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GIRL MEETS CURL

Ever since I’ve cut my hair I’ve had quite a few strangers ask me what I use to style my curls. In case you too are wondering, I did a post about it here a while ago.

But I didn’t always know how to manage my curls.  In fact, through the years I’ve had a love hate relationship with my hair. You know, typical curly girl problems…

About 6 years ago, I chopped my hair into a bob and decided it would be a good idea to blow dry it and iron it everyday. After all, the pin straight look was in and hair was just hair. Right?

Wrong! After a year of blow drying my hair got so fried and damaged that I eventually started losing my curls. I kind of panicked! After months of deep-conditioning, hair treatments and tender love and care I finally had a girl meets curl moment.  The curls slowly began to grow back and I was enthused!

Since then I’ve only blow dried my hair once. Sounds drastic huh? Well it was, but I had finally embraced the fact that I was a curly girl and I loved it!

I may or may not blow dry it soon just to see how it looks. But for now, the only change I need is a fresh new cut!
Styling an army jacket-7 Styling an army jacket-10 Styling an army jacket-19

FOREVER 21 utility jacket (similar)
NORDSTROM pants
TOMS x Target  Collab shoes (similar)
KATE SPADE bag (similar)
FLAIR MIAMI tank
(Flair shop is temporarily down but email me for info on how to get the tank, info@flairmiami.com)

Styling an army jacket-17Styling an army jacket-23

Shop the look:

Hi friends! I’m back…

It’s been about a month since my last post. Toward the end of last year, I decided I needed a break from all the hustle and bustle… You know, the holiday craze, blogging, social media any and all needless busyness. I wanted to purposely withdraw, simplify and focus on the reason for the season.

I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this before, but sometimes I busy myself so much that I find myself rushing through life just trying to get by. That’s why last year, around this same time I started a New Year’s tradition of making my New Year’s resolution just one word. My goal for 2015 was to simplify.

In retrospect without even realizing it, I did just that. I simplified life and my day-to-day… I quit my job after working there for seven years (currently working from home but I can’t say I’m a fan — more on that later). I learned to intentionally de-clutter and rid my home of “things/junk” on a regular basis. I also learned to be more intentional with my words — letting a simple yes be a yes and no be a no.

By focusing on just one word, I was able to accomplish way more than I would have with a long list of resolutions. It’s a tradition I hope to continue, so, this year my New Year’s resolution will again be just one word.

This year’s word, rejoice!

It’s not always easy to find joy in all things, but that’s the goal. Right? It doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to be happy with all circumstances, but rather that I would be glad and filled with joy. Plus, in case you and I need a refresher the Bible has over 100 verses with the word rejoice.

Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Phil. 4:4
  • This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  – Psalm 118:24
  • Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
  • But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. -Psalm 5:11
  • Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. -Romans 3:4

Maybe you too are in need of a little reminder to rejoice more often. If so, here’s a free gift that my friend Yuki from Drops of Honey and I decided to give you. Feel free to download the screensaver, or get this awesome print as a daily reminder to rejoice and find joy in everything you do.

Rejoice Always

PS: It’s not too late to be intentional and seek your own word for 2016. Here re are a few steps to help you find your one word:

  1. Find time to be alone.
  2. Spend time in prayer.
  3. Read God’s word. (I recommend starting with Psalm 139.)
  4. Journal your throughts. What is God saying to you? What one word can you commit to for this year?

Hope you enjoy the process. Feel free to comment and share your word below. Happy New Year!

GIFT GUIDE FOR HIM

Whether you’re shopping for a significant other, dad, cousin, brother or friend buying gifts for men can actually be pretty daunting.

In fact, most men I know don’t even like surprises — they are problem solvers, doers that know exactly what they want and need. I was actually talking about this with a friend, she was telling me that whenever her fiancee shows interest in something, he actually ends up buying it for himself within days.

My husband on the other hand never wants or needs anything. I kid you not, them man could easily go a year (or two or three) without buying himself anything. Not because he doesn’t like shopping (which he of course doesn’t) but because he really could care less about material things.

So, if both of these men are at two different ends of the spectrum, how is anyone supposed to know what to buy them?

Here’s a tip…Ditch the boring tie, socks and flashlight idea and checkout this helpful Gift Guide for Him Under $100.

How do I know these are gifts they’ll love, you ask? Let’s just say I did a little research and asked a few of my male friends… Dads, techies, nerds, sports fans, stylish dudes — I asked them all. Don’t worry, I got you covered!

Here’s what they want for Christmas:

  • White tees are always a useful gift. They can be worn as undershirts, workout tees, or even paired with jeans. You can’t go wrong!
  • Sperry canvas sneakers always come in handy. They are versatile and comfortable.
  • JBL premium blue-tooth speakers are a must! Both the music aficionado and the techie in your life will approve.
  • Amphibian shorts make the perfect gift for all the practical fellas, they double as swimming trunks and regular shorts. Once he gets his hands on this material he’ll never want to get out of them.
  • Ditch the tighty withey and give him nice boxer briefs, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. (Whatever that means.) PS: If your’re a guy getting a gift for another guy, ignore this suggestion, things may get awkward.
  • For the savvy professionals, a luxury leather card holder is a must. One of my friends buys his card holders on eBay for like $2 (I won’t mention any names, you know who you are, lol) but I think I’ve seen him buy like 5 a year because they end up falling apart. I’m pretty sure this one would be a wiser investment for him, it provides a classier look and a timeless finish.
  • Okay, so I may have cheated with this one because it is my personal pick. I absolutely love seeing men wearing a striped tee. It is such a clean and classic look. Pair it with shorts or skinnies, and you’re all set! In case you’re wondering, yes, Miguel owns a gazillion striped tees because of me. ;)
  • Herschel Supply makes backpacks look oh so cool! The jet-setter and the cool kid at school has been eyeing one. I promise.
  • No-shave November has come and gone but from the looks of it, beards are here to stay. Help him eliminate the bumps and burns when he trims by treating him to The Perfect Shave Kit!
  • This last one is another one of my personal favorites… Converse. How can you go wrong? I say, Chucks for all! Suitable for a toddler, teen but also classy enough for the gents.

Some of the suggestions I got didn’t quite fit my Gift Guide for Him Under “$100 category” but during my extensive research ;) I also learned that since most men don’t shop throughout the year, when they do want something it isn’t cheap. So, in case you want to treat him to something extraordinary this year? Here are a few additional kick-butt options:

GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

Happy December, friends!

Christmas is just weeks away. Crazy, huh? Insert wide-eyed emoji here. I’m sure that by now most of us are making lists and checking them twice. Not to see who was naughty or nice, but to figure out who’s on your gift list.

If you’re anything like me, you make lists for everything. Grocery lists, to-do lists and of course that includes gift lists.

A gift list helps you make sure that you’ve accounted for all of your family and close friends, and it also helps you set a budget. Ah, yes a handy-dandy budget to ensure there are no post-holiday surprises.

Give it a try. Make a list of names, set a per/person budget and see if the total sum is something you can actually afford. After all, gift giving isn’t about what you give but how much thought and love you put into giving.

And just like last year, I’m here to help you pick out a gift she will surely love. Here are 10 gifts for her under $100.

PS: You can skip all the hustle and bustle and buy all of these items online. Just click on the images below for more info. Enjoy!

GIFT GUIDE FOR HER UNDER $100:

  • Totes make such great gifts, they’re useful and cute! Plus, this one is super affordable and reversible. You pretty much get two for one! PS: They come in a ton of different colors.
  • The good ol’ blanket scarf, great for winter days and for impromptu picnics. ;) You can even go the extra mile and get a monogrammed one here.
  • Word on the street is that good makeup brushes are key to flawless makeup. But good brushes can also be pretty expensive. Want to spoil your make-up junkie girlfriend? Get her the Best of Sigma Brush Kit!
  • You can never go wrong with a good pair of casual sneakers. Whether they’re the classic Chucks or Superstar Adidas. They go with everything and they are totally in! Your stylish gal will thank you! And they’re also mommy and errand friendly! ;)
  • Okay, before you ditch my $32 Dyptyque candle idea out the window, have you ever smelled them? They smell heavenly and they last forever. I’ll admit it, these candles are a splurge but they make a great gift. And if your girlfriend knows good candles, she’ll be ecstatic to receive one.
  • With a new year just around the corner, a planner is always a great gift. If your lady is a neat freak, loves lists and always writes things down on her calendar, these adorable Kate Spade planners are a must!
  • An on-the-go lady is ready for anything that comes her way. She not only looks put together but is also ready to save the mishaps of others around her… Probably because she carries everything in her purse. So why not add this awesome backpack to her collection? That way she can be helpful, productive and fashionable!
  • Doing good make up and getting just the right amount of contour takes practice. But, if she has this Anastasia contour kit she’s pretty much set.
  • Last but not least, every lady needs a set of comfy pj’s. We don’t always want to be dolled-up, sometimes we just want to watch Netflix and chill. Give her a day of rest, awesome pajamas and you’re winning!

Hope this gift guide was helpful! Stay tuned for his…

THANKFUL FOR…

Too often we find ourselves complaining, either wishing or hoping things would be different.

We say things like: ” If only I had more money.” “Or, if only I had more time.” “My life would be much better — if only…”

These phrases are said so often that we eventually become numb to them. We don’t even realize what’s being said as the words come out of our lips.

When we say if only I had more money, what we are truly saying is: I’m unhappy and I’m almost pretty sure that material things could help me experience greater joy.

When we say, if only I had more time, what others hear is: I sometimes live in such a rush that I take things for granted. I zoom through my days forgetting to be grateful for another day of life.

Sounds pretty awful, no? What we don’t realize is that sometimes, negativity can get the best of us and begin to affect our day-to-day decisions. One negative thought can cloud our judgement and distort our entire perspective on life.

I realize that not everything in our world is perfect and that’s okay. But today, in the spirit of Thanksgiving will you join me in giving thanks? For everything, the little things and the big things… Regardless of what surrounds you, my hope is that on this day Nov. 26, you too could have at least 26 things to be thankful for…

  1. Be thankful for another day of life.
  2. Be thankful for the food you eat.
  3. Be thankful for the air you breathe.
  4. Be thankful for the nature that surrounds you.
  5. Be thankful for the love of a family member.
  6. Be thankful for the love of a friend.
  7. Be thankful for freedom of religion.
  8. Be thankful for the roof over your head.
  9. Be thankful for the ability to read.
  10. Be thankful for clean water.
  11. Be thankful for your safety and security.
  12. Be thankful for the innocence of a child.
  13. Be thankful for the circumstances that you’ve faced.
  14. Be thankful for the tears you’ve cried. (They’ve helped you heal from past pain.)
  15. Be thankful for the joy of laughter.
  16. Be thankful for your health.
  17. Be thankful for medicine.
  18. Be thankful for older generations. (They make great mentors.)
  19. Be thankful for the shirt on your back.
  20. Be thankful for the soldiers that serve our country.
  21. Be thankful for a good book.
  22. Be thankful for the sound of music.
  23. Be thankful for the internet.
  24. Be thankful for vacation days.
  25. Be thankful for work.
  26. Be thankful for today and the fact that you have at least 26 things  to be thankful for. ;)

What else are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Share your thoughts below. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

#CHEVYPLAY MIAMI

Remember in my last post I was complaining about working from home?

Well, this past week has been quite the opposite. I’ve actually loved every second of it! ( I wasn’t kidding when I told you it’s a love/hate relationship.) Luckily, I’ve been busy running around town from meeting to meeting and I’ve had the opportunity to meet with some pretty amazing brands, one of them being Chevy.

Last week Chevrolet and She Buys Cars asked me to be a part of the ChevyPlay Miami program — since the Miami Auto Show is in town (Nov. 6-15), they gathered a few Miami influencers and invited us to participate in a day of fun, fashion and social hacking at the Surfcomber hotel.ChevroletChevrolet-2

The event included sessions on social media, a quick coding class and helpful fashion tips. However, the highlight of my day was getting to test out the new Chevrolet in-car technology, featuring Apple Car Play. The technology was beyond impressive!

To get started, you simply plug-in to the USB port and voila! All compatible apps are automatically displayed on the vehicle screen allowing the user to navigate through the system with voice commands or through the touch-screen of the vehicle. The system allows access to texts, music, maps and even wifi. Did I mention that some models even offer a wireless charging station? Genius and oh so convenient!

Chevrolet-6Chevrolet-8

Looks like now instead of working from home, you can even work from the comfort of your Chevy. ;)  Integration is available in 14 of the Chevy vehicles and this winter they also plan on integrating Android Auto. Pretty neat huh?

 

Chevrolet-7

If you get a chance, be sure to pass by the Miami Auto Show and check out the new Chevy features and all the other cool car exhibitions. Whether you’re a car enthusiasts or not, it is always fun to see more than a thousand new vehicles from over 40 manufacturers from around the world! PS. If you don’t already — be sure to follow me on Instagram because we’ll be having another giveaway soon!

Costumes, candies, cookies and crazy kids. Mix these ingredients and whadaya‘ get? Halloween!

That’s right, Halloween is just days away and as you rack your brain trying to figure out what to wear. Allow us to help by also giving you a line-up of what do in Miami • Halloween 2015 — from family-friendly block parties, eerie haunted houses to some adult fun. We’ve got you covered!

CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARADE
WHAT: Trick-or-treating, kid-friendly activities and a dance-off!
WHEN: Oct. 31 • 1:30p – 4:00p
WHERE: Lummus Park • Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
COST: Free!

SPOOKY ZOO NIGHTS 2015
WHAT: A goulish night with eary rides and fun for all!
WHEN: Oct. 30 and 31 • 7 – 11p
WHERE:  Zoo Miami • 1 Zoo Boulevard • 12400 SW 152 Street • Miami, Florida 33177
COST: Admission is $10.95/person ($9.95 for zoo members)

HALLOWEEN AT JUNGLE ISLAND
WHAT: Trick-or-treating, animal shows and kid-friendly knock knock jokes!
WHEN: Oct. 31 • 10:30a – 4:30p
WHERE: Jungle Island • 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail • Miami, FL 33132
COST: General Admission

BLOCK PARTY
WHAT: A family friendly block party filled with non-scary costumes, games, music, raffles and great food.
WHEN: Oct. 30, 7 – 9p & Oct. 31, 3p – 5:30p
WHERE:  Christ Journey Church • Gables & Kendall Campus
COST: Free!

LIGHT THE NIGHT FALL FESTIVAL
WHAT: 1st Annual “Light The Night” event filled with rides, games, petting zoo, food, and fun for all!
WHEN: Oct. 30  • 4-8p
WHERE: Key Biscayne Community Church • 355 Glenridge Rd • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
COST: $20

HOUSE OF HORROR AMUSEMENT PART
WHAT: South Florida’s largest Haunted House with over 30 spine-chilling rooms.
WHEN: Sep. 24 – Nov. 1
WHERE: Miami International Mall •  1455 NW 107th Ave • Doral, FL 33172
COST: Adults $30 • Kids $15

THRILLER ON THE BAY
WHAT: An MJ-inspired party, “Thriller on the Bay,” featuring tunes by DJ YNOT and Ras Adonia.
WHEN: Oct. 31 • 9p.- 2a
WHERE: Mondrian South Beach  • 1100 West Avenue  • Miami Beach, FL 33141
COST: Free!

WALKING DEAD AT WHISKEY BLUE
WHAT:  A Walking Dead-themed party. All guests 21 and over are welcome to join — whether dressed as zombies or princesses –  enjoy signature cocktails and music by DJ Mark Gallo and DJ Richie Rich..
WHEN: Oct. 31 • 9p
WHERE: Whiskey Blue & Living Room • W FTL. •401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. • Fort Lauderdale, FL 3304
COST: Free!

 

 

Image Source: Brand Thunder

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten excited over Halloween. The thought of trying to figure out a costume stresses me out. In fact, if I am not mistaken I haven’t really dressed up in over two years.

Store-bought Halloween costumes are not really my thing.  Not only are they over-priced but they all feel the need to be sexy. Sexy Elsa, sexy lady bug, even sexy Spongebob?!?! Seriously? No thanks. I’ll pass…

I’m more into lazy costumes. You know, you browse around the house see what you have and muster-up something cool?

This year, I decided that there is no need to scour the internet or sketchy Halloween pop-up shops. Instead, I made a few inspiration boards showing you 6 easy DIY Halloween costumes with everyday items. Who knows, you may get lucky and not even have to buy anything. (But if you must, you can always pay a visit to your local Goodwill or see my links below.)

Enjoy!

Frida Kahlo

Fridah Kahlo

Alex Vause | Orange Is The New Black

Orange Is The New Black

Ariel | The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Minions | Despicable Me

Minion

Waldo | Where’s Waldo?

Wlado

Donald Trump | 2016 Presidential Candidate

Donald Trump


Note: Colors shown on the images below may vary, but they do come in the color needed to match the costume.

SHOP THE LOOK:

From time to time my heart skips a beat when I hear a good Spanish song. I don’t often listen to Spanish music, but when I do it warms my soul.

Play me a good Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra or Oreja de Van Gogh and pour me a glass of wine —  I am a happy woman! A few sips later, I may even start to shimmy. (But really, who am I kidding I was probably dancing or swaying with the first note.)

I moved to the U.S when I was 8 years old. I remember so vividly being embarrassed at the fact that I didn’t properly speak English till the 3rd grade. I hated telling people where I was from because half of them had no clue where Bolivia even was. One time, someone asked me, “what language do they speak there?” And they were confused at the fact that I “wasn’t brown”! Seriously!?!

I had no choice but to laugh…

Hispanic Heritage MonthNORDSTROM tank
NORDSTROM BP necklace and bracelet
FOREVER 21 pants
Images: Katie Lopez Photography

As a Latina millennial, I’m proud to live in America and thankful for the opportunities this country has given me. But I also love and embrace my Latin culture. I love my roots, I love my people and I love our food. Maybe that’s why I love Miami so much because we’re the heartbeat of this city!

Well, in honor of Hispanic Heritage month, here are 10 reasons why I love being Latina:

  1.  English is optional, but Spanish is necessary. In an ideal world, your children will definitely be bilingual. If your parent’s taught you well, you speak both English and Spanish. And that’s huge!
  2. Being loud is perfectly normal. And so is yelling someone’s name accross the halls. Whisper? What does that even mean? If the house is quiet, then you know something is wrong.
  3. There are no secrets, ever. If you told abuela something… Well, she told your mom, tía, sister and cousins. Pero, don’t worry. Todo se queda entre familia, mi hija. And if you didn’t tell her, she most likely was snooping through your stuff and already read about it in your journal.
  4. Rice is served in every meal. Yes, even breakfast! Nuestros amigos de Centro América lo comen hasta en su desayuno, y con una cremita deliciosa. Mmmm. It’s quite scrumptious!
  5. We work for what we have. Cubans are the epitome of this example. They’re not afraid to persevere. Sweat, tears and a little blood — you gotta do what you gotta do! Latinos dream big dreams but we also fight to make them a reality.
  6. We’re all related. No, but really… If you meet a fellow Latino or Latina you like them that much more just because they are Latin. They speak your native tongue and understand your antics.
  7. We genuinely enjoy seeing each other prosper and we’re willing to help one another. We’re all hermanos y hermanas remember? So how could we not help each other? We create communities within communities, we celebrate the accomplishments of others and share our secrets to success.
  8. We drink coffee like Germans drink beer. Cafecito, cortadito, colada… Que Starbucks, ni que Starbucks! Oh and we drink it right before bed because we’re pretty much immune to caffeine. (Well, at least most of us!)
  9. Any reason is a good reason for a pachanga. Bad day? Good day? Sad day? Let’s make it better with a few friends, drinks and some dancing.
  10. We value and nurture relationships. Our passion, excitement and contagious zeal comes from doing life with others.  We’re thankful for every day and the lessons they bring. But even more, we’re thankful for the bond between family and friends.

Me falto algo? Feel free to chime in and add to my list in the comments section below.

As of 2014, the Latino population reached an all-time-high of 55.4 million, that’s 17.4% of the total U.S. population. So, whether the Trumps of the world admit it or not, Hispanics have helped make and  shape this country. Don’t you agree?

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, mi gente!

PS: If the pictures above look familiar to you it’s because I had them as banners in my old site, but I never actually did a post with them. So I figured, why not? ;) PSS: I had a really hard time finding similar items as the ones pictured. (All those pieces are so old). Oh well, I tried.

SHOP A SIMILAR LOOK:

It’s been a while since I’ve done a What to do in Miami post…

And since it’s still too early for Halloween (at least in my eyes), here are a few fun events happening around the city this month.

PS: If you follow Flair on Twitter, you may even get to win some free VIP tickets to some of the events. Enter below for a chance to win.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
What: A Latin celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
You can expect music, carnival rides and much more.
When: Oct. 9 • 6-9pm
Where: 501 72nd St • Miami Beach, FL 33141
Cost: Free!

MIAMI BEACH SOUNDSCAPE CINEMA SERIES
What: Enjoy outdoor movies with the Soundscape Cinema Series at the New World Symphony wall
When: Wednesdays • Oct. 7 – May 25 (see movie schedule here)
Where: 500 17th St • Miami Beach, FL 33139
Cost: Free!

KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
What: 5K Race for the cure against breast cancer. Celebrating the women and men who inspire us all.
When: Oct. 17
Where: Bayfront Park • 301 Biscayne Blvd • Miami, FL 33132
Cost: $35

SOUTH BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
What: Foodies unite for a taste of Miami’s best seafood. Chef showdowns, cocktails and more!
When: Oct. 21 – 24
Where: Locations throughout Miami Beach
Cost: $35+
Discount: Use the code FLAIRMIAMI at checkout and get 20% off.  Want to win a pair of VIP tickets to the festival? Enter below for a chance to savor goodies and enjoy an open bar!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOSPEL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
What: Christian leaders around Miami gather for some healthy conversations about how the Gospel impacts work, relationships, and culture.
When: Oct 24 • 9a-5p
Where: 500 NE 1st Ave • Miami, FL
Cost: $50 • Enter below for a chance to win 2 free tickets!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DARK DINNING THE EVE OF PROHIBITION
What: Renowned Chef Adrianne hosts The Eve of Prohibition Charity Ball benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. Expect signature hors d’oeuvres and dessert stations and unique entertainment. If you purchase the Bacardi Maestro/Black ticket it includes a luxurious restaurant setting for the ultimate Dark Dining experience.
When: Oct. 23
Where: Westin Colonnade Coral Gables • 180 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Cost: $150+
Discount: Interested in an exclusive $50 off coupon code? Contact me for more details.

BAY SKATE MIAMI 2
What: An old school throwback! Think roller-skating, food, friends and freestyle jams with a waterfront view.
When: Oct. 30
Session 1: 5pm-7pm (Family Skate)
Session 2: 7pm-12am (Adult Skate)
Where: Bayfront Park • 301 N. Biscayne Boulevard • Miami, Florida 33132
Cost: Free!

Let me know which events you checkout. Hope to see you around!

 

 

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