Thursday, December 11, 2025

The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Looking More Lifted and Contoured in Minutes

Let’s be honest. One of my least favorite parts of getting older is waking up and wondering who that puffy, tired stranger is staring back at me in the mirror. And I have always been a puffy-in-the-morning person. Long flight? Puffy. Stayed up too late? Puffy. Accidentally inhaled an entire serving of spicy noodles before bed? Puffy. As time goes on, my under eyes are fully committed to the drama. Some mornings, no amount of concealer or color corrector can hide the dark circles, the shadows or the general why does my face look like this energy.

For the longest time, the only thing that really helped was gua sha. It works beautifully, especially if you are consistent. It supports lymphatic drainage and helps move stagnant fluid that leads to puffiness. But gua sha is very technique based and it is a true ritual. Meanwhile, my lifestyle does not always allow for peaceful, slow strokes and a quiet moment with my bathroom mirror.

Then I added a red light mask into my routine and my skin was instantly happier. Fewer tired-looking  mornings, more brightness, more even tone. So naturally, my lazy girl brain asked the important question. What if I could combine the depuffing magic of gua sha with the science of red light in one step. That is when I found the Red Light Face Wand. My Roman Empire.

Why the Wand Works

This wand is the overachiever of skincare devices. It brings together red light at 660 nanometers, near infrared at 850 nanometers, heat, sonic vibration and biomicroelectronics. Everything is engineered to work on tone, puffiness, circulation, fine lines and that overall lifted look we chase in the mornings.

Where gua sha relies on manual technique and pressure, a red light wand works with technology. Instead of dragging or pulling the skin, it glides gently as the warmth and vibration encourage local lymphatic flow. The red light energizes the surface, while near infrared penetrates more deeply and works on a cellular level to support healthy cellular metabolism, boost microcirculation and calm redness. They are completely different experiences and both have their place, but the wand is the one that fits into real life mornings and any moment when you want results without effort.

The heat helps make the skin feel softer. The swiping motion with added sonic vibration helps relieve jaw and facial tension. The light supports radiance and softens signs of fatigue. Together, it feels like your face is slowly waking up and remembering what it is supposed to look like.

And the best part is the sheer convenience. No prep. No settings to figure out. No learning curve. You pick it up, glide it across your skin and let the device do the thinking. I love that it feels indulgent but also incredibly easy.

What I Noticed First

After the first few uses, I could see
+ softer skin
+ more uniform tone
+ a brighter, more radiant complexion
+ reduction in puffiness
+ more definition under the cheekbones
+ under eyes that looked less puffy

It holds a charge for days which is a dream. The warmth feels soothing. The vibration feels grounding. It is honestly one of the most relaxing things I do for myself in the morning.

Also, it is portable. You can use it at home, at your desk, in the car while waiting for mobile order pickup, on a flight, in a hotel room, or wherever you feel like your face needs encouragement.

My Morning Routine Lazy Girl Lifting 101

Here is exactly how I use it when my face refuses to cooperate.

Under the eyes
I start with gentle glides from the inner corner to the temple. This wakes things up fast and helps deflate that morning pillow face.

Cheekbones
I glide upward toward the hairline. This gives instant definition and a natural contour effect.

Jawline
I sweep from chin to ear. This helps relieve tension and gives a more defined jaw.

Smile lines and around the mouth
A few small upward strokes help soften lines and brighten the area.

Forehead
Slow movements upward. This helps lift and smooth the look of the skin, especially when my forehead decides to showcase last night’s stress dreams.

The whole routine takes three to five minutes. Basically the amount of time I spend wondering what I did in my sleep to wake up looking this puffy.

Why the Wand Now Lives in My Bag

It works. It is easy. It is soothing. It visibly lifts, smooths, brightens and reduces puffiness in a way that feels effortless. My skin looks more alive in the morning. My tone looks more even. My under eyes look less tragic. And everything just feels softer and healthier.

You get real results without needing to commit to a long ritual or remember complex steps.

If the red light mask is the skincare equivalent of booking a spa day, this wand is the friend who shows up at your doorstep with iced coffee and emotional support. You can use it anywhere and it always leaves your face better than it found it.

All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs. This story is brought to you in partnership with BON CHARGE From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers

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Monday, December 8, 2025

A Couscous Salad With Zero Rules and Maximum Flavor

This Couscous Salad with Herb Vinaigrette is what Chef Jeremy Sewall calls a “no rules salad,” and honestly, we get it. Warm or cold, packed with whatever veggies you’ve got, it’s the kind of throw-together dish that somehow feels comforting and elevated at the same time. The only real tip: dress your veggies before the couscous so everything stays perfectly textured.

Pulled from Sewall’s new cookbook Everyday Chef, this is the kind of effortless, feel good recipe we’ll be making on repeat.

Recipe

SERVES 4

1½ cups vegetable stock

Kosher salt

1 cup Israeli couscous

1 Roasted Red Pepper (page 224)

4 stalks broccoli rabe, blanched

1 cup medley cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 cup Cooked Chickpeas (page 230)

Freshly ground black pepper

About ½ cup Herb Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

½ cucumber, diced

½ cup crumbled feta

In a saucepan, bring the vegetable stock to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Stir in the couscous and simmer for 1 minute, then remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and drain off any excess liquid. Spread couscous on a baking sheet. With a fork, separate and fluff the pieces. Let cool.

Dice the roasted bell pepper. Chop the broccoli rabe into small pieces. Place both in a mixing bowl along with the tomatoes and chickpeas and season with salt and pepper. Add ½ cup of the vinaigrette and toss to combine. Add the couscous and toss to combine. Taste and add more vinaigrette if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the cucumber and feta.

Herb Vinaigrette 

MAKES ABOUT 1¼ CUPS

½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

½ cup basil, cilantro, and mint leaves

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a jar or other container, combine the herbs, mustard, honey, vinegar, and olive oil. Use an immersion blender to puree and combine. Season with salt and pepper. Seal tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.

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Call In Protection, Love, Intuition, Prosperity, and Creativity with Five Sacred Candles

There are seasons in life when you can feel something shifting beneath the surface. You want more clarity, more grounding, a spark of inspiration, or a softening of the heart. Maybe you’re seeking reassurance that you’re moving in the right direction. And somehow, lighting a candle always feels like the right place to begin.

Long before candles were decorative, they were ritualistic. They guided prayers, marked thresholds, honored transitions, and connected the living with the unseen. 

Introducing the Anima Mundi Ritual Candle Collection

Now imagine that same ancient instinct channeled into a candle made with devotion, lineage, and purpose. That’s what makes Anima Mundi’s new Ritual Candle Collection so special.

Their collaboration with Crescent and Craft feels like a natural expansion of that magic. Adriana describes candle pouring as “an inheritance, a lineage passed down through the elementals,” and you can feel that devotion in each one. These candles are hand poured with organic beeswax and soy wax, colored with natural dyes, and infused with herbs chosen for their energetic purpose.

Inspired by the Mesoamerican rite of velación where the flame is treated as an oracle each candle feels alive. A companion. A small portal. A living prayer designed to help you call in whatever your spirit is quietly seeking.

Protection, Self love, Intuition, Prosperity, and Creativity.  Five intentions. Five flames. Five ways to shift the energy around you and within you.

How to Call In Each Intention

INTUITION RITUAL CANDLE
Dream work and third eye awakening

This candle awakens the inner sight that lives beneath thought. It bridges worlds, calls spirit near, and creates the conditions for dreams to speak in their own language. It is a flame for the in between, where intuition rises quietly and clearly.

How to work with it
Light this candle when you’re ready to enter the liminal space, the soft edge between waking and dreaming where symbols shimmer and guidance feels close. Let your gaze rest on the flame as your breath deepens and the mind loosens its grip.

Use it before meditation, during journaling, or as you drift toward sleep. Let the glow open pathways of perception and invite subtle messages forward. Do not chase meaning. Simply notice what moves. This candle teaches you to trust the glimmer before the clarity arrives. SHOP HERE

SELF LOVE RITUAL CANDLE
Heart healing and inner softening

This candle nurtures the heart, softens the spirit, and renews confidence. It reminds you that healing isn’t about fixing but about remembering the rhythm of your own warmth. It is a tender invitation to come home to yourself, again and again.

How to work with it
Light this flame on days when your heart feels heavy or tender, or when you simply want to reconnect with your own gentleness. Sit quietly beside it and imagine your breath warming your chest like a small inner sunrise.

Let the glow soften you from the inside out. Allow it to renew your sense of worthiness and open space for self compassion. Every time the wick ignites, think of it as an act of devotion your heart asking to be tended with kindness. SHOP HERE

PROSPERITY RITUAL CANDLE
Manifestation and abundance

This candle calls in prosperity and nourishes the flow of life. It magnetizes growth, joy, and expansion, reminding you that true wealth is cyclical and born of gratitude, generosity, and trust in your own unfolding.

How to work with it
Light this candle as a clear invitation for abundance in all its forms energy, opportunity, creativity, financial ease, and grounded support. Name what you’re calling in and feel your intention settle into the flame.

Imagine your desires rooting and sprouting like seeds warmed by sunlight. With every flicker, feel pathways opening and momentum building. Use this candle when you want to embrace expansion or align with a more generous flow in your life. SHOP HERE

PROTECTION RITUAL CANDLE
Shadow cleansing and energetic shielding

This candle protects, clears, and harmonizes. It seals the aura, fortifies the spirit, and holds space for you to feel grounded and safe. Its energy reminds you that true protection begins with presence and a clear return to yourself.

How to work with it
Light this candle when you need to cleanse your space or reclaim your center. Sit with the flame and imagine it dissolving the static around you: the heaviness, the noise, the tension that isn’t yours to hold.

Let the glow form a soft boundary around your energy field. Use it during transitions, after emotional overwhelm, or anytime you want to feel anchored and held. The flame acts like a quiet guardian, guiding you back to steadiness. SHOP HERE

CREATIVITY RITUAL CANDLE
Inspiration and flow state

This candle ignites creativity, revives the spirit, and awakens the luminous spark that turns ideas into form. It honors the wild current of creation, the pulse inside you that is always ready to rise again.

How to work with it
Light this candle whenever you want to begin whether it’s a project, a dream, or simply the act of opening yourself to inspiration. Sit with the flame for a moment and feel the small inner shift the warmth, the curiosity, the spark.

Let the candle guide you into flow. Start somewhere small a line, a sketch, a new idea. Allow the glow to energize your spirit and move you into creation with ease. Use it anytime you want to reignite your inner fire. SHOP HERE

A Light to Carry Forward
Ritual candles are not shortcuts or instant spells. They are companions in transformation, holding space for your intentions to take shape. Each flame offers a moment to pause, breathe, and realign with what you are calling in.

Light them with presence. Light them with curiosity. Light them as an offering to the part of you that is ready to shift, soften, or expand. The ritual continues long after the wick goes dark the work now lives in you.

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Friday, December 5, 2025

2025 The Chalkboard Mag Holiday Guide: Fashion Edition

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The holidays have a way of making even the simplest outfit feel special. Maybe it is the gatherings, maybe it is the glow of the season, but suddenly we all want pieces that make getting dressed effortless and elevated. This year’s lineup includes trousers that create instant polish, ballet flats that work with everything, the cashmere everyone reaches for first, a leather jacket with serious presence, a tote that never quits, and a piece of jewelry Taylor Swift has worn that adds just the right amount of conversation worthy shine.

Gwyn Blake Trouser
goop
These trousers do that magical thing where you put them on and instantly look like you planned your outfit. The mid-rise is comfortable, the wide legs bring soft, tailored movement, and the cuffed hem adds a refined, polished feel. The pleats give structure in a flattering way, and the slant pockets keep everything relaxed but elevated. They are your go to when you want easy sophistication without thinking too hard. SHOP HERE

Classic Easy Zipper Tote
Cuyana
The tote everyone secretly wishes they had. This Italian leather carryall is lightweight, spacious, and quietly luxurious. The hidden zipper makes it feel polished and intentional, while the roomy interior fits a sixteen inch laptop, your pilates outfit, snacks, chargers, and everything else life demands. It works for errands, office days, travel, and gifting. The definition of an everyday upgrade. SHOP HERE

Elastic Ballet Slipper in Leather
The Row
The ultimate quiet luxury flat. Made in Italy from buttery calfskin, these slippers are soft, simple, and effortlessly chic. The slender elastic strap adds a touch of ballet inspired elegance without taking away from the clean, minimal design. They work with trousers, slip skirts, denim, and airport outfits alike. A perfect choice for someone who loves timeless, understated style. SHOP HERE

Bateman Cropped Leather Jacket
Veronica Beard
If you want a piece that turns whatever you are wearing into a full look, this is the jacket. Butter soft lambskin, a cool cropped silhouette, an adjustable hem, and a funnel neck that instantly adds presence. It strikes the ideal balance between modern and classic. Throw it over denim or a dress and it just works every time. SHOP HERE

Links Iconic Chain Ring
Kimitake Jewelry
A ring with meaning and a little star powered charm. Worn by Taylor Swift and beloved for its symbolic chain design, it carries a sweet message about connection. The H at the center stands for Human which gives it emotional depth without feeling heavy. The diamonds add subtle sparkle that feels refined and timeless. It is a beautiful, thoughtful gift for someone who appreciates pieces with intention. SHOP HERE

Flynn Cashmere Sweater
Jenni Kayne
The cashmere sweater everyone eventually ends up living in. Lightweight yet luxe, relaxed yet polished, classic yet never boring. The v neck gives it a refined silhouette while the softness makes it impossible to take off. Style it with trousers, slip skirts, or your favorite travel outfit. If you want a gift that will absolutely get worn on repeat, this is it. SHOP HERE

Silk Pleat Back Shirt
Another Tomorrow
A modern silk shirt that elevates absolutely everything. Oversized in a way that feels intentional, with a stunning pleated back that moves beautifully. Crafted from peace silk which supports both animal welfare and rural artisans, it is as thoughtful as it is chic. Wear it loose, tucked, or layered. It never misses and always looks expensive. SHOP HERE

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