Fashion Friday: Fashion Haul!

I wanted to start a new segment called "Fashion Friday!" Where I will attempt to post every Friday about anything fashion related! From hauls, to looks/outfits, to must-wear's, etc. I wanted to share a few things I got during the past weeks. I actually haven't worn any of them because I needed some time as to how I would wear these pieces and put them together with different outfits. Let's get started, shall we?

Forever 21: Crop Top ($10.80)

This is the only piece I've worn out of the bunch - so far. The tribal-aztec print is really daring, but is great to add some dimension to the outfit! I paired it with black high-waisted shorts, also from Forever 21. It would also look great with high-waisted jeans for another casual look or even a skater skirt for a more girly-fun look. For a more dressed up look, I would pair these with high-waisted harlem pants and heels. 

Macys: Tommy Hilfiger Dress Shirt ($19.87)

I see a lot of "plaid" shirts coming back into style, but personally, I fell in love with this dress shirt because of its leather collar. It really gives the piece a different look. For a casual day out, I would pair these with shorts on a hot day - tucked in, or even jeans for a movie date out. If you just want to feel comfortable and cute - I would definitely pair this shirt with leggings. 

Everblue: Denim Light Wash Jean Shorts ($29.00)

This pair of jean shorts was quite pricey, but it fits comfortably! These are actually my first pair of light-washed denim jean shorts. I've been feeling the denim fashion lately. These could go with anything! I can't wait to use them to create an outfit look for you guys. Great to pair with any graphic tees, dark-toned dress shirts, and oversized sweaters. 

Houndstooth-printed Longsleeve Dress: ($5.00)

Yes, this dress was $5! I bought this piece when I was on vacation at the Philippines. They always have cute, affordable dresses! I was actually scared to get this piece because I'm not so daring when it comes to prints. BUT I decided I need more print in my wardrobe. For a casual look, I would wear this alone with a pair of cute sandals or heels. For a more dressed up look, (If I was in a colder place) I actually imagine myself wearing this with a red coat, semi-sheer tights and booties! It makes me want to go someplace cold just so I can wear it!

Payless Shoe Source: T-Strap, Lazer cut, peep-toe flats ($21.99)

I've been looking for these cute flat-sandal everywhere and I've finally found them! There were only two left in my size, so I HAD to get it. I imagine myself wearing this with anything! From maxi dresses, to jeans, to shorts to skirts! They can really dress up the look without being too - overdressed. Sometimes wearing cute flip flops isn't enough to dress up an outfit, so these are the perfect pair to fix that problem!

Annnnd that's a wrap! I'm looking forward to putting some outfits together and showing you all :)
                                     

My Daily Routine !

Aaaannnd she's back! Story time! Once upon a pre-teen, I broke out around my t-zone area (mostly forehead only). Let me remind you, I was starting high school and breaking out was like being scarred for life. My breakouts weren't severe. They weren't those red icky ones. They were like blackheads and maybe a zit here and there when its that time of the month. BUT, nonetheless, just breaking out in an area where you feel that's the only place people look at when people talk to you, is quite embarrassing, and you just feel the need to cover up or find a solution to get rid of them! Hey, I tried almost everything! From proactiv (burned my skin and dried it out), Clean & Clear (just wasn't doing the trick), Neutrogena (made my face feel soft, but not get rid of my blemishes), and I just gave up! Finally, in a trip to San Francisco, my aunt introduced me to the Clinique 3-Step-System and the Clarisonic. I can absolutely testify to the wonders it has done for my skin!

The Clarisonic: Mia 2

"Our promise is to beautifully transform skin. In this pursuit of transformation, we promise to deliver scientifically proven sonic technology synergistically combined with optimized skincare formulas for a beautifully engineered experience, immediate satisfaction, and long-term results."

Let me tell you, they have done just that! I saw improvement in my skin within a week! The way this works is, the movement of the brushes produces 300 movements per second. Because of that, it loosens all the dirt and oil, and removes the deep-seated impurities from the pores. All it takes is just one minute to use this magical wonder. For even and thorough cleansing, the timer pulses momentarily to indicate it is time to move to another part of your face. Isn't that neat? All I have to do is put any cleansing product I want on the brush, and press the button! 

Clinique 3 Step System:

The 3 Step System is just as simple as it sounds. The system introduces:

"Create the cleanest, healthiest version of your skin. Just 3 products, 3 minutes, twice a day."

It's that simple! All I had to do was choose my skin type, and the set is already made for you! My skin type fell under number 3, because I'm combination-oily - which meant I was only oily and shiny in the T-zone, but comfortable on the cheeks. 

These products are what also improved my skin. This is the system I use day and night - before I get ready for my day, and before I go to sleep at night. It does wonders! I can never not use it. It really helps keep my skin feeling fresh and clean. 

From left to right:

Step 1: Cleanse - Non-drying formulas leave all skin types feeling fresh, clean and comfortable.

Step 2: Exfoliate - Sweeps away pollution, excess oil, dulling flakes to reveal fresher skin. 

Step 3: Moisturize - Gives skin the "drink" it needs to maintain optimal moisture balance. 

And that's really it! I use the Clarisonic Mia 2 first to clean my face out of any dirt that might be on the surface, then I go on with the 3 Step System to make sure my face is clean, refreshed, and moisturize!

For More Info:

Clarisonic - Mia 2

Clinique 3 Step System

January Favorites!

Hello again! I can't believe it's already the end of January! Anyways, I wanted to share a few of the things I could not live without and fell in love with in the month of January. What were some of your favorites ?

Beauty Favorites: 

1. Bare Escentuals: Bare Minerals Matte Foundation Broad Spectrum w/ SPF 15 - I love love love this foundation. Every time I just want a light to medium coverage, or even if it's just one of those lazy make up days, this is all I put on and bam! Because it's made of minerals, the foundation enhances my skin and treats it, rather than clogging my poors and making me break out. It's a win-win!

2. Bare Escentuals: Precision Face Brush - I wouldn't apply my foundation with nothing else but this brush. It is so much easier to apply with, and it has very soft top so that my skin is not irritated. 

3. Benefit: BrowZings - I love this eyebrow kit ! Whether it's for an everyday use, or something formal, it keeps my brows looking full and shaped ! It doesn't have the appearance of "marker eyebrows." Because it's a powder, it gives a natural finish. I use the wax just to shape my brows, but you can also use it over the powder to keep the color in tact! 

4. Burt's Bees: Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb - I love using this to give me moisture and a tint of color. Along with my other favorite Bare Minerals foundation, I would wear these two alone and my face is set for the day ! 

5. Maybelline: Pure Concealer Mineral - Now on the days I didn't have enough sleep, or just need something to waken up my face, I use this concealer under my eyes to give me a brighter look. It doesn't crease (thank God!) and it doesn't melt off! It's just what I need in this hot and humid weather !

6. F21: Detangler Brush - Now, this past month, I've been losing quite a lot of hair, (yikes!) - but ever since I started using this, I've lost less ! It does a very good job with detangling my hair without breaking it ! I bought this at my recent trip to Manila in Forever21, and so far it's working wonders! 

Fashion Favorite: 

7. Charles & Keith: I cannot stop using this handbag! I also bought this in my recent trip to Manila at one of the malls. It retails for about $80. It's spacious and it's not too heavy. I've been using it as a travel and everyday bag. It's convenient because I can wear it as a shoulder bag, a cross body or carry it as a handbag. 

Favorite Foodie: 

8. Café Esxapes K-Cup: Chai Latte - I've been obsessed with this chai latte ! I just pop this into my Keurig and have it almost every morning and every night before I go to bed. On rainy days, I like to drink it to help me relax and be stress free! The mixture of this k-cup is just perfect ! Not too sweet, and not too spicy. This was actually recommended by my wonderful and lovely friend, Jazmine. Check her out! : sweetserendipity042512.blogspot.com 

Outfit Of The Day: Geo Print

I've been awfully bad at keeping up with my blog. I just came back from a trip to the Philippines along with my family and my boyfriend. I had so much fun! Anyways, I wanted to share an outfit I put together for a Fiesta I was attending. It was perfect for a hot or rainy day. Since it was raining, and I paired it with slippers I bought at ALDO, and brought a cute jacket with me in case I got cold. This is my first time experimenting with prints like this one. My boyfriend actually picked out the skirt!

Crop Top: Forever 21 // Geo Print Skirt: Greenhills // Slippers: (not shown) Aldo

Surfing began where?

As most of us think, we seem to assume that surfing began in Hawaii, California, or some island of some sort that has beautiful waves flowing through their ocean. On my recent travel to Lima, Peru in June 2013, I discovered that surfing actually began there. As we were driving through Waikiki Beach, (I thought I was in Hawaii for a second) our tour guide had told us that surfing originated from that part of the country! The water can be as cold as 21.9 C, and is laying on the South Pacific Ocean.

Lima, Peru

This is an original photo I took with my camera.

Amazing how much more you can learn by traveling, huh?

-lovewithdesire.

Hello 2014!

It's a new year and we all can start off on a clean slate. Let as all leave the bad in 2013 and bring in the treasured memories with us in 2014. Most of us might have come up with New Year's Resolutions for this year. What's yours? Hope everyone has a fantastic year! I wish you good health, beautifulness and prosperity.

- lovewithdesire.

Define it.

Sometimes that's all you have when you have nothing else. If you have hope, you have everything. I'm not perfect. No one is. I've had difficult times in my life that I thought I would never overcome. All I wished for was to leave and go away. I learned that life will move on, and that the trouble you were going through will eventually go away. The people, the things that really mattered, are the ones that never change. They are the ones that stick by you and stay. They are the ones who will teach you that Hope is all you really need. Don't worry about anything else or what other people think. They don't matter. So, here's A Cup Full of Hope. You'll have everything.

- lovewithdesire