posts in LookGood

Faith, Trust and Fairy Star Dust

April 7, 2024


 “Even through your hardest days, remember we are all made of stardust.”  Carl Sagan

Spring is such a whimsical and magical season. It is a season full of hope, dreams and desires. And as I emerge from a brutal episode of the winter blues (thanks to seasonal depression), my heart is filled with so much optimism and restored faith in myself. I'm coming back home to myself. I'm intentionally starting each day with a series of positive affirmations because I need to be my biggest cheerleader if I want to create what my definition of a beautiful life will be. 

But pouring positive, self-love into myself isn't always easy. In fact, most of the time, it's really f*cking hard. I have centuries of toxic beliefs I'm fighting against - all of which tell me I'm not good enough. The societal pressures that we as women withstand can be soul-crushing. But the older I get, the more I reject what society says and lean more into following my passion. My heart's desires, and frankly - not giving a flying f*ck who looks down upon me for not following the "timeline" that our culture tries to force upon us as women. I want a magical life, full of wonder, and awe, and slow, intentional, beautiful moments. 

I watched Wish, the new Disney movie, this afternoon, and I know it was created to entertain children, but it was the beautiful reminder that I needed today. There is so much pain in the world, and life will always throw us curveballs, but there is so much joy all around us too. I've spent the last few years of my life in complete terror thinking that I'll never achieve the deepest desires in my heart. For some reason, I thought my depression was going to rob me of creating a fulfilling life. 

But as I prioritize my mental and physical well-being, and I focus on consuming uplifting content, I am reminded that everything I need to live a fulfilling life is already inside of me! I just need to have faith in myself (and God since I am Christian, but substitute in your source of spirituality here). I need to trust myself - aka know that I'll always show up for myself and can count on myself. And lately, I need to remember that I am made out of magical stardust. We all are. 

Just being alive in this sometimes scary but still quite beautiful and loving world is an act of magic. And we are our purest source of abundance as long as we learn to take care of ourselves and fill our days (and our minds) with self-love. I'm so excited to get to work and start creating a wonderful new chapter that will lead to la dolce vita. Sending you lots of love. XOXO 


P.S. Shop My Fairycore Edit 

Because I want to create an atmosphere of whimsy and enchantment all around me, and fashion is the perfect tool to do just that. 

Dresses 


Tops 


Accessories 


Spring Treats 

Spring Musings: A love letter to brighter days ahead

March 17, 2024




"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also." - Harriet Ann Jacobs


Spring is truly such a magical and enchanting season. The sunny, whimsical season completely breathes new life into me and restores my faith in myself when it comes to creating a life well-lived. For the past year, I've honestly felt so drained. Like I have nothing to give to myself and nothing to give to others. Like all hope in a brighter future is gone because I'm too "behind" in life.  And I hate that feeling; mainly because those thoughts are LIES. But also because I show up in my life and operate at a higher level when I'm navigating life with a positive mindset. And I hate that I lost that positive outlook for a prolonged period. 

 But lately…. I've felt a glimmer of my old self. The person who’s excited about life. Who finds small ways to romanticize even the most mundane parts of my day. The person who loves playing dress up and sees the good in the world. The person who creates vision boards of the places I want to travel to and window shops for the outfits I'll wear during these travels. The person who is excited to connect with others and pour love into the world. I’ve missed that version of me. But with the overdue warmth of spring, I’m starting to get her back. And I couldn't be more excited. 

This year has forced me to go through a cleansing era, so to speak. All the issues I'd been brushing under the rug are resurfacing, and I know this may sound masochistic, but I'm really grateful for the painful Spring Cleaning season I WAS experiencing (key word is was because we are speaking positivity over our lives today). 

Because I'm releasing so much heavy energy, I'm feeling so much lighter this season. And that means I'm able to show up for myself in the ways I was previously neglectful. One annoying thing I've come to accept about myself is that for me to continue feeling light, invigorated, and inspired, I have to take really good fucking care of myself and find ways to make the smallest, "boring" parts of my day euphoric and extraordinary. Showing up like that is hard work for someone who has chronic depression (aka me), but moving through the rough emotions and being disciplined with how I take care of myself is always, always, always worth the extra effort. 

I still have a lot of work to do to get back into the mindset of wholeheartedly believing in myself and in my dreams, and daydreaming about all the magical muses spring brings is a huge part of that process. 

Here are a few of my monthly muses that are restoring my soul:

  1. Colorful dresses 
  2. Pastel tweed sets 
  3. Bright Pilates outfits 
  4. Alfresco lunches 
  5. Lavender ice lattes
  6. Picnics in the park 
  7. Long walks along the water 
  8. Rooftop happy hours 
  9. Open-towed shoes 
  10. Trench coats 
  11. Beautiful floral blooms 
  12. Reading under a shady tree 
  13. Outdoor paint & sip sessions
  14. Dancing under the stars 
  15. Dressing up for Sexy stiletto heels dance classes and pole dancing classes 
  16. Relaxing in an outdoor pool during a spa trip 
  17. Dirty martini breaks during shopping sprees 
  18. Weekend getaways 
  19. Podcast walks with fruit-infused water 
  20. Garden dinner parties 
  21. Outdoor lunch breaks 
  22. Walking barefoot in the grass 
  23. Sipping smoothies right after going to a workout class with a friend 
  24. Fresh, dewy makeup looks 
  25.  Dressing up for outdoor first, second, and third dates (and hopefully, more once I find love)
  26. Picking out fresh fruit and veggies at the farmer's market 
  27. Dancing the night away 
  28. Meandering through one of the beautiful neighborhoods I live near (Paulus Hook, Hamilton Park, West Village, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, Tribeca, Soho, Brooklyn Heights, Harlem)
  29. Purging my wardrobe and belongings during a fun spring cleaning weekend 
  30. Discovering a waterfall on a beautiful hike 
The list goes on and on, but these are a few things I'm fighting for this spring. Life has a way of breaking our hearts, but there are so many beautiful things to cherish that make life worth living, and sometimes we just need a little reminder of how beautiful this life can be. 

Shop my Spring Muses Edit below. 

October Edit: Seasonal Mood board + Sunday Inspiration

October 9, 2022


 

Ah, it finally feels like autumn is in full swing! October is probably my favorite month of the year. Between the festive and spooky decor, fall activities, Halloween costumes, events and celebrations, perfect weather, and fall fashion - October is abundant with magical moments. I firmly believe in romanticizing your life, and October makes it extremely easy to do so. 

This evening, I want to list all the things I love about fall and schedule a ton of activities (small and large) to soak up the season. I'm talking about trips to the farmers market, apple picking, baking days, cozy movie marathons, decorating, fall foliage trips, outdoor movie nights, and on and on. But for some reason, I keep hitting this huge wall of resistance that's telling me not to bother dreaming about the lifestyle I want because it's not going to happen. So I'm learning to sit with the doubt and sorrow and say "ok, I hear you brain, but these thoughts aren't facts or helpful so keep it moving brain. I'm not listening to those mean self-deprecating thoughts." 


I'm sure that waking up sick contributed to my negative thoughts spiral because all of my productive plans got thrown out the window. But at the same time, I'm learning to relish these slow days that force me to rest and are void of running around the city, void of heavy drinking, and therefore; void of crippling hangovers. So since my Sunday has been dedicated to catching up on sleep and rest, here are a few fun and frugal fall things I'm scheduling for myself this week: 

  • Put up fall and Halloween decor 
  • Sit down and create my budget for the rest of the year while treating myself to a pumpkin spice latte. 
  • Make some extra cash through my favorite rating site - usertesting.com 
  • Squeeze in a few pole and pilates classes this week (as long as I'm not sick) 
  • Photograph and post all the fall pieces I've been trying to sell on curtsy 
  • Spend Sunday planning and scheduling my upcoming week 
  • Create my weekly menu and meal prep 
  • Connect with new guys on dating apps... if I feel up to it. TBH, I HATE using dating apps, but I would love to find the right partner, and I'm aware that I need to put in the work to meet him. During the process, I keep reminding myself that what I'm seeking is also seeking me. So cheers to all of us who are focusing on cultivating healthy and happy relationships with ourselves and others. 
  • Edit all the video footage I filmed last weekend. 
  • Catch up on a few career and business masterclasses - I've been craving a mini fall work retreat via a pretty cabin in the woods. Imagine jetting off to a cute cabin in the woods and working on your dreams by the fireplace, sipping on a glass of wine, and looking out at a beautiful lake while the sun sets. DREAMY!!  I haven't been showing up for my some of my dreams lately and that's just not the type of person I want to be. I want to make myself proud and that starts with showing up for my business. 
  • And last but certainly not least, planning my fall capsule wardrobe, I am in desperate need of all things leather - leather trench coat, leather pants, leather dresses and leather combat boots in multiple colors. Fall fashion is truly the best. 
Fall Pieces On My Radar



How are you planning to spend your upcoming week? I'd love to know in the comments below! And thank you for showing me some love and support by reading this post. It truly means the world to me. Wishing you a lovely Sunday evening. 



Frugal Luxuries: Memorial Day Weekend Guide

May 22, 2020

Photo by engin akyurt 

Who would have thought that this memorial day weekend would be during a pandemic? This year has been pretty scary and intense, so I believe it's extremely important to celebrate every holiday we can. But since we really don't know what the economy is going to look like for the next few months, I believe it is crucial to learn to have fun without going broke or spending a ton of money. We just have to get a little creative. Here are a few ways to make this weekend special while staying frugal. 

First things first. We have to start off the weekend by thanking everyone who has fought to keep us safe. Since most IRL events to honor vets are out of the question, some ceremonies are going to be held virtually. Check this article out if you're interested in live-streaming one.


Photo by Brooke Lark 

Fancy alfresco breakfast or lunch (or do these things inside if the weather sucks) 

  • Fresh flowers in a vase - can pick up affordable bouquets at the grocery store or can pick some from your backyard/the park. This just elevates the atmosphere and gives you another reason to smile while you eat. 
  • Drink out of a pretty coffee mug and eat off a pretty plate - this just adds a little pizzazz and elevates the experience. Trust me. 
  • Wear something comfy and that you feel sexy in. For me that's Vintage lacy satin slip dresses, slip camis and shorts, and fluffy slippers. I love wearing slip dresses because they are effortless and create this regal look. I got mine from Zara last year for like $30 ... an amazing bargain. Slip dresses are popping up everywhere so it shouldn't be hard to find one online (but you probably have something satin-like in your closet or underwear drawer). Walmart and Target also have pretty affordable slip dresses in the underwear section. 

  • Play music while you cook. Maybe you're in the mood for jazz and mimosas; maybe you're in the mood for Megan Thee Stallion and shaking that ass while you cook. Both vibes are really fun. 
  • If you don't want to be alone, setting up a Facetime/Zoom with a friend(s) while you eat is a therapeutic and safe way to feel less lonely.  
  • If the weather will allow it and you have a backyard, rooftop or balcony, eat outside. Getting in vitamin d while enjoying delicious food is seriously one of the best luxuries in life that I do not take advantage of enough. 
  • Drape a white sheet or table cloth over your table while you eat. You can get table cloths at the dollar tree or target for like $1-$3, and you'll feel like you are dining in a chic restaurant (minus the hazardous crowds and pricey bill). Or just bring a blanket and pillows to eat on the ground. That's fun too
Budget-friendly Breakfast/Brunch Menu

  • eggs 
  • blueberries 
  • parsley (mainly for decor lol)
  • strawberries 
  • waffle or pancake mixs (I like to make healthier, low-carb protein pancakes like these from TIU) 
  • turkey bacon
Photo by Alexandra K 


Frugal & Delicious Lunch Menu 
  • watermelon (or any fruit but watermelon makes me think of summer)
  • sandwiches (try these low-carb cauliflower sandwich thins from Whole Foods. I really love them after they've been toasted for a few minutes) 
  • Popsicles!!!! And you can plop them in a glass of champagne or rosé for a fancy drink. These all look amazing and easy to make. Making popsicles is fun if you have a mold, but Trader Joes has some healthy pre-made options. 
  • carrot sticks. I just like how they crunch.  


Photo by Elizabeth Explores 

Go on a pretty walk or hike 


  • Bring water w/ infused fruit and snacks to spice up the walk while you stay hydrated.  
  • Listen to fun podcasts, entertaining audiobooks, or put together an upbeat music playlist to enjoy during your time outside.
  • Walk down a new and inspiring street - make sure it's in a safe area and your phone is fully charged. 
  • If you live within walking distance of a park or beach, bring a pen, notebook and colored pencils so you can journal or sketch somewhere along your walk. 

Pinterest

Elevate your movie marathon set up 

The ideal set up would be to watch outside in warm weather and a pre-downloaded movie on your laptop (and a white sheet + movie projector to connect to your laptop to show out). Throw in snacks, blankets, bug spray, sunblock, and a cheap bottle of wine or hard seltzers and this sounds like the perfect evening.

But if the weather is crappy, building a fort in the living room and draping Christmas lights around your area is a great way to change the ambiance and create a cozy space.


Photo by Thought Catalog 

Travel by reading a book
Curling up with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, while you read, is such a peaceful, yet exciting experience. I love to play light piano music, jazz music, or classical music in the background while I read (it makes me feel like I'm in a swanky lounge or coffee shop). I couldn't be more excited to travel again (when it's safer of course) with friends and loved ones to a quaint get-a-way. But until then,  traveling via books is a pretty fun and affordable way to escape reality for a few hours. 



Photo by sheri silver 

Wear a festive outfit 
We all have red, white, and blue stuff. Why not get dressed up in a weird or tacky outfit just for shits and giggles. I wish I had USA-themed press-on tattoos that I could put on or USA-themed party favors I could wear. I bet Target has fun stuff in the dollar section. Spending $2-$5 on random themed trinkets at Target is a fun and hella cheap way to make the day feel a little more special. 

Check Out Some SalesI know we should be prioritizing saving a ton of money right now, but I still believe in treating ourselves a little bit (keyword being a little... something I'm struggling to master lol). And there are a few bomb-ass holiday sales right now. I have a few things on my wishlist, so if I find really great deals, I might buy one or two things. Or I might throw the money into savings. Like I said on my IG stories the other day, I set a weekly savings goal for myself, so after I meet it, I feel less guilty about treating myself a little bit. 

Yeah, I could save even more and live on rice and beans right now, but I'm slowly getting better at saving instead of going too extreme by restricting myself, only to end up going on a binge spending spree because I feel so deprived, and then hating myself for not keeping my promise to myself. I'd rather go slow and steady and win the financial wellness race than go hard in the paint temporarily and end up sabotaging myself right after. My weekly treat might be a piece of lingerie (only if it's on sale) I've been eyeing, or it might be buying the ingredients to make boozy popsicles. Both are fun and won't hurt my wallet.


Memorial Day Weekend Sales (Because paying full-price for stuff is annoying) 
Don't forget to use Honey or Rakuten when you shop for the best deals and to get cashback. I have these plugins installed on my chrome browser. And my links above should help you get gift cards or a $25 credit after your first shopping trip. 

  • Target - 25% off patio items & furniture!! YAAASSSS  Plus they are having a ton of sales on other items too 
  • Revolve - Extra 20% off sale items... don't sleep on this 
  • Lulus - 50% off sale items ... um like what! crazy!!
  • Showpo - they keep having random flash sales like every single day so I'd check their IG/ IG stories for codes while you browse. I linked to 10 of my favorite dresses from their sale section - all between $20-$40!!!! I bought the white maxi featured below because omg how beautiful is that dress and for only $26!!! I'll be ready to snatch all the sugar daddies on my next trip to the grocery store. 
Dresses: one, two, three, four, five

Dresses: one, two, three, four, five


Thanks so much for taking a moment out of your day to read this post! I hope you feel inspired to celebrate the holiday during this interesting time. Wishing you all the love and safety this holiday weekend.

The Beauty Edit: My Glow Up Wish List

May 4, 2020

Photo by DoÄŸukan Åžahin

I have to admit that I haven't always prioritized taking care of my skin and nails. In the past, if I avoided sugar and managed my stress, my skin stayed pretty clear... but as I get older, my skin is changing. And that means it needs waaay more TLC.

My hands and nails are the same way. I used to paint my nails all the time. It was such a fun and relaxing activity, but the busier I became and the more drained I felt, the less I made time to sit down and give myself a mani/pedi at home. I miss looking down at my fingernails and smiling. I've been craving a pop of pastel color on my nails. I'm really loving the Essie Spring 2020 collection. I was hoping I could buy the entire collection in a set, but can't seem to find that. The main colors I want are Feeling Wellies, Spring in Your Step, and Make A Splash. And guess what, I'm weak, so I'm going to buy them. I'll wait to try the other colors though. I gotta draw the line somewhere haha.





As far as skincare goes, I think it is time for me to get a toner and to invest in a face moisturizer. Using normal ass lotion used to do the trick for me, but my skin has been pretty dry during the lockdown. I also want to add a product to tackle all the pollution my skin deals with from living and working in the city. I just want dewy, clear, glowing skin. I do notice that my diet and water consumption have the biggest impact on my skin, but products can help me get what I want faster lol. 

I also have my eye on a few makeup products to achieve this dewy, glowing skin look I'm now obsessed with. I've seen a few beauty gurus using these products and have read a few reviews on each product. I plan to add them to my makeup routine strategically over the next few months so I don't destroy my wallet. I only bought mascara (I swear by Wander Beauty's "Mile High Club" one. It's clean and makes my lashes look incredible! Magic tbh) and two Fenty Beauty lipsticks during the Sephora Spring sale because I am practicing self-control. I am SOOOO excited for the products and samples I'm getting to come in the mail tho. I know I need to prioritize exfoliating and moisturizing so I picked the cult fav Dr. Gross exfoliating sheets and a random face moisturizer. I want the rose moisturizer by Fresh real freaking bad, but patience is a virtue so I shall wait until I hit my next savings goal before I get it. 

What I bought and what I'm sampling from Sephora 


Here is a list of the beauty items I'm prioritizing and saving for this spring/summer. I'm really trying to be more financially responsible without completely depriving myself so I'll buy an item or two at a time while I contribute to my beauty/wardrobe budget to save for the rest. TBH, starting a wardrobe/beauty fund has been the best decision I've ever made. This way I can still treat myself to the things that bring me joy without going into debt or feeling guilty because I already made space in my budget for a little retail therapy. #responsibleshopping

  • Chanel Coco Noir Perfume - been out of this for a few months and really miss it! Need to replace mine
  • Dewy skin drops - this one from Glossier looks fun
  • A brightening and complexion evening product. Gonna do some research on this. If anybody has a good recommendation, please let me know! 
  • Overnight Skin Repair serum - guys the stuff I have by Truly Organic is like magic for my skin! The one I've been using for the past year is discontinued so I'm determined to find a dupe. It always clears up my skin overnight. Dark Magic I swear. 
  • Under-eye illuminating powder - I just want bright eyes. It makes all the difference. 
  • Vitamin C eye treatment- trust me when I say I need this ish. I'm sick of looking like a zombie 
  • I found out about this Illuminating Color Correcting SP 50+ Cream from Lorna Luxe and I NEED IT! She did a try on with one side of her face in the illuminating and the other side with the matte cream and OH MY GOD!! This is at the absolute top of my list. It's exactly what I've been looking for. And it has SPF in it so I won't need to put on sunscreen. Winner Winner chicken dinner 



What's at the top of your beauty wish list? I'm hoping that Sephora and Ulta have more sales throughout the summer... I have a feeling they will. 

The Sanity Edit: Everything I've Been Loving For A Mental Escape

April 6, 2020

Photo by Dan Russo 

Here are a few things that have been keeping me slightly more sane and helping me tackle the daily anxiety caused by RoRo (that's coronavirus for all my non-ebonics speaking pals... lmao) 

One: Virtual Workouts and Dance Classes 
I miss my workout classes and dance classes so freaking much. But technology is amazing and there are so many great free workouts on IG and Youtube. They have been such a blessing right now. I'm really into this Dance Body resistance band workout - it's short but really freaking hard! I also really like all of the full-body workouts Revolve has been sharing on IGTV in collab with fitness gurus. The workouts by Katrina have been my favorite because I've followed Tone It Up for years and she is really motivational/pushes you to keep going through the workout and I NEED an extra push to power through a workout lol.


And OMG my literal prayers have been answered by all the virtual choreographed dance classes. I'm obsessed with these three routines to some of my favorite songs like Skin, Girls Need Love and Captain Hook. I will probably purchase one or two over the course of the month because they are super cheap (btw $5-$10) and are the best parts of my day hands down.

Two: All The Grilled Food
Whether you have a real grill or even just a mini George Foreman, I highly recommend grilling any and everything in your fridge. From pineapple to sweet potatoes, or from seafood to burgers, there is something about grilled food. It adds an extra sense of fun, flavor and sometimes luxury feel to every meal. My favorite meal at the moment is grilled salmon paired with grilled zucchini. Uh, I'm so hungry right now.

Three: Cute Loungewear During the Work Week
I've been loving wearing a mix of loungewear and cute outfits. Cute outfits have been reserved for weekends, running to the grocery store biweekly and nature walks.  But when I'm being productive, I'm all about the cute loungewear. Here are a few pieces that I have my eye on or own. Although I am currently furloughed and pretty anxious about money right now, I did treat myself to a $10 lounge set from Boohoo (sold out now) and a $20 pink striped PJ set (linked below) last night because I wanted to reward myself for being so productive this past week, for previously setting aside money for an emergency and for pushing through a pretty insense depressive state. And I know I am significantly more productive (and have more positive thoughts) when I feel cute vs. when I look and feel like an underbridge troll.


Four: Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu
Kerry Washington AND Reese Witherspoon... do I even need to say more? No, I don't. I'm completely and utterly obsessed and this is the exact escape I need each week. Thanks, Hulu.


Five: Short Guided Meditations to Stop My Anxiety Attacks in their Tracks
So I have this natural ability to really work myself up in a completely unhealthy and sometimes paralyzing manner.

There are a million fearful thoughts running through my mind like.... (prepare for an anxiety rant in three, two, one and skip this paragraph if you think it might trigger you) how the fuck am I going to pay rent this summer if I'm not working by then? Are my mom and brother going to be safe since they are both high-risk? If they get sick, will I even be able to travel there to take care of them or be there if they don't beat the virus? How can I keep paying down debt or pay any of my bills after my emergency fund is gone if unemployment checks are severely delayed? How many people are going to pass away from this virus before a vaccine is ready? Will I have to give up on my dreams and move away from my beloved NYC if this doesn't end soon? What if there is something wrong with my unemployment application and I'm denied... how will I even afford food after my emergency savings run out? Is my career field obsolete since I work in the fashion industry? Is all my hard work from the past 4 years and the promotion I worked my ass off for just gone down the toilet now? Will I be able to afford my dance and pole classes at my gym because they are one of the best things in my life? And the list of fears continues; just like I'm sure your list of fears is ever-growing right now.

But, as we all know, letting thoughts like these control our minds only hurts us. So when I get in this anxiety tornado, I roll out my yoga mat, lie down, focus on breathing and listen to a short guided meditation or calming video/podcast. This usually helps me reset and calm the actual fuck down in five to ten minutes. TBH, I even did this when we were all still working in an office because I keep a blanket at my desk.

One positive thing that has come out of this craziness has been the increase in free mental health resources for us. I know this is a crappy freaking time but we are badasses and pretty resilient. We are gonna emerge stronger than ever after all this. Sending you all the love, and thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Your support means the absolute world to me.

DIY Beauty Treatments + Plus Luxe Beauty Products On My Wish List

April 3, 2020

Photo by Holger Link 


If you have been living life anything like me right now, you’re probably drinking a lot more wine than usual. And for me, the surplus of sugar in my diet (and the insane decrease in physical activity) is causing my skin to freak the heck out...yay me. Since my main source of income is currently on pause, I need to save every penny I can. Because I’m living a little more frugally right now, I decided to research a few DIY skincare treatments that I can make using the ingredients in the kitchen. But I’m not a freaking dermatologist or beauty expert, so if you decide to make any of the beauty treatments below, make sure you freaking spot test them and google if the ingredients you are using are good for your skin type/you aren’t allergic to them. I know that I have pretty sensitive skin, so I know what to gravitate towards and what to stay away from. 


But if you don’t feel like turning your kitchen into a chem lab, I’ve linked to a few products I’ve heard great things about or have used myself. Because if you have the funds (and have emergency savings), why not treat yourself to a nice skincare product. Everything is freaking on sale right now, so might as well take advantage of them if you’re in a healthy financial place.

Pro Tip: I have the Rakuten (was previously called Ebates) chrome extension so I pretty much get cash back from every purchase. It's kind of crazy not to make a free account. I need to download the mobile app so I can save money when I shop on my phone.

OOOOHHH, and please leave a comment below letting me know what your favorite at-home beauty treatments/products are. I’d love to add some things to my beauty wish list/to-do list. Wishing you a day full of tranquility and luxury… from the comfort of your home lol.


DIY Beauty Treatments 


Exfoliation scrubs via YouTube
I want to try this Coconut oil + sugar scrub. I can tell that my skin needs to be exfoliated real bad. And this would be a fun face and full-body scrub. Plus, I don’t have to worry about sun damage post-exfoliation because it’s not like I’m spending much time outside. 

This person uses normal white sugar for her scrub, so I think whatever you have in your kitchen will work.

This two-ingredient coffee scrub looks awesome too! I'm trying both of these scrubs this month. 



Moisturizing serum 
This honey and coconut oil serum sounds lovely! I imagine it would smell like heaven. Apparently, you pair it with this apple cider vinegar toner to balance the PH of your skin.

P.S. apple cider vinegar is a basic staple for me. From stomach issues to lady who-ha issues, apple cider vinegar usually fixes my ish real quick. 



Detoxifying Masque 
This Green Tea & Raspberry Masque sounds pretty luxurious. I'm very excited to try this.

Acne treatment 
I like to use toothpaste or ice to spot treat pimples. Both usually get rid of pimple inflammation for me pretty quickly. Ice works faster for me, but it’s way less pleasant. I used the toothpaste trick this morning and after 30 minutes, the redness was significantly reduced.


Hair Masque 
This avocado hair masque sounds dreamy!! I know this would be hella messy, but half of the time when I buy avocados, they go bad before I can eat them so this will help me be less wasteful.


Lip Treatment
My boss gave me this super luxurious, high-end overnight lip masque for my birthday but I left it at work before the country lockdown!! I love it so much and actually used it during the day too. So now I need to make a lip scrub to use while we are quarantined, and this overnight one looks pretty legit.


Luxe Beauty Products to Try



Thank you for taking a minute to read this post, and extra special thanks to anyone who shops the affiliates links in this post. I only make like 30 cents from a sale, but 30 cents is waaaaayyyy better than nothing. Wishing you and your family happiness and health. 



Resort Wear 2020: Looks Inspired by Love Island

March 1, 2020

Photo by STIL 

I've been loving reality tv lately!! I don't know where this obsession came from. Well; actually, I do. It's called peer pressure. So many of my friends and family members have gotten me hooked on 90 Day Fiance, Love  Is Blind and Love Island UK. And i'm currently streaming season 4 of the UK Love Island series. I can't get enough. The messiness of the show is addictive and the fashion is top notch. I'm so excited for summer when I can actually wear these wear-weather outfits. I know for sure that I'll be packing most of the outfits below for yacht week. AHH, so excited. And if I'm lucky, I'll be able to afford a small weekend getaway to a warmer location in May or June. But if not, I'm still excited to start planning my resort/vacation wardrobe for the year as well. I hope the outfits below help you get excited for warmer weather too.

Oh, and let me know if you are watching the UK version of Love Island too! I'm planning to catch up on season 6 as soon as I finish season 4, and I know the fashion will not disappoint.


Outfit 1: White Lace See-through Robe + White Bathing Suit

This outfit is inspired by Meg and Rosie's photoshoot after a messy break-up. Gotta love the drama... but also I thought this outfit was chic and sexy for sure! 10 out 10 gotta recreate this look this summer.


Outfit 2: Black One Shoulder Top + Cheetah Mini
Hayley was an interesting character, but the girl knew how to dress. If this isn't an A+ brunch to night out on the town outfit, then I don't know what is. I need to get my hands on a one shoulder top asap and stop sleeping on this revived trend.


Outfit 3: Red Midi Dress with Slit

This outfit is actually inspired by the twins from season 6. I don't remember their names but that's neither here nor there. I would google their names, but I can't risk the potential spoilers. I envision wearing this outfit to an elegant al fresco dinner underneath the stars. How dreamy.


Outfit 4: White Lace Top + White Tailored Shorts

I am not going to lie, I spent over an hour looking for a dupe to a long-sleeve white lace peek-a-boo top that Mag wore in one of the episodes. I am so upset that I couldn't find anything similar, but the white lace top featured above creates a similar affect.

Outfit 5: Sexy One Piece Swimsuit


All the girls on the show consistently wore adorable swimsuits. I especially loved all the one pieces that were featured on the show. I took lots of notes for my next vacation!

Monthly Muses: January

January 27, 2020

Photo by Jason Leung

Although I'm a tad bit sad to say goodbye to my birthday month, I am ready to see what else 2020 has in store. I really thought I knew what I wanted out of life, but this month has helped reveal to me new priorities in my life. I will always be an ambitious woman, but with each week that passes, I value slowing down more and more. I want to cook with friends and loved ones more. I want to enjoy a bottle of wine with a special someone and engage in stimulating conversation. I want to spend 30 extra minutes in the morning putting on a cute outfit and doing my hair and makeup. I want to go on looooong walks in the park or go on a hike.

I LOVE the energy in NYC, but I also need rest and slow living to balance out the hustle and grind. Life is full of so many incredible moments and we can cultivate incredible relationships if we take the time to do so... that's what I want to focus on this year. As more and more of my cherished friends move away from NYC, I'm really starting to cherish the simpler moments with them. I never would have expected the 26-year old version of me to value slowing down so much - but I know I need both mindful living and constant growth/development to feel fulfilled. Now I'm just hoping to continue to grow my community and attract like-minded people into my life.

As you can imagine, the things I've been gravitating towards this month reflect my slow-living focus shift. So below are a few things that have been putting a smile on my face during this abundant, yet insanely stressful month.

Netflix & Chilling - just to escape for an hour... or three
Money Heist
The Morning Show (Apple TV)
Schitt's Creek

Devin Brugman's Low Carb Diet IG Stories Highlight
Devin is one of my favorite content creators/ entrepreneurs. She is the co-founder of a luxury swimwear line that provided amazing options for bustier women... aka me. And she shared the most delicious meal ideas for anyone who thrives on a low-carb diet... also me. I am excited to get back to this lifestyle. I loved going low-carb last year. But tbh, I didn't make enough money to sustain it and I was lazy to cook that much. But now that I have a higher income and actually want to dedicate time to cooking,  I plan to make her dishes on repeat

Decluttering
I truly have too much freaking stuff. It's a real problem, so I've been researching like crazy to come up with a storage system for my tiny ass room. I constantly get rid of things that I no longer want/ don't inspire me. But when you have a small bedroom and share an apartment with roommates, there comes a time where the issue is the size of the space and not the number of things you own. I love organizing and I love the container store, but I'm not trying to spend a lot of money on this project. I know there has to be a creative solution, and I'mma find it.

Pinterest
I think I like Pinterest more than Instagram TBH. It is just so easy to find an infinite amount of inspiration and helpful info.

Cute Winter Boots/Snow Boots
I am so sick of feeling like an ugly potato every day at work wearing jeans or leggings with my sneakers. I need a pair of comfortable, durable and warm, flat OTK boots that are weather-resistant and affordable. I also need to invest in a quality pair of snow boots that I won't be depressed to wear. Thank the lord for DSW. I'll be purchasing these two items ASAP.

Feathers and Oranza Elements
I love the retro glamour that these two features add to any element. Adding a little extra something to my outfit always puts a smile on my face.  And Boohoo always has fun pieces at a super low price, so I don't have to be irresponsible to enjoy this trend (currently the entire site is 50% off so the prices are even cheaper than what's reflected in my picks below).


Thanks so much for taking a minute to read this post! What's been inspiring you this month?



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