Strobe Light

ANIA is my inspiration behind my makeup look not only for today, but everyday!! I stumbled upon this Australian makeup artist on Pinterest which lead me to stalk her instagram to then discover all these beautiful dewy faces! She is absolutely amazing!! This is without a doubt my favorite makeup look day or night, YEAR ROUND!

Check out her insta for further inspo: @aniamilczarczyk

Are you dying? Such beautiful faces too! I noticed she loves to use Laura Mercier products like these here and here. Which have just conveniently found themselves in my Sephora cart.

For my copycat look I used these products below
1. Tha Balm Betty-Manizer and bronzer with the perfect amount of shimmer.
2. L’Oreal Magic Lumi primer. I absolutely LOVE this product even worn alone it kisses the skin with a hint of natural glow
3. Benefit High Beam. FOREVER in my makeup bag. I always reup on this one. I use it after my foundation and it allows my powder highlighter to be even more luminizing
4. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop highlighter. Provides the perfect peachy hue shimmer and truly makes those cheekbones pop.

*Other favorite MUST-HAVE highlighters that are not featured are:
1. Nars Albatross 2. The Balm Mary Lou-manizer 3. MAC Soft and Gentle

           

Using High Beam and Champagne Pop, I highlight my cheek bones and temples in a C formation , the inner corners of my eyes, my cupids bow, above the arch of my eyebrows and just the tip of my nose.

It may be a bit “sweaty” for some people but I die over dewy highlighted faces. Before I was even allowed to wear makeup, I used to take the Lip Smacker Roll-On Shiner and roll it on my eyelids for a “glossy” look in addition to pounding it on my lips. My best friends and I refer to this as the “Chicken Grease Era” because it literally looked like we just devoured a bucket of oily drumsticks. You can only imagine how thrilled I am with so many amazing products on the market advocating this lustrous look!

Desert Dreaming

           

I will always be a desert girl @ heart. I do quite fine in 100 degree weather, let me tell you. I haven’t visited home in a while I’ll be honest, but I’ll always be proud of where I came from. Kacey Musgraves said it best “Cause I’m still the girl from [Palmdale] ..Had to get away so I could grow… It don’t matter where I’m goin’ I’ll still call my hometown home” ❤

Wearing: Billabong denim shorts/ Gap boyfriend shirt/ Vintage Belt/ Zara sandals/ Rebecca Minkoff crossbody

FEED Consciousness

                 

Selena Gomez gracing the Oct issue of Elle. Am I the only one that can’t get that tune out of their head… I just wanna look good for you, good for you…//

Feed tote here/ Maison Scotch Flannel shirt/ Denim shorts similar here/Virgo necklace here (a gift; thank you Rayssa)/ Jeffrey Campbell shoes no longer available

I have always struggled with being in such a conspicuous industry. As a fashion student the amount of times I’ve heard “I just love shopping so I picked it as my major” as the answer to why they chose fashion merchandising is a revolting TOO many. I honestly have always loved the creativity behind fashion, the history and the way it is a voice of our times. I know I’m pretty lighthearted in my posts but I’m going to get a little serious for a minute because this is a subject I think deserves some regard. The way I see it, fashion has been a key ingredient in learning about cultures’ beliefs and ways of life. The way a person dresses strongly transmits throughout time, and speaks largely about a society. Apparel and textile are among the worlds largest industries valued at over a trillion U.S. dollars. so I would basically send people into an intense, dismissive retort (aka eff off) when they would say fashion is frivolous. Still, I would be conflicted and start seeing the path I was choosing (wardrobe styling) as superficial. When I witnessed people freaking out over taupe or camel?!… or that’s not the right shoe!… or ew it’s that designer, embarrassing! Its like who cares there are real serious issues in the world going on and you’re getting upset over a pump? I must disclose that I luckily, mainly worked with two people who didn’t treat each job like brain surgery; they have fun with fashion, which I believe is the way it should be. For me it is important to find a balance. I try to give back as much as I can, and not necessarily with money but with time, clothing donations or simply maintaining a good heart and giving out positive vibes. I’m so happy I came across FEED Projects where their tagline is “we create good products that help feed the world” Now this is something that I’m guiltlessly willing to buy. The bag featured in this post provides meals to a child in school for an entire year!! It’s really satisfying to feel good about your purchases. In the very near future I plan on doing some volunteer work overseas (its in the works, so fingers crossed it all pans out and I will def. do a post on the experience) If you can take away anything from this blog is that loving fashion and makeup is totally fine but don’t let it take over your life. Find balance. Some of my favorite Instagrams that may serve as inspiration and bring you to awareness are: @seekthetruth @soulightmovement @mp.frias @Feedprojects @reformation

Swan Lake

      

    Gypsy Queen Romper here/ Gladiator sandals similar (& better) here/ Michael Kors bag (a bday gift) found here 

Frolickin’ around in my Gypsy Queen romper by the lake… this play suit makes me want to teleport to the sheer beauty that is Santorini, enjoying savory lamb gyros and sunbathing amongst its white-washed buildings and serene beaches. Greece is TOP 3 on places I want to visit. For now I’ll get my souvlaki fix at George’s Greek Cafe (unbelievably delectable & one of my favorite restaurants) and “OPA!” with the ducks + swans over at El Dorado Park. Sunset at this park provides a deeper sense of allure and capturing these beautiful birds at golden hour was gratifying. Did you guys know that swans mate for life, a rarity in the animal world… it’s no wonder they are always creating that natural heart shape with their graceful necks. So Beautiful!

Pepperpout and The BGF Disney Takeover

   TEAM POUT

PEPPERPOUT + THE BROKE GIRL FASHIONISTA DISNEY TAKEOVER

My  fellow fashion-head Bri and I headed to the most magical place on earth. If you haven’t had a chance to read over my Disneyland post , go check it out! Also visit my good friend Bri’s blog where she makes broke look soo soo good (you can discover all her wardrobe deets from this post here).  I was so stoked to collab with her and I’m so happy we did! It’s always exciting to find another person with a Disney Annual pass that is passionate about fashion and photography as you. As much as I adore Disneyland for all its classic reminiscences… I freaking LOVE California Adventure. Maybe I’m biased because I can have a glass of sangria as I wait for my stomach to plunge on the haunted Tower of Terror or it could be tearin’ into the mouthwatering lobster nachos at Cove Bar as you catch the magical World of Color. Either way you have it California Adventure stole my heart. With rides like Soarin’ over California ( yes the one where you can smell the oranges), California Screamin’ and Toy Story Midway Mania ( can someone please show me how to get passed the beaver !)  you are guaranteed a good time. Its on the smaller end compared to Disneyland so you can hit up almost everything at the park which feels less overwhelming. A must for me is the Aladdin musical with fresh jokes by the Genie on the daily. Hit Mickey’s Funwheel around sunset to catch the majestic Anaheim sky like we did! Soooo stunning!  Thank you Bri for such a fun filled and memorable day.

I wore an H&M Mickey denim shirt no longer available :(/ Billabong shorts here/ Adidas here/ Rebecca Minkoff crossbody no longer available

The Happiest Place on Earth

           

Henley top here/ Custom jeans made by me/ Zara booties no longer available/ Vintage Chanel Backpack

As a SoCal resident, having a Disney Annual Passport is as necessary as a driver’s license. Living less than half an hour from the park makes it an absolute no brainer. In the mood for a rich clam chowder bread bowl and a heart-stopping firework show? Pop on by! I absolutely LOVE Disneyland…it didn’t earn its tagline “The Happiest Place on Earth” for nothin’. As soon as you step afoot the tram from the parking lot to their magical parks, you are put under the Peter Pan spell. I swear all those childlike curiosities, sense of freedom and enthusiasm rush back to me as I stroll down Main Street U.S.A! Disneyland is the ultimate sensory overload sending you to a whimsical dreamland. And can we just talk about the food for a minute? The aromatic warm cinnamony-smell of churros smacks you right in the face as you dish out 4 bucks for these delicious treats. Its not the only snack you’re going to want to munch on here. My personal faves are the corn dogs (and this is from a girl who doesn’t even eat hot dogs), mint choc. chip ice cream from The Gibson Girl, Mickey shaped pretzels and the Safari skewer from Bengals BBQ. (Don’t ask me about the Turkey legs.. I don’t do those) Mosey on over to the quintessential Disney ride- The Mad Tea Party and spin yourself into jovial bliss..& remember “Keep adventuring and stay not a grown up!”

But First, Coffee

  

photo from their instagram @shreebscoffee
 Photos by Bri Castro of The Broke Girl Fashionista
Grabbing coffee in my powder blue, flirty romper by shopgypsyqueen and Mexican inspired sandals.

Shreebs coffee led me to a complete halt when I came across their very interesting set up. New to the Arts District in Los Angeles, CA they have a very non traditional coffee shop concept. Their coffee got my heart pumping as I sampled the SALTED DULCE COLD BREW LATTE which consists of BLACK PEPPER, CARDAMOM, CANE SUGAR, + SEA SALT.
It’s even better than it sounds… it awakened my tastebuds and my comatose-self. Check out their Instagram here

Get Packin’

I have compiled a list of my packing essentials for a roadtrip. After making a journey from Los Angeles, CA-> Dallas, TX I’ve learned what I should’ve brought and what I could’ve done without (free up the extra room for more snacks!).  Pack these items on your next voyage and you won’t regret it!

1. Camera – taking pictures along the way and documenting your journey makes it all the more fun! You come across some interesting road side attractions, let me tell you!  Shake it like a polaroid picture here
2. A comfortable outfit, preferably 100% cotton. Also denim shorts makes it easier to simply switch out the top as the days come and go, since denim doesn’t need to be washed everyday. My go to is a white tee and cutoffs.
3. Sunnies! Don’t let that sun blind you while you’re driving! Never have my eyes teared up more than the sunrise in Arizona…
4. Multiple usb port car charger. Gotta keep that iPhone juiced! Don’t be rude and hog the charger, with this multiple port feature you can both be charged up! WIN-WIN Here
5. Dry Shampoo! Who says you can’t have good hair days on the road…here
6. Backpack to keep all your essentials in one place. Keep it with you in the front rather than in the trunk so it’ll be in arms reach.
7. Blanket to keep cozy. Do your self  a favor and pack a blanket and pillow to sleep until your next driving shift, plus driving through the night the temperature sometimes drops dramatically; keep warm here.
8. Roll-on perfume cuz you don’t wanna be the stinky one. One of my favorite scents  here
9. Makeup wipes. Honestly even if you’re sans makeup it cleans off the dirt, oil and all those lil nasties that collect on your mug through sweat and the environment. Bonus, you won’t need that bathroom pitstop. Get refreshed here !
10. Lip Balm. Sun exposure, the wind blowing in your face, and the A/C are all factors leading to a dry face. Moisturize those pouts to keep them looking  smooth and plump. High-five if it has SPF. My favorites are here and here
11. Rosewater spray. Speaking of drying… Rosewater is a quick fix to replenish moisture. Spray this lil beauty elixir and it immediately hydrates your face. It also doubles as a makeup refresher in case your make up starts looking drab AND I assure you, you will be tired on any roadtrip-as many redbulls as you down-this spray brightens up your eyes and honestly just soothes and wakes up your skin here
12. Snacks!  I tried to go the healthy route and pack fruits and veggies which were kept cold using this awesome portable cooler here..BUT after a day and a half (once all the ice packs melted) it just wasn’t a good idea to pack THAT many perishable items, hot fruit is no fun!! HOT CHEETOS on the other hand….
13. Water! Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
14. Colgate Wisps. Portable toothbrush to keep your teeth clean from all those snacks you’ll be munching on. Do your fellow passengers a favor and brush your grill, please. Again no need for the annoying bathroom pitstop with these babies here
15. Comfortable shoes. I’d opt for these dope nikes here.

Other useful tidbits:

Make an offline Spotify music playlist.. you can check mine out here. It truly is the music that keeps you going, so make it a good one! Set it to offline cuz trust me you will not have service at one point on your trip.

The Roadtrippers app is a must! Its so fun to map out your roadtrip with this app because you can find other things you may not have known lied on the way to your destination- usually alot of fun roadside attractions. (PHOTO OP!!)

Here’s a screen shot of our trip from this app

Toilet Paper- Honestly only ONE roll is necessary, don’t go crazy here… Most gas stations and rest stops are stocked (from my experience).

Hand Sanitizer because although stocked with tp, rest stops and gas stations are pretty darn gross!

Screenshoot your directions. GPS can be lost with faulty service.

First Aid Kit. Anything can happen.

Car Emergency Kit and a gas can with a gallon or two just in case. Our rule was as soon as we hit  1/4 tank we would pull over to fill up which worked for us!

Cash/change for any tollroads you encounter.

Obviously get your car checked out before hitting the road. Your car goes through a lot on a road trip, so be sure to pamper her before and after…. oil change, car wash, tire pressure check, etc.

SAFE TRAVELS!

Baby Blues

       

Reformation top similar here/Jeans here/ Asos necklace stack similar here/ Pac sun hat here/ Belt is vintage

Photos by Bri Castro of The Broke Girl Fashionista

Trusty denim will always withstand the test of time. Made popular during the California Gold Rush, and through John Wayne western cinema, California is unofficially known as the birth mother of denim. ANOTHER WIN for the west coast! Denim is my go-to and it probably is for the rest of the western world. I’m more of a skinny jean or mom jean type of girl but I thought I would give flares a chance in hopes of elongating these tater tots I have for legs. I’m not mad at em’ but an extra couple inches would’ve been nice 🙂  I stumbled upon these meaningful steps in Silverlake and the powerful words echoed in my mind for the rest of the day. I love when life forces us to pay attention to our surroundings and allows us to peel away from our iPhones and reflect.

Lets PLAYA

 

One-piece here (other colors)/Shorts similar here/ Belt is vintageBackpack here/ Shoes here
Custom tote made by me. Tutorial ?Bikini similar hereTop here/ Shorts here/ Shoes here
Dress hereRiviera Maya Mexico photo diary

Playa del Carmen was everything I could’ve asked for in a trip. I absolutely LOVE visiting Mèxico. The hospitality that I feel surpasses any other country I’ve ever visited, they truly know how to make a girl feel welcome. Ay mis lindos mexicanos. We stayed in Playa del Carmen, my first time visiting and I have to say it quickly became one of my favorite cities in Mexico. I wish I could’ve spent more time there. TIP #1: GO LONGER THAN 4 DAYS! You truly need a full week to soak up these radiant, white sand beaches and sparkling, aqua-blue waters. My favorite part of the whole trip was visiting Tulum. We saw las ruinas de Tulum, and swam in a beautiful cenote *basically a sink hole caused by the crumbling of limestone and looks a lot like an underground cave with water. What a solitary experience! Bats flying above us, turtles and fish swimming with us, and clear blue waters (check out my video above to see what I mean) TIP #2 VISIT A CENOTE!!  You will not regret it one bit. We spent a day at Mamitas Beach eating crunchy, mouthwatering chilaquiles for breakfast and fresh ceviche to re-up after our cycle of
cheladas ->siesta->take a dip>repeat. Um, can I be on vacation forever?
TIP #3 REAPPLY SUNBLOCK EVERY 2 HOURS – I’m still peeling 😦
The nightlife is played down, at least from what I saw. We ended up at this three-story lounge, La Santenera, and spent our evening on the rooftop taking in the beautiful views of Playa del Carmen. Vibing to the pulsing beats coming from the DJ, yet saddened that it was our last night and we would soon part ways with this captivating city. Don’t worry Playa I will be back and I promise to make more time for you!