highly functional.

 lengthen

 fix split ends

thermal protection

curl definition

soothe scalp

Just when I was at the end of my shampoo bottle, I discovered Function of Beauty. This company has hair care down to a science. If you go onto the website you can select exactly what you're looking for, what type of hair you have, and even designate the scent and color. It's like the choose your own adventure of beauty products.

I used it this morning after my workout and it lathered perfectly and smelled delicious but not overpowering (I selected medium scent). The bottles also come with a pump so it's easy to access. Another plus to using Function of Beauty is that you get to pick the size combo you want, I went with the 8oz option since i'm trying it for the first time and it fits just right in my shower caddy.

I've been having issues with my hair lately, I have mean split ends and my hair has been breaking off in long strands due to excessive thermal exposure. I've tried a lot of things so far to remedy it like using a hair mask every couple of washes, putting in leave in conditioner and thermal protectant spray before I curl. I've even been letting my hair air dry to avoid my curling iron and hair dryer, which is definitely not ideal.

Hoping that having a shampoo/conditioner combo that is tailor made to my hair will only help my hair problems.

Holler if you guys have any other ideas...

we out here.

FINDERS KEEPERS THE CREATOR PLAYSUIT
POOKIE & SEBASTIAN COTTON LACE MAXI

FREE PEOPLE SUN GODDESS MAXI

SILENCE + NOICE OVERSIZED JUMPSUIT
FREE PEOPLE CHAMBRAY JUMPER

Driving through Joshua Tree was an indescribable experience. The roads are pretty damn open, and each time you go over a hill, there's a new landscape in front of you, similar but uniquely beautiful. I drove from 5am to 5pm driving from Arizona to California. I saw the desert, I saw a snow capped mountain, I saw rolling green hills and then encountered true LA traffic. I saw so many different varieties of cactus, took about a thousand photos and videos and felt care free until the sun set that day. 

A couple of weeks ago, I took a trip out to the west coast. I wanted to travel, to see lots of places I haven't been before and see people I haven't seen in a while and a little one I was anxious to meet for the first time. But, if I'm being completely honest with myself, I wanted to get away for a bit. I wanted to escape my usual routine which has been getting the best of me lately and I wanted to explore and gain inspiration from a different part of the world where things were all shiny and new for me. I wanted to check LA off my list. I wanted to hit the open road by myself and take time to take in the beauty. I wanted to drive down the coast and feel the Pacific Ocean on my toes. I wanted to run through the desert. I wanted to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a blue moon.

I did all this and then some.

Some things I planned on, and others I let happen on their own. I tried to keep to some schedule when traveling, but I let my awesome hosts show me around their lives for an unplanned couple of days. I had two days that were completely mine though, when I was on the road. I love driving. In fact, it's one of my favorite things to do and the thing I miss the most when living in Brooklyn. I usually take long drives to find clarity in my life, I dwell on the past and I plan for the future. I think that I thought I had a lot to think about when I embarked on this journey. Follow that? What I learned was though that I really have more figured out than I realized.

What I did though, was embark on a journey solo. I made a decision to go and I picked up and left. I made a promise to myself on this blog over a year ago that I would take a trip down the Cali coast, whatever it took. I didn't do it in the year goal I gave myself and I haven't traveled the entire west coast (yet). But... I did what I had to do to make it happen the best I could. I think the most important lessons I learned this trip was to make the best you can out of every situation, to cherish every moment with family and friends and to live the moments to the fullest. All pretty cliché I know, but it's what's working for me.

Travel. Live. Discover.

for the likes of you.

MARC JACOBS DAISY DREAMS

I grew up in a fragrance-free zone.

My mom was allergic and scents were her worst enemy so I didn't start to wear any until I was out of the house and in college. On the contrary, my best friend had a whole table covered with different Britney Spears, Burberry and Victorias Secret bottles that I would sneak a spritz of before going out on the weekends.

I can't quite remember the first time I used a Marc Jacobs perfume, but I do know that I was instantly hooked. Since, i've tried them all out. Even the line of them that include subtle scents of Rain and Cucumber. My favorites include Daisy and Daisy Dreams. I think they've really mastered a subtle but pleasant combination of aromas.

Right now, these are my go-to's but if you have any reccs, send them to yeh girl...

rise & shine.

HANES WHITE TEE

Life moves on, and fast. 

I'm looking back on the past three years, looking forward past the next one.
You come to a new place, a new city and you start a new life. 

Every decision seems like it's the most important one in the world,
every person you meet, every day that closes seems to leave an imprint. 

I'm trusting that i'm making all the right ones.

I try to remember not to take life so seriously, but these are the years that will shape you. 

or so i'm told.

blazin'

H&M STRIPED BLAZER

TOPSHOP BLACK TANK

MADEWELL BOYFRIEND JEANS

My absolute favorite outfit consists of a blazer, t-shirt, and loose-fitting jeans. 

It's how I feel more comfortable & most powerful all at the same time.

I love this blazer because it's so striking and interesting in contrast to the basic black one in my closet

(though I will say that my black J.Crew Regent blazer is still my favorite)

It's fit is so perfect and flattering, and on a sentimental note, it's what I wore to the first day at my first job.

good vibes only.

A week ago, I went with a friend to go get my aura read by Christina Lonsdale of Radiant Human.

I've done this before this summer two consecutive weeks at a different location, Magic Jewelry in Chinatown, and the polaroids reflected similar fates, dense color in mostly red, with some purple and white and a large black arch above me. They told me that I was a logical thinker, very closed off but kept my friends and family close to me, that I was a doer and that I probably needed to get more sleep.

Auras are constantly changing, they are the vibes that you are giving off based on your personality and personal circumstances. At Magic Jewelry, they focused on the past, present and future of your aura and at Radiant Human, she focused more on internal, external and state of mind. The colors of my aura were the following:

RED - STRENGTH, WILL POWER, NEW BEGINNINGS, PASSION, PRACTICALITY, LEADERSHIP, ACTION

ORANGE - CREATIVE, CONFIDENT, INDEPENDENT, COLLABORATIVE, EXCELLENT PEOPLE SKILLS, LOVES CHALLENGE

PURPLE - VISIONARY, UNCONVENTIONAL, NON-JUDGEMENTAL, PLAYFUL, LOVES TO BE INSPIRED & DELIGHT OTHERS

WHITE - HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS, DESTINY, INTENSE ENERGY, WISDOM

Christina interpreted my aura based on the placement of these colors. She pointed out that i'm creative and I like to take an idea and execute it because i'm a doer. She told me that the arch of black above me means that I hold emotion close to me and am very guarded. She said that the white in my aura showed that I am open-minded and nonjudgemental. She pointed out that the red of my aura bleeds into all spaces and that shows strength and passion.

The reason why I have enjoyed doing these auras is not because they are telling me something that I don't know about myself but because they're making me more aware about the things I already know. I like to do them to make sure that I keep in touch with my aura and to be more self-aware of the way vibe that i'm putting out in the world and the way i'm coming off to others. They're a nice check point to have if you're ever feeling a bit uninspired or unsure of yourself, and if nothing else, a very cool image to keep.

the weather outside...

MADEWELL CITY GRID JACKET

MADEWELL CASHMERE BEANIE

Sometimes when Winter begins, the cold rolls in I start to wonder why I love the east coast so much, and then something magical happens...snow. Along with it comes cozy fires, mountainside cabins and skiing. I've been doing more work this week then skiing, so I decided to come up for some air and post. It's been a while since i've written anything here and I have high hopes of coming out hibernation.

The city grid jacket is truly my favorite, I have it in two styles because it keeps me warm from all that walking from block to block with the neck strap that protects against the cold. I interchange them throughout the winter months so that I keep it fresh, and someone told me once, if you find something you love...then buy it in every color. It's a Madewell classic, and they come out with a new version every year and keep things consistent. I paired it with my cashmere white speckled hat here because it's the softest hat I do and probably will ever own! Lastly on the bottom I wore Madewell boyfriend skinny jeans for a laid-back look and Kirkland ugg-style boots, because they look like Uggs with the same warmth but a fraction of the price tag and i'm not above a good deal.

Here's to hoping you've had a great holiday season even though 2016 sucked.
Check yeh next year!

cutting room floor.

HAIR BY CHI OF BIANCHI SALON

I'm a woman, so whenever I feel like I need a revival, I look to my hair to do that. There's something about a cut or a color that makes you feel refreshed and renewed and puts the strut in your step. I've never had an authentic new york city hair care experience, so I followed a friends recc and went to a salon and stylist notorious for the balayage. If you feel the need to freshen things up, i'm definitely passing on my praise since he delivered what I asked for to a T.

The video short game is one i've been thinking about for a while, so when I got my hair balayaged for the first time I decided to try creating a short film just to experiment with Premiere Pro and see what's up. I learned that there are far more toggles than iMovie and that picking the right beat is key. One small step into a new creative outlet. Meanwhile this year i'm still working on a video where I combine footage from every day of my year, which is going to be challenge but will feed my need for nostalgia. Stay tuned...

Click here to view the full result. 

black & blue.

WEEKEND PAST HAIKU :: RICKY&LEIGH

eye dark as abyss. dance floor to ocean floor. goodbye to summer.

Inspired by Hunt of the WIlderpeople

the healing powers of water.

MARA HOFFMAN FRONT TWIST ONE-PIECE

This summer i've found my way to it.

Water. Sun. Sand.

I've floated in the deep sea, ran into the ocean and dove into a cool pool.

Mission accomplished.

Living in NYC has really limited my swim time the past couple of years, and this time I refused.
Moving to BK and being forty minutes away from the beach helped.
It wasn't till this year that I realized that being in the water during the summer is a huge point of nostalgia for me. I've spent every summer since I was in my moms belly on Cape Cod. 

There's something amazing about the process. You get up early, get sustenance, trek towards the water and find unbelievable peace as you walk into the massive body of water that has no end.
There's a certain kind of therapy to it.

Then as you lay on the beach, you interact.
Usually due to lack of service, it becomes a cell phone free environment and you focus on the people who are with you or the people around you or the music in your ears. You learn about yourself, about your friends and family, sometimes about new people. 

You relax. 

Which by the way, is a difficult thing to do.

I was taught always that salt water can cure anything, mentally and physically.
Salt releases minerals which lowers your stress and drinking it is known to eliminate fatigue and aid digestion. Sun is also essential to the body, heals the skin, kills off bacteria and boosts the immune system which is key for someone like me who had an autoimmune disorder. The Salt and Sun are a health dream team, making you beautiful inside and out.

Who knew your environment could do so much while you are doing so little?