LYRA MAG.

The numerical surge of Fall sporting events - gather fans with amped up appetites. Party foods/drinks  for nowadays crowds -please their palates are tasty, healthy (ish), and indulgent-BUT NOT your Y2K fare. NOW- fun/functional goodies -rule. 1) Less alcohol... and good-for-you liquids. Multi-functional-real ingredient -hand crafted BITTERMILK cocktail mixes work as the basis of shaken or stirred mocktails, too. Flavor sparkling water-soda-or alcohol. FYI-trio makes a great house gift. KOE Organic Kombucha -fuity-spice flavored -naturally-fermented Kombucha-naturally loaded with probiotics-and lightly sparkled. An acquired taste...made easier to drink with anti-oxidant and vitamin blessed- naturally sweet fruit. Our fav-the raspberry-dragonfruit. 80-90 calories per. USDA Organic, non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-free, Kosher Unilever funded KOM BREW CHA -USDA Organic-lightly boozed up (4.4%ABV) Hard Kombucha ...gets its kick from fermenting process w/yeast. Gluten free

For those not tied to a school schedule-which is more than half of Americans-NOW in the so-called 'shoulder season'-is a great time to get out and beyond. For childhood nostalgia-discovery one's ancestry-can inspire trips to destinations. For those with African ancestry- Spector Travel -based in Boston -has been a top ranked roots and culture HERITAGE tour operator for years. Destinations-from Senegal-Ghana-to South Africa (to name just a few)...can be experienced and combined with safari adventures in other African continent locations. In the lower 48-Wyndham Hotels has smartly recharged the iconic (and affordable) Howard Johnson (HOJO) brand -with a revamp of design features-think interiors with a  mid-century Modernist  style- ...in those signature blue/orange colors-paired with this decade's must haves-like USB equipped lamps for charging up personal electronics, free breakfast and WIFI...etc. No -the rooms aren't candy tricked out -but the sle

For the majority of Americans not tied to a school schedule-or wedding weekends---now is the prime to to hit the road... THINK fall foliage, cooling temps in arid hot deserts, breezy hikes before the snow, city sights without the crowds. Jackets are perfect stash and store cover-up for autumnal endeavors...ready for any chill in the air. Love these puffy capes from RUMPL -a collection a 'stuffed' items-including the signature go everywhere blankets- that reminds of us SNOW PEAKS. N'ONAT faux fur-goes GLAM shaggy-in this we want it now versatile   CHARM  jacket that adds insta fashion style (and warmth) to anything one could possibly wear.  Rain drops on_____ but not you! Bright Yellow- MYSHELTER Rain Jacket -Adidas=lightweight, waterproof, fully seam sealed-w/ adjustable hood that stashes away in the collar. A multi-seasonal protective jacket-it's a loose fit so bulky sweaters can be layered under- AND with shoulder carry straps inside-and a zipp

The annual late summer trade show- MakeUp in NY -was more crowded than in past years-with the ease of launching indie brands -getting even easier since we've been covering this...and other supplier trade events for the past decade+. WHAT: A nice format-of private labs with custom options, biz consultants, packaging and marketing services geared towards individuals ready to carve out their place in the DTC world---all under one roof-with USA, European and S. Korean brands- knowledgeable in the particular cosmetic and labeling requirements on a global basis. We felt that one's natural skin-only better still ruled at the show geared towards American customers-with the concept of 'just the right amount' aka 'not too much' 'perfect simple' =mantra. For Schwan Cosmetics , these Swedish concepts of  HYGGE and LAGOM  -ties into WELLNESS-  for their 2019/20 theme-including a new palette packed shimmery mineral-y eye shadows, and matte  muted autumnal col

  The best indie Beauty brands blend natural botanicals and sustainably sourced ingredients-cruelty free.   YON-KA s an established French multi-tasking skincare entity since 1954-always had a mission-to make skincare products that are  "a perfect symbiosis of science and nature." With many different product collections for face-body-suncare---their full and travel sized products include the popular Essentials line. Pictured above-the refreshing alcohol free-essentials oils' blessed toner spray mist, YON-KA individual products target every kind of skin concern-for men and women. LOVE- a whimsical graphic-on the limited edition Lotion Yon-Ka that delivers right in time for the holidays.  Like the specialty food industry-eco and ethically sourcing and paying fair labor wages is a concern-a reason why we don't see mineral mica in makeup much anymore (child slave labor). TOOGGA  sources key ingredients from African co-ops and plants one tree per product sol

CBD oil in hair care-is new to the market. SMOOTH & STRONG Professional had many cool 'clean' products. Similar to a few well established private label makeup-skincare companies covered from prior tradeshows-this company has launched their own DTC brand! It's difficult to gauge what really is the effective amount of CBD OIL per ounce in a specific product- to really have an anti-inflammatory healing impact. We're assuming the CBD quality  source is as equally important. Smooth & Straight Professional h air care products promote smooth-shiny anti-frizz-hydrated locks. All of the company products -are color safe, unisex, good for all hair types (multi-cultural)- and made without gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors or DMDMH (a microbial/preservative derived from formaldehyde). The mask pictured above-is lightweight but adds a lot of hydration-and on hair- CBD oil improves elasticity (too). The Hair Masque-has 1000mg CBD 4oz-def on th