer of satisfaction.

I have seriously become addicted in finding new ways to do my morning oats and I’m excited to share them all with you. Try this one and let me know what you think…hope you like it! X

Mix everything in a bowl

Prep Time: Less than five minutes | Servings: 2

2/3 cup of Rolled Oats

4 tsp of Chia Seeds

2 tsp of Honey or Maple Syrup or (Truvia)

1 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk or Vanilla Almond Milk

1 scoop of Tone It Up Coconut or Vanilla Protein

1 cup Fresh Pineapple Cubed

2 tbsp of Coconut Flakes

1 tbsp of Greek Yogurt (my added ingredient) 🙂

After mixing everything in a bowl, separate them into two mason jars and then put them in the fridge overnight. X

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STRESS NO MORE

Stress, we all know about it because we all experience it. It’s one of those things that is so important to know and listen to because if not controlled, it can lead to sadness and anxiety. I have learned how to manage my stress with these 5 key destressers.

1. MEDITATE- Meditation has really changed my life for the better. It’s now a apart of my everyday life and has made my life and myself so much better. If you are just starting to meditate I would recommend just relaxing and taking a couple of minutes for yourself to calm the mind. You can do it out in nature or in your own home. Just close your eyes and take deep full breaths and you will INSTANTLY feel better than you did before. We are all busy and on the go go go all the time. Let’s be kind of ourselves and give our mind and body a little peace for just a couple of minutes a day.

2. SUNSET WATCH- This is probably one of my favorite things to do! Nature is so amazing and when you see the sun go down, it instantly calms the mind which helps with stress. Sunsets happen everyday so try to get outside to watch these amazing natural happenings. It will bring a smile to your face and life. 🙂

3. WORKOUT- Getting a little sweat on is not only good for the body but also the mind. Being active releases endorphins which naturally gives you happy vibes. These endorphins interact with receptors in the brain and trigger a positive feeling in the body. Who doesn’t like an instant boost of happy?!

4. DANCE- Dancing is definitely one of my favorite things to do. Dance with your lover, dance with your BFF, or even dance by yourself. Put on your favorite tunes and just DANCE. I must admit, I’m guilty for being that person that dances by themselves in the mirror. I love doing it because it’s just so fun and really does make a difference when I’m stressin.

5. GIRL TIME- Spending time with your BFF will definitely help with stress. Go grab some coffee or have a glass of rose. Talk about whatever you want, eat your favorite meals and just have a good time with each other. You will be surprised how less stressed you will feel after hanging with your bestie.

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SKIN CARE FAVORITE

Are you like me? I have struggled to keep my skin in check for a long time because I have a mix complexion of oily and dry skin. It has been difficult finding products that do the job for the long run but I can finally talk to you guys about this magic product. It has made my skin the best it’s ever been in more than 20 years! Yup. I know! These Triad Pads by ARCONA are the real deal. Some days I don’t even wash my face and just use these pads and the next day my face is softer and has a pick me up glow. Trust me. You will love the way these pads make your face feel. I thank these pads for helping my skin get back to normal and help control the dryness I had before. This product will leave your face completely moisturized for the rest of the day. I have found my ‘magic’ product and that’s why I wanted to share it with you all. You can get them on the ARCONA website or get them at Dermstore. Enter to be on their email newsletter and get a sale off the first order! It’s a win win X

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BEST BEACH BOHEMIAN STAY | LAGUNA BEACH

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax. That is why I am a huge fan of weekend getaways and let’s face it, taking more than 4 days off consistently isn’t always the easiest for most of us. One of my favorite places to go, relax and refresh is Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa in Laguna Beach. I have been going there for about three years when it was more of a hidden gem but now it’s becoming more and more popular so you do have to plan ahead when visiting.

There is so much charm, character and history at this place. The rooms are so chic and comfortable, the staff is incredibly nice and the homemade breakfast they make you is deliciously satisfying. Laguna is filled with art galleries, surf shops and beautiful people. This hotel is a perfect place to spend your time in Laguna. If you want to take a break from the hotel just cross the street and you are at the beach. You get the best of both worlds in just a couple of steps. I can go on and on about this amazing place but until you experience it, you’ll know what I’m talking about. X

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EUROTRIP

Being that I have not traveled internationally for over a year I started to get a travel bug pretty hard. When my boyfriend passed away I really needed to take some time to get away. Thankfully, my best friend from Austin, AKA TheHungryChronicles texted me and called me asking if I would go on a River Cruise to Budapest, Vienna, and Nuremberg I immediately said YES. No questions asked.

We had the most amazing time that we will never forget. We spent two nights in Budapest so we got to see everything that city had to offer, it was my big city fav! The entire cruise was a total of seven days so we were abroad for ten, which I wouldn’t have minded if we stayed a little longer. We rented bikes which was the best idea we could have done. If you ever go there I would definitely recommend doing that because it’s so easy to get around and it’s a great bike friendly city. I had no idea we would also be seeing the most beautiful tiniest cities in between the others. The city of Passau blew my mind. It was so charming and cute and just perfect. I could definitely live there as well and go back and spend more time there. Our trip was filled with incredible history, art, bike rides through the cutest towns and vineyards, amazing beer/wine and food, sauerkraut and picturesque towns that will be on my mind forever.

Our boat was the Viking Cruise, which was perfect to say the least. Everyone is incredibly nice, great food, comfortable beds beautiful boat and they make you feel like family the whole time. They truly care about you and your time with them. What made this trip even more special was meeting all the special people that worked on the boat as well as the people that were on vacation with us. That’s what makes traveling so special. You meet people from all over the world and sometimes so close to where you’re from but you connect across the globe and share moments that you can cherish forever. I live for travel. It’s what keeps me alive. It’s what leaves you speechless, then it turns you into a storyteller. For more pictures of our trip, make sure to check out my IG @carlaloren.

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YEMAYA X CALIFIA FARMS

One of my favorite things in life is food, not ordinary whatever food but food that tastes amazing and that’s good for the body. I try to be as healthy as I can most days so I have my favorite snacks and brands I want to tell you about. Almond milk is incredibly good for you but it is hard to find one that tastes yummy. I wanted to write about Califia because I have been drinking their products for a couple of years now and it’s still my go to. It’s delicious in coffee, in smoothies, cereal and homemade baking. Recipes to follow 😉

They also have agua frescas, unique lemonades and creamers. YEMAYA SWIMWEAR X CALIFIA came together in this mini photo shoot to get you ready for summer. Get a suit that makes you feel good, drink some coffee or juice that makes you feel good and your ready to take over the summer. Really. Cheesy aside. We truly care how we make our suits and how they make you feel. We also like to eat and drink foods that make us feel good too and I want you to feel good always.

Hope you love it!