The weather has gotten much warmer (and way more humid) in the past 2 weeks here in southern Illinois. I also found a new way to share my photos! I finally figured out the VSCO app, and now I absolutely LOVE the filters they offer! There are a few really good ones, and I like how they don't just make your photos look dark and flat, like some of the Instagram filters. You can also save these images to your cameraroll on your phone, and upload them via Instagram. Check out my photos here!
Aloha Collaboration!
I have been working on a really cool project lately! I was asked by Sony Pictures to create and style some photos inspired by their new movie, Aloha! They also consulted with me to create a Dedicated Board on Pinterest, and I absolutely love how it's turning out. We have been to Hawaii three times, so I have a lot of knowledge of what the island and its cultures appreciate. I also had a lot of time to take in the sights and sounds of the cities and oceans in lots of places among the 5 islands. All of Kauai was definitely my favorite, and Honolulu is my second favorite. Aloha is based on Oahu. Check out the trailer for the movie here. Photos by myself and Bobby Samat Photography.
A special thank you to Sony Pictures for sponsoring this project! Check out Aloha, in theaters May 29.
How I Cleared Up My Skin and Got Healthy!
Welcome! I am so glad you have stopped by for a little bit of info about skin. I am here to share some advice with you that many people have struggled with for many years! I have struggled with breakouts my whole life. If you have issues with your skin, and want to clear it up, here are some tips and advice I have.
How I Got Clear Skin - I would always hide my face in photos, because I was always broken out! Here are my tips and tricks on how to treat acne.
About 2 years ago, I decided I was completely sick of these breakouts, and finally visited a dermatologist. The doctor suggested I use 2 topical creams/ointments together, Aczone and Tretinoin Cream, 0.025%. I didn't really see any results from the Tretinoin, but WOW! The Aczone is amazing, and I still use it for occasional breakouts or just little things that pop up every few days. She had also prescribed me this great face wash, Neutrogena Pore Clear Cleanser/Mask (containing benzoyl peroxide). I didn't see any results at first, though, and I waited the 2 months, until my next appointment to tell the doctor things weren't working. I was cleaning my face way more, taking better care of my skin, cut off all soda drinking, was eating WAY less candy and sugar, and also using the prescribed creams, and didn't see much change. I went into my second appointment a bit upset. The doctor then asked if I wanted to try adding an antibiotic as well, and I jumped at the chance to finally get things figured out. Minocycline. An antibiotic is not for everyone, but I believe it was pretty much the only thing that 100% helped clear up my face! I used it for a few months, and it worked wonders. I also use Face Pads a few times a day, and Dial soap on my face a few times a week, instead of the Cleanser.
HEALTHY HABITS
At the same time, I thankfully stopped drinking soda (1-2 Cokes per day), started drinking tons of water, and almost completely stopped buying and consuming chocolate, candy, cupcakes, donuts, and the like. I was super careful about lowering my sugar intake, and checked the sugar content on every items I bought. I had read so many things about this practice clearing up skin from within, and although it took a while to see results, it helped immensely!
Now, about 2 years later, I still only drink about 1 soda per YEAR, which I am so proud of! My teeth are much whiter, my nails are much stronger, my face doesn't break out very much, and I feel SO good about being able to pass up ordering an overpriced soda at dinner, or in a gas station!
Desert Series - Available For Sale!
I started a Society6 site, and would love to show you my newest items, available for purchase.
Or transport yourself to warmer places any time you open your laptop!
DailyTekk Top 100 Pinner of 2015!
I am honored to be named one of the Top 100 Pinners to Follow in 2015! They did a great job compiling this list of Top Pinners, and you can check out the article and list of Pinners, here.
I am on this list with a bunch of the top followed Pinners, and I follow about half of them already. BUT, they have included a bunch of people who I haven't found yet! It's fun to be recognized for my Pinning, and I am so thankful to DailyTekk for including me!
Our Time In Arizona
One of our new favorite places is Arizona. We love the southwest, and my Dad and Step Mom live there, so we have such a fun reason to visit! We stayed almost a week in Cave Creek, AZ, which is about 30+ minutes outside of Phoenix and also near Scottsdale and Carefree. I can't wait to go back next year!
These gorgeous pam trees line my parents' back yard. Makes it feel kind of tropical.
Our girl, Lily had so much fun swimming! She LOVES sun bathing near the pool after a dip!
And, our Chocolate Lab wouldn't stay out of the pool :) She swam for so many hours!
The lemon tree's fruits were definitely plentiful this Spring!
OK, so Bobby took this one, but I had to share it with these other photos :)
AZ Sunshine Lemonade! SO yummy!
Their front yard has all these awesome desert plants, and they're all SHARP!
L'Oreal Advanced Haircare Pinterest Board!
Style It - Change It - Own It - Spring Hair And Style Inspirations
A little while back, I was hired by L'Oreal to create photographs and hair tutorials, showing Pinterest users how I would style my hair using their new line of hair products, Advanced Hairstyles. I scoured their website, hairstyle.com, for videos and step by step tutorials to see what I could create.
I was also asked to put together a dedicated board (see below), that helped convey the feminine, and beautiful hairstyles that were inspired by their products and tutorial website. Bobby and I took some gorgeous photos for this project, and I think we really captured the essence of these hairstyles and products. I want to give a special thanks to the team at L'Oreal and HelloSociety, both of which made this dreamy project a reality!
This project came at a perfect time, because we were in Cave Creek, Arizona, before it got too hot to be in the southwest. The bright sunshine made for some beautiful photos, and my wonderful step-mom called around to about 5 salons in the Cave Creek and Carefree, AZ area to find me a stylist at short notice. I knew that hiring a professional would be the absolute best way to showcase a professional look for company like L'Oreal, and we wound up at a gorgeous salon, called Studio C in Carefree, AZ - an adorable and upscale town in the desert! A wonderful stylist named Monica worked on my hair, and I couldn't be happier! I brought her ideas, but she already had so many ideas, it was a match made in Heaven.
Here is a peek at my Dedicated Board for L'Oreal Advanced Hairstyles (below).
Below, you will see one of my favorite hairstyles, and a couple of my tutorials I created for L'Oreal.
In partnership with L'Oreal to create styles that inspire you to take your look to the next level. I am beyond excited to team up with L'Oreal to show you how to use their new line of haircare products (available at most drugstores for a very reasonable price). I had an amazing time creating some of these unique hairstyles utilizing their products in so many ways. Photos by Bobby Samat Photography.
Emblem Eyewear - LOVE These Sunglasses!
I recently grabbed some of my favorite styles of sunglasses from this cool site, Emblem Eyewear. They have lots of cool styles to choose from, and they all look pretty sweet on me, if I do say so myself :) I am usually reluctant to go online to do sunglasses shopping, because sunglasses can easily give me a headache if they're too tight. Well, these are as comfortable as they get! Get some of these awesome sunglasses for under $10 each, what a good price for a wardrobe update.
These babies are the pretty hip! The Super Trendy Mod Sunglasses really flattered my face shape quite a bit, which I love! The blue, reflective lenses make it so people can't see your eyes, too!
These Cat Eye Sunglasses are much more of a pastel pink than my photo (above) shows. They remind me of a pinup chick! They're SO adorable, and make you look elegant, like a fancy lady :)
These ones are super sweet! Tortoise Inspired Sides and Wire Steampunk Details Included!
These Hawaiian-Inspired, Floral Printed Sunnies are so cute for a warm summer day, or a festival!
How To Make Tassel Earrings
These prep-inspired earrings are SO cute! There are only a few steps and you will have a new, custom pair of earrings in no time. These would also make an awesome Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift! Enjoy!
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Leather Tassels (I got mine at Hobby Lobby in the scrapbooking area - by The Paper Studio / Spare Parts). You may want to check the fabric section as well! Just make sure they have a loop at the top, so you can hook them to the jump rings.
- Gold Jump Rings (6 MM or a bit larger)
- Gold Earring Hooks
- Pliers
Aren't these tassels adorable?!
IT'S SO EASY!
Now, open the jump ring, and slip on your earring hook and tassel. Close up the jump ring nice and tight, and you're set! A new pair of earrings (or 4) for summer!
Patriotic Recipes
I created a few recipes - inspired by Red, White, and Blue!
Check out this super-tasty, super-easy Patriotic Popcorn Recipe Here.
Red, White, and Blue French Toast Recipe - find it here.
These treats are fun for summer parties. Find them here.
