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Bach Flower Essences, Heard of ‘Em?

10-10-17

Crystals, oils, meditation, chakras – wellness trends are making everyone second guess their lifestyle, in the best way. It got me thinking – what do I do in my life that calms me, helps me keep my center. That’s when I saw my Bach Flower Essences sitting on my nightstand. Since I could remember, my grandmother has been giving me Bach Essences to calm me down. I have her voice ingrained in my mind when I’m feeling anxious and uneasy: “take rescue remedy” she would say.

What are Back Flower Essences? Well I thought I’d go straight to the source, the woman who introduced me to them, my grandmother.

Where did Bach Essences come from?

They were developed by Edward Bach, an English Physician turned English Homeopath in the 1950’s. He believed that the dew on flowers had various healing properties.

What are Bach Flower Essences?

They are made of different flowers, a little bit of alcohol and spring water.

Why do you advocate for Bach Flower Essences?

Taking essences can be interesting, because you learn about yourself. When you go to the health food store and read the bottles, you recognize the problems you’re having.

What are they used for and how do they help people?

Bach essences are used to help people adjust their personality and balance themselves.

What is your advice for someone trying Bach essences for the first time?

Go light on them. Start with one essence and take a couple of drops.

Growing up, you’ve often given me rescue remedy to calm me down. Can you talk about the rescue remedy essence specifically?

The Rescue Remedy essence is a combination of five flowers. Cherry plum, star of bethlehem, clematis, rock rose and impatiens. It’s used for unique stressful situations in everyday life. From a job interview to calming yourself down before an operation, it’s meant to calm you down when you’re in a state of stress. However, as you get to know yourself, you can choose more specific essences to balance yourself.

I think most people struggle with some anxiety on a Sunday night before the work week. Which Bach Essence would you recommend for calming yourself down?

Larch. It gives you the confidence to say no problem, I can handle this.

A lot of my readers are twenty-somethings, figuring out their careers. Still trying to figure out their life. Do you have any essence recommendations for us?

Wild Oats are to help you decide the way you want your life to go and to become more decisive.

Have you tried them? What did you think?

Links I Love: In Light Of Heartache.

10-02-17

I find that it’s becoming more normal to go through the day with a heavy heart. It’s routine to wake up with your news feed flowing with awful things happening in the world. So what do you do? Help where you can and try to get through the week. I’m here to help with the “getting through” part and linked some things below that to me are making the world a better place. Appreciating people who are creating art, music, communities – sounds like a great passing time to me. xx

Swooning over the branding for the New York Women’s Surf Film Festival.

If you love the Big Little Lies intro song, you’ll love Michael.

This living room is making me want to redesign mine.

Kombucha is trending and I hopped on the bandwagon.

Brit + Co. is hosting a pop-up #CreateGood event in NYC this week and I can’t wait to attend.

Enjoy interviews with powerful women? Me too.

Glossier: my go-to skincare brand.

9-28-17

I wish I was one of those people who enjoyed testing new skincare and makeup products. I walk into a Sephora and I’m immediately overwhelmed. The endless options of makeup and lines of brands, it’s too much. The worst part? I hear great things about SO many products. How do you choose? Also, I’m expected to put the fate of my skin into someone I just met 30 seconds ago, explaining my skin type to a Sephora expert in hopes they’ll lead me the right way. Not to say that every person I’ve met wasn’t great, it’s just that my skin changes all of the time, so does that really help?

Which is why I had to give Glossier a try. For one thing, they were based online. I’m a big online shopper. Two, I’m a sucker for a great brand and they do it well. From the product packaging to their online presence, I fell in love. Third: the genuine and organic reviews I kept seeing all over the internet and social media. Which FYI, this is a completely genuine review, no strings attached. Last and certainly not least, the idea of my skincare and makeup products coming from one brand sounded so easy, a one stop shop. Fast forward a few months and the majority my daily routine comes from Glossier.

What I currently use:

Balm Dotcom: my first Glossier product that I got for a Christmas present thanks to my GF – it’s a lip balm that also moisturizes other parts of your skin.
Boy Brow: great for a natural brow look.
Priming Moisturizer: probably my favorite product solely because it combines two of my morning makeup steps into one.
Invisible Shield: clear and lightweight SPF (great to just throw in your beach bag, too.)
The Super Pack: this pack comes with three different serums to use on your face. Super Glow for the morning, Super Pure for nighttime and Super Bounce is great for a day after the sun to bring elasticity back to your skin.
Cloud Paint: I currently have the haze paint, it’s a fun magenta to touch on your cheeks for a night out.

*Also, they send you samples of a new product each time you order something. Which is both a blessing and a curse for me. It’s official guys, I’m hooked! xx

SHOP BELOW

Links I Love: proud career moment, fall hats and spoodles.

9-19-17

This week’s links have influenced me to book a keratin treatment, actually enjoy sweet potatoes and realize I need to do a little more exploring in my own city. The icing on the cake? My photos being featured in a DuJour article. Truly a proud career moment. Enjoy your week! xx

In honor of fall, I’m switching up my zoodles for sweet potatoes noodles (spoodles?) with this pad thai recipe.
Proud moment. Images I photographed during a shoot for work were featured in this DuJour article. Pro-tip: If you’re visiting Newport, Rhode Island, the Chanler is a must stay. Highly recommend.
Have naturally wavy and unpredictable hair? Me too. This article may have given us our best weapon yet.
I’m scouting new fall hats and I’m crushing on this navy one.
The NYT just questioned if the best pizza in New York, is in fact in New Jersey. Jersey City to be exact. AKA where I live. I’ve never been and I’m feeling ashamed. Adding it to my list of restaurants to try – you should too.

Links I Love Fall is for a Refresh.

9-09-17

As I’m sitting here writing this, I’m on my living room couch with the window open and the crisp fall breeze is coming through. Fall is here, guys. It came as quickly as summer left. Trading my tank tops for oversized sweaters and sandals for booties. It’s bittersweet. For me, season changes trigger closet cleanses and self awareness. I love the idea of using these seasonal shifts as a refresh button on my life; starting something new and just trying a little harder everyday. Below are some links for being more productive, trends and shopping, of course!

In light of Refinery’s #29rooms, here’s an article on how it all started.
I think I finally figured out my Myers-Briggs personality type, thanks to this Well+Good article.
If you aren’t subscribed to The Skimm, you should be. Their daily news roundups sent right to your inbox bring some lightheartedness to this crazy world that we’re living in.
I’m obsessing over the interviews on the Girlboss podcast.
Emma Watson has a book club.
I’m really feeling these Brandy Melville pants for fall.

How to kick-start your creative career in college

8-22-17

I’m going to sound old when I say this, but so many things have changed since I’ve graduated from college. The rise of digital, blogging, the ability to work virtually anywhere in the right role, the opportunities are endless. If I was in college now, there are things I would have created, hobbies I would have focused on and roles I would have explored. I recently chatted with a student from my sorority who is exploring a marketing/communication’s career. While giving her advice on how to get into the industry, I realized there are probably more students out there who are close to finishing their degree and looking for a kick-start to their creative career. There are so many interests you can explore even while staying right on campus. See below for some ideas of mine. If only I could go back in time 😉

Create a website. I promise it’s more intimidating than it sounds. WordPress and Squarespace are favorites of mine. If you want to break into the creative space I’m sure you have some creative passion to explore, so blog about it. Do you want to be a writer? Showcase your work. Want to jump into photography? Create a photo gallery. While doing this, you’re actually creating two skills that are beneficial in these industries: website experience and whichever passion you end up posting about.
Take as many internships as you can. Yes I know, I know, internships have been around for a while. But back then, I couldn’t leave my internship and hop on my computer at home and jump into my second internship. Take advantage of this crazy, fast-paced, digital age we are in!
Be remote. Students are often going to school somewhere that they don’t necessarily want to start their career in. How do you break into a market that you’re thousands of miles away from? Start-ups are popping up all over the country and some offer remote opportunities. I’ve actually seen a few on a favorite website of mine, Create & Cultivate.
Get local. This is one trend that I’m completely on board with. Digital has given mom-and-pop shops the same audience reach and opportunities as the big guys. Go around your college town, see if a local restaurant or business needs an extra creative hand. It gives you an opportunity to gain experience and help build their community.
Network. I know what you’re thinking. So. basic. But aside from on-campus clubs and organizations, this digital world that we live in makes it easy to network with like-minded individuals across the country – there are so many public social media groups you can join now to ask advice and share ideas.

Be bold! Get out there.

Links I Love: Budgeting, Brooklyn Festival and $6 Earrings.

7-31-17

Working in the PR industry, being ahead of the trends are part of the job. I read endless amounts of articles, blogs and Instagram stories daily. On my commute to work, I’m either listening to a podcast, listening to music, reading a book or skimming my daily email roundups. During work, articles are being shared left and right minutes after they are published. I love information, and I love learning about innovative industries and new products. Which is where this series, Links I Love, comes along. I’m going to be posting five links weekly. They’ll range from products, events, articles and all in-between. I’m excited to share this stuff with you and I hope you learn a little something whether it’s your new favorite podcast or snag a deal. Happy clicking!

I love this article about saving money in your 20’s.
There is a yoga, meditation and 5k festival happening in Prospect Park this fall.
Adobe is testing a Photoshop for voice. Listen to this podcast about it.
Forever21 has these trendy tassel earrings for under $10.
Simple Modern made my new favorite water bottle. (I bought the 22oz in white)

A Day in Brooklyn: Photography + Prospect Park

5-31-17

A few weekends ago, I spent a sunny Saturday in Brooklyn taking a photography class. I’ve always loved photography and recently received a new DSLR camera (kudos to my boyfriend) and wanted to learn more about it.

When I initially started my search, I realized it’s difficult to find an affordable photography class in New York City. Then, my Brooklyn bestie suggested I check out Brooklyn Brainery. It’s this little storefront just a few blocks away from Prospect Park that reminds me of a preschool inside. & I mean that in the best way. There’s a big chalkboard on one wall, a mini kitchen along another wall, tables in the center and various cubbies throughout the space are labeled with different arts and crafts supplies. The space is so versatile; how else are you going to teach a dumpling making class one day and a photography class another day?

From the history of cameras to testing out the features on my DSLR cameras, I loved the class. I’m definitely going back to try one of their cooking classes. They have a huge variety of classes that you can check out here. Oh, and don’t forget to take a walk through Prospect Park before you go! xx

Brooklyn Brainery Studio.

Flowers in Prospect Park.

View from Prospect Park.

Tiny Apartment, Tiny Details.

5-22-17

So, I’m on my third adult apartment and finally think I’ve gotten the hang of decorating. People usually go from smaller apartments to bigger apartments, nope not me. I’m in the smallest apartment I’ve had yet. I don’t have room for a dining room table but the view from my window makes up for it, right? Anyway, see below for some fun design details I’ve incorporated in my tiny apartment.

Utilizing every nook and cranny, even using the heater as a shelf.

My friend and phenomenal Graphic Designer, Amanda, made this custom Jersey City print for me.

Plants, plants and more plants.

I collect vintage cameras which also make for great accent pieces.

I take so many Polaroids. I hang some around the apartment and the rest I throw in a big statement bowl that sits in the middle of my coffee table.

Have a tiny apartment hack? Share below in the comments!

Coveted Coffee Shops: Jersey City

2-11-17

For a while I didn’t enjoy coffee, like at all. It wasn’t until my first “real” job when I realized hmm I should probably give it a chance. Low and behold came my love for coffee, and then espresso. I’ve grown to enjoy trying out different coffee shops on the weekends. So, I listed my top five in Jersey City below. More to come in the area. Enjoy!

1.) 9 Bar Cafe: located right outside the heart of Grove St. They have beautiful dark wooden tables and delicious lattes.

2.) Dames Coffee Espresso Bar: their banana bread is to die for.

3.) Seven Sheep Coffee: my favorite part of this place is the colors. So many blues and greens. They even have a bookshelf in the back to enjoy with your coffee.

4. Smith & Chang: this one has a special place in my heart. I used to live right around the corner and would spend my Sunday mornings here.

5. Sam A.M. is my new found love. It’s in my new neighborhood, Paulus Hook. Not only do they have delicious almond milk lattes, but their food is delicious.

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