Vannia – Page 5 – Flair Miami

By Vannia Enriquez August 7, 2015 in All, Fun, News

LET’S TALK ABOUT SUN DAMAGE

The end of summer is near, and that means that fall is fast approaching! But let’s face it, Miami sun is here to stay (whether we like it or not) and though enjoying the beach all year long has its perks, it also has it’s downfalls. Sun damage. So, how do locals prevent sunburns and wrinkles?

Flair Miami got the scoop from renowned dermatologist, Leyda Elizabeth Bowes M.D and she’s giving us some great insight.

Q&A with Dr. Bowes
1. With Fall around the corner, should climate and weather affect our skin care regimen? If so, how?

You should always pay attention to how your skin reacts to the climate change since not everyone’s skin reacts the same way. In most cases, the skin can become dry in cooler months and oily in warm weather.

To help you deal with Miami’s heat and humidity, I recommend using a wipe and cleanser to be sure you are cleaning all the oil off your skin. The new Neutrogena Double Cleansing method is absolutely perfect for this because it’s not only a new technique, but a better one! Use the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, followed by the Deep Clean Gentle Scrub.

2. SPF. SPF. SPF. We hear about it all the time, but what does it stand for and what is the right amount to use?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.

An SPF of 30 is the minimum SPF required when directly exposed to the sun. For daily use, I like the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer line because it’s lightweight and goes great under makeup. For those who like to engage in athletic activities or outdoor exercise, I recommend Neutrogena’s NEW CoolDry Sport Sunscreen with micromesh technology that allows sweat to pass through and evaporate away while providing durable protection. It’s a great option for our fitness-fanatics!

It is recommended to use one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, to cover the exposed areas of your body. Adjust the amount according to the size of your body.

Good thing the City of Miami Beach and Mount Sinai Medical Center placed 50 sunscreen dispensers near beach entrances to promote a safer and healthier community.

3. What’s the best way to treat sun damage? And is there a difference between freckles and brown spots?

There are many ways to treat sun damaged skin. Simple steps you can do at home include exfoliating in order to smooth your skin and remove the extra layers of dead cells. Next, you must take care of those dark spots. It’s important to incorporate skin care products with antioxidants (vitamin C and E) and retinol to rejuvenate your skin to help reduce signs of sun damage and keep your skin looking its best. Neutrogena® Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector is formulated with Accelerated Retinol SA and works to continuously renew the skin. It also contains vitamin C to help diminish the look of dark spots and discoloration for a brighter, more even skin tone.

The main difference between freckles and dark or brown spots is the age of the person and the size and location of the spots. Freckles are small, can appear anywhere and are directly attributed to sun exposure, although they can also be inherited. Freckles can appear on anyone of any age, especially children. Dark spots on the other hand, are not hereditary, tend to develop on the hands and face, can also be larger in size and begin to be noticed in middle age.

4. Now, let’s talk about fine lines and wrinkles. We all hate those, what causes them and can they be avoided?

The number one cause of wrinkles is the sun. Avoid it as much as you can, always using precautions to avoid sun damage such as wearing sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Don’t forget to use a daily moisturizer. Skin that is hydrated looks better, so lines and creases are less noticeable. And again, using a daily retinol cream is essential to correct the signs of aging skin and eliminate fine lines. Another important component in anti-aging creams is Vitamin C, a powerful anti-oxidant that protects the skin against damage and aging caused by free radicals.

5. Best recommended morning and night regimen. Go!

CLEANSE, MOISTURIZE and PROTECT.

In the mornings, I recommend cleansing the face and using a moisturizer with anti-oxidants such as vitamin C in order to prevent damage caused by free radicals that can deteriorate the skin. After the moisturizer, you should always apply sunscreen with broad spectrum protection in order to help prevent sun damage from UV rays causing premature wrinkles and dark spots.

At nighttime, it is very important to remove your makeup as well as all of the dirt and impurities. The new Neutrogena Ultra-Light Cleansing Oil removes 99% of dirt, oil and makeup even waterproof mascara; it provides an effective clean for soft, healthy looking skin.

6. Any last words of wisdom?

It is a common misconception that since most Hispanics have a darker skin tone, it is not necessary to use sunscreen. No matter your skin tone, daily use of sunscreen is essential to not only protect your skin from the sun but also to help prevent wrinkles or even worse, skin cancer. Always apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, covering all areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun, including the ears and neck.

Okay, Miami. You’ve got the low down on how to keep your skin healthy and bright, now you may roam freely. Enjoy the next few days of Summer and remember to try to stay under the shade!

By Vannia Enriquez July 31, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED BLOGGING

The blogger world definitely has it’s perks. But have you ever found yourself wondering what being a blogger is really like? You know, the good, the bad and the ugly.

I’m sure that at times, from a reader’s perspective it seems like all blogger’s lives are filled with glitz and glam. But I promise it’s not always like that. Sometimes, like in any other job things get tricky and annoying. Plus, it’s not always a joy to sit and be forced to blog your heart out. Here are a 5 things I wish I knew before I started blogging.

People always know your business.
I guess these days with the overuse of social media people know your business anyway (well, at least if you’re on it), but if you happen to be a blogger there’s an expectation to constantly be posting. Like once a day, everyday. Seriously! I can’t say that I abide by that rule, though at times I wish I did. Don’t get me wrong, I’m kind of a social media junkie, just ask any of my friends. Better yet, ask my husband. But I don’t always want people to know what I’m doing. What if I have nothing exciting to share?
Your mailbox is never empty.
On any given day you get hundreds of emails literally hundreds. About a quarter of them are worthwhile and the rest are either junk or people making random story pitches. Yes, it is nice getting goodies in the mail and yes, I love me a good brunch meeting. But sometimes I literally get lost in the abyss of just responding to e-mails, before you know it your days is almost over and all you’ve done is check/respond emails. Anyone else feel my pain?
Writer’s block is real.
I was always the kid that preferred writing a paper instead of filling out a scan-tron sheet. There’s just something so peaceful and soothing that takes place when you sit and write your thoughts down. But what if you have no thoughts? Better yet, what if you’re having a crappy day, or you’re just too sick to even get out of bed. I know the feeling all too well and it certainly isn’t fun. I’d say that writer’s block is a bloggers worst enemy. You just sit there, staring at a screen. You know you have to fulfill deadlines but you just stare aimlessly in hopes of a miracle. How do you beat it? I’ve found that it helps to have additional contributors/authors and to write posts ahead of time.
At some point or another someone will steal your photos and/or identity.
Though the internet is used as a public search engine, it doesn’t mean that any and all pictures you find on Google are free reign. Hopefully, we all know by now that using other people’s images and not giving credit is illegal. So what gives people the idea that stealing images from bloggers is okay? Better yet, why would someone go as far as creating a fake account and have the audacity to use your personal name and images? So rude! What can you do if this happens to you? Report, report, report! For the most part social media outlets are pretty good about helping you handle the situation, but be ready to give proof of identity and/or business legal names. How can you prevent this? Watermarking your images is one way, but again there are ways to get around watermarks. So, the choice is yours… Share with caution and just expect it to happen, or just get caught by surprise — like me.
Blogging requires a willingness to learn.
The number one advice you’ll hear in the blogging industry is to blog about something that you’re passionate about. Though that advice is 100% accurate, I’d say that having a willingness to learn is just as important. You may not be passionate about photography, SEO or HTML, but I promise that mastering these skills will improve your outcome. To be a good blogger you also have to be versatile. A great blogger is also an editor, a copy-writer, a photographer, a social media expert and most of all a learner.

There you have it, the blogging world unrated. So get ready, turn on your computer and blog your heart out. I promise it’s all worth it in the end.

VINTAGE hat
FLAIR MIAMI tank
7 FOR ALL MANKIND jeans
ZARA pumps

SHOP THE LOOK:

By Vannia Enriquez July 29, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

WEDNESDAY WISHLIST

Rather than buying cheap trendy items, my goal this year is to invest in good-quality timeless pieces. So, while I was moping around sick and in bed last week, I decided to make little Wednesday wishlist…

I lost my voice for at least 5 days last week, I was sick with who-knows-what, because I never actually went to the doctor. Instead, I self-diagnosed myself with laryngitis. For a talker like me, losing your voice for 4 days felt like an eternity.

There was one day in specific that I couldn’t even get myself to whisper. Miguel, my sweet husband, was in the same room and couldn’t understand a word I said — therefore, I resorted to communicating via texts and emails. Not as fun as it sounds, I promise.

The thing I later realized was that although I didn’t have a voice, I technically could have been catching-up on blogging and chatting up a storm with you online. However, I couldn’t even get myself to do that, I seriously had no energy. My body ached, I had zero appetite and my throat was on fire. Womp womp, cue the world’s smallest violin.

Guess what I did do? I gladly browsed the web and created a wish list… Don’t worry, I didn’t buy anything. But a girl can dream… Technically we still have 5 days left of the Nordstrom sale, right?

Here’s my Wednesday wishlist:

DVF Purdette Romper – Tell me this romper isn’t precious? It’s so girly and dainty. I love it.
Tory Burch Brody Bucket Bag – Oh and this bag! I’ve been eying it for a while now. I was hoping it would go on sale. No luck, yet.
Current Elliot Denim Dress – It’s so hard to find a denim dress that fits well. The price is right for this Current Elliot dress. But I’m a little scared of the fit. Meh!
Mac by Marc Jacobs Luna Bag – This grained leather bucket bag makes my heart skip a beat. The zip side pockets and gold hardware give it just the right touch of glam.
Halogen Olson Flats – These cute Valentino-look-alikes were originally $89, but right now they are only $59 at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Hurry get ’em while they last, unfortunately my size sold out. :(
Zara Flowing Waistcoat – I did say that I would try to not shop at Zara anymore, but can you blame me if I make one more purchase there? Or two? Or three?
Adidas Superstar Originals – Last but not least, these classic kicks are back! Man, I so wish I would have kept the ones I owned back in middle school. They are still just as fly, and I want them!

What’s on your wishlist?

SHOP THE LOOK:

By Vannia Enriquez July 17, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

MIAMI SOUVENIRS

Last year, after spending some time in California and New York. I thought to myself…Wow, Miami really has to step up their game in the souvenir department. Just about anywhere you go in Cali, they have a cool shirt design. Literally, anywhere… As for NY, the “I love New York” shirts are so simple yet so cute and recognizable.

Here on the other hand, Miami souvenirs are sooooo tacky and vulgar! I mean, sure we have the “I’m in Miami B!#*@” shirts. But seriously, who wants to wear that junk? Much less take it to someone as a souvenir gift.

I took matters into my own hands and decided to give Miami souvenirs some local love by making some hip Miami-inspired tees. They aren’t overly touristy, they’re cool enough that you’ll want to wear them as a local — perhaps even purchase them as gifts for your out-of-town folks.

I recruited the help of my sweet and dear friend Yuki, (the kick-butt designer and owner of Drops of Honey Design) and together we took on the challenge. About 17 days later, here you have it our first batch of tees. There will definitely be more to come, so stick around and feel free to chime-in with any ideas/requests.

Hope you like our three-o-fab designs, available for both men and women.

NORDSTROM hat
FOREVER 21 necklace
ZERO UV sunnies
FLAIR MIAMI three-o-fab tank
GUESS jacket
ZARA shoes and shorts

SHOP A SIMILAR LOOK:

By Vannia Enriquez July 16, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

FLAIR MIAMI T-SHIRTS

Flair Miami t-shirts? What!?!

I could seriously throw up with all of the mixed emotions I feel right now. (I’m excited, I’m nervous, I feel like I am about to catch a cold, my body aches, I’m slightly dizzy and sluggish — but nonetheless, I am pumped!)

As a Miami lifestyle and fashion blogger, I’ve had so many opportunities that I really thought were unimaginable. Today, I am overjoyed to let you know that Flair Miami has a line of Miami-inspired tees!

Starting this Saturday, Flair Miami can be your one stop shop for Miami-inspired tees. We partnered with Drops of Honey Designs and together, we’ll be launching the line at this year’s Escape Miami 3 Style Lounge! The event is hosted by local blogger The Fashion Poet, The Shelbourne Wyndham Grand Hotel and Peroni US. At #EscapeMiami3 you can expect pop-up shops from brands like L*Space, Italia Independent, Bianca Coletti and many more… Oh yeah, let’s not forget Flair Miami. Ahhhh! ~~Okay, let’s play it cool and pretend to not be so excited. Oh you know, it’s just a regular day…~~

So, if you’re around the Miami area for Swim Week festivities, escape the madness and join us at Escape Miami 3 for some complimentary brow and lash services, manicures, make-up applications and more. The place will be filled with interactive installations and free goodies, like a DIY flower crown station, fashion illustrations from The Architect of Style, and even live on-site cigar rolling and domino tables. (See fellas, I think of you too!)

Also don’t miss out on the poolside fashion show held at 2:30pm. There you’ll see the full collection of what’s available at our Flair Miami Shop. In the meantime here’s a sneak peek at one of the designs. PS: As of now, we have a total of 6 shirts — 3 for women and 3 for men. If you follow @FlairMiamiStyle on Instagram, you’ll get to see them all!

URBAN OUTFITTERS panama hat
PERRY STREET necklace c/0 ROCKSBOX
FLAIR MIAMI tee
ZARA skort
KATE SPADE bag (similar)
KATE SPADE booties (sold out – similar)

Stick around for tomorrow’s post and I’ll fill you in on how the Flair Miami t-shirts line came to be and the awesome people we’re collaborating with!!!

By Vannia Enriquez July 10, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

LITTLE WHITE DRESS

Move over, little black dress because this little white dress is here to stay!

A simple little white dress should be a staple piece in every girl’s closet. It is incredibly versatile and it’s a great way to amp up your summer style.

I personally own a few white dresses, but they are all very different. This little white dress was a recent purchase from one of my many online finds. Again, I took a risk and it was well worth it. I guess you can say I’m a gifted online shopper. Ah, who knew I had such talent. ;)

As you already know, I’m a big fan of dresses. They’re light, breezy and easy! Plus, this dress can go from beach-time to brunch-ready with a simple change of shoes. I added a pop of color and a light denim jacket — giving this simple look a stylish pop of flair. (Oh, and yes after a long hunt…. I found the perfect light denim jacket, and it was only $34! Thanks Old Navy!)

How do you wear your LWD?

RAY BAN aviators
SHEIN little white dress
OLD NAVY denim jacket
ZARA shoes (sold out)

SHOP THE LOOK:

By Vannia Enriquez July 6, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

MONDAY BLUES

The weekend comes to an end and a new week awaits. Feelings of stress, anxiety, perhaps even sadness start to arise, and we call it the Monday blues… But why is that a bad thing? Is it possible to change our perspective?

Today, I’m changing mine. I resolve to bask in Monday and all its glory, even it’s blues. ;)

I know what you’re thinking… ” Easy for you to say! Don’t you work from home?” Actually, I do and sometimes working from home is kind of boring. Yeah, I too have deadlines and a set of tasks to accomplish. But working from home takes a lot more discipline than you think, specially when you’re a chatterbox like me. I need to intentionally schedule some social interactions, I find that it actually helps stimulate my mind.

Anyway, today I am super excited to welcome Monday and even more, I am extremely pumped about what July has in store. Stay tuned and save the date for July 18! I’ll spill the beans soon. Promise!

Oh yeah, and did you notice the Flair upgrade? Take that Monday!

How are you beating the Monday blues?

OLD NAVY denim vest
TJ MAXX muscle tee & necklace
FOREVER 21 shorts (similar)
H&M bucket sneakers (sold out)
MICHAEL KORS bag (similar)
sunglasses c/o ITALIA INDEPENDENT (similar)

SHOP THE LOOK:

By Vannia Enriquez June 29, 2015 in All, Food, News

WYNWOOD FOOD TOUR

If you happen to be visiting Miami, the Wynwood Food Tour is a must! Wynwood has easily turned into one of Miami’s trendiest neighborhoods. It is home to about 70+ art galleries and over 100 restaurants that exhibit the eclectic taste of our culture. A few weeks back, the hubby and I had the privilege of spending a Saturday afternoon walking the streets of this vibrant neighborhood with Miami Culinary Tours.

The lovely Mirka, (a fellow Miami-Beach local) was our guide and she curated a wonderful Wynwood food tour where she joyously introduced the neighborhood’s art, cuisine and culture. Her cheerful spirit and historical Miami-knowledge was a breath of fresh air. The Miami weather however, eh not so fresh! It was as hot as can be, but the food and drinks made it all worthwhile. ;)

As any loyal foodie would, I ate anything and everything that was placed before me. We made several stops along the way, and I even managed to saved room for dessert. The total tour time was about 2.5 hours, we visited about 6 different restaurants and had way more than a full lunch…

Our culinary Wynwood food tour advventure went as follows:

Wynwood Walls Wynwood Doors – This was our meeting spot, here we learned about the street art and got some 411 about local, national, and international artists.
Wynwood Kitchen & Bar – Our first stop was this well-known hip restaurant offering a tapa-style menu. Chef Miguel Aguilar sent us some ropa vieja empanadas, tequenos & sweet plantains — these were paired with a local cold brew. The perfect starter!
R House Restaurant & Gallery – Then we headed to this unique restaurant/art gallery serving an eclectic mix of American, Mediterranean, Latin and Asian cuisines. Here, we had a brisket hoagie roll that was paired with a perfect bite of zesty corn.
Made In Italy Gourmet – After a few bites, we made a pit stop at this rustic and quaint Italian gourmet market, it was a small flashback of Sienna. We sampled some fresh bread and stinky cheese? ( I forgot the name of it, I wasn’t a big fan.) But the place was adorable! Next time, I’d go back and try an actual meal.
Jimmy’z Kitchen – Oh Jimmy! My mouth waters at the thought of this delectable Puerto Rican-style mofongo ( fried-mashed plantains) & chicken. This hit the spot!
Suviche – After almost suffering from a food comma, we stopped by Suviche and sipped on a pisco sour. Though Jimmy may have been my favorite meal, Suviche definitely took the cake for best ambiance.
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop – Last but not least, we ended the food tour with the world famous key lime pie — made by an all time favorite local Derek, a City of Miami firefighter, fighting fires by day and baking by night.

My favorite part? Need you ask? The killer mofongo from Jimmy’z Kitchen and learning about the different graffiti artists featured on the Wynwood Walls and Wynwood Doors.

Whether you’re a Miami local or just popping by to check out the city, I highly recommend you check out any of their food tours. Miami Culinary Tours also offers tours around South Beach and Little Havana. Next on our list, we may just check out South Beach Food Tour. What about you?

By Vannia Enriquez June 22, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

TREND TO TRY: MATCHING SETS TREND

Oh, the matching trend! I love that fact that it has gone from cool, to un-cool, and now back to cool!

This chic look is definitely summer’s must have, the matching sets trend. These coordinated pieces can be worn by all ages and can help you look vibrant and youthful — just in time for the summer.

Even within the trend itself, the options are endless. There is subtle prints, loud prints, high-cuts, low-cuts, crop tops, midi-skirt, shorts, to even high-fashion sets. Play with the options and find a style that is suitable for you.

I found this ensemble while browsing online. My husband likes to call it the “Greek princess-look.” ;) When I bought it, I wasn’t sure if it was even going to fit, or if I would be happy with the quality and material. But it was so affordable that I had to give it a try… To my surprise, yet another online purchase that I love!

The great thing about matching sets is that you can wear the pieces separately and have versatile options.

ZAFUL crop top and short suit
MICHAEL KORS handbag (similar)
NINE WEST sandals (sold out – similar)

Looking for other matching sets? Here are a few others I found.

By Vannia Enriquez June 19, 2015 in All, Fashion, News

AFFORDABLE ONLINE STORES

After realizing how much I shop at Zara, I decided to take a small break from malls and other large retailers. I wish I could tell you that I haven’t shopped all month, but that would be a lie.

However, what I can tell you is that I’ve found quite a few affordable online stores. Not on purpose, I just happen to stumble upon them while browsing the internet and working from home.

Actually, for those of you that didn’t know, I’m officially a full-time blogger!

It’s been about a month since I decided to step down from my job at Christ Journey. I have a few fun projects lined-up, can’t share them just yet – but soon enough I’ll spill the beans. Promise. Anyway, in the meantime I’m also doing a little freelance writing and brand consulting.

I’m not sure how I feel about the whole “working-from-home” part, just yet. I’m very much a social being, therefore, human-interaction is pivotal. ;)

But, on yucky cloudy days that prevent me from working out of a coffee shop, I find myself taking breaks and browsing the web — finding tons of affordable online stores. You know, do a little work, take a little break, browse. Yikes! What have I gotten myself into?

The good news, is that they are actually super affordable! Here are a some of my finds…

I must admit, I’ve always been a little hesitant to shop online. I’m a feel and try-on kind of shopper. A few days back, I took a chance on a few items, and so far so good. I’ll let you know what I think as the other pieces arrive. For now, here’s a look at my first order.

SHE INSIDE dress
ZARA clutch
CHARLES by CHARLES DAVID wedges (similar)
ZERO UV sunglasses
LAUREN HOPE earrings c/0 Rocksbox
BRACELET gift