Adding a touch of personality and style to your living space is that makes it yours. And what better way to feel at home in your new place than with some really great décor pieces? I recently was contacted by Ankit to give their products a whirl, and check out their site. So far, I only have wonderful things to say about this company.
Ankit is a fun, whitty, and current-trend company offering home décor, phone accessories and other cool items to add some spice to your life. I selected this shimmering sequin pillow and plush kitty slippers from their assortment to get my first thoughts on the brand. Shipment arrived pronto and was packaged very neatly and efficiently.
The pillow is honestly more beautiful then I expected, and the quality is top notch. My favorite part is that you can switch the direction of the sequins to view either a shut or open eye! The sequins are all well attached, and the back fabric is a luxe faux suede material in solid black. I currently have this pillow stationed on my office chair to add a bit of sparkle and subtle touch of personality to this creative space.
As for the slippers, they are comfortable and so adorable! I almost want to just leave them out on display because they are so cute. The plush material hugs your feet in lush comfort and warmth, while the adorable embroidered kitten face smiles ahead!
Ankit offers free shipping with your purchase over $35 which is totally reachable, and has free returns! I am in love with the quality and shopping experience I had with Ankit and will be shopping with them again soon to further accessorize my space!
I find myself on the hunt a lot for work transitional tops. Tops that I can wear with shorts on the weekends, but also style up for work. I luckily found this amazing piece recently from Romwe that fit the bill! This lovely olive babydoll top has such a cute oversized style to it! There are just so many fun ways to style this top and look amazing! – Here I will share with you my favorite.
The best way to wear this top is with skinnies, heels, and a long necklace. I decided dark wash denim would be ideal since the shade of olive is on the lighter side, (which can tend to appear more casual) and cognac accessories to bring the look into Summer.
These woven block heel sandals from Madden Girl are so adorable! I have been wearing them on repeat for their style ability, as well as, their comfort factor! Everyone needs them in their wardrobe this season! I also chose a similar shade tote to coordinate this look.
To sum this up, it is fun to purchase basics in new and interested silhouettes because the are super transitional! This shirt has an everyday t-shirt material, but because of the fun hem and oversized design, it is perfect for dressing up and saying fashionable at the office! (if you work where there is a business casual setting, like I do!)
So check out this awesome top at Romwe! Its only $14.99 so I’m sure it will sell out fast!
I recently had the opportunity to try out the brand Heavenly Organics. This company has some of the tastiest honey I have ever tried, along with delicious chocolate treats!
The Brand Story
What mostly attracted me to the brand was the story behind it. All of the honey used in Heavenly Organics products were extracted in a sustainable, bee-friendly, and smoke-free way. A way that the founder’s father created, and shared with other local farmers. This ethical company currently supports over 600 family farmers and has been leading the authentic fair trade movement.
The company was “built on the belief that products can create peace, and will continue to expand on their early ideas of respecting the earth, animals, mankind and all who contribute to the circle of life.”
How amazing is that!?
I also found it really interesting to see the difference in benefits between raw honey over processed. If you are interested in seeing this, chart I have attached the link. 🙂
Taste and Packaging
So the next thing that really attracted me to this brand was the packaging! I mean, how cute is it? I love all of the bright colors, and and intricate circular logo design. It just makes you want to smile looking at it!
Now on to the taste! The chocolate patties come in a variety of flavors, and all of the options I tried were delicious. My favorite was the mint chocolate honey option. If you love dark chocolate then this is the candy for you! The cocoa is bitter and delicious, with the hint of sweet honey and peppermint to tie the flavors together creating a decedent sweet treat to please any sweet tooth! I also enjoyed knowing exactly what was in the candy. The ingredients are so minimal; you can count them on one hand! Delicious, and something I don’t feel guilty about putting in my belly.
I was also able to try their three raw honey options. I usually add honey to my tea, or with peanut butter on toast, but this honey is delicious with all sorts of things! I really enjoy pairing it with granola and fruit in the morning, or even with a bowl of yogurt. The natural sweetness is spectacular and so delicious.
If you are looking for a delicious and organic way to add some sweetness into your life, try out this amazing brand!
One of my favorite pieces of clothing to stroll around town in is a great dress. I guess the reason for this is all you really need is one piece. For me, a great solid color dress can take you far. The reason is, I view them as a blank canvas. With the right fit, and silhouette you can easily transition a dress and “disguise” it to look completely different, based on how you decide to accessorize it.
For some casual spring-to-summer looks, I will be featuring a soft black trapeze dress I picked up at Forever 21, and a comfortable navy popover I received from Armoire Amore. These two dresses are relatively plain in design, but have so much potential for accessorizing!
For the black dress, a great way to keep it casual and easy-going for weekend wear, is pairing it with a tiered metallic and crystal necklace and bright pom pom slip on sandals. These pieces become the focal point of the look. I can easily see myself pairing this dress with ankle booties and a printed scarf on cooler days, or even with a fedora and wedges. By changing the accessories you change the look. Even though it is the same dress, it will appear completely different!
As for the navy dress, I was out and about that day, and needed a large bag to carry all of my belongings in. So I chose a brightly printed tote, and the same pom pom sandals to complete this look. The dress is long-sleeved so no jacket is needed when the day gets breezy, and can easily be pushed up when the temperatures spike. I also paired this look with one of my favorite Luca Love bracelets. Which really added that extra finishing touch.
I definitely see myself sporting this dress in the fall with a blanket scarf and tall boots. It’s just such a great staple piece to own.
Check out Armoire Amore here to shop their collection!
Have you ever been shopping and spotted an item hanging that immediately grabbed your attention? Well that was me with this dress. My eyes first caught a glimpse of the beautiful pale pink and sketched floral print which drew me in. From there it was the beautiful pleating, lightweight chiffon fabric and dainty metallic belt. And the next thing I knew; it was in my hands and I was headed for the fitting room!
I absolutely love everything about this beautiful dress. The length is perfect if you are on the taller size, which I am. It is double lined and has a self tying back accent. I really enjoy wearing dresses like this outdoors, I know that may sound out of place, but beautiful dresses and natural landscapes just go hand in hand. Especially with this amazing floral print!
I decided to style this dress on a more casual side with sandals and no accessories. This dress really doesn’t need anything extra! I think this would make an excellent addition to any spring wardrobe, as it is perfect for attending spring and summer weddings, garden parties, or any social gathering you feel like looking extra spectacular for. So the next time you are shopping and something catches your eye, give it a chance and try it on!
Since we are coming to the close of Mental Health Awareness month, I figured it would be as good of a time as any to share this with you guys…especially seeing as 1 in 4 people will suffer from some form of mental illness, I know I am not alone here. And maybe my personal experience can help someone else out there, and give them some comfort and even hope.
Not sure where to begin, so I guess I’ll go all the way to the beginning. Since I was little I have always been a nervous person. I would always say I had a stomach ache and wouldn’t want to go out to eat. I had to sit at the end of the row at church, and the movies. I always needed to know where the exits and restrooms were. I would say I was sick, or my stomach hurt, to avoid social situations where I felt I would be overwhelmed, or wouldn’t know anyone. This was all normal to me. This was just who I was, and I lived with it. Now don’t get me wrong, I still did many things that tested my levels of anxiety but I pushed through because traveling, dancing and singing have always been things I greatly enjoyed. So even though it was difficult for me to overcome, I still traveled to Chicago, and New York, participated in state solo and ensemble as well as region choir in grade school and even reached the second in command position of the dance team at my high school. All of this was hard emotionally for me, but worth it…I could manage and internalize my anxiety.
When I Reached My Limit
But on the night of the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Olympic Games, I had my first full blown panic attack. And not just and panic attack, but a rolling panic attack which lasted for hours and through the majority of the night. It came out of no where, and for no reason. I thought I was dying…it was like a nightmare that never ended…that I couldn’t wake up from. And from that day on, and for the next year, I struggled to overcome the condition known as panic disorder without agoraphobia, enduring panic attacks on a daily basis, and had to work to regain the life I once had.
While going through this period of my life, there were times I thought- well this is it. I am never going to be the person I was before, that person is gone. I will never be able to travel anywhere…further pursue my career, there is so much I want to see and do in life, and now I cannot. This negative thinking quickly spiraled me into depression which I suffered from in the early months. I no longer felt I had control of my body, my mind was betraying me. I took a back seat, and something else was running the show…something I felt I had no understanding or control over. Colors lost their luster, smiling felt…off, and I didn’t have true emotions for anything. This path is destructive and dangerous. I thankfully had wonderful support from my physicians and family to help me through this time and surpass it. But staying positive and hopeful is key.
Coming to Terms
So the first step to getting my life back (as it is with most things) was acceptance. For the first few months, I would not accept that I was having panic attacks. I thought something was physically wrong with me, it just had to be! I wouldn’t, and couldn’t rest until whatever it was, was diagnosed. The problem is, that when your mind is creating the symptoms, they are not there when you are at the doctor’s office. I just couldn’t believe that my mind had gotten the better of me- that just couldn’t be possible. But once I had every test under the sun performed and all came back healthy, I finally accepted that the doctor’s knew what the were doing, and that I was having panic attacks. Only now could I start to get better.
I started seeing a therapist who assisted me in understating the reasoning behind the condition, and guided me through how to handle situations with breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and tools to live my life. I also went to a psychiatrist who prescribed medication to assist me to get back on track. Now here’s the thing… I grew up thinking medications that chemically change things in your brain had to be avoided at all costs and must not be taken, to the point where I actually feared these forms of treatment. I had to be tough enough to control my own mind on my own…right? Well, let me just say, sometimes you need a little extra help- I know I did. I don’t mean to be negative or defeatist here but, I needed more help then I felt I could give myself. When you can no longer eat a balanced diet, run your daily errands, or carry on with normal life activities, something has got to give. And although medications aren’t a cure-all miracle, they did vastly improve my quality of life. In saying that, they have a lot of side effects, and one that worked for some, may not work for you…it’s a trial and error game. But for me, it was worth it to have a glimpse at a normal life again. Thankfully the second medication I was prescribed was the right fit for me, and over time the side effects subsided, as did the attacks. I was able to….live again. Yes that sounds pretty dramatic, but it’s the truth. I was able to go an entire day without thinking about anxiety. I was able to say yes to going to lunch with my co-workers, I could answer a question in a meeting, I could go out to dinner. These are all trivial actions to people who do not have anxiety, but to someone with it….it is an inner struggle.
The first time I was able to go an entire day without a panic attack was monumental! Having control again was one of the most liberating and joyous moments of my life.
I will have to say, that you cannot allow yourself to feel discouraged, or pity yourself. Praising yourself for even the smallest steps of progress makes such a difference in the long run, and understanding that anxiety is like a roller coaster. It isn’t straight uphill or down. You are still going to get upset, have an attack, think negatively… and that is okay. That is being human.
Reflecting Back
Now I like to joke around and say I had my quarter life crisis, and that’s all this event in my life was, but in reality, I do not know why this decided to happen to me when it did, and I have to accept that. It happened, I got through it, and it’s okay. Sometimes things just happen. You cannot get better until YOU want to. It is your life and you have to fight for it. Other people can want whats best for you but at the end of the day, it is solely up to you to make the change to live your best life. I have always believed that God never gives us more then we can handle. And even though at the time I felt I wasn’t strong enough, he knew I was. And because of this, I have learned so much about myself and have grown so much as a person.
And in regards to where I am now…I am happy, healthy, and yes I do still take medication to help me along the way. When I was at my worst, I made a promise to myself to not let my anxiety be the reason I missed out on opportunities in life (if and when I got better) and I have held myself to that promise. I have traveled multiple times to Canada, Boston, New York, Rome, Mexico, and even Amsterdam! I say yes to events, give presentations at work, and even started my Instagram and blogging adventure. I shouldn’t have waited for something monumental to happen to me to start pursuing my dreams, but now is better then never, right? I have accepted that anxiety is part of who I am. I am thankful to have surpassed that hurdle in my life, and am gratefully blessed for every panic-free day I have.
If you are currently struggling with anxiety and panic, just know that you are not alone in this. Many other people have been there, or are currently struggling through the same thing, and that isn’t something to be ashamed of.
Do you ever have those days where you want to refresh your wardrobe? Put a fresh twist on some of your favorite pieces? Well this was one of those kind of days for me. I purchased this beautiful striped dress envisioning it for the beach, or casual weekend wear, but I really wanted to figure out a way to get additional use out of it. In comes one of my favorite vests! This beautiful business vest (similar) is a soft white, comes fully lined, and offers a slight collar. I slipped this over the dress, and voila! This chic ensemble emerged!
When I purchased these pieces I never envisioned pairing them in such a way, but that’s the fun this about clothing, with styles and tastes always changing, the possibilities are endless! It’s great to browse through your closet every once and a while, and see what new creation you can come up with, and what pieces you may have forgotten about. They just might become a front runner in your go-to rotation.
Origins recently re-launched their A Perfect World line and I had the amazing opportunity of trying it out!
To start the fun, I was invited to the re-launch celebration at my local Origins store, where I received a skin care consultation/ mini facial. At the consultation I was given a one-on-one skin care regime for my skin, and taught how to apply and use the products. The consultants were enthusiastic, and knowledgeable of the Origins line and my skincare concerns, which was really nice!
After that, I was taken over to receive a makeup application so that I would be ready, and refreshed for the rest of my day. The event also featured product demonstrations, treats, and even featured a charcoal artist and a tea leaf reader! All natural elements featured in Origins products.
Featured Products
Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea
Age Defense Eye Cream with SPF 20
Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea
Age Defense Treatment Lotion with White Tea
Age-Defense Skin Guardian with White Tea
Creamy Body Cleanser with White Tea
Highly Hydrating Body Lotion with White Tea
SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea
My first impression of the products
Packaging: The A Perfect World packaging is simple, clean, and beautiful. The light shades of green are complemented with crisp white and a mosaic palm print.
Scent: LOVE the scent! It smells of lemongrass with a hint of citrus, leaving your skin with a light refreshing scent.
Effectiveness: The White Tea and antioxidant rich ingredients really drew me in to this line. I am at the age now where I am focused on preserving further premature aging and caring for my skin. This means age defense products are on my top list of “wants” when it comes to my skin care regimen. The products do not over dry my skin nor do they leave it greasy or sticky. Just a natural healthy finish.
Origins overall
I have always loved Origins products as they have a wonderful story and product line. The natural, renewable ingredients they use, along with cruelty-free testing is something that really interests me in a skincare brand. To know that I am using a product that is good for me, and is not leaving a negative imprint on the environment is amazing. Stop by your local Origins and try out this impressive skincare line! You will not be disappointed.
A special thanks to Preen.Me for selecting me to attend the Origins re-launch party and review this amazing product line!
I don’t know if it is just me, but white clothing is something I fear. Well fear seems a little dramatic, but I really am hesitant to wear it. There is always lingering thoughts of sitting on, or spilling something, not to mention most white clothing is slightly see-through so layering is a must or everything will show!
The amazing news is I have actually found a dress that is all white and I am not afraid to wear it! This accordion pleat dress is flattering, relaxed fit, and has an amazing bow accent. It is so feminine and elegant but at the same time, has a touch of edge with the allover plead design.
I wanted to keep this look classic and wearable, so I paired it with black accessories, including an oversized hobo bag, espadrille wedges, and my favorite Jessica Simpson sunnies.
This dress is sure to keep you cool throughout the warmer spring days, and looks absolutely fabulous on everyone due to its amazing silhouette design!
So if you are like me and you tend to steer clear of all white dresses, check this one out! It really is an excellent piece AND it is on clearance right now, so get it while you can!
Most of the time when I think of brunching with my girlfriends, I envision cute pastel dresses and lace, but what about the brights? With summer peeking around the corner, I wanted to put together a few chic red brunch-ready ensembles to get you inspired for summer!
Since cold shoulders and ruffles are all the range, I had to purchase this adorable Democracy top from Stage. It’s so comfortable, and adds a feminine touch to my casual rolled-cuff shorts and mirrored sunnies. To really complete this look, I paired it with strappy wedges, and dainty gold-tone jewelry. This is my favorite Saturday brunch outfit because its ideal when the temperatures really heat up, and it is cute-to-boot!
My other brunch look is a little more chic, and fun. I purchased this Peter Piloto for Target romper a few years ago, and completely treasure it! I wanted to work it into a tailored style, so I paired it with my long sleeve White House Black Market blazer (similar) and these adorable stacked MIA faux leather slip on’s. The combination turned out better than I had expected! I absolutely love how this ensemble looks. It’s such a confidence booster for me to put together an ensemble that makes me feel like…well, me! And that is what this ensemble does.
So for your next brunch, search through your closet for one of your favorite pieces, and see how you can transform it into a new look! You just might be surprised as to what you come up with!