Paris is always a good idea.

Original image found via Pinterest // Font: Metropolis

It seems like everyone is obsessed with Paris lately, including myself. It's always been my dream to one day visit the city of light & love, but sadly I've only been to the Las Vegas version. I can't lie, I've often looked up at their Eiffel Tower and pretended that I was in the real Paris. Hey, a girl can dream! Now that I'm done with school and working full-time, I'm trying to save my pennies so I can make a trip out there one day. In the meantime, I'll satisfy my French obsession with a few French-inspired pieces for my wardrobe and bedroom.

Outfit Inspiration Images via Pinterest-

Top: Ann Street Studio

Bottom: Classic French Style


1. NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red
2. Bien Fait Bandana
3. SS Print Shop "Oh La La" Print
4. Forever21 Trippy Paris Crop Top
5. Madewell Linen Paris Muscle Tee 
6. Forever21 Long Sleeve Crop Top

Bedroom Makeover

I decided a few months ago that my bedroom needed some restyling. I was never crazy about the wall color, and the overall feel of the room didn't quite represent my personal style. So what started out as just wanting a fresh coat of paint on the walls turned into an entire room renovation project. I guess that's the perk of having a dad that does this kind of thing for a living!

I took inspiration from some of my favorites - Breakfast at Tiffany's, Parisian chic style, classic literature, and the Beatles - and incorporated them into my room to make a space that really felt like "me". It's still a work in progress, but I'm really happy with the results so far.

Sources-
Paint Color: Martha Stewart Living- Glass of Milk
Pendant Light Fixture
Gallery Wall:
I Heart Chicago Wall Art
Ladybug Print by ClareElsaesser
John Lennon Poster purchased at Lake Geneva Art Fair

The Essentials: Hair Products

I am lucky enough to have a best friend that is a very talented hair stylist (Hi Renee!) that always steers me in the right direction when it comes to taking care of my hair. I know that everyone's hair is different, so what works for me may not work for you. That being said, I think we can all appreciate a good deep conditioning treatment and beach spray. So here are the hair products that I consider to be essential for keeping my hair looking its best.

Healthy Sexy Hair Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave In Conditioner - What can I say, I'm obviously a big fan of this line of products by Sexy Hair. The shampoo and conditioner are safe to use on color treated hair, they're sulfate, paraben, and gluten free, and they're moisturizing enough to use every day. They have a subtle scent, but that doesn't bother me since I use so many products after washing my hair.

I recently started using the leave in conditioner, but I know it will come in handy come summer. My ombrè ends tend to dry out in the summer, so this leave in conditioner should do the trick. It's moisturizing without leaving a greasy finish, and my hair looks and feels so healthy after blow drying!

DIY Hair Mask - I use this DIY combo every other week or when my ends start to feel a little on the dry side. It smells amazing and it's a great way to pamper yourself on the weekends. Apply it to your hair, throw it up into a bun, and relax for 30-40 mins (I usually read or paint my nails). Make sure you wash it out really well with shampoo and follow up with conditioner, you want your hair to look healthy and shiny, not greasy!

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray -  No wonder there is a cult-like following for this spray, it's the best on the market in my opinion! It gives my fine, straight hair just the right amount of grit and texture for that "I just spent the day at the beach" look. It even smells like the ocean. I use it on damp hair before blow drying, on dry hair before curling, and as a refresher on day-old curls. It seriously works miracles on my hair. 

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray - I tried this sea spray as an inexpensive alternative to B&B's (which is not cheap!). It smells like coconut (love) and is a bit more moisturizing than the surf spray (also love). I don't get as much volume from this spray, but I still switch off regularly between the two. 

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - I'll use this before blowdrying if I want to give my hair a sleek, shiny look. My hair is naturally straight, but this serum gives it a glossy sheen that doesn't look greasy. It helps speed up the drying process and it smells delicious, kinda like candy.

Not Your Mother's Beat the Heat Thermal Spray - I'm guilty of blowdrying my hair almost everyday, so I try to make up for the heat damage by using this on dry hair before straightening or curling. It gives a slight, flexible hold so there's no need for hairspray (which I can't seem to find one I like, shocking isn't it?).

Suave Dry Shampoo Spray - I'll be honest. I use this because it's less than $3. And it smells like pineapple. Oh yeah, and it works. I know that not washing your hair everyday is actually good for it, but I HATE how greasy and flat my hair can get. That's where this gem comes in. It soaks up the unwanted oil, gives my hair some body, and smells like a tropical drink. All for $3 a can. You can't beat that.

Other sources- 

For a great list of beach sprays for all hair types, check out The Beauty Department.

To make your own beach spray and leave in conditioner, check out Sunnie Brook's blog.

If you're not familiar with using dry shampoo, check out this blog post from The Beauty Department. 

Have you used any of these products? Let me know what you use in the comments. Also, hair spray suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

The Essentials: Skin- Face

My face essentials are a little more involved, but taking care of your skin is very important. I started using eye cream a few years ago when I read that you should start using eye cream in your 20's to prevent wrinkles from starting. It's never to late to start taking care of your skin, and I'd rather use creams now than needles later!

Eye Creams

I apply eye cream in the morning & at night. I use a small amount & dot it along the orbital bone (the bone that surrounds the eye) gently using my ring finger. Since eye creams tend to migrate, I apply it directly BELOW my under eye area and both above and below my eyebrow.

Day // Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream - Let me just confess my love for this cream right now. It's hydrating without being greasy, and a little goes a long way. I first read about hyaluronic acid here. It helps lock in moisture to keep your skin properly hydrated. There's complex molecular science at work here, but I won't get into that (unless you're interested). It helps reduce puffiness, minimizes the look of fine lines, and is safe for sensitive skin. And if that isn't enough, it's very reasonably priced compared to other eye creams.

Night // Midnight Recovery Eye - Another one of my all-time favorites, this cream is very light weight and smells AMAZING!! I use this at night after I've washed off all my makeup. I've noticed a definite difference in my dark circles after using this cream for the past year. It's a bit pricier than my other eye cream, but one tube lasts forever since a little also goes a long way.

Face Wash

Day // Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash - I switched to this face wash after noticing that other washes were irritating to my skin. This face wash is free of dyes, artificial fragrance, and harsh chemicals, so it's perfect for my sensitive skin. Simple solution, right?

Night // First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser - I bought this as a combo pack with the Ultra Repair Cream on Black Friday at Sephora and it is seriously a game changer! Again, it's safe for sensitive skin and it's free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates (harsh chemicals that don't do your skin any favors). It also contains an Antioxidant Booster that defends skin from free radical damage (aka protects against premature aging!) This is something I will be buying again and again.

Moisturizer

Day // Eucerin Daily Protection Face Lotion - This moisturizer is lightweight, fragrance free, and contains SPF 30 sunscreen. I use this after washing my face in the morning to prevent skin damage from those pesky UV rays. I love the sun, but I don't want my face to look like a raisin!

Night // First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - This cream is perfect for the winter months when your skin needs extra moisture. This thick cream is meant to be used wherever you have dry skin, but is safe to use on the face too. Like the Face Cleanser, it's made without harsh chemicals and it has the Antioxidant Booster, but it has the added benefit of Colloidal Oatmeal, the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter ingredient to treat eczema. I use this at night after washing my face to really lock in moisture.

Treat

Breakouts // Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - This is my Holy Grail for acne spot treatment. Trust me, it works. You just dip a q-tip into the pink stuff at the bottom (DO NOT shake the bottle) and apply enough to cover the pimple and keep it on over night. When you wake up in the morning, that sucker will be smaller and much easier to deal with. I've been using this for years and it hasn't failed me yet. 

Under Eye // Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector - I'll be honest, dark circles have always been a problem for me. My heredity/Greek heritage and career choice all play a part. However, this amazing product has made my dark circles manageable. The cooling metal tip feels great and depuffs as the cream lightens and brightens the under eye area. I usually apply this after my eye cream and before using under eye concealer (I know, I use A LOT of eye creams!). I noticed a difference the first time I used this, and it just keeps getting better with regular use.  

As far as face masks go, I use products I can find in my fridge and pantry. Stephanie Sterjovski wrote a post about her favorite DIY masks & I can't get enough of them. Especially the lemon + honey, it's great in tea, too :)

Thanks for reading about my crazy skin care obsession! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Next up for The Essentials: Hair Products & Tools.

The Essentials: Skin- All Over

The Essentials.

These are the tried and true, the all-stars in my daily beauty regimen. I'll be posting all of my essentials in different categories - skin, hair, makeup, etc. as a regular feature on this blog. I'm not an expert in these areas by any means, I just like to consider myself an avid beauty product fan (I spend a lot of time at Ulta & Sephora). 

Let's start with the skin, since it is our largest organ and a very important one at that.

Nature's Bounty Healthy Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplements - I have been taking these for about a year now & I've noticed a definite difference in the strength of my hair and nails. I'm in the process of growing out my hair, and I swear it's growing twice as fast after taking these supplements daily. They contain biotin, which helps hair grow, as well as a variety of essential vitamins & nutrients for metabolism and cell repair. I buy them in bulk at Costco, but you can find them at Walgreens or CVS as well. 

Hempz Herbal Body Moisturizer (Original & Pomegranate) - Hands down the best moisturizer I've ever used. This doesn't irritate my sensitive skin (I can even apply it right after shaving!) and it keeps my skin moisturized all day. I recently tried the pomegranate and love it, but the original scent is great, too. It reminds me of a tropical vacation. Plus, it's paraben free, gluten free, and 100% vegan.

Water with Lemon - This is a no-brainer for me. Staying well hydrated is essential to our bodies, both inside and outside. Our skin needs moisture in order to stay smooth, supple, and healthy. The additional benefits of adding lemon to your water are endless (Lauren Conrad talks about a few of them on her blog ). You're supposed to drink half of your body weight in ounces per day to stay properly hydrated, so start sipping!

Coconut Oil - This is another item I buy in bulk at Costco. I use coconut oil for almost everything - cooking, baking, eye makeup remover, hair mask, face & body moisturizer... I can't get enough of it. I mix some up with raw sugar or coffee grounds to make a great  exfoliator scrub. I've saved so much money by using coconut oil in place of makeup remover, heavy face creams, hair deep conditioning treatments, and body scrubs. Seriously, you have to try this stuff. It's going to change your life.

Apple Cider Vinegar - This might sound disgusting, but hear me out - drinking apple cider vinegar is so good for you! I mix a tablespoon of it with unfiltered, organic apple juice and water, add a dash of cinnamon & cayenne pepper, and drink it every morning. It helps with digestion and balancing the body's pH, which indirectly effects our skin. Toxins can build up in our bodies, resulting in breakouts. This helps rid our bodies of those toxins! I also use it to rinse product build-up from my hair and in face masks. It's another natural product that I swear by. Just make sure you buy an unfiltered kind like the one pictured, which you can usually find at most grocery stores. Trader Joe's has a good one, too.

Let me know if you try any of these, I'm curious to hear if they work for you! I would love to hear what your go-to products are too, so please feel free to share.