María Cristina Lalonde: Writer & Editor

A lover, fighter, and freelance writer, María Cristina covers topics related to health and the human experience. Ever in pursuit of romance and Malört parties, she’s lived everywhere from Chicago to Mexico City to Medellín to Lisbon to Bali — but Austin, Texas will always be home. Holler at your girl via this form or by scheduling a chat.

Popsugar •

I Went on a 3-Day Ayahuasca Retreat Expecting Transformation — Here's What I Got Instead

I am cold, cranky, and covered in leaves. It's nearing 10 p.m. on a Friday in November, and I'm lying outside on the ground in a flimsy sleeping bag. Around me, people are wailing and throwing up into mini plastic trash cans. One woman dances in front of the fire and beats a hand drum. They're feeling the effects of ayahuasca, a potent, plant-based psychedelic tea. But despite me having drank two cups of the foul-tasting, muddy brew, I feel nothing.
Chron •

‘Cowboys literally exist!’ Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss on why he loves Texas crowds

Comedian Daniel Sloss hasn’t reached the level of celebrity at which he’s recognized on the streets of Houston — yet. But whether or not Texans can identify the 31-year-old Scotsman from his critically acclaimed standup specials “X,” “Dark” and “Jigsaw,” his double-digit appearances on Conan O’Brien’s talk show or his hundreds of performances around the U.S. and worldwide, they tend to be delighted to meet Sloss, anyway. Mostly because of his accent.
EverydayHealth.com •

5 Best Portable Cold Plunge Tubs for Small Spaces

Cold plunges may improve your mood, but the practice isn't without risks. Here are some tips from our experts on cold plunging safely.

Do: Build Your Way Up to Cold Plunges

"Begin with cold showers and cold water swimming," recommends Erik Milosevich, a certified Wim Hof instructor in Bastrop, Texas.

Once you're ready to graduate to ice baths, stick to short dips and listen to your body," says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple-board certified physician and clinical researcher in Los Angeles. "Con
Howdy •

Why ‘The City Of Eternal Spring’ Deserves A Long Weekend

Decades after the death of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, it's still hard to talk about Medellín without acknowledging its tumultuous past. Colombia's second city has come a long way in the last 30 years, transforming from the war-torn epicenter of a cocaine empire to a modern, progressive metropolis and travel hot spot — instrumental in Colombia’s recent tourism boom and hailed as one of the World's Greatest Places by TIME in 2023.
The Real Deal by RetailMeNot •

Top Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

The journey from Cusco, Peru, down to the Lake Tititcaca-side town of Puno takes about eight hours by bus. Travelers en route to Puno or the nearby Isla del Sol often take the overnight sleeper bus to arrive early the next day.

Nevertheless, I was one of only a handful of passengers riding the Puno-bound night bus on a chilly morning in 2011. It was me, a few families and a group of chatty 20-something guys from Brazil.
EverydayHealth.com •

12 Best Water Bottles Brands We Tested in 2024

The best water bottle is one that you’ll actually use — one that matches your daily activities and preferences. We tested more than a dozen water bottles, looking at temperature retention, leakage, durability, material, and other key elements. After four weeks of research (and drinking gallons of water; you’re welcome), we identified the top water bottle performers from brands like Stanley, Owala, and Hydro Flask.
EverydayHealth.com •

Circular Review 2024: Our Honest Opinion

What exactly do the Circular Slim Ring's health metrics mean, and how can this data help you lead a healthier life? To find out, I consulted with experts in cardiology, sleep, kinesiology, digital health, and tech. Here’s what they had to say.

Monitoring your heart rate can give you insight into your fitness level and heart health, explains Seth Martin, MD, a professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.

"Fitness trackers are quite accurate for determining heart rat
US News & World Report •

10 Travel Destinations to Check Out During Shoulder Season

As tourism wanes, flight, cruise and hotel prices plummet. The combination of lower prices and lighter crowds makes shoulder season one of the best times to travel. If you're able to sneak away, you can score deals on flights and hotels to dream destinations. To help you plan your autumn getaway for less, we've included 10 of the more affordable shoulder season destinations below.

1. Hawaii. During the fall, Hawaiian hotel rates fall to their lowest prices of the year. After Labor Day, tourists
RetailMeNot •

Dreamy and Dazzling Euphoria Inspired Looks To Recreate Tonight

Like many of its millions of adoring viewers, I was hooked on “Euphoria” — HBO Max’s exhilarating teen drama — by the first three minutes of the pilot episode. I voraciously consumed the first two seasons, enthralled by the hallucinatory images, stirring soundtrack and ridiculously good-looking cast. I didn’t know if I necessarily wanted to be friends with the troubled characters I saw on screen, but I did know one thing: I wanted their makeup.

From the imagination of head makeup artist Doniella Davy, “Euphoria’s” iconic makeup is bold, unconventional and enchanting. Characters wear tears of glitter, razor-sharp winged liner, daring eyeliner and artfully arranged gemstones.
The Real Deal •

The Coolest Hotels To Book During the Summer of 2022

For reasons we probably don’t need to explain, we did very little traveling over the last couple of years. But after so much time spent baking bread and re-watching “How I Met Your Mother” in our apartments, we’re itching to hit the open road.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of worthy destinations in our very own backyard. From glittery metropolises to sunny island paradises to rolling national parks, the U.S. is a treasure trove of highly desirable travel destinations.
The Real Deal •

Channel Your Inner Betty Draper With This Midcentury Furniture

Cheekily dubbed by some critics as “The Pumpkin Spice Latte of Interior Design,” midcentury modern style is everywhere you look. It’s popping up on your Instagram feeds, it’s cushioning guests on TV talk shows, it’s peppering the pages of West Elm catalogs and — of course — it’s all over our homes.

The design trend was mentioned by The New York Times in 1998, and — more than two decades later — midcentury modern is arguably more popular than ever.
RetailMeNot •

Super Affordable Makeup Dupes for Cult Favorite Beauty Products

These days, scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram feeds means navigating a minefield of targeted ads for pricey, high-end beauty products. One ad for a Korean face mask claims to banish wrinkles and under eye circles. Another for a pair of magnetic eyelashes declares it will cut the time spent on my beauty routine in half, while still another ad for an at-home microdermabrasion wand promises to make me irresistible to hunky firemen.
RetailMeNot •

Best Headphones for When You're Up in the Gym Workin' On Your Fitness

I’m an avid climber, devoted yogi and clumsy-but-no-less-determined kickboxer — but so help me, I’ll turn around and drive home if I arrive at the gym and realize I’ve forgotten my headphones. How can anyone expect me to be up in the gym just workin’ on my fitness without “Fergalicious” pumping into my ears?

I’m a firm believer (and I know I’m not alone) that a solid pair of headphones is about as essential to a good workout as a hair tie and deodorant. But they can’t just be any old pair.
Mashed •

The Untold Truth of Fast Food Playgrounds

Once upon a time, way back in the '90s, the iPad hadn't been invented yet, Boy Meets World was still on the air, and interior playgrounds at fast food restaurants weren't regarded as foul dens of germs and discarded heroine needles. During this magical age, children frolicked in ball pits and slid down slides in the playscapes of restaurants like McDonald's and Burger King. Meanwhile, their parents chatted nearby, knowing their kids were fenced in and playing someplace "safe."
Sarah Stacey Interior Design •

8 of Our Favorite BIPOC Artists and Makers

It would be remiss to write a blog highlighting the work of BIPOC artists without taking a moment to reflect on the events and conversations of the year.

Propelled by the momentum of protests following the horrific deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and Dominique “Rem’mie” Fell, the world is protesting, watching, listening, trying, speaking out, making mistakes, and — hopefully — changing.
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