Travel Essentials

Whether it's a luxurious beach vacation or just a local business trip, there's no need to pack a lot for your getaway. I believe that the splurges should be saved for home. It doesn't cost a lot to look put together, wherever your trip may be. Down below are some examples of things you can carry and still be chic. Enjoy!

DIY Product Holder

I am very OCD when it comes to my things being all over the place. I was on Pinterest like always and came across a couple of jewelry tier holders, but I decided to make one to store my skin care products and a couple of my everyday jewelry in a tiny bowl. I will be posting some photos down below and steps on how to do this. It is very simple and can find all these items anywhere even a goodwill.

YOU NEED:
♥ Hot glue gun
♥ Glue sticks for the hot glue gun
♥ Lazy susan (optional)
♥ 2 to 3 plates of your choice
♥ Candle holder to use as a spacers
♥ Spray paint

STEPS:
♥ Spray paint plates or spacers if you would like them a different color. I only painted the spacers, the plates      I was able to find at Target for a little over a $1.
♥ Glue the lazy susan at the bottom of the largest plate, and I also suggest to glue a small piece of wood at the bottom to make it rotate more easily.
♥ Glue the spacers and keep adding as many plates as you would like, I suggest using the two largest and a small at the top, but I didn't want mine too long.
♥ That's all guys! Enjoy your holder for whatever you would like.

NO MORE MAKEUP MELTDOWNS THIS SUMMER!

I am from Texas so the heat is not so forgiving to girls when it comes to makeup. This past weekend I was
out with some friends and I have to admit it was so hot outside, I felt as if my makeup was melting off my face. For this post I will be giving you tips on how to keep your makeup in tact this summer.

1. BLOTTING PAPERS are a must for me year round due to my oily skin, but for anybody this can come in handy. Make sure to blot and NOT rub!

2. If you can not skip foundation apply PRIMER before hand to keep your makeup in place. Make sure to also only apply were needed, you do not want to over apply.

3. I recommend using a TINTED MOISTURIZER or BB CREAM. If you have redness only apply a tiny bit of CONCEALER were needed.

4. Set with TRANSLUCENT POWDER because this will give you a more natural look instead of that cakey effect.

5. If you HAVE to use eyeshadow use a EYE PRIMER this will prevent your eye makeup from slipping. I also recommend using CREAM EYESHADOWS since they tend to stay in place better than powder eye shadows .

6. Now for those lashes I recommend using a WATER-RESISTANT MASCARA instead of water proof since is less harsh for your lashes. Test it out in the shower and see how it holds up.

7. I know that summer is all about the pop of color on your lips, but unless your not going anywhere fancy try to stick to a LIP STAIN instead of a lipstick or lip gloss.

8. Now if you must use a lipstick. Apply a bit of the TRANSLUCENT POWDER OVER YOUR LIPS and then apply the lipstick. This will act as a primer and will last a lot longer.

9. Make sure to carry a SPONGE OR BRUSH to blend in makeup later on through out the day. To keep your makeup looking the way it did when you stepped foot out the door.

10. No matter what skin type you have, your face produces oil even more in the summer months, so make sure to CLEANSE YOUR FACE to prevent more oils later on.

11. If you have oily skin like myself, try using a CLAY MASK once a week to reduce oil production.

12. Also do not forget to use a MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY to prevent from everything melting off your face. You do not want that especially after working so hard to put it on.

Voila I know this seems like a bunch of stuff but it is all helpful especially if you want to avoid looking like a hot mess this summer :)

Eye Know...Do You?

There are myths that our eyes are  the windows to our souls. Well I don't know if that is really true but, what I do know is that I don't want someone to look at my eyes and get scared of my baggy dark circles. I've been using eye cream since I was eight-teen and it has always been a routine I follow. I believe that you should prevent instead of treating. Why let people see the redness, fatigue, premature lines, puffiness or dark circles.

Our eye area is very sensitive and needs hydration. Yes, your daily face moisturizer will do it, but there are eye creams that are designed for the eye area. I use two at the moment, and anti-aging eye cream(Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate) and a more hydrating eye cream(Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado) for the daytime. I also overlap the moisturizing eye cream over the anti-aging eye cream since it can be a bit drying underneath the eye area. Ideally you should be applying eye cream both in the daytime and nigh-time. Make sure you use your ring finger since the eye area is delicate and the skin is thin as well. In my photos down below you will see what is ideally for the daytime application and the nigh-time application. There is also a correct way to apply eye cream and incorrect way to apply it.

Eye cream tends to travel upwards when you're sleeping and that is why you should apply it further down to prevent from causing even worse puffy eyes. If you have been using eye creams and still suffer from puffy eyes or dark circles it might just the technique you're using. Change it up and start seeing the difference.

Pantry Essentials

Just like we have our fashion staples in the closet it is also to have your pantry staple essentials. When you cook there are always some products that you use more than others. I will be giving you my essentials that I have on hand at all times. Let me know on the comments down below what you're pantry staple essentials are.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is the one kitchen essential I am never without. It benefits both my cooking and my health. Did you know that cooking withe extra virgin olive oil can reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also high in "good fats" that's what we like to hear too.

Extra virgin olive oil can be used to cook as well as on dressings, soups, sauces, poultry, vegetables and fish. Also why not substitute it with butter.

Honey

We all use honey as a sweetener in our hot cup of tea. Honey it also has a bunch of antioxidants and due to antibiotic properties it can be used for cuts and scrapes. Drizzle honey in tea, granola, bread, and use it with baking.

Tamari Soy Sauce

This soy sauce is high in protein, it also contains amino acids that help your body produce niacin and serotonin, which can improve your sleep and mood. This soy sauce has been used for centuries in the Japanese culture to enhance flavors int their food, this sauce is made from fermented soybeans that's wheat free. 

This can be used for marinades, dressings, sauces, and soups, or to drizzle on vegetables. 

Sriracha

Now they have declared this the best tasting hot sauce but I will have to disagree since I do come from a Hispanic family where Valentina is our go to hot sauce. The hot peppers in it causes to boost the metabolism. 

Sriracha can be used in soups, eggs, and tacos and pretty much anything you love a spicy kick of.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is a low-calorie essential. This can add the right amount of acidity to salads, pastas and more. Vinegar contains antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol levels and improves your body's immune system. It also has been shown to boost the activity of pepsin, regulate metabolism, and control your blood sugar. 

Other Pantry Essentials Include:
♥ All Purpose Flour
♥ Limes or Lemons
♥ Salt and Pepper
♥ Sugar
♥ Garlic and Onions
♥ Potatoes
♥ Beans
♥ Chicken Broth
♥ Tuna
♥ Marinara Sauce
♥ Rice
♥ Oats
♥ Pasta

Gym Essentials

We all work out some time or another some more than others, but whether you go to the gym before work or fit a mini workout during lunchtime, cutting your time in half is essential. So are these essentials for your gym bag. Leave your comments down below and let me know your gym essentials.

Itzy Ritzy Travel Happens Sealed Wet Bag - $18

Keep sweaty clothes away from your work outfit with this travel bag, made especially for wet clothes

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - $3.29

Because of its unique shape it will be easy to find in your gym bag

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampooo - $12

You've just finished an intense workout but you don't have time to wash your hair before work. Use a dry shampoo to get rid of all the sweat and oils. 

Lapin Vilardi Coco Walk Toiletry Bag - $46

A small cosmetic bag is useful for keeping items like makeup, hair ties, and jewelry all in one place. This cute and water-proof print is a must for your gym bag.

Yes to Cucumbers Towelettes - $5.99

After a sweaty workout we don't want to feel icky so these refreshing towelettes can do the trick.

Bobble Sport Water Bottle - $9.99

This unique sport bottle is specialized for workout junkies. It features a flip top and handle for ease of use around the gym, along with a replaceable filter. Just keep this in your gym bag and fill up at the gym so you don't have to keep making trips to the water fountain. Each bottle holds 24 ounces.

Towelmate Gym Towel - $25

If you're a germophobe then this gym towel is the one for you. It has two sides, one for your face and comes with a germ shield in between. The coolest thing is the zippered pouch for your ID and phone. How cool is that!

Yurbuds Inspire Earphones - $29.99

If you're anything like me, when I run I'm having to fight with my earphones because they tend to slip out constantly. With these earphones you don't have to. They stay locked in your ears no matter how hard you're working out. 

Vaseline Spray & Go - $8

When you're in a hurry this spray lotion will get you going in a breeze. It absorbs quickly too.

Ban Roll-On Deodorant - $4.34 

After working out we do not want to be smelly, so make sure to throw in your favorite deodorant. Ban it's cheaper than other brands on the market but it does the job. 

No Crease Hair Ties - $8.50

These hair ties can be bought anywhere from eBay to Sephora, but also are very easy to make. These are perfect because they don't leave a crease in your hair.

Close Your Eyes To Sweet-Green Sleepy Time Juice

I've had a hard time sleeping in the past. I fall asleep for a few then wake up in the middle of the night once again. I was prescribed Ambien but honestly I will wake up almost hungover and let me tell you I've not heard pretty things about Ambien either. Many people suffered from sleep walking and doing some outrageous things. I recently began drinking more hot tea at night and picked up some of the Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herb Tea. I do notice that after sipping on some of their tea I do get quite drowsy, but I'm wondering if is a pyschological thing too. Anyways I recently picked up juicing too and I am loving it. Not only does it fill me up but I know exactly what I'm putting in my body every day. Depending on my mood I take sweet juices or feeling a bit more risky with vegetables because I don't like much vegetables.

I've heard that the rich nutrients in the juice recipe that I will posting down below to help you count sheep. Nekka Pasquale, founder of Urban Remedy, invented this recipe using ingredients to calm your body.

Sweet Greens Juice For Sleep

RECIPE:

♥ 2 large organic oranges, peeled

♥ 1 organic lemon, peeled 

♥ 1/2 bunch organic watercress

♥ 8 stalks of organic celery 

♥ 1/2 head organic romaine lettuce

♥ Celery Juice- Nekka says ...is a calming effect on the nervous system, "which can help the body unwind. "It also contains a high level of magnesium, which promotes muscle relaxation and a sense of well-being."   calming effect on the nervous system," which can help the body unwind. "It also contains a high level of magnesium, which promotes muscle relaxation and a sense of well-being." 

♥ Watercress and Romaine Juice- these ingredients are high in calcium which can help relax the body after a long day

♥ Lemon and Orange Juice- Nekka says ...citrus in this recipe contains inositol, which Nekkas says can help enhance REM sleep.