On The Board: 10 Black Friday + Cyber Monday Offers We Love

You've gobbled up turkey, polished off pie, and are stuffed up with stuffing. If you're anything like us, you're ready to get a head start on your healthy holiday habits, ASAP! Now that Thanksgiving is just a delicious day of the past, we're forecasting a whole lot of festivities, friends, family, and frenzy in the following month. And we want to help you stay healthy (and sane!) through it all. We've scoured the wellness scene for the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday steals - everything from fresh-pressed juice to your new fitness obsessions - so that you can have your healthiest holiday season ever. The number one must-have of the two busiest shopping days of the year? Pressed Juicery's got not one but two juicy deals for you to get your hands on. Head on over to your nearest store location and grab a gift card (or maybe a few?) to stick into this year's stockings - or to save up for a rainy day for yourself! Then on Monday, head on over to the Pressed Juicery website for the cleanse event of the season: three days of their most popular cleanse for a fraction of the cost. Greens, roots, citrus and fruits never tasted so sweet... Once you've got your greens, it's time to kick your health into high gear. Whether you're shopping for your workout-obsessed sister, foodie BFF or treating yourself to an early Christmas gift (you deserve it!), take a peek at top ten Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to get you glowing, inside and out. Want more? Stay tuned for our December Shop, plus holiday gift guides we'll be sharing all December long. Happy shopping, readers!



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Superfood Spotlight: Turkey Tails

What you need to know: Despite what their name might infer, this food is not in fact animal-based, but rather a member of the fungi family. Turkey tails are a mushroom, one that has profound medicinal value. One of its main benefits is strengthening the immune system, through boosting the functioning of T cells. They are utilized to improve the quality of life by reducing susceptibility to viruses, bacteria and other infectious agents. In addition, numerous studies show promise in their ability to rebuild the immune system in people with a wide range of cancers. Why you should try it: Turkey Tails, also called Coriolus versicolor, contain high levels of a unique compound called Polysaccharide-K. This compound is a protein-bound polysaccharide, which has begun to be used as an anticancer agent. Research indicates that when taken together with mainstream cancer therapies, it significantly lengthens the patient's lifespan by as much as double. Evidence shows that Turkey Tails are particularly useful in those dealing with gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. The research is so promising, trials have even been approved by the FDA. Let's get together: This colorful mushroom is best consumed either in a home brewed tea, or as a powder. But since we have yet come across the opportunity for a foraging outing leading us to a fruitful brewing session, we are sticking with the powdered version. We are using Turkey Tails powder by Mushroom Matrix. Surprisingly it has a very neutral taste, making it an easy addition to our morning Hot Chocolate Smoothie.



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Golden Butternut Squash Gratin From Mimi Thorisson

a fine Cheese, heavy cream, herbs and potatoes are the basic elements of the age-old dish, gratin. A deceptively simple dish to make, gratin is the quintessential comfort food. Break through the slightly browned and crispy crust into the sumptuous, soft and gooey center and an aromatic scent of fresh herbs and aged cheese is released - it both nourishes and stirs up the nostalgia of holidays past and times filled with love. This Butternut Squash Gratin is a reinvention of the classic - it was created by Manger blogger Mimi Thorisson for her debut cookbook, A Kitchen in France . Mimi lightens the heaviness of the dish by replacing potatoes with squash, offering a reprieve from the traditional holiday spread, while still paying homage to French cuisine. Assemble this elegant and visually stunning squash gratin for your next gathering, and capture the essence of autumnal seasonal flavors.



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Our Holiday Cocktail Guide: 3 Juicy Recipes From Inside The West Elm Workshop

To kick off the celebrations surrounding our West Hollywood Neighborhood Guide earlier this month, we threw a juicy and stylish cocktail workshop at one of our favorite Weho shops: West Elm's stunning West Coast flagship store. Gathered with twenty local Chalkboard readers, we learned to make the three incredible holiday recipes below from bartender du jour, Jeremy Lake of Crossroads Kitchen (one of our favorite Weho haunts.) Jeremy's cocktail recipes are next level, using fresh herbs, spices, Pressed Juicery juices and small batch, American vodkas to create truly special drinks worthy of serving up at any holiday gathering. There is an apertif, a cocktail perfect for dinner, and an after dinner drink that will knock your socks off. Make one - or all - of the cocktails from our West Elm workshop for this week's friendsgivings, Thanksgiving dinner, and on into holiday party season. The Apple Stinger was by far the attendees' fave and paired well with our other workshop indulgences: iced coffees and gluten-free pastries from another West Hollywood neighbor, Alfred Coffee + Kitchen. Happy holiday week and cheers! Let us know which cocktail recipes you end up making at home... [olists num=1] [olists num=2] [olists num=3]



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Helping Hand: Caregiving 101 With The Co-Founders Of FCancer

One of our favorite things in the world is seeing whip-smart, like-minded women banding together to support a common cause. All month we've been shining the spotlight on FCancer - an incredible organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of cancer. Our Guest Editor Yael Cohen Braun is one half of the dynamic duo behind this life changing organization: just recently, FCancer joined forces with F*ck Cancer – if you can believe it, an organization also started by a daughter who wanted to honor her mother’s legacy, Julie Greenbaum - to create one entity that's impacting lives worldwide. Together, Julie and Yael are taking FCancer's mission global; starting important conversations, hosting jam-packed events, and providing people everywhere who have been affected by the disease with an invaluable resource as they fight the battle against cancer together. Both Julie and Yael know what it means to be a caregiver, and how much of an emotional rollercoaster it can be for everyone involved. As two dedicated daughters whose mothers were affected by cancer (Julie's mother passed away from ovarian cancer), they witnessed and experienced each step of the cancer-fighting process firsthand. Chances are, you know someone who has been affected by the disease - and know how hard it can sometimes seem to stay afloat amidst the darkness. From humor and healing to resources and rituals, here's Julie and Yael with their best advice on keeping life in balance as caregivers...



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Orange You Glad: Pressed Juicery Comes To Orange County!

You've feasted on Freeze. You've gone coo-coo for Green and Rose Coconut. And just when you thought you couldn't become more Pressed-obsessed - everyone's favorite juice company is finally coming to Orange County! Yep, after four years crawling up the coast, from Los Angeles to Santa Barabara all the way to San Francisco, Pressed Juicery is finally heading south to soak up some of Newport Beach's SoCal sun. Not only is Pressed Juicery heading to Orange County for the first time ever, they're bringing with them the frozen juice concoction we're all flipping over, Freeze! In a city that's famous for it's beach-ready weather year round, we could not be more thankful for this healthy, produce-filled treat to cool us down no matter what the season. Join us this Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of Pressed Juicery Westcliff with free juice, tote bags, gift cards, prizes, and of course, free Freeze! Here's what you need to know to join in on the festivities...



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Oysters + Aprons: A Stylish Friendsgiving With We Wore What

Hold on to your (gorgeous, fawn-colored felt) hats. We've discovered a stylish kitchen accessory we can't get over. Earlier this fall, we came across Salt House, a lifestyle brand by Sarah Ashley Schiear, whose aprons knocked our socks off. There are mini skirt aprons, "little black aprons," and, our favorite, the maxi apron - stunning! And so fresh. Sarah recently gathered with friends for a next-level Friendsgiving and we've captured all the stylish goodness for you above. Get inspired by flipping through our photos and notice the Salt House aprons throughout. Today, over on Instagram, we're giving away Sarah's limited edition black vegan leather apron just in time for holiday gift shopping. You need this! Here's Sarah with a few details about her November shindig. Read all about it, then pop over to Instagram and join us for our super-stylish Friendsgiving contest! At Salt House, we live for dinner parties – so naturally Thanksgiving is a big deal. We love it so much that celebrating once simply isn’t enough. Make the most of everyone’s favorite time of year by hosting a Friendsgiving and celebrating with the family you choose: your friends. We teamed up with Danielle Bernstein of We Wore What for the ultimate fashion-forward Friendsgiving and, as co-host, Danielle worked with us to curate the perfect dinner party, from menu selection and guest list to music and tabletop design. On the guest list were friends and fellow fashion bloggers including Serena Goh, Cassidy Wolf, and Bryan Boy. On the menu: a raw oyster bar, delicata squash salad, scallop risotto, brussels sprouts, lamb and an insane dessert. Pearls were an inspiration for our dinner. We customized our mini apron for Danielle in black vegan leather with a pearl stud. And then we thought, oysters! We served a raw bar to start and incorporated an oyster shell motif into the design of the invites and menu cards. The menu had a slightly Mediterranean vibe and featured some of Danielle’s favorite dishes. Dessert was an event in itself. For the full details, click over to the recipe for our naughty, vegan baked apples.



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Naughty (But Vegan) Baked Apples

We love our recipes easy and we love them quick, but when Sarah Ashley Schiear shared this dessert recipe from her recent fashion-forward Friendsgiving, we recognized this recipe as down right naughty. Enjoy this food-gasmic fall dessert recipe, then see the rest of the dinner party spread here. After the last course of our Friendsgiving with blogger Danielle Bernstein, we invited everyone into the kitchen where we presented a platter of roasted apples fresh from the oven. Danielle poured salted caramel over the apples, and Sarah followed up with vanilla ice cream and a brown butter-almond crumble topping. Everyone grabbed a fork and dug in! We came up with a healthier version of our dessert recipe exclusively for The Chalkboard Mag. It still feels naughty... but it’s not! Warm, baked apples fresh from the oven are topped with a maple-almond sauce you’ve got to taste to believe, vanilla frozen yogurt, and crunchy toasted almonds. Perfect for fall dinners, especially Thanksgiving...



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Kiss, Kiss: 9 Lipsticks, Glosses + Other Must-Haves For Holiday Beauty

'Tis the season for a good liplock. Get that pout on constant stand-by with this round-up of nine gorgeousness-inducing lip colors, breath fresheners, and other kissable must-haves. Holiday beauty is all about giving good lip and we love the idea a bold lip for Thanksgiving through New Year's. Some of our holistic picks will keep that pucker rosy and bright too. Roll over all nine picks below to find out more and to get your hands on something special for a season of cozy holiday glamour...



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In The TCM Kitchen with Chef Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio, once a New York treasure, now celebrated the world over, is dishing with us about his favorite part of next week's foodie-esque celebrations.We think of Chef Colicchio as "the face" of the Food Network, having executive produced and starred in Top Chef, the definitive foodie's reality show. And he's likely the only chef to have won both a James Beard Award and an Emmy - what a combo! We asked this beloved chef of both restaurant (Gramercy Tavern, Craft, Craftbar) and television (Top Chef, Top Chef Masters) fame to answer a few questions about his Thanksgiving cooking habits. Get in that cozy holiday cooking mood with us and join us in the kitchen with one of America's most celebrated chefs as we talk aprons, favorite moments and beet cocktails! [olists num=1] [olists num=2]



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Superfood Spotlight: Bay Leaf

What you need to know: With a long and noble history, the bay leaf was once used as a symbol of accomplishment and greatness among ancient Romans and Greeks. Today, it is revered for its culinary and medicinal attributes. The bay leaf contains essential volatile oils and a compound called eucalyptol, which provides its main healing properties. Bay leaf oil is used both internally and externally to bring relief from symptoms of the cold and flu, upper respiratory conditions, including a cough, and breaking a fever. Topically, the oils of the bay leaf are also utilized to reduce pain from headaches, swellings, rheumatism and arthritis. Why you should try it: The bay leaf is a gentle and natural way to address a multitude of conditions, many of which are unresponsive to Western medicine. Various studies have revealed that the compounds in the bay leaf improve insulin function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. It also contains antimicrobial agents, which may promote healthy gums and teeth while protecting against invading pathogens. Finally, infusions made with the bay leaf can soothe the stomach and ulcers, bringing relief from flatulence and colic pain. Let's get together: Bay leaves can be added into almost any vegetable stock, soup, stew or marinade, like this Sweet Potato Lentil Soup or this Indian Quinoa Bowl. But if you're looking for an out-of-the-box usage, try adding it to cocktails! This Blood Orange Gin Sparkler uses bay leaves to add a warm and spicy dimension that plays off of the therapeutic and aromatic rosemary sprigs. You can also make a simple digestive tea by boiling a couple of bay leaves along with peeled ginger root and honey. Happy steeping!



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In The Kitchen With Jenni: 3 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love

There's nothing quite like this time of year for the hard-core veggie lover. From roasted root veggies to dark-as-night kale salads, Thanksgiving reminds veggies and omnivores alike just how hearty and filling good vegetables can be. Save those powder puff, feathery green salads for Spring and consider banishing the tired potatoes to non-holiday meals - these rich, fall vegetarian recipes from chef Pamela Salzman will inspire you, look gorgeous on the table, and are sure to fill everyone up! As is tradition here at The Chalkboard (see last year's recipes here), we're featuring these deliciously chic ideas from Jenni Kayne's Thanksgiving preparations. Chef Pamela walked a few of Jenni's gathered guests through these twists on classic recipes below and we're sharing them with you just in time for planning the big dinner. Get inspired by Jenni's tabletop too. We love this mix of wood and burlap, golden leaves and gold flatware. Pop over to Jenni's blog, Rip+Tan to pick up a few style pointers for next week's table! [olists num=2] [olists num=3] [olists num=1]



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Breaking Out Of Overwhelm

The holidays are right around the corner. In many ways, it feels like the they've already begun. The lamp posts around town are decked out in white lights and snowflakes, the grocery stores are stuffed up with stuffing, and our to-do lists are getting just a little bit...longer. I currently type this article with Christmas carols playing in the background: my version of pregaming. They get me pumped up for the season I love so much - and remind me that I better prepare myself to find some calm in the storm ahead. This is my favorite time of year, largely because of the traditions associated with the season. I love the cozy predictability of it all, how I can count on certain things to be exactly the same annually when the rest of my year (and my life) is so varied and unpredictable. But I can also count on certain stressors to arise: workflow shifting in preparation for the holidays, last-minute plans being made, events popping up out of nowhere, requests to tend to, obligations to oblige, calls and texts and emails to answer. Couple this with my introverted, highly sensitive DNA and I'm just about ready to cop out and hibernate with visions of sugarplums and all that jazz dancing around in my head, 'till the first blooms of spring peek their way through the faux snow of the LA holidays. Sometimes it can seem as if the world is out to get us; that when it rains it pours and when it's sunny it's blinding. Overwhelm is not specific to the last quarter of the year in the least - but somehow, every year without fail, this is when it all seems to hit a pinnacle. No wonder the business of New Year's Resolutions is so booming: we're hit right when we're up to our flyaway-hairs in overwhelm. We're overworked, overstressed, overcommitted, overly guilt-ridden. Therein lies the main problem with overwhelm - being over it. Our tendency is to complain, and worse, commiserate over complaints. Complaints are what keep us tethered to our problems, instead of propelled toward our solutions. They're the tar that makes everything too sticky, they're the quicksand beneath our feet making each attempted step and arduous and labored process. They turn us into the worst versions of ourselves, breeding jealousy and a fear of failure. So often we treat complaints like actual action steps, and end up fooling ourselves into thinking we're actually doing something to help the thing we're complaining about. But in reality, complaints are a band-aid, a way to temporarily relieve ourselves of the burdens of the moment by acknowledging the space they take up in our brain. Whenever I catch myself in a circle of complaints about my overwhelm - my apparent busyness or my overload of question-marked tasks, I ask myself one question: So what are you going to do about it? Whether I am faced with looming assignments, I can't quite seem to get on the same page with someone in my life, or my overwhelm is leading me to doubt myself personally and professionally, posing this one simple question to myself makes me take accountability and start to set a plan of action into motion. Crushing the complaints is the first step in creating a sense of cool, collected control. Since you might already be feeling, um, overwhelmed, with long paragraphs and flowery prose (ain't nobody got time for that right now!) - here are four simple strategies, outlined in order for your convenience, to help you proactively persevere through whatever whirlwind you're facing:



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On My Wishlist: A Stylish Holiday With Tim Gunn

There are few more compelling characters - perhaps, none with more good taste - in reality TV than Tim Gunn. When he burst onto the scene with the first season of Project Runway he quickly made his way into the hearts of fashion-loving folks everywhere, including ours. His keen eye, expert wardrobe, and stern, but caring demeanor gave us a fondness for him we'd previously reserved for only our favorite teachers. That fondness, along with the catchphrases that come from his unforgettable way of speaking, have propelled Tim to cult-level status. Since moving on from Parsons School of Design where it all began, Tim has become chief creative for Liz Claiborne, and co-wrote a book about his signature and expert style. We'd take Tim's advice on just about anything when it comes to living well, but we were especially excited to kick off this season full of holiday wishlists from a few of our favorite folks (here are last year's wishlists) with this shopping guide from Tim. Read his expert take on hostess gifts and what to stuff under the tree, then, if you're here in L.A., join him yourself this Saturday inside the World Market at the original Farmers Market. To kick off their 5th annual “Share the Joy” campaign, World Market is hosting Tim Gunn as he meets the first 200 fans with canned food donations beginning at 1p.m. Start your weekend in good holiday form this Saturday, November 15! Roll over each of Tim Gunn's picks below for a tip on proper holiday gift shopping straight from the good man himself...



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Join Team TCM: We’re On The Hunt + Looking At You…

Dear Chalkboard readers, we're on the prowl for a new TCM team member and we're looking right at you. You're charming, savvy, wellness-minded, clever...what better place for us to find a new sharp-as-a-whip team member then from among our own terrific readers? Read all about our newly available position below. If it sounds like we're reading a page from your book, then send us your resume and let's meet up for a green juice and a chat... on the hunt: We're on the hunt for a part-time Editorial Assistant extraordinaire to support our editorial team with speed and style. Your role will involve the support of TCM's day-to-day editorial calendar with technical, graphic design, photo, and copy editing skills. Duties include assisting with photos and design (Photoshop skills are a must), building shopping stories, social media support, some light writing, plus administrative office duties and working with our editorial team to execute both content production and overall growth as we move forward into 2015. Want even more of #thatchalkboardlife? This position may parlay into a full-time position - only serious inquiries need apply! Who you are:

• Proficient in Photoshop, preferably 2-3 years experience.


• Strong writing skills and impeccable grammar.


• An organized self-starter with the ability to foresee needs.


• A Chalkboard kind of gal! You live, breathe, eat, and dream natural wellness and good design...and have a firm grasp on a balanced lifestyle.


• A sucker for stellar design, with an eye for detail.


• Familiar with trends and common practices on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media outlets


• Efficient, fast-paced, able to multi-task and adapt at a moment's notice.


• A results-oriented problem solver with a take-charge kind of attitude - you're the kind of person who looks for solutions.


• A team player who thinks in terms of "we" - The Chalkboard is a small team and highly collaborative.

here's how to let us know: Email us hello@thechalkboardmag.com with the subject line "Editorial Assistant Application." Please send: your resume, a brief description of who you are and why you think you are the best candidate to join team TCM, plus a list of your three favorite blogs, resources, or inspirations. We are hiring immediately. Candidates not immediately available need not apply. We can't wait to hear from you!



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LBD Redux: 15 Little Black Leggings We Can’t Live Without

Carrie Bradshaw had shoes. We have black leggings. We know, we know, a shopping guide of fifteen long, black beauties - the workout world's equivalent to the Little Black Dress - might seem, well, excessive. Why would you possibly need so many variations on the same black pant? The answer is simple. You just do. From laser-cut leg panels to functional yogawear, here are our essential essentials:



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Everything But The Turkey: A Californian Thanksgiving Box With Summerland x Heirloom LA

An ideal Thanksgiving day is the perfect combination of new and old, modern and old fashioned. We break out those traditional family recipes and use as many time-saving modern conveniences as earthly possible. We gather with the oldest members of our family and meet the new ones, from babies to fiances. This year, we're excited to share a collaboration from two foodie brands who have that whole modern but old-fashioned vibe down pat. Summerland, with their beautiful farm-to-doorstep box deliveries, and Heirloom LA, one of our favorite farm-sourced catering companies, have joined together to create this gorgeous and incredibly convenient Californian Thanksgiving box, complete with recipes! If you know and love Heirloom LA, you know what a treat you're in for. Heirloom has designed four delicious side dish recipes based on seasonal finds from local farms, including a classic almond and bourbon-laced apple cobbler we can't get over. Summerland has gathered up all the produce you need to make all the Heirloom recipes, plus some of their favorite marketplace staples for you to enjoy in one holiday-ready box for the ultimate Californian Thanksgiving. For 6-8 people, the box is $145 and comes with the below recipes tucked inside. Use every recipe provided or mix it up and whip together simple classics like mashed potatoes, risotto or maple glazed brussels sprouts. On Monday, we're giving away one of these incredible delivery boxes on Instagram. Stay tuned for details or order now to have your everything-but-the-turkey box delivered between November 24 and Thanksgiving Day! Hop on over to Summerland for all the fine print and see if delivery is available in your area. [olists num=2] [olists num=1] [olists num=3] [olists num=4]



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Neighborhood Vibes: Win Our Stunning #TCMGuide Giveaway

We're head over heels for all things West Hollywood! From a sexy cup of joe at Alfred Coffee + Kitchen to an ultra-bouncy class at Body By Simone, we're always down to scour the neighborhood around Pressed Juicery West Hollywood for top trends, great workouts and healthy hotspots. The Weho neighbors we're featuring this month include stylish shops and hard-to-book workouts we knew we had to hook our readers up with. Today, we're offering some serious swag from the TCM Neighborhood Guide to three lucky readers via Instagram! Get the full WeHo experience by entering our #TCMGuide Instagram giveaway. Three winners will get entrance to the hottest fitness classes, enjoy a one day juice cleanse, and score a slew of beauty + fashion finds from our favorite Weho hotspots. Enter, invite a friend to do the same, and cross your fingers! Click on over to Instagram, enter the giveaway, then make plans to enjoy everything else going on this week in celebration of our Neighborhood Guide West Hollywood. Grab a friend, get some juice, and make your way through the neighborhood!



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Inside The Detox Market: A Green Beauty Workshop With Katey Denno

Want to learn a few tricks of the trade from a woman who preps A List gals on both coasts for award shows and light night fashion - I mean, talk - shows? Perfect. We're talking to celeb makeup artist Katey Denno about all things natural beauty, and this one knows it all. Katey is one of our go-to beauty consultants here at TCM and with good reason. She paints the faces of gorgeous gals like Christy Turlington (get the look), Isla Fisher (get the look,) Mindy Kaling, and Amanda Seyfried with her "mostly" natural beauty kit and creates looks so luminous she's got half of Hollywood calling. Recently we joined Katey for an evening inside West Hollywood's The Detox Market for a green beauty workshop extraordinaire. Along with a dozen wellness-minded ladies ready to take thorough notes on paper and face, we sipped on Pressed Juicery mimosas and watched as Katey created look after look with some of our favorite natural brands. Katey means business when it comes to beauty. Below we talk honestly about what's going on in natural beauty and a few of her favorite things. Our thanks to the Detox Market for hosting the kind of event that pushes green beauty one step further - and teaches us to properly curl our lashes. Here's Katey... The Chalkboard Mag: In the workshop you talked about ingredients to avoid. What are the 3 that top your list? Katey Denno: Fragrance/parfum; sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium laureth sulfate (SLS/SLES); and oxybenzone. TCM: We've talked about this many times: performance and non-toxicity are just about equal in our minds! If a lipstick is non-toxic but awful, why even put it on? Talk to us a little about the brands that are making the cut for you right now... KD: I absolutely agree. We're fortunate to be alive in a time in which a number of (mostly women) decided to forge ahead and find ways to make beauty products safely - and the options from which to pick are growing daily. My current go-tos include: Lina Hanson body oil - this blend is deliciously fragrant and has transformed my skin. I use it on my clients before they walk the red carpet all the time; YULI face oil - another oil blend that's transformed my sensitive, outbreak-prone skin beautifully; Tammy Fender eye cream - I've been an eye cream user since age 17, and this one is one of the best I've ever tried. Tammy's line is magical; Burt's Bees lip crayons are super pigmented and rich in colors that are both classic, and right on-trend; and Kjaer Weis eye shadows - they're the most blendable and incredibly beautiful of all shadows I've tried, with just the right amount of shimmer. TCM: You've got a ton of celebrity clients. Are there any products your girls are really loving right now? KD: I’m grateful to be aligned with a brand that my clients love, and I have to say, between the Burt's lip crayons and the tinted lip balms, my clients are always really happy with what I slip into their handbags before they walk the red carpet. TCM: What's a great go-to look for fall? KD: I love fall makeup looks! How about either a rich blue or green smokey eye with a lot of lash and a berry stained lip and slightly flushed cheek? TCM: Let's talk about eyelash curling! In the workshop, you spent a lot of time on this. Tips? Fave brands? KD: Not all lash curlers are made equal. I've favored the soft curve and perfect pad of the Shu Umeura curler since I started doing makeup, and am equally into the curler from Kevyn Aucoin - and one plus about Kevyn's is that the red pad makes seeing black lash hairs much easier! TCM: There's an eyeshadow you use on everyone. Let's talk about this shell-like shimmery shade... KD: For all skin tones lighter than dark, I love using, as Spirit Demerson of SBL calls it, a universally flattering light beam: Cloud Nine by Kjaer Weis. TCM: If someone reading this wants to start from square one, detoxing their makeup bag, where should they start? KD: Skin care! Followed by lip color... TCM: Can you let us in on a couple of tricks you rely on for late-night-show appearances and red carpets? Give us something we can use everyday... KD: Oooh - good one. One, fill in your eyebrows. Find a shadow or a brow gel that's a perfect match, if not a bit lighter. Start at the arch and fill in to the outer edge, then take a step back and evaluate in the mirror just how completely filled in (or not) you want the inner half to be. Two, if you wear foundation on your entire face, make sure you dab a bit of a slightly darker foundation under your cheekbones. Otherwise your face just reads one dimensional. This can also be accomplished by brushing powder bronzer under your cheekbones. Thirdly, curl your lashes, focusing on getting the outer edges up, apply 1-5 coats of mascara. Bat your lashes. TCM: Top 3 products you're obsessing over right now: KD:Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Napa Vineyard, Yuli Modern Alchemist serum and Gressa Foundation.



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Living Well With Yael Cohen Braun

November guest editor Yael Cohen Braun is on the front lines of the fight against cancer, giving the disease a run for its money with her empowering and life-changing organization, FCancer. As CEO and co-founder of FCancer (which arose when her own life was turned upside down by her mother's cancer diagnosis), Yael educates people around the globe about cancer prevention. That keeps health at the forefront of her mind, 24/7. Not only is she an advocate for the wellness of others - she's a pro at taking care of herself so that she can come to the aid of men and women worldwide. Yael advocates that when it comes to cancer, no one experience is alike. She's determined to make sure both caretakers and cancer patients have the tools they need to battle this disease in a way that feels authentic and true to their own journey. No matter how busy life gets, Yael is always sure to keep herself is fueled and focused while she courageously leads her cancer-f*cking troops into battle. From green juice and glass bottles to hikes and healthy restaurant tips, we love how simple Yael keeps things when it comes to her own self care and wellness. Take a peek at the tips, tricks, and tools that keep her in balance day in and day out - then be sure to pop on over to StandWith, her newly launched mobile app that helps caregivers and supporters to better assist loved ones during long-term medical treatment. Here's the wellness warrior herself...



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Meet Thrive Market: The Shop We’ve All Been Waiting For

You geek out on blue-green algae, only wash your locks in toxin-free suds, and have more Chinese herbs in your cupboard than dry goods. We get it. You take good care of your health and have fun doing it. The trouble is, you'd like to keep your shoe budget in tact after so many visits to the health grocery store. This month, our friends at Thrive Market, including some of our own original TCM family, are launching a platform we've all been waiting for. Stocking all the wellness staples and clean living essentials we're used to finding in healthy grocery stores, Thrive Market offers over 400 of our favorite brands at 25-50% below retail. We'll give you a moment to let that soak in. The Thrive Market catalog contains over 2,500 health foods and products we've already begun stocking up on - and we knew our Chalkboard readers needed in on this. Find out more about this platform's unique one-for-one membership model below, then hop on over and join in on all the savvy, shoe-budget saving fun...



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Living Well with Dr. Mark Hyman

We're thrilled to feature Dr. Mark Hyman, a leading figure in the world of natural health and "functional medicine," in one of our favorite TCM features, "Living Well With..." Dr. Hyman is chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, an organization that forwards the idea of addressing the underlying causes of chronic disease, beyond just surface level symptoms. He is founder and medial director of The UltraWellness Center, a practicing family physician, and seven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author. A true pioneer and passionate advocate for "patient-centered, not disease-centered, medicine," Dr. Hyman is changing the way patients and doctors alike look at health care. We love reading through the doctor's own healthy daily habits below, including his own personal favorite smoothie recipe. Absorb some of this healthy wisdom to apply to your own life, then find out more about his upcoming detox program designed to balance blood sugar in a natural way. Out-of-control blood sugar levels are the root cause of many chronic and even severe modern health problems. We're happy to spread the word about programs like Dr. Hyman's that are helping so many people better understand and rid themselves of blood sugar-related health issues. Here's the doctor... [olists num=1] [olists num=2] [olists num=3]



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In the Studio with Artist America Martin

How do you keep fueled up while creating modern day masterpieces? We wanted to know too. Apparently, it's all about snacking on yams, drinking tea, short jaunts to neighborhood hotspot Sqirl, and keeping an empty Moleskine at arm's length. I guess we knew more than we thought! We're catching up with artist America Martin, a Silverlake-based, Colombian-American painter and sculptor who is quickly capturing the attention of the art world and collected by a wide variety of famous Los Angelenos including Kirsten Dunst, Juliette Lewis, Danny Devito, and Giovanni Ribisi. Take a peek inside the studio with this rising star...



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View From The Topp: Our 6 Fave Shots with Instacrush Kate Brien

Design-lovers unite. Shoe-lovers beware. Kate Brien's sensational Instagram account View From The Topp is going full blog on us and we couldn't be more excited. To celebrate, we asked Kate, a talented stylist, to share a few of her favorite Instagram shots with us. From the beach to the Birks, these 6 shots show Kate's natural roots - she's as likely to get stoked on a new bottle of Pressed Juicery as she is a new pair of Thakoon wedges...



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The Foraged Tablescape: DIY Fall Leaf Lanterns You’ll Love

Whether running through your neighborhood or hiking through local hills, do you ever wish you could just bring the outdoors in? Whether its a pile of river rocks, an armload of branches, or a bouquet of freshly fallen leaves, there's nothing we love more this time of year than bringing all those natural materials into the house - the question becomes what to do with it all. We asked our latest all-natural Insta-crush, Flora Forager, to show us how to make these delicate and adorable fall leaf lanterns with leaves gathered from the woods-slash-neighbor's tree. They scratch our itch for neighborhood foraging just perfectly and make a great family or roommate project if you find yourselves wired on leftover Halloween candy and giddy about the cozy, new season. Bridget Collins (a.k.a Flora Forager) breaks down all the details below. Editor's note: This is not the kind of votive to leave strewn about unattended in the guest bath or entryway - the votives need constant attention to avoid any fire hazards, but you'll be happy to ogle them all evening anyway!



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