NYC BRUNCH SPOTS 2021

 After more than a year away from dining in the city, it feels great to be back out here eating, drinking and enjoying great company again. Like every other twenty-something living in the NYC metropolitan area, dining out again means one thing: we're back at brunch! Dining limitations have loosened around here due to rising vaccination rates (if you haven't been vaccinated yet, I encourage you to visit the NYS vax site to book an appointment asap, or go to a walk-in location like the popup in Penn Station). Keep reading for a few of my favorite NYC brunch spots lately, both standard and bottomless options included!

QUARANTINE BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

 Hello from a nearly six month long OOO from the blog! Between working and living in this new normal of the pandemic, I feel like I've been living in a fog these past few months. It's so strange when I really think about how my own life has changed this year, and I'm sure a lot of us feel in the same boat. Living in New York in particular, it's been something going through all these phases of lockdown and re-opening. I do try my best to stay positive and keep routines/do things that keep my spirits lifted, but of course I have my days where I feel really stressed and anxious. 

For me, I've always found joy in beauty products- in my teens this equated to color cosmetics, but nowadays I'm much more into skincare (like most other beauty lovers these days). Here are a mix of products I've been using during lockdown that make me feel happier, including some great products to use in mask makeup looks :)

MY MAKEUP REMOVAL ROUTINE

It's been a whiles since my last post... the last three months have been really crazy! I took a brief hiatus from posting due to just how busy everything else has been in my life. I ended 2019 working two jobs and an extra project, but now things are starting to get back to normal. I'm glad to start off the Year of the Rat back on here writing about my favorite topics again! Last night we hosted a Chinese New Year party at my house which featured me in a full face of makeup... something pretty rare these days! It made me think about how important my makeup removal routine is and how much it's changed in the last few years. I used to just use a makeup wipe and call it a day, then something totally changed that...

FALL OUTFIT INSPO CHINATOWN, NYC

I still can't believe how fast this year has been moving! It's been more difficult for me to get out and shoot since I'm either working or exhausted lol. BUT, I teamed up with the one and only Famous Amos to get some very blogger-like shots down in Chinatown. I've cut down a lot on buying new outfits but recently picked up some new pieces that I was excited to show off! Keep reading for all my favorite shots and all outfit details.

PRODUCTS I'M LOVING: AUGUST 2019

August was a great product discovery month for me! This summer got a little crazy, and posting up here on the blog definitely got away from me... BUT I have some really awesome new stuff to share today. Some of this I already shared on my insta account, but I'll get into some more detailed info here. Keep reading for why I love these new additions so much!!

THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Hello everybody!!! Today I'm sharing the shoot I did about a week and a half ago with my friend Davon. We returned to the new part of The High Line by Hudson Yards for these pictures, and my outfit of choice was my usual all-black look. Can anyone else believe it's already the second half of August? This summer has been crazy in the best way possible. Keep reading for all my favorite shots from this set!

LOW MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS I'M USING ALL SUMMER LONG

NYC has hit the time of the year where even a minute outside leaves me a sweaty mess. DON'T even ask me how I look after five minutes waiting on the subway platform.... Really though, I sweat very easily in general and now that it's actually humid I'm finding any makeup I attempt to do just kind of slides off. At the moment I'm fairly tan and just looking for products that can help enhance my look to a grade above "just rolled out of bed" and keep my skin/hair healthy and happy. Keep reading to see what I have in my routine now!

LYBB SUMMER: NYC 2019

I love the summer. There's something about New York City summers that's just pure magic, and I think mine started right after graduating college last month. When David took these shots, it was on top of my friend Ben's rooftop in St. Marks. I said there that this was going to be my carefree summer and I really mean it! I'm so ready to enjoy being outside and spend time with the people I care about, all while working during the day doing what I love. These shots are definitely a big time mood!

PRODUCTS I'M LOVING: JUNE 2019

I think it's safe to say we're officially in summertime weather here in NYC! It's so nice to walk down the street in the morning and not have to face freezing cold wind whipping you in the face. Anyways, I shared one of these "products I love" posts a little while back, and after some thought think it will work well as a semi-monthly series. Keep reading for my June favorites!