March 2016 Instagram Roundup

Enjoying a plant-based dinner from Purple Carrot // Audrey is my number #1 muse // Lunch with the family at Jack's Wife Freda // Riding the Staten Island Ferry at sunset

Riding with my sister at Soul-Cycle TriBeca // Neutrogena Naturals // Tatte Brookline re-opening // Beacon Hill Doors are my favorite

Purim circa 1998 // Saturday mornings at the market // Happy birthday mom // A few of my favorite spring shoes 

Beauty Sales Week of March 27th

Gilt:

• Your (New) Beauty Tool Arsenal (Sale begins Noon ET 3/30)

HauteLook:

• Flirty Eyes Mink Lashes, Martinni Skin Care Masks (Sales begin 8am PT 3/30)
• Armor Beauty, Hydroxatone & Miracle Skin Transformer (Sales begin 8am PT 3/31)
• Illamasqua, Medpeel Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 4/1)
• Style Tricks: Manic Panic (Sale begins 1pm PT 4/1)
• Korean Beauty: Kurious Natural Lip Gloss Tattoos, Shyance Gold Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 4/2)

MYHABIT:

• Skincare Superstars (Sale begins 9am PT 3/29)
• Dr. Brandt (Sale begins 9am PT 3/30)
• Beauty Best Bets feat. NARS & Mally, Crown Brush Makeup Palettes (Sales begin 9am PT 4/1)
• 70% Off: Terre Mère Cosmetics, High-Powered Beauty feat. Clarisonic (Sales begin 9am PT 4/2)

Rue La La:

• The Beauty Bar Featuring Clinique (Sale begins 11am ET 4/1)

Link Love: March 20-26

#TGIF: Spend 5 Minutes Today to Make Monday Awesome [Career Contessa]

8 Ways to Monetize Your Blog [Seashells + Sparkles]

10 Reese Witherspoon-Inspired Accents to Refresh Your Home [My Domaine]

10 Standout Jewish-Deli Dishes Around Boston [Boston Magazine]

On Investment Pieces [Kelly in the City]

The Blogger Diet Challenge: I Ate Instagram Food for a Week [ELLE]

The Brief: This Is why You Won't Stop Checking Your Phone [Levo]

TORQUE Spring/Summer 2016 with SASSOON Salon

Springtime is officially here and I've been doing a ton of spring cleaning in all aspects of my life. My apartment got a deep clean, my beauty stash and makeup brushes got freshened up, and it was also time for a hair trim.

Since my last cut in January, my hair has grown crazy lengths (check out this photo from my birthday just a month after my cut) so it was time for a trim. I'd like to think it's due to my healthy eating habits I've been adopting this year (post on that coming soon!), but who knows, I might just be lucky to have hair that grows like a weed.

This season, the Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, TORQUE is filled with the perfect blend of trends and inspiration as the weather gets warmer. “TORQUE demonstrates how the Sassoon design process remains as relevant and revolutionary today, as it’s always been,” says Talia Wildes, Boston Salon Director. “Our precision cut and color techniques fused with innovative products create a truly custom approach to every detail of hair.”

I know I'm channeling this years PANTONE Colors, Rose Quartz & Serenity especially for spring, and so is SASSOON. Inspired by precious stones and metals, these colors aren't just for your wardrobe, cool hair hues are the perfect way to soften up your hair for spring.

No look is complete without your hair being done, so play up your best and most natural accessory this spring! Your clothes, shoes, jewelry and hair will work together to create a seamless spring total look with the perfect hair style.

Speaking of styles, this season it's all about going back to SASSOON's "HAIRitage" with rich ready-to-wear styles that are bringing the 60s back. Undercutting and contouring your hair are two new trends you might want to borrow from the boys and your makeup palette this season.

How are you introducing something new into your style this spring?

I partnered with SASSOON for this post. I am in no way being influenced by any opinions but my own.

Eat Your Way to Glowing Skin

For as many serums, creams and treatments that you apply to your skin, at the end of the day: you are what you eat. Filling up on sugary snacks and sodas will do nothing positive for your skin, but you know that, right? Here are five things to incorporate back into your diet to help you eat your way to better skin this spring.

Fatty Acids

Don't let the word fat automatically scare you off! These EFAs (essential fatty acids) are packed with omega-3s and omega 6s to keep your skin hydrated properly and looking younger and plumper. Nuts like cashews, avocados and salmon are a few easy ways to start getting more EFAs into your diet!

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are everywhere, so you have no excuse for not adding these into your diet. Vitamin A, C and E rich foods are easy ways to add antioxidants into your diet. Try fruits and veggies like spinach, mangoes, sweet potatoes and blueberries!

Whole Grains

Grains can get a bad rep, especially with the rise of gluten-free friends you probably have. Say no to white bread, pasta and rice because those are high in sugar and can spike your insulin. Filled with fiber, whole grains are the way to go to aid digestion!

Spices

Also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, spices are an easy way to kickstart your metabolism for the day. Try small additions like adding cinnamon to your coffee and chili powder to your eggs for a morning boost. 

Water

Thankfully, I've never been a soda drinker, so water has and always will be my go-to drink (aside from coffee and wine of course). Not only does water re-hydrate your body, but it flushes out the toxins from your body and skin, so it works hand in hand with all of the above food options! I love my S'Well bottle because it's easy to carry in classes and to the gym.

Just because you change up your diet doesn't mean you need to throw out your favorite serums and topical medications, but you'll see a difference with time!

Beauty Sales Week of March 20th

Gilt:

• Brighten Up: The Skincare Edit (Sale begins 9pm ET 3/20)
• Chic Scents: National Fragrance Day (Sale begins Noon ET 3/21)

HauteLook:

• Brush on Block Sunscreen, John Barrett Hair Care (Sales begin 8am PT 3/20)
• Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy, Doucce Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 3/21)
• Billion Dollar Brows, skyn ICELAND (Sales begin 8am PT 3/22)
• LORAC, PMD Personal Microderm (Sales begin 8am PT 3/23)
• ArialWand Airbrush System, TAO Clean: The World's Cleanest Toothbrush (Sales begin 8am PT 3/24)
• Edward Bess Cosmetics, Juice Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 3/25)
• Epilady Hair Removal & Facial Tools, L'Reve Luxury Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 3/26)

MYHABIT:

• Fragrant Shower Gels & Body Lotions (Sale begins 9am PT 3/21)
• Guerlain (Sale begins 9am PT 3/22)
• Up to 90% Off: D24K Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 3/23)
• The Look: Everyday Glamour (Sale begins 9am PT 3/25)

Rue La La:

• Floral Fragrances That Smell Crazy Good (Sale begins 11am ET 3/23)
• H2O+. Antioxidant-rich Marine Skincare (Sale begins 11am ET 3/25)

Link Love: March 13-19

8 Tips for Taking Great Photos [A Cup of Jo]

17 Things Your Bathroom Needs to Be Complete [Domaine]

Eat These Foods for Glowing Skin [The Every Girl]

Meet The Women Who Changed Your Life [Refinery 29]

Simple Pleasures - No. 2 [Brunch on Chestnut]

The New York Times Reported on How Lame Boston Is [Boston Magazine]

These Are the Scents Royals Love [House Beautiful]

Brand Spotlight: Clu

Too Striped Sailor Top // Sweater Dress with Pleating // Too Ruffled Top // Too Contrast Sleeve T-Shirt // Too Rib Paneled Tank Dress 

Building on the timeless staple of a great t-shirt, Clu, launched in Los Angeles in 2004, offers soft and sculptural pieces that are versatile, easy and relaxed. Inspired by the French word 'clou,' (nail, a simple and graphic object), their line is luxurious and easy, reconstructing classic silhouettes.

These Parisian-girl chic pieces are right up my alley, especially with a trip to France in just under 2 months, and the simple stripes, ruffles and chambray are perfect for spring!

Beauty Buzz: Color-Correcting Products

SEPHORA COLLECTION Bright Future Color Correctors // Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid // Marc Jacobs Beauty Cover(t) Stick Color Corrector // BECCA Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector // COVER FX Correct Click // MAKE UP FOR EVER 5 Camouflage Cream Palette Color Correct & Concealer // Benefit Cosmetics Life's Little Correctors Color Correcting Kit 

Currently #TrendingAtSephora is a targeted selection of color-correcting products aimed at canceling your skin concerns. Overwhelmed with the selection of colors? Here's a quick rundown of what's what in the color-correcting world.

Peach: Cancels dark circles and combats dark spots on light to medium skin

Orange: Cancels dark circles and combats dark spots on tan to dark skin

Red: Cancels dark circles on deep skin

Green: Calms targeted intense redness on all skin tones

Yellow: Calms allover mild redness on all skin tones

Pink: Cancels dark circles and brightens dullness on light skin

Purple: Cancels dark circles and brightens dullness on medium skin

Beauty Sales Week of March 13th

Gilt:

• Up to 80% Off: Beauty Essentials (Sale begins 9pm ET 3/13)

HauteLook:

• Korean Beauty: Asamo & Within 5 Days, Korean Beauty: TONYMOLY (Sales begin 8am PT 3/13)
• Korean Beauty: CLUB CLIO & Peripera, Korean Beauty: Dermaheal Skin Evolution (Sales begin 8am PT 3/14)
• Korean Beauty: IPKN New York, Korean Beauty: THEFACESHOP (Sales begin 8am PT 3/15)
• Korean Beauty: LAPCOS, Korean Beauty: MEDIHEAL Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 3/16)
• Korean Beauty: CLUB CLIO - Goodal & SooAe Skincare, Korean Beauty: DAENG  GI MEO RI Herbal Haircare, Korean Beauty: Leaders Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 3/17)

MYHABIT:

• NARS (Sale begins 9am PT 3/13)
• The Spring Edit: Makeup & Beauty Tools (Sale begins 9am PT 3/14)
• Kérastase (Sale begins 9am PT 3/15)

Link Love: March 6-12

5 Lies You Believed About 'Being a Grown Up' [College Prepster]

50 Captivating Photos Of Girls Going To School Around the World [Huff Post Women]

How To Get Verified Online (& The Perks Of That Little Blue Check) [Refinery 29]

Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection [TED]

The Best Natural, Physical Exfoliants [Into the Gloss]

The Macaron Donut Is the Pastry Mashup You've Been Waiting For [Town & Country]

The Small-Space Decorating Ideas That Took Pinterest by Storm [My Domaine]

Review: The Purple Carrot

Three weeks ago, I decided to give something different a try for dinner and ordered a Purple Carrot voucher on Gilt City. The goal of this Boston based subscription service is to increase the amount of real, plant-based food in your diet with vegan friendly meals. They offer two pricing options- $68 for 3 meals for 2 people per week or $74 for 2 meals for 4 people per week. Since I was just cooking for me, I opted for the $68 plan, but got my week-long voucher for $48 on Gilt City, averaging out to about $8 for each of the 6 dinners.

 

Tofu Escabeche with Bamboo Rice and Mango Slaw

This was my least favorite dish all together, but I did like the vinaigrette and rice together. I've never been a huge tofu fan, but I gave baking it a shot and it wasn't too bad. The side slaw wasn't amazing, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that the mango was a bit mushy to chop easily. 

  

Manchurian Cauliflower with Sesame-Tamari Bok Choy

 This was so good! The flavors were straight out of a fusion restaurant and the meal was very filling. I was surprised with how full this kept me and I ended up splitting it into 3 meals instead of 2.

  

Linguine with Crisp Mushrooms and Saffron Broth

This was my second favorite of the meals,  the saffron flavor was amazing in the pasta and the veggies were cooked perfectly. The mushrooms felt a bit soggy and not as crisp as I was hoping for because the flour took a little too much to the mushrooms. I didn't love the romaine on the side, it just felt a little blah, but eating it as is was very filling. 

Review: Neutrogena Naturals Line

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

I've been making a very conscious effort in 2016 to not only simplify my beauty and skin care routine, but my life in general. The Neutrogena Naturals product line has made simplifying my skin care not only easy, but natural.

From the contents of the products, to the packaging, and website, the Neutrogena Naturals collection strives to be natural wherever possible. The ingredients are free from dyes, phthalates, paragons, petrolatum, and harsh chemical sulfates, aka the line is 94% natural and leverages plant-derived ingredients to provide true skin benefits. To holistically enhance the proper function of healthy skin, bionutrients are also on the list, all extracted from natural ingredients. 

As for the website, it's brought to you by a Green Server, a wind-powered and sun-fueled server that only uses renewable energy to keep it up and running. Totally self-sustainable and totally awesome. 

Packaging is a huge factor for me, because who wants a ton of boxes or complicated containers? So when I found out that the folding cartons are made from 100% recycled paper that use 70% less water in processing than typical paperboard, that only added another check in the pro column for me. 

I'm not the only one who's into this line and making shifts toward being more eco-friendly, Kristen Bell, Neutrogena Brand Ambassador has a few tips as well! She told InStyle.com, "It shouldn't scare people. For example, I try to limit my showers to 3 minutes; one long song and you're done. I do 4 things in the shower: I use soap, shampoo, conditioner, and brush my teeth. Most of the time, it's all done simultaneously!"

The Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer ($9.89 for 3.0 oz.) has become my go-to morning moisturizer. It replenishes your skins necessary skin nutrients and continues to provide hydration and moisture throughout the day, even with makeup on top, for healthier skin. This feels super light on your skin, and has a nice sweet citrus scent, plus it won't clog your pores! I can definitely see a difference in the brightness of my skin after using, and that's thanks to the super trio combination of Vitamins B, C, and E, plus antioxidant bionutrients which fight against dull and rough skin. 

The Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($6.99 for 25) are ultra-soft and made with naturally-derived cleansing ingredients to leave your skin fresh and purified. Not only have I been using these to remove my makeup at night before using the cleanser, but they're a must-have for a quick cleanse after a workout before I can go home and really wash my face. The unique emollients in its formula dissolve oil and makeup with ease, leaving your skin looking and feeling purified instantly. Plus, there's no greasy residue left behind (one of my biggest makeup remover wipe pet peeves!), and they even remove your waterproof mascara. 

The Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser ($6.99 for 6.0 oz.) has been clinically proven to remove 99% of dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin, to leave it looking and feeling fresh and clear. Any pore-cleansing residue in on or in your skin is knocked out with willowbank bionutrient salicylic acid that removes dirt, oil, and makeup. Plus, it also includes guar bean, coconut, and corn. Weird, I know, especially the corn, but it works! My skin feels refreshed and clean after using this morning or night, and I can't say enough good things about it!

Using environmentally-conscious products not only makes you feel good about what you're doing for the earth, but what you're doing for your skin as well! Kristen Bell said it best to UsMagazine.com, "Consistency and simplicity is what my skin really, really responds to." I'd love to hear from you your tips on leading a more environmental-friendly lifestyle and how you're simplifying your skin care routine.

All products are available for purchase at Target. 

Beauty Sales Week of March 6th

HauteLook:

• Mirenesse Australia, Penhaligon's London & L'Artisan Parfumeur, SIBU Sea Berry Therapy (Sales begin 8am PT 3/8))
• EVE PEARL, RapidLash, Rodial Skin Care (Sales begin 8am PT 3/9)
• ghd: good hair day every day, Joe Fresh Cosmetics, Men's Designer Fragrances (Sales begin 8am PT 3/10)
• Algenist Skin Care, Brazabra Beauty Solutions (Sales begin 8am PT 3/11)

MYHABIT:

• You Deserve It: Luxury Beauty (Sale begins 9am PT 3/8)
• Clarins, Ren & La Vanilla (Sales begin 9am PT 3/9)
• Beauty Favorites: Face & Body Care (Sale begins 9am PT 3/11)

Rue La La:

• The Beauty Bar: Prettify with Yves Saint Laurent & More (Sale begins 11am ET 3/9)

Link Love: February 28-March 5

5 Fierce Ways to Increase Your Salary This Year [Levo League]

Contemplating Investing? 5 Warning Signs to Watch Out For [Career Contessa]

I Spent A Week With 20 Famous Beauty Influencers & This Is What Happened [Refinery 29]

Isabella Rossellini Returns to Lancôme! How the 63-Year-Old Icon Is Breaking the Beauty Rules [VOGUE]

Style Steals: Under $150 [Luella & June]

The CFDA Agrees: New York Fashion Week Needs to Change [The Cut]

What's In Our Fridge? [Cupcakes & Cashmere]

Review: Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Matte Rescue

Benefit Cosmetics' POREfessional Matte Rescue ($28 for 1.6 oz.) is a mattifying gel with an invisible finish. Diamond powder, known for its soft-focus, pore-blurring effect instantly minimizes pores. It leaves pore size diminished, as well as shine and the appearance of fine lines. 

Since this gel is water-based, it feels so much more lightweight than the original POREfessional, and there's much less wait time before applying makeup. While this isn't technically a primer and is recommended as a pre-primer base, I've been using it as one and have been loving it. If you love what POREfessional does for you but you feel like it's a little too heavy, especially if you don't do full-face makeup everyday [I opt for a BB cream and translucent setting powder], give this a try!

February 2016 Instagram Roundup

February Essentials // Homemade Burrata Prosciutto Pizza // Flywheel Spin Sesh // Know Your Crew Promo 

Celebrating my 21st birthday // Valentine's Day with Fresh // Paint Bar with Jennie // Enjoying the beautiful weather

National Banana Bread Day // Enjoying Pressed smash toasts // Brunch @ Deep Ellum // Exciting news!