Hey everyone! Sorry about the lack of content- December is usually pretty busy for me and this past December has been the busiest yet- but in a good way. Lots of exciting things and JOMO going on tbh. Don't worry- I did not forget about you though!

It's been quite a year for me. Already a quarter of a century old, I've accomplished so much in the past 365 days. I've accomplished many goals, such as securing financial stability and traveling outside of the country for the first time. I've also received many blessings, such as getting to marry the love of my life, surviving a potentially deadly car accident, and making and developing friendships. Of course, I've eaten a lot of great food in 2018 as well! There are so many photos from my camera roll that I could share, but I don't even think that Air Drop could really capture the joy experienced in each memory. I just want you all to remember that life isn't meant to be lived through photos on social media- enjoy every moment that you can without fearing not being able to capture it. As long as it's captured in your memories, that's all that really matters. That being said, I just wanted to share some of my favorite snapshots from 2018.

Tee, Camisole, Handbag / Vintage Jeans / Parker Smith Shoes / UGG Australia / Similar Here

I finally managed to convince my husband to cross the Martin County line this weekend and venture to Miami for some Art Basel Events. We were very lucky to get free tickets to the Red Dot show from one of his client's. I was especially happy because the event was held in Wynwood, which is my favorite neighborhood in Miami. If you are not familiar, Wynwood is a revitalized neighborhood south of Little Haiti- it has become an epicenter for arts, food, culture, and shopping. The area is famous for its graffiti walls, which cover almost every structure in the neighborhood. During Art Basel especially, you can see artists working on some of these walls.

Art Basel is also a place for people to step up their fashion game - many celebrities make an appearance wearing some of the hottest designer clothing. (PS we totally saw Johnny Depp!!) When I go to an event like this, I always want to be sure that I am being true to myself as well as being put together. I thought that a combination tee shirt and camisole would add a little extra sophistication to a jeans-and-tee shirt look. My Calf-Hair smoking shoes that I have had for ages (and should probably get re-soled) make the look super chic, and are perfectly balanced with my cropped Parker Smith jeans. I scored these on consignment for $30- I have to say, I really love the fit and plan to check out more from the brand! I also have this cute woven Nine West bag that I thrifted, and it fit all of my trinkets and belongings perfectly. I was hands-free all night!

Details

Red Dot was held at Mana Wynwood and had a lot of really cool pieces! We saw some original Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring paintings, as well as some very interesting woodwork pieces from a French artist named Daniel Rene. My husband and I are not wealthy or big art collectors, but it was interesting to see all different kinds of art and design, and watch other people's reactions to them. I also enjoyed a lot of the 3D art and installations. I did not take photos of art to respect the integrity of the artist, but I did snap photos where allowed.

by Andres Celis

by Fernando Guardazzi

Wynwood

Hive Wynwood

Spectrum Miami - Mana Wynwood

Plant The Future Installation

Refreshment :)

Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co.

Sweater, Dress, Bag / Vintage Peacoat / Old Navy / Similar Here Boots / Sam Edelman / Similar Here

I swore that I when I moved to Florida, I would never spend another winter up north. While my husband and I have held true to this, I do get homesick during the holidays. There is something about the chill in the air and cozy layers than bring out the holiday spirit. Even though I had a hard time getting my suitcase to close, I packed my favorite chunky sweaters as well as some of my favorite jeans and dresses/skirts to pair them with. I'm the type of person who is always cold even in the summer, so I had to make sure that I had lots of options to choose from when layering, depending on the weather.


When it comes to layering, especially in the winter, I love mixing textures and patterns but in a strategic way. I like to take a heavy, luxurious knit and pair it with softer patterns such as florals or silk. Luckily, the temperature was mild for most of the Black Friday weekend (well, not counting the snow storm that hit on Sunday night...) so I was able to get away with layering this gorgeous tan cable knit sweater with my favorite vintage cotton dress.  I picked up this black Peacoat from Old Navy in desperation for a business trip to New York this past January- even though it is a bit large, it has a chic, oversized fit that looks intentional. It also keeps my pretty warm, so I can't complain. My boots are one of my favorite pairs in my closet. They have the perfect pointed toe and ankle height that just seem to go with everything- jeans, skirts, dresses, etc. Sam Edelman never ceases to disappoint when it comes to reasonably priced, quality shoes. To complete the look, I added my go-to bag of the moment for some more pattern and texture mixing. The chain and sheen of the leather offset the soft, feminine silhouette of the dress and physical fabrication of the sweater.

This look was perfect for picking out the family Christmas tree and later, hanging out at some of our favorite old spots in Chicago with my husband and our friends. It is chic without being overdone, and extremely comfortable in the right weather. If it were a bit colder, some black opaque tights could be added for an extra layer of warmth.

I have to be honest: sleeping is one of my favorite activities. I don't stay up late, but I also don't like to get up in the morning before my body actually wants to. I have perfected the art of night showers and overnight oats, and just recently have found my perfect 5-minute face.

This is not a look that I do every day- some days I want a different color blush, maybe some eye shadow if we have a big meeting at work or if I need to be feeling really good about myself on a stressful deadline. My 5-minute face is my fail-safe. Not only does it allow me to look polished in the morning, but I can also fit it in just about any small makeup bag and carry with me for any touch-ups. I know that using these products will always make me look healthy, awake, and refined.

1. Base/Concealer

I honestly hardly wear foundation anymore. I used to not be able to live without it- but thanks to a climate change and dermatologist visits, I feel more comfortable in my own skin more than ever. I like using Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light to even out some dark spots, redness, and under eye circles. I buff this in with a Real Techniques Setting Brush-  I learned this from makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. This allows for a seamless, glowy look. My skin is on the dry side right now so I don't feel the need to set with powder.

2. Brows

Boy Brow forever. I already have naturally dark, thick eyebrows and really just need to refine them and keep their shape. Boy Brow in Brown is perfect for me- it isn't too warm or too ashy, and lasts all day.

3. Cheeks

I seriously need to own more Fenty Beauty products. I purchased this Matchstix in Yacht Lyfe on a whim and have fallen in love with it. It is the prettiest coral peach shade with a touch of shimmer. It makes me look like I've been out in the sun. I simply buff a bit onto the apples of my cheeks and blend out.

4. Highlighter

Weleda Skinfood is one of my favorite products of all time. It is an all-natural moisturizer that can be used on your hands, feet, face, under eye area, etc. What you may not know is that it makes an amazing highlighter. I dab a little bit on the high points of my face and the result is a dewy, glowy highlight that lasts.

5. Mascara

I am not loyal to any mascaras in particular. I honestly don't even really own full sizes. I pick up minis as perks from Sephora purchases. I am really like the Milk Makeup Kush Mascara right now. It is not clumpy and makes your lashes look HUGE. The baby size is also great to travel with.

6. Lips

I am very basic with my lips during the week. Most of the time, a little Coconut Balm Dotcom does the trick. When I want a bit of color, Generation G in Crush provides the perfect berry stained natural lip.

7. Finishing Spray

I like to carry a tiny mist with me just in case. This mini Tatcha one is extremely bougee but it feels nice and does make my skin look dewy upon application.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for many people. We get to spend time with our families, eat lots of delicious food, argue with our ignorant uncles about politics, and all around be merry. For many people, especially young adults, this can be an extremely stressful time of year. The retail worker has one of the hardest jobs this time of the year. Unlike the movies in the 1980's of glamorous retail jobs behind makeup counters or in department stores, modern holiday shopping can be literal hell for some of these works. You're trying to make impossibly unhappy people happy, constantly cleaning up after folks, barely getting any breaks, and having to explain to Coupon Cathy why she can't combine discounts. I've worked many a Black Friday in retail and while not all of them were a horror show, there was a lot of unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations bestowed on me due to American Consumerism and greed.

I now have a great job in my field where I am lucky to have Black Friday off. However, many of my wonderful friends do work today and I feel it my civic duty to find ways to support them in any way that I can. Here are some ways that you can make this day and/or weekend just a little bit brighter for these folks:

1. Shop Online

Embroylisse Lait Creme Concentrate / Urban Outfitters Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask / glossier.com Leo Oil / www.leooil.me

Stay home! Don't participate in the madness. Many of the stores that I love are having the same, if not better, sales online. Not to mention that I don't have to deal with any crowds, product not being available, and having to fight a soccer mom for a parking spot at the mall. Take some time today to do some pampering while you shop online- hydrate and do a face mask while getting all your shopping done from the convenience of your own home.


2. Be Understanding if Your Retail Friends Don't Want to Hang Out After Their Shift


Of course, always extend an invitation for dinner or drinks depending on the end of their shift! Everyone likes to be included- but at the end of the day, many of us who work in retail just want to crawl into our bed, watch Netflix, and have GrubHub do the rest. If your retail friends decline the invitation, be understanding and ask them when their next days off are. They will really appreciate the consideration of their time for decompression and self care.

3. Bring Them Food / Coffee / Anything!


You have no idea how happy you will make someone by doing this! A lot of times, many retail workers only get 30 minutes for their lunch or dinner breaks. If they do not bring food, by the time they fight the crowds and order/receive their meal, they've already used more than half of their break and don't have any time to just get away from it all. If you're going to be around, ask them when they'll be on break and offer to bring them something to eat or drink. You will be the real MVP.

4. Tell Them You Appreciate Them


After a long day of dealing with ungrateful, miserable people, just a text message letting your friend know that you love and appreciate them will mean the world. While they are not in an ambulance or hospital saving lives, they are still giving up time to enjoy the start of the holiday season with their friends and families. Any words of kindness or encouragement will make a big difference.

It's no lie that since I moved to Florida, my skin has drastically improved from when I lived in Chicago. Less pollution and more humidity = happy skin. However, I find myself battling with the nemesis's of many more than before- recycled airplane air and changing climates. Unfortunately, the airlines have not yet found away to put some moisture back into their air, so it's up to us to prepare our skin and soothe it during our travels in order to prevent clogged pores, breakouts, and dryness. In conjunction with a regular skincare routine (soon to come on the blog), I find that it is best to prepare your skin 24-48 hours in advance of travel and rely on your tried-and-true hydrating skincare products to keep the equilibrium within your skin.


The main cause of clogged pores is dead skin and sebum buildup. Therefore, the first thing I do when I know I will be entering a harsh environment is use a peel 24-48 hours before traveling. I received these Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Daily Peels from my co-worker. These are a two step system that exfoliates with AHA's and also helps prevent signs of aging. Something like this is perfect before a flight because it removes the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin so your pores are less likely to become congested and your other skincare will be that much more effective.


The key after any exfoliation for me is calming and hydrating. I try to get my skin to retain as much moisture as possible before a flight, so I don't feel like Spongebob Squarepants without water when I finally land. I really like this hyaluronic acid and B5 serum from Valjean Labs, I picked it up during the Urban Outfitters beauty sale. It has a very watery consistency but hydrates nicely and absorbs quickly into the skin. Often times before travel, I will do this overnight mask from Origins. It smells so nice and really hydrates the skin- I will usually wear this in place of moisturizer during a flight, especially if it is early in the morning. Not to mention that it comes in this mini size so it is very travel friendly.


Of course, I never leave my house without sunscreen (can't you tell?) and this mist from Supergoop is perfect for traveling and touchups. It is very important to wear SPF especially on an airplane- the glare from the sun in a window seat is very strong and you can get sunburnt! I also never neglect my lips as I consider this part of my skincare. I always travel with my trusty Glossier Balm Dotcom, the coconut one is my favorite. This also doubles well as a cuticle cream and highlight in a pinch.


I always make sure to take trusted, multi-purpose products with me in my personal item during the flight. Weleda Skin Food has been around for almost 100 years and to this day is one of the best natural moisturizers on the market. This cream can be used just about everywhere, but I prefer to use it as a face moisturizer, an under eye mask, and as a hand creme. For extra hydration, I like to mix in some face oil. This little baby Drunk Elephant Marula Oil is perfectly travel friendly and feels amazing on the skin.


Of course, I always do tend to experience some sort of small blemish during travel. I am always sure to bring my most effective spot treatments to get rid of the condition as quickly and safely as possible (NO PICKING!). I am obsessed with the Glamglow Supermud Clearning Treatment. This is my baby size but I also have a regular size in my bathroom cabinet. This is a hardcore pore clearing charcoal mask and I mainly use it as a spot treatment due to its strength. Honestly though, within 24 hours any spots that would even think of brewing are diminished. I also carry this Glossier Zit Stick with me because 1) extremely travel friendly and 2) its 5% benzoyl peroxide formula honestly zaps a zit in a matter of hours. I also like how cooling and soothing the metal applicator tip is.

Remember, no one has perfect skin and we are all stressed out, especially during the holiday season. It is not a big deal if you break out from traveling- it simply means that you are a human being in an ever-changing environment. Hopefully, these products and tips will help others who want to do the best they can to take care and maintain the balance of their skin. If you have any travel skincare tips, I would love to see them in the comments below!

It's not a lie when I say I have lived in band t-shirts for the past 10 years. While I enjoy many different genres of music, I am partial to heavy metal and rock music. I have more shirts than I can even count, not to mention that I steal some from my husband. I can honestly say that I am my most honest self when I am wearing a soft, worn in band shirt from one of my favorite artists. Since I moved to Florida. I have had to get creative when it comes to wearing them.

Heaven And Hell 2009 Tour T-Shirt / Gifted Rose Gold Pleated Dress / H&M / Similar Here Converse All Stars / Zappos Handbag / Vintage

Most of the time, the temperature is above 80 degrees and I simply cannot do jeans or boots. This particular outfit that I wore to brunch on Sunday is one of my new favorites. It blends the soft, breezy, romantic style of the dress with a cool edge from the t-shirt. The outfit looks and seems effortless yet clean- there is a certain thoughtfulness in the presentation. It says "I am comfortable but I tried today." The classic low top converse give it some boyish charm, while the vintage Alligator handbag add a bit of sophistication. The chain on the bag helps maintain the edge while still remaining feminine.

Details

This look really is quite fail-proof and will work for just about anyone. You can change out the converse for a pair of white sneakers or some cool ankle boots. Throw on a leather jacket or Army trench if you are in a cooler climate. I enjoyed brunch at Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach with my friends Elena and Melanie. Melanie owns melaniestanton.com and was looking to shoot some content as well- everything is better with friends! (Seriously though, check out her page if you want all the deals, because she is the queen.) The outfit was perfect for shopping at Elizabeth Ave Station and checking out the murals in the Warehouse District. Stay tuned for a post all about this dreamy spot.

I'm definitely what you would call "experimental" with my hair. I've had short hair, long hair, dark hair, light hair, bright colored hair, an ombre, the list goes on. Regardless of the color or style, I have always had thick, wavy hair that tends to lean more on the dry side. I lived through the straighten-the-absolute-crap-out-of-it hair phase of the 2000's (thank the Lord), but I always had a difficult time finding affordable products that would allow me to wear my hair naturally. By this, I mean products I could simply layer on and not have to worry about applying heat to achieve a refined style. Now, thanks to the wonderful Instagram machine and sheer experimentation, I can say I have found a routine that will allow for all of these things. I can leave my house in the morning knowing that my hair will still look decent at the end of the day.




Since my hair is thick and tends to run on the dry side, I usually only wash it once or twice per week. I found this great line of haircare products from Acure Organics. These are Sulfate, Paraben, and Cruelty free (all necessary for me) and cover a wide variety of hair needs.  I personally like my hair to feel very clean when I do wash it as I tend to get a bit of build-up- for me, I like their Lemon Grass & Argan Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner. Not to mention, these are very budget friendly and the packaging is gorgeous. They are also extremely gentle on my scalp which is a bit sensitive. Luckily, I have found that the new Scalp & Body Scrub from Ouai does the trick at removing build up without being too irritating. I like using this after a workout or spending a lot of time in the Florida sunshine, between shampoo and conditioner. It feels incredible, I could honestly spend hours massaging my scalp with it. When I find that the ends of my hair are very dry (usually with the weather changes), I will do the Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask in place of conditioner. This is an extremely nourishing hair mask that smells amazing and also has the 'Clean' Beauty seal of approval at Sephora, which means that it lacks many ingredients that people usually try to avoid in their beauty products.


After showering, I towel dry and brush my hair with a Wet Brush. A Wet Brush is a special hair brush that is designed to be used on wet hair without causing breakage. I was introduced to these by my best friends that are hair stylists and I have never looked back. These get out every tangle without a ton of effort and also work well on dry hair- I feel that they distribute the oils well from roots to ends. Maybe someday I will invest in a Mason Pearson brush, but these serve their functional purpose and come in a wide variety of colors. I also got one for my husband as he has long hair and can't handle any sort of tugging whatsoever.


After I towel dry and brush my hair out, I add in a quarter-size amount of the Kristen Ess Air Dry Creme. People, this is the BEST styling product I have ever used as an air dry product. It smooths without weighing down my hair and prevents frizz, and I don't have to apply heat to activate it. The best part is, it's only $10. My heart goes out to Kristin Ess because she makes the most effective, aesthetically pleasing, yet affordable and accessible beauty products. Truly iconic. I also love the Working Texture Spray. I use this after my hair is dry to add volume and lived-in matte texture. The hold is super light so my hair doesn't get crunchy or stiff. While my hair is still wet, I do add in the Ouai Wave Spray to give definition to my natural waves and finish with the Verb Ghost Oil. The Ghost Oil can be used on wet or dry hair and smells like fresh squeezed deliciousness- I also like that it is virtually weightless and doesn't make my hair greasy. Between washes, I love using the Batiste Dry Shampoo. I've used many dry shampoos and this one gives me the most consistent results. It absorbs oil, adds volume and texture, and doesn't leave my hair looking grey once it has absorbed. You also can't beat the price tag and the fact that I can literally pick up a can when I stock up on groceries at Publix.

All of these products allow me to not only let my hair air dry, but give a polished, refined result that I prefer for my hair: clean, soft waves with lots of volume and matte texture. Now if only they could all come in travel size so I didn't have to disperse into little pots, I would be more than satisfied!

What are your favorite products/routines for thick curly/wavy hair? Let me know in the comments :)