LucaLove



Bright, fun, and lively, these bracelets will accessorize perfectly with any outfit! They are constructed with simple materials and delicate beads by Colombian women. Though they be simple, they’re fierce! 😉

“LucaLove sells unique handcrafted bracelets and accessories. When you purchase our handmade bracelets you are providing an opportunity of employment to women who struggle to support themselves and their families in Colombia. Each bracelet sold also helps fund our charity projects involving low-income families and individuals.”

My package arrived last week and I was SO excited to tear into it. I had to take a breath and calm down! The envelope I received was very “au-natural,” in a brown paper envelope. Inside, I found a small package wrapped in a beautiful light teal tissue. Beneath the tissue, small burlap bag with beaded drawstring was nestled. With my package, Paulina from LucaLove, included a very sweet note for me. Also included, was more more information about LucaLove and how they assist Colombian women.



The designs I received from LucaLove are simple, unique, and timeless. Over last week, I’ve received multiple compliments on my beautiful bracelets! The bracelet that has gotten the most attention on my wrist has been my red Autism Awareness bracelet. 

I paired it with another LucaLove bracelet with pops of blue and red to complement it.

I like LucaLove bracelets because they’re adjustable with a drawstring. I can adjust my bracelets to be as tight or as loose as I want them to be. Another reason why I love them so much is because their cost makes it so easy to stay stylish. The majority of their bracelets cosh between $6-8 dollars each! How could you say no at that price? They offer free shipping with all orders over $15. See? Now you REALLY can’t say no!



The bracelets I received with my order are shown below with their link to the LucaLove website – 



Ahva ($6.00)



Adalia ($6.00)



Barú ($7.00)



Autism Awareness ($8.00)





I will soon be ordering a few more of these gorgeous bracelets! 

Do you have a favorite design?

Summer Sandals

Summer is almost here, so whip out your sandals… Or go out and buy some new ones! For me, Summer sandals are not only about fashion, but also comfort, too! I’m super picky about how shoes fit, and am easily bothered by uncomfortable shoes. Here are some of my favorites this year from Target:



Price $26.99$26.99

Virginia Embellished Thong Sandals



$29.99

Reagan Embellished Sandals





$22.99

Tameka Elastic Quarter Strap Sandals



$19.99

Lakitia Embellished Sandals



Price $22.99$22.99

Belinda Embellished Sandals

4 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Shorter Hairstyle

Since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with growing my hair longer. Unfortunately for me, my hair grows to a few inches past my shoulders and then seems to almost stop growing. Weird, I know. Because of this, I’ve never been able to have the long, voluptuous locks I’ve always dreamed of having, so I’ve held on to what I could grow for dear life. Stretching months, even years, between haircuts, causing my “long” hair to suffer from split ends and dryness, I neglected my hair because I didn’t want to chop any of it off. 

In January of this year, I went to the salon to get a haircut. I had a long bob hairstyle in mind (long bob, meaning past my shoulders – I’d had this cut in college). Well… The hair dresser didn’t pay any mind to the photos I showed her and chopped all of my hair off. I was devastated. I had walked in with my hair at the longest length it had ever been, only to have it all chopped off in a few moments. The back of my hair now fell just to the nape of my neck, and the longest bits up front fell at about 2 inches above my shoulders. I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by this person I had trusted to cut my hair. I left the salon very upset. Upon inspecting my new do more closely at home, I realized that it was cut very unevenly, with bits and pieces much longer than others – definitely not a blunt, bob cut. They asked me to return and put me in the hands of their most experienced hairstylist who eased my worries and told me not to freak out. After calming down, she talked to me eye-to-eye and said that for her to do her best to make me happy she would need to cut a little more hair. At this point, I’d already lost so much of my hair, that I told her to go for it. 

And you know what? I’m so glad that I did. I LOVE the hairstyle I ended up with!



Here’s why I love it:

1) When I wake up in the morning, there’s less mess to deal with. This makes getting ready for work such a breeze. 

2) Overall, my hair is less frizzy. (Goes hand-in-hand with less mess.)

3) My styling time has been cut in half.

4) I’m using less product! ($$$)

After having all of my hair cut off, I began to really care for what I had left. I deep condition multiple times a week, alternate between hot oil and coconut oil treatments bi-weekly, and try my best not to over process it with heat. (I usually wear my hair curly, unless we’re going out somewhere or I just really want to straighten it.) I take multivitamins, too! My hair has grown more quickly in the last few months than it ever has before. 

Now, 3 months later, I’m finding myself thinking, “My hair is getting too long.” WHAT?! Did I really think those words in MY head? Yep. Sure did. Because shorter hair is so much easier to care for. 

What length is your hair? Would you ever consider cutting it shorter?

Ja-Vie Ballet Flats Review

As you all know by now, I’m constantly on the lookout for comfortable shoes. I recently became obsessed with Tieks, but they can definitely break the bank with their price tag. So, when I discovered Ja-Vie I just knew I had to give them a try!



PACKAGING:

The packaging was a bit disappointing. The shoes came wrapped in a plastic bag inside a plain, brown cardboard box. (I know… Sounds like typical packaging, but Tieks has spoiled me with their packaging!) The flats were bound together with a band made of the same material that the shoes are constructed of. Also included inside was information about Ja-Vie and how to care for my new flats. 





FIT & FEEL:

Ja-Vie flats are constructed from a light sock, think Mary Jane socks, coated with a layer of jelly. I thought for sure that the jelly material would make these shoes stiff and uncomfortable, or that I would slip and slide in them. Boy, was I wrong! The moment I slipped these bad boys on my feet, I didn’t want to take them off. I walked around with them on at home all day yesterday, just waiting to wear them to work today!

These flats come in only whole sizes, like Tieks. Because of this, I was very worried about sizing and fit. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I typically wear a size 8.5, and sized up when I ordered. A size 9 in these flats fits like a glove. I recommend for all half-sizes to size up in these flats! Especially if you have long toes (like me) or wide feet. 

My feet felt like they were snuggled in a tight hug all day.. And they liked it! I think that may be because of the sock-like material they’re constructed of. They were super conduit most of the day! Toward the very end of the day, my pinky toes began to feel a little raw, as they usually do the first few times I wear a pair of shoes. Other than the end of the day.. Heaven!





PRICE & VALUE:

Ja-Vie flats cost $68 at full price. They currently have a wide selection on sale for $39-49, though, so you should run along and grab a pair before they’re all gone! These flats are definitely worth the value. They’re comfortable, breatheable, flexible, and supportive of the feet. I’m not afraid to get them dirty, because the leather insole comes right out and I can throw my shoes into the washer to clean. 





VARIETY:

Talk about selection! Ja-Vie flats are available in over 40 color choices! They come in solids, sporty, lace, polka dots, stripes, shimmers, and cap-toes. My pair is from their newest Island collection for Spring and Summer! My color combo is called Hibiscus/Gold. They’re hot pink with a shimmery gold cap at the toes. They’re perfect for warmer weather!



HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO TIEKS?

Well.. I like them both. For different reasons, though. Ja-Vie flats will be my go-to “I Need a New Pair of Shoes” flats, while Tieks will be my go-to “I Want to Splurge on Myself” flats ($68 versus $175+). They’re very different from one another. In my honest opinion, Ja-Vies are more casual (in general) and Tieks are more fancy. I would feel totally comfortable wearing a pair of Tieks to a formal event, but not sure I would feel the same with Ja-Vies. I feel like they’re more fun, hip, and happening for day wear than Tieks, and the one HUGE plus with Ja-Vie flats is that I don’t have to be careful while kneeling and getting down on the carpet to work with my students. In my Tieks, I have to be very conscience of what I’m doing with my feet as to not scratch or scuff the leather. In my Ja-Vies I can move freely and don’t have to really pay attention to what my feet are doing. (Check out my review for Tieks by Gavrielli here.)



Overall, I’m really happy with my Ja-Vie ballet flats, and will definitely be back for more! You can purchase your own pair here. 





*Thank you to Kyra and the Ja-Vie team for allowing me to review these divine flats for you! It was truly a pleasure. Although I was given these shoes for wear and review, the opinions above are my own. 

OPI Sorry I’m Fizzy Today

Are you looking for the perfect shade of pink-ish coral? Look no further! Sorry I’m Fizzy Today by OPI is definitely the way to go!



In the nail salon, the color looked much more pink, but to my surprise, it’s actually pretty coral! The application is smooth and creamy. Two applications with a base coat and top coat is perfection! I don’t have any lumps or bumps.

Tieks by Gavrieli: A Review



I’ve mentioned Tieks by Gavrieli in blogposts before, but I want to take a moment to tell you why you need a pair of these shoes in your life.. Like right now!

Before my first pair of Tieks, I hated wearing shoes. I was always in sandals (even during cold months), because shoes hurt my feet so much. Flats always pinched my toes and hurt my heels. All in all.. When I would wear flats, they’d be off within hours and I’d be back in sandals by the end of the  day. If you’re anything like me, Tieks will save your feet!





PACKAGING:



The packaging of Tieks, alone, is enough to make your heart pitter-patter. Each beautiful “Tiek Blue” box is adorned with a glitter-dusted flower.  I’ve seen lots of ladies use them as headbands for either themselves or their little girls! I like to keep them on the boxes to keep my Tieks display looking nice and fancy in my closet 😘.



Inside, you’ll find your treasure nestled tightly in Tieks tissue paper. Each pair of Tieks comes with a small carrying pouch/tote to use for travel (pretty convenient). You also get a handwritten note and some information about your new shoes.

SIZING:

I wear an 8.5, so sizing was a bit of an issue for me because they’re only made in whole sizes.  My first pair were from the patent collection, and are a size 9. My second pair are from the classic collection and are a size 8. I’ve found that the patents run a tiny bit smaller, so a size 9 in the patents is perfection! Because the classics run a bit looser, size 9 is too big for me. The size 8, however, is just a tiny bit snug, but still comfortable! No matter your size, the Tieks team is fantastic and will help you find the right fit. 



I wear my Tieks everywhere! I wear them to work, out with friends, dressed up, dressed down, and to the airport (for travel, of course)!



PRICING:

Tieks cost between $175-345. They are definitely not inexpensive… But are they worth it? HECK YES! If you have sensitive feet, Tieks will be your saving grace. If you’re the type who will spend good money on a pair of shoes like, Coach, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, etc., I advise you to stop and start investing in Tieks instead. I actually sold most of my designer shoes, and am slowly replacing them with Tieks. They’re hand constructed and sewn using fine materials. The Italian leather they use for their flats is as soft as butter and oh so comfortable. Their ability to fold is also a selling point for me. Unlike regular flats, it’s easy to throw them into a clutch of purse! I love mine so much, though, that I’ve yet to do that. I just wear mine whenever I’m going :)!

WEAR:

The feel of Tieks is unlike any other pair of shoes you’ve ever worn! They look like cutesy flats, but feel similar to tennis shoes. Why? The non-skid soles provide so much cushion that you can’t feel the ground beneath you as you walk on it. They’re so comfortable that you could go on a vacation to Italy (I wish!) and stroll along the cobblestones all day long with no problem and no foot pain! With all other flats I’ve ever worn, the feel of the flat ground beneath me immediately causes foot pain… Especially in my heels! 



CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Tieks has the best customer service around. Immediately, I felt at ease because of their return/exchange policy. Unlike most other policies, Tieks will send your exchange pair out to you while you still have the original pair you ordered. They want you to have the opportunity to compare the fits and be confident in your size choice. You then send back the one you don’t want to keep. So easy! They genuinely care about their Tieks Girls, and want us all to be confident with our purchases. As I mentioned before, with each purchase you receive a handwritten note. In my opinion, this truly shows just how much they value their customers. I don’t know of any other designer brand that does this (or any brand, for that matter). Now and again, they also send out fun little gifts like calendars for their loyal customers as a thank you. The 2015 calendar is SO stinkin’ cute!



VARIETY:

The only problem I have  with Tieks is that choosing my next pair is so difficult! They have 4 collections to choose from – Classic, Patent,Pprint, and Vegan. The color choices are endless, and I want them ALL! Each pair of Tieks has “Tiek Blue” soles and a strip of the signature color on the heel.  

Currently in my collection, I have a pair of Ruby Red Patents and Ballerina Pink Classics. 


I display them in their boxes with their flowers on a shelf in my closet. I absolutely love each of them and can’t wait to add new pairs to my collection! I prefer the fit and feel of my Ruby Reds because the patent leather styles provide a better fit for me. For my next pair, I think I would like to have Coral Patent, Lavender Patent, Slate Grey Croc, or Obsidian Black! Decisions, decisions. Honey, my birthday is allllmosssst here! Get on it! 😜😘



Which pair of Tieks is your favorite?

www.tieks.com

My Very First Knockwurst – OPI

I’m digging this color for Springtime!



It’s a gorgeous neutral muave/pink that’s great for any occasion. It’s subtle pink color makes it perfect for application through Summertime, too. 

What’s your favorite neutral polish?



Michael Kors Jet Set Top Zip East/West Tote

I received my first MK bag from my parents for Christmas! I’m very impressed with the quality of the purse.

The Michael Kors Jet Set Top Zip East/West Tote is very sleek. It is thinner than the other purses I own, and is incredibly comfortable to hold. Its narrow base makes it. Comfortable to put my arm down over my bag. I feared that because it has two straps, it would be difficult to carry, but the thin, adjustable, straps are actually really comfortable. The leather used to create this bag is beautifully textured. At first, I thought it’s canvas, but it’s actually Saffiano leather. The pretty texture makes me feel confident that this bag will have minimal upkeep to stay looking new. The rich red is absolutely stunning (Go COOGS!)

The Jet Set Top Zip East/West Tote has two pockets on the exterior of the bag, and while they look cosmetic, they’re actually pretty handy. The pockets are a great place to slip your phone or your keys as you load things into your car or if you’re running into the store for a quick errand.

While the bag is slender, the inside is rather roomy! Four pockets and one zippered pouch line the inside as well as a hanging key fob. A lot of thought was put into the design of his bag, because it it acceptionally crafted!

If you’re considering adding a MK to your collection, I would highly recommend this bag!

Very Merry Christmas! Whatcha Get?

I’m so very honored to have such a fantastic husband. He truly went above and beyond this year!

Let me first say, that Hubby and I are both horrible gift-givers, in that we just can’t wait. We want each other to open the gifts we get for one another as soon as we get them, haha.

After Hubby opened two of the little gifts I got him, he brought one of my gifts to me – a gorgeous Pandora charm to add to my bracelet! It truly is so sweet! I finally have a charm to symbolize our sweet little pups, Tucker and Charlie!

Before heading to my uncle’s house for Christmas Eve dinner, we decided to go ahead and finish exchanging gifts (I told you, we’re impatient!) with one another. I loaded hubby up with some Houston Texans gear (an Antigua polo, cap, and crazy socks). He showered me in tons of goodies this year that were quite meaningful. He knows I’m constantly in search of bobby pins and hair ties, so he bought me a pack of each and also a pair of comfy, fuzzy socks. Deeper in the package, I found two moisturizers (Celestial and Skin Drink) and Buffy body butter from Lush. He told me that he wanted to choose a body lotion, but didn’t know which one to choose! So, instead, he purchased two moisturizers thinking that I could exchange one for a body lotion :). Deciding which of the two moisturizers to keep was a toughy for me because my skin is dry and sensitive! I decided to keep the Skin Drink because my skin feels so parched and tight all the time! Hubby also included a vitamin regimen for me to start taking daily, because he knows I’ve become more aware and more active in wanting to be healthy. How thoughtful is he :)?

Be on the lookout for a Lush review post on Manic Monday ;).

Tieks by Gavrieli

Good morning beautiful people! I’m going to start posting weekly “Manic Monday” posts about something I’m really excited or wild about. This week’s post is dedicated to: Tieks by Gavrieli! I received a pair in Ruby Red from my parents as an early Christmas gift :)! This will not be a full review post (that’ll come later), but instead, a brag post to tell you why you need a pair in your life!

If you’re like me, shoes hurt your feet. Even shoes that are built to be comfortable like Clark’s or Born. As a school teacher, I’m up on my feet walking around all day long. By the time lunch rolls around, my feet are usually aching and my shoes are already off and sitting behind my desk. Well.. I received these shoes in the mail on a Friday and wore them to work Monday-Wednesday and again on Friday, and guess what? They didn’t come off of my feet a single time! My feet were comfortable all day long. My goodness. Talk about comfortable!

I know they’re pricey (starting at $175), but you need a pair in your life because –
1) they’re comfortable!
2) they’re trendy!
3) they come in an astonishing variety of colors.
4) they’re foldable and convenient for traveling.
5) they easily slip into your evening bag as a “swap pair” for when your feet start to ache from wearing heels.
6) their rubberized sole gives you the stability and feel of wearing tennis shoes while looking stylish!
7) you can’t feel the ground beneath you while you walk like you can in most other flats (think gravel or cobblestones).
8) they stretch to fit the shape of your foot (only come in whole sizes).
9) their customer service is phenomenal. They work with you one-on-one to take care of your needs. Their exchange policy is, by far, the best around!!

…and last but not least…
10) life is too short to wear ugly shoes!