Sweet Possibilities

There is just something about these warm months that get my brain going in the right direction🌞. I get inspired to do wonderful things! Does summer do this to you? I'm not sure what it is about it, but after a hot sunny day and a good swim, I feel like I can tackle the world. I instantly become more creative.

There are so many things I want to do that I haven't done yet... I've got a little bucket-list (so to say!). There are the simple ones like learning to surf, buy a SUP board, go on a sweet little family getaway...and then there are the larger scale aspirations - working for myself one day #letsdreambigfolks 🤗.

Instagram has inspired me on SO many levels - there is an insane amount of creative people around me, and they are doing so many incredible works in our community....not to mention, so many of them are creating businesses with all of this in mind - so cool! I want to be apart of this movement, I want to support their creativity and good deeds, and it all makes me so excited.

I realize this is a random post, but does it get you fired up too? I hope so! What dreams (big and small) do you have? How do you want to change this world for the better? How do you want to change your life for the better? Maybe make it a little more creative? How do you want to inspire others to do the same?

A sweet lil' summer day (technically spring!) sure does give me all the feels. Now followers...Go get inspired 🙂!

Love,
Malina
xo

6 Ways to Make Your Hair Grow and Stay Healthy

1. Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil On Your Scalp

Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil

I discovered this little trick about 7 years ago, and it has transformed my hair. I was struggling with scalp psoriasis and trying to find a natural alternative to ease the pain, when I came across some research that explained in India they used coconut oil for centuries as a mask on the scalp of the hair to help it grow and maintain healthiness. It is insane how well this stuff works ladies!
Here's how to do it:
Once a week, over night, add about 2 tablespoons (depending on hair length) of coconut oil into the microwave for a few seconds, until it liquefies. Start parting in different sections and applying the oil with your fingers onto the scalp, being sure to try to cover all areas (this can get a little messy! I use a paper towel and set the dish of oil on top). Once scalp is done, start moving the oil to the ends. Once hair is completely covered, gather at top of head and spin into a bun. Clip it in place, and lay down a towel on your pillow case (so the oil doesn't stain your pillow). In the morning wash out the oil (you may have to wash it twice in the shower to make sure all the oil is out), add some conditioner and finish as usual. If you keep this up, I promise you, your hair will grow!
Just a side note.... Coconut oil is SO good for your system, especially you ladies who may be prone to UTI's and yeast infections, I ingest a capsule twice a day. See here for what I use. If you can gulp down a tablespoon of coconut oil instead - go for that! I just can't handle it - the oil grosses me out -I am gagging with even the thought of it. I've said it before but I'm a weenie 🙂.

2. Avoid All Forms Of Heat
Over 7 years ago now I stopped blow drying / using irons on my hair, and have noticed a significant increase in the healthiness of my hair! The sun is in this category too, as it can damage hair as well. I'm a HUGE beach fan, so when I spend a day in the sun, I try to add a small amount of coconut oil (naturally SPF 8) to my hands and run it through my hair / ends -  and it helps protect strands from damaging UVA rays.

3. Vitamins: E, Biotin, Omega 3  
I take my prenatal vitamins, coconut oil capsules and Omega 3 vitamins everyday. These three do wonders for the hair so get on the vitamin train to keep those locks shiny and healthy. All three of them help with the healthiness and shine as well as stimulating hair growth! Aim for organic vitamins if you can. I looove Garden of Life vitamins 💜!

4. Maintaining Healthy Ends 
2-3 trims a year is plenty! I tend to get mine snipped at the end of the summer and the end of winter. If I go in and my ends look healthy, I will only get a "dusting" (teeny tiny bit) to keep the hair even and maintains the healthiness for growth. Some stylists say trim hair every 6 weeks... this certainly maintains healthy ends, however it doesn't give your hair a chance to grow! I find the time of year my hair needs a trim the most is at the end of the summer, possibly from all the sun and swim-time.

5. Skip Washes

This one is not always easy for me. I love clean hair and that fresh feeling of walking out of the shower with it, but now that I'm not going into the office, it sure is easier for me to skip days in between washes. Dry shampoo is a great option to help with volume and to cover up the greasiness that might collect over time. I've heard great things about this one, this one and these . If you have blonde hair, powder also works. I have used this calming lavender one before (make sure you buy **TALC FREE**!)...I say blonde hair because powder has a tendency to show up white on the root area, so with darker hair it may appear to have a white tint.

6. Leave In or Serum 

Always use a leave in conditioner like this one that I use, I've also used a great "mending" treatment from Bumble and Bumble in the past that I've loved. Or any leave-in of your choice. On top of that, I add a very very VERY small amount of coconut oil to my ends to keep them hydrated. I typically apply that when my hair is still a bit damp.

Hope you learned a little something interesting here that will help you grow your gorgeous locks out!

xoxo,
Malina

ACV...A Healthy And Age-Free Way To Be

I think we all know by now, how miraculous Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is. Am I right??  Its like the old man in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, whose answer to everything is "Put windex on it". This stuff is a cure-all. Braggs ACV contains "the mother" (strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria) which is what makes this vinegar the king of all kings.

Pic from Amazon

With both beauty and health benefits ACV was even prescribed by Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine, in ancient Greece...dating back to 400 B.C. - Woah!

Why I Take It 
I struggle with scalp psoriasis which can get pretty inflamed and sore. In the past, when it's flared, ACV does the trick to calm down the inflammation. I started taking it again for different reasons - my skin has been SO dull (most likely from lack of sleep!) and I am breaking out with hormonal acne on my jaw line and chin. Since I got pregnant, I've had to cut out retinoids from my skin care routine, because they contain high amounts of vitamin A (which can be very harmful to a baby). I'm nursing now, so I still can't use them. I'm hoping ACV gives me the refreshing glow that I'm after😊, as well as help to fight and prevent those pesky pimples from popping up.

How to Ingest It
In the past I would take about 1-2 tablespoons a day and add it to a splash of water to dilute it. But lately I'm taking one tablespoon, 2-3 times a day. I'm a total weenie, so while I drink it, I also hold my breath until that intense pucker that comes shortly after the gulp is gone - yuck.

Beauty Benefits of ACV
slows the aging process down
improves skin health (can take internally and topically)
keeps hair healthy and shiny by improving porosity in the hair
whitens teeth
can use as a toner to get rid of age spots and acne
helps fight against free radicals
gets rid of dandruff
it's an antimicrobial so you can use it as a foot soak to help with smelly feet
soothes sunburn
Banishes bad breath when you use it as a rinse

Health/Other Benefits ACV
regulates blood sugar levels
enhances weight loss
lowers cholesterol
relieves symptoms of acid reflux
boosts gut health
fights fungus
supports a healthy immune system
enhances circulation
treats warts
heals poison ivy
weed killer
fights fleas
wards off bugs that bite
helps with seasonal allergies
natural deodorant
balances pH
aids in detoxification of liver and other organs
eliminates candida overgrowth
eases digestive ailments
prevents osteoporosis
boosts energy
relieves muscle pain and cramps
anti-inflammatory
helps soothe dry/sore throat
cleaning agent (helps remove mold)
improves nutrient absorption

If you'd like to learn more about each of these benefits, check these links out here,
here, and here's a video.

For now... hold those chemically filled retinoids please - I'll take a shot of ACV to fight aging, instead 🙂.

xoxo,
Malina

The Blazer...

Oh how I love thee...You make any outfit look put together, stylish and chic all at the same time. Forget about the cardigan - give me a blazer any day, and I'll whip up an outfit that will always look trendy and elegant.

 H&M's Linen Blended Jacket - $49.99

Thank goodness they've come a long way from those retro shoulder padded blazers from the 80's and 90's 🙂!

The classic with a pointed edge - Nordstrom - C-Suite Ponte Blazer - $98.00

You can pair a blazer with merely anything and your outfit will look fab. Try them over a dress, with jeans, a plain white tank/T-shirt, a vintage - rocker tank/T-shirt, plain blouse or patterned blouse, khaki's, black pants, corduroys, funky patterned slacks (been eyeing these up lately 😍), skinnies, flares, shorts, skirts, you name it, they look sleek paired with anything.

Double Breasted Blazer Nordstrom - $75.00

Nina Garcia once said "The beauty of the blazer is that it does a tango between the masculine and the feminine, the formal and the casual, the preppy and the trendy, the smart and the sexy." and that to me is what is so wonderful about the blazer.

H&M's Short Jacket - on sale for $34.99

How I judge whether it's the right one for me...

Sleeves
I make sure that they hit right at the wrist (right where the arm and hand bend) or a bit longer - never shorter.

Shoulders
They should be perfectly straight, sharp and crisp at the seams, where the outer edge of your shoulder is.

Closures
I like my blazers to be a slimmer fit but I always make sure that I can button it without any bulging (this means in the front, but also pay note to the sides and back).

Length 
I have shorter blazers and longer ones. If going shorter, make sure that the bottom his where a woman's body naturally curves in at the waist, just above the hips (see the short jacket above). If going for the classic blazer, it should fall at the hip, and below I have two longer styled blazers which will hit below the hip - Oversize Blazer and Cinch Sleeve Blazer (first saw the Cinch sleeve Blazer here and loved it).

Oversize Blazer Nordstrom- $75.00                        Cinch Sleeve Blazer Nordstrom  - $65.00

Favorite Places to Get Blazers
H&M, and Nordstrom actually have some great blazers as does Forever 21 and Macys! No need to spend a fortune! In fact, I have purchased blazers from H&M and Forever 21, they have lasted me years and I still love them. ASOS  has a TON of options as well, some pricier then others. One thing I will say is that I never wash them myself. I wear them a few times and then get them dry cleaned, so they don't lose their shape.

                  Boohoo Longline Double Breasted          Single Breasted Blazer Forever 21 - $28.00        

                  Blazer ASOS - $53.00

Don't be afraid to be daring when it comes to blazers ladies! Wear them with funky pants like these, try a brightly colored one (love this!) maybe even go for a patterned blazer like this! They are fun and certainly a great way to express your sense of style.

Love,
Malina
xoxo

Nail Color Trends - Spring 2018

Whew! I feel like it's been forever since I've posted, I've missed it! I'm the maid of honor in my sisters wedding, so I took a little break from the blogdiggity to focus on her shower and bachellorette weekend, which is now complete. So I'm back! Woot woot!

Nails nails nails! In this post you will find THE most popular nail colors of the season. From shimmery to metallic's to high-glossy reds, here's my list of this seasons hottest nail colors that are not only the most popular, but that have graced the runways and red carpets during award season. Hope you enjoy!

NEUTRALS 
(creams and light pinks)

Always classic! Some popular neutral shades below...

Topless and Barefoot Essie

                                                                                       Makeup For Life

Alexander Wang showcased his models in this beautiful beachy beige-pink color for his Spring 2018 show. The color is a glossy nude shade and looks amazing and slightly different on every skin tone. To top it off this polish was the most popular color on pinterest for the year of 2017 see here.

Fashion by Debbora Lippmann

                                                                                         This That Beauty

Janney Lippman layered this color at the Oscars with La Vie En Rose. It's a great neutral color for all occasions. It costs about $18 - yikes! It's a pricey little number, but Essie has a similar color called Master Plan that costs $8.98 at target. Score!

Ballet Slippers by Essie - $7.69 and Bubble Bath by OPI - $8.98

                Emma Stone in Ballet Slippers - Oscars 2018                                            Cosmo

I love both of these colors! Several celebs wore them during awards season, and each year they continue to be popular neutral-pink shades. They are both elegant and distinguished. Perfect for brides on their wedding day, who are after an alternative to the very popular french mani. 

Hailee Steinfeld in Bubble Bath - OPI

A fun little fact...Queen Elizabeth is a HUGE fan of Ballet Slippers and it's been her absolute favorite nail color since 1989!

CITRUSY BRIGHTS 

Yellow

               Yara Shahidi Daily Mail                                                                   US Magazine  - $10 zoya.com                                     
That's right, be bold ladies! Inspired by the energy of the sun, yellow brightens our days and makes us happy! Yara Shahidi rocked a bright yellow manicure at this years Kids Choice Awards on March 24th.

 A medium yellow tone, will look good on most skin tones, so be daring and go for that beautiful sunny yellow glow! Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet is a fun color from OPI and can be found at Ulta for $10.50.

Orange 

Everything from tangerine to apricot add a squeeze of citrus to your life with bright pops of orange nails! You can find Essie's 2018 trendy orange shade here called At The Helm for $9.00.

E!

Hailee Steinfeld wore a bright orange nail color to the Kids Choice Awards, and I especially like how it stands out against her white blouse. Nails are just as much of an accessory as any piece of jewelry is. So dress em up ladies! 

ALL SORTS OF METALLIC'S 
(Chromes, Golds and Silvers)

Metallic's and Chrome nails are definitely this seasons absolute hottest trend. So many designers played with metallic's this past fashion week in February.

          Glamour  (Oscar de la Renta)     

                                                             

Oscar de la Renta's show included a metallic gold nail color, you can see above (here's a similar Essie color for $8.49). Rebecca Minkoff displayed a playful chrome colored cat eye using a base of Girly Grunge and a strip of Dressed to the Nineties by Essie (similar base for cheaper - $6.99).


                                                                  Essie & Nails Mag - Michael Costello Show

Michael Costella went for this awesome Ombre Metallic nail (above). So gorgeous! At the Golden Globes Viola Davis wore a beautiful Essie shade called Seeing Stars click here  to view. 

Tom Bachik also did up Kerry Washington's nails with a beautiful mirror gold OPI Gel Chrome Effects shade - OOGLING!

The chrome look is huge right now, as you can tell! If you love the look as much as I do, definitely check out the OPI Chrome craze here. I'm obsessed!

LILAC TONES WITH SHIMMERY SHADES AND OPAQUES

 

                                            She's So Chic                                                                       Popsugar

Shimmery and opaque shades have really played a big part in this years awards and runway scene especially with a violet or lilac flare. Nastia Liukin rocked a lavendar gel polish called Violetta Darling at the Golden Globes, as you can see in the picture above, to the right. Also loving the picture to the left which is a mix of an ice blue and triangle art in the center 😍.

 

If opaque and metallic were to have a baby it would look like this manicure above. Tom Bachik did a "Chrome custom mani", for Margo Trobbie at the Oscars - GORGEOUS! It's technically a chrome mani but since it's opaque, I wanted to include it in this section of the post.

BLUE POPS 

Alice + Olivia runway models wore a teal tipped nail in Essie's shade, Garden Variety. 

                                                                                           Nails Magazine

                                                                                       Nails Magazine

If you love this shade you also will love Sally Hansens Big Teal for only $6.08 here. 

RICH REDS 

  

                               WWD                                                    Essie Twitter                                      Debbiedoesnails

Reds are timeless and literally never go out of style. Georgio Armani lacqureed their models with
a deep red shade, Gal Gadot wore Essie's A List at the Golden Globes and Nicole Kidman wore Mini Luxe in Cranberry at the SAG Awards just to name a few.

This was a whole lotta nail info crammed into one post! Hope it fires you up to add a nice pop of color to those nails of yours!

Love,
Malina
xo

My Water Challenge

It's time folks! I'm hopping on board the water train.

I used to be so good about drinking water, but the past couple of years, I've failed. I can see it most in my skin and laugh lines around my eyes etc. Maybe it's all part of the aging progression (I am 2 years over the 30 hump - Ugh!) or maybe I laugh and smile a lot (I do!), but there's no denying that there's a significant decrease in the hydration of my skin / lips....and I use face lotion every day of my life.

Have y'all seen this article where a woman drank 3 liters of water a day for 4 weeks, and it took about 10 years off of her life? I read it a couple years ago, and still think about it. From clearer tone to plumper skin under her eyes and a decrease in dark circles, the change was remarkable... and I'm completely sold! 

Ok, let's set the exterior benefits aside for a second 😉 - 60% of our body is made up of water. We need water for all of our organs in our system to function properly. Water helps regulate our bodies temperature, it cushions and lubricates joints, organs, and protects our spinal cord, tissues and our brain, it helps rid our body of waste and it aids in digestion. With all that being said, it also, increases energy, boosts our immune system, flushes out toxins (which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI's - FYI!) and aids in weight loss. ALL amazing benefits to this "magic" liquid and reasons why it needs to be consumed more often.

Here's my problem, I load up on coffee all morning and forget to drink water, then in the evening....wine please! Both of my drinks of choice are dehydrants - whyyyy?!! So, I'm taking this challenge head on! For one month, I plan to drink at least 100 oz of water a day. 

My plan: 
I'll drink water first thing in the morning when I wake up (before coffee!) to help flush out toxins that have been in my system while sleeping, and 32 oz of water before each meal. I am not willing to cut out my glass of wine in the evening, so I've decided that when I have a glass of wine, I will drink 20 oz of water.

If you decide to take the challenge along with me, be sure to keep me posted on how you're doing, and also what changes you've noticed in your body!

xo,

Malina 

Loving Lately | Jewelry Styles

Earrings, bangles, necklaces and rings, these are a few of my favorite things...🙂

An outfit is never complete without beautiful accessories. Below are some pieces I've been oogling over lately. Some of them run high in price, but a lot of them are created by artists, which makes me more prone to spend money on them, as I want to support creatives and their beautiful work.
Oogle away followers!

1. Jubilee Tassels St Armonds Designs - $29.50
2. Antler Tip Classic Necklace in Mist Twig and Twine - $185.00
3. Tassel Drop Earrings with Knot by Sugar Fix at Target - $12.99
4. Greatest Ever Ivory Statement Earrings - $22.00
5. Bora Bora Seafoam Hearne Dry Goods Co - $90.00
6. Statement Chokers, African tribal necklace Havana Flamingo - $55.00
7. Cowrie Collar Necklace Twine and Twig
8. Buttercup (yellow) Hearne Dry Goods Co - $90.00
9. Air Layer Necklace Set Twine and Twig - $125.00
10. Dusty Rose Cotton, Double Fringe Love All Things Lovely, Macrame for the Modern Wild Child - $36.00
11. Rose Quartz Ring ByCilaJewelry - $24.00

Love All Things Lovely, Macrame for the Modern Wild Child is one of the more unique online shops I've discovered lately. She has SO many beautiful and affordable necklaces on Etsy! Her jewelry is sure to pop on any outfit - they are definitely statement pieces. Be sure and check her shop out!

Love,
Malina
xoxo

Applying Mascara

I love mascara! It's a beauty must-have for me, and I do not leave the house without swiping my eyelashes a few times. I believe the magic is in the shape of the brush wand, BUT I also believe the way you apply the mascara is key too.

The Wand Brush

A full / straight wand brush is where it's at! I've tried the curved, angled and small ones....none of them have worked on my lashes. 

Picture of brushes from Allure

Application

I know applying mascara sounds like common sense, but I do believe the application sets the tide! I never curl my eyelashes with an eyelash curler. If you apply the mascara like I discuss below, you shouldn't have to either. 

Steps

1. I dip the brush a few times in the bottle first. Once I'm ready to apply the mascara, I start at the top lashes, in the inner part of the lid - right where the root of your eyelash meets the lip. I hold the wand on the lip for a couple of seconds and move it left to right a few times.

2. I then comb/lift the brush up through the lashes very slowly.

3. Once the brush gets 3/4 of the way through the lashes I hold it there, move it left to right again, and then I very lightly blink. I repeat this several times until I'm happy with the thickness and length. 

NOTE: Depending on the occasion I sometimes swipe on the opposite side of the lashes as well. I will do this in between coats. This creates a fuller and darker lash effect. 

I never put mascara on my bottom lashes. The top lashes leave a touch of mascara on the bottom lashes, and that is enough for me. 

My Favorite Brand / Kind

I'm pretty picky when it comes to brands of mascara. I've tried so many of them! Believe it or not, Neutrogena makes an amazing mascara called Healthy Volume - it's made with olive and almond oil. I've been addicted to it for the past couple of years. I love my lashes very dark, so I always choose the color Carbon Black. 

Waterproof mascara is so difficult to take off, and can cause breakage to the lashes, so I always buy regular, which washes off really easily with just soap and water🙂. 

xo,

Malina 

Mixing Textures and Styles

Mixing textures and styles is a fun way to spice up your everyday look. If you are in a wardrobe slump, then girrrrl, this post is for you!

Believe it or not, there are so many different ways of wearing clothes that you already have, by simply wearing pieces that you would not typically pair together.

I created three style boards for you below. They might get your creative juices flowing when shopping your closet for your next outing 😉!

Faux Leather and Lace...

I love these two together, there is just something about the elegance / sexiness of lace and pairing it with an edgy faux leather. Here I added a chunky suede heel, and gold jewelry accents. The emerald ring adds the perfect POC (pop of color) for what I believe to be the cherry on top. 

Flannel and Faux Fur...

I was never a huge flannel person, but I've come to find there are so many ways to get creative with them! You can dress them up or dress them down - they are quite versatile. Here I have paired a flannel dress with a faux infinity scarf, and black / brown accents -  love it. I think the hat also adds the perfect touch to this cute lil' number. 

• Side note: If you don't own a faux fur infinity scarf, I highly recommend getting one. I love mine and have worn it many times. They are a unique accessory. I even wore mine with a gown for a few of my my maternity pictures, see below. If you are interested in buying one here's a great option for $10.99!

My maternity pictures were taken by Briana Macon of Macon Photography.

Rocker - Chic and Pearls...

I adore pearls. I literally wear layers of them all the time. I have a set of very chunky pearls that I bought at an adorable boutique called Diamonds and Lace when my sister and I were on a trip together. The pearls have maybe 4 or 5 layers of baubles to them, and they are a staple piece for me. This rocker-chic / pearl look is certainly an eclectic and unexpected way of expressing that rocker gal in you!

There are so many ways to mix and match textures and styles. Hope this stirs up your creative side and inspires you to dive into that closet of yours, hopping out with some fun new ways of wearing your wardrobe...if not, I hope it at least gets you excited to go out and shop for some pretty new pieces 🙂!

Love,

Malina 

xo