Amangiri For First Timers

A connection to the land around you is a return to self. This is evident through every architectural line directing our eyes to a breathtaking view and reminding us that nature's wonders ignite our inherent gifts. I have never felt more creative and intuitive in an environment before. I turned forty at this “peaceful mountain” which was an important destination for my creative self to welcome in new beginnings and growth for a hopeful new year.

I gravitate towards views that make me feel small. These views allow room to breathe. The 600 preserved acres of Navajo land reminded me of a passage of time with deep sacrifice, great reverence and what I personally needed — a spiritual recharge. It honestly felt like walking through a scene in WestWorld. I am sharing all of my tips and tricks to make this a seamless journey for you.

Disclosure: We paid in full and the price tag is an interesting pill to swallow, but quickly forgotten once you arrive. I highly suggest putting this on the bucket list for a deep sense of renewal and a return to the things that matter most — stillness, a connection to the land and a renewal of your creative spirit. 

SEASON TO GO:

We went when it was cooler. I am normally a sun, sand and sea kinda of gal but this is the perfect spot to close out December and ring in the new year. I also loved how the weather supported the activities. If I am on a mountain, I want to feel the cool air fill my lungs, wrapped in all layers to then return to a warm fire and heated floors. This is my ideal location for a winter wonderland without snow. The most popular months to go are from August through December. If you don’t want to spend New Years there, the sweet spot would be October.

HOW TO GET THERE:

We flew from Nashville, TN (BNA) into Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS). We rented a suburban ( in case there was snow on the way) and drove four hours to the property. The drive was easy, beautiful and if you have a little extra time, I would suggest driving through Mt Zion National Park. There are also options to fly private which can be arranged through Aman’s concierge (I will need to be selling a few more presets for this option) - Ha!

WHAT TO WEAR:

There is a science behind what I pack. I make a list and strategically plan out outfits for each day and night. There is nothing worse than not having something you need when you’re thousands of miles from home or overpacking. To my surprise, this went out the door upon arrival. Amangiri is very relaxed and I loved this most about the experience. Along with connecting to the land, there was a shedding of layers for me. I wasn’t focused on how I looked. I was focused on catching the sunset and staying moisturized and warm. I brought five pairs of yoga pants, long sleeved shirts, warm coats with matching beanies, and a good pair of running shoes for hikes. There was no pretense here which was a nice departure from the rest of the world. Jeans and sweaters are perfect for dinner (or yoga pants and a cute beanie).

ACTIVITIES:

The activities we participated in were:

Three Slot Canon Tour led by a member of the Navajo tribe, Two Hours on a property Horseback Ride for two with a private wrangler, Sunset Trail Experience, a Grounding Journey Spa Treatment, and then Ben on his own did the Guided Via Ferrata (there is nothing less appealing to me than being suspended 600 ft off the ground with a rope — hard pass).

It is an absolute must to do the Slot Canon Tours while you are there. It is a private and sacred tour through canons that are 190 million years old. The ancient and iconic geology is beyond comprehension. The next must-do is to go horseback riding through the property. You are riding through 600 acres of preserved Navajo land and you feel like you’re somewhere in between Jurassic Park and a Western. This may come as a surprise to some, but I don’t spa well. I just don’t. I start to get antsy especially when there is so much nature and architecture to see. I personally would skip the spa next time and take a hike or possibly do a helicopter tour over the grand canyon.

Also worth mentioning: they have a great list of activities each day that are available to guests at no additional cost. These range from morning group hikes to storytelling by the fire to learning astronomy through the lens of the Navajo tribe. The next time I go back, I’m taking advantage of their offerings!

SUGGESTED DURATION:

We stayed five days / four nights. I personally could have experienced one more evening there.

WAYS TO INCORPORATE THE PHILOSOPHIES OF AMANGIRI + THE NEW SOUTHERN WHERE EVER YOU ARE:

1. Slow down

2. Look for extraordinary moments in ordinary tasks

3. Get outside and let nature remind you of your strength, connection and creativity

4. Meditate, take baths, journal and continue to nourish your mind

5. Unplug. Put your phone down and tether yourself to the moment.

6. Be curious with your local history and let it inspire your creativity.

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part II: MAKEUP

Recently, I shared with you that my favorite accessory is a healthy dose of humble confidence (HERE). Believing in yourself and what you stand for is a sure-fire way toward a happier outlook, a positive essence, and productive a workflow. In the most non-superficial way, I ultimately feel my best when I’m working hard, I’m taking care of my body and mind, and when I feel, well, put together.

All illustrations by the talented and fabulous Hayley Mitchell

We all get so busy and it’s easy to lose track of those priorities. But I often joke that caffeine, some positivity, and a lot of concealer get me through the day, and I know many of you are in the same boat! Because so many of you asked, I’m excited to share my tried and true beauty routine for a look that will last and let my focus be on the task at hand while tackling a full and rewarding day... from meetings, to cross-continent flights, to 15-hour shoots and throwing in the occasional speaking engagement.... this is a clean look that will be the constant through all of our shifts and turns... and I am happy to share one of my constants with you!

I’ve partnered with the the oh-so-talented Hayley Mitchell, the Austin-based artist known for her graphic, punchy portraits, to help illustrate my step-by-step beauty routine. I hope you’ll check out her work and give her a follow; her aesthetic and creative drive so represents The New Southern, and I’m so fortunate to have connected with her on this journey. I also hope you’ll give my tricks a try and share the look with me on Instagram! I can't wait to hear your thoughts and please feel free to comment below. Sending you all LOVE this week. Xx

MOISTURIZER

To prep, I apply NeoStrata Bionic Face Cream 12 Bionic PHA everywhere except my eyes. A little goes a long way, and a tiny dollop provides complete coverage, so it’s good to be conservative.

TINTED MOISTURIZER + SPF

Next I use Revisions Intellishade Original tinted moisturizer SPF 45, again all over my face with the exception of my eyes. I love this product because it gives me a subtle dewy look with some coverage, but be careful, as applying too much will make you look pretty greasy. 

CONCEALER

Using a damp Beauty Blender, I apply Mac’s Studio Finish Concealer in NW 20 SPF 35 very liberally under my eyes. Genetically I have dark undereye circles, and this concealer is the absolute best for all-day wear, especially on shoot days when I’m constantly moving between inside and the outdoors and then off to client dinners when I wrap on set. 

SETTING POWDER

I then take a small brush to Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Natural Finish and conservatively set the concealer underneath my eyes. You can also use it to set the tinted Revisions Intellishade moisturizer around your nose, as necessary. I recently discovered the major benefits of setting powder. I’m all about a quick morning makeup routine, and although it adds an extra step, this stuff ensures the look stays all day long. It saves me so much time at the end of the day if I’m finishing up a shoot and going straight into a dinner meeting or to an event.

POWDER

To even everything out, I apply Bobbi Brown’s Skin Weightless Powder Foundation in Warm Ivory 1 with a large brush. Because I don’t wear foundation, this is a perfect weightless alternative to give my face a smooth texture and healthy glow. Throughout the day, I’ll reapply this to touch up or eliminate shininess between meetings.

BRONZER + BLUSH

I have a little confession--I have never taken the time to learn to contour! Instead, I have a go-to bronzer and blush, which I sometimes wear separately and other times, together. You must try NARS Laguna and Bare Minerals Sunkissed, which I apply liberally with a blush brush under my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, on my forehead, and sometimes in the crease of my eyes. Naturally I’m very fair (like a translucent baby fish that you can see their heart beating), so both of these shades offer a subtle, not-too-pink glow without having to sit there and chisel my face with 6 different contouring shades. When you’re a busy gal like me, you have to color outside the lines when you contour!

EYESHADOW

I usually choose to wear a single eyeshadow shade to avoid all the time and precision a heavy-duty look requires. My all time favorite shadow is Urban Decay’s Toasted, which is perfect to transition from day to night. I apply my eyeshadow conservatively in the crease of my eye and leave my eyelid pretty bare. 

EYELINER

Because my complexion is so fair, I had trouble finding an eyeliner that wasn’t too harsh for a long time. That is, until recently when I discovered NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in “Via De’Martelli.” I use just a touch, only applying on the outer top corner of my lid.

MASCARA

I swear by Benefit’s They’re Real mascara—it’s one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used and I wear this daily. Apply two coats pretty liberally in order to fully coat your lashes and achieve maximum volume. But beware, at the end of the day, gently and very patiently remove it from your lashes with warm water and face soap. If you’re in a hurry, you may miss a few lashes and wake up with mascara….everywhere.

LIPS

Figuratively and literally, I like to keep my lip color pretty simple and light. These days, I’ve reached for NARS Turkish Delight Lip gloss, which has great lasting coverage and is both conditioning and moisturizing. If I want a little bit more definition, I’ll apply MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Cultured and top it off with a dab of Mac Lustre Lipstick in Pretty Please.

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part I: INNER BEAUTY

For a while now, many of you have asked me daily about my beauty and make-up routine. I’m excited to finally share all of those tips with you HERE. But before I get into my makeup bag, I want to talk about another kind of makeup.

All of you, every single one, have your own individual makeup. Who you are and who you’re growing to become is completely unique, and you have a very special gift to offer this world. For me, it took having cancer and breaking free of the corporate grind to fully understand and embrace my creativity. I’ve realized that it’s my special gift, and I must harness it in order to spread light and love through my photography collaborations and through The New Southern. As I learned (and continue to learn!) how to use my gift for good, I’ve begun to love myself and others more and more.

Through this amazing, interconnected web of conversations that we call social media, I’ve personally connected with so many of you. Your story and your own special makeup pushes me to work harder and share beautiful things with you every day. But without fully knowing and loving myself, I wouldn’t be able to open up, be vulnerable, and above all, be completely authentic with you. Connecting to my inner beauty and wellbeing has allowed me to reach a higher potential than I could’ve imagined. Here, find a few of my tips for completely knowing and loving yourself. It makes all the difference. Promise.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE PRESENT…

The most powerful tool in life is being completely present in the current moment. Over the years, I’ve learned to let go of the past with love and appreciation, and to not worry so much about what lies ahead. Truly embrace what’s right in front of you, set aside time for stillness..... and it is within these moments connection to the world around you happens and ultimate self care. The power is in the present.... great connection with your work, family and opportunity can result when you choose to focus on the current moment. Right now,  I hope my words are touching your heart and set the tone for the rest of your day. 

Allow yourself self-love…

Be kind to yourself. Throughout the day, it is so important to be aware of the inner dialogue you have with yourself. It’s crucial that your personal thoughts come from a place of kindness and grace rather than judgement. We all are doing the best we can—try not to beat yourself up about every minute detail. There is beauty in the smallest of completed tasks. When you complete them, give yourself a pat on the back, or look into the mirror and tell yourself how special you are. Self-love comes in many forms.... Being kind to yourself, selecting healthy foods to feed your body, hydrating, cultivating time for play and creativity throughout the day (even if it is just 5 minutes), and the one I believe in most.. is getting enough sleep. These small supporting actions are the simplest forms of self love. They work for me and I hope they work for you. 

And always keep humble confidence….

I remember on my last podcast interview, the very first question the show host asked was “What’s your favorite fashion accessory?” To be honest, I was a little peeved, considering the question was unrelated to my field or passion, and I don’t ever want to be someone defined by my favorite handbag or a pair of heels. Calmly, and with grace, I responded that my favorite accessory is confidence. And more and more, I’m realizing that humble confidence is truly key in my world right now.

So often, I’m really scared. You may not believe me, but I am. My businesses are rapidly growing, and I now have to be more decisive and forward-thinking than ever. I make tough decisions every day. But because I face this decision-filled time with self-confidence in myself and my work, I know that whatever the outcome is, I’ve got this. Having this faith deep down inside, and constantly reminding myself that I’ve survived life thus far, the corporate world, and cancer, I can safely say I can take on anything. To each of you, especially the mothers out there, who are thriving at the most difficult job in the world, I commend you. And I encourage you to exercise this self-assurance. Even when you stumble, it’ll help you pick right back up where you left off.  

The New Southern | Fall Color Round Up

The transition to fall carries a fullness and welcoming, yielding cool, crisp air, the crunch of leaves beneath our feet, and the setting of  casual comforts amongst friends and loved ones. This is a season filled with connection ... returning back to basics with our fireplaces burning and our homes filled with love and warmth. We feel these sentimental moments  as the sun sets earlier and the moon shines longer, as we begin to seek light in darker spaces. Essentially the neutrals of this season, the colors that surround us - cool navies, forest greens, muddy taupes, warm camels, and striking blacks - provide a stunning contrast to light-filled spaces, acting as neutrals themselves when reflected in the home. When these colors touch the walls, trim and ceiling... enveloping a space, highlights the homeowners’ found and sacred treasures, shedding new light and visual interest by grounding the sentimental finds in a backdrop of focus and drama. As a lover of light-filled rooms and white walls, I intuitively seek out a lighter palette in my work styling and photographing interiors, however as I discover evidence of these darker shades, I admire how these colors showcase beloved belongings. In a similar sentimentality to how we feel as the warmer months come to an end, deep tone walls and dark, saturated hues provide an almost magical entrance, setting the tone for a new season. Sending you all light and love this week. Xx