My Vacation Beauty Essentials

In about two weeks time I will be relaxing on the beaches of sunny San Juan. But before that happens, there are a few fashion and beauty essentials that I need to make sure I have with me.

FASHION

• Cover up | This one should be the most self-explanatory. After leaving the beach or the pool and you don't want to stop and change, a cover up is a life saver. Luckily there are a ton of cute options from a sarong to a maxi dress or even a wide leg pair of beach pants. I still haven't decided which one I want...so I probably try to get them all.
• Hat | Since I typically wear my hair in fro form lately, I haven't gotten a chance to wear a hat yet this summer. But, hats are extremely important and keep your face shielded from the sun's harsh rays during the day. I have a classic wide-brimmed beach hat and a fedora that will definitely be taking the trip with me.
• Sandals | Also obvious. However, for me, it's definitely time to invest in a new pair. While the pair I currently own aren't extremely old, it would still be embarrassing if for some reason they decided to give out on me mid- late night stroll.
• Swimsuit | I just want a new one, okay?!

BEAUTY

• Sunscreen | The biggest beauty must for vacationing. Because you will be in the sun a lot more, protecting your skin has to become a priority in your skincare routine while you're away.
• Fragrance mist | Again, during vacation you're constantly moving from one activity to the next. Would you really like to smell like a long day on the beach during lunch? Yeah, neither would I.
• Leave-in conditioner (with SPF) | If your skin can be damaged from sun exposure, what's stopping your hair from being at risk too? This is a great way to keep your hair from being stripped of all its moisture while in the pool or ocean and protect it from UV rays. 
• Waterproof...everything | If you can't bear to have a bare face, then be minimal with your makeup. Wearing heavy makeup to the pool or beach can look just as silly as wearing makeup to the gym, so be careful. Instead of foundation, opt for a BB cream with SPF. Also, make sure your eyeliners and mascara are waterproof to avoid looking like someone just broke up with you in the middle of the ocean. 

Anything I missed? Let me know what you're fashion and beauty essentials are for vacationing! I would love to hear them. 

Heart Beats | I Wasn't Ready!

 

I wasn't ready, despite knowing each album's release date, and I'm still not. So far I have listened to two of these new releases all the way through, and I'm beyond impressed. I have such high expectations for each of these artists and so far, they haven't disappointed. I hope I didn't just jinx it...but I don't think there's anything I could say to diminish the talent I expect to be exhibited in the next two albums.

If you would like me to cover a full review of each album, or just one, leave a comment or let me know on Twitter.

Old School Blogging Tag

I've been tagged by my good friend Amber, who you recently got to meet, in the Old School Blogging Tag. Basically, this tag was designed to get back to the way personal blogging used to be, before the sponsors, before the advertisements. Just you, me, and the computer screen.

Attached or Single? Attached

Best friends? If I'm being completely honest, not really. That is unless I'm allowed to count my boyfriend.

Cake or Pie? Cake, duh.

Day of Choice? I would have to say April 25th because it's not too hot and it's not too cold. All you need is a light jacket. 

Essential Item? This isn't very specific, but since this is primarily a beauty blog I will go with a beauty item. My essential beauty item would be benzoyl peroxide gel. I need this in my life, but that should come as no surprise to you guys. 

Favorite Color? Purple!

Gummy Bears or Worms? Bears because they're cute and easier to eat...especially when soaked in vodka.

Hometown? Washington, DC.

Favorite indulgence? Ice cream. Oh my gosh, yes.

January or July? This is really hard because I'm not a fan of extreme temperatures in either direction, but I suppose I'll go with July. A lot of fun memories are made in July.

Kids? Definitely! No time soon, but one day.

Life isn’t complete without? The people I love.

Marriage Date? Oh wow I've never thought of this! I'm thinking late summer when it starts to cool down. That's funny because our anniversary is in late summer...what a coincidence. 

Number of brothers and sisters? One brother and one sister. Both younger.

Oranges or apples?  Oranges.

Phobias? Octopi. Don't judge me, mock me, or send me a picture of one.

Quotes? "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 

Reasons to smile? There are reasons not to smile?

Season of choice? Fall! Oh my gosh I love fall so much because the trees turn so many beautiful colors and I'm able to break out my favorite accessories like boots, hats, and scarves. 

Tag 5 people.  I think I will tag some old friends with new blogs, and some new friends with older blogs: Gabby, Ari, Sharon, Carina, and  Lindsay.

Unknown fact about me. Well I suppose for my readers who don't know me in real life, I am 5 foot 0 inches. 

Vegetable? Broccoli! I love broccoli. I also love adding spinach in everything. 

Worst habit? Not exercising. It's really terrible.

X-ray or Ultrasound? I don't know. Which would you choose?!

Favorite Food? I honestly don't have one. 

Zodiac sign? Aries. 

Feel free to answer these in the comments, try the tag out, and send it to your friends!

Top Five Annoying Natural Hair Questions by Amber from Stages of Gold | Jordan & Co.

Hey there! Looking for Jordan, right? Well today we have decided to take over each other's blogs! If you want to read her top five annoying questions she gets asked as a natural hair girl, you can find them on my blog Stages of Gold. Since you're here, check out my top five questions, that Jordan and I both agree drive us up the wall.

1. How do you get your hair to curl like that? This question is so stuck on the plantation! My hair curls like this because it's curly - point, blank, period. If you're waiting for me to tell you a miracle product that will transform your tresses into perfect curls, I can't help you. Sorry.

2. Why don't you straighten it?! I get asked this a lot by family and friends more now that my hair has gotten a little longer. Everyone assumes that because I could straighten my hair and let it hang and swang while I walk that that's what I want to do. WRONG! I'd much rather shower my curls with love and affection than risk PERManent damage by running to the flatiron weekly. Plus, big hair is so much more fun!  

3. Can you teach me how to go natural? *sigh, face palm* There is only one way to go natural: don't get relaxers anymore. I can't teach much more from there.

4. My hair is (insert problem), (insert another problem), (insert one more icing on the cake lawd Jesus hair problem), what should I do/use to make it nice/soft/ to eliminate (insert list of problems). Again *sigh, face palm* I am only an expert on one head of hair, MINE! I know what works for me and what doesn't, and I've learned that through research and trial and error. I can recommend things to you all day, but the only person besides a licensed beautician who can custom build your hair regime is you. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Google really is a know-it-all

5. Are you mixed? No, I'm not. Are you? Hair texture does not indicate anything about my race or ethnic background. I can't stand when someone assumes my hair is the way it is because I must be mixed. My parents may have good genes, but give me some credit! I take time with my hair, and make sure it represents me well!

Final Thoughts: Being a natural hair girl these days can be a lot of work. It seems like you have to impress other naturals, shame the girls with relaxers (which you DON'T), attract the oposite sex, look presentable to other races, and at the same time, style your hair in a way that you're comfortable with. Don't get caught up in it! Your hair is your hair, it only has to be pleasing to you. As long as it's healthy, it's perfect! If you choose to wear it silky straight or in a massive fro, that's completely up to you. And if your curious about natural hair, feel free to ask me for advice, just please come correct, or you may end up having to talk to the fro!

Can't get enough of Amber? I know, me either! For more on the author, remember to check out her blog and follow her on these social networks:

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Fashion Fridays | District Style

There is absolutely nothing better than the fashion in Washington, DC*. However, I didn't realize how much I missed DC fashion until last night. I attended a party on Connecticut Avenue and it was honestly a breath of fresh air. Everyone's style was so unique and every outfit had a different vibe from the next. I suppose absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

What is it that makes DC fashion so distinct from other cities? We shop at the same places and find, generally, the same things at the thrift stores, so how is it that we look so much different? I think it's in the way that we interpret the clothes. It's how we accessorize. It's how we choose to style our hair, our makeup. It's the combinations we come up with that make us stand out.

Now that I'm living in the city again for the summer, this would be the perfect time to explore this even more. This summer should be a fabulous adventure.

*Prince George's County is also included. Let us not get our panties in a bunch.