A few weeks ago, I shared a transformative practice that has been a part of my life since my 20s as a concert pianist: affirmations.
Affirmations are powerful, simple phrases that help us stay connected to our higher intentions.
They go beyond just making us feel good, reminding us of our goals and values.
By repeating them, we align our thoughts and actions with our aspirations and values.
I believe in affirmations so deeply that when I created the Savor Beauty brand, we included one-word affirmations on the bottles like “calm” or “detox.”
My hope is that you will repeat these one-word affirmations to yourself during your skincare rituals, elevating skincare into a powerful form of self-love.
For instance, as I complete my skincare routine, I love applying the Pomegranate Serum. This luxurious eye serum's one-word affirmation is "Revitalize", and its heavenly scent and luxurious texture cocoon my skin while I say, "I feel revitalized."
It's a sensory experience that not only pampers the skin but also uplifts the spirit, aligning perfectly with the principles I'm sharing.
This past week, I was talking to a friend, Susan Mario Carrick, who is the Equinox Vice President of Pilates, and she shared a powerful practice that aligns with this concept:
“In Pilates, we practice cueing. These are reminders like 'engage abdominals' or 'stack shoulders' that help you get deeper into the intention of the exercise.”
In the same vein, affirmations cue us throughout the day to deepen our intention, whether you are applying skincare, doing Pilates, or practicing mindfulness.
"Affirmations are powerful, simple phrases that help us stay connected to our higher intentions."
Interested in creating your own? Here are some guidelines I’ve developed over the years:
Avoid using past or future tense, as it implies chasing or running from desires.
Further Readings
→ Radical Radiance: 12 Weeks of Self-Love Rituals by Angela Jia Kim
→ Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
Positive statements invigorate and focus our intention.
Your affirmation should be concise and easy to recite.
Simplify your affirmations for easier recollection. It is a lot easier to say affirmations when you can remember them!
Engaging your emotions with an "I feel" statement creates a multi-sensory experience.
In the Savor Beauty Planner, there's an "Opening Ritual" page, a space where you can write your affirmations and cultivate mindfulness.
"Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful."
Just like you seal in a serum’s moisture with a hydrating face cream, you can seal in the benefits of affirmations using these techniques:
I hope these guidelines serve as valuable tools for you—whether you're cueing yourself throughout the day, stating affirmations, or enhancing the power of mindful ease in your life. Here’s to your radiance! xx
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
Let me share with you a transformative practice that began in my days as a concert pianist. Affirmations were the key to maintaining grace under the bright lights of performance.
Initially my secret to overcoming stage pressure, affirmations have evolved into a daily ritual that help me feel mindful and intentional.
Affirmations are powerful, simple phrases that help us stay connected to our higher intentions. They go beyond just making us feel good, reminding us of our goals and values. By repeating affirmations, we align our thoughts and actions with our aspirations and values.
Studies show that the average person has tens of thousands of thoughts per day, and up to 70-80% of them can be negative or critical. This is due to our brain's “negativity bias”—an instinct meant to protect us. However, in our modern lives, this often leaves us caught in a tide of pessimistic thoughts.
Affirmations are how we can turn the tide. By actively choosing to focus on positive affirmations, we're actually retraining our brains, steering them away from doubts and distractions. We essentially reprogram our brain to focus on what we want and how we want to feel.
To deepen this practice, I recommend integrating it with a self-care ritual that nourishes both your soul and your skin. Here’s how you can make affirmations a part of your daily self-care routine:
1. Start with Skincare: Begin your day by nurturing your skin and soul. Savor Beauty products have affirmations on them, such as “glow” or “nourish” or “transform.”
As you apply each product, use that moment to affirm your inner beauty and strength. For example, as you put on the Pomegranate Eye Serum, you might say, “I feel revitalized.”
This is where skincare transcends into self-care, where every application becomes a moment of empowerment.
2. Plan With Purpose: Planning is a form of manifesting, turning your inner vision into external reality. "Write it down, make it happen" is using your planning space to jot down your affirmations.
Do you feel accomplished when writing a checkmark next to an accomplished to-do item? That's because checkmarks do more than track progress—they also release endorphins. Pause to celebrate the boost in confidence that radiates a beautiful glow!
3. Affirm Throughout the Day: In moments when doubt or fear whispers in your ear, hit pause and reconnect with your affirmation. This practice keeps you aligned with your highest self and reminds you of your desired transformation.
Want to discover that one powerful word that resonates deeply with you? Join me in the Transform online masterclass. Through tailored exercises, I guide you to uncover your unique one-word affirmation, empowering you with confidence and purpose.
4. Reflect and Reaffirm: End your day by reflecting on your affirmation(s). During your nighly cleansing ritual, affirm that you are reviving and purifying your skin and spirit. Before bed, revisit your planner, reaffirming your commitment before you get your beauty sleep.
This nightly ritual seals the day with gratitude and sets the tone for a radiant tomorrow.
"Try affirmations with your beauty rituals. This is where skincare transcends into self-care."
This blend of affirmations, mindful skincare, and intentional planning is the perfect radiance elixir!
Next week, I will share four ways to create affirmations to bring them to life.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Starting a new week (or even just a new day) feeling overwhelmed or rushed is something many of us experience.
If this sounds familiar, I have a special ritual to share: the Mask + Mind Detox. I begin each week with it to clear out life's clutter—inside and out. I call it a "detox" because it can remove blockers that dull our inner and outer radiance.
"How you treat your skin is how you treat your soul—both need nourishment and love."
This ritual is simple and soothing, bringing clarity to your skin and soul.
I mix equal parts Savor Beauty Manuka Honey Mask with the Cherry Collagen Peel into a bowl for a calming skin detox.
This blend combines the healing properties of Manuka honey with exfoliating enzymes from cherry, pineapple, and papaya, plus brightening extracts of bearberry, mulberry, and licorice for smooth, rejuvenated skin.
Apply mask with clean fingers or mask brush in upward motions and leave on for 5-10 minutes to allow the natural humectants to draw in and detox the skin.
Wash off with warm water and apply a hydrating beauty oil for skin radiance.
You can also create a DIY mask in your kitchen by mixing one part raw honey and one part milk (great for lactic acid!) to desired consistency.
I keep the Manuka Cherry mask on during my mind detox to work its magic. If at any point the mask feels uncomfortable, listen to your skin and remove with warm water.
My Mind Detox ritual involves the Savor Beauty Planner, my favorite pens, and coffee!
Ever felt overwhelmed by all the things you think you need to do, then guilty for not doing them? That inner "do this, do that" chatter can drain our radiance.
Studies show that getting “to-dos” out of the head and onto paper is like a mental cleanse. It cuts down on stress, helps us get organized, and boosts our confidence by having a plan in place.
"Getting things done are little actions for which your future self will thank you—the ultimate act of self-love."
Getting things done are little actions for which your future self will thank you—the ultimate act of self-love. The key is to shift your mindset from seeing tasks as draining to recognizing their benefits for your well-being.
Once your to-dos are on paper, you'll feel a sense of clarity and direction. It's like a spiritual detox for both mind and soul.
Here's to your radiance! 💖
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
From running to my West Village spa to managing staff meetings, handling a press interview, and caring for my newborn, the day was a flurry of constant buzzing and pinging from my phone.
Over a glass of wine that evening, my friend looked at me and said, “Your life is gorgeous chaos. A lot of business chaos, but what emerges is that you focus on the gorgeousness of your life. I have no idea how you do it. I would drown in this.”
This chronic busy-ness of business is unsustainable, yet it taught me a vital lesson: to focus on the "gorgeous" in the chaos by organizing and compartmentalizing for peace of mind.
The beauty of inner peace is that it radiates calm, contentment, and a glowing, nourished aura. Stress and turmoil not only leave visible marks on our body and face but also impact the quality of our relationships, both with ourselves and others.
Finding inner peace is soulcare at its finest. This can be achieved through various methods such as meditation, self-reflection, therapy, journaling, yoga, and practicing gratitude.
I created the Savor Beauty Planner as a practical method of soulcare to bring inner peace to my creative chaos from juggling life and work responsibilities.
The planner includes "Organize Your Gorgeous Chaos" pages, a powerful visual tool to compartmentalize your tasks into boxed containers, similar to a well-structured closet. This organization creates a serene space in both your mind and your schedule.
If you look at your life like one big closet, you can imagine opening an unstructured wardrobe filled with crumpled bed linens, scattered hair accessories, and expired makeup. It's understandable that the chaos would drain your energy!
Similarly, our life energy can feel chaotic if we don’t structure our days. We transform chaos into gorgeous productivity by organizing these "closet items"—AKA tasks and projects—into containers.
This reduces anxiety and provides a soothing structure, supporting our momentum. If you're ever feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or disorganized, it's the perfect way to remedy these feelings and send some much-needed self-love your way.
Tailor these pages to fit your lifestyle, ensuring each day is an opportunity to savor beauty and success.
Circle the day at the top of each box. Think of the Week Plan as your priority page and the Gorgeous Chaos pages as the extras.
If you have multiple clients, you can write their names at the top and do a brain dump related to each project.
If you have upcoming meetings, you can brain dump what you want to talk about in advance. Whenever something pops into your mind, jot it down and keep it organized in one spot.
Batch your thoughts together into one box for each project. For example, we've been doing a lot of training at our spa lately, and the Gorgeous Chaos page was an excellent place to dump thoughts, sticky notes, and scribbles!
Need to track a lifestyle change such as your water intake or exercise schedule? This is a fantastic page to see your progress at a glance!
Here's to your skincare + soulcare for self-love radiance. 🥂
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
by Farah Daniels, Manager of Savor Spa.
The celestial influence of each zodiac sign can guide you towards a Savor Beauty product that resonates with your unique traits, providing a personalized and enjoyable beauty ritual.
Read on to find out which Savor Beauty product you are based on your astrological sign. 💫
A spiced, soothing treat for the most adventurous sign. Melts away muscle stress to get you ready to make your next move! Pair with a warm neck wrap to max your relax.
A luxuriant, whipped delight for our indulgent Taureans. Satisfy your skin’s needs, and deeply hydrate while strengthening and boosting radiance sourced from white truffle, the white diamond of the skincare world.
Our double-threat detox mask is perfect for the versatile twins of the zodiac. This rich mask purifies while providing incredible luminosity, giving skin the best of both worlds. Mix with your favorite Savor cleanser to create the most delicious cleansing balm.
An exclusive, limited-time, brightening delicacy to provide ultimate skin softness for sweet Cancerians. A pampering gift of self-love to mesmerize the most generous sign in the zodiac.
Our most popular product for the star of the zodiac. This glow-inducing serum will lighten and brighten to renew your skin, and most importantly - keep you in the spotlight!
Skin health never looked so good! Our triple-threat sunscreen keeps aging at bay to protect and plump skin while alleviating redness for the perfectionists of the zodiac.
A pH-balancing beautifier for the most balanced sign. Mist liberally after cleansing to tone or anytime to refresh skin with the power of nature’s best botanicals. Mist and mix with any Savor serum or moisturizer to create the texture your skin craves.
A potent detoxifying peel for the powerhouse of the zodiac. Works its magic to clear pores and refine skin texture in only a few seconds, just like our passionate Scorpions. Combine with any other Savor peel to deliver even deeper results.
Our vitamin C-packed eye serum keeps freedom-loving Sagittarians bright-eyed, and set for their next exploration! Dot around your eyes (and lips!) to revitalize skin, and stay as youthful as the archers of the zodiac.
Aesthetic meets functionality for goal-oriented Capricorn. Organize your gorgeous chaos with a Savor Beauty planner to take control, and manifest (even more) success. Pro tip: Keep track of your skin journey's and progress too to keep skin at top-tier radiance!
Our most unique product for the most inventive sign of the zodiac. Just a drop is all it takes - mix this concentrate into your favorite Savor serum or face cream for an out-of-this-world healing cocktail to transform skin into its smoothest and calmest version yet.
The perfect pick for the mermaids of the zodiac. Use on damp skin to quench thirsty skin, plump, and reduce fine lines for the juiciest skin you have ever seen! Use morning and night for dewy, fresh, glass-like skin.
The air gets dryer, leaving our skin more parched than usual, and the chilly weather and reduced sunlight can take a toll on our mood.
If you're having a case of the winter blues, know that you're not alone! Try these 4 self-love practices to raise your skin and soul vibration from the inside out. ❄️
Though it might feel like the last thing on Earth you want to do, find a reason to go outside!
Whether it's a quick Target run, a trip to the coffee shop, or a walk around the block, getting your body moving, breathing in fresh air, and feeling the sun on your face will not only boost your mood, it will also give you some much-needed energy.
Don't forget your SPF! Your skin needs protection, no matter what season it is. Wearing SPF consistently can help to prevent a laundry list of skin conditions including premature aging and fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer.
Radiance Sun Milk SPF 50+, our clean, mineral sunscreen, is hydrating, soothing, and smells like the tropical beach getaway you've been dreaming of…
This formula is a winter favorite thanks to its moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid, soothing allantoin and bisabolol, and brightening niacinamide. Apply as the final step after cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer.
Surrounding yourself with beautiful things can instantly elevate your mood, especially during the colder seasons when we spend more time indoors.
Our Essential Oil Diffuser is the perfect addition to any space. Designed to be displayed, this minimalist ceramic centerpiece uplifts your home with high vibrational spa aromas.
Pair with one of our 100% Pure Essential Oils to create a relaxing ambiance:
Got 10 minutes? Treat your skin and soul together with this multitasking ritual for inner and outer nourishment. Repeat this ritual every weekend, or whenever your skin and soul are feeling a little drab and in need of a pick-me-up. ✨
Et voila! Your skin is now feeling fresh and renewed, your life is a little more figured out, and you've taken some time to recenter and reconnect with your inner self.
Doesn't it feel good to take care of yourself?
Make yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and tune into our founder, Angela Jia Kim's, podcast tour. Take in her secrets to managing a 7-figure business, embracing her feminine energy, and radiating beauty from the inside out.
For deeper insight into Angela's manifestation methods, pick up Radical Radiance, her debut book, and learn how to fall in love with your soul with 52 rituals to improve your relationship with your inner being. It's a magical self-love journey to manifesting abundance and joy... while looking and feeling gorgeous, juicy, and radiant!
Engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Whether it's pursuing a creative hobby, reading a captivating book, or spending quality time with loved ones, prioritize activities that uplift your spirits and contribute to your overall happiness. Cultivating a sense of joy can be a powerful antidote to the winter blues.
Practice these 4 self-love rituals this season (or create your own!) to uplift your spirits, nourish your skin, and beat the winter blues. We promise spring will be here soon. ❤️
For part I of my beauty CEO diary, click here!
I met Daniela during the pandemic when my book agent set up a Zoom meeting with her to discuss the potential release of my book Radical Radiance with St. Martin’s Press. I was at a crossroads, choosing between Daniela, a Senior Editor at St. Martin’s, and another from Hay House.
Both were lovely and while the decision was very hard to make, Daniela’s down-to-earth candor resonated with me. I’m glad I followed my instinct. Our first in-person meeting was over cocktails in Chelsea.
Right from the start, we clicked as two New Yorker foodies, fellow dog lovers, and women who were stepping back into the daunting dating world.
Our conversations often revolved around the new boyfriends in our lives. Years later, those same men have become our fiancés. Our meetings have evolved into impromptu celebrations, filled with dancing, drinks, and dinners.
Here's a list of places we've loved that I highly recommend:
Daniela has a penchant for whipping up simple yet decadent desserts. I must share with you the 3-ingredient chocolate cake she brought to one of our dance parties. I’m sorry and you’re welcome! 😊
Today was all about indulging in a little hair self-care. I invested in a shiny, new Dyson Airwrap. I've never been one to devote much time to my hair; it's long, thick, and always feels like a lot of work.
But today was different. I spent the entire morning trying out different hairstyles with my new hair toy, and surprisingly, it turned into a playful, meditative experience.
It was like a magical escape from my job, which I love but often involves high-stakes decisions and patience (Aries, anyone?) for the manifestations to unfold. By contrast, this curler does all the work for you, and witnessing those instant curls and waves come to life was very gratifying.
Afterward, I got carried away watching YouTube tutorials on creating the perfect messy bun. Here’s one of my favorite videos (her voice is so soothing!) if you want to get lost in the world of hair self-care.
In our Transform Masterclass, we've been focusing on identifying our ONE word and core values. For me, 2024 is all about "CREATE." I believe in the power of creation, in bringing something new and intentional into existence.
This has become my mantra, and it was especially helpful when I received a stressful text this afternoon. Instead of letting it affect me, I repeated, "I create my own reality." The mindset shift was powerful: my partner and I invited some friends over for an impromptu potluck “Mamma Mia” movie night with friends.
Food, friends, and dancing to Dancing Queen from the movie was an instant uplift. Turn on the music for yourself and see your mood transform!
Today marked the training day for Lahna and Lizzie, our new estheticians at Savor Spa. Being a beauty CEO comes with unique experiences – my face often serves as a testing ground for high-frequency treatments, microdermabrasion, and facial cleanses.
I joined Farah, our spa manager, to train our new talents; after four thorough double-cleanses and several rounds with the microdermabrasion machine and high frequency, my skin needed a bit of TLC.
To address this, Lahna and Lizzie prepared a gentle mask combining lavender milk + honey, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B cream, and a drop of the soothing Transform Elixir. I left feeling refreshed, looking forward to the magic Lahna and Lizzie will bring to Savor Spa guests.
You can book with Lizzie at our West Village location and Lahna at our Upper West location in NYC!
The beauty of NYC is that the city never sleeps, and my partner and I love its vibrant comedy scene. We've shared laughs at shows by Ali Wong (my favorite), Bill Burr (his favorite), and Russell Peters (our favorite).
Tonight, we added Jerry Seinfeld to our list. Ali has seen him live three times, and it was my first live encounter.
After the show, we savored another aspect of NYC we love: fighting food waste with the Too Good to Go app. This fantastic initiative rescues unsold fresh food from being wasted at the end of the day. In minutes, we had a “Surprise Bag” with hot lentil soup and warm baked bread from Gazala, a staple on the Upper West Side.
It was the perfect, sustainable end to a humorous night for this foodie couple in the heart of Manhattan.
Every 90 days, we unveil a new coveted Fountain of Youth in our Black Label collection, each edition tailored to the changing seasons.
I’m so excited to launch TRANSFORM Fountain of Youth Elixir at Savor Beauty. But blink and it’s gone—this beauty is available only for the next 90 days or while supplies last! These spa-grade concentrates have been a top-secret weapon in our spa treatment rooms for enveloping skin in an ethereal, soft glow.
For the past few months, I've been adding a drop of the Transform Elixir to my Truffle Face Cream. I love the soothing aroma and softness it brings to my skin.
One Korean dermatologist told me that he advises women to set alarms at 3 AM to rehydrate their skin. I find that this elixir mixed with the Truffle Face Cream does the trick without sacrificing my much-needed beauty sleep. 😉
The elixir's exquisite blend of rare and precious ingredients is what sets it apart. Rose Otto—a jewel in skincare (thousands of petals for just one drop!)—tightens and tones, Hawaiian Sandalwood lightens dark spots, and Egyptian Myrrh gently soothes irritated skin.
French Lavender and Chamomile blend together to soothe and reduce inflammation, while Safflower—a nod to the ancient times when Korean women put it on their face to remove age spots—adds a sheen to the skin.
Voila! It's a week of exciting new beginnings, and our refreshed website is now live for everyone to explore.
This six-month labor of love embodies our ethos of blending skincare with soul care. I’m proud to bring together our offerings that highlight our commitment to helping you radiate beauty from the inside out.
A recent Instagram message resonated: “I’m shocked that all this is coming from a skincare brand.” This reaction reflects our unique blend of skincare essentials, like cleansers and serums, combined with soul-nourishing tools such as planners and life-enhancing courses.
2024 marked the launch of Savor Beauty products representing the fusion of inner and outer transformation. The Transform Fountain of Youth Elixir is a formula so powerful, one drop is all you need. Similarly, the Transform Masterclass uses a simple formula to transform your life with just one impactful word.
This rebirth is a celebration of collective female brilliance. I feel like our team of women were all doulas, each bringing their unique talents to help breathe life and beauty into this project.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Together, we're on a mission to beautify the world, one radiant face at a time.
With love and light,
Angela Jia Kim
Experience unparalleled soothing, calming, and reparative results with the NEW Fountain of Youth Transform Elixir. This transformative serum concentrate softens, strengthens, and soothes sensitive skin.
This seasonal professional elixir, part of our Black Label collection, is perfect for cocooning your skin during winter months with balancing and restorative care.
Originally exclusive to Savor Beauty + Spa's professional facial treatments, this serum concentrate now brings prized anti-inflammatory ingredients to support and protect sensitive skin right to your at-home beauty rituals.
This exclusive blend of 6 precious essential oils infuses the natural, age-delay properties of the prized Rose Otto flower, the reparative power of Sandalwood, and the soothing qualities of Myrrh to heal flushed skin tones and balance rosy, sensitive complexions.
Add one drop to your serum, face cream, or hydrating mask.
Do not use the Transform Elixir directly on skin as it can cause irritation due to its active nature. Do not use it in combination with other Fountain of Youth Elixirs.
"My skin LOVES this serum! I love how soothing this feels. It magically brings back a soft, healthy glow that I didn't think was possible in winter. This works!"
"I've experienced this product during my monthly Savor facials and I'm SO happy to finally bring it home with me! My skin gets irritated quickly - this soothes, nourishes, and gives radiance back to my skin. An absolute must-have!"
Along the way, we took a "stopover in Iceland" as part of a special program of Iceland Air.
I was blown away by the stunning natural beauty, kind and hospitable people, and delicious meals that rival any of the best French, Middle Eastern, or Asian cuisine I’ve ever had.
As always, when I return from travels, I like to infuse our lifestyle with something we learned from the culture abroad. My four takeaways, below.
We decided to divide our adventure up into two days with two extremes: one would be at a public bathhouse and the other would be at a luxurious retreat. I loved both for different reasons.
The first night, we headed over to Sundhöll Reykjavíkur where we soaked in steaming hot baths with locals, aged one and up. Seeing moms and their toddlers socialize in groups while relaxing in the water reminded me of the Korean familial spa culture.
The next night, we stayed at the Blue Lagoon Retreat, an otherworldly spa where you can soak in the algae, silica, and mineral-rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.
I highly recommend the in-water massage, which was the most peaceful, euphoric, and heavenly treatment. (Make sure to reserve in advance since it books up quickly!)
Here’s a bathing ritual for you adapted from Radical Radiance:
To soften skin and soul
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients: Manuka Honey Sugar Scrub
Optional upgrades: Candles, music, hot tea, essential oils, bathing oils
1. Draw a hot bath; add the optional 2-4 drops of essential oils and 1-2 pumps of bathing oil.
2. Stand up in the bath and apply your sugar scrub all over your body allowing the sugars to exfoliate the skin gently.
3. Soak in the hot bath and receive all of the nourishment from the melted honey and sugar crystals.
4. Say some affirmations such as, “I feel restored and rested” to seal in the soothing benefits of this bath ritual.
At the Blue Lagoon Retreat spa, there was a serene self-serve “rituals” area with exfoliating salts, clays, and masks.
I’m used to the Korean spa “ajummas” (“aunties”) doing the exfoliation for you, but I loved the idea that we could apply the salts onto our bodies and wash them off at our leisure.
This is something you can do weekly at home, too, for a fraction of the price!
Here’s what I have in my shower for a weekly exfoliation:
Manuka Honey Sugar Scrub to buff away the dead skin cells for baby-soft skin.
Goop Hair Detox for a salt scrub for the hair (I’ve described it as an orgasm for the scalp!)
Pumpkin Lactic Acid Peel for gentle skin resurfacing with some gluconic acid action to increase collagen and cell turnover (I usually put this on while washing my hair.)
In Reykjavik, I had some of the most delectable meals, which took me by surprise since one doesn’t often hear of Iceland cuisine.
One dish was a Gorgonzola Tagliatelle offering at Grazie, a cozy Italian restaurant. I met the chef de cuisine, Zylkade Telati, and I just had to ask for the recipe because it was that delicious!
She kindly shared the recipe with me, which I’m now sharing with you!
Gorgonzola Tagliatelle Recipe
100g gorgonzola cheese
100ml panna (cream)
10g salt
7g pepper
1tsp maizena (cornstarch)
Add water as needed
Mix together over heat, combine with tagliatelle.
She told me, “The secret ingredient is that you must use gorgonzola cheese and lots of love!”
Speaking of love, I love a cozy dinner with candlelight and time to savor. The Icelandic people have mastered the art of hygge (a quality of cozy conviviality that promotes a feeling of contentment or well-being.)
We had an epic “hygge” meal at The Moss that my partner described as the “most artistic dinner” he’s ever had.
The textures and tastes were varied and surprising; even though there were seven courses, the relaxed “hygge” environment helped us to savor every bite and not feel full but immensely satisfied. We even got to meet chef Ollie Dabbous!
It was a beautiful reminder to cook with love, light up candles, and savor slowly.
The silica in the Blue Lagoon waters made my skin baby-soft, but it wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it sticky with a dry residue. Here’s a little hair mask hack that I put on before boarding the plane back to NYC. The next day, my daughter told me she never felt my hair so soft!
The Savor Beauty Coconut Pre-Cleanse Oil is a multi-tasking miracle that you can use for many purposes. Not only does it remove makeup and deeply cleanse pores, but it also has lauric acid, which soaks into the strands of your hair to provide moisture to condition and heal damaged ends.
Directions: warm up a quarter size of the Coconut Jasmine Pre-Cleanse between palms and apply to the strands of your hair. Don’t forget your scalp if you need the extra conditioning! Pull your hair up into a bun and let the nourishing oils soak into your strands while you go about your day.
Note: I left this hair mask on for 24 hours, but three hours will leave your hair beautifully conditioned with a gorgeous shine.
Apply shampoo on dry hair before washing hair to get all of the oils out. If you apply water first, you won’t be able to get the oils out completely.
Thank you, Iceland, for enriching our lives with your glowing and radiant reminders to rest, bathe, and savor life. Until next time, xoXO!
Angela Jia Kim
Edited excerpt from RADICAL RADIANCE: by Angela Jia Kim. Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.
One of our specialties at Savor Spa is our double-exfoliation facial, (a.k.a. the Signature Facial) which includes a peel and a microdermabrasion treatment.
The result? Radiant, velvet-smooth skin.
Most people think that what happens in the treatment room must stay in the treatment room, but when it comes to exfoliation, that’s definitely not the case. An ongoing exfoliation program at home is necessary to keep your “spa face” in between treatments!
Here are three more exfoliation myths we hear all the time—debunked:
Truth: It’s tempting to grab that sugar body scrub and try to multitask by using it on the face, too. Don’t! The body skin is about 0.60 mm thick, while facial skin is thinner at around 0.12 mm, making it much more delicate.
The face needs a more finely ground exfoliant to remove the dead skin cells for a healthy, glowing complexion. Choose a cleanser like the Pearl Cleansing Cream for gentle daily exfoliation.
Truth: Removing the dirt and toxins that are clogging the pores through gentle exfoliation helps sensitive skin be less reactive and absorb a nourishing moisturizer more easily.
For our sensitive skin beauties, we recommend the Cherry Collagen Peel, an active enzyme exfoliating treatment that gently dissolves dead skin cells.
Truth: You can absolutely do peels at home, even if you are not a pro! We sell the same Savor Beauty peels that are used in our Savor Spa treatment rooms, just at lower at-home strengths.
They're equally as effective, just more user-friendly and less likely to cause irritation.
As for how often to exfoliate, make sure to follow directions! When you over-exfoliate with a peel, you will see a visible loss of skin, dryness, excessive breakouts, and flaking.
The general rule of thumb is to use the peel once a week and to take it off when you feel it begin to tingle.
The Pearl Cleansing Cream is a creamy, milky cleanser with crushed grapeseeds that provide a light physical exfoliation that's gentle enough for everyday use. Use 2x daily.
For the full Savor Spa experience, layer it on top of the Coconut Jasmine Pre-Cleanse Oil for a deeper cleanse, the Korean beauty way.
This skin-loving pair is available in the Double Cleanse Kit for 10% off!
Our go-to peel for sensitive skin is the plumping Cherry Collagen Peel, which uses pineapple and papaya enzymes to gently digest dead skin cells. Use 1-2x weekly.
As you let the Cherry Collagen Peel work its exfoliating magic, wrap yourself in our Herbal Neck Wrap in Sweet Cherry for a relaxing skin-to-soul renewal ritual.
The Pumpkin Enzyme Peel contains 5% lactic acid to slough off dull skin cells while brightening skin tone and fading dark spots. Use 1x weekly.
After exfoliating with the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, follow up with our bestselling brightening Pumpkin Seed Serum for your most luminous, even-toned skin.
What if we told you that you could exfoliate your skin and unclog your pores in just 30 seconds?
The Yuzu Lemonade Peel is a potent cocktail of 2% salicylic acid and vitamin C to control oil production, unclog pores, and brighten in a flash.
Founder's Tip: Mix a dollop of the Yuzu Lemonade Peel with the Jasmine Milk Cleanser for an exfoliating cleanse that gives an extra glassy, sheeny glow!
Wake up to your smoothest, brightest skin with the Pumpkin Face Cream, a PM moisturizer enriched with lactic acid (AHA) and gluconolactone (PHA) for cellular regeneration. Use nightly.
This face cream is a seasonal exclusive going away soon!
For best results, use with the rest of our pumpkin collection. Shop our seasonal sets at 10% off, also going away soon!
Want both physical and enzyme exfoliation? Look no further than the Manuka Honey Mask.
Rice bran provides a gentle buffing to the skin, while apricot and pineapple enzymes reveal a fresh, juicy glow.
We love Manuka honey for its hydrating and detoxifying properties. Shop the rest of our Manuka honey collection for head-to-toe exfoliation.
It's a beautiful affirmation of our latest launch: the Transform Duo Experience, an online visioning course, and our new black-label elixir to soften and soothe the skin.
Savor Beauty isn't just a skincare brand; it's a fusion of my lifelong dedication to empowering women to master the art of beauty, brilliance, and balance.
Read on to see how my first week in 2024 has been about transformation!
I was all set for a dazzling New Year's Eve with a Manuka-Cherry beauty cocktail mask for that perfect pre-party glow. Midway through, my phone buzzed with a friend in crisis.
Before I knew it, I had left the mask on for a full 30 minutes beyond its recommended time. My glowing session turned into a facial fiasco with a blotchy-red face staring back at me in the mirror.
Quick thinking led to a blend of Vapour foundation, Chamomile Calm Mask, and a drop of the new Transform Elixir. I gently brushed it on with the Vegan Mask Brush, and in an instant, my skin went from red to radiant.
At the party, surrounded by Rolex watches and diamond bling, it was clear: radiant skin is a woman’s best accessory!
Starting the year with a bang, we released the first session of the Transform Masterclass, an online visioning workshop aimed at self-growth and discovering our “Personal Elixir”.
It's a unique approach to setting goals and aligning with our vision and values that can happen at the New Year or anytime you crave a reset or refresh.
This week is all about choosing your one transformation word, and I was thrilled when my daughter joined me for the Masterclass.
Initially, she chose the word “Cozy,” but as we delved deeper, “Challenge” emerged as her transformative word, reflecting her desire for growth and intellectual stimulation.
It was a proud mom moment, especially when she said, “That was very eye-opening and enlightening to organize my messy thoughts using my experiences and goals. I think this will really help my 2024 vision!”
Today, our Masterclass participants are already experiencing transformation by finding their transformation words, but a remarkable pattern is emerging: like my daughter, it's not what they expected. From Passion to Value, Refreshed to Fulfilled, and my personal shift from Abundance to Create—talk about a revelation!
I'm filled with excitement for what 2024 holds. With our Transform Elixir and Masterclass, we're not just changing skincare routines; we're changing lives.
What will your transformation be this year? I invite you to be part of our community, a space where we celebrate our individual and collective transformations.
Join us in the masterclass, embrace the Transform Elixir, and together, let's explore the beauty of our skin and souls.
The year is young—I can't wait to see where it takes us all. xx, Angela
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Let's face it, those New Year's resolutions? Studies show that they are often forgotten within a few weeks. After mentoring thousands of women, I’ve seen it all too often: goals set from a place of “I should” (i.e. "I should lose 5 pounds!) rather than a deeper, more meaningful foundation.
Our resolutions and goals are often not supported by the transformative power of personal values and daily rituals.
As we approach the New Year, I always take time to refine my vision and intentions, understanding that they are ever-evolving. I'm hosting a virtual "New Year, New You" TRANSFORM 2024 Masterclass.
This unique visioning course is designed to help you create a powerful vision and intention for 2024. You can join from the comfort of your home, at your own pace, and have access to it throughout the year.
This year, we’re focusing on creating your own personal magic, your “Personal Elixir.” Think of it as creating your signature beauty essence, where YOU are the masterpiece—capturing your "secret sauce"—your vision, values, and daily rituals.
I hope you will join me in this transformative experience!
With all of the holiday parties, Christmas Eve jazz specials, and cozy at-home gatherings, I admit to having one too many (Magnolia!) cheesecakes. All the “naughty” ingredients like gluten and sugar don’t do “nice” things (bumps and breakouts) to my skin.
Luckily, I have the perfect solution for a luxurious at-home facial. It’s incredibly healing with its glow-boosting antibacterial properties, and it’s just what your skin needs for a collagen boost and deep pore cleanse, transforming it from dry and bumpy to smooth and silky.
Thank you for an amazing 2023, my friends. Sitting in gratitude for family, friends, and you is the sweetest way to get ready for 2024.
Here’s to your radiance… and to many great things to come! 🥂
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
In the past three weeks, I’ve shared how I structure my days: Be, Do, Savor.
Mornings are dedicated to "Being" - this includes meditation, Kundalini fusion yoga, and planning.
The "Do" is my workday, where I focus on manifestation and productivity.
The "Savor" segment is for evenings and extends into weekends and vacations. This is when I savor time with loved ones and friends–whether we're cooking, watching movies, going out dancing, or simply chilling.
Today, I'm sharing a concept that has helped me to "savor life" stress-free. Everyone talks about saving for a rainy day or retirement savings (both are very important), but it’s rare to talk about saving for a sunny day.
Why is that? Isn’t it just as important to save for things that we can’t wait to experience?
Think about what it conveys to our soul, mind, and spirit to put so much energy into only saving for a “rainy day.”
This energetically opens up the channel to receive more abundance, fun, and laughter.
Whether you want to go on a magical vacation, eat at a Michelin-star restaurant, buy that coveted handbag, or have a spa day, savoring these moments with cheerful abandon can be both revitalizing and refreshing.
However, sometimes the guilt of indulgence, especially when we feel we don't deserve it or can't afford it, hinders us from fully enjoying these restorative moments in life. And then we stop doing the things we love because guilt blocks our bliss.
In my 20s, I established a ritual that I do to this day, and it has become one of my favorite practices: every paycheck, I transfer some money into our Sunny Day fund to savor life experiences. This fund is a tool to enjoy the “savor” entirely guilt-free.
This Sunny Day fund has funded beach trips to Thailand, memorable camel riding adventures in Jordan, meaningful dinners, and more.
To build this fund, I transfer about 5% of my paycheck weekly. Even if you start with 1%, the key is consistency. This ritual is not just about saving money; it's about cultivating a mindset of abundance.
Imagine the rejuvenation you'll feel when enjoying a treat fully funded by your Sunny Day fund, a tangible representation of your commitment to savor life. ☀️
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Edited excerpt from "Radical Radiance" by Angela Jia Kim, © 2022. Reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.
Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.
In last week’s blog, I shared that I divide my daily routine into three segments: Be.Do.Savor. Today, I share two impactful ways to “do” your way to confidence and success.
This approach turns routine activities, like writing reports or organizing, into opportunities for creative and meaningful actions.
Accomplishing tasks with purpose and vision boosts success and confidence, illuminating inner radiance. Here are two things you can start doing now for success and confidence in 2024.
The holidays are a perfect time for decluttering, both physically and metaphorically. It's crucial to address mundane tasks—like organizing your workspace, setting financial goals, decluttering your home—that, if neglected, can block your personal and professional growth.
In the realm of self-care, these tasks are similar to weeds in a garden; pulling weeds is necessary for healthy growth and brings confidence that you have a solid foundation.
The weeds concept can be found in the Savor Beauty 90-day self-care planner. A weed represents those seemingly unglamorous tasks that are often overlooked and delayed, yet are essential for nurturing productivity and confidence.
Neglecting these “weeds” over time can lead to unruly or chaotic situations. Weeds can be simple activities like servicing your car, setting a budget, or scheduling that long-postponed doctor's appointment.
Pulling weeds brings simplicity and ease to life, paving the way for more abundance and flow. And doing a little at a time on a daily basis reduces the overwhelm.
Examples of “weeds” include:
Remember, self-care actions are investments in your future self.
Write: List three daily weeds.
Affirm: Set an intention, e.g., “I create ease in my life.”
Pull: Use a timer to start pulling your weeds.
Check: Celebrate each task completion with a check-mark party!
December is an ideal time for planning and preparing for the new year. Every small action, like reaching out to new contacts or starting a wellness routine, is a seed for future success. I encourage you to plant a seed daily—these are actions for personal and professional growth.
In my journey to build Savor Beauty, planting seeds was vital. I connected with farmers, experimented with ingredients, and gathered feedback. This process taught me to trust in the timing of each 'seed' and detach from immediate outcomes.
If you plant just three seeds a day, you'll have over 1000 opportunities (small and big) in a year, leading to a metaphorical garden of abundance, beauty, and joy.
Reflect: Spend a few minutes in quiet reflection.
Journal: Note three daily actions that align with your goals.
Visualize: Imagine the successful completion of these actions.
Action: Commit to these actions and integrate them into your day.
Reflect: End your day by reviewing the seeds planted and celebrate those that have blossomed!
Don't miss Savor Beauty’s transformative New Year, New You TRANSFORM masterclass launching later in December. This course goes beyond standard goal-setting, focusing on creating a vision based on your deepest values for authentic living.
Discover daily rituals that align with your true self, and learn how to turn aspirations into reality through consistent, purposeful actions. Stay tuned for the masterclass, launching this month!
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Enjoy a creme brulee without leaving the house. No torch? No problem.
Indulge in this Torchless Lavender Creme Brulee, inspired by our FREE* holiday gift of the week, the limited edition Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub!
This recipe originally appeared on Mon Petit Four.
Preheat the oven to 320°F. Bring a pot of water to a boil. In a separate saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat. Add lavender. Let mixture come to a slight simmer along the edges of the pan. Do not let cream boil.
Add 1/4 cup of sugar to milk and stir. Once bubbles form along the edges, remove saucepan from heat. Whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly pour in approximately 1/4 cup of heated cream into egg yolks, whisking vigorously as you pour. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling.
Add warm yolk mixture into the saucepan with the cream, whisking vigorously to combine. Whisk in vanilla. Pour this batter into a large bowl, using a fine mesh sieve to strain.
Use a ladle to distribute the batter among 8 (6 oz.) ramekins. Place ramekins in a deep roasting pan and put in oven on the second to lowest rack. Pour boiled water (from step 1) into roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Be careful not to pour any water into the actual ramekins.
Bake at 320°F for 1 hour, or until creme brulée is set and the centers tremble only slightly. If after 1 hour the creme brulée is not set, increase heat to 350°F for another 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them. Let creme brulée come to room temperature before covering in plastic wrap and placing the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours (or overnight).
Sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of granulated sugar on top of each creme brulée. Place under broiler for 1 minute, until the top turns crisp and amber, with a few dark spots. Serve immediately.
*Enter code BODYLUXE at checkout and we will automatically include your gift. Offer expires 12/15/23 at 11:59 PM EST. Valid only on orders $100+. Cannot be combined with other offers or promotions. Valid online and in spa, while supplies last.
In my daily routine, I divide my days into three parts: Be, Do, Savor.
In the mornings, “Be” is my mantra – grounding myself with intention and self-care, setting the tone for everything that follows. “Do” is for taking action towards my goals during the day, and “Savor” is for cooking, family time, and hot showers with pampering rituals.
In this first part of our end-of-year series, I’ll show you 4 life upgrades that will help you embrace “Be” to create a mindful foundation during this bustling season.
My 14-year-old daughter exemplifies this beautifully. She wakes up early, enjoys a warm breakfast, takes time with our dog, cuddles with me, and relaxes with music. This unhurried morning routine naturally releases oxytocin, AKA the “love hormone.”
This not only supports her well-being before school but strengthens our bond, setting a calm and relaxed tone for her (and my) day. Now with a holiday tree with festive lights, it makes mornings cozier to be together!
I begin the day with the sensual aromatherapy of roses, starting with Savor Beauty's Dewy Rose Toning Mist, a blend that calms the mind and softens the skin. I then apply the Carrot Rose Serum, which rejuvenates the pores by encouraging cellular renewal. It gently removes the dull, outer layer to reveal fresh, radiant skin underneath - and also symbolizes a mental renewal, leaving yesterday behind.
This daily ritual with Rose Otto is a luxurious reminder to pause and appreciate the beauty of being in the moment. I love this rare and potent oil so much that we often incorporate it into our Savor Beauty age-delay products. (Stay tuned for a special NEW product with Rose Otto coming at the end of the year!)
With the New Year approaching, I like to take time to reflect on the lessons learned and how it has shaped my values and vision. There are weekly reflection worksheets in the Savor Beauty Planner that help me with takeaways and thought starters.
This process has been so transformative for me that I’m incorporating many of these teachings in our upcoming annual “New Year, New You” virtual masterclass, themed “Transform”, which is launching soon.
In the New Year, New You upcoming course, we’ll explore simple and meaningful new rituals that will transform your life, one morning at a time. For instance, the 'Sa Ta Na Ma' meditation from Kundalini yoga, has been scientifically proven to aid Alzheimer's patients by improving focus and clarity. It's a powerful tool to embrace each day with intention and presence.
We have three more weeks in December. I hope these tips help you ground yourself into “be-ing” for a year of transformation.
P.S. Interested in the fun surprises I have in store for you, i.e. the virtual masterclass and product? Sign up here to be the first to learn about it and the special new product we're launching at the year's end.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Reminder: Adjust the seasoning to your preference, and ensure you have enough duck fat to cover the turkey pieces for the best results.
Recipe by Marc Stedman.
One of my good friends, Traci Bild, always says, “What you’re grateful for grows.”
Consider life like a lively party filled with various conversations and activities—you can focus on the positive or the negative.
By tuning into what you appreciate, you cultivate the “gratitude glow”—a presence that takes years off your face. Peace softens stress lines to not only reveal youthful vitality, it also make us feel lighter and brighter.
As you gather with friends and family for Thanksgiving this year, here’s a fun little gratitude activity you can do with others (as featured in Radical Radiance, chapter 12.)
You can make it formal or keep it informal—the important part is to share!
Time: 5+ minutes
Ingredients: Two or more people
Notes: This activity is perfect for teams, groups, or as a dinner game. Invite everyone to think of something they value about a chosen person beforehand. I usually send a message like, “We're having a fun appreciation game at dinner! Come ready to share something you appreciate, admire, or are grateful for about [Person's Name].”
Set the stage by saying that everyone will share appreciation about a designated person in the room. You can break the ice by going first.
Allow everyone in the room to share gratitude statements or stories.
You can close the ritual with a personal “thank you” to everyone.
Enjoy the gratitude glow that will uplift everyone!
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
For more self-love rituals to manifest abundance, beauty, and joy, read Angela's book, Radical Radiance.
Edited excerpt from RADICAL RADIANCE: by Angela Jia Kim.
Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.
Who says pumpkin pie isn't for breakfast? 🎃
Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with this easy and guilt-free Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal. It's the perfect cozy morning treat loaded with skin and health benefits. Best part? It only requires 1 bowl for easy cleanup!
Fuel your day with this healthy + delicious #beautyfood! 🎃
This recipe originally appeared on The Natural Nurturer.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease baking dish with oil.
Combine oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
Add in milk, eggs, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and honey/maple syrup.
Spread into the baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Consistency will be soft at first but will firm up as it cools. Top with your choice of nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Hi beauties, I'm thrilled to share some of my favorite easy tips to transform your skin. Drawing inspiration from my "Manhattan mom" lifestyle and the K-beauty routines of my Korean mom and aunts, I've gathered my favorite unique tips that take just a New York minute.
From the unexpected glow that dancing can infuse into your skin, to the surprising concept of "eating" your water (yes, you read that right!), these succinct tips provide a fresh and invigorating approach to glowing inside out.
Let dancing be your secret skincare weapon. Increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, resulting in a brighter complexion, improved texture, and a natural radiance.
There are many dance clubs here in New York City, but why limit yourself to a night out? Dance to my partner’s dance playlist while doing laundry or watering the plants!
Instead of using one heavy moisturizer, layer several lighter products with different consistencies, from thin to thick. This "layering" technique can provide effective hydration without feeling heavy on the skin.
We’ve numbered the Savor Beauty products from 0-5 so you know how to layer them, taking the guesswork out!
Spend one minute on mindful “skin-breathing.” Inhale peace, exhale stress. This easy practice curbs cortisol, helping to keep breakouts at bay. Oxygenating your cells through deep breathing also promotes circulation, giving the skin a healthy glow.
Hot water can strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness. Korean actress and skincare book author, Hyun-Jung Go, recommends splashing cold water onto the face after a deep cleanse to tighten pores and maintain hydration, leaving a refreshed feeling.
Hit the refresh button on your skin's health. Embarking on a 24-hour reset with nutritious smoothies and soups can flush out toxins and boost hydration. It's a brief commitment that may inspire a lifestyle change.
While coffee can perk you up, remember to balance each sip with water 1:1. Excess caffeine can dehydrate, but matching intake with water ensures skin stays hydrated and vibrant. For an added glow, I love treating my skin with generous beauty oils before my morning coffee so my pores can wake up and sip in the nourishment together!
Chill green tea bags in the refrigerator after using them, then place them over your closed eyes for a few minutes. The tannins in tea can help reduce puffiness and revive tired eyes.
Achieve a glowing complexion by savoring water-rich treats like watermelon, cucumber, and strawberries. Beyond delighting your palate, these fruits amplify your hydration game from within. Your skin will relish in the plumping and radiant effects.
My mom always told me, “Stop touching your face–you’re putting germs and dirt into your pores!” A small gesture can lead to big results. By reducing how often you touch your face, you can minimize the transfer of oils and dirt, ultimately leading to fewer breakouts.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
In today's world, we are seeing a shift in how society views relationships, marriage, and what it means to be happy. Singles Day, which originated in Asia, is celebrated on November 11th (11/11). It’s a testament to this change, highlighting the joy of being single and the importance of self-care.
It's not about being alone, but rather about being complete by oneself. Celebrate you because you're truly worth it!
I find this day's concept incredibly inspiring because I believe it’s important to celebrate its ethos–whether you are single or not. Here's why:
I began creating “Radiance Retreats” (self-love adventures, self-care sabbaticals, exploration playdates, inspiration getaways, creativity excursions, and frequency equilibriums) after my twenty-year marriage ended.
(To learn how to create your own Radiance Retreat, check out the Radical Radiance book.)
Despite evolving into a supportive friendship with my ex-husband, who remains a wonderful father to our daughter, I felt lost—no longer just a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, but someone trying to rediscover my own identity and reinvent a new life.
As I ventured into the daunting world as a single mom in New York City, I decided to plan activities that made me feel alive and vibrant. I didn’t know it then, but I was learning how to find my bliss, elevate my energy, and shine on my own.
Our lit-from-within vibrancy emerges when we learn to enjoy spending quality time creating, exploring passions, being kind to ourselves, and bringing bliss and flow to our everyday lives–whether we are single or in a relationship.
Get excited about new projects and aspirations by creating a holistic 90-day vision.
The Savor Beauty Planner isn’t just about scheduling tasks, it’s about creating space for reflection and intention-setting, whether setting new personal records, starting a passion project, or prioritizing self-care.
The planner has thought prompts to design the life you aspire to lead over the next three months.
You can also join me for my virtual 90-Day Vision Workshop, where I sit down with you to inspire, motivate, and equip you with the tools and strategies to make your goals a reality. This workshop is self-paced, so you're able to access it at your leisure.
Make this day a celebration of self-love by indulging in what brings you joy and relaxation. Whether it's a spa day, a delightful dessert, or a leisurely walk in nature, savor the act of giving to yourself.
Level up your game by learning something new, losing yourself in a game-changing book, or joining a cool workshop. Diving deep into what you love boosts your skills and opens your mind to fresh ideas.
For example, I enjoy Kundalini yoga, so I began reading Essential Kundalini Yoga, leading to a Kundalini yoga certification course to deepen my practice. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of energy and chakras, adding a new dimension to life.
Add a mindful practice to your daily routine with a beauty ritual. For instance, you can unwind each evening with a facial massage using a luxurious beauty oil and face cream (I like Savor Beauty’s Deeply Nourishing Duo–all skin + self-care sets are on sale for 20% off until November 22!)
Work the serum gently into your skin, focusing on areas of tension to help release stress and deliver skin-loving vitamins for youthful radiance.
Seal in the benefits with the Truffle Face Cream for luminosity and radiance. During this ritual, you can take a moment to reflect on your day and affirm your self-worth.
Find a feel-good movie or an engaging series on Netflix, and combine it with a self-care regimen for a multi-tasking night!
Applying a soothing facial mask can elevate your movie night into a restorative ritual, leaving you feeling rested and refreshed. Right now, I’m obsessed with Suits and doing a leave-on mask (Chamomile Moisture Mask with a drop of the Restore Fountain of Youth Elixir.)
Singles Day is a beautiful reminder that our happiness and worth are not defined by our relationship status. It's not about being alone, but rather about being complete by oneself. Celebrate you because you're truly worth it! 🌟
In celebration of Singles Day, we're gifting YOU with our Pearl Cleansing Cream! It's step #1 in our 5-step skincare regimen, a symbol to fill your cup with self-care first.
Today only (11/11), get a FREE* Travel Pearl Cleanser on orders $50+ with code SINGLESDAY.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
(This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Savor Beauty may earn a small commission.)
*Enter code SINGLESDAY at checkout. Gift automatically included. Offer valid only on 11/11/23 on orders $50+. Ends 11/11/23 at 11:59 PM EDT. Cannot be combined with other offers or promotions. Valid online and in spa, while supplies last.
Tomorrow is Daylight Savings and we found the perfect sleep tonic from Heartbeet Recipe.
Maximize your extra hour of beauty sleep this weekend with a cup of Dreamy Pink Moon Milk, a soothing drink to help you have the sweetest dreams.
Tart cherry juice is the star of the recipe. Here are 5 skin + health benefits of including this ingredient in your next bedtime elixir. 🍒
Heat almond milk and tart cherry juice over low heat.
Remove from heat. Whisk in honey and ashwagandha powder.
This recipe originally appeared on Heartbeet Kitchen.
Over the years, author and health coach Jolene Hart and I have connected in serendipitous and synergistic ways.
During our chat in this blog's video (scroll down for the transcript), I found out that our paths first crossed at Limelight Marketplace in Chelsea, the very spot where I opened my first boutique shop. With my then-baby, Sienna, on my hip and dreams in my head, I greeted all bypassers and spoke to nearly every customer.
I was so surprised and delighted when Jolene shared that she was one of my very first customers!
"Connecting with like-minded women rejuvenates and restores us. We must do it more often."
Interestingly, years after our encounter, I came across the book, Eat Pretty. Little did I know it was Jolene's book, and it taught me the transformative power of eating for internal radiance. I marked it, devoured it, and earmarked its pages, making it one of my most beloved books.
So I’m not surprised that we have kept in touch, collaborating on a virtual event and supporting each other over the years. Even our recent book covers have the same sunshine yellow!
Our talk began with Jolene’s new book Well-Rested Every Day, and we covered how to:
We also share our biggest lessons learned in the last 90 days and what we did in the last 24 hours to be well-rested that hopefully inspires you, too!
"A medicine woman once asked me something that really shook me: 'Why are you so closed off to receiving?'"
So, brew yourself a cup of beau-tea, find a cozy spot, and tune into our enlightening video chat!
P.S. We are gifting you Jolene’s new book, Well-Rested Every Day, and her favorite Savor Beauty products: Manuka Honey Mask and Silk Body Serum ($132 value!) Enter your email here for a chance to get these gorgeous goodies delivered to your doorstep.
"Savor Beauty's Silk Body Serum is one of my favorites... The 'silk' part of the name perfectly describes how my skin feels after the oil absorbs completely."
Edited to reduce redundancy and increase clarity.
Attendees:
Angela Jia Kim: Jolene, it's great to see you.
Jolene Hart: Wonderful to see you too. What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon.
Angela Jia Kim: Finally getting into the noon hour. How has your week been?
Jolene Hart: Quite busy. I attended Expo East in Philadelphia and a food equity summit. Lots of personal events; they're a bit draining, but this is a nice way to end the week.
Angela Jia Kim: Sounds like an amazing and full week ! Jolene, we've known each other for years, haven't we?
Jolene Hart: Over a decade, I believe. We first met when you had your store in Limelight Market.
Angela Jia Kim: Really? I can't believe that! Sienna, my 13-year-old, was a baby then.
Jolene Hart: I remember meeting you there. It feels like forever ago.
Angela Jia Kim: And then I discovered your books years later. They're gorgeous. Your book on beauty foods was like a bible to me.
Jolene Hart: That's amazing to hear!
Angela Jia Kim: Every book you've released is beautiful. And your new book with the 365 rituals – I even wrote a testimonial for it on the back!
Jolene Hart: We've had a lot of synergy. Your book, Radical Radiance, also had that vibrant yellow, representing joy and energy.
Angela Jia Kim: That's true, and speaking of energy, Anjie Cho, an architect and feng-shui expert, shared that yellow represents grounding energy. I've incorporated golden-yellow into my room decor, as you can see--as a symbol of abundance.
Jolene Hart: It's radiant, like a lit-from-within space.
Angela Jia Kim: Thank you! So our last meaningful interaction was during the pandemic when you held a virtual yoga class for us.
Jolene Hart: You helped launch my book, "Ignite Your Light." We organized a virtual event around Mother's Day, pairing Savor Beauty's Chamomile Moisture Mask and skincare rituals with reading, which was a beautiful experience.
Angela Jia Kim: And I remember you introduced us to Yoga Nidra in that event. Can you explain it a bit?
Jolene Hart: Sure. Yoga Nidra is not exactly a yoga or meditation. It's a guided practice that gets your brain into the hypnagogic state – the phase between being awake and asleep. It's deeply restful and healing. In my new book, I have four QR codes for Yoga Nidra tracks that you can access, each with a specific purpose – from renewal to deep sleep.
Angela Jia Kim: You always introduce me to something new. So, hypnagogic is the space between being awake and...?
Jolene Hart: It's the transition phase between wakefulness and sleep.
Angela Jia Kim: When I'm in that space between wakefulness and sleep, I feel like I often receive intuitive or psychic messages.
Jolene Hart: Absolutely, that state is so magical. It allows us to access our subconscious and even rewrite certain thought processes. If there's trauma or memories we carry around, this state lets us access and understand them better.
Angela Jia Kim: So, the aim of yoga nidra is to access that beautiful state?
Jolene Hart: Yes, it draws you into that tranquil place. Many people drift off to sleep during yoga nidra, but that's okay. It's excellent at deeply relaxing you and guiding your mind to rest.
Angela Jia Kim: Speaking of wellness, what I loved about your book is how you discuss nutrients from foods that make you glow from within. It feels like energetic beauty.
Jolene Hart: Exactly.
Angela Jia Kim: Sometimes, I open a page of your book randomly, like an oracle reading.
Jolene Hart: Many people do that. It's like receiving a message for the day.
Angela Jia Kim: I particularly loved the section on tahini and dates. Do you have a favorite recipe combining them?
Jolene Hart: Oh, I use tahini in almost everything. It's packed with nutrients that many women might be deficient in, like iron, magnesium, and healthy fats. It's a superfood for women. Personally, I love its flavor, especially when paired with dates.
Angela Jia Kim: I've developed a love for Middle Eastern cuisine because of my partner, who is from Iraq. They always use dates, which I've started adding to my smoothies.
Jolene Hart: Dates add natural sweetness along with their nutrients.
Angela Jia Kim: What about a quick tahini dressing recipe?
Jolene Hart: A tahini dressing with lemon, garlic, parsley, and a touch of maple syrup works wonderfully. You can also experiment with turmeric.
Angela Jia Kim: Switching gears a bit, let's talk about the parasympathetic nervous system. I recently took a Kundalini Yoga certification course, not to teach, but to deepen my practice.
Jolene Hart: Kundalini Yoga is a profound practice.
Angela Jia Kim: Yes, and it introduced me to the importance of the parasympathetic nervous system. Being a business owner, author, and mother, I often feel stressed. Accessing the parasympathetic state helps me rest and recharge.
Jolene Hart: Absolutely. Activating the parasympathetic state is essential for healing, both mentally and physically. I had to learn this when dealing with Lyme disease. From yoga and meditation to baths and slow physical movements, many practices can help us relax and access this state.
Angela Jia Kim: For me, this state is also a gateway to intuition, feminine energy, and a sense of magic.
Jolene Hart: Beautifully put. That's where we grow, reflect, and find our intuition.
Angela Jia Kim: When I'm well-rested, I wake up with intuitive solutions. I think of this as spiritual intelligence, seeing the beauty in every situation and learning from challenges.
Jolene Hart: They are there to serve you in some way.
Angela Jia Kim: Exactly. The clarity that rest provides is invaluable.
Jolene Hart: Absolutely. This idea of "sleeping on it" seems so insightful. Perhaps it's a chance for our subconscious to digest and reflect.
Angela Jia Kim: I love that! I'd love to share with each other when we know we don't feel at our best. It signals that it's time to rest and restore our cups.
Jolene Hart: You know, I often find myself needing to voice my insecurities. Even though I engage with clients all day, I lack a colleague to share with. I end up turning to my husband. But in retrospect, I recognize that these outpourings stem from a desire for validation. I'm striving to be more mindful of this pattern.
Angela Jia Kim: It's so good that you have someone to confide in.
Jolene Hart: Still, I don't want it to strain our relationship. What about you?
Angela Jia Kim: I can relate. When I vent to my partner, he often offers advice because he likes to fix things.
Jolene Hart: My husband usually just listens without offering solutions.
Angela Jia Kim: That's helpful, too! When I'm feeling my best, I know it because I start cooking. It's therapeutic for me, a transition from a bustling day to a creative, nourishing evening.
Jolene Hart: I feel the same way about cooking. It's meditative.
Angela Jia Kim: Yes. And I enjoy watching Barefoot Contessa while I cook. It's calming. If I skip this cooking routine, I know I'm not feeling centered or maybe I'm too drained.
Jolene Hart: It's essential to nourish ourselves to give to others, especially with children demanding our attention.
Angela Jia Kim: Agreed. Speaking of growth, have you learned any big lessons recently?
Jolene Hart: A recurring lesson for me is relinquishing control. It's a struggle, but life teaches us that we can't, and perhaps shouldn't, control everything.
Angela Jia Kim: That's profound. Did you encounter this challenge while writing your book on rest?
Jolene Hart: Yes, it's about finding comfort in stillness, embracing both abundance and lull.
Angela Jia Kim: My biggest lesson is about letting go of trying to shape others' experiences, even if you're providing opportunities or guidance, whether it's in my company or with my daughter. It’s like that saying, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink.
Jolene Hart: It's tough, especially as leaders. We want to take everyone with us on our journey, but they might not be ready.
Angela Jia Kim: Alright, even though I'd love to talk to you all afternoon, let's share this final thought with each other: What's one thing you did in the last 24 hours that made you feel well-rested?
Jolene Hart: Great question. Last night was busy because I attended the Health and Wellness Equity Summit, which I loved. It wasn’t inherently restful, but it filled me creatively. Being present, hearing other speakers on topics outside my expertise like food equity, was refreshing. I wasn’t speaking or presenting; I was simply receiving. It reminds me of a time I visited Miraval in Arizona. A medicine woman once asked me, "Why are you so closed off to receiving?" That observation still resonates with me. Often, I focus on giving, ensuring everyone else's experience is fulfilling, and struggle with merely receiving. That moment of simply listening and absorbing at the summit was my restful moment this week.
Angela Jia Kim: I find that when we engage with other creatives or immerse ourselves in learning, it's rejuvenating, don't you think?
Jolene Hart: Absolutely. Being a lifelong learner fills me up.
Angela Jia Kim: This morning, my partner, our dog, and I went for a walk near Morningside. It's such a beautiful park. We stopped to "forest bathe" for a few minutes, listening to the birds and admiring the sunlight filtering through the leaves. It was incredibly rejuvenating.
Jolene Hart: It’s remarkable how even in a city, you can find these quiet moments of connection with nature.
Angela Jia Kim: Completely agree. Thank you for sharing this afternoon with me.
Jolene Hart: This conversation is my restful moment today. It’s such a joy.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
I don't wear a lot of foundation, and instead, I focus on radiating a natural glow. Less makeup and more (smooth) skin is my kind of beauty mantra.
To “feel good in the skin I'm in,” I like to get seven to eight hours of beauty sleep and rely on grounding morning rituals: treat thirsty pores with double-serum layering, savor morning coffee, do Kundalini fusion yoga, and plan out the day.
As the fall weather fluctuates in Manhattan from warm and humid to cool and dry, my pores often feel parched. I begin by splashing cooling water on my face to awaken the pores.
Then, I massage in the Pumpkin Renew Serum, followed by the Raspberry Nourish Serum. It feels like a hydrating mask that my pores drink up as I sip on my morning coffee.
Starting my day by pampering my skin is a morning ritual that helps me feel confident throughout the day. It's a small thing, but it makes a world of difference as I glow through Zoom and in-person meetings.
"A cozy fall morning ritual is all about nourishing the skin and grounding the soul."
Full confession: I have a love affair with coffee, and sometimes, this morning ritual is what gets me out of bed. 😊 Oh, and Pumpkin Bourbon Bread is another motivator, too!
I even have a coffee bar dedicated to this obsession. Here are my essentials:
On my best mornings, I wake up at 6AM to enjoy coffee with my daughter and dog and have a quick chat before she heads off to school.
As part of my morning ritual, I use the Savor Beauty “organize gorgeous chaos” journal, a planning system to manage my time, keep track of self-care, and outline a 90-day vision with daily plans.
An essential aspect of this 90-day vision is reflecting on what's working and what's not. This often inspires a necessary shift or life “upgrade.”
For instance, what's not working is that since I work from home, I often close my laptop at 6PM and rush into dinner time feeling frazzled.
For the next 90 days, I've decided to start my workday at 8AM and finish by 4PM. This “life upgrade” gives me an hour to smoothly transition into quality time at home with my family. I use the extra time for happy hour or cooking, which is a meditation of sorts for me.
Fun perk! What I'm loving about this so far is that there are far fewer pings at the 8AM hour, which helps me get more done in less time.
I like to do an “energy cleanse” every morning. Just like it's important to remove the dirt and debris from our pores every day, I believe we need to do the same for our energy. This helps to manifest from a place of clarity vs. a cloudy orbit.
This morning ritual consists of three elements: breathwork, movement meditation, and mantras. I start by activating my parasympathetic nervous system through deliberate breath control, which helps me to feel grounded before the “gorgeous chaos” begins.
I follow this pattern: inhale slowly over a count of 4, hold for 4 counts, exhale over another 4 counts, and then hold again for 4 counts.
Then, I perform vigorous breathwork paired with Kundalini sets to open the chakras. I finish with a luxurious facial massage using my Savor Beauty serums.
"Just like we cleanse our faces, our energy needs to be cleansed, too."
Hopefully, these fall morning rituals inspire you to wake up a little earlier to feel “good in the skin you're in!”
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Soup season is here! 🥣
Get cozy with this Cure-All Bone Broth, perfect for sipping alone or using as a base for other soups.
Bone broth is a nourishing and revitalizing elixir rich in collagen that boasts numerous skin and health benefits.
Regular consumption of collagen-rich bone broth has been linked to improved skin elasticity, hydration, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it a popular choice for those seeking a natural approach to skin health.
Additionally, this savory elixir supports joint health, aids digestion, and boosts your immune system, making it a go-to choice for individuals looking to enhance their overall vitality.
Place bones, celery, onion, garlic, vinegar, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a large slow cooker. Fill the cooker about 2/3 full with water, covering all ingredients.
Cook on low for 10 hours. Add more water to cover bones, if needed.
Remove large pieces and strain broth.
Store broth in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tip: Take the marrow from the bones and use it as a sauce thickener in the future.
One of our most-loved ingredients for the skin is pumpkin seed, and for good reason. It touts high zinc, which can help support your body's natural immunity while providing anti-inflammatory protection from breakouts. Check it out in our Pumpkin Serum, Pumpkin Peel, and Pumpkin Face Cream AHA + PHA!
We asked our friend and licensed Health Coach Jolene Hart to give us the scoop on her Spiced Skin Glow Smoothie!
“This antioxidant-packed smoothie delivers the protein and healthy fats necessary to stabilize your blood sugar in the morning, while also targeting your skin’s seasonal need for extra healing and repair with beta carotene-rich pumpkin, squash, or sweet potato.”
Yield 1 serving
Ingredients
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Follow Jolene @jolenehart and read her best sellers!
At the core of Savor Beauty is the belief that self-care is non-negotiable. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury, but something that you deserve every single day.
Studies show that self-care helps you function at your highest level.
The 90-Day Savor Beauty Journal helps you get it all done while prioritizing your self-care. It's more than just a journal: it's a holistic approach to wellness.
With guided reflection prompts, visioning pages, and plenty of space to plan, it will become your secret tool in turning your dream life into reality.
Read on for 5 ways to use your journal for self-care.
Each week of your Savor Beauty Journal begins with an Opening Ritual, where you can define 3 self-care priorities you'd like to focus on.
Here are some ideas for inspiration:
Now that you have defined your self-care priorities, list out the various activities that can help you achieve these goals.
If your goal is to improve your sleep quality, you can:
If your goal is to drink more water, you can:
One of the most challenging things about self-care is finding the time to practice it.
Refer to your self-care activity list, and designate a time for each activity throughout the week. Simply writing down self-care activities is not enough.
Take the time to actually schedule your activities in your week.
Gratitude is an essential aspect of self-care. Focusing on the positive things in your life can help shift your mindset and improve your overall well-being.
"This planner feels more like a life coach than a daily calendar. Its pointed questions and prompts help you to set goals and intentions to plan out the next 90 days."
Write down 3 things you're grateful for each day.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
As you fill out your Closing Ritual each week, use the guided questions to check in with yourself on your self-care journey.
How do you feel? Were you able to complete all, or some, of your self-care activities? Perhaps you learned that you love doing yoga, but can't sit still to read a book.
Checking in with yourself helps to track your progress, learn from your habits, and continue on the path to a more radiant you.
Happy manifesting!
P.S. With the purchase of any journal, you will get an e-invite to our exclusive online community for inspiration and self-care secrets, straight from our founder, Angela Jia Kim!
Truffles are a well-loved ingredient in the culinary world, cherished by chefs and food enthusiasts alike. Renowned for their exquisite flavor and distinctive, fragrant aroma, they have the power to elevate any meal.
Chances are you've tried truffles in a dish before, but have you ever tried them in your skincare?
Enter the Truffle Face Cream, the product that made us famous. Handcrafted in 3 formulas for every skin type, this face cream contains the highly prized white truffle extract. Read on to learn 5 skin benefits of white truffles.
White truffles can cost anywhere from $4,000-$10,000 per lb! They require very particular soil and weather conditions to grow, making them a rare and highly sought-after ingredient. How's that for luxury skincare?
"A cream that really shows results!!! I've seen visible changes within 4 weeks."
We created 3 formulas of the Truffle Face Cream so that everyone can enjoy its magic, no matter what their skin type is.
You can also switch yours depending on the season in order to suit your skin's ever-changing needs. Opt for a lighter formula in the hotter months and a richer formula in the colder months.
Truffle Face Cream for Oily Skin:
Truffle Face Cream for Dry/Mature Skin:
Truffle Face Cream for Normal/Combination Skin:
From the buzzing markets of Jordan to the blue lagoons of Iceland, I’ve journeyed across the globe. But it was in the quiet corners of Charlotte, North Carolina, where I truly grasped the concept and depth of “quiet luxury.”
Ready to elevate your life with this trending fashion mantra? Here are 8 game-changing ways to live it, inspired by a simple trip home to visit my mom and stepdad in the south.
As I packed for our trip, I surveyed my recently-edited closet. I've been captivated by the idea of “quiet luxury”, which captures the IYKYK vibe. "If you know, you know" refers to something that only a select group of people would understand.
To me, that means minimalist luxury that doesn’t flaunt flashy—think luxe fabrics in neutrals like soft creams and rich beige tones.
Takeaway 1: Embrace "quiet luxury" by paring down your wardrobe. Take this time as an opportunity for mindfulness and self-reflection—when was the last time I wore this? Is that just taking up space?
Consider donating or selling the items and investing in timeless minimalist pieces like a designer handbag that can stand the test of time or a beige coat that you can wear with everything.
The trip started with the luxury mushroom of skincare, the white truffle—not on a fancy plate, but in a beauty jar.
The Truffle Face Cream is one of my mom's favorites, and giving her a Savor Beauty product always brings her joy. She hugged me to show her gratitude, then placed it in the fridge alongside her 18 other Savor Beauty products, right next to her kimchi and anchovies.
My mom's go-to face cream features white truffles. Valued at over $4,000 per pound, these truffles contain a unique enzyme called superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant that brings a beautiful glow to the skin.
Takeaway 2: How can small upgrades enhance your daily experience? Calculating the cost per experience can make the investment feel worthwhile. For example, using Truffle Face cream daily for 3 months adds up to just $0.43 per day—that’s way less than a dehydrating cup of coffee!
As a single mom, she supported her three daughters with a strict, tiger-mom approach that yielded undeniable results. I pursued a career as a concert pianist turned beauty entrepreneur, my middle sister earned her law degree at Columbia University and founded Zeta Charter Schools, while the youngest navigated the male-dominated tech realm at Facebook and Google.
Now in her late 70s, my mom's demeanor has mellowed. She's become fiercely protective of my daughter; always ready to step in even at the slightest hint of criticism from me.
This evokes mixed feelings—part of me is indignant at the contradiction: “You held me to impossible standards at her age!" And yet, I find joy, contentment, and security in her softer stance.
Takeaway 3: Instead of fixating on the negatives in relationship complexities, celebrating small improvements and letting relationships evolve in their own time is quiet luxury at its finest–natural and unforced.
During a lively conversation at Dressler’s–a restaurant rivaling NYC's top spots–a delightful Chanterelle dish emerged.
Beyond their delicious umami flavor, chanterelles have bioactive compounds like beta-carotene, vitamin A, and carotenoids, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
I was so taken by the dish that I asked our friendly waiter, David, to send our compliments to the kitchen. Not only did he kindly relay the message, but he also came back with a little thank-you gift from the chef, a chanterelle!
Takeaway 4: Indulge in life's small delectable luxuries, and for some reason, they always taste better when you learn more about the health benefits. And don’t be afraid to let a restaurant know how much you love a dish—you’ll be surprised at how well the appreciation is received!
My stepdad treated us to a spontaneous overnight trip to Little Switzerland, promising it would be one of the most scenic drives in America. The sheer majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains took us all by surprise–serene, grand, and breathtaking.
Having been to the Swiss Alps and the Rocky Mountains, this peaceful beauty held a different allure, a subtle luxury that doesn’t need to flaunt itself—my daughter even glanced up from her iPhone and exclaimed, “Hey, that’s a cool screensaver!”
Takeaway 5: Seek out subtle and serene beauty all around you. We can’t always get away to Yellowstone, but by googling “nature near me”, we can discover unexpected treasures nearby.
Although my daughter and I aren't big hikers, we all walked up about half a mile (my partner jokingly referred to it as merely 10 blocks in Manhattan) to Linville Falls.
To make it more appealing, I introduced the idea of "forest bathing" to my daughter. This Japanese concept involves immersing oneself in the forest’s sounds, scents, and sights.
I encouraged her to listen to each footstep, observe the sunlight on the leaves, and breathe in the fresh aromas. Despite her initial teasing, I know she found the mindset reframe to be a rejuvenating experience more enjoyable than a sweaty hike.
Takeaway 6: Practice "forest bathing" to reconnect with nature's tranquility. Bask in the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest for the quiet luxury of a digital detox.
In Little Switzerland, we enjoyed the sunset from the Chalet restaurant. The scene mirrored my parents' tranquil Charlotte lifestyle and served as the backdrop for my mom and daughter’s affectionate bond, while my partner and stepdad talked for hours about politics and history. These serene yet profound connections struck me as the purest manifestations of quiet luxury.
Takeaway 7: Despite the effort it takes to carve out space for loved ones and dear friends, strengthen these bonds through quality time and conversation—some things are worth far more than gold.
So yes, my mom reminded me to sit up straight, exercise more, and shed a couple of pounds–IYKYK that’s classic Korean mom advice! But she also complimented me on my glowing skin, an affirmation that is my pinnacle of quiet luxury, and to this Korean American daughter? Priceless.
Takeaway 8: Whether you give or get small affirmations, notice them! We tend to focus on the criticisms, but embrace compliments and affirmations as a form of "quiet luxury." Taking these riches to heart boosts your inner glow!
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
About 2 years ago, I got a painful mammogram, and a little TLC was in order. I went to a Korean spa and discovered a “Breast Facial” that promised a satiny soft and smooth neck, décolleté, and breasts.
If you’ve never been to a Korean spa, it can be a bit of a culture shock—women of all ages strut around wholly nude and completely unashamed. Korean spa culture celebrates taking care of your mind and body without stigma; self-care is a shameless, matter-of-fact necessity.
During the breast facial, my esthetician placed a towel over my eyes, and just like a facial, she cleansed, steamed, exfoliated, masked, massaged, and moisturized from my neck down to my stomach.
She used compassionate, maternal care that resonated with my nature of taking care of my daughter and my body. I even fell asleep because this feminine practice of getting into my body made me feel safe, allowing my mind to cease its endless chatter. The treatment was worth it. My skin was baby-soft, and my soul was soothed.
When I got home, I felt nourished, relaxed, grounded, and even more inclined toward self-acceptance. I decided to incorporate a weekly practice in the shower.
Consider how breasts are lusted after by society, tugged on by babies, squeezed into uncomfortable bras, judged by self-imposed notions, and prodded during breast examinations.
For me, getting in touch, literally, with my breasts—with no judgment or expectation—was a meaningful act of self-love. Now it’s your turn to try it.
Time: 10 minutes, recommended in the morning
Ingredients: Face and body cleanser, warm bath/shower oil, body cream
Optional Upgrades: Clay or mud mask, mask brush
Notes: The décolleté and chest area are sensitive, so I prefer products that are formulated specifically for the face and body. However, you can always substitute bath/shower oil with oils from your kitchen pantry. Warm the oil by storing it in a glass or BPA-free plastic container. Place the container in a bowl of hot water for about 5 minutes to warm it before this ritual.
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Edited excerpt from RADICAL RADIANCE: by Angela Jia Kim. Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.