Silence

We live in a time where everyone wants their voices heard. Thanks to globally accessible social platforms, those who were once silenced can now find community in just a click. People are now as expressive as ever, thanks to the beautiful shield that is social media. It's so much easier to put on a brave face and type out our thoughts/feelings and hit post than it is to walk the walk. But for some of us, the bravery transpires into real life and we get that boost of confidence we need to talk that talk and walk that walk. Either that or our "idgaf" factor increases with age.

I hated conflict growing up. I bit my tongue so much figuratively, that I actually LITERALLY used to bite my tongue in situations because I had something to say but was too scared to voice it. Whether it was friendships, family or boys, I always kept my concerns to myself until it hit the boiling point. Then I would pour out all my thoughts/feelings at once and get hit with the "why didn't you tell me before?" I got so tired of that question. It would make me feel crazy for dumping so much at once and it also made me feel guilty. I was tired of feeling like that.

August; New Month, New Beginnings

via @reigningwomen on Instagram

via @notesfromyourtherapist on Instagram

via @thinkingmindspage on Instagtram

Notes to myself, and whoever else might need it 🖤

It's a new month. A new beginning and a great time to start over or pick back up on working towards your goals. Stay focused, keep the momentum going and only look back for motivation.

🖤

Stuck in a Rut

post from @mollyjeannne

Current state of mind. But to be completely honest, its been like this for years. It's just coming to full capacity at this point. I've never felt more lost in life. I don't know what I'm doing with my life (as many of us feel) but how come despite knowing that I'm not the only one going through this, it feels so lonely?

I Made My Own Lipstick! || Lip Lab by Bite Beauty

If you're a lipstick junkie like me, it's more than likely that you've fantasized about creating your own lip product. You know, the perfect color and formula that matches your aura, aesthetic and cosmetic goals. Well, you can stop daydreaming about it and actually bring it to life thanks to Lip Lab by Bite Beauty. 

In less than 30 minutes, you get to create your own lipstick with a finish, the scent of your choice, and a personalized name engraved! Does it get better than that? 

My amazing friend Caitlin (@haircait on Instagram) treated me to a girl's day in SoHo and we created our own lipsticks at the Lip Lab on Prince Street, here in NYC. Keep scrolling for details of our experience and pictures!

Why I No Longer Need Social Media Breaks || 5 Tips That Can Help You Enjoy Social Media Again

I bet you've either seen an "I'm going on a social media break" or "I'm back from my social media hiatus" post in this past year from someone you follow. Or worse, you're the one who is posting it. Social media breaks/detoxes seem to be the latest form of self-care. Almost all mental health-related outlets will advise that taking a break from social media can help decrease the amount of depression, anxiety, and loneliness one feels nowadays. Shit, even I wrote a piece three years ago called 5 REASONS YOU SHOULD TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK. Even though I stand behind the points I made in that article, I shifted my perspective on the matter and I want to share that with you.

image source @frayedfeems

The Best Drugstore Scalp Scrub? || L'Oréal Paris EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Hair Scrub Review

When it comes to my hair, I'm always looking for products that will salvage my dry, damaged split ends. I tend to focus so much on the ends of my hair, that I forget that healthy, beautiful hair starts at the roots! I try my best to be gentle on my scalp and give myself a massage every time I shampoo my hair. But since I only wash my hair about two times a week, a lot of the product I use throughout the week does buildup. 

Sometimes clarifying shampoos just don't do the trick. I use apple cider vinegar rinses (one every few months, everyone's method is different.) But lately I want a product that A) I don't have to concoct myself and B) Gets in there to scrub off the buildup on my scalp. I don't know if its a placebo effect, but I will only be satisfied when I can physically feel my scalp getting a thorough scrub down.

If you keep up with the hair industry, you've seen that the latest obsession in hair care is scalp scrubs. Brands such as Briogeo and OUAI have the most popular hair scrubs right now, but those come with a hefty price tag. You guys already know I had to find a drugstore alternative, so I went out on the hunt and this is what I found!

No FOMO

First off, what is FOMO?

FO·MO: fear of missing out.

/ˈfōmō/

noun

anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

I think at some point in life, we all go through FOMO. We feel like we are missing out on an opportunity, an event, a moment that others are experiencing. Growing up in a strict household, I felt FOMO at a very young age. It was something as simple as coming back home when the rest of the neighborhood kids were still playing outside when the sun went down. Being forced to sit in a room of girls and talk when the boys were in another room playing video games at family functions. Not owning an easy bake oven...LOL. Stupid, yet as a kid, that was important to me.

As I got older my FOMO got worse, especially during middle school and high school.

5 of My Favorite Mental Health Posts

From time to time, I like to draw inspiration from my past self. I love going back and reading my older blogs, journal entries, social media posts, and watching my youtube channel. Sometimes I crack up at how corny I am, what a sarcastic asshole I can be and how blunt I come off. Other times, I'm in awe of how passionate I can be about topics that I truly care about.

Lately, I've been focusing more on beauty/fashion content when it comes to my blog/social media because its something that brings me joy and allows me to be creative. But what really drives me is connecting with people on a deeper level. Connecting on a psychological level. To feel and understand what each other is going through and somehow make it easier for the other person. And the best way to help is to let them know that they are not alone.

I want to share 5 of my favorite posts related to mental health:

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU WANT TO GIVE UP

CLEANSING MORE THAN JUST MY BODY

5 REASONS YOU SHOULD TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN PEOPLE HURT YOUR FEELINGS

"YOU'VE CHANGED" I'D HOPE SO.

All these topics are still relevant and shareable. Please be sure to share them with a friend who can relate or benefit from reading these. Leave me a comment on which post resonated with you most. I'd love to start a deeper conversation. 🖤

January Favorites (2019)

It's been such a long time since I shared my monthly favorites with you guys! If you follow me on Instagram, I have a series called "Empties" where I do mini-reviews of makeup/skin/hair products that I used up and...EMPTIED! It's become a quick way for me to share my thoughts on beauty products and I feature them on this highlight (make sure to check it out and follow me!) But since I want that old thang back (blogging), I decided to do an old fashioned monthly favorites post on the blog! So here we go.

I didn't have that many products to share this month because A)I've been breaking out and B)It's been such a boring month. I stayed home most of the time, a.k.a. I've been makeup free which means I didn't try a lot of different looks. With that said, I did discover these items that I constantly reached for and will continue to favor for a while.

The Perfect Comeback

It's almost been a year since I posted a blog entry. I was always waiting for the perfect blog post, the perfect content, the perfect OOTD or review. I would tell myself everytime I hung out with friends "make sure you ask them to take pictures of you for the blog." Which is something I surprisingly succeeded in the past year!

We would take so many shots till I was satisfied with at least one photo. But when it came to posting, I was hypercritical. "I look fat, my skin looks terrible. My hair is messed up. Ugh, this outfit didn't come out as bomb as I imagined it in my head. This isn't good enough for the blog." I would do the same thing when it came to reviewing beauty products or any other topics of interest that I usually blogged about.

That continued for months until the one year mark was around the corner. Then the pressure got even more intense. I made it a point to come back with a bang. My return to blogging had to be epic, unique and worth the wait. But as life would have it, I'm at a stage where I am completely burnt out. From my personal to professional life, everything has worn me out to the point of complete exhaustion. I'm tired, I am uninspired and totally bored. I have zero energy for anything. My patience doesn't even exist anymore. I just can't be bothered with people or situations that drag me down. January blues? Could be...