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The Best 2017 Memorial Day Sales to Shop

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Nordstrom

Nordstrom is in the midst of their much-hyped Half Yearly Sale where shoppers can take up to 40% on purchases across all categories. The sale runs through June 4th so stock up on everything, literally everything, now!

The Packing List: Summer Faves from the Nordstrom Sale

Boohoo

A shopping destination for budget-minded fashionistas, Boohoo is stocked to the brim with trendy summer finds. The retailer is offering a 50% site-wide discount from May 22-29, an entire week!

The Packing List: Boohoo Picks

Cotton On

Guys. If you aren’t obsesses with Cotton On yet, you need to get there. This store is FULL of great thrifty basics, including every denim style you could ever want. Amazing leggings for $40? Sign me up. The brand is offering 30% the entire site for Memorial Day weekend, through May 29th.

The Packing List: Cotton On Basics

Maje

Another favorite brand? Maje. The Parisian brand is all about a pretty feminine moment. They have some seriously chic summer dresses. For Memorial Day weekend, they are offering a 20% discount on spring styles and sale styles.

The Packing List: Chic Maje Picks

Roxy

Do you have a beach vacay coming up? Roxy carries my favorite beach-friendly styles like linen pants, cotton shorts, athletic swimsuits perfect paddleboarding, etc. The brand is extending a 40% discount on all sale items, so stock up on those beachy basics now!

The Packing List: Roxy Beach Favorites

Solid & Striped

You know that one striped swimsuit that frequents your Instagram feed? Good money is that it’s Solid & Striped. The cult swimwear favorite carries social media-ready classic bikinis and one-pieces in a variety of colors, and stripes obviously. They also have fabulous men’s swim trunks! The brand is offering up a 20% side-wide discount through May 29th.

Stowaway Cosmetics

Building a incredibly curated cosmetic brand around TSA guidelines? Brilliant. Stowaway Cosmetics specializes in top quality products in a variety of travel-friendly sizes. With everything from eye palettes to BB creams, the products are perfect for throwing in your gym or carry on! The brand also carries a small but spot-on line of blush compacts that give you an oh so natural glow. For Memorial Day weekend, the brand is offering 40% your total order with the code 40SPLASH17.

My Photo Diary of Helsinki, Finland

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I could talk all day about what I learned during my two weeks in Helsinki, but why tell you when I can show you? I’ll shut up now and let the pictures do the talking 🙂

Architecture throughout Helsinki is intricate and colorful. It’s a blend of modernism, functionalism and Art Nouveau.

Cute cafes with good coffee and pastries galore run the food scene here, and I’m okay with that. Stuffing my face never tasted so good.

Nature isn’t far off from the city center at Nuuksio National Park.

Baby, it’s cold af outside. But summer has almost made its way to Helsinki by now, which means I must return asap to experience its glory during yet another season!

Favorite Beauty Picks You Can Find in Any Drugstore

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Put Your Best Face Forward

A good foundation in any beauty regime is key. I tend to gravitate towards Neutrogena and L’Oreal in a drugstore. These brands have the best “clean” options that don’t have tons of terrible ingredients in them. Also, at the risk of sounding like my mother, please always apply sunscreen on your face daily to prevent wrinkles later in life. Aveeno has a fabulous range of sunscreens that don’t feel greasy, all at awesome prices. While there are stellar expensive face SPF’s on the market (hello Murad!), there is a great chance you’ll always be able to find Aveeno, even in a hotel gift shop.

The Packing List: Face

The Eyes Have It

True story: Every time I walk into a convenient store to find mascara, I stand there like a deer in headlights. Have you seen all the options lately? Talk about overwhelming. Fortunately, I’ve tried many of them and narrowed it down to two options below. Neither clump and both give a perfect dramatic eye. To help with all that drama, drugstore eye shadow palettes are LIT these days, including a fab drugstore dupe of Urban Decay’s Naked palette: Score! The Maybelline palette has a pretty range of nude shadows that will easily take your beauty look from day to night, but please also note: Don’t be afraid of color, y’all.

The Packing List: Eyes

A Kiss Says A Thousand Words

No one ever said that. But nothing says “HI! LOOK AT ME!” more than a bright red lip. Okay, a neutral lip also pulls at my heart strings. Personally, I love a hued lip stain moment since stains don’t smudge and last all day long, AKA the best thing since sliced bread. Air travel can cause a lot of dehydration so I carry the oh-so-amazing Burt’s Bees lip crayons and tinted balms because scary chemicals are a thing of the past, or at least they should be.

The Packing List: Lips ::MUAH!::

“Wash your face.” – Every mom ever

More important than good makeup is good face wash, moisturizer, toner, and everything else skincare related. Makeup application is so much easier if you have bright and shiny clean face as a base. I’ve recently been educated on the importance of toner, so now I make sure I have one on me for all of my trips. Who knew such a light little liquid could make such an impact on your skin’s even tone? Also, I’ve become addicted to sheet masks lately and they work WONDERS. Any brightening or detox face mask should do the trick. They literally strip “airplane” off my face. AND GOOD NEWS: Since they aren’t a liquid, sheet masks are completely TSA friendly, folks!

The Packing List: Skincare Basics

I am always on the look out for new beauty cult favorites, so let me know your’s in the comments!

Live Like A Local: 12 Ways to See Helsinki, Finland

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Adding on to my list of Nordic Countries is always reason for celebration. Who doesn’t love freezing their butt off inside one of the most beautiful destinations on earth? Ha, that was a joke, sort of. I’ve visited Norway, Denmark and Sweden in my day and can see why these countries always try and outdo each other as the Happiest Place on Earth each year. They are drop dead gorgeous with good governance, great economies and cold climates. I’m not entirely sure how the cold correlates with happiness, but you can use your imagination 😉

Thanks to VisitHelsinki and their insider knowledge, I was able to do one of my favorite things on earth: visit like a local. With two weeks to spend meandering the city streets, popping into food markets and playing the ever exciting game of Who Can Throw A Rock Further On The Frozen Lake, I felt like I truly got to know the city. Hell, I even went to see Beauty & the Beast on opening night with about 200 of my Finnish bffs. That’s when you know you’re officially localized!

Useful Information: 

Capital of Finland: Helsinki
Metro Population: 1.4 million
Languages: Mainly Finnish and Swedish with English widely spoken
Currency: Euro, and ATMs are everywhere
Weather: Long warm summer days and very cold, short winter days falling around 20°F.
Education: College is free (and government pays €500 per month)
Military Service: One year mandatory for men after high school
2017 Celebrations: Finland celebrates their 100th year of independence from the Russian Republic

How to Arrive: Helsinki International Airport is located about a 30 minute’s drive from the city. The most economical way to arrive is via the HSL train connection (P or I train) to the city center. A single ticket costs €5.50

1) Rent a bike
If you’re visiting in winter or spring, renting a bike in 30something° weather may sound a bit daunting, but you’ll undoubtedly be wearing a parka and many layers. And gloves. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T FORGE THE GLOVES. Summer time in Finland is lit so a bike will be your best travel buddy. Helsinki has Uber and a great tram system with many routes and is super easy to hop on and hop off. With that being said, I found a bike to be the most economical and health conscious way of getting around, especially after inhaling all of the Helsinki carbs, meat and potatoes on offer. Keep it right keep it tight.

2) Sweat it out at Löyly Sauna
Helsinki sees about two months of summer each year, with the remaining 10 months seeing low temps, ice and snow…hence why sauna-ing is a way of life here. I was stunned to see locals go back and forth between the steamy sauna and the icy Baltic Sea only steps away. Apparently there are major health benefits from this hot-cold flip flop going on, but to an outsider it’s just painful AF. After polar bear plunging into Lake Louise on The Bachelor, I said I’d never partake in the activity again. Ah, never say never y’all.
I plunged into the very icy sea (like, had to even kick ice out of my way as I was submerging!) and a love-hate relationship resurfaced. I can see why the locals are addicted. There’s something about the activity that allows a full body high to linger, leaving you wanting more. Locals and visitors alike visit Löyle for the sauna ritual, but it’s so much more than that. From inventive cocktails to a cozy fireplace and a great view, we stayed long past our welcome. Oops. May I suggest an afternoon visit following dinner in the Löyly restaurant? Reservations are a good idea since it’s become a popular spot. If you’re thirsty for more, Yrjonkatu Swimming Hall is the oldest public hall in Finland. The Roman-style baths are worth seeing.
3) Become one with nature at Nuuksio National Park, Espoo City
From the city into the “wild” (complete with power lines) it’ll take about 25mins via uber. Helsinki’s efficient public transportation shouldn’t be overlooked, however. The only reason we opted for Uber was because we missed the train as they are always on time, and I’m always late. Needless to say, we didn’t mesh very well. I recommend the train to Espoo and then bus 85A. The park spreads over forests and lakes with relaxed hikes to choose from. We even build a snowman. Winning.
4) Shop Marimekko Designs
Did someone say 60’s and 70’s fashion? Count me in. Celebrated Finnish entrepreneur Armi Ratia founded Marimekko in 1951 with a singular vision: create fresh designs that would never go out of style…and indeed they haven’t.
Armi was a rule breaker, which I can totally get on board with, and wanted to create something that would light up the lives of people after World War II. Her message of women’s right and equality resonates with politics even today. The company has over 150 stores in 40 countries around the world with over 3500 archived designs inspired by Finland‘s  nature, architecture, art and craftsmanship. The lifestyle brand that includes clothing, ceramic tableware and bedding is best seen at the Marimekko Herttoniemi Outlet store and factory located about 15-20mins northeast of the city. My stay in Helsinki included a cozy apartment decked in Marimekko designs. LOVE.
5) Meander the Design District
Located in the heart of Helsinki, this is the perfect area to get to know Finnish design. The district is full of incredible and intricate architecture, antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, showroom, and cafes. Senate Square and the stunning Helsinki Cathedral shouldn’t be missed here either 🙂
6) Walk around the harbor and Market Hall
I have a thing for the water, and Helsinki Harbor couldn’t escape me. I visited many times during my Finland escape and couldn’t get enough of the boats and nearby Market Hall that sold fresh produce, meats, fish, pastries and more. Mmmmmm.
7) Sip n’ see at Sokos Hotel Torni
After days of searching for the perfect city view (I can consider myself Helsinki rooftop savvy now), I finally discovered it. Hotel Torni’s rooftop bar made for the best afternoon pick-me-up with its yummy coffee and unreal view of the city below. A high vantage point always allows me to fully orientate myself with a city, so it’s hilarious that I finally found this gem on my last day in Helsinki.
8) Exercise at a local gym
I like to eat. I’m human and love carbs and sugar galore. Finland also likes their carbs and sugar galore. I did my necessary “market research” and pretty much ate and drank my way through it. I was so excited to be visiting a nordic country because I thought they always placed a big emphasis on vodka consumption, my liquor of choice. Well, seeing how gin has taken over the world, I was misled with this “fake news” I picked up somewhere along the way. Perhaps I read it in a CNN article? Totally kidding. Needless to say, vodka was still on the menu, and I continued to order it as it made my tastebuds and liquor jacket warm for the walk home. Oh, woops. Got a little carried away there with the liquor discussion and forgot to even discuss the gym. Right. Toolo Gym for 12 euros/day isn’t bad since you can literally get lost inside it. I took an uber exciting photo of said gym below. Don’t miss it.
9) Order pizza from the Wolt app
I bet you didn’t expect this one, huh? Me either. During one particular Sunday, we didn’t get an appetite until later in the evening, maybe around 9pm. Unbeknownst to us, restaurants closed early AF on Sunday in Helsinki. Try as we might, we could not find one single restaurant open for business. I did a bit of digging and found Wolt which saved the day and filled our tummies with yummy pizza (from Manala) inside our Marimekko inspired apartment. Conveniently, it’s located near Toolo gym that I discuss above, of which you can bike to on your rental 🙂
10) Rent a car and drive from Helsinki to Turku and the surrounding islands
Before Helsinki was named the capital of Finland, Turku, the oldest city in the country, clutched the title. It’s a great jumping off point to visit the Archipelago Trail consisting of 20,000 islands. Don’t be afraid to drive onto the ferries as it’s the easiest thing ever. If you do stop over in Turku, highlights include Koulu Brewery, Pinella Restaurant, the Market Hall and Smör. If we’re talking about leaving Helsinki city limits, Tallinn is in the cards, too. New post coming soon on that.
11) Fly Finnair
I’m #avgeek what can I say? I love flying new airlines and experiencing how one product varies from another in the skies. Finnair has a great business class service with good quality food that is, of course, served on Marimekko designed tableware. I love a proud country.

12) Eat like a local
I can’t end this post without discussing what I ate while in Helsinki. That is the common denominator for travel. We must all eat!

Breakfast: Cafe Esplanad, Ekberg, Tin tin
Cafés: Date + Kale, Regatta, Old Market Hall
Restaurants: Savotta, The Cock, Löyle
Specialties: liquorice, fazer chocolate, pastries (korvapuusti)

Rose Gold Summer Favorites: Accessories, Home & More

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Daniel Wellington Rose Gold Watch // Leatherology Rose Addison Cross Body // Kate Spade Camera Necklace // Anthropologie High-Rise Embroidered Shorts

Mix Up Your Metals with these Rose Gold Favorites

I’m all about rose gold accessorizing right now. But, I’m also a big fan of mixing metals when I buy jewelry, decorate the home, set the table, you name it. Don’t be afraid of throwing in yellow gold and silver to keep things interesting.

1.Leatherology Valet Tray 2. Leatherology Luggage Tag 3. Steve Madden Platform Sandals 4. gorjana Small Bar Necklace 5. West Elm Rose Gold Flatware 6. Shashi Bar Earrings 7. Rebecca Minkoff Glow Selfie Phone Case 8. Ray-Ban Rose Gold Aviator Sunglasses 9. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Cross Body Bag 10. Jonathan Adler Pop Champagne Candle 11. Frends Layla Headphones

What trend are you looking forward to this summer? Obsessed with rose gold? Don’t mind me. I’ll be seeing summer through rose-colored glasses all summer long 😉

Epic Mother’s Day Gifts For Your Mama

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Athletic Moms On the GO

If your mom is anything like mine, she is literally always headed out the door, usually in work out gear. I know if I give my mom anything athleisure-related, it will never go to waste…but if it does, I will definitely be stealing it. I am my mother’s daughter and live in leggings.

 

Shop Gifts for the Social Mom

For the social butterfly, these gift options are sure to please. Think notecards, table top accessories, stationery – anything to please those constant house guests. Bell’INVITO Feel Stationery is designed to inspire loved ones to check themselves regularly with proceeds benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. See the amazingly designed cards above and below 😉

 

Mother’s Day Gifts for the Beauty Addicts

What do you buy the mom who never leaves the house without a full face a makeup? More beauty gifts of course! If your mom is a frequent flyer, check out my top travel go-to’s here.

 

Diamonds are a Mom’s Best Friend

Moms love jewelry. Personalized jewelry, fine jewelry, costume jewelry. It’s hard to disappoint when purchasing something gold and shiny for a woman.

 

Gift Mom a New Handbag!

Have you guys been seeing all of these new summer bags in stores? There are some CUTE options. I could probably do an entire Mother’s Day Gift Guide on bags alone. I think my mom needs a new beach tote for our upcoming trips together. She may be the best travel buddy out there.

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