How I Layer My Necklaces

I am such a huge fan of jewelry! You will never catch me without jewelry .. on purpose. Accessories add so much to an outfit. You can be wearing a minimal style and a necklace, earrings, etc. will tie it all together.

I get questions all the time about where I shop for my necklaces and how I decide to pair them. My biggest advice to putting pieces together is: pair different lengths of chains. You won’t get the same effect if they are all cluttered on top of each other. I typically use three necklaces (unless I’m feeling hella extra) — a short chain, medium chain and a long chain. It’s pretty simple. You can also find necklaces that have multiple necklaces in one clasp. #LifeHack

I honestly don’t have a particular place where I get my necklaces. Whenever I see a cute necklace, I snag it. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. I also keep an eye out for simple necklaces that will compliment necklaces I already have. It’s important to have a variety of simple chains and statements. Another tip: keep the tones of your necklaces in the same family. This will keep continuity in your look. You want the pieces to stand out but still look like they are a family.

I’ll link some cute necklaces I have seen recently below.

One Shirt Three Ways

Who doesn't love versatility?! I love pieces that I can do a lot with. You can take a basic button up and do so much with it. I am styling this silk button up three different ways! Being able to switch the styles of one piece allows you to wear it through any season. *insert praise here*

---

Style 1: Deep V

I loveeeee a deep V in tops. I think it's so sexy and flattering. You really want to make sure your focus in this style is the plunge, so let your sleeves down (or fold them to be a 3/4 sleeve) and let this style steal the show. For optimal results, tuck your blouse in so you really elongate the open buttons otherwise you may end up with a nip slip throughout the day. I love pairing long necklaces to this style to accentuate the V. 

---

Style 2: Bottom Tie Crop Top

Who in their right mind doesn't like a good crop top? The answer is: nobody. Unlike the previous style, this is all about the tummyyyy. I have it buttoned up so that my body chain and my belly button are the main features. I like to throw a body chain in a crop top look to add a little flavor. With this look you can leave your sleeves down or fold them up a bit -- either way, you're going to kill the look. The key to this look is to wear high waisted bottoms. That's how you will really pull this look together so you're only getting a little peak-a-boo of your tummy. 

---

Style 3: Off The Shoulder

This look is perfect for a summer day or day party. This style is super flirty and fun. Tip: tuck your collar into your shirt so it's not hanging out in the back. With this style you can tie it at the bottom to be a crop top, tuck it in or leave it out and flowing. The main focus will be the chic off-the-shoulder feature. I think this style is so flattering for women. Your collar bone is SEXY and should be shown off more often (lol). I chose to leave the sleeves down because I have so much skin showing within the top itself. Obviously, you do what you're comfortable with! The way you achieve this look is adjust the shoulders first before you start buttoning. That way you know where you need to start buttoning and work your way down. Again, I suggest this style (and any crop top look) with high waisted bottoms. That's my jam!

---

Hopefully this has encouraged you to play around with your tops and get the most out of one piece. It's so fun when you get creative with your looks and get different styles out of the same piece. It makes it worth the money spent on it haha. 

Keto Flu

I don't know what I'm feeling, but I feel sick!

That's what I said all day to my mom and boyfriend when the Keto flu hit me. One thing I tell people before they start doing the keto diet is to do your research beforehand to see if it is something you realistically can do. I've said it before -- it's not easy. I am not going to sugar coat anything (literally because you can't sugar coat anything on Keto haha). 

About a week or so into Keto my body basically shut down and screamed, "WTF!" That's the best way I can describe it. I just felt sick. I felt nauseated, weak, achy (especially in my shoulders and neck) and I just wanted to get into bed and sleep all day. 

“The keto flu is a collection of symptoms associated with the body adapting to a ketogenic diet. Nausea, constipation, headaches, fatigue and sugar cravings are common in some people who are adapting to a high-fat, low-carb diet.”

— Healthline

My mistake was not reading up on this before it hit me. I didn't know what it was or that I was going to experience it. It wasn't until I was in it that my boyfriend said, "it's the keto flu." Ummmm ... the keto what? About a week into your transition, your body kicks into ketosis, which is what you want. So, in a weird way, it's good if you experience this because it means you're doing something right. Your body is basically going through withdrawal especially if you had such a high sugar and carb intake prior to starting keto. If you don't have previous knowledge of this, it may seem like something is wrong or that the diet isn't working. That's not the case! When you enter this stage, just remember: it's very temporary. Mine only lasted a day or so. (Everybody is different though.) 

There are a few things to be mindful of or do in order to get rid of or avoid the keto flu:

• Stay hydrated! Whether you're on keto or not, you need to stay hydrated or you will feel sick. 
• Replenish electrolytes -- increase your salt intake, make sure you're eating foods with enough magnesium and potassium.
• Get plenty of sleep! Listen to your body and rest when you need it. You have to give yourself the space to get used to your new body and how it's working.
• Do light exercises. You may need to modify your workouts while your body adjusts to its new energy sources. 
• Increases your calories and (healthy) fat intake. You can take MCT Oil Powder (I am sure you can find a capsule of these) to supplement your ketone levels for fuel.
• Just be mindful and take care of yourself. More than ever, you will have to listen to your body and it's genuine needs not just what you think it needs. 

This all sounds discouraging, I know. But if you are doing everything right and giving yourself everything you need on this diet, you will be okay and get through it. Your body and mindset will adjust. I promise. Once I got past the first two weeks, everything became much easier. It's all just new and is a complete shock to your mental and physical state. At least you can go into this knowing what the keto flu is and won't be scared of it if/when it hits. 

As always, if you have questions or want advice on any of this, drop me a line in my comments or shoot me an email. I'm happy to be your support system.  

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! 

Keto What?

What the heck even is Keto?

I've been getting so many questions about the Keto diet, why I'm on it, how I like it, what I can eat, etc. I took a vote on my instagram and all of you wanted me to create a Keto blog series. So, here you are! I am going to share everything I have learned about Keto and my experience with it over the next couple of weeks. 

Let's start basic. Keto is short for ketogenic and ketosis. Naturally, your body burns your glucose and carb intake for energy. With the Keto diet, your body will burn your fat intake for energy (consequently causing you to lose weight), which is the state of ketosis. Typically, it takes two to seven days to get your body into ketosis, so it's important to be strict with yourself especially in the beginning stages in order to actually get your body to shift into ketosis. Honestly, this diet really requires you to be strict throughout because as soon as you start introducing carbs and sugars again while in ketosis, your body will start to burn that first leaving you with all of your fat intake. That's obviously not what you want if you're trying to lose weight on this diet. The Keto diet is high (healthy) fats, moderate protein, low carbs and sugar. Your healthy fats can be bacon (yes, bacon!), avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. 

Let me be clear (because I've been getting a lot of slack for this) -- I do not think I'm big. I can't even believe I have to defend myself for this in the first place lol. I am not doing this diet because I think I'm fat or too big, etc. Within the last couple of years, I have gained 22lbs. Regardless of your weight, 22lbs of weight gain is a lot for anyone. Everybody (especially women) want to feel comfortable in their own skin and body and it never makes you feel good to have to go shopping to buy bigger clothes because nothing in your closet fits. 

I have touched on this before on my instagram, but for those of you that don't know, I was a competitive gymnast for almost half of my life. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and still had an eight-pack; I was working out heavy for HOURS a week. Obviously, I was never concerned about what I was eating or how it would affect my body as an adult. After I retired from gymnastics, I continued eating as if I was still a gymnast. Clearly my eight-pack wasn't going to last through all of my bowls of pasta and In-N-Out, which I proudly became a frequent customer. I never had a problem with how to work out. I had a problem with how to eat healthy. I've tried "eating healthy," diets on diets on diets, "changing my lifestyle," whatever. Nothing really worked. 

I was introduced to the Keto diet and it made sense for me (at least temporarily until I lost the weight). I cut out the sugars, the carbs, the crap and dropped five pounds in my first two weeks. If that isn't motivation, I don't know what else is. I, naively, didn't realize how much my eating habits were hurting me. I am an avid tea drinker, pouring tonssss of sugar into each cup. I eat a lot of sushi, which, in theory, is healthy, but with that, I was eating a lot of rice in these rolls. Thinking I was eating "healthy," I would allow myself to have In-N-Out for dinner when my boyfriend suggested it. But let's really look at that. In one day, I was taking in loads of sugar, rice, fries, bread, soda and most likely a milkshake because ... why not. I "deserved it." It adds up. 

I wasn't educated in nutrition and that is what keeps weight off. You can workout every single day, but if you're eating crap all day, your workouts don't mean a thing. I see this all the time -- girls that work out faithfully, but post their breakfast sandwich, donut and latte after their workout. Ummmm? I wanted to be educated in nutrition so I can confidently make better choices as to what I put in my body. That is also a big reason why I chose Keto. I have learned SO much. I can't wait to share it all with you.

I'm not saying Keto is the easiest thing to do -- especially if you're a carbaholic like me. I will definitely go into detail about my experience with the Keto flu, my struggles, what I eat in a day and all that jazz in posts to come. I just wanted to give you an overview of what it is and why I am doing it. I am happy to answer questions as we go along in this blog series. Just drop me  a line in the comments section below.

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. 

Letter to my Goddaughter

My Dearest Eliana, 

I cannot believe it's been an entire year since I watched you come into this world. From the minute your mommy told me you were in her tummy, I started loving you. I remember the day your mom asked me to be your godmother. I was humbled, honored and beyond excited to shower you with so much love and fashion tips. 

Today you are one year old, baby girl. Today, and every day really, is all about you and your growth this past year. I held you minutes after you were born and have held your hand while you waddled across the room. I was worried initially that being across the state from you wouldn't allow us to have the close relationship I want us so badly to have. I was wrong. No distance will ever keep us from being close -- I promise you that. I promise to always pick up when you call, I promise to always hold your hand, I promise to look after you like you are my own, I promise to listen to you without judgment and I promise to always have a foundation in your color. 

As I sit here thinking about you this past year, I can't help but think about the amazing life ahead of you. This world is yours, baby doll. This world is waiting for you to be anything and everything you want to be. This world is waiting for your love, your laughter and your beautiful spirit. I feel so blessed to be in your corner to witness it all. 

Baby Eliana, I love you to pieces. 

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

Secret To My Hair Growth

"Is that all you?" - everyone

I get so many questions about my hair -- if that's my natural color, who does my weaves, why I get weaves when I have a lot of hair, what I'm doing to get my hair growing so fast. I am answering all of these questions here. 

Yes, it's my natural color! I used to get random people asking me, "what box number do you use?" I was always soooo confused by this question because for the longest time I did't realize what they were asking me. haha You can imagine the look I would give them in response. My hair color is auburn and, luckily, I have natural blonde highlights here and there (depends on the sun's mood really). This is actually one of the reasons I get weaves -- to play with color without having to dye my hair. I've never dyed my hair before. So I literally have "virgin hair."

I started getting weaves just for fun, but then I realized how much my hair was growing when I kept it braided up for a month or two at a time. It was growing healthy because I wasn't subjecting it to styling and heat. So, I decided last summer to do this to get my hair to grow long again. My goal is to grow it to the bottom of my chest. Right now, it hits the top of my chest. It's getting there! 

There are so many types of weaves, but when I am trying to get it to grow, I do a braided sew in. I go to Joy at Just Weaves in Inglewood. I get asked that a lot. I tag her in my hair posts, but I still get a lot of questions about it. haha I am linking her website here.

I have also spent a lot of time researching which vitamins will actually help me and have added them to my daily routine. Like all things -- you have to stay consistent. It won't work for you if you do not take these vitamins everyday. I will list the links to these vitamins below. 

1. Hairfinity
2. Cod Liver Oil Capsules
3. Prenatal

I take a lot of vitamins daily (probably over 10 a day lol -- I officially am my grandparents), but those three are the ones I take to specifically target hair growth. The cod liver oil capsules and prenatal have so many other health benefits as well, so it's a win, win. 

The Meaning Behind My Tattoo

"If you like it so much, write it down and keep it in your purse!" - my grandma

That's what my grandma told me when I showed her my tattoo! *insert eye rolls and roaring laughter here* I get asked all the time what my tattoo means and how I chose the placing. My tattoo is my last name, Makhlouf, written in Arabic. 

As i've mentioned before, I am half Black and half Palestinian. Legally, my last name is Young, but I honestly go by either last name and I typically will hyphenate the two. I've talked heavily in my I'M JUST PRETTY (can be found in the Self(ie) section) post about my struggles with my identity. I was never Black enough for my black side and, because my last name was American, I was told I wasn't really Arab or wasn't really a Makhlouf by my Arab side and friends. That really hurts because I identify equally with both and I actually grew up predominately with my Arab family. 

I was raised on pita bread, lebneh, hummus and Al Jazeera. It doesn't get much more Arab that that! lol. I was so desperate to fit in and be taken seriously by the Arab community. So, there are many reasons why I chose to get this tattoo in particular. Growing up, my life centered around my family and was/is a major influence in the person I am today. I say this all the time -- being Arab (especially in today's America) is a lifestyle and plays a role in my every day. I have always loved the Arabic language -- it's sound, its poetic nature and it's beautiful curvy script. I am just flat out in love with being Palestinian. So, perhaps part of me chose to get it to prove a point (I showed them, huh?), but as I get older, it is so much deeper than that. I am proud of my people, I am proud of their strength and I am proud of my culture. It's that simple. 

I got my tattoo when I was about twenty-two and I spent a couple of years debating it -- it wasn't a spur of the moment thing (I think about things for years before I actually do it because, well, it's permanent!) To this day, I do not regret it one bit and I love showing it off in my flirty, open back tops. 

I chose to get it on my side because as much as I think tattoos are cool and edgy, I also love the purity of a woman and think there's something really beautiful about a woman's body and skin just the way God made it. I knew at the point I got married that I didn't want tattoos to be an accessory to my wedding dress (or really any elegant dress or look). I love the placement of my tattoo because I can flaunt it easily when I want and I can cover it when I choose. It's versatile in that sense. Some people don't even realize I have it. 

It's special, it's meaningful and it's part of me ... literally. 

NY Outfits Roundup

Hi doll facies! I got so many questions about my looks from my trip to New York, so I am spilling the tea for you. Some items I got from random little shops that don't really have links, so I will link similar items for you. Don't worry -- I got you. 

SKIRT HERE 

CROP HERE

BACKPACK HERE

BASEBALL CAP HERE

SWEATSHIRT CROP HERE

JEANS (SIMILAR) HERE

DRESS IS FROM Q FASHION/LUV Q (I got mine from the Del Amo Mall location)

BELT BAG/FANNY PACK (NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN WHITE) HERE 

** I swapped out the belt it came with for a chain strap from another purse.

CROP HERE

SKIRT HERE

SANDALS HERE

DRESS HERE

SANDALS (SIMILAR) HERE

WRISTLET CLUTCH (SIMILAR) HERE

CROP (SIMILAR) HERE & HERE

**They are sold out of this exact top, but the matching skirt is still available at Pretty Little Thing. Search: Black Feather Trim Knit Skirt. 

JOGGERS HERE

SHOES HERE

I got this romper from a random store in Brooklyn because what I was originally wearing was not working out for me LOL. Sometimes you have to do a quick change. 

SIMILAR ROMPERS

HERE

HERE

HERE

LEGGINGS HERE

CROP FROM Q FASHION (DEL AMO MALL LOCATION)

SANDALS HERE

HAT (SIMILAR) HERE

BUTTON DOWN (SIMILAR) HERE

CROP (SIMILAR) HERE

BIKE SHORTS HERE

BUTTON DOWN & BELT BAG PREVIOUSLY LINKED 

ROMPER HERE

BELT BAG HERE

SANDALS (SIMILAR) HERE

SUNNIES (SIMILAR) HERE 

**if you don't like the gradient lenses in the linked sunnies, you may like these from Quay Australia. Mine are Ray Ban.

---

I had so much fun in NY; I'm ready to go back! Here are just a few photos from my trip that I thought I'd share. xx

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

The Truth About My Bangs

Sooo ... I have a little secret. Remember when I posted my new haircut with bangs on Instagram? Well, they were faux bangs! *insert big gasp here* haha 

Here's how I feel about bangs: been there, done that! I just can't deal with the mess of bangs honestly. I think they are so flipping cute and always want to rock them, but I literally just can't. lol They actually really bother me (I hate the feeling of them on my face),  I was constantly having to straighten them when I had bangs in college and nobody wants to put that much heat on their hair on a consistent basis. I also throw my hair up a lot and I can't do that with bangs without looking like I'm back in high school with the little puff in the front of my head. Remember when that was in? So glad it's out! 

So here's the skinny: the bangs are clip-in and super convenient. I got them from The Hair Shop in LA (but you can shop their inventory online or check for other locations around the US). I got mine during their "Fringe Sale" and I just checked for you guys and the deal is still going on! They are on sale right now for $79. It sounds a little steep, but if you're anything like me and are always changing up your hairstyle, it's totally worth it. I would probably never cut bangs again, but these clip-ins allow me to still rock that chic, fun look without any committment. I mean let's be real -- I can barely commit to one lipstick in a day. 

There are three different styles of bangs on their site (and in store). The ones I have are called THE BANG (Boho Chic) and it comes in every color imaginable. If they have my color, they'll have yours! :) I was going to make a video showing you how I clip in mine, but The Hair Shop had one that was so helpful for me and showed the three different styles so beautifully, I wanted you guys to see it too. 

If you end up trying out these bangs, tag me on your insta so I can see! xx 

10 Facts About Us

Hi, everyone! I get a lot of questions about my boyfriend, Idarre, especially since he doesn't have an instagram for people to creep on their own. haha So, I thought it was time to share some (fun) facts about him/us and some old photos nobody has seen. :) 

1. We just celebrated our 4 year anniversary in May. We don't have an exact anniversary date, so we use the date we had our first date.
2. We were long distance for three years.
3. We both went to college at UC Berkeley.
4. We met a month before graduation. -___-
5. The night we met, he jumped in my car and DROVE OFF! lol! I was so irritated, but he was so cute. ugh. 
6. He is Mexican, Native American & Black. 
7. His name is a compilation of the first letters of his siblings' & parents' names. (Yes, I'm serious.)
8. When I am not shooting with my photographer, he takes my photos. 
9. Our favorite thing to do together is watch movies & eat junk food. (Sounds simple, but we have so much fun together.)
10. We live with my parents. He gets along so well with my family and we are saving to buy something together. I'm so thankful for that opportunity. It's rough out here for millennials. 

Vegas, baby!

This year for my birthday I went to see Jennifer Lopez in Vegas. I have been a J.Lo fan since I was a little girl and it was a dream to see her perform live and she did NOT disappoint. Idarre and I did a turn around trip - left on my birthday and came back the next day. We really needed a little getaway together and my birthday was the perfect excuse to do so. I hope you enjoy our vlog as much as we enjoyed filming it! 

27 Lessons

Some lessons can't be taught; they have to be learned.

I'm 27! I honestly can't believe I am 27. Time really does fly. I feel like this past year was so pivotal for me -- I have really surrendered to the universe & God and genuinely feel like I am moving into my greatness. There is a life that I want to live and I finally feel, energetically, that it's my time to grab it. There is no way I would be where I am today if it weren't for the lessons I have learned thus far but mainly this past year. So, in the spirit of turning 27, here are 27 lessons learned during 26.

1. Take breaks. It doesn't mean you're slacking. It just means you're taking care of yourself so you can continue to grind.
2. People can only love you to their own capability of the word. Not everyone was shown the same kind of love growing up and everyone views love differently. What you perceive as love may not be how someone else perceives it and vise versa. So you can't always expect someone to love the way you do.
3. A good friend isn't determined by how many years you have known them. I have felt like I had to hold onto certain friendships because we were friends since we were kids, but that's not true. Some people are meant for your life for the long haul and others are just meant for a season. It's hard, but sometimes it's harder holding onto the unhealthy relationship.
4. Your parents mean well and love the crap out of you even if they don't know how to relate to you all the time.
5. Just because it doesn't happen overnight doesn't mean it won't happen.
6. People are put into your life for a reason.
7. Trust yourself. You know more than you give yourself credit for.
8. Instagram isn't real life. Well, sometimes it is, but it's a pretty, edited version of it.
9. The journey isn't always perfect, but the purpose is. Never doubt the path God is taking you on. He knows what's best for you because he already wrote it.
10. Imperfect photos are always better.
11. Be you -- people love authenticity.
12. No matter how much time, time does heal all.
13. You're not everyone's cup of tea and that's OKAY.
14. If you have to question them, they probably aren't your real friends nor have your best interests at heart.
15. It doesn't matter where I live because home is where my family is.
16. Relationships aren't always rainbows and butterflies, but your love is.
17. Don't buy clothes with the intention of fitting into them later. It's a trap.
18. Less really is more.
19. You always forget about the things you buy, but you never forget experiences and trips taken.
20. It IS possible to have too many purses.
21. There is such thing as constructive criticism and the people who genuinely give it to you really do love you.
22. Green tea helps with digestion.
23. Patience will get you a lot further in life.
24. You can't wear crop tops everywhere even when you reallyyyyyyy want to.
25. A few quality leggings are way better than a ton of Forever 21 leggings.
26.  God never leaves you behind.
27. I don't just want a Bentley and a big house. I want peace of mind and total abundance.

My Favorite Backpack & Why

I would gladly live out of a backpack if it meant I could see the world. 

Okay, I don't know if I could live out of my backpack, but I sure am obsessed with this one! One, i'm in love with this backpack largely because of its color -- olive green is so my jam. Two, it's so sleek and stylish, but it's also practical. There are so many compartments yet still holds its sleek shape and style, which I'm impressed by. I have jam packed this backpack and it still looked like I had hardly anything in it. #winning 

Since I got this bag from CalPak I have used it for literally everything -- my day to day, as a carry on, for shoots, etc. It's literally the perfect backpack. It has its own compartment in the back for your laptop, which allows you full function of the main compartment. Most backpacks don't have that, so you end up limited on space after putting your laptop in it. I have an 11inch MacBook Air and it fits with plenty of room, so you can definitely larger laptops in there. When I use it as a carry on, I typically put my passport, ID, boarding pass, etc. in the front zipper. Did I mention how perfect this bag is? haha 

I checked the site for you all and it looks like it's no longer available in the olive green, but it comes in plenty of other gorgeous colors (and black for my minimalists). When I first came across this backpack, I expected it to be pricey af, but it's under $100. That still sounds like a lot, but if you shop around for other backpacks with it's style and durability, you'll find that others are actually more expensive. 

I'm going on a quick turnaround trip, so of course, this will be the first thing I pack! What do you guys think? I'll link the page to shop below.

LET'S BE TWINS!

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 

It's Not Embarrassing

Sometimes happiness is a feeling. Sometimes it's a decision. 

The topic of depression has come up a lot lately around me and I just want to talk about it. Depression is a topic that isn't easily nor often discussed and it should be. A lot of people believe that depression is self-inflicted. Maybe sometimes it is, but often times it's not. According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people suffer from depression. Let's look at that number closely -- 350 million. That's a lot of people suffering, probably silently. 

I have personal experience with this. I had a depressive episode for almost a year while I was in college. Like most, I suffered silently. I didn't talk about it, I was embarrassed by it and it controlled every aspect of my life. I was staying in bed most of the day not even bothering to turn the lights on when dusk hit. It was very crippling and kept me from experiencing college the way I should and kept me from some pretty big opportunities that I now heavily regret. For the life of me, I just couldn't turn the lights on -- figuratively and literally. 

Could I have chosen to snap out of it? Could I have chosen to get up and just be part of the world? Perhaps. I can tell you this -- it's a lot easier said than done when you're in that deep. I wasn't suicidal, but I just didn't feel like being part of everyday life. I had zero motivation to get up. I remember my college roommate sitting outside of my door on multiple occasions frustrated in her own attempts to snap me out of it. It has to come from you. 

If you are reading this and are feeling the way I once felt, you are not alone. You are valuable and people want you around. Don't forget that.

The first step to being better is: asking for help. Most people feel that asking for help makes you weak or they are embarrassed. Quite the contrary -- it makes you STRONG. It makes you strong to recognize that you need help fighting the fight. It makes you strong to ask for tools that maybe you don't have at the moment to pull yourself out of the hole. It makes you strong to want better for yourself. 

Depression is such a vicious cycle. You become depressed so you create an environment that caters to that. Your new adapted environment then causes you to feel even lower and so on.

---

I interviewed Marina Josiff, MSW (Master in Social Work) about depression and ways to help cope/ways to help someone cope. Ms. Josiff was a Therapist working with those who suffered from chronic mental health issues and currently works for the County of Los Angeles specializing in Child Welfare.

• How would you define depression? Depression, for one, is a mental condition (resulting from a chemical imbalance) that affects your daily life. Sometimes depression is caused from the feeling of guilt, experiencing trauma and/or not addressing unresolved trauma. A lot of people know depression to be a feeling of being really sad or emotional.
• Is depression curable? It is definitely curable by either medication, if it's to that degree. But it can also be cured by having therapy sessions to work out what is making you feel down in the first place. Depending on the severity, it may take some longer to get over depression than others. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) will explain the different diagnoses of depression, the symptoms and duration of the disease.
• What age group do you see the heaviest episodes of depression and what triggers it?  From personal and professional experience, the heaviest episodes happen in between the ages of 18 and 25. I think it's primarily shown in these age groups because you have dealt with trauma as a child and you do not know how to clarify what you have been through. Also, that age group is very impressionable due to not having the tools or resources to talk about their feelings. Our society today is focused primarily on dealing with it on your own and that just deepens the symptoms. It could also be due to your culture. A lot of cultures are not known to go outside of the family to air dirty laundry; therefore, you end up with a build up of things to work through that never get the attention it needs. Another group to show evidence of depression can be 40s to 50s due to divorce, loss of work, problems with your children, etc. Some adults never learned to be expressive as a child or teen, so that carries into their adult life.
• What other conditions can or often result from depression? Most people don't realize that substance abuse (alcohol and/or drugs) is associated with depression. Some people cope with their depression by using substances to numb the pain. Those that do tend to show heightened symptoms because of it. For example, if you have a friend that is going through something and typically wants to smoke or drink when they are going through their struggle, I would make note of that. Talk to them about it and get to the bottom of it before it gets worse. 
• Do you think you need medication to get over depression? It depends. If your symptoms are getting worse and your feeling of hopelessness isn't going away, then I believe medication would be a good route. However, there have been many cases that have proved therapy to be a really good way to cure depression. I am going to share something with you. When I was diagnosed with depression, I declined medication because I didn't think it was "that bad." So instead, I chose to see a therapist once a week and I wrote down everything that was causing myself to be depressed. I then broke it down and figured out ways to eliminate each problem step by step. I also created a strong support circle that made sure I did not isolate myself and checked up on me daily. It was important for me to have support around me that actively listened to me and gave genuine feedback and were also positive within themselves. I had to dig deep into what my underlying issues were and I brought that up in my therapy sessions. I had no choice but to be open and honest about what was going on in order to get better. 
• Who are the best people to reach out to when you or someone you know is depressed? A professional -- some type of therapist, a life coach, counselor. But for those who are not into therapy and talking to a stranger about your problems, I would recommend talking to someone who has been through it and has successfully pulled themselves out of it. You cannot surround yourself with toxic people because it will feed into your depression. Misery loves company. Other than people, other ways to recover is to work out, eating healthier and doing things that make yourself happy. The first step, to me, when dealing with depression is really coming to terms with what it is that is causing you these feelings so you can truly work past them in a way that won't have them come up again. If they do, you will know how to tackle them before it gets to another episode.
• What do I do if someone I know has suicidal ideation? In that very moment when someone is giving off the impression that they are suicidal, you want to ask them why they are feeling the way they are feeling. Then you want to use summarizing and reflecting statements so they know you are listening and acknowledging what they are saying. You should ask them if they have a plan (of suicide) or how many times they have attempted suicide. You want to reassure them that everything is going to be okay, they are loved and worthy. There is also a National Suicide Prevention Hotline that you can call or that they can call for support. It is open 24 hours a day. The number is: (800) 273-8255. Even if you feel like their situation isn't something to be upset about, their reality is real and you never want to downplay the way they are feeling in that moment. If you feel like you are unable to handle the situation, there is a professional team that you can call: Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET), that will come out and assess the situation for you. Their number is: (800) 854-7771. 

How do I know if one of my family members or friends are depressed? 

• hopelessness
• feeling down
• moving slow
• isolation
• saying things like, "I'm better off dead" or "I don't want to be here"
• anger
• easily agitated or triggered
• extremely emotional  
• lack of sleep and/or appetite 
• over sleeping and/or over eating 
• lack of interest

---

I know this was heavy and wasn't as exciting as shopping and what to wear to Stage Coach, but it was necessary. It's time we get more comfortable with the uncomfortable. It's time we, as a society, get healthier and learn to love ourselves because it isn't always a given -- it's a skill. I hope today, and everyday, you are choosing happy.