Journal Obsession

The first step is admitting you have a problem and I have a serious problem with collecting journals. My best friend of seven years gifts me journals on occasion and my moms response never changes – “another journal?”. I don’t just buy any journal. There is a little something as to how they’re chosen. It mostly has to do with my mood. Times I’ve felt sophisticated I’ve reached for leather journals. Times I’ve felt festive I’ve reached for patterned journals. The journal above is a last minute cutesy journal and of course I’ve spent some money on Moleskin journals, what writer hasn’t? I don’t always buy every journal I’m attracted to and I do put thought into pricing. But every so often I’m highly attracted to a pretty little book that just has to be mine.

You would think I fill up these journals and move on to the next. Wrong. I actually journal for short periods of time and always have since I was about 15. Each journal I write in for whatever amount of time – whether it was 1 week or two months – is designated to that era in my life and generally isn’t used again. I know, waste of paper but they’re collected and I know which journal represents what year or what time period in my life. They’re all special to me because I find it difficult to physically write and would rather keep a private blog to log my writing. So if I took it upon myself and when I take it upon myself to physically right, it’s important. Nowadays I’m listing everything from my thoughts, to-do lists, and streams of consciousness because I am just so busy. I think this is how my way of journaling will always be and I don’t mind it at all. You all should try it! Buy a journal. It’s great motivation to document your life in words even if it’s for a short period of time.

October, Wine & Sleepy Time

Happy October! I decided to bring in the month with a relaxing night in and some (celebratory) dry rosè. Luckily, I have the most amazing wine seller just up the block from me. So much knowledge on his inventory and he always has exactly what I’m looking for. It took him literally less than a minute to pick this baby out for me. He knows I like my wine dry and flavorful. After all of this time, I never got the chance to ask why rosé puts me to sleep so I did a little research. I learned wine has melatonin – a hormone made by the pineal gland which signals the body to prepare for sleep. No wonder I’m so relaxed after just one glass. Anyways, I obviously fell asleep last night and didn’t get to put much thought into what I look forward to this month, my peak month. Today, however, I’ve had plenty of time to create a list considering I’m an avid list maker. Here’s why October is the best month ever!

• Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Pumpkins are absolutely everywhere.
• It’s the perfect excuse to drink delicious apple cider beer a bit more often.
• Halloween is pre-celebrated all month long with festive movies.
• It’s the start of sweater weather season.
• October 3rd is basically National Mean Girls Day.
• The weather is amazing for cozy coffee shop dates and of course, CUDDLING!
• And it’s dark lipstick season.

On a more personal level..

• October marks the anniversary of something very endearing to me.
• I bake more this month than I do any other month.
• I share my healthy pumpkin recipes – stay tuned!
• My organization, motivation and overall energy is extremely elevated.
• My productivity sky rockets.
• Fall fashion is the absolute comfiest and cutest.
• And map out my traveling for the next few coming months!

SO, cheers to a prosperous month. Take advantage of all of the good energy around and be sure to carve a pumpkin or two!

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

8 Skin benefits of Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E Oil is one of my go to essential oils, following lavender and peppermint. It was one of my main ingredients of my homemade body products, back when I ran my small business from home. The benefits are almost endless! I recently bought Studio 5 Beauty’s Vitamin E Oil at Duane Reade Pharmacy. I figured why not, I’ll make incredible use of it. I personally use this oil as a face moisturizer after I’ve cleansed my face or a makeup primer. I, also, lather a generous amount around my collarbones for a luminous glow (not too much though wouldn’t wanna look sweaty). I use it as cuticle oil as well. Below are a few benefits of Vitamin E Oil. All reasons why you should get your hands on this product, ASAP!

• Helps restore and retain skins natural moisture

• Keeps under eye skin thick and strong

• Prevents stretch marks

• Helps lighten and remove scars

• Boosts natural collagen which helps maintain skins elasticity

• Has anti-aging properties for younger, healthier looking skin

• Can be used as makeup remover and face moisturizer

• Heals dry finger tips and hands

This $6 product is worth every penny. Go get your hands on some! 

Late Night Makeup Haul

Last night, my sister invited me to the mall for some last minute Miami necesities. Of course, I’m here in New York busy as ever, so I splurged to compensate for my travel fever. I initially went to the Macy’s makeup department for Inglot highlighter, and Inglot highlighter only. I ultimately left with the highlighter, Inglot liquid liner and Tarte cosmetics eyelash glue. My lovely makeup artist also gifted me a pale pink Bare Minerals makeup bag filled with a handful of goodies • Prime Time eyelid primer, 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance cream eyeshadow, Mineral Veil translucent powder and Skinlongevity day and night moisturizer. So, I went a little over budget but the freebies we’re definitely essentials I hadn’t had in my collection. It was basically a reward for irresponsible splurging. What’s better than that?

Travel Fever • Travel Phobia

Us millennials are living in a vacation obsessed era. It’s something we all love to do, as often as possible. We somehow find the time to travel while juggling school, work, exercise and everything else. For me, as much as I love new adventures in new places, traveling can be difficult. By now, I’ve figured out that it’s not just one big trigger, it’s a mixture of a few things I just can’t fully wrap my head around.

• Fear of flying – I’m not entirely terrified of flying but I do get nervous. I could never imagine taking a flight alone or not having someone, I’m close to, next to me. The last flight I took I clung to my lover the whole time, cried as the plane landed because I can’t handle turbulence and of course I didn’t let him sleep at all. Feel free to call me a big baby.

• Jet lag – Like almost everyone that travels, I get jet lagged and I cannot handle the mix up. My body is tired, I’m overwhelmed and excited by the change of scenery, and I am hungry, cranky and all around stressed.

• Change of scenery – As exciting as breathing new, fresh air is, it’s equally overwhelming as I just mentioned. I like to move at a slow pace and I find that when I’m on vacation it’s natural for things to move faster then I’m comfortable with, considering vacations are just a few shorts days for most. Having too big of an agenda just doesn’t work for me. If we’re talking abig agenda for work, that’s fine. But on vacation? I’m a busy New Yorker as it is. I prefer more relaxing vacations for a few more extended days.

• Social anxiety – By now I sound like a nervous wreck. But, I am truly calm by nature. Traveling comes with lots of greeting and small talk and I’m really one who enjoys my quiet time. I am not completely antisocial but after a few hours I need my alone time or simply some time to disengage for a little while.

• Post vacation stress – I know it seems like I’m just one who cannot enjoy my vacations. But I do, in my own way. Yes, I am caught up in my head a lot of the time but that’s just me. At my own pace, on my own terms, I take in the scenery, enjoy the good moments and the people around me. Now, since I enjoy and prefer vacations that are a bit longer, I often have post vacation stress. When I return back home I am jet lagged of course and I’m not ready for the reality of this busy city. I prefer an early arrival and a day full of rest and endless cups of tea to regroup and get me going right back into the business of things.

I know, I’m such a particular person. I am overstimulated by everything around me, naturally. I am introverted and self preserving but contrary to everything I just mentioned I love to travel! I just have all of these trigger to adjust to. But I promise, I am still able to make great memories and I’m able to get out of my head and into the world around me.

What are your travel triggers? How do you handle them?

Peak Season

I’m a few days late but happy Fall! This is my peak season. I’m naturally good at almost everything this time of year. Time management, work + creativity balance, hyper productivity + organization. It’s a manic season for me. I cook more often, and I’m generally more motivated. Not to mention, October is my favorite month of the year. I’ll be posting all natural pumpkin recipes in just a few short days so stay tuned. By the way, how cute are these white mini pumpkins? I had planned to buy pumpkins + paint them white until I came across these little babies. Happy pumpkin season!

 

I work better under pressure + I am always pressuring myself to get things done. I’m always focused on results. It’s just my nature. I have a few things brewing at the moment + I cannot handle this slow pace. I also know, I can’t speed up the process. I’m trying to live in the moment rather than obsess over waiting but I am also easily consumed by stress. Good things are in the works, as is my patience.

Marble Love

Obsessed with the soft look of marble. Adding tons of it to my new space once I finally repaint. I’m very particular about the space around me and I feel like this whole moving and redesigning process is taking a bit too long. I tend to forget slow progress is still progress. I’m just one tiny woman with a lot on my, home, to-do list.

Little White House

Spotted this little house while strolling through Brooklyn. It was the whitest and brightest on the block and in the area in general. It made such a statement as simple as it was. This is what I consider goals. This is also inspiration for the revamp of my new space. I want white on white with a few accents and quite a few jades. Whoever owns this is as tasteful as they are lucky. #MINIMALISTGOALS