How To Refresh Your Room In An Afternoon

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Hi hi! First of all, I’d like to take a minute to just send you all some positive vibes and well wishes during this crazy time. I know being quarantined is not easy and I want you all to know that I am here with you, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need some encouragement.

I have been wanting to refresh my room for awhile now, but just never got around to it. I am also moving soon, so I was hesitant to do anything to the room that may not carry over to my new place. So, I decided to use this “down time” during quarantine to do a quick refresh that was minimal but also made a difference.

I’m going to drop a photo of my room (well the bed area — but that’s the main attraction right?) below. Granted, the bed isn’t made, but you can see the color scheme was just blah and felt washed out with the headboard and the lack of life in those picture frames was just …sad lol.

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I really felt like I needed to get a new comforter — something that was going to say a lot on its own leaving everything else to be minimal. The comforter was probably the most expensive part of this refresh, so you truly can do this without spending a ton of money. Linking this comforter HERE.

I was really struggling to figure out what I should put in these frames. I thought it would be weird to have family pictures above my bed for some reason (lol), so I let go of that idea. Then I thought maybe I could put pictures of my friends, but I also thought that was kind of weird. ugh. My last idea led me to what I finally came up with — I wanted to have something up there that would be a daily reminder to keep going. So I thought along the lines of a vision board and came up with a quote. I am such a creative and have a personal attachment to the word “create,” so I worked from there and created this:

I made these myself, but you can also get some ready made quotes to download from this ETSY SHOP.

I had an empty wall to the left of my bed that I had no idea what to do with. I wanted something that would open the space up — mirrors are the best for that. I actually needed a full length mirror, so I decided to go that route — and I’m so obsessed with leaning full lengths. I got this one from HOME GOODS.

The last little bit of spruce came from decorative throw pillows. I added some new ones to my bed and to my chair-and-a-half. All of my decorative pillows are from Home Goods and/or TJ Maxx. (I am going to link my cuddler chair HERE because I get asked about it often, but it’s not part of the refresh — I’ve had it.)

The last little touch to my refresh is my door stop. My door is higher than average, so I used to have to use two plastic door stops stacked on top of each other to keep the door in place. As you can imagine, it was driving me NUTS. So I have been on the hunt for a cute door stop for a good while and finally found one I love. I am linking it HERE.

When I am not using it, I just hang it on my door knob, which is super convenient.

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I hope this sparked some ideas for you on how to refresh your own space. It truly doesn’t take new furniture or expensive things. I know that’s a common misconception, but I did all of this under $200 and half of that was just the comforter, so you can really gear the budget accordingly and get great stuff if you shop around. Send me your before and after photos if you decide to refresh your space!

Labor Day Weekend on a Budget

Cheers to the freakin long weekend!

I'll take any excuse for a three day weekend, okkurrr! I don't know about you, but I always feel pressured to come up with really epic things to do on a holiday weekend. Anyone else with me? To be honest though, my wallet doesn't always agree with my epic ideas haha. So, I'm going to be having a budget friendly epic weekend. I'm listing cheap ideas for your and your babe (or girls) to do this weekend. 

1. Street Food Cinema There are two movies playing Saturday night (Sept. 1st) in two different venues in the LA area -- Wizard of Oz and The Wedding Singer. There are a ton of yummy food trucks there as well! Bring your coziest blanket and cuddle up with your favorite people and enjoy and old school styled movie night. 

2. Have a beach day with your friends! Pack snacks and just hang out. 

3. Bonfire at the beach during sunset.

4. Picnic at the park. Pack your speaker and have a park party!

5. The Broad Museum This is a free museum! I recommend reserving your "tickets" online ahead of time. If you don't, you'll be waiting in a "standby line," but you'll still get in. 

6. The LA County Fair Tickets for adults over the weekend are $20 (for adults). 

7. Santa Monica Pier -- there are a ton of carnival games, a ferris wheel and you have an incredible view ... need I say more?

8. West Adams Block Party

9. Smorgasburg LA This event is on Sundays from 10am-4pm 

10. Shakespeare in the Park I am a total theatre geek, so this is right up my alley! This is a free event in multiple parks in the LA area.

11. 10th Annual Marvel Studios Film Festival

12. Fiesta Hermosa admission is free, but you'll need cash if you want to shop the vendor booths. 

13. E Hula Mau Hawaiian festival in Long Beach. Tickets are $25.

14. Beachfront Cinemas This is another outdoor movie experience, but you're on the beach in Huntington Beach instead of in a park. This venue offers jumbo-sized beanbags to sit on. Tickets are $15. Sept. 1 - Coco / Sept. 2 - Black Panther

15. Concert in the Park this is a free concert in Manhattan Beach on Sept. 2nd!

Whatever you do this weekend, be safe and HAVE FUN! 

Home Away

We all love traveling, but don't always enjoy being away from home and your own bed. Whenever I travel, I try to make my hotel stays as close to home as possible by packing things that remind me of my routine at home. 

Things I pack to make my hotel feel just like home: 

+ I am always listening to music while I get ready every day or I play Will & Grace or Friends while I put on makeup. I always pack my Beats Pill speaker so I can do both of these things the same way.

+ I am a huge fan of candles and always have them burning in my room and/or bathroom. Scents are so familiar and trigger memories and comfortable feelings, so I pack my candles and light them in my hotel rooms. This probably helps the most. 

+ Every night before I go to bed I spray a lavender & eucalyptus spray on my pillows to help me relax and sleep better. This is always with me when I travel so I feel like I am falling asleep the same way. 

These three things alone make me feel like I have a little piece of home wherever I am. That's really the point -- pack things that remind you of your room and your normal routine. It makes traveling a lot more comfortable for me especially when I am traveling alone. 

Essential Oils

"It means whatever you want them to mean." - mom 

Growing up I would watch my mom put essential/spiritual oils on herself as she would get ready for the day. Naturally, like any little girl, I wanted to be just like my mom and asked her for a bottle of these oils and asked her what they did and meant. She told me, "they mean whatever you want them to mean." Okay, what?? Does that even make sense? The answer is no, obviously. haha

So, I took the bottle and started to use them hoping they would do for me what they were doing for her -- whatever that was. I tried to make them mean something to me, so I would use the oils to make a cross on my shoulders so God would help me carry my loads, my wrists (representing my hands) so God would give me helping hands, and my chest so God was always in my heart. Looking back at this now, it was pretty profound of my little self. 

I have a friend that is really into essential oils and re-introduced them to me. Now, it's part of my daily routine, but I have added to my collection for reasons other than spiritual. I have found so many uses for a variety of oils and some of my friends have started to ask me about them. I want to share which oils I use and how/why I use them. 

• antiinflammatory

• decongestant (THIS IS WHAT I USE IT FOR MOST)

• antibacterial

• hair nourishment

• itchy scalp

• lice

• bug repellent

• cold sores/wounds/cuts

• joint pain

• reducing fevers

• skin conditions

• building immunity

• relieves nausea

• improves digestion

• promotes weight loss

• nourishes skin

• relives cough

• teeth whitener (mixed with other ingredients to create a solution)

• I use it most for headaches instead of taking medication. I rub some on the nape of my neck and surrounding areas, shoulders and temples. It works so well and feels really refreshing!

• indigestion

• colds/congestion

• stress

• engery/alertness

• boosts immune system

• eliminates/prevents infections

• stimulates hormone secretion

• aids with depression

• controls appetite

• increases urination

• removes toxins

• acts as a tonic

• treats stiffness in muscles and cramps in the muscle

• I use this the most for relaxation -- it's my favorite scent.

• induces sleep

• bug repellent

• relieves stress & anxiety

• treats acne

• relives pain

• stimulates urine flow

• treats respiratory disorders

• hair care -- helpful for hair loss

• prevents cancer

• improves blood circulation

• aids in digestion

• boosts immunity

• treats eczema

• treats acne and other skin conditions -- this is what I use this for most. I use it to spot treat problem areas on my skin and it does wonders just over night. I swear by it. If you use it on your face, make sure to moisturize well because it is drying.

• dry scalp

• fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections

• relives congestions and respiratory tract infections

• I use this most for my face as an overnight moisturizing mask. obsessed! (I also use coconut oil)

• healthy fat

• reduces cholesterol and improves heart health

• beneficial for the eyes

• enhances the absorption of important nutrients

• may reduce symptoms of arthritis

• may help prevent gum disease

• enhances womb healing

• neutralizes free radicals

Bottom line -- essential oils are so healthy for you and are a great alternative to taking medication. I highly reccommend these oils in particular -- obviously or I wouldn't be sharing. lol

Travel Goodies

Hi hi! I just got back from New York for a week and I was saved by my new travel goodies I got from Amazon. You all know I am OCD about my packing and I am always looking for ways to improve my process and organization haha. I posted some of them on my Instagram stories and a lot of you asked about them. So, here it is! Everything I took on my recent trip that made my life a little easier. 

7 Piece Packing Cubes HERE

Travel Jewelry Organizer HERE

Cord Organizer HERE

Round Table Mirror HERE

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY

OCD Packing

Going on a trip. I need about 3 outfits. I packed 35 just to be safe. 

Hi, guys! I've wanted to write a blog on my packing routine and what I like to travel with for awhile, but I just didn't know exactly how I wanted to do it. It's probably still not exactly how i'd like it, but the best way to start is to just start. So, here we go! 

I am very OCD when it comes to packing and, sine I was a child, I use post-its and lists to pack. I know, I know -- we can all eye roll here together. I didn't use post-its this time because, unfortunately, I ran out. lol But I did film exactly how I pack and I will attach a blank packing list below. I use this list religiously when I pack. It's my holy grail. It makes sure that I don't forget anything and that I have everything I need for each look. I will also link below items I think are really great to have to make your packing easier and more organized. 

** To download and print, you must download the file on a computer. If you want to view the file and/or add it as a PDF to iBooks, you can do that on your phone.

Below are some of my travel favorites that I think keep your luggage extra organized. I hope all of this is useful to you. I've found it extremely helpful over the past few years. xx 

Happy Place

Wherever you are is my happy place!

A few months ago, Idarre and I went to the Museum of Ice Cream and had so much fun. MOIC really started a trend because these fun museums are popping up everywhere (every pun intended). I'm such a cheesy person, so these kinds of things are totally right up my alley. Honestly, Idarre and I just needed some us time and a chance to just have some fun together. I don't think I have smiled so much in one day in awhile. We just let loose and let ourselves be little kids again and it was exactly what we needed. We both have so much going on that every now and then we need to make some real time for ourselves to do something different and fun together. 

I am not sure if this museum is sold out or not -- we bought our tickets over a month ago, believe it or not -- but I will link the site to check. Happy Place

I have been wanting to get into vlogging more because I feel like some things are just better captured on video. Idarre and I have gone on so many trips or done certain things where we would start to vlog and just got over it halfway through haha. It's a lot of work, you guys! So this time, we were committed to doing it and seeing it through. I downloaded Final Cut Pro last night to test it out, but let's not get carried away, OKURR. I filmed a vlog -- baby steps. LOL I feel like I have so much to learn about Final Cut Pro, so I just stuck with what I knew for this one and used iMovie. I hope you enjoy it! 

I posted a few photos on my Instagram  and got a lot of questions about my jumpsuit. I got it from Curl Surf in Downtown Disney, but apparently you can't shop them online, which is a bummer. They are only in Downtown Disney locations around the US -- which is only CA and Florida. But the brand is: Olivia Ceous. I will link some similar ones for you guys below. 

I would definitely recommend checking out Happy Place. It is a great day date spot or a fun family day event. Let me know if you end up going! xx 

Airplane Mode

I like to travel comfortably! Period. It doesn't matter if it's an hour flight or a fifteen hour flight -- you'll never catch me getting on a plane in anything else but comfortable clothing. I admire the women who can travel in heels, dresses, etc. but the way my laziness is set up - I just can't. LOL You just never know when you'll end up with empty seats next to you so you can spread out. I have to be prepared for all levels of lounging. Feel me? 

I am typically in sandals or slip ons when I travel, but I always keep a pair of socks with me in my carry on because these airlines are so disrespectful with their AC. I'm like does it have to feel like the North Pole the whole flight?! I've been fortunate enough to have traveled quite a bit, so I have my outfits down to a science at this point. 

Preferably I will be in sweat pants/yoga pants that give me bloating room (lol don't judge), a tank top, and a comfy, warm coat. Contrary to the photos in this post, I prefer an actual tank top instead of a bodysuit because you're already limited on space in the bathrooms, so I am not trying to hit my head on the door trying to bend over to unbutton a bodysuit. 

Along with feeling comfortable on the outside, I also like to feel fresh and comfortable on the inside too. I like to shower before I leave for the airport because, regardless of how long your flight is, you just always seem to feel funky after traveling. I keep my face clean and fresh and, believe it or not, I'll use a face mask during my flight if it's long enough. These little steps really help in keeping me feel comfy. 

I'll link whatever is still available from this particular look along with other items that I think are great for a cute and practical airport 'fit. (click the image to shop)

A Matter of Time

Timing is everything.

I know, I know -- everyone says that. And I know, I know -- it's hard to accept. It's hard to let go of wanting to control everything in your life.

If you want to make God (The Universe or whichever higher power you believe in) laugh, tell him your plans.

This past year, through my blog, my work, my personal life not seen on social media, I've learned to just be patient. I've learned to let life happen because if you just keep plugging away and moving towards your greatness, whatever life offers you will be exactly what was meant for you. 

If my life went by "my plan," my blog would have successfully launched last year, I'd be living in my dream home by now, I'd probably be married and have a cute lap dog I don't really have time for. Although I am launching my blog this year, am still living at home and am not married, I am so grateful for everything I have learned in this past year. I've never energetically felt a shift in my life so strong as I did in the transition from 2017 to 2018. I have completely surrendered to God & The Universe. Ironically, now I look forward to the moments that will stretch me and force me to grow because I have always received such amazing outcomes from them. 

This is my beginning - I have officially (re)launched! I am so excited to share my new sense of self with you all because well, it's time! I felt it was only appropriate to launch this newly remodeled Blazers & Bralettes with this beautiful piece from Jord Watches so you can also enjoy your time. xx

I have partnered up with Jord Watches to give one of my special followers a watch of their very own! *hand clap* I am always looking for unique accessories - who doesn't want to stand out? I'm obsessed! 

click to enter giveaway

All photos are taken by Nicole Balsamo.