Welcome back to the latest edition of my new blog series where each month I share a selection of my favourite products, memorable experiences, wellness advice, recipes, healthy routines, and more. This month, I'm diving into journaling for self-care, shining a spotlight on our best-selling product, and sharing my winter escape to Prince Edward County.

Writing for Accountability and Inspiration

Last month I shared more about the power of setting goals and manifesting with a vision board. If you created your own vision board for the year, I hope it's proven to be inspiring. 

This year, my personal goals consider not only things I’d like to achieve but also the deliberate action needed to truly manifest my aspirations. This includes making mindful decisions that resonate with the vision I have set out to achieve.

To help inspire my actions, I turn to my journal. Journaling has been a longstanding practice for me, offering valuable moments of introspection. When I sit down to write, I feel a sense of calm and clarity. I never realized the impact of journaling until I began jotting down my own thoughts. If you're new to this practice, start by writing a few sentences each day about what you're thankful for. Over time, you'll naturally progress to reflecting on your day, emotions, and inspirations.

There are many journals on the market that can help kickstart your journaling process, like The 5 Minute Journal. 

If you'd like to try journaling, here are some prompts to get you started:

• Describe a memorable experience that brought you joy.
• What is something new that you learned and was helpful.
• What are your top three goals for the next year?
• What is one new habit you can develop to get you closer to achieving your goals?

I’m sharing this with you because I truly believe that journaling is a great way to clear your mind and reflect on each day, keeping you mindful and present.

Happy writing!

Product Spotlight: Pro-Age Facial Oil

Pro-Age is one of Batch Beauty Lab’s custom facial oil blends that combines the incredible ingredients of our fan-favourite Base 001 Facial Oil with our potent Pro-Age Booster. 

This unique blend is one-of-a-kind and delivers instant results that will have you hooked:

• Pro-Age visibly hydrates and plumps the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• After one use skin is soft, supple, and nourished.
• With continued use, Pro-Age stimulates collagen production.
• Vitamin A and C boost exfoliation promoting cell-turnover and a brighter complexion. 

Our Pro-Age Booster is comprised of three natural powerhouse hero ingredients: 

Rosehip Oil: 

Known for its rapid absorption and thinner consistency, the benefits of this oil penetrate deep into the layers of the skin. Rosehip is known for its brightening properties that work to even out skin tone for a glowing complexion. Furthermore, Rosehip is rich in omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids that promote skin elasticity and improved texture. 

Sacha Inchi Oil: 

Sacha Inchi is known to be one of the richest plant-based sources of essential fatty acids. It is a fast absorbing oil that protects against the damaging effects of the sun, prevents inflammation, and hydrates the skin without causing congestion. It is a magic oil that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Sea Buckthorn Oil:

Sea Buckthorn is a mighty ingredient abundant in antioxidants and essential fatty acids that promote skin cell turnover and is known for its naturally occurring vitamins A, E, and K properties. Vitamin A balances the skin's natural oil production and promotes exfoliation through cell turn over, vitamin E stimulates collagen production, while vitamin K promotes skin elasticity. The benefits of Sea Buckthorn are endless and powerful. 

Incorporating Pro-Age into your existing skincare routine is easy. Simply massage 2-3 drops onto cleansed skin, morning and night, and after moisturizing for locked-in hydration. 

I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the glowing results of Pro-Age. Give it a try this month with a limited time offer of 20% off with promo code: FEBRUARYEDIT at checkout!

Winter Escape in Prince Edward County

I love a good winter staycation and this February I spontaneously ventured to Prince Edward County for a short and sweet escape.  Prince Edward County, otherwise known as “The County” or “PEC”, is a cluster of nine regions that each have their own distinct character with much to explore. Visitors flock to PEC year-round for the amazing food, wine, art, and natural beauty. Personally, I love the peaceful country roads and the culinary scene.

Although Wellington is lovely, we opted for a stay in Picton at the newly restored Royal Hotel. Dating back to 1879, The Royal Hotel is a great starting point for new visitors to PEC because it is situated on Main Street, where you'll find charming boutiques, vintage and antique shops, and delicious local eateries.

Before reaching Picton, we visited one of our favourite spots in Wellington, Piccolina Mercato. Piccolina’s, an Italian market and bar, offers handmade breads, pastries, and pantry items. Sadly, Piccolina's permanently closed in February as the owner embarked on a new culinary journey. Nonetheless, we cherished our final lunch at this hidden gem.

• The Ye11ow Studio for beautiful handmade pottery 
• City Revival for unique vintage finds
• Cressy Mustard Co. for artisanal mustard (my favourite)
• Bocado for Spanish tapas (seriously one of the best, if not the best, Spanish restaurants I’ve been to outside of Spain)
• Onesta for delicious handmade fresh pasta 
• Vic Social for brunch 
• The Russ & Co. for cocktails 

Our overnight stay at The Royal was perfect. The Nordic-influenced hotel ambiance exudes warmth, hospitality, and tranquility. What I appreciate most are the small details that elevated our experience, such as a personalized greeting card, freshly baked treats in our room, and a complimentary beverage upon arrival. The service was amazing and the team was incredibly helpful. As the day came to a close, we were eager to relax and enjoy a cozy evening.

There are countless shops and eateries to explore in The County, along with stunning wineries and farms in the summer. If you haven't checked it out yet, definitely consider a weekend escape and if you've already been, share your top spots in the comments below! 

Snippets of our stay at The Royal Hotel:

February Joy

February flew by but the moments that made me smile will stick around (corny, I know!):

• Fresh tulips in the kitchen, always! 
• Finally received the pottery I made on my birthday. My new favourite cup and saucer.
• Using Batch Beauty Lab Base 001 for my daily facial massage and Gua Sha practice.
• Packing your orders always brings me so much joy. Thank you! 
• Valentine's Day treats from Bobbette & Belle and Bake Shoppe.
• Vintage vessels purchased in PEC. I love using these in the kitchen when prepping ingredients.
• Pancakes that hit the spot.
• Cinnamon buns from Circles and Squares bakery. If you want to try these, go early, they sell out fast and are only available on the weekend!
• Breakfast in bed, no complaints!