Beauty Sales Week of February 28th

Gilt:

• The Blowout Boutique feat. Philip B (Sale begins 9pm ET 2/28)
• PFW: French Pharmacy Favorites (Sale begins Noon ET 3/3)

HauteLook:

• Retinol Skin Care, Viviscal Hair Growth & Hair Care Solutions (Sales begin 8am PT 2/28)
• Cortex Hair Tools Up to 85% Off (Sale begins 4pm PT 2/28)
• #ManiMonday: butter LONDON, Gorgeous Cosmetics, Patchology: Targeted Patch Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 2/29)
• Love for Humanity Organics Skin Care, Terre Merre Organic Vegan Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 3/1)
• Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories, GrandeLASH-MD (Sales begin 8am PT 3/2)
• Bliss, Burberry Fragrances (Sales begins 8am PT 3/3)
• Fake Bake, Lilly Lashes by Lilly Ghalichi, tarte Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 3/4)
• Brilliance New York Skin Care (Sale begins 8am PT 3/5)

MYHABIT:

• SK-II (Sale begins 9am PT 2/28)
• Eve Lom & By Terry (Sale begins 9am PT 2/29)
• Favorite Fragrances feat. Chloe & Burberry (Sale begins 9am PT 3/1)
• Elemis (Sale begins 9am PT 3/2)
• Up to 90% Off: Brilliance New York (Sale begins 9am PT 3/3)
• Lovely Locks: Haircare feat. Oribe (Sale begins 9am PT 3/4)

Rue La La:

• Flawless Skin Musts: Courtesy of Estee Lauder & More (Sale begins 11am ET 2/28)
• Fresh Scents: Lush Candles & Body Care, Lancome Fragrances to Skincare (Sales begin 11am ET 3/1)
• Pretty Talk: Makeup Brushes & Sets (Sale begins 11am ET 3/2)
• Kerastase (Sale begins 11am ET 3/4)

Link Love: February 21-27

More Than a Couple of Couples Get Real About Love [Man Repeller]

See What Fashion Week Looks Like Through the Eyes of a Runway Model [Teen Vogue]

Single Women Are Now the Most Potent Political Force in America [NY Mag]

The Latest & Greatest Beauty Buys From Sephora [Refinery 29]

The Perfect Pear: Pistachio Pear Ice Cream [Paper & Stitch]

Tzurit Or: Redefining The Idea of Food [The Odyssey at Emerson College]

Updated Blogging Tips [College Prepster]

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things: February 2016

BITE Beauty Amuse Bouche 'Pepper' Lipstick // Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional Matte Rescue Mattifying Gel // First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm // Marc Jacobs 'Blue Velvet' Nail Polish // Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer // Spinning // Sangria

BITE Beauty Amuse Bouche 'Pepper' Lipstick (c/o): I have been dying to try some of BITE's lipsticks for a while, so when I recently received a few from Influenster, I was super excited to give them a try! This one is definitely my favorite for day to day wear and looks great with any makeup look.

Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional Matte Rescue Mattifying Gel: I picked this up while attending the grand opening of the newly renovated Sephora in the Prudential Center and I am so glad that I did! This is the original POREfessional's counterpart, geared towards mattifying your skin to perfection. While my skin isn't oily, I've found that this works well as a primer to create a great base for makeup. Stay tuned for a full review next week!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm (c/o): You know how they say you can never have too many lip balms? Well, this feels like it's the only one I need, at least at night. It's super hydrating and the perfect product to use before bed.

Marc Jacobs 'Blue Velvet' Nail Polish: This was in the goody bag at the Sephora event I went to earlier in the month and it's been on my toes ever since. It's the perfect navy blue with just the right amount of sparkle!

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer (c/o): I've been testing the Neutrogena Naturals line-up and have been really pleased with the results so far! This is my new favorite morning moisturizer because it's not too heavy to use before a primer and makeup. Stay tuned for a full review coming soon!

Spinning: This has without a doubt become my favorite workout because the adrenaline rush you get from a great sprint is like no other. I love Soul-Cycle, B/Spoke, Flywheel, and classes taught by my friend at Emerson's fitness center.

Sangria: Generally, just alcohol...see below!

21st Birthday

Obviously, the highlight of this month was celebrating my 21st birthday! My friends made me feel unbelievably special and loved the entire day and I had the best time! My parents came into town a few days later, and I'm heading to New York City to visit my sister in a few weeks to celebrate with her.

Review: Fresh Sugar Face Polish

Fresh's Sugar Face Polish ($62 for 4.2 oz.) combines their signature revitalizing brown sugar with anti-oxidant rich wild strawberry seeds to refine and nourish skin. Hydrating seed oils are added to the formula to hydrate skin to reveal a smoother, softer, more radiant complexion. The invigorating citrus aroma enhances the experience of using this product, which has been formulated for all skin types.

Overall, I've really been enjoying this as a treat every so often. It hasn't replaced my favorite exfoliator, which is more geared toward frequent use, but this is perfect if your skin is in desperate need of a good scrub every once in a while.

Beauty Sales Week of February 21st

Gilt:

• Gorgeous Hair feat. GHD (Sale begins Noon ET 2/18)

HauteLook:

• #ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann, Aesthetica Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/22)
• Swiss Beauty Tools (Sale begins 8am PT 2/23)
• Designer Fragrances for Men & Women, PUR Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/24)
• Korean Beauty: LAPCOS, NuMe Style Hair Tools, Tanda Light Therapy (Sales begin 8am PT 2/25)
• Stila, White with Style Teeth Whitening (Sales begin 8am PT 2/26)
• La Femme Actuelle Skin Care, Verseo Beauty & Wellness (Sales begin 8am PT 2/27)

MYHABIT:

• DevaCurl & Davines (Sale begins 9am PT 2/22)
• Indulge Yourself: Luxury Beauty (Sale begins 9am PT 2/23)
• Up to 70% Off: Deep Sea Cosmetics (Sale begins 9am PT 2/25)
• Fragrance Finds feat. Gucci & YSL (Sale begins 9am PT 2/26)

Rue La La:

• Pretty Talk: Skincare Featuring Le Royal 24K (Sale begins 11am ET 2/22)
• Living Proof & More: Must-Haves for Great Hair Days (Sale begins 11am ET 2/24)
• Save Face: Skincare by Algenist, Clarins & More (Sale begins 11am ET 2/27)

Link Love: February 14-20

Bobbi Brown is Out at 'Yahoo Beauty' [Fashionista]

Harper Beckham, the 4-Year-Old Street-Style Star [NY Times]

I Tried 3 Internet-Famous Recipes & Here's What Happened [Refinery 29]

Kenneth Paul Block Sketches on Display in Boston [WWD]

Nutritionist Know-How: My Favorite Healthy Snack [Cupcakes & Cashmere]

Let's Make a Real Difference for an Entire Generation of Young Children [Huff Post UK]

You Wake Up Before Your Alarm - Should You Get Up? [Levo League]

Recipe: Burrata Prosciutto Pizza

Burrata and prosciutto, how I do love thee. This pizza is an ode to two of my biggest food vices, and guiltiest pleasures, so of course when I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to make it.

I decided to forgo the red pepper flakes and salt because I'm not a huge fan of red pepper nor of adding salt to my food, especially when all I could find was Prosciutto di Parma, which tends to be on the saltier side compared to San Daniele. I brushed olive oil all over my dough before topping it with sauce to give the crust a little more crunch and sheen. 

This pizza was serious so so good! The burrata was a bit difficult to work with and I wouldn't recommend putting the pizza in the oven with the burrata on it because it got a bit too melty for my taste so I had to let it cool for quite some time before eating it. 

Products I've Used Up #14

Colgate Optic White Express White Tooth Paste: This is an awesome toothpaste and definitely up there with my favorites of all time. I've already repurchased it!

Colgate Enamel Health Whitening Tooth Paste: While I'm not super picky with my toothpaste, Colgate is a brand I tend to stick to but I think I'll stick with their Glamorous White collection.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray: This is an absolute staple in my everyday makeup, and even though I don't have to worry about sweating off my makeup like I do in the summer, this keeps my face in place all day.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes: These are a close second to my favorite makeup remover wipes because they're not super harsh on your skin and still remove your makeup pretty well.

Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes: These are almost always my go-to for makeup remover wipes. They stay the most hydrated within their package and always get the job done. Plus, they're so cheap at Costco!

Ponds Original Towelettes: These were a bit of a flop in my book. They didn't stay hydrated all the way so they oftentimes felt overly harsh and like I was scrubbing my face to not get any results.

iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion: This was my go-to morning moisturizer over the past several months and while I have since switched to something more hydrating for the winter, this is a great light moisturizer for the warmer months.

derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub (c/o): I didn't really love this scrub. While it wasn't too abrasive, I felt like there was no happy medium with how much I used.

derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask (c/o): This charcoal mask was much better than its scrub counterpart because I was actually able to see a difference after using it.

Dove Go Fresh Cool Moisture Body Wash: Dove body washes are a classic for a reason. They hydrate you, keep your skin soft after the shower, and don't irritate sensitive skin.

Tree Hut Tropical Mango Shea Sugar Scrub: Sugar scrubs are an essential in my skincare routine, especially after before/after getting a wax or shaving for the smoothest results.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Pressed Powder: I didn't love this pressed version of my favorite face powder. It felt like I used so much more than I would with the loose version and it definitely went by a lot faster than I was used to.

Beauty Sales Week of February 14th

Gilt:

• Gorgeous Hair feat. GHD (Sale begins Noon ET 2/18)

HauteLook:

• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Fragrances, NUXE Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 2/18)
• D'OR 24K Luxury Skin Care, Soniclear Elite: Deluxe Cleansing Brush System, SpaLife Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 2/19)

MYHABIT:

• Grab & Go: Makeup Palettes, Sets & More (Sale begins 9am PT 2/19)

Rue La La:

• The Beauty Bar: Essentials for Prettifying at Home (Sale begins 11am ET 2/19)

Link Love: February 7-13

9 Heart-Shaped Recipes for Valentine's Day [Luella & June]

17 Bottles of Rosé to Celebrate Valentine's Day [My Domaine]

20 Photos That Show the Highs and Lows of an Open Relationship (NSFW) [Refinery 29]

A Book to Read Each Year of Your 20s [Levo League]

The Importance of Unplugging [The Stripe]

Wannabes have ruined Fashion Week [New York Post]

Why Career Women Should Stop Thinking in Terms of "Making Do" [Career Contessa]

Freshii in Back Bay

Freshii's Back Bay location is their third Boston location, and has been one of my favorite spots for a quick healthy bite for quite some time. Compared to a lot of other health-conscious eateries, their menu is diverse, ranging from noodle bowls with homemade peanut sauce, to salads, burritos, chili, and frozen yogurt and much more. 

I stopped in for a menu tasting with some ladies of Blog and Tweet Boston and we just about tried all of what the menu has to offer. My absolute favorite was the Mediterranean Bowl, the housemade red pepper sauce was the perfect spicy sweet blend. 

There's no guilt while eating any of these energizing meals, everything on the menu is sourced locally and made with fresh ingredients, plus a majority of their sauces and toppings are housemate. If you're looking for a great breakfast, lunch or dinner spot, check them out!

On Loving Yourself

Tomorrow is my 21st birthday and this Valentine's Day is the 7th anniversary of the last time I tried to end my life.

Valentine's Day- February 14, 1996

I won't lie, I had an amazing childhood. I was blessed with two loving parents and a fantastic sister, we had multiple cars, au pairs and babysitters, and took vacations often. My world came to a screeching halt with a series of three events from September 2006 to March 2007 when I lost my grandmother, my mother lost her high-salaried job, and my dad left us.

After a series of ups and downs over the first two years of my parents separation, I found myself extremely depressed and felt I had no other option but to end my life. On February 14, 2009, four days after my 14th birthday, I checked myself into a behavioral hospital for five days and was able to get the help I desperately needed to save my own life.

6th Birthday: February 10, 2001

I ended up switching to a private school that was far better suited for me and I feel beyond fortunate for the education I received there and the college education I'm currently receiving. I put effort into my health, mostly due to my PCOS diagnosis at 16 [read my PCOS story here], and put more energy into my studies at school.

Over the past seven years, I've lost close friends, experienced heartbreak, moved to a city I love, and most importantly, realized that I can love myself without validation from anyone else. My journey to finding self-love hasn't been easy and by no means do I think I am completely healed, but focusing on myself everyday and setting aside time for me has helped immensely.

I will never be able to fully express my gratitude to my family and friends who have stuck by my side over the past seven years and have helped me get the help I needed, and the help I continue to need today.

20th Birthday with my three rocks: Sam, Jennie & Savannah- February 10, 2015

Here's to loving yourself above all else and loving those around you.

xx

Beauty Sales Week of February 7th

Gilt:

• Love Notes: Fragrances for Her (Sale begins Noon ET 2/9)
• La Prairie (Sale begins Noon ET 2/12)

HauteLook:

• Korean Beauty: Dermaesthetics (Sale begins 8am PT 2/7)
• Royale USA Remy Hair Extensions (Sale begins 4pm PT 2/7)
• 21 Drops Essential Oil Therapy, Fromm Beauty Must-Haves (Sales begin 8am PT 2/9)
• Avant Dead Sea Skin Care, Youngblood Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/10)
• ghd: good hair day every day, Korean Beauty: Kurious Natural Lip Tattoos, Macadamia Natural Oil Haircare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/11)
• Million Dollar Tan, Skinn Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/12)
• L'Reve Luxury Skin Care Up to 95% Off, Smile Sciences Up to 90% Off (Sales begin 8am PT 2/13)

MYHABIT:

• Instant Results: High-Tech Beauty (Sale begins 9am PT 2/10)
• Avani (Sale begins 9am PT 2/12)
• $14 & Up: Winter Beauty Favorites (Sale begins 9am PT 2/13)

Rue La La:

• Dead Sea Essentials: Body Scrubs to Mud Masks (Sale begins 11am ET 2/11)
• Pretty Talk: Masks & More Featuring Martinni (Sale begins 11am ET 2/12)
• La Prairie (Sale begins 11am ET 2/13)

Link Love: January 31-February 6

7 Ways to Help Cut Flowers Last Longer [Little Green Notebook]

11 Healthy Snacks That Are (Almost) Too Good To Be True [Refinery 29]

13 Kinds of Valentine's Day Candy You Can't Find in the Grocery Store [ELLE]

A Guide to the Tropical Fruits You Need to Eat This Winter [Domino]

How to Roast Veggies The Right Way [Camille Styles]

My First Apartamento: Tavi Gevinson [NOWNESS]

Valentine's Day Milkshakes [College Prepster]

Beauty Buzz: Strobing Highlighters

Burberry Beauty 'Gold Glow' Fragranced Luminizing Powder // BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector // Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder // Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminatizer // NARS Illuminator // Tata Harper Very Illuminating Cheek Tint // Benefit Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter // Laura Mercier Candleglow Luminizing Palette

Dying to get that super-model glow on your cheekbones this winter? Strobing, unlike contouring highlights features you already have, instead of creating ones you don't, and gives you a more natural lit-from-within shine. Here are a few of the best highlighters that will give you an enviable glow.

January 2016 Instagram Roundup

Ready to take 2016 by storm // Brunch with one of my closest friends // A wonderful gift from Jennie after her semester abroad // Avocado and pepitas on ezekiel bread

Flower arranging with Alices Table // Sampling burgers at Beta Burger in Mission Hill with fellow Boston bloggers // Beacon Hill doors are my favorite // Made my first acai bowl and it was so good

Rocking my SASSOON salon curls // Obsessed with sweetgreen's winter menu // Hair modeling for the day at Living Proof // Kenneth Paul Block exhibit at the MFA