So, we’ve been surviving this pandemic for quite some time now. We are coming up on our sixth month since the alarm was rung. How ya’ll feeling? I’m not gonna lie, I have good days and bad days; but overall, the socially distanced life is definitely weighing heavily, as I am sure it is for everyone. The novelty of zoom celebrations and WFH has truly worn off. Some of us are still looking for work, some of us are missing fun and excitement, some of us are beyond overwhelmed with having to homeschool little ones while working full time, and many of us are a combination of these. We are all coming from different vantage points. But, one thing is for sure and that is that we want to feel and look our best, even if we are mostly doing that from home.
While I have indeed been neglecting this blog, I did decide to launch MONDAYFRIDAY! It is an online store dedicated to matching sets and staple pieces. It’s for women who work from home and still want to feel in control of their day, look good and feel comfortable while doing it. Most of the brands I sell are made in LA, high quality, and affordable. read more
I was very hesitant to write this blog post. As much as I love style and beauty, writing about a cute pair of loungewear pants (albeit affordable) seemed to be the last thing folks want to see or hear about, especially given that the unemployment rate is over 10%, and so many people are trying to figure out what the heck they are going to do with their lives. And there is still so much uncertainty for those of us who have so far been spared. With all that said, I also know some of us are looking for an escape. When shit first hit the fan after losing my uncle, I definitely increased my spending, and I’m not one to compulsively spend. I like to call myself a “conscious spender” as I’ve written about many times on this blog. But hey, it’s what I needed at the time, and I don’t feel bad about it. I think we need to show ourselves lots of compassion – it’s okay if we temporarily fall back into some old bad habits. What we are experiencing right now is unprecedented. So, if you do have some coin to spend, I have listed a few sites I’ve been visiting to help me feel a little better about being grounded. Now, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!read more
As with most things, the more you practice yoga, the better you will become. This can involve changing the way you practice as well as trying new things. If you’re looking for ways to get the most out of your yoga practice without breaking your budget, then this article is just what you need.
Set Clear Goals
It’s easier to achieve your goals when you have a clear idea of what they are. Yoga Journal has some helpful advice for setting your goals and keeping on track. It’s recommended that you stay flexible when setting your goals while aiming for consistency in your practice. It’s best to be realistic in your expectations, so make your goals based on where you actually are in your practice. To help you accomplish your goal, consider installing a few yoga apps on your phone like 5 Minute Yoga or DailyYoga. Many apps are available for free while others may give free access for a set time. Doing yoga with an app can also give you control over how long you stay in a pose, which can help you master it. read more
The title hooked you, didn’t it? Take note that I did not say, “and have it all at the same time.” So, just simply remove that notion from your mind, effective immediately, LOL. All jokes aside, I wanted to write a blog post about how using certain habits and having a specific mindset have helped me to take full control over money, allowing me to enjoy the things in life I have always wanted. The gist is that you can have everything you want, but there are no shortcuts or quick fixes. And to be honest, 90% of it is really changing your perspective on the way you spend and save money (I will delve more into that in a separate blog post). Cue the song, Money Good by Megan Thee Stallion.read more
I want to share a few of my favorite things as of late. And maybe I should start sharing this more often. Since it’s my first time doing this, it is quite an exhaustive list. It ranges from hair and beauty to fashion and everything in between. Enjoy and feel free to comment. Hopefully, you see something you want to check out.
I also need to do a quick write up on our Park City experience during the holidays. I am so geeked to visit again next year. Park City is such an amazing little town with excellent food and activity. And I cannot wait to share with you all.
Oversized button ups are a thing for me. I first fell in love with an old Ann Taylor one I had for years that I, unfortunately, had to get rid of because it was too worn out. Then, Aritzia had a sale and I stumbled upon these two babies. The quality is THE BEST. I believe this is a chic staple everyone should have in their wardrobe. You can wear them so many different ways. I cannot live without at least one.
My boss gave all the girls on her team this necklace, and no joke, we all wear it regularly. It is so simple, yet statement-making. I layer it with my Evil Eye necklace or wear it alone.
Red booties from Zara
I got them so cheap on sale, and they are a beautiful soft red leather with tiny silver studs. I’ve worn them almost every other day. They are the perfect winter red shoe.
My hubby surprised me with these for Christmas, and I died. I was totally not expecting such an incredible shoe. Between these and the red booties, they have been the only shoes I’ve worn for the last two months. And I love that I don’t see a lot of people wearing them.
Can Dermalogica make anything I don’t like? I mean, really. Almost my entire skincare regimen is Dermalogica, and adding this wonderful oil has helped so much with dehydrated skin. I tried this before as I got it free through work. And then I just didn’t buy it again. Why? I have no idea. It’s expensive as hell but worth it. It’s lightweight and great for your skin. I use it at night and during the day by mixing it with my tinted moisturizer in the mornings, and it gives me that perfect healthy glow without doing too much and looking greasy.read more
Yesterday, I got an email reminder from The Knot that my wedding is 74 days away, and immediately text my best friend with those exact words. To which she responded, “Lord Jesus.” And by the time this blog is posted it will be less than 60 days away. I can’t believe how quickly the day is approaching, and I could not be more excited! So, I wanted to share my pre-wedding self-care and wellness preparation that I have put into practice since February, in hopes that it will help other brides-to-be. Check out my skincare, meal planning and exercise regimens below, that are leading me to the path of flawlessness for the day I say, “I do” to mi amor.
The Skin You’re In Is IN
I have always put skincare first (over makeup) because my goal is to be able go without makeup for the days I simply don’t feel like wearing it and being confident in that. The queens in my family were huge examples of self-care for me, so I was into taking care of my skin at a young age. And prior to prepping for the wedding, here was the regimen:
Cleansing: Daily Microfoliant (every other day), oil cleanse and Special Cleansing Gel
Toning: Dermalogica Age Smart toner
Moisturizing: Active Moist (using this since my early 20s), Skin Tint, and a mask here and there
Leading up to 30, I started to notice that my face felt a bit tight during the day, but didn’t think anything of it because I thought I was doing all the right things. I mean that’s already a lot freaking steps, right!?
But one day, the wonderful Rachael from Kiehl’s reached out to me to see if I wanted to experience the new Apothecary Preparationswhere they create personalized serums for you. Of course, I was game. Once I took it home, I was excited but very hesitant because it has oil in it (I tend to be oily in my t-zone), but I still tried it. And the more I used it, the more I fell in love and my skin never look better. And it clicked! I needed more hydration. At that point, two things were added to my regimen – I started using the Pixi Glow Tonic, which has 5% Glycolic Acid and the Kiehl’s serum. And it seemed like overnight I had the best skin I have had in years. The moral of the story: hydrate and exfoliate like crazy, months leading up to the big day.
