L'Oréal Ever Fresh

First impression: has a grandma scent. Nice sleek iridescent packaging it states that it is vegan. I've used products with PYRITHIONE zinc and this is very comparable to those products. I would have some flakes and this exfoliated my scalp clean. I was very scared that my scalp would go back to what it was. But it maintained it clean. The concept of the scrub was fascinating I have never in my life heard of a scalp scrub. These products were complimentary from influenster and L'Oréal. I probably won't ever purchase.

Product Review: Lip Magnet

Recently I signed up with influenster and was fortunate enough to get sent a VoxBox with Giorgio Armani products to review.
The items were Lip Magnets

First impressions:
(Insert boxing photo here)


(Insert product photo)

(Insert swatches)

The applicator is designed to distribute more product across the lips without having to go back into the tube, I think this particular idea is phenomenal. And if does a good job of that distributing out a fair amount of product. I only had to apply one layer of the liquid lipstick. Lip magnet was very vibrant! I have what is considered "olive toned skin" which isn't too dark but when it comes to liquid lipsticks I usually have to do two swatches for the coverage I want.  Once I tried it on my lips it was extremely lightweight, it was not sticky. The packaging was very classic! Overall I was impressed with this product.

PCOS and dry scalp

Ever since I can remember I have had a reoccurring issue of dry scalp.

I can recall fearing the rain; it would cause my scalp dryness to intensify.

Recently I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 

One of the prominent symptoms happens to be dry scalp. 

I have tried endless products to help control my scalp. Many items have failed. But one method has made it to the finish line.

Baking soda. Because of the small granules it works as an exfoliant on the scalp.

I have not tested it on chemically enhanced hair. So try at your own risk.

What I like to do is section my hair and sprinkle some baking soda on the scalp.

I let it sit for a moment and then jump in the shower. 

I gently massage the scalp with water and then shampoo and condition as normal.

Depending on the severity of the dryness one shampoo will help drastically.

And remember to never go to bed with wet hair!

Also if you haven't been tested for PCOS and have irregular periods, abnormal dark hair growth on your face, or have trouble losing weight.

I suggest you do so.

Snow Day | 01.22.16

So today I made buffalo chicken lasagna which was inspired by the Thrillist

The recipe included:

Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, butter, parsley, lasagna noodles, ricotta and bleu cheese😷 however, I left out the ricotta and blue cheese and replaced it with mozzarella and chedder. 

I also made Squash casserole that my sister makes 

Choosing Vendors.

I have had some ups and some downs on finding my vendors and I just want to share who has made the search less hectic

I suggest you hire vendors by importance.
I knew that I wanted to have an incredible photographer that could give our photos an Ethereal feel. I found Sarah Allen Co but thought that she would be totally out of my budget but turns out that she was just perfect! So my first choice was my final choice Sarah Allan Co.

I knew that I wanted to have a DJ that would play Mexican music and knows Mexican traditions so we hired Damian Arroyo

I also knew I needed someone to give us direction. We booked with Southern Weddings by Southern Ladies

I knew that I wanted to do a lot of things myself such as centerpieces, invitations/ Save the dates,
Again I wanted to keep Mexican tradition so We booked a mariachi

I am currently still searching for flowers

And I need to purchase disposable fancy wear.

I have found the one.

On March first I decided I wanted to start trying on wedding gowns.

My first stop was BHLDN Atlanta. this was almost heavenly for me.

We checked in as soon as we walked in the door, we were offered water/champagne (@10am )

(I like how you work anthropology)

The staff was so welcoming. 1030 came along and we were greeted by Shelby. She told us to look around at styles since the gowns obviously look different online. I picked out 4-5. 

If you Dont know how to BHLDN works here's a quick break down. They carry their dresses in the store in two sizes, a 4 and a 12. Which for someone like me who hasn't worked out in over a year is a little overwhelming. And then they clip you into a dress

Shelby made me feel so comfortable! As did the other staff. 

She measured me and guided me towards what sizes would work for me. 

Secret: if you call a store and order from them they weave shipping fees.

She sent me on my way,  with no pressure and a smile on her face. As if she new I would come back to her.

Since these dresses were by first impressions we didn't want to make a brash decision.

We made our way back upstate and stopped at a David's Bridal. This was by far a nightmare. I am not picky at all when it comes to places that are going to save me money but wow. I was shocked. I went in scheduled an appointment, looked around and met a consultant. This consultant picked out some favorites that I picked online, which didn't work for me in real life. And as I'm trying dresses on she goes MIA. I Had no one TO zip me or unzip me or fix anything.  The store was too hot. I left flustered and with hot flashes. 

Later that evening we went to Bravura

They had so many beautiful overpriced gowns.

Some did absolutely nothing for my already straight figure. Some were too itchy, others were too beaded. Some were way too beautiful but not for the style I'm going for. 

Overall I did my research on my own on what would look good on my frame. I have broad shoulders and a wide rib cage. My hips are narrow and at the moment my waist could be better. 

Google what would favor your body. Some of these places are just trying to make money off of you and will sell you anything. Luckily I did my research and found something I haven't been able to get out of my head. 

BHLDN YOU SNEAKY FOX YOU!

Wedding Planning— The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

This hot mess of a man is Dylan. He asked me to marry him last Christmas. Little did he know the mess that he would soon encounter.

Wedding Size
I always dreamed of a big wedding. Then I had a quincenera, which made me realize how much work went into big events. Soon after Dylan and I got engaged, I asked him what he thought about eloping. (I just wanted to gather my closest friends and family and have a small elopement ceremony in the Smokey Mountains) he immediately shut down the idea. (When people Elope in GA they go to the courthouse, he finds that a little too redneck.) I decided to make a guest list of who I would invite, close family that has always been there to laugh, to cry, to count on. It was way too big of a list.

He has met a decent amount of my fairly large family.  7aunts and uncles on both my parents side, 25 cousins on both sides, and an estimated 20  second cousins; Whom are mostly the ones I grew up with; they were much closer to my age.  (I'm chicana, give me a break.) He gets that it can get a little too loud and a little too crazy at times. He comes from a smaller family. Combined: His grandparents,  his parents, an uncle on his dad's side and a cousin on his dad's side. On his mothers side two aunts that I don't know very much about.
To say the least its going to be a big wedding.

Religious Background 
I grew up Catholic. I was a EDGE leader in my early 20s. I planned on marrying a Catholic man, but God had other intentions. Although I don't attend a congregation, I still consider myself very Catholic. And I still plan on getting married in the Church one day, and raising my children Catholic.

His religious upbringing  is Southern Baptist. Which I find totally different than Catholicism. Luckily he isn't very religious and claims himself a Christian. He is surely way more Christian than the yes who claim to be "baptists" and what not.

We had to find a middle ground because I wasn't going to get married in a baptist church, and there's no way he would become Catholic by October. So we are doing a bilingual ceremony with a reading and singing an our father and some vows probably And some Hispanic ceremony traditions. (Lasso, Arras, and unity candle/sand ) but this is subject to change.



Venue

I started looking at venues seven days after Christmas. Although we didn't know what day we wanted to have our wedding I knew it had to be in the fall. Preferably September or October. My parents wanted a summer wedding but summers in GA are not pleasent; Dylan thought the summer was too soon. I; however, love fall: the colors, the weather, MY SKIN.  So I searched for farms (all booked for September and October) then I looked at industrial type placed also mostly booked. Here and there I would find amazing venues with terrible time constraints, preferred vendor lists, and alcohol policies. None of these fit my budget or what I wanted to do for the day.

It took a little bit of thinking and a lot of research. By the last week of January I had booked our wedding day. The place was outdoors, which will be beautiful in the fall. I have no restraints except for a few minor ones because it is a nature center.