Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Fall Fashion Wishlist

It is absolutely crazy that summer is on its way out and fall on its way in! However, fall is my favorite season for many reasons - the amazing weather, fall candles, dark nail polish and lipstick, and of course, FALL FASHION! There is nothing I love more than boots, sweaters, scarves and just the fact that fall is seriously the best month for style! 

I have been pinning up a storm for items I have been coveting, and I am thinking I may take the plunge on some of these! :) 

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What have you been loving this pre-fall season? :) 

Monday, August 19, 2013

DC Weekend Recap!

It's always tough getting back into work mode after an extremely fun weekend with your friends! I got into DC Thursday night, and I flew back yesterday. I always forget how short the flight is from Charlotte to DC - literally less than an hour! 

airport outfit! Zara Jeans (old), Brandy Melville sweater (old), LV Neverfull MM, Vince Camuto Hadley Booties (so comfy)
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My best friend Monica and her husband Ben just moved into their first home about a month ago so Mon threw her housewarming parties this weekend! Friday night was the first party, Saturday we had a girls day and went shopping and then to dinner at Rasika in DC, and yesterday was the big housewarming party with all of Mon's family! It was so much fun, I didn't want to leave!

made some yummy stir fry before I left for DC - shrimp, veggies and brown rice! The good thing is Mon has a gym in her townhouse complex so I didn't have an excuse to not work out every day! Typical selfies and having a blast on Friday!
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I seriously love my friends! Saturday, we went shopping and then at night out to dinner in DC!
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My outfit Saturday night: Vince Blouse, F21 black shorts (similar here), necklaces from J.Crew and Ann Taylor, Kate Spade Watch, Aldo shoes
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Sunday was another party and Mon had the cutest decorations! It was an amazing weekend!
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In other news, I worked out every single day last week and stuck to my diet the whole time on my trip. It is pretty hard to stay on track, especially during a girls weekend. I did cheat a little with alcohol (red wine and some champagne), but I didn't take a rest day so hopefully it didn't affect it too much! Also - I hit over 1000 subscribers on YouTube on Sunday! Never ever thought I would get there, and I am so thankful for all of you that watch my videos and like them :) Have a great week everyone!

Linking up with Sami! 
Sami's Shenanigans

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Clean Eating/Heathy Trader Joe's Haul + Getting Serious

It's time to get serious. If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. About 2 years ago when I was living in California, my sister and I started working with a trainer, and it was the best shape I have ever been in. After 6 months of training, I was down to a size 4 and I literally felt amazing. However, once I moved to North Carolina & started working out on my own and being lenient on my diet, the weight slowly crept back on. I am back up the 20 lbs I had lost, and I hate it. I hate feeling uncomfortable in clothing, not feeling secure with my body, and just feeling chubby in general. There is no way around it - I have not been dedicated to my diet and exercise and that is going to change. 

My sister and I just started this past Monday working out with a trainer. I am so excited to get back into shape and feel amazing. I will definitely miss a few things (no more Luciano's flat bread or my daily glass of red wine), but I know it definitely pays off, because I have been there before and it feels incredible. I ask in the video, but would you guys be interested in weight loss/healthy videos while I am on this journey? Please let me know! I would love to share my experience because I know a lot of women struggle with this like I do.

I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, and I picked up clean-eating essentials. It is important to know what is clean and what isn't going into this lifestyle change. I can definitely share the do's and don'ts if you guys are interested. Apart from most of the stuff I bought, I get protein from egg whites, lean organic chicken breast, salmon, tilapia, and basically any other fish!

Thank you for watching! Lots of love :)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Chanel, YSL, Nars, Laura Mercier and Drugstore Beauty Haul + Mini Reviews!

Happy Tuesday! First of all - I wanted to let you guys know that I am participating in my friend Kate's b-day giveaway - hope on over to her blog and enter and show her blog some love!! I am giving away a gift card to my favorite place on earth & a bunch of other girls are doing some great giveaways too! :)

If you haven't noticed - I have been on a YouTube kick lately! I love being able to share my absolute love of beauty products with other fellow beauty addicts. I posted another beauty haul a few days ago, and wanted to share my blog as well! :) Watch & below I have written a few reviews on what I purchased!

I always try to do research of the higher end products that I want to buy. I had been contemplating the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel (Bronzing Makeup Base/Bronze Universel) for many months! I saw it used in this MakeupbyTiffanyD video and literally fell in love with it! I am pretty pale, but do have a little bit of color right now, and this is an amazing product for adding warmth and a little bit of tan to the skin. I actually recommend it for people with a lighter complexion - it is not super dark! I have been using it daily, and love it! Would you all be interested in a review and how to using this product? 

Soleil Tan de Chanel - Bronzing Makeup Base retails for $48 (I cannot seem to find it online anywhere but the Chanel website - I definitely recommend buying this in store and trying it on there - I got mine at Nordstrom. I would call ahead to make sure they have it in stock, I took the last one at the Nordstrom in Charlotte)
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 The Yves Saint Laurent lipsticks are my favorite "high end" lipsticks - I only own a few of the regular Rouge Volupté lipsticks, and I decided to try a shine while I was at Sephora. Big mistake because now I love them even more than the regulars, and want to pick up the entire lipstick line ASAP (oops). I decided to go with a pretty color that I could use now and through the fall and winter as well - I got a gorgeous berry shade that is exclusive to Sephora. 

The Rouge Volupté Shine lipsticks retail for $34 at Sephora - My color is #5 Fuschia in Excess 
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Like I said in my haul, I tend to get sick of using the palettes I have - in my defense - the last palette I had purchased was the Lorac Pro Palette last November, so I wanted to treat myself. I LOVE this palette so far - NARS eyeshadows are gorgeous - super pigmented and just overall great! 

I bought my Rise Up To The Moon Palette at Nordstrom for $45
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If you want pampering - this is the way to do it! The best body scrub I have ever used and it smells like heaven on earth!

Olay Silk Whimsy Moisturizing Body Wash 
My go-to body wash & the best part is that it is so affordable! Don't waste your money on expensive body washes for every day use - go with this one or any other of the Olay Moisture body washes!

L'oreal Total Repair 5 Haircare Line - Shampoo, Conditioner, and Dry Oil
I literally have been LOVING this line! I have been using it for about a week and am in LOVE so far - I am thinking about doing a review on my channel soon!

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
Been loving this as well - I have been using it as a mask and I really like the results so far - I feel like I have been less oily and my skin feels really refreshed!

That is it for my beauty haul - please let me know if you would like video reviews on any of these products and as always, you can request any other type of video for my channel! I am going to have another grocery haul/healthy lifestyle video and post up probably on Thursday (or maybe tomorrow) - make sure you are following me on twitter so you can keep up with me! :)
MAH TWITTER!
 
thank you for watching/subscribing - LOVE u guys! 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Weekend Recap!

Happy Monday! It is a short-ish week for me since I am taking Friday off this week to travel to DC! My best friend Mon is having a house warming party and I am so excited to see my college besties! I really do not get to see them that often since we all live in different states so it is always amazing when we are all together!

Friday night was pretty chill - my sister and I picked up my parents who were flying in from Mexico after work, and we had a late dinner at Luciano's! Saturday, I spent the whole day with my family. We went to go look at cars for my sister in the morning and then we spent the rest of the day together, and went to Luciano's yet again on Saturday! Haha, we can't get enough! I had the best food there this weekend!! Sunday was spent running errands and cleaning, and it was definitely needed!

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portabello carpaccio (my favorite) at Luciano's, hanging with my mom on Saturday, yummy ahi tuna salad at Bricktops (one of our other favorite restaurants in Charlotte) for lunch on Saturday, dinner on Saturday night was at Luciano's again! I had the zuppa de mare which is pretty much my favorite thing on the menu - mussels, calamari, shrimp, salmon and scallops - pretty much heaven for seafood lovers like me!

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My outfit from Saturday night: Rebecca Taylor Dress (old), Aldo Shoes (on major sale - so comfy too!), Tory Burch Clutch, neckaces are J.Crew and Kate Spade, Bracelet is J.Crew, Watch is Kate Spade

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minimal makeup for Sunday, the best bloody mary from Eddie's Place, and a fresh new clean eating grocery haul!! Natalie and I have our first session tonight with our new trainer, we are so excited to get back into amazing shape. SO needed. A random selfie just to throw you off.

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Monday Morning OOTD! Random blouse from K.La, Target Skirt, J.Crew necklace, and my beloved Kate Spade purse! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYBODY!

Linking up with Sami! :)
Sami's Shenanigans

Friday, August 9, 2013

Happy Friday!

FRIDAY everyone! This week literally flew by for me! I have virtually zero plans for this weekend, and that is the way I like it! I have so many crazy weekends coming up that I just want to relax as much as possible before September rolls around!

My parents get back into Charlotte after being in Mexico this past week. I am so excited to see them and relax at Luciano's! I am off to DC next Thursday and I am so excited to see my best friends :)

I finally got my shellac re-done after I let my nails breathe for a week - I usually do this every three months or so! Chloe has been staying with us for a while, and she is up to her usual crazy and bitchy antics! I will have (another) beauty haul up hopefully tomorrow or on Sunday, but I have been obsessed with my Laura Mercier scrub! I just finished up a smaller size I have been rationing since January and am so glad I picked up this new scent - Amber Vanilla (AMAZING)! I got some Lush bath bombs last time I was in Atlanta, and I used one last night - LOVE Lush! :)
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I went a little youtube crazy this past week and posted THREE videos! Catch up on them on my channel! 

This is my latest video showing you products I have used up! (such a great feeling haha)


I am beginning to approach 1000 subscribers on YouTube - which is seriously INSANE to me! I never thought I would have even 100 people watching me. So, THANK YOU for watching and subscribing, it always makes my day! :) I will be doing a huge give-away when I reach 1000 subbies! 

Have a great weekend everybody! :)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Quick and Easy Brussels Sprouts Recipe!

I have quite the obsession with Brussels Sprouts! On a day to day basis, I do not really have time to roast them in the oven, so this is usually how I cook them! So easy, so simple, and super yummy!! :) 


Love them! :) 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

My Skincare Routine + Tips!

Happy Tuesday everybody! I have been meaning to share my skincare routine for quite some while now! I filmed a video explaining my routine and share a bit about my skin's history. Fortunately, I do not have a lot of skin problems - I have never had acne or any other scarring on my face. I do have dark under eye circles (genetic), and I am obviously interested in preventing any skin damage! Check out my video and please let me know if you have any questions! All products are linked below :)


My Skincare Tips: 
- Wear SPF every single day! 
- Invest in a GOOD eye cream & face serum 
- Eat salmon! (so good for your skin) 
- Drink a lot of water 
- Take off your makeup and moisturize every night
- Buy a Clarisonic (seriously - the best skincare investment ever) 
- Do not tan in the tanning bed and when you lay out in the sun, use a high SPF! 

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Monday, August 5, 2013

Weekend Re-Cap!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I had a super relaxing weekend. Sometimes, those types of weekends are definitely needed! On Friday, my friend Richard took me to a great Indian restaurant in Charlotte - Copper & I had SUCH an amazing meal! I had the Seafood Tikka Masala & it was amazing! 

Friday night makeup
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 Saturday, I ran some errands and headed to the mall & treated myself to a few makeup items I had been eying! (I will show these in a haul for sure!)

starbucks is the way to my heart :)
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Sunday, I basically did nothing, I was in bed all day with cramps :( However, I am feeling much better today & I am totally ready to take on the week! 

Linking up with Sami! :) 
Sami's Shenanigans

Friday, August 2, 2013

Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday everyone! This week flew by! Work was super good this week, our team closed two huge contracts that we had been working on - YAY! And my week was even more amazing because.. I got a new car!!
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She is my baby and my love. It drives amazingly and well, it is just beautiful :) On Monday, my sister and I went to Zumba at the gym, and then to Whole Foods to stalk up on some necessities. Whole Foods is my happy place! Tuesday was extremely busy at work, and then I got my car and ended my night at Luciano's (where else right)! Wednesday after work, I went to a surprise party with my family for our dear friend and we had a blast. I had a little bit too much wine, and yesterday morning was not super fun for me (thank god for gatorade and doube espressos). Yesterday after work, I headed to Alive After 5 with my friend Heather at the Epicenter - it was a little less crowded than usual, but still fun! :) 

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It was definitely a great week! I don't have any set plans for the weekend, just want to enjoy it and sleep haha! I hope you all had a great week as well! A HIGHLY requested video will be up this weekend! WOO HOO! :) Have a great weekend!