My Summer Wishlist...

Hey, so I am back, blogging again. I don't know what it is about blogging that is stress-relieving for me, but it has really helped me decrease my stress level. Anyway, I have been scrolling through some online shopping sites and I couldn't help but post about the items that my eyes are watching! (literally, ha!) 

1.  Fiorelli Olivia Jade Shoulder Bag 

Every girl loves handbags, right? Well, I found this simply stunning shoulder bag on asos.com for $112.42. I know I will be waiting for a humongous sale before I purchase this beauty. The black color of the bag makes it a wonderful "go-to" bag to throw on with any outfit. In addition, I really like the style of the bag because it offers a style of simplicity and edginess.

2. Miles Away Crochet Detail Maxi Dress 

One of the things I love to wear during the summer, for special occasions or a simple outing, are maxi dresses. Maxi dresses are a effortless way to make a statement with your sense of style. Since these long, flowing dresses come  in a variety of styles, patterns, and colors, it makes them a great addition to any wardrobe. I found this gorgeous white crochet detail maxi dress on theadsence.com, a site that sells Bohemian clothing and accessories. This dress would look lovely with a pair of simple sandals and if it is a windy day, a cute jean jacket. The back of the dress is low-cut and it is finished with raw-edge hemming. This dress is priced at $120.00. 

3. Flounce Dress with Zipper from Zara Stores

I was actually reading a post on radicaldarling.com, one of my favorite fashion blogs, when the author mentioned the Zara store. I decided to look it up and instantly fell in love with some of the clothing showcased on zara.com. For one, I love the simplicity and modern touch of the clothing sold on this site. Plus I love that the clothing is reasonably priced, especially with this recent summer sale. While cruising through this site, my eyes fell upon this simply stunning white dress with a front zipper. I love how the zipper is in the front of the dress because it gives the dress a unique, modernistic flare. In addition, this dress is on sale for $35.99! 






4. Monki High Neck Pleat Front Blouse 




Lastly, I adore this Monki High Neck Pleat Front Blouse. The color reminds me of the beauty of summer and summer flowers gleaming in the sun. ( I know a little bit too visual, ha.) Anyways, the design and construction of this blouse looks so relaxing and carefree, which I really love paired with those pants. You can find this blouse on asos.com.


Well, those are all the items my eyes are watching. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather, if you have it near you, and stay positive. 

Be bold and be you.

-Faith

What I've Been Listening to Lately...

I've been listening to a variety of different artists lately so I thought I'd make a post about it. We all have that one artist or artists we can't stop listening to during the summer months. Here is my list of favorites: 


1. Lianna La Havas

Lianna La Havas is an extremely talented British singer, musician, and songwriter. Not only is her voice soulful and soothing, but her lyrics are meaningful and heartfelt. I cannot stop listening to her debut album, "Is your Love big enough?"! Her sound is mystic, soulful, and unique, which adds greatness to her as an artist. Plus she is gorgeous and has a great sense of style.  Some of my favorite tracks of this album include; Elusive, Forget, Lost and Found, and Age. 











2. Jhene Aiko 

This rising R&B artist has caught my attention with her soothing, delicate voice and calming sound. Her EP, "Sail Out", is a collection of soulful songs with lyrics that originate from her own personal experiences. Jhene's voice has a soft edge to it that really gives personality to her songs and her music. I love the songs "The Worst", "Stay Ready"featuring Kendrick Lamar, "My mine", and so many more. She offers a different approach to R&B music that truly makes her stand out in the industry. 






3. Beyonce


So, like many others, I have been listening to Beyonce's newest album, the self-titled,BEYONCE. I liked that there was a mixture of personal tracks and tracks that you could really dance to. Some of my personal faves included, "Heaven", "Blue" (featuring her adorable daughter, Blue Ivy), "No Angel", "Haunted", "Pretty Hurts" and "Superpower" (featuring the amazingly talented Frank Ocean). In addition, I thought that it was pretty artistic of Beyonce to have a music videos to go along with her track list. 








4. Disclosure ft. Sam Smith 

The song "Latch" by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith has been my song of the summer. I love the energetic sound and how well Sam's soulful voice pairs along with. Not only is a great song to dance to, but it is a song that can be listened to when you just need a moment to release tension. I think the combination of Sam's soothing, soulful voice pairs nicely with the pounding energy Disclosure brings on the track. 



5. Childish Gambino 

I really enjoy listening to Childish Gambino's new album, "Because the Internet." His singing and rapping combination on most of the tracks give each song a personal flare. Some of my personal faves off of Glover's new album include the hit single, "3005", "world star", and "sweatpants." Also, there are some cool collaborations on this album, including "the worst guys" featuring Chance the Rapper and "pink toes" featuring the soothing songstress, Jhene Aiko. 






6. Vic Mensa 

I was scanning through the channels when I came upon Vic Mensa's "Down on my Luck" music video playing on 106 and Park.  I really liked the up-beat sound of the song plus Vic's great rhymes. Vic's latest EP is titled, INNAETAPE, and it is a unique combination of songs that express Vic's unique style of rapping. Some of my personal favorites of this tape include; "Hollywood LA" featuring Neo Soul songstress, Lili K, "Lovely Day", "Magic" featuring my new favorite voice, Jesse Boykins III, and "Orange Soda."

 

Watch "Down on my Luck" here......

7. SZA 

SZA, the stunning beauty,  is a rising voice in the R&B world after the attention her single, "Teen Spirit" gave her. I absolutely love the edge that her smooth, full voice has and the personality that it gives to her songs. Not only is her sound new and edgy, but her lyrics display her true personality and true being. I also really enjoy listening to SZA's tracks,  "Ice Moons", "Castles", and "Julia" off her recent album, Z. 












Well, that's what I have been listening to lately. Find your zen. 


-Faith 

It's all about the Room

So... I have been absent on my blog for a couple of months, but it truly seems like a whole entire year. I have been packing and getting ready for college, which of course means endless shopping and endless list-making of all the objects you need to make the dorm your home-away-from-home. While shopping for dorm accessories and objects, I have come across some neat and in-vogue accessories for any room that you spend majority of your time in. If you are going to spend hours in this room, you might as well enjoy the luxuries and environment of the room, right? Well, I have found some treasures that you can add to your "special" room that can make it versatile and comfy!


1. The Storage Ottaman

-This piece of furniture can play two major roles in any room, including a comfortable foot rest and a storage bin for any of your belongings. These storage ottamans come in a variety of sizes, styles, and patterns, which make them an effective solution to building clutter in any room. I love to place old board games or magazines in this storage ottaman because it is easily and conveniently accessible, just in case you need those items again. Target carries a variety of storage ottamans in their college material sections, where they showcase the desk lamps and bed sheets. You can find storage ottamans at Target ranging anywhere from 40 dollars to 60 dollars and above.










2. Make an Inspiration Board

Many people find importance in rooms where there is a collection of their personal belongings or treasures, which creates a personal connection to the room for them. Inspiration boards are a creative and personal way to add some personality and flare to a room that you want to call your own. This board can be plastered with old photographs of you and a friend, random quotes from a magazine, or your own art and drawings. It can even be more orderly than a messy collage of random things you like, such as a collection of frames of your favorite photographs or artworks. The purpose of an inspiration board is to display all the elements and things that inspire you to, in essence, be who you are and reach your goal. I love the idea of the inspiration board because it is a place where you can look up and recall good, forgotten memories or a place where you can seek inspiration to achieve a long term goal. Here are some inspiration boards that I became really fond of, which is why I am using them as inspiration for my very own.











Until next time.

Be creative and find your zen.

-Faith

It's Spring Detox Time!

Since the frigid temperatures of winter are finally ceasing, it is time to embrace the sunlight and freshness of spring. Spring happens to be my favorite season because of the vibrantly blooming flowers, the fresh, illuminating sunlight, and the chirping birds. After a long Christmas and New Year break filled with unhealthy food and snacking, spring is always the perfect time to try out a detox. Detoxing can purify your body of toxins that are composed in processed food and help your body to function more smoothly and efficiently. There are a variety of ways to detox, including juicing, eliminating sugar from diet, and replacing all processed food with fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are used to eating a diet high in processed food, detoxing can be a difficult process for you to go through. The period of time you detox depends on personal preference. For instance, you can try to do one detox activity a day or do a detox activity once a week. 

Detoxing can be an enjoyable and even delicious experience if you use flavors and foods that fit into your lifestyle and satisfy your taste buds. Since I don't usually have a lot of time on my hands, I focus on completing a smoothie or juice detox and a tea detox. I find it easier to detox with drinks, smoothies, and juices because they are less time consuming to make and convenient to fit into my schedule. 

Detox Smoothie 

Detox smoothies are an easy way to begin your detox process because you can add your favorite vegetables and fruits to it based on your liking. I love making green smoothies, which taste absolutely delicious. My green smoothie is packed with Vitamin A, C, and D and is loaded with antioxidants from the fruits. It is a great cleanser for the skin and helps detoxify the organs, especially the liver. 

Naturalle Luna Green Smoothie 

Ingredients: 

• handful of spinach 
• handful of kale 
• a half of a squeezed lemon 
• blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
• 1/4 cup of cubed green apple
• 1/4 cup of cubed pineapple
• 1/3 cup of almond milk 

Instructions:

1. I usually blend the fruit and milk together in my blender. Frozen fruit or fresh fruit is fine for this recipe. I add my frozen and fresh fruit to my blender and pour just enough almond milk to cover all the pieces of fruit. 

2. After the milk and fruit mixture is completely blended, I add in the handful of spinach and kale at separate times and blend until fully smooth. Once the greens are added to the milk and fruit mixture, I squeeze the half of lemon into it. I mix the lemon juice into the smoothie with a spoon and then it is ready to serve! 

Kale

• High in Vitamin A. C, K, and D 
• Packed with Potassium and Iron 
• Easy to cook, steam, or sauteed 

Spinach

• Good source of protein
• Loaded with flavonoids, which play the role of an antioxidant and help immune system
• Packed with Vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is essential for a healthy digestive system

Berries

• Packed with antioxidants that are essential for healthy, glowing skin and healthy hair 
• High in Vitamin C, which is great for immune system 

Almond Milk

• Great alternative to hormone-filled whole milk
• Packed with Omega 3's, which are great for your hair and your skin

 Enjoy everyday  because everyday is truly a blessing. 

Spring Photography Inspired Fashion

Spring is finally here and I could not be more ecstatic about it! Yesterday I was in Philadelphia, enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

 

Fashion wise, spring  is all about vibrancy and showcasing that through the wardrobe. I am definitely attached to my neutral color palette in my closet, but I wouldn't mind letting some of those go! Here are just a few pieces I have gotten my eyes on, which are all inspired by spring photography. 

 Pink, Spring Flowers and High Waist-Skirts



-With the calm and vibrant collection of spring colors out there, I could not help but love high-waist skirts this spring! I am a vintage fashion lover, so this is any vintage girl's dream come true. These skirts pair well with a simple top and will look amazing at any occasion, whether casual or elegant. With the flowers beginning to bloom again and the smell of spring air surrounding us, I had to pick these pale pink skirt to pare with these beautiful photographs of pink, spring flowers. 

Cherry Blossom Trees and Handbags 

My spring handbags and clutches wish list is inspired by the color of cherry blossom flowers on cherry blossom trees. Cheery Blossom trees are the true sign of spring to me, which is why I have been on the hunt for handbags and clutches that resemble that pale, springy, pink tone. 

Handbags and clutches are a great, fashionable way to add color, style, and an accent to your outfit. I love this clutch that my best friend showed me called the Blushing Out Clutch, which I found on polyvore.com. It is covered with tiny, pink roses all over it, which is a simple, complimenting design to any spring outfit. This clutch is reasonably priced at $48.00 and worth every cent. Shout out to my bestie @isabelleramirez.blogspot.com for showing me this beautiful clutch!

Plus, I adore this SONIA RYKEL medimum leather bag, which is a gorgeous pale pink that would compliment any spring outfit. It is well-sized for a handbag and has the cutest straps. This one is a little bit on the pricier side with its 1,560 price tag. 

To add to this wish list, I could not fail to include this gorgeous Genuine-leather Flap Cross Bag in this cherry blossom pink. I love how petite and adorable this bag looks, which would go great with any casual spring outfit. Even though this bag is a little pricer at $91, it was originally $114 on polyvore.com. 

Blue Ocean and Spring Dresses

In the spring, the beaches and oceans always look breathtaking, especially when it is a vibrant, sunny day. These spring dresses are inspired by the color of the ocean, a color that I absolutely love. 

I love wearing dresses for special occasions, especially if the style and color are tailored just right for me.  With the warm weather finally arriving, these dresses are definitely added to my wishlist. 

Cedric Charlier's Blue Pleated Bandeau Dress is gorgeous and a perfect tone of navy blue with black pleating. The shape of the dress showcases simplicity and uniqueness.It would be a great addition to any spring dress collection and suitable for wearing in the summer months as well. I found this on polyvore for $285.00. 

 Emillio Pucci Viscose's Jacquard silk dress has a beautiful and vibrant pattern that compliments the shape and style of the dress without overwhelming it. I love the shapes and symmetry of the pattern because it is filled with neutral colors and primary colors that work well together. This silk dress is a little pricier than the previous one, priced at $1, 908. 

                                                     Happy Spring!                                      

My Must-Have Snacks

As many already know, I am a self-proclaimed health nut. I enjoy cooking healthy foods, making fruity and veggie filled smoothies, and keeping my body in shape. I am always on the hunt for healthy, convenient snacks that do not take an immense amount of preparation to make. Here are some of my favorite healthy snacks that I would rather not go a day without.




Frozen Fruit

Who doesn't love fruit? Especially as a midnight snack or just something to much on in the day? Especially in the summer, I love to munch on frozen fruit. Freezing fruit is an excellent way to save fresh fruit that may easily spoil, such as berries, and keep them for a longer amount of time. I freeze fruit that usually goes out of season during the winter months, like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. If you are not into buying fresh fruit, the cheaper alternative can be buying packaged frozen fruit that tastes just as good. I love eating frozen fruit in replacement for ice creams or sugary sherbets. Plus I love adding them to creamy Greek yogurt for a nice parfait or plopping them in my green smoothies!

 

 

Sunflower Seeds

I absolutely love sunflower seeds because they are crunchy, versatile, and easy to add to salads, trail mixes, oatmeal, and even baking recipes. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of fiber and protein, which keeps me full and focused. I love topping sunflower seeds in my morning oatmeal, my lunch salads, and even as mid-day snack with chopped up dried fruits.  Mixing together golden raisins, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds is one of my favorite trail mix recipes.

 

 

Healthy Snacking!