Exuma Bahamas: Paradise Island

This year, I was lucky enough to visit the Great Exuma island located in the Bahamas. This tropical destination was the peak of my summer. Our beach house was steps from the turquoise water and offered stunning views of the island. George Town was the town that was the closest to us. It was quaint, definitely not industrialized, and the people were extremely friendly and helpful. 

During our visit, we mostly laid out by the beach and soaked up the sun. The water was calm and refreshing. We also spotted a few stingrays and turtles, which was definitely one of the many highlights of the trip. Overall, I was fully at peace mentally and physically. Fully recharged, here are a few pictures from our family getaway to the Bahamas. 

Makeup Products I can't Live Without

Let’s be honest here, most school days I wake up, get dressed, eat and rush out the door. I rarely have time to apply anything on my face, and even if I did, I’m usually half asleep at six o’clock in the morning. Regardless, there are some days were I do put a little effort in looking like a decent human being. I’ll be sharing with you the products that help me create a flawless look, with very minimal effort.

Laura Mercier foundation primer

The Laura Mercier Foundation primer in blemish-less is great at assuring that your foundation lasts all day. The thin, gel like formula, sinks into the skin creating a flawless canvas for your foundation. If you're looking for a primer that minimizes the look of pores, this one is not ideal for that. Unlike all of Laura Mercier’s other foundation primers, the blemish-less formula contains salicilic-acid which is supposed to help prevent and minimize the look of break-outs. Retails for 40$ (in Canada)

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation

This cult favorite is hands down one of the best foundation on the market. It gives off a natural, second skin sort of look, with build able coverage. It’s targeted for all skin types and has over forty different shades, so you're bound to find your match! The formula makes your face appear flawless in pictures and doesn’t accentuate texture. Applying this foundation with a sponge will make your skin appear more natural since the sponge soaks up excess product. If you buff it into your skin with a brush, this method will give off a more full coverage look.  This product is a little expensive, but is definitely worth the splurge. Retails for 52$

Kat von D shade and light palette

Contouring is very hard to master. I, for one, am no pro at it. One second your skin can look patchy and the next it could seem like you got punched in the face. Luckily, the Kat Von D shade and light contouring palette has a smooth formula that doesn’t give off a muddy or patchy look to the face. This palette also contains three brightening powders that can be used to set and illuminate the high points of your face. You get the best of both worlds out of this palette and definitely get a bang for your buck. Retails for 55$

Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz

This product should be called “the brow wizard” because it  must have some sort of magical power to it. This pencil is creamy and allows you too naturally sculpt out your brows. Unlike the powmade, the ABH brow wiz enhances the natural look of your brows and glides on for easy application. It makes outlining your brows and then lightly with hairlike strokes qwick and easy. What's also great about this product is that if you mess up, you can easily wipe away your mistakes with your finger, so there’s no fuss! Retails for 27$

Rimmel accelerator endless masacra

One of the first makeup items that I started buying and wearing was mascara. I’ve tried a good amount of drugstore mascaras and the Rimmel lash accelerator endless is by far my all time favorite. It makes my little eyelashes look fuller and longer in just one coat. The rubber wand separates and evenly coats every lash and best of all, it's reasonably priced and available at the drugstore. Retails for 8$

NYX liquid suede in the shade sandstorm

This light, velvety lip color is perfect if you’re not a fan of liquid lipsticks. The formula in these  lip products doesn’t completely dry down so your lips don't get crackly and dry. The wand is long and flat and evenly distributes the lip color, leaving no patchy areas. The shade that I own is called sandstorm which is a brown, sepia toned nude. It's perfect for layering or wearing it on its own. Retails for 9$

Sephora creme lip stain

Last, but not least, we have sephora's creme lip stain. I’ve been wearing this lip color none stop and just can't seem to get away from it! The formula is creamy and once it dries down, it feels like you’re not wearing anything on your lips. This color in particular is a stunner. The shade Marvelous Mauve is a beautiful mauve color with magenta undertones. It will make everyone stop and stare at your perfect pout! Retails for 18$

-Makeup is self-expression painted on our faces-

Where To Eat In New York

Food is crucial when travelling. Your energy levels rely on the nutrients you eat to get you through the day. Luckily, New York City is filled with delicious restaurants that offer amazing dining. Here are a few memorable places that my taste buds couldn't get enough of!

1. BY CHLOE is an amazing vegan restaurant that packs a punch. They offer everything from veggie burgers, salads and best of all; vegan mac'n cheese. Their homemade sauces (ketchup and chipotle) pair perfectly with their fries. It does tend to get a little crowded, but it's definitely worth it. Even if you are an avid meat eater, give this place a try, you won't regret it.
2. Raymi is a modern take on Peruvian cuisine. I had the classic ceviche which was fresh.The grilled octopus was perfectly cooked and glazed in a tasty sauce. Keep in mind that the plates are considerably small. The real show stopper was the desert. The quinoa brownie had a soft center that was irresistible. At first, I was hesitant to try it since it was made with quinoa but my mom reassured me that it was baked in quinoa flour. It was truly the best brownie I have ever eaten. 
   
3. Georgetown Cupcakes satisfied my sweet tooth. I really insisted on going since I'm a big fan of the show, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. The cupcakes were extremely moist and the icing was fluffy and sweet. If you're a fan of cupcakes, this place is a must.
   
4. Ivan Ramen serves hardy ramen and delicious appetizers. Their fried chicken and pork buns were so full of flavor, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it! The broth was savory and the bowls were filled with veggies and noodles. Even the boiled eggs were soft and filled with flavour.
   
5. Aquagrill caters to seafood fanatics. They offer everything from oysters to all kinds of fish. The cod with mushroom ravioli was cooked to perfection. The octopus salad was tender and refreshing. For desert, the sorbet platter had a wide variety of refreshing flavors such as coconut, passionfruit, strawberry and watermelon. 
   

Grom Gelato offers Italian-style ice cream flavours. The ice cream is smooth and the flavours are not artificial or overpowering. They are 100% natural without any flavorings, colors, preservatives or chemical additives. Great for when you're craving something sweet!

Where's your favorite place to eat? Leave it in the comments!

16 Things I've Learned in 16 Years

Have you ever felt like you just blinked and then suddenly 16 years of your life have just flown by? That's my current state. As you get older, time starts flying by even faster. It's important to savor every moment and learn as much as you can. The world is your oyster, so reach for the stars. So, without further ado, here are 16 things I learned in 16 years.

1. Don't be afraid of failure. Not succeeding at something does not mean your world is ending (even though it might seem like it). Acknowledge your weaknesses, accept them and move on. Even when you've tried your best, the outcome will always vary, so don't be too hard on yourself.
2. Work hard, play hard. Push yourself to your limits and never underestimate your capacities. Get out of your comfort zone and pursue whatever calls your name. Hard work pays off.
3. Sleep on it. Whether you've had an off day or you're trying to make an important decision, sleeping clears your mind and relaxes any thought process. Bad days are normal and usually brief. Know that there will always be a better tomorrow and that today will always come to an end.
4. A day filled with laughter, is a day well spent. This one is self-explanatory. Laugh until you can laugh no more, because it releases good energy and makes all your troubles go away.
5. People come and go. You can't control who will stay in your life. Let people run their coarse. Friends especially come and go and that's okay, because we're all just trying to figure ourselves out and find our group of friends.
6. If you don't have time, find the time. How often do you find yourself say: "I don't have time?" Too often. Time is everywhere, you just have to look for it. Find lost time for studying, reading or getting anything done. Instead of looking at your phone in cars, bus's, during lunch or after school or work, use that precious time to your advantage.
7. Live in the moment. This one's cheesy, I know. We tend to always think about our future or look back into the past, but what's most important is to be present in time and cherish the moments because those will soon be distant memories.
8. Acknowledge how far you've come. Be proud of everything you've done over the course of your life and pat yourself on your back.
9. Listen and learn. Your growth depends on the people you surround yourself with. Listen to your teachers, classmates and family members who will have different perspectives from yours.
10. Accept your perfect imperfections. We're all different inside and out. Instead of comparing yourself to others, acknowledge your imperfections and move on. Don't worry about the little things and just be you!
11. Don't fit in. It's better to stand out in your own way instead of conforming to the norm. Be creative and different.
12. Be grateful. If you ever catch yourself complaining or whining, remember that there are bigger problems that people are facing on a day-to-day basis. Remind yourself of all the blessings you have instead of fussing about the things you don't have.
13. Jump into the unknown. Scary, I know, but taking risks might bring you to places you've never imagined. Hey, this blog is me jumping into the unknown. So if I can do it, so can you.
14. Listen to criticism. We always want to hear about the good, but listening to criticism helps your growth. Apply corrections and use criticism to your advantage. 
15. Take time for yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else does. Solitude might seem scary to some, but it's important for your peace of mind and development. 
16. Breathe. When you feel lost, scared, confused or frustrated, just take a breath. Things always fall into place, so relax and breathe. 

What to do When You're Bored

Let's face it, we (students) all anxiously look forward to summer, and when it finally arrives, we are left with nothing to do. We have so much time on our hands that it's inevitable; we are struck by boredom. But fear not; here are a few things you can do to spice up your uneventful summer.

1. Exercise.  I know this seems like the last thing you want to be doing during your relaxing summer, but working out kills time and keeps you active. Staying consistent with your workouts will push your body, and in the long run; make you feel more energized. Set a goal for yourself and try your best staying on track. You might be surprised by the results!

   

   Tip: Browse Fitness Blender's YouTube channel. They have over 500 different workouts!
2. DIY something. Whether you're redecorating your room or spicing up your wardrobe, crafting is fun and lets your creative juices flow. Do your research (YouTube can get addictive, trust me) and get creative! 

   

   Cutting old clothing is an easy way to revamp your closet.

3. Go thrift shopping. This is the funnest activity to do alone or with your friends. If you love shopping, you should try thrifting at least once in your lifetime. Not only do you save SO much money; but it also feels like a treasure hunt. Rummaging through used clothing might seem exhausting and disgusting, but trust me, when you come across a diamond in the rough, you get filled with excitement!
   
4. Read. Summer is the best opportunity to explore what types of novels interest you.  If you're a student, take advantage of not being assigned books from teachers and actually pick up a book that attracts you. Books are food for the brain, so the more you read, the more you know. Dive in and get lost in romance, sci-fi or horror! 

   

   Some of my favorites: The Master and Margarita, The Alchemist and Unbecoming 

5. Go on an adventure. Find a park, a museum or a pool and get lost! Go outdoors and get some vitamin D in your system. You could gather some friends and plan a picnic in a park. You could even go to a museum and take some artsy pictures. Whatever you do, go outside!

   

   Crazy cat lady alert!
6. Change up your look. Experimenting with your makeup, hair and style is a great way to get creative. Try perfecting your winged liner or mixing and matching different clothes from your closet. You could even attempt French braiding your hair (this might take awhile before getting the hang of it). Experimenting with your look is an easy and fun way to master some skills and of coarse, kill some time. 

   

   
   

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High Waisted Denim Shorts: a Summer Must

Denim shorts are a staple piece to have in your wardrobe. Just like jeans, they have been around for a while now and never seem to go out of style. Unlike a skirt or a dress, shorts (specifically denim shorts) will never fly up and constantly make you worry about exposing your booty. The best part is that there is such a wide variety of styles and colors that cater too all kinds of different bodies and tastes. During the summer, you can never go wrong with wearing a pair. I'll be showing you three REALLY easy and simple ways to style high waisted denim shorts.

This look was inspired by my younger self, when my mom would force me to wear a t-shirt under my tank tops too make sure I wasn't showing too much skin. I used to get so frustrated with her but now, I rather follow her advice because it makes for a KILLER statement. All jokes aside, layering a black tank over a white t-shirt is an easy and simple way to spice up any outfit. This old school trend is definitely making a comeback and I couldn't be happier. Pairing it with high waisted denim shorts adds even more of a retro vibe.

Zara crop top

Black tank: Bought this piece at a thrift store, but here's a similar bodysuit from Forever 21

Denim shorts: American Apparel similar