Category Archives: lifestyle

Asos Fashion Union-One Shoulder Jumpsuit

Posted on by

1

Admitting a problem is usually the first step, so here goes – It has a been a long time since the last post! We are guilty of having been more active on instagram (which if you aren’t following us HERE is the link). It has led us a little astray from our first love! With that being said we will consciously make an effort to incorporate more in depth posts considering IG can only do so much. For today’s post I (Ari) am incorporating a look my sister photographed while she was visiting us in the city of Winter Park. This quaint town is super chic and IG worthy every corner you turn. I am wearing this incredible one shoulder checkered jumpsuit from non other than-you guessed it, ASOS. Not much has changed around here if you are an avid follower. ASOS just suits my personal style as its constantly evolving with me and you cant beat the styling and creativity of the site. I digress. The jumpsuit features a checkered pattern perfect for mixing textures, wrap front, side pockets and side zip closure. It can be worn as is in the warmer temps or over a turtle neck and boots for the colder months. If you are like me and are in the market for clothing that is easier to transition between different facets of life this is the jumpsuit for you! I’ve left some links below! Go from the boardroom (with a sweater under) to brunch or even a date.

If you are ever in the neighborhood check out the restaurant Briarpatch which is where we had breakfast and order the raspberry and brie french toast!

 

Jumpsuit & Shoe options-Here,Here, Here, Here, Shoes ,Here

XOXO- ARI

 

Vanity Planet Rejuvenating Scalp Massager

Posted on by

0

So I must admit, I can be easily convinced to buy things especially when you use key words like “rejuvenating and aids with hair growth”. SOLD! When I purchased the groove scalp massager from Vanity Planet I really had no idea what to expect. I’ve known for ages now that scalp massages help with blood flow to your scalp which can promote hair growth but who has the time and finger strength to do that every day? Laziness aside, this just wasn’t something I was doing on a frequent enough basis to make a difference in my hair. Along came this handy tool! It is relaxing and cuts out the work for you while speeding up the time frame in which it gets done. I have used it to shampoo/co wash my hair to really help eliminate dandruff and built up product. This baby can go right in the shower and while I wouldn’t dunk it in the water since its battery operated, the site does mention that it is water resistant. I’ve also used it in conjunction with oil masks. I pile on some of my favorite hair oils and help them penetrate by using the massager. You could even use it just for fun to relax. The only con I would say is that sometimes the vibrations feel very strong on my hand and they feel tingly. Switching hands or using a barrier (like a cloth) to hold the handle eliminates this issue for me. I don’t mind having to do that because I know that means the bristles are working hard! Speaking of the bristles they are a rubber like flexible material and don’t get snagged or tangled up in my curly hair which is a must. All in all I would highly recommend this to anyone who is lazy like me but still wants to incorporate scalp massages in their beauty routine. Link to item down below!

IMG_9466IMG_9461

IMG_8812

Groove Rejuvenating Scalp Massager

XOXO- ARI

 

Street Style Layers

Posted on by

0

When it comes to layering, let’s face it the colder it gets the less you care about the actual pieces you’re throwing on. On days like this style takes a back seat and your left with an outfit more so resembling the abominable snow man than an actual look. Thankfully it never gets that cold in central Florida! On this chilly day I wore this amazing jumpsuit/onesie purchased from ASOS from the brand Missguided. Equipped with grey striped detailing, long sleeves and a super functional turtle neck collar its perfect for these Florida versions of cold days. I paired it with my army fatigue anorak and my Nike Theas for a pop of color. This outfit is street style meets comfort and warmth all in one! Links and details down below. Let us know, what is your favorite way to layer during those in between months? Comment below!

Jumpsuit

Similar styles Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here

XOXO- ARI

Storage Unit DIY

Posted on by

0

I know I teased this on Instagram a long time ago but the time has finally come to reveal my awesome DIY storage project for my room. I was on a bit of a décor kick as of recent and wanted to bring my interior style game up a notch now that I’m getting older. One way to do that was introducing mixed metals to my new mirrored furniture and find ways to incorporate natural elements like wood to make it cozier. A full room tour might be necessary in the near future! For now here is how I jazzed up this ordinary shelving unit to be perfect for my aesthetic.

Things you will need- Everything can be purchased from Walmart.com

  • Storage Unit
  • Gold Spray Paint
  • Screwdriver or Drill (I only used a screwdriver)
  • Marble Contact Paper (or any pattern contact paper for that matter)
  • Pencil, Ruler and Scissors (or scrap booking knife)
  1. Prepare your work space with enough room, you will only need a screwdriver or drill (if you’re fancy)
  2. Follow the directions to screw each shelf to the columns (starting from the bottom helps)
  3. After its constructed take it to an outside open area and spray with gold paint, let dry and do a second coat
  4. Measure and cut pieces of contact paper with the pencil and ruler (make sure to write on the back portion of the paper not the visible marble part)
  5. Cut out the pieces and smooth them over the shelves with the ruler or a rag to smooth out any air bubbles
  6. Embellish shelves with books or home décor items, get creative!

I had originally planned on leaving the bottom shelf open for a hamper or larger items but later decided to add the missing shelf for a more cohesive look. I also plan on eventually getting some pull out mesh drawers from IKEA and de clutter it. For now I love the finished product and can’t wait to play around with the items and change them up for the seasons!

img_6589

img_5501

fullsizerender-2

XOXO- Ari

Ari’s Cali Edition

Posted on by

0

 

A Golden State of Mind…..

So the time has come to recap both of our magnificent trips to the golden state, California! I (Ari) have visited the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco before and my sister Gwen had never been. Both of us embarked on the journey to the west coast for some birthday celebrations and all around good times with friends. Below is a compiled list of some places I thought were worth checking out if you are ever in the Los Angeles area. Stay tuned for part two where Gwen covers San Diego and more!

Grub:

California foodies did not disappoint! Here were some eateries I thought were yummy.

  • Grand Central Market- This plaza is extremely popular for some famous eateries like Egg Slut and Ramen Hood but don’t count out any of the others! “ress brothers juicer”gives you the pick me up you need after the long flight to Cali from the east coast. “Saritas Pupuseria” and “Tacos Tumbras a Tomas” both give you a taste of the local latin flair for those who are money savvy and want the most bang for their buck!
  • In and Out– Need I say more?
  • Candela Taco Bar & Lounge- Located on La Brea avenue this place offers great food including specials and promotions like “margarita mondays, tango tuesdays and taco wednesdays. With live music and performances you cannot beat the authenticity and price of this special bar.
  • Cj’s Cafe– With its seemingly small exterior it might be easy to miss this cafe, but it could be hands down one of the yummiest casual spots yet! Cj’s serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and fresh juices!  The menu ranges from traditional american fare to mexican and beyond. The staff was extremely accommodating and friendly and the food was delicious. Try the huevos rancheros for breakfast and watermelon/ cantaloupe fresh juice the morning after a night out.

fullsizerender-2

Tourist Attractions

  • Lacma– Known for its popularity amongst bloggers, you can’t help but at least admire the instillation and relax with friends on a chilly evening amongst the lights.
  • Griffith Observatory-This free attraction is amazing for panoramic views of the city including the Hollywood Sign. You can also visit the planetarium and explore the exhibits during regular hours.
  • Venice Beach & Santa Monica Pier– These are must sees anytime you go to LA. They both represent the quintessential Cali lifestyle and leisure we all know and love, surf sand beach!
  • La City Hall Observation Deck– Although most may not know it, if you go to city hall and get a free visitors pass you can go to the top of the roof where they offer amazing views of the city from a different perspective. Its free and easy!

Night Life

  • Sunset Blvd- Bar hopping galore! “Fiesta Cantina” was a great spot to grab a drink. Not for the faint of heart, “Flaming Saddles” is a Gay bar catering to scantily clad men in tightey whitey underwear- yes please!
  • The Arglye Hollywood Nightclub- This swanky spot is perfect to get dressed up and sexy with your girls to dance the night away.img_7063

This was just a short list as I’m sure LA has so much more to offer. Stay tuned for my sisters secondary post on her favorite spots in other cities.

XOXO -ARI

 

 

 

Slip dresses + Birthdays

Posted on by

0

I turned 27!!!!! As each year passes I’m reminded that life is super short and you have to make of it what you want while you’ve still got the time, energy and resources. With this being said I always love to book a fun adventure for my birthdays to end the summer off right and ring in my birth year with some fun travel vibes. This time I decided to visit a good friend in sunny Los Angeles! I have only been to Sacramento and San Francisco before so this was definitely a must for me. The food, ambiance, weather and people were everything you’d imagine it to be, good times all around! Since the weather was unusual for me to get used to (warm but also cold at the same time) I made sure to bring different layering pieces to play with. On this day we visited Venice beach and boardwalk. Not only did I get to witness some interesting booths but I also got to dip my toes in the Pacific Ocean (which was ice cold by the way). To stay on par with layering while also being trendy I paired this Zara metallic shiny slip dress with a Forever 21 Janet Jackson t-shirt underneath. Although I love a good rock band t-shirt, this one felt more authentic seeing as I am actually a fan and grew up watching and listening to her music. The western belt is from boo-hoo and really added flair and some much needed waist cinching to the ensemble. I’ve linked items below if you’re interested in recreating the look!

imageimageimage

IMG_3983

IMG_3984

XOXO- ARI

BOO HOO- Double Belt

Forever 21- Janet Jackson T-Shirt

Zara- Slip Dress

 

 

River Island Culotte Jumpsuit

Posted on by

0

I recently went to visit my sister and dog Justin in New York. Being home even for such a short time gives me such nostalgic feelings. I’m always on the fence about moving back or not. On the one hand, New York City is hands down the best place to live with regards to entertainment, food, and general awesome vibes all around. On the other hand, I am not about that life! I am so used to driving and living at a slower pace being in Florida that experiencing the subway and hustling in such an extreme weather conditions doesn’t sound like fun anymore. But I digress; this River Island Jumpsuit really was the real MVP this trip. The culottes A-line and v-cut really flattered my figure overall and the material was free flowing enough to handle the extreme heat of NYC summers. The olive toned neutral color provided the perfect palette to pair with funky accessories like this bolo tie and 90’s inspired chokers. I love a lazy girl stylish jumpsuit, just throw on your sunnies and you are out the door! No need to pair tops and pants and get all complicated in the summer. This exact jumpsuit is currently sold out on ASOS but I included the link regardless because they are always restocking. Also check out the extremely similar options I linked below as well.

Let me know below do you ever struggle with wanting to move or have a change of pace?

imageimageimageimageimage

IMG_8102

Sold out Exact Jumpsuit– Keep an eye on it, ASOS often restocks items!

Similar Culotte Jumpsuits- Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here

XOXO- ARI

Braid Waist Romper

Posted on by

0

When curating my fashion looks for the Dominican Republic, I knew that I needed them to be simple and easy to throw on yet still afford me the structure that my clothing requires for my body to look balanced. I love a staple romper to accomplish this because they can transition from day to night while not giving up the comfort and ease needed when you’re on vacation. This 100% cotton, non-stretch denim romper from ASOS was the perfect fit! Not only does it fit extremely well, it has a braided belt detail and cut out back for that extra added flair. It can be paired with sandals as I did or even combat boots to dress it down. Rock your natural hair or some pretty braids and go sans bra while you’re having some fun in the sun. Check out the link below to get your hands on it!

FullSizeRender

IMG_6304

FullSizeRender (2)

IMG_6305

IMG_6302

ASOS Denim Braid Waist Romper

XOXO- ARI

 

ASOS SWIM

Posted on by

0

ASOS is literally my go to site whenever I am in need of special one of a kind pieces. This time around I wanted to treat myself to some stylish swimsuits for my tropical get away with my sister and mother. Not only did these suit me perfectly for the trip but they are also versatile for pretty much any water related event. With recent weight gain I desired more coverage with certain trouble areas and figured one pieces were the way to go. When looking for bathing suits I look for a couple of things, texture, details, and shape. I prefer feminine sweetheart neck lines that accentuate my bust with added surprises like the peplum to give the illusion of a curvier bottom half. I typically steer clear of added material to my chest seeing as it can draw the eye more to this area but could not resist this beautiful ruffle frill trim on this white polka dot suit! Sometimes it’s ok to let go of your style rules and it can pay off in the end. Lastly the scuba material really helps to create structure and sculpt any problem areas like the tummy. This white suit is unfortunately out of stock for the moment but the red peplum is still available in black. I have also linked similar items that may be of interest down below.

  • Disclaimer, if you are more into comfort versus style these wouldn’t be for you! I couldn’t exactly lift my arms with the shoulder straps and the scuba material peplum sucks you in for a tight fit perhaps not working well with water sport activities. These suits are meant to be admired and sun bathed in :0)

imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

XOXO- ARI

ASOS Swim Suits- Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here

Forever Swim

Posted on by

0

As some of you know from our Instagram posts Ari our mom and I went on a much needed vacation to the Dominican Republic during Memorial weekend. We had the best time celebrating our moms 50th birthday, so much eating, drinking, exploring and relaxing by the beach/pool and last but not least sneaking in a few photos for the blog. 

Before any trip I usually like to buy a couple of new things, especially swimsuits since they can begin looking worn out after only a few uses. I picked up two one piece swimming suits and a top piece from Forever 21 (plus size) and I couldn’t be happier with them. Here’s a closer look…

This black and cheetah print one piece ($32.90) has such a flattering heart shaped top, perfect for busty girls who desire some sort of structure in a suit. 

This all black and mesh swim suit ($32.90) was also a good fit for me as it sucked everything in. The mid section is mesh material which adds a nice touch of edge/sexiness.

Unfortunately this is the only shot I’ve got of the Yellow and black top ($17.90) but I’m hoping you can still get a feel of how it fits. I don’t usually wear two pieces but I couldn’t pass this one up. It lifted and supported me so amazingly well. I’m thinking of getting it in another color! 

I purchased all of these swimming suits in a 1x for those needing a size reference. 

Cheetah one-piece

Black Caged one-piece (Similar)

Yellow Top

Hope this post helped any of my plus sized ladies looking to purchase a new swimsuit this summer. 

Till next time, 

xx, Gwen