More Self-Love Please

Self-love is something we can all work on and it's something we should all strive towards. Self-love isn't selfish, conceited, or bad. It's the ability to know your own worth, respect yourself and know yourself, regardless of what anyone says or makes you think. Too many of us search for love in other people. We become dependent of having someone else fill in the love that we lack to give ourselves. Instead of waiting for love from someone else, give it to yourself first. Be the love of your own damn life. Be the object of your affections, your own best friend, and best supporter. Be there for yourself when no one else is. Believe in yourself when no one else will. Then, you will attract love, respect and people who believe in you too. Fill yourself up with your own love, single or not. A person filled with love will eventually become so full, they have no choice but to give it others freely. Be that person.

Being Single in Your Twenties

I recently finished reading the book Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari and I really enjoyed it. It was funny yet very informative on the topic of dating and modern romance all over the world. It really made me think about dating. Dating in this generation is hard. I'm about to be twenty-six years old and I've been single since I was twenty-two and that's okay. I enjoy being single and independent but that's also just who I am because I'm an Aries, haha. I've learned to become the best version of myself without needing validation from anyone else. Being single is a wonderful thing and if you're single, you should embrace this time in your life, so that when you meet the right one, you'll already be filled up with your own self-love and have so much more love to give! Love is a beautiful thing and the best kind comes from within.

Collective Beauty Haul

Hi friends! Over the past few months I've bought some new makeup products so I thought I'd share! I had ordered stuff from Ulta, Colourpop and I went to the new Riley Rose store at Glendale Galleria. It's a makeup store by Forever 21! The store was so pretty inside and they had SO many products! I wish I had taken more pictures of the store but I was so excited by all the products but next time!My friend and I literally wanted everything. Anyways, without further adu, let's get into this haul!

Staying Organized

Time management overall is something I'd like to improve in 2018. Between work, blogging and time with friends and family, I'd like to make adequate time for everything without stressing myself out. This is where organization comes into play which is difficult for many of us. But these three tips help keep me organized on a day to day basis. 

January 2018 Favorites

The first month of the new year has come and gone! I didn't really purchase any new beauty products this month so this month was more about discovering products I already had in my collection. I'm really trying to finish products I own instead of buying so much new (unless it's something great lol) in hopes of being more minimal. So far it's been working great but I already have a small list of products I want to buy soon, lol. Without further adu, let's get into my January favorites!

January Recap

I feel like the month of January zoomed by for me! It was a really good month for me. On the days I was not working, I've decided to go out and explore rather than staying home. Which is also fine, but I just felt like I need to get out more. I spent a lot of time hanging out with my family and friends, going to museums and exhibits (I love!) and eating good food. Check out my previous posts to see more photos of the two exhibits I went to. I went to LACMA and MOCA which is always a good time as I love art. I hope you guys enjoy this quick little recap of January. I hope you all had a great month and here's to a great February!

Hair Care Tips

I recently posted my hair care routine and thought I'd follow up with some hair care tips that I've been doing lately to treat my hair nicer and healthier. Ever since dying my hair, my hair has become so much more drier especially because of the bleach. I'm currently trying to restore my hair back to health. These tips have helped my hair for quite a while now and thought I'd share!

Books I Love

I used to be such a huge bookworm a few years ago. When I was in college I was a commuting student and I didn't drive the 4/5 years while in college so I rode the bus. It was a four hour commute from LA to the Valley so I had lots of time to kill so I'd read one book a week. Now I don't have a lot of time to read but I've been getting back into reading rather than being on my phone scrolling through social media or watching Netflix during my free time.

Into Action Exhibition

The second exhibit we went to was called Into Action! This exhibit was located in Chinatown Los Angeles. It was a week long pop-up art exhibition that featured themes of justice is a human right, together we rise, humans aren't illegal or should feel unsafe, manifesting solutions, love, peace and empathy. It was such a great exhibit to inspire hope and bring our communities together to fight for equality. Many families are living in fear and being torn apart because of the government's actions. Many are feeling powerless but it's a time to stick together and use our voices for equality among all. I really enjoyed all of the pieces. I hope you enjoy some of the pieces I took photos of from this exhibit. 

F*ck Me, F*ck You Exhibit by Sarah Bahbah

This past Sunday I went to visit two exhibits with my friends. The first exhibit we went to was called F*ck Me, F*ck You by Sarah Bahbah. It was located at HVW8 Art + Design Gallery in the West Hollywood area on Melrose. The art was beautiful and so relatable! The focus of the photographs was done so well. It was a small exhibit but I really enjoyed it! I wanted to share some of the photographs I took of some (or most haha) of the pieces.

Comfy Chic

Band tees are one of my favorite articles of clothing because of how comfy they are. You can dress them up or down while still remaining comfortable and expressing your love for your favorite bands. Just graphic t-shirts in general I love whether they're music related, shows (I have the cutest Friends shirt), movies and sayings. I put this outfit together very quickly with a pair of mom jeans, a dark green olive hat, and booties that are olive green as well but lighter than the hat for contrast! I also wore a flannel in the evening when it was cold. I really like how it came together. I hope you enjoy these fashion posts!

My Curly Hair Routine

My hair has been through some damage over the past two years from bleaching and dying it. I wanted to share the products I use for my curly, dry, damaged hair. My hair is curly, thin, and frizzy. I try to avoid heat on it for the most part and wear it natural everyday. I wash my hair every other day or every two days depending on how my hair is feeling/looking. I wanted to share the hair products I use daily and are on a budget! You can find most of these products at Target or Ulta which is awesome.

Orange and Stripes

Hello friends! Today was a nice day and the weather was very warm. I spent the my mom, stepdad and my dog Mila! We went to El Dorado Park and Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach which were both so beautiful! I'll be posting more pictures from there soon. For now, I wanted to post my outfit details since I haven't lately. I also wanted to show my makeup of the day since I haven't! I love wearing stripes and orange so my makeup matched my shirt. It's a very casual, simple outfit and didn't take much thought/effort to look good. 

A Day In My Life: Explore Your Own City

It's a three day weekend and I definitely wanted to get out of the house and enjoy my weekend off work. Saturday morning I decided to go to Long Beach and walked along the shore line which was nice. Then my friend Martin and I decided to hang out. We didn't make specific plans but we usually eat ramen in Little Tokyo and explore around there. We decided to explore more today and went around Little Tokyo, Placita Olvera, Union Station and Chinatown. These places are nothing new to us as I've been there so many times but it's always nice and you see something new every time. I guess you can say we got a dose of Japanese, Chinese and Mexican cultures all in one day! We even came across a protest to save TPS which we didn't know was happening and we stayed for a while listening to people's stories. It was amazing watching everyone be so united. The day was very tiring due to all the walking but nonetheless a very fun day! Los Angeles is such a beautiful city to me. It's home. I hope you all enjoy these pictures.

Favorite Makeup Brushes Part 1 - Face

I strongly believe that the tools you use to apply your makeup are so important! If you're using the right tools, any makeup product will apply like a dream. I own a variety of makeup brushes from different brands so I've gathered up my favorite face brushes I use to apply my makeup! Hopefully this isn't too repetitive when talking about the quality of the brushes but rather informative. :)

2018 Goals

I’m really looking forward to 2018. Like I’m genuinely excited for it to be a new year. I have a feeling that 2018 will be a good year. Maybe it’s because I like even numbers. This past year has been good to me. For starters, I purchased my first brand new car at 24 years old. I turned 25 years old! (Halfway to 50, yikes!) I traveled to Wisconsin and Chicago, IL which I fell in love with the city of Chicago! I saw several bands/artists live: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Banks, Cuco, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Demarco, and The Weeknd. I started my new hobby: my blog! Exploring more places in LA. And just spending time with my friends and family. In 2017, there was also some struggle. I lacked a lot of motivation and let fear get the best of me like not believing in my self-worth to apply to certain grad school programs and jobs, and  my physical well being. But I'm ready to change all that come this new year. My motto for 2018 will be PONTE LAS PILAS (get yourself together).

2017 Beauty Favorites

I can hardly believe 2018 is finally here! The past year came and went so quickly! I spent a lot of money on cosmetics, skincare, haircare and nail polish this past year that'll make up my yearly favorites. I love beauty and don't mind spending some coin on new products that interest me or repurchasing my daily staples. I fell in love with a lot of products so I've narrowed down my favorites from 2017 into this list! Warning: you may want to grab a cup of coffee or tea - it's a long list!

Bye Chapped Lips! Keep Your Lips Moisturized

Winter is here so that means chapped lips! The weather is finally starting to get chilly here in LA and my lips are feeling drier these days. I have three products I use to help me moisturize my lips! Not only are your lips nice and moisturized but also helps lipstick apply/look so much better! I typically do this little routine once a week but I apply lip balm everyday in the mornings and I apply the Aquaphor lip repair at night before bed.

Just Keep Going

Lately poetry books have taken over my life. It's literally all I've been reading lately. I recently finished reading a book called 7, 300 Days by Isabella Mente. There was one page towards the end of the book that stuck out to me because it's what I've been dealing with lately. The pressure of not being where I wish to be has been giving me an immense amount of discouragement.

November Recap

Today's the last day of November! I can't believe 2017 is already coming to an end but I'm so ready for it to be over and begin 2018! This past year has honestly just been pretty bad with all the current events that have happened and it's so unfortunate that we live in such a cruel world. One year down of Trump being president and three more to go. *sigh* Aside from the bad, we can't forget about all the good that has happened too.

This month has been pretty overwhelming for me. This year I turned 25 and they don't lie when they talk about a quarter life crisis because I've definitely been experiencing it. From not knowing what career path to take, feeling discouraged to apply to grad school, to looking for a new job. It's pretty stressful but I'm trying to stay positive and know that everything will fall into place when the time's right.