We are officially 10 days away until the best time of the year ( & no, I am not talking about summer, sadly ) I'm talking about Christmas. Is it just me? or does Christmas time make you want to snuggle in bed with your puppy (s/o to nene for being the realest). Only to realize you sort of have 365 other things you should be doing, like starting your Christmas shopping perhaps. If you are like me and you highly enjoy leaving everything until last minute ( sorry, family and friends I promise you will get a gift) I would recommend checking out my previous post for some gifting inspo. Where were we? oh yeah, well I have spent the past week decorating my new room, watching my favorite Netflix series, and of course shopping ( for myself >_<). During one of my shopping escapades I ended up on the Daniel Wellington website and could not stop scrolling ( insert, heart emojii here) at that moment I knew I needed the Classic Black Sheffield Watch. It's so versatile, and it's perfect for every occasion. You can pair it up with your favorite jeans,your comfiest sweat pants, or that tight dress he loves. Weather you are shopping for yourself or for your significant other this Christmas there is something for everyone at www.danielwellington.com.
photographs taken by @alsindy_phtography
You can use discount code ' XOLOLAA' at checkout and take an additional 15% off at www.danielwellington.com until January 31, 2017.
free shipping, free gift wrapping and free returns are also part of the deal
Use discount code ' XOLOLAA ' and take an additional 15% at Daniel Wellington.Com
Happy Thursday my loves, and a special hello to the Boyfriends, and Husbands who have been stressing over what to get their girls this Christmas. I can imagine you have been getting hints for the past month. The casual " omg, babe the new Huda Beauty Pallet came out"as you are being dragged to yet another unwanted trip to Sephora ( aka the best place on earth,hint hint) or as she casually scrolls through Instagram and stops by her favorite bloggers page and instantly turns to you and says "How cute is the Daniel Wellington watch she is wearing and those knee high suede boots are to die for". Although you have zero idea what suede is, or let alone knee high boots you just smile and nod.Than all of a sudden all those signals she has been sending you for the past month become a blur, and you realize it's less than three weeks until Christmas and you still have yet to get her the perfect gift ( let's face it she deserves it all).Since I am a hopeless romantic (and a life saver) I wanted to extend my shopping knowledge and help all of you boys find your girl a gift as perfect as her.
The Daniel Wellington Classic Black Sheffield Watch
In addition to saving your butts this holiday, I am here to SAVE you Money as well. Use discount code ' XOLOLAA ' and take an additional 15% off when shopping at www.danielwellington.com. Offer expires January 31, 2017
Free shipping, free gift wrapping and free returns are also part of the deal!
The Mini Christie Carryall Bag
Every girl needs a classic side bag to add to her collection. This classic black leather bag from Coach is the perfect size, and best of all it won't cost you a years salary, and why not stuff the bag up with some amazing Sephora goodies for your girl.
Sephora Haul
We could live inside Sephora and still find something we want....well more like need. I'm sure you are familiar with the store,or have herd the name multiple times. I have selected some must have products for this season.
Boys, here is TIP if you spend $50 or more at Sephora, you can book your girl a FREE makeover. She deserves to be pampered, right?
Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagn Collection | Hude Beauty Texture Shadow Palette | Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette
To all the thoughtful boyfriends, and husbands I hope this blog post has helped you get an idea on what to get your amazing girlfriends and wives this holiday season. Don't forget that what matters the most is to see her smiling 365 days a year, she is worth everything and more. Happy Holiday's !
Travelling on a budget, yes please!
Finding travel deals has become one of my strongest qualities (highly, considering putting it on my resume). It's almost as addicting as extreme couponing , expect I am not saving on laundry detergent or getting a two for one deal on toothpaste ( although, that may be exhilarating to some) to me finding a flight to Morocco for 120 euros gets my heart racing . This time around I wanted to travel outside of Europe and experience a culture completely different from anything I have ever been exposed to. I knew before I began to plan my trip to Morocco that it wouldn't be as cheap as my France trip ( although, I wish I could pull some next Houdini movements and find an extremely crazy deal, especially during easter weekend) but at the end of the day Marrakech was worth the $350.00
My urge to travel to Morocco began one night when I stumble upon a picture on Pinterest of Marrakech's most luxuries resort La Mmounia ( Christiano Ronaldo has stayed there before but I mean our annual income is "slightly" different). The five start resort was definitely outside of my price range, but luxury was not what I was in search for. I choice to travel to Morocco for its captivating culture and unique landscapes. I wanted to immerse myself into the culture, and experience it the traditional Moroccan way, and let me tell you the people and the city exceeded my expectations.
Morocco Vblog on the Channel
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How did we get there
As, I previously mention on my traveling on a budget France addition my go to ticket site is fareandcompare.com. This time around I found a flight for 120 euros with Ibiera airlines, but there was a catch we had a 10 hour lay over in Madrid.We choice to fly on easter weekend and due to the high demand of flights the prices were more expensive than usual. Typically ,you can fly from Barcelone to Marrakech for as low as 75-85 euros. Our lovely host arranged for our transportation from the airport to our location for 15euros (I think we got overcharged ). In Marrakech you can honestly bargain your life so if you choose to take a taxi make sure you negotiate a fair rate , locals tend to jack up the prices for tourist, 50-60 dirham is typically what they should be charging you (about 4-6 euros). Locals speak french and Arabic but most people are able to communicate in English as well.
Where did we Stay?
As my friend Derek and I made the exciting decision to travel to Marrakech together we started looking online for accommodations and came across an article that suggested staying at a Riad - a traditional Moroccan home. If you truly want to get the full Moroccan experience I highly suggest avoiding traditional hotels. We booked through air bnb for three days, two nights and stayed at the beautiful Raid 22 for $120cCAD which included breakfast as well. The host are exceptional ( s/o to Ahmed and Valeria) the entire Raid was extremely beautiful and clean, I would 100% stay there again if I find myself in Marrakech in the future.Riad 22.
Where did we Eat? I highly encourage spending a little bit more and treating yourself to a dinner at the Jad Mahal Resturant. The dinner including a starter, drinks, main and a dessert for $200CAD (our most expensive expense during our trip). The food was exquisite but what made it worth the money was the atmosphere. The restaurant looked like a Moroccan castle with beautiful chandeliers and candles everywhere. There was live music and belly dancer throughout the night, and fire breathers as well. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of our trip. We got to see a whole other side of Marrakech a more westernized type of lifestyle, where habibi's were popping bottles and dancing all night long.There was definitely a contrast between the new city and the conservative and religious life within the Medina ( the old city). We also checked out various local restaurants within the Medina which were extremely affordable and super yummy (fyi, you need to try freshly baked Moroccan bread and couscous when you visit Marrakech)
What did we Do? We definitely did not experience everything Marrakech had to offer. Unfortunately we were only staying for three short days ( I had an exam back in Barcelona so it cut our trip short), but we were able to see everything within the Medina from the famous Souks (Moroccan Market, which by the way you have to be aware the locals are known for harassing tourist into buying their goods) the central Medina Plaza ( if a local comes up to you holding a snake or a monkey don't be surprised they expect money in exchange for a picture) But all of it was part of the experience I was in search for. We also visited some beautiful Mosques and religious landmarks within the old city and spent an hour walking around the new city ( which was unreal, the architecture was so unique ), but my favorite part of the whole trip was visiting the Yves Saint Laurent Jardin Majorelle. The gardens were honestly straight out of a fairytale with rich colors and exoticfuna ( the perfect location for an instagram picture) even then the pictures do not do it justice, Jardin Majorelle is something you need to experience for yourself.
Is it the change of the colours of the leaves Or is it the
taste of a warm pumpkin spice latte that makes it much easier to say goodbye to
summer?.It’s a bittersweet time of the
year, but as we transition into the fall season our style begins to change as
well. It’s a chance to ramp up our wardrobe and a perfect excuse for some well
deserve retail therapy. As I began to think about the upcoming season trends I
notice a common theme across some of the style reports in the major fashion
magazines – Boutique finds. I am very new to the whole boutique shopping experience,
mainly due to the stereotype of boutique pricing. But I knew I wanted to create
fall looks that incorporated unique pieces that not everybody has. So, I decided
to immerse myself into the world of boutique shopping. As I strolled down Eglinton
street West Village sipping on a cold Mango Fruit Punch Tea I came across a
trendy boutique called Sense Of Independence.As soon as I walked in the boutique I notice the chic black and white
floral wallpaper with fuchsia accent walls and was imminently greeted by
Michelle – the boutique owner. If there is one thing that completely changes
your shopping experience is the aura that you get as soon as you step into a
store, and I was impressed to say the least. Sense of Independence carries stylish,
high quality and affordable pieces that are sure to make a statement. I’ve been
on the hunt for a drape wool coat and the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans and
of course I found exactly what I was looking for at Sense of Independence. I
was overwhelmed with retail adrenaline as I browsed through the clothing racks,
and was instantly falling in love with all the textures, patterns and fabrics
rack after rack. This season playing with textures and monochromatic looks are
in tend. I wanted to create three different looks that
incorporated plaid as a statement pattern piece, leather, suede and wool as my texture
pieces and a pair of boyfriend jeans to create three casual street style
inspired looks. To complete this three looks I choice to wear a pair of super chic black Steve Madden Booties , which transitioned perfectly with all three trends.I love the feeling of walking out from a store overly excited with your purchases and that’s exactly how I felt after leaving this trendy boutique. Get inspired this season at Sense Of Independence Boutique, shop online or in store.
Shop this looks and many more at 511 Eglinton Ave. West Toronto, Ontario
" Who is that and why are they liking your pictures? are you cheating on me?"
" Omg yes, let's make a list of the things we want to do Together "
" i'm not like very other guy/girl"
ect........
Tumblr Image @ Jay and Alexis
We have all herd this lines many times before, it seems as if we all use the same script. Getting into a relationship is hard and it's even harder to keep one. Lately, I'v been thinking a lot about this topic and decided that I would change things up and use my personal experiences and try to put this topic into perspective . After a lot thinking and analyzing I have narrowed it down to the following top six reasons as to Why Relationships Don't Work Out:
1. You are Carrying Emotional Baggage
Carrying Baggage can be defined as feelings and painful memories you have about your past that have negatively effected your perception. We begin to measure our not so great relationships to our current situation and end up in an endless cycle of bad first dates and terrible sex. Have you ever found yourself on a first date discussing your previous relationships and talking about how insert ex's name here lied to you and cheated on you with that " just a friend" or how insert ex's name here took you for granted and never seemed to care?. If you answered YES than you shouldn't be in a relationship. Carrying emotional baggage is only natural and know there is nothing wrong with you for feeling this way, but you should still avoid a relationship at all cost. Give yourself time to get over your past experiences before jumping into the dating world again. It's not fair to you or that person sitting across the table to have to sit through a rerun of your dating life. Don't use a new relationship as a coping mechanism to getting over your ex because I can assure you it won't work out. You won't be happy and at the end of the day your happiness is the most important. Check your luggage at the door before running into something new.
2. You are Jumping to Conclusions
It seems every potential or current relationship suffers from J.T.C disorder it's deadly and can cause unnecessary arguments. We see things when they aren't even there and begin to assume and speculate all sorts of scenarios that inevitably lead to an argument. Communication is key in any relationship being able to communicate loud and clear your intentions from the begin can reduce the sleepless nights and text rants about how _______ didn't text you today , or he/she must be uninterested and is definitely with someone else. Overthinking kills ladies and gentlemen. If you want a healthy relationship do yourself a favor and don't sit there and write the next Star Wars trilogy in your head, just communicate your concerns before entering the first stage of J.T.C.
3. You are Setting unrealistic Expectations
Guilty as charged. We have all set unrealistic exceptions going into a relationship or being in one. Our generation is constantly being exposed to " relationship goals" through social media outlets. As we scroll through our feeds we see the perfect couples who do everything together, the unexpected gifts at the door and the MCW/WCW being shared for everyone to see. We begin to create an unrealistic idea of what a relationship is and what is defined as a healthy relationship. We are seeing things from an outsiders perspective. We don't see the arguments and disagreements this couples have on an outgoing bases. Don't compare your relationship to anyone else's, try to understand each others point of view and communicate from the beginning what you expect from the relationship. A healthy relationship is one that is based on honesty and communication, don't try to change each other in order to fit a mold or try to be like that " perfect" couple. A relationship will never be perfect, and thinking it should be will lead to failure. Grow from the good and bad experiences you live together and set realistic expectations that correlate to the stage of life you are both currently in.
4. The Sex was Bad
Did reason number four catch your attention? Can you relate?.
Well, here it is it's not about how _______ was bad in bed and how they couldn't satisfy you sexually. Bad sex has a lot of different meaning for a lot of different people. To some people it's a very important part of building a strong relationship, where to others it's simply an act and thats okay to. We are all different and have very different needs. Sometimes we lose touch with our partner and forget that it takes two to make a intimate relationship work. If you don't have a sexual connection with someone it doesn't mean that a emotional connection can't be possible but it's an issue that needs to be communicated. There is nothing worse than being in a relationship that you don't want to be in. If you are already in a long term relationship and your sex life is getting boring or it doesn't excite you anymore don't walk away, put in effort spice things up and be a selfless lover. Don't be afraid to satisfy each others fantasies, express what you like and what you don't like behind close doors. In a intimate relationship you need to be completely naked and I don' mean that kind of naked..... I mean you have to be able to open up more and transmit to each other what you want and expect. If you can't do that a relationship won't work.
5. You Both Wanted Two Different Things
How many of us have fallen for that one person who we knew were on a different wave length than us?.You both saw the world in a very different way but you continue to put effort into a relationship that you both knew would not work out. I think the biggest mistake I have made in a the dating world is not realizing when I should walk away. If you don't share the same dreams and goals in life than there will be no potential for a real future. You should be with someone who shares the same ambition as you, someone who will be by your side helping you build a beautiful life. We have all experienced that stage where both of you don't really know what you want from the relationship. Sometimes we just need to be straight to the point, and communicate to each other what we want . Do you want to be serious? or are we going to keep it casual? it's those unanswered questions that will linger in your mind and make a relationship not work.I've been in that situation where you are left wondering what the other person really wants. or in this case what they ever even wanted. Ladies and Gentlemen don't be afraid to be straight up with each other, let each other know what you want from the start. You be surprise to find out that maybe that other person wants the same thing as you.
6. Sometimes Things are Simply not Meant to Be
We have all been heart broken at one point or another and have been left questioning whether we are the problem. Don't ever blame yourself for the things that fail, sometimes things just don't work out. If there is something I have learned from my experiences is that timing is everything, you can't force anything. You just need to let things take their natural course, and have faith that their is a bigger and better plan for you.Take your heart break and all the unfulfilled promises and turn them into a lesson. Learn and grow from every situation that comes your way and don't dwell in the past. There is someone out there who will make you the happiest person on earth and when you met them you will realize why it never worked out with anyone else.
Remember......
A Relationships take two people who are mentally and emotionally ready to invest their all into each other.It takes two people who are at the same stage in their life where they are ready to settle down and begin building a life together. I have been in really good relationships where the other person has taught me a lot about the world and about myself and I've also been in terrible relationships that have left me heart broken and confused. You have to realize that you can't let someone else define your happiness. It seems very cliche but in order to be happy with someone else you need to be happy with yourself first. Achieve your goals and get to where you want to be in life before getting into a relationship. There is nothing worse than feeling like you missed out on life. If your stuck in a bad relationship get out now and don't force yourself to be with someone you don't want to be with, and if you are on the other side of the spectrum don't be afraid to be with that one person you can't seem to stop thinking about day in and day out. All it takes sometimes is a little bit of effort.
"Street Lights, Big dreams all looking pretty. No place in the world that can compare"
I am currently in New York City on vacation and absolutely
loving everything about this fabulous city.
It feels amazing to be able to blog directly from the big apple. Everywhere you go in New York City you find
something that inspires you. From the street art in Time Square to the glamorous lifestyle of Upper East, new york city to me is my muse. No matter how many
times I visit I fall in love every single time.
During my visit I picked up some amazing
products for this months haul. I am so excited to recommend this life saving
hair and skin must haves to my lovely readers. If you are like me and you love using hot tools on your hair
and have tried every single cream, serum, and masque on the market and can’t
seem to get healthy looking hair than this post is for you ladies!
I have colored my hair so many times I already lost count. I
use hot tools practically every day and it has definitely taken a toll on the
look and texture of my hair. But since I
have been using this products I have noticed a dramatic change in my hair. My hair now looks and feels smoother and hydrated even though I have kept the same hair styling routine as before. I have been using this products for about a week and a half and have seen instant results. I found
that with other styling creams, deep conditioners and serums that I had used in the past left my hair feeling oily and dry .But I never lost faith and I
had herd about a couple of this products online and I decided to give it a
shot.
Hair Products | Productos Para El Cabello
Advance Techniques Extra Strength Dry Ends Serum
Conditions and instantly smoothes hair while taming even the most coarse and damaged hair.
I use it after drying my hair but feel free to change it up to fit your daily hair routine.
65% less frizz
One 'N Only Argan Oil derived from Moroccan Argan Trees Styling Cream
This product has been my ultimate favorite I love the way it hydrates and adds shine to my hair instantly not to mention the fact that it smells amazing.
Wen by Chaz Dean
Cleansing Conditioner
Sweet Almond Mint
I actually came across this product on Tv and I was a bit skeptical. It has good reviews on television but you know how that goes. Sometimes those products turn out to be nothing like you expect it to be. But I went online and read some reviews and decided to try it. I like this product I wouldn't say I love it but it does smell really good and it definitely conditions my hair.
Mystic Divine Luminous Shine
Smoothing Masque
Contains Tahitian Tamanu Oil, Moroccan Argan Oil,
African Shea Butter and Camelia Oil. I am head over heels over this masque after damaging my hair with chemicals so often my hair has lost natural oils and my hair was in desperate need of some hair therapy. This is honestly like pixie dust for you hair. ladies this is a must have!
Skin Products | Products Para la Piel
Victoria Secret Bronze Instant Bronzing Tinted Shimmer Lotion
with natural Shea Butter.
We all need that extra summer glow and what better way than with an instant bronzer that does not stain your skin. Victoria Secret has my favorite bronzer of all time it gives your tan a radiant boost that helps blur the look of imperfections giving your skin a flawless feels and look.
It contains Vitamin E that helps nourish your skin!
Next Monday I will be posting a New York City Photo Collage of what I wore
and an amazing gift review from The Bloggers Network
Ladies, I know we are all very familiar with the Frank Body
Scrub that we see all over Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest ect but when I was
introduced to the Body Babe Body Scrub by a fellow blogger, I immediately jumped
on the opportunity to review this product. The package is cute and fun and the coffee
aroma is super sweet. From getting the product to actually using it I was a bit
worried. I have read some reviews about other coffee scrubs that have caused irritation
to the skin or left the skin feeling dry; but I gave it a chance and to my surprise I fell in love. It did get a little bit messy in
my bathtub to say the least but my skin was definitely thankful after I rinsed
off the scrub.This fabulous scrub left my skin feeling moisturized and extremely soft!
Why should you use the Body Babe Body Scrub?
It targets and helps reduce the signs of cellulite, stretch
marks psoriasis, varicose veins, scars and acne.It will moisturize and tone your skin working to hydrate your
skin and tend to imperfections leaving your skin feeling silky and soft!
Directions:
Use 2-3x per week for best results!
Get naked.
Get into the shower
Get skin wet and damp
Use a desired amount on your whole body.
Scrub all over yourself in a circular motion into any
problem areas.
After long nights of non-stop resume submissions and endless cups of coffee you
have finally landed your dream job. Staring your dream job is one of the most
exciting steps in furthering your career. You have envision yourself doing what
you love for so long and it all has finally paid off. You begin to
plan what to wear for your first day, just to realize you have nothing to wear.
Dressing for success is key in the corporate world and your look reflects who
you are. Do you want to be the boring one color pallette worker or the stylist
diva in the office who radiates confidence?.Of course, we rather be
the trendsetter in the office but between getting the kids ready for school,
packing up your lunch and helping your husband with his tie their just never
seems to be enough time in the morning to worry about you. The
perfect look doesn't have to take hours to achieve, it can be as easy as one
two three. Having basic pieces in your wardrobe that are
interchangeable can help you put together different looks for everyday of the
week. Dressing for success doesn't have to be expensive, dressing with a budget
is easier than you think. Many fashion stores like H&M, Zara, Mendocino,
LOFT and Winners have very affordable stylist office wear that will have you
looking both fashionable and professional. We all have herd the phrase “When
you look good, You feel good” and each and every one of you is
beautiful, let your confidence shine as you walk into the office showcasing
the best version of yourself by integrating this looks into your closet
Some of the best artists are self-taught and to me, the best kind of art is raw-EstiloLau
Peonies and Libo
Suzy Lake
50'' x 37'', 34 1/2',37''
Chromagenic print
If art is meant to be something, could it be nothing at all? What if it's just that- art, no meaning behind it just a simple square frame on a wall?
It's questions like
this that ran through my mind as I walked among the crowd at the Art Gallery of
Ontario this past Wednesday. The art gallery is a place where I love to go to,
whether it is to sketch, find inspiration or simply attend the latest
exhibition with my friends.For my
lovely readers who do not know me personally, art was where I found my love for
fashion. Studying art and creating art are in two complete opposite spectrum's. I
personally think just because you understand art from an institutional perspective, it doesn't automatically
categorizes you as an ' artist'. Art can and is created by everyone every day.
It can be seen in the doodles of a child, the outfit an individual chooses to
wear on any particular day, to the lyrics of an inspiring songwriter. None of
these 'artist' have attended a prestigious intuition to acquire their right to
be called an 'artist'; some of the best artists are self-taught and to me, the
best kind of art is raw. Society intoxicates our minds and traps us in a
consumer culture that is very hard to escape from and our only way of
liberation is through our unique form of self-expression. Art would be much
easier to comprehend and appreciate if we did not have a preconceived notion of
the world around us, where we see no race or social class and just see each
other as people.
For those who are
unfamiliar with the Art Gallery of Ontario, I would highly recommend visiting. Wednesday
after 6:00pm general admission is free
This series of photographs by Suzy Lake really captivated me as I walk passed her exhibition. The use of pinks and blues created a powerful contrast against the white wall, H&M turtle neck Forever 21 jogger trousers Adidas SuperStar black on white
One of my favourite designer pieces in my closet Sem Vaccaro Blazer by Mario Sem Design and Produced In Italy Never let anyone
discourage you from doing what you love, there is someone out there who will
fall in love with your true essence.
