texas

Can’t find a swimsuit you love?  You’re looking in the wrong places!  YOU. GUYS.  I went to work for you this week.  I went to all the stores trying on bathing suits to find the best place with the perfect bathing suit.

A couple things need to be made clear from the beginning.  A one-piece suit is not meant for ladies with ting tangs.  It doesn’t work.  I tried them all on & a one-piece is just not something I can suggest.  Another thing, you have to go to girls clothing stores in order to find suits you’re comfortable in.  I determined why – swimsuits for younger girls don’t encourage nip slips.  Department stores, woman stores, and higher end brands are all pointed to trendy, fashion bathing suits… BUT they’re not functional.  If you’re okay with an occasional nip slip & sheer fabrics, your options are endless.  If you’re  looking for something comfortable & functional – go to girls swimwear >> think:  American Eagle, PacSun, Hollister, ect.  I haven’t been in those store for years but they’re back on my radar.

Also, if we’re being honest here, I’ve never been a bikini babe.  I’ve never really been someone who sits & sunbathes.  It’s too hot, like I’m uncomfortable & impatient…  Body confidence also comes into play, as it does for most of us.  BUT, I do love water sports; like skiing & I get excited about actually swimming.  Being on the lake, in a boat, laps at the pool, anywhere near or on water – makes me happy.

Because that’s how I tend to enjoy the pool, I don’t typically enjoy super skimpy swimsuits because… I don’t want to fall out of it while I’m swimming like small mouth bass through the water.  You feel me?

SO here’s the deal.  You need a variety of swimsuits so you can always feel confident when you have to be in one.  You need one that’s fun, one that’s very functional, and one classic.  That way you’ll always have something in your arsenal that’ll make you feel ready for any invite!

Let’s make the pool fun again!

My first time going to see a motivational speaker & it was freaking TONY ROBBINS!  You guys.  I don’t think you understand how much I used to obsess over this man & his story.  I saw him on Ellen years + years ago.  I bought one of his books while in Dubai & when I finished it, Wafiq read it too.  We’ve both tried to steal his energy in our day to day living, so to get the opportunity to see him live was so fortunate!

I wanted to quickly pass on a key point or two that we took away from hearing him speak.  Obviously in no way will I be able to reproduce any of his information, you’ll have to go see him for that, BUT there were a few things that gave both of us a beautiful refresher on this wonderful life we have.

I’ll set the tone, Tony started his speech by saying we had nothing to truly complain about.  If we were able to afford tickets to that convention & had health enough to participate – we are fortunate.  I always remind myself of that exact same thing.  If we’re functioning, if we have our health & we can walk around – we should be grateful.  (You HAVE to watch this 2 minute YouTube video.  I stole it from Joe Rogan’s podcast. OMG it’s fucking everything.  Watch: here)

Tony Robbins doesn’t see himself as a motivational speaker because he doesn’t tell you to change your mind, or to think positively.  He believes & teaches a strategy.  He said, if there’s a weed growing in your backyard he’s not going to tell you to go think really hard & be as positive as possible about this weed going away & any future weeds coming into the garden.  Instead, he’s going to tell you to go out to the backyard right away & pull out the fucking weed.  He’s more than simply thinking positive.  Strategy.

He major believes in movement & energy.  Physically moving.  That’s why he jumps around a lot at his conventions & “Go Crazy!” is flashing on the projector screen.

His energy is UP.  And ours should be too.

Today is for beauty & makeup; a foundation review from me to you!  I know I’m always telling you guys how much I don’t like wearing full foundation, & that’s true, but I wear it anyway.  I made an online purchase from Sephora months ago & they were doing a promotion.  With the promotion, you received almost 20 different top brand foundations w your purchase.   When I received the package I realized Sephora wasn’t messing around – so much fucking product.  If you’ve ever bought brand name foundation, you’ll understand this was $$$$.

Lucky me, each brand came with a range of colors & I got away with using about 3 different shades of each brand, depending how tan I was.  A lot of testing happening.

For the past 5 or so months I’ve been experimenting with a different foundation, daily.  My goal was always to wear the foundation in the morning & throughout the day so I was able to see it’s lasting powers.  

Here’s what I found out.  Most foundations are the same.  Boring?  I know. 

Because I obsess over Beauty YouTubers, I was expecting some major moments w each of these foundations, but nope.  Not for the average girl like me.  Which leads me to saying, I’M NOT A BEAUTY GURU.  I like makeup, fashion, sparkle – but I’m not a professional.  So this review is for the everyday girl at home that’s also not a major beauty guru (but may dream about being one someday).  My descriptive language will quickly give away I’m no pro, so take this as different, unique feedback on some top foundation brands.

If you follow my Instagram Stories you may be wondering why I never touched the topic of my extremely dark spray tan I got for a wedding a few weeks ago.  Eeeeeeek.  When I say I have no fear w a fake tan I mean it.  Here’s a little update on sunscreens & spray tans, because – SUMMER.

Let’s start with something we can all agree on: Sun Protection.

I think it’s pretty obvious that using some kind of sunscreen is important.  It’s 2018.  We’re smart.  We know.  Whether it be for your face, your entire body, every day, at the pool, or everywhere – sunscreen is happening.  I also think we’re learning what types of sunscreens we should be wearing & when.

I choose to wear sunscreen often, but not all the time.  I don’t know if any product is safe enough to wear all over our bodies, every single minute, of every day.  But I try to be conscious & cautious by picking out better sunscreens & knowing when to wear them.

This is my favorite post to find on YouTube & through blogs because anything empty must mean it’s TRUTH!  Whether someone is paid to post something or given free products, if they’ve used it until it’s empty – it must be good.

There are a few things that I’ve had to repurchase recently, so I thought it was perfect timing to share!

Current EMPTY Products I’ll Be Repurchasing:
Rose Water Spray: I’m actually very satisfied w the Rose Water spray from Trader Joe’s, but I hate the packaging; it shoots your face too directly.  I had an empty Mario Badescu Rose Water Spray bottle that I love, now I pour the Trader Joe’s Rose Water Spray in the that bottle, & continue to refill + use.  I love this stuff! I always use it after I’m done w my makeup, before bed when my face is clean, when I travel, throughout the day.  I used to think it was a gimmick, but I can’t go a day without it now.

Mario Badescu Cellular Lotion:  This face moisturizer goes a LONG way.  A pea sized amount covers your entire face leaving it moisturized.  It’s perfect for my skin because I have a drier face, but it might not work as well if you have very oily skin.  I love the amount of moisture it provides, the price point, the consistency, the packaging – everything!  This is actually the only thing I’ve been wearing on my face recently, with rose water spray on top.  Leaves an oily glow, which I strive for.

Nivea Essential Enriched Body Lotion:  Apparently this is the secret lotion that everyone knows about?? I recently emptied a huge bottle & had to buy another from Amazon.  I was bragging about how smooth it was making my skin to Wafiq, and he said “oh yeah, Nivea, it’s the best, everyone uses it.”  ?? Likeeee, you couldn’t have told me that 19 years ago bro?!

I’m on a shopping role for you guys, woot woot!  Here’s why: SUMMER.  Near the end of winter, and into Spring don’t you just want a refresh?  You’re getting out all the extra stuffy clothes, extra pounds on your body, and bringing in lemon water + daisy dukes. Right?

In order to do that you need to workout.  Mmmkay?  That’s just the reality of the situation.  And new workout clothes is the most motivating way to do that. Not really, having a group that holds you accountable & establish friendships with is truly the best way to stay motivated.  Besides the hot body you’ll get, you’ll also be HEALTHY.  Praise Jesus.  But nice workout clothes helps MAJOR, too.

However, workout clothes are expensive.  F.

I found the sneak around: OLD NAVY.

That’s right, Old Navy is the shit when it comes to workout clothes.  And because the clothes aren’t super expensive you won’t feel bad sweating your body weight in them, laying on the ground of exhaustion, or getting them a little dirty in the grind.  You know what I mean.

I’ve had a lot of Old Navy athletic wear for awhile but just recently committed to purchasing more pieces, & am finally bragging about them.  The quality you guys, is not compromised.  It’s strange how comfortable & quality the pieces feel.  I’m here for it.

As if the clothes aren’t already affordable enough, Old Navy is constantly having sales.  I think yesterday, they had 40% off everything??  They’re always updating the styles.  You can keep buying new new new as long as you want to add to your personal inventory.

A couple things;  I have fallen down a long, dark path that is Target Online Shopping… AND I hate throw away plastic more in the summer than any other time of the year.

UGH.  Throw away paper plates, red solo cups, plastic forks equal the sounds of summer days at the pool & BBQ’s.  I’m NOT into it.  I can’t stand how much trash accumulates.  Because glass isn’t allowed near the pool, boats, water – plastic is the next best thing.  Enter >> paper throw away crap.

This year I figured out a quick, cute, easy way to avoid this mess.  NICE PLATES that are plastic & reusable. Dishwasher safe.  Easy.  Pretty.  All from Target.  I was UBER inspired by the Opalhouse Collection at Target recently which is what sparked this entire shopping adventure.  Opalhouse is my summer style to the T.  And incredibly more affordable than it’s pretty counterparts: Pottery Barn, CB2., ect.

I happen to love makeup, hair & clothes.  Makeup specifically.  Similar to playing w glitter crayons & sequins as a kid; I now play w makeup.   So I buy a lot of it, whenever there’s something new, pretty, or interesting; I try to add it to my collection.  BUT, I know that’s not for everyone.  I spent a lot of time on YouTube copying & learning from all the real makeup artists while I was in Dubai – but I’m fully aware ain’t everybody got time for that.

This list is a makeup starter kit OR it can be a makeup refresh kit.  So if you’re not totally into makeup, but want to have your basics covered, this list is for you!  Or, if all your make up is 37 years old & in desperate need of a refresh, this list has you covered!  Full face, start to finish, products.  I thought about this a lot.  I had trouble in the beginning of my makeup journey because I would buy all the glittery & colorful eye shadows (they’re the prettiest, so obviously).  But I could never make a full face come together.  Or I didn’t know what product goes where.  I either looked 198 years old or 3 years old.  Needless to say, it wasn’t working.  I wasted a lot of money.  Which is why I came up w this list!  I would’ve found it helpful before the dozens of glitter pink, purple, and blue purchases I made in the past.

I also didn’t want this list to be too expensive or overwhelming.  Anything that is a little more money, is simply because I think it’s worth it, for your starter kit.  You feel me?  It’s the same things I would save my precious pennies for while I was in Dubai, so trust me, if I could do it then – you can do it now.

Ting tangs are the subject for today! Wonderful ting tangs!  (But are they actually wonderful?  Thoughts?)

Whether or not you’re in denial, backless & low cut clothing have been all the rage for a few YEARS now.  I denied it for a long time, because I don’t have the option of going free willey w my chesties, but the envy has taken over!

I tried everything, over a period of years, to go backless.  It all started in Dubai with a beautiful backless gown I had to wear to a wedding.  I went hunting & found those silicone bras that stick to the front of your chest & don’t wrap around.  These are a decent option, you can find them: here.  BUT, they aren’t the best because they pull your tits down.  SoOoO if you’re ok sagging a little, they’ll work in a pinch, but not ideal.  Although I do keep them handy.

I’ve also transitioned to these Gel Petals from Target.   You’d be surprised how well these babies work, they really lift!  Stick on the bottom, pull up, stick to the top.  You’ll get it when you try it.  I actually really love these, also super cheap.  They’re never in stalk, so I know I’m not the only one that’s found them as a secret trick.  If you do find the Gel Petals, get a few so they’re always on hand!  The other nice part of these is they’ll work for any cut – backless, low cut, almost nude, whatever!  I also like them because they’re pretty much summer resistant.  Meaning, if you sweat, they’ll stick.  Even with these little guys, sometimes – you want more…

For anyone that doesn’t know – I work with Wafiq in Residential Real Estate.  My history in real estate goes as follows:  I assisted several people through multiple positions with commercial real estate after college, when I moved to Dubai I worked in residential real estate because they don’t separate commercial from residential, and now I’m assisting Wafiq in residential real estate in Austin.   HE IS SO GOOD AT IT.  I just wanted to cut to that point.  There is nothing better than coming home to someone who is happy in their work everyday.  It makes the worlds difference to our everyday happiness, relationship, and goals.  SO MUCH BETTER than complaining about work.  And he thrives, it’s the most fun to be a part of it!

We are both of the mindset that life is short & we should spend every day figuring out what we love doing – and do it.

Since working in Residential Real Estate in the U.S. we’ve met several first time home buyers (& the experience is much different than it was in Dubai).  We have a few tips that we see w almost all our first time home buyers in the market right now.  I was overlooking sharing this here but it finally clicked for me, this is some good info if you’re trying to make your first BIG purchase; a home.   Once you have these 5 things figured out – you should have a smoother & smarter process.

5 Tips For A First Time Home Buyer
Don’t be Afraid of Multiple Offers:  This is a tough one to get people to believe, but it’s true.  All you can do with a multiple offer situation is put in your best offer & see if it works.  If it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.  I KNOW that sounds very cliche but I have proof!  In almost every deal Wafiq did in the summer – the clients lost homes in multiple offer situations, and were obviously bummed.  BUT 100% of them ended up closing on a different home saying  “I’m so glad that other offer didn’t get accepted, we love this one so much more.”  Guys, I’m not lying to you.  Trust the process, trust you’ll find what’s right for you!

Have you ever tried not eating or drinking?  Since my allergy attack I’ve cut out almost everything.  Any complicated food & all drinks besides water + topo chico.   I had one allergy doc tell me I was fine to eat anything & another recommended sticking to basics until my results come back –  but I chose to stick to basics, where I know every ingredient I’m consuming.

I don’t like the idea of risking another allergy attack, and for me – food & alcohol isn’t worth it.

I think I had an emotional attachment to food you guys.  When the attack first happened I was almost depressed thinking about not eating french fries & nachos anymore.  I have an anxious mind so I’ll blow up any idea I can, and in my head I was cutting out all my favorite snack worthy foods & wine – for life.  I felt a best friend leaving me, food.

But I saw this basic ingredient diet of mine as an experiment.  Remember when I did the Master Cleanse?  I view this allergy attack, and my new diet, the same way.  A challenge, and I live for challenges.  I want to re introduce ingredients to my diet one by one to see how they make me feel.  Having this approach to food after my allergy attack is better than fear & anger, right?   I’d rather create a challenge out of the whole debacle than sit around being scared of it.

So, I’ve also stopped eating at most restaurants.

And let me tell you, this is the most challenging part.  I’m 100% fine w my new “constrictions” because it’s part of my challenge.  In my mind, I adjusted from being depressed about food, to tackling it.  I have my main foods, that I absolutely love eating, and am full every single day.  + I love cooking at home.

The challenging part?  Everyone around me.  I get a lot of teasing about not eating because “oh yeah! You’re allergic to everything (eye roll)” and “try this! try this!” and “why can’t we just meet at a restaurant, you can find something to eat, or just sit w me” OR the best one – while putting something up to my face “don’t you just want to eat this?”

FML.

2018 is on it’s way!  Lets set goals, shall we?!

No.

No we shall not.

I thought a lot about this.  The big, long-term beautiful (somewhat vague) end goal is always in sight, but all the others change.  I love it!  I welcome change, even though I fear it.  As ideas & goals shift throughout the year, you create new agendas & updated accordingly.  Which is why, now that it’s 2018 & resolutions are all the talk, you shouldn’t feel pressure to make them.  

I’ve learned one of the worst things you can do to yourself is lose your own trust.  Disappoint yourself.  I know any goal I set on Jan 1, 2018 will end up changing, therefore I’ll end up disappointing myself & losing my trust.  Which is a big no-no.  So, fuck the 2018 goals.