The Tropical Destination That Dreams Are Made Of - Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort

This post is sponsored by Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort.

Anyone else feel like time speeds up when you are on vacation? My tropical getaway to Puerto Plata came and went way too fast! I suppose the upside to that is I can start planning when to go back. 

Let me tell you about my experience visiting Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort from start to finish. 

I flew from New York City (JFK) to Santiago (STI) direct on JetBlue. There are two airports near Puerto Plata - Cibao International Airport (STI) and Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP). POP is closer to Puerto Plata, but the flights into that airport are significantly more expensive than flights into STI. Whichever airport you choose, Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort provides FREE VIP transfer from the airport to the resort.

Once I exited the terminal, I was greeted by my driver holding a sign with my name on it. He picked myself and my guest up in a beautiful GNC Suburban and whisked us away to the resort. The drive was about an hour long but it was awesome to see how beautiful the countryside of the Dominican Republic was on our way.

Upon arriving to the resort, we were greeted with welcome drinks and check-in was a breeze! Our room was ready and we were escorted to our room.

We were lucky enough to have an ocean view room with a swim-up pool. It was stunning! From our back patio, we were able to see it all - the mountains, the ocean, and breathtaking sunsets. There is also a trail that leads up a hill to the most gorgeous lookout spot.

Our few days at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort were filled with relaxation, lots of swimming, laying out, and food of course.

The property has three a-la-carte restaurants - Zao (Teppanyaki & Sushi restaurant), La Grappa (Italian restaurant), and Embers (steakhouse). There is also Larimar, which is the buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also tons of options for snacks or a quick bite - a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, sports bar (they have the best chicken fingers), a snack bar by the pool, and a pizza parlor. Your options for meals and snacks are endless! 

Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort also has lots of options for fitness. The gym is awesome - it’s much bigger than most gyms I have come across in hotels/resorts and has equipment to meet all of your fitness needs. You can run on a treadmill while looking out at the ocean or you can hit the squat rack to get that booty ready for the beach! They also offer beach yoga and pilates some days - be sure to ask at the front desk to see what kind of group workouts they have planned during your stay.

Our mornings started out with an early morning workout followed by breakfast and fresh green juice at Larimar. The rest of our days were spent by the pool, at the pool bar (one of my favorite parts) or on the beach. There is a swim-up pool bar so you don’t even have to get out of the pool for a drink! I’m a big Pina colada girl so it was beyond awesome to get them while still in the pool. 

If you like to relax on vacation, great! This is the spot for you. If you are an activities person, great! This is also the spot for you.

Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort also offers FREE kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling on the beach. We look the kayaks out one afternoon and had so much fun kayaking over the waves and getting a tan on the water. There are also so many colorful reef fish swimming around in the Caribbean that are so fun to look at. Be sure to grab a snorkel and explore!

The most exciting activity we did during our trip was an excursion organized by the staff at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort. There is a staff of vacation planners that can help you pick and book excursions off the property so you can explore more of the beautiful island.

We went to the Damajagua Waterfalls for a hike and a REALLY good time. It was just myself, my date, and our tour guide. We took about a 20-30 minute hike up the mountain and arrived at the top of a beautiful waterfall. The fresh water springs were breathtaking. The water was crystal clear and the jumps we did were about 15ft high. I was first to jump in - I love an adrenaline rush! 

We spent that morning jumping into waterfalls and sliding down others. It was such an amazing experience and although I don’t have photos (couldn’t bring my phone for obvious reasons), I have memories to last a lifetime. I highly recommend this excursion if you are visiting Puerto Plata! It was only 20 minutes away from the resort.

One of my other favorite experiences from my stay at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort was the romantic dinner they prepared for myself and my date. It truly was the most romantic dinner setting I have ever seen! It was just the two of us on the beach at sundown. We were presented with one dish at a time and went through 5 courses - fruit sushi to start, then on to soup, then a sampling of seafood, then our entrees were steak and lobster, and we finished off with dessert. It was the most romantic dinner in the most beautiful place. A night I will remember forever! If you are headed to Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort with your honey, be sure to set this up. It would be the best surprise for your date! 

When I think back at my trip, what I remember the most was the staff. The service was unmatched! We were always so well taken care of and everyone was so warm and friendly. They made me feel at home.

All in all, my trip to Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort was perfect. It was such a relaxing trip that I will always remember. Puerto Plata now holds a special place in my heart and I absolutely can’t wait to go back one day. If you are in need of a tropical vacation, this place is for you! 

The Ultimate Guide To The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

This post is sponsored by The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.

You read about my personal experience at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, but now it’s time to plan YOUR trip.

With 10 restaurants, 23 bars, 13 pools, and unlimited options for activities, you really can’t go wrong. I’m just here to help you weigh your options and make the best of your stay at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana.

FOOD:

• 24-Hour Room Service

  • Need I say more? There were a couple of times during my stay when I just wanted a slice of Oreo cheesecake at 2am or to have breakfast in bed. The room service menu is on the small side, but has enough to satisfy you for any meal at any time of day (or night). I highly recommend that Oreo cheesecake or the chicken fingers.

• Bistro Med

  • I had appetizers before dinner at Bistro Med one evening while I waited for my dinner reservation at another restaurant on the property. This is a Mediterranean and Lebanese spot perfect for a quick meal or something to snack on.

• Ciao

  • The Italian restaurant on the property. I only had time to visit Ciao for breakfast one morning and would highly recommend it. There are TONS of options from this buffet-style restaurant. I had a plate of pancakes, fruits, pastries, ham, and eggs but that's just a small sample of the buffet options. I can’t speak personally to the dinner menu, but have heard incredible things. Try dinner at Ciao for me and report back!

• Ipanema

  • Ipanema is a Brazilian style restaurant with an open view. I came here for dinner and was blown away by the meal I had. It was buffet-style - we filled our plates to the brim with fresh vegetables, pasta salad, and lots of grilled chicken. Our waiter came around to serve us Brazilian steak. I have a story of a sweet moment from my dinner here and you can read about it in this post if you haven’t already.

• Los Gallos

  • We had EASILY the most fun dinner here. Los Gallos is an Latin/American restaurant. I had a burrito for dinner and my friend Ellen had tacos. We both were beyond satisfied with our meals. The best part of this restaurant was the tequila man! There was a man walking around the restaurant with a cart of different flavors of tequila and he was so much fun! I tried every flavor except the spicy pepper flavors… LOL. Needless to say, we had a fantastic time there.

THINGS TO DO ON THE PROPERTY:

• Beach Cabanas (also known as Bali Beds)

  • The day that I spent on a Bali Bed on the beach was probably my favorite day. We had our own day bed (which is covered - so you can relax in the shade), and two lounge chairs in front of our Bali Bed to lay in the sun. Each Bali bed comes a cooler too, which is stocked for you with water, beer, sodas, and a bottle of wine or champagne. We opted for white wine. In my opinion, there is no better way to enjoy the beach. This is a MUST DO.

• Events happening on-site

  • There is always something exciting going on somewhere on the property. Check on this calendar on the website so you can see what kind of activities they have going on! During my stay, there were concerts, foam parties at the pool, karaoke nights, etc.

• Enjoy the 13 pools

  • … Or at least some of them! I didn’t make it to all 13 pools, but I loved the few that I did swim in. There are different pools for different purposes. To further explain, some pools are quiet pools which are nice if you are looking for a quiet spot to relax and read a great book. There is also a family pool which is perfect for families with kids. But for the record, you’re never too old for a water slide! And there’s a lazy river. Lazy rivers are one of my favorite things ever. You can’t miss that one!

• Spa day?

  • Sadly, I didn’t have enough time to experience the spa for myself. However, I talked to people during my stay who did have a spa day and they raved about the experience! The spa has 54 treatment rooms (plenty of room for a massage or a facial), steam room, clay steam room, dry sauna, sensation showers, and jacuzzis. This is definitely on my to-do list for my next visit.

• Take an excursion off the property

  • There are vacation planners on-site at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana who can help you book an excursion off the property so you can explore more of the beautiful island. You can choose from activities like swimming with dolphins, beach horseback riding, an off rider adventure, zip lining, snorkeling, etc. I chose snorkeling!

The property is enormous and clearly, your options are endless. The best thing you can do is explore and make sure to make friends with the staff. I have never come across so many warm, friendly people! I think that was the highlight for me.

If you end up visiting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, please let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear about your trip.

xoxo,

Liv

Keeping My Pearly Whites Pearly White

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ARC. The opinions and text are all mine.

I have always been crazy about taking care of my teeth, especially after suffering an injury that pretty much knocked out my two front teeth - but that’s a story for another day. For a long time after my injury, I was very self-conscious about my smile and I felt like everyone could tell that my two front teeth had been through the ringer. Taking great care of my teeth and keeping them pearly white was what gave me the confidence to keep smiling.

When it comes to whitening my teeth, I feel like I’ve tried it all. I had professional whitening by my dentist, used whitening toothpastes, and tried whitening strips. These options are either way too expensive, not effective, or have harmed my teeth and/or gums.

I recently got introduced to ARC Blue Light Teeth Whitening and I am really freaking excited about it. You can pick your kit up at Target for just $45 which includes the blue light and 14 treatments (strips for top and bottom teeth). The best part is the strips are made with the same enamel safe whitening ingredient dentists use. You get professional teeth whitening quality for a way lower price in the comfort of your own home.

Since I got my kit last week, I have been using it once a day for 30 minutes. It was really easy to incorporate into my routine because I can multitask while it’s working its magic on my teeth! I either use it in the mornings while I am working on my eye makeup or in the evenings when I’m catching up on The Bachelorette. I noticed a difference in 3 days!

One of the other things I really liked about these strips is that they don’t slide around. Once you put them on your teeth, they really do stay in place. This is important to me because I have gotten so annoyed with other whitening strips that constantly need adjusting.

The ARC Blue Light Teeth Whitening Kit is available now at Target! This is one of my new essentials to be red carpet ready at all times.

Please let me know if you have any questions about using the product in the comments! I am happy to share more about my experience using ARC!

xoxo,

Liv

How To Care For Your Skin After a Night of Drinking

A little party never killed nobody... but a little party can definitely mess with your skin.

There are some Saturday mornings where I wake up like:

I know you all know the feeling.

 Alcohol really dehydrates your body which is one of the main causes of hangovers. But have you ever noticed that your skin can be hungover too?

 I know my skin is hungover when I wake up with dry, dull skin and sometimes new blemishes too. How nice.

 I have a two favorite skincare treatments that I am going to share with you that I always do the morning after a night out.

My favorite hydrating face mask is the Moisturizing Moon Mask by Glossier ($22).

This face mask feels like my skin is taking those first few gulps of cold water at 4am. It's an intensely hydrating face mask perfect for all skin types that will instantly plump your skin up with hydration, smooth out fine lines, and brighten your skin. It's the ultimate cure for a skin hangover and you can buy it here.

Sometimes I feel the need to double-up on my masking and do a detox mask too. Alcohol just makes me feel gross and like I need to start over. Anyone else?

The Body Shop's Japanese Matcha Tea Mask ($21) is the perfect pollution-clearing mask to help me start fresh.

It deeply purifies skin and gently exfoliates to remove build-up of city pollutants and everyday impurities. This mask feels tingly and cold when I have it on which I love. It really feels like it's working and my skin always feels so fresh once I wash it off. You can purchase this mask here for $21. 

If I really am going to double-up on my masking to cure my skin's hangover, I would do the detox mask (Japanese Matcha Tea Mask) first and follow with the hydration mask (Moisturizing Moon Mask).

This is my exact treatment routine to care for my skin after a night out. It works like a charm every time. Happy masking! 

xoxo,

Liv

6 Easy Ways to Practice Self-Care at Work

Work hard, care hard. Can that be a thing?

Sometimes we get so caught up in our work that we neglect our mental health and well being. Over the years, I have learned how important it is to give myself a break and take care of myself. I have implemented little things into my daily routine to make sure I am taking care of myself -- while staying as efficient as possible when it comes to working on my business. 

Here are some little things that you can add into your daily work routine to help you stay focused and relaxed at the same time.

1. Light a candle.

I work from home a lot of the time and like to light a candle. It's the little things that can help us feel more relaxed throughout a busy work day. My favorite candle is the Capri Blue Volcano Candle ($30). It is "an energizing candle with notes of citrus and tropical fruits" (Sephora). 

If you work in an office environment and can't light a candle at work, try an essential oil diffuser ($24). 

Make sure you check with your neighbors to make sure they don't mind, but this is a great alternative to a candle. Especially because different essential oils have different purposes and you can choose a specific scent to target how you're feeling. For example, Lavender and Camomile can help calm anxiety, and Peppermint and Lemon essential oils can help you to focus.

2. Keep your workspace clean.

Like I said, I typically work from home. Every morning before I get to work, I clean my work space to get rid of any distractions. I have a hard time working when things are messy.  I am more productive when my desk is organized, and this is something you can do no matter where your workspace may be. (If you're really smart, you can straighten up at the end of the day so you can skip this step in the morning.)

3. Listen to music that encourages focus.

I don't like to work in silence and I also don't like to work with too many noises to distract me. My favorite playlist on Spotify to listen to while I work is called "Deep Focus". This playlist drowns out any distracting noises and encourages focus.

4. Take breaks.

As a writer, I sometimes experience writer's block. There are almost always times were my brain just feels like mush and I need to take a step back from my computer to give myself a break.  This can happen to anyone working on a problem or assignment for too long. If you are ever feeling burned out at work, be sure to step away to give yourself a break. Eat an energizing snack, stretch, go work out, or do something to take your mind off of what you are struggling with at work.  Getting some distance will help you refresh and recharge before getting back into the work grind.

5. Stay hydrated.

Because I spend so much time behind a computer screen (editing, writing, etc.), sometimes I forget to even drink water. I get headaches sometimes and start to blame the computer screen, and then I realize it's been quite a while since I have had a glass of water. Be sure to always keep some at your desk and stay hydrated! Being hydrated can help you stay focused too.

6. Keep a facial spray at your desk. 

It's important to refresh your skin throughout the day too! It's a quick and easy pick-me up, I love keeping different facial sprays at my desk. Here are a few of my favorites:

Elemis Superfood Kefir Tea Mist ($33)

Rodial Dragon's Blog Essence Mist ($52)

Biossance - Squalane + Micronutrient Fine Mist ($32) 

 How do you take care of yourself during your work day? Share with me in the comments below! I would love to hear from you.

xoxo,

Liv

The Ultimate Mexican Muay Thai Recipe

Last night I attended an event for Patrón where I was introduced to some insanely delicious beverages. One of them was so good, I had 3! (I had to make sure it was as good as I thought.) I received so many DMs from you guys asking about the recipe, so read on for all of the details! 

I was drinking a Mexican Muay Thai which looks like this:

MEXICAN MUAY THAI

• 2 oz Patrón Reposado

• .75 oz Patrón Citrónge Pineapple

• 1 oz Tahini Date Orgeat (if you don't have any, use simple syrup and a 1/4 teaspoon of tahini)

• .5 oz Lime Juice

• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Build ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain into a tall glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a mint bouquet and lime wedge dusted with nutmeg.

I did not create this recipe, but my friends at Broken Shaker sure know how to whip up a fantastic cocktail.

 Make sure you bookmark this page for your future parties because this recipe is one to keep!

xoxo,

Liv