Soooooooo I’ve been thinking about social media. I feel like when we first got instagram (and the icon looked totally different !!!) it was all about sharing moments. Then later it became about sharing vibes. And eventually it became about sharing updates and keeping up with people you don’t talk to anymore.

I’m not on insta anymore – I didn’t go so so far as to delete my profile but I removed the apps from my phone about two years ago. Scrolling just sucks the soul, makes me feel poor, and floods me with fake “inspo” that only makes me want to buy stuff to fill the void. Not anymore. I feel annoyingly fresh and centered now.

HOWEVER, I do miss sharing the vibes. At my insta-peak, my life was all about the travel vibes, the spa vibes, all aesthetic all day. And I miss sharing that. And the truth is, I am good at vibes. This brings us, naturally, to vibes by val – the treasure trove you didn’t ask for with recommendations and the scoop on all things beauty, wellness, travel, home & kitchen, and, most importantly, spa.

If you want to catch all the vibes as they drop, subscribe and get inspired w me!

Upcoming topics for you to get hyped about:

• honest spa reviews (South Florida focused with some worldwide moments)
• candle-making
• fraxel, chemical peels, and all things derm-approved
• yummy healthy chocolate bites
• guide to your cast iron skillet
• hawaii travel recs
• mocktail & cocktail moments

To really get the party started, I’m rewarding you with one of my fave drinks of late: the Spicy Paloma

• 1/2 cup-ish grapefruit juice
• 1 fresh lime
• tajin
• spicy bitters or sliced jalapeño (or both)
• shot of tequila or mezcal if you’re feeling frisky

Let your lime “lick” the outside of your glass, then roll the glass in tajin (this way none of it is floating in your drink). Add a big ice cube, fill the glass halfway up with grapefruit juice. Squeeze in a full lime. Add a dropper of spicy bitters if you have it (using Bitterman’s Hellfire here) and/or some sliced jalapeños on top. Finish with an optional dehydrated or fully hydrated garnish if you have it for extra vibes.