Tag: lifestyle

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Ariah Turns 2!!!

Somehow… and I can barely believe it… our little Ariah turned 2 today!!! It’s been the most amazing whirlwind time of my life and every day it feels like I can love her even more. Now, we’re entering the “Terrible Two’s” so I’m preparing myself but for now we’re soaking up every minute of this cuddly, adorable little lady we love so much!

Here’s what Ariah’s life looks like these days…

Her schedule:

8:30 AM Wake Up

8:45 Cup of Milk

9:30 Breakfast

10 Brush Teeth + Get Dressed

10:30- 12:30 PM Playtime

1 Lunch

1:30 Nap

3:30 – 6:30 Play + Snack Time

7 Dinner

8 Bath

8:30-9:30 Play + Read

Milk

9:30 Bedtime

What She’s Up To:

She is now forward facing in the car seat…

Ariah really loves her all of “her babies” right now + loves to play “mommy and baby”…

She’ll pretend to cook in her little kitchen + as she says, she’s always “cooking mama”…

She’s starting to piece together the words of her favorite nursery rhymes + can finish sentences…

She’s also singing her alphabet clearer every day + counting to 10…

Our Struggles :

Pacifier…

She’s still wanting her “wubba” as she calls it to sooth her but I try really hard to only give it to her when she’s getting sleepy and going to bed, so she doesn’t have it too much throughout the day.

Eating…

She is beyond picky and really sticks to just a few of her favorite things. Some days she doesn’t want to eat anything at all and is just fine to drink her milk (which is not good AT ALL, so any tips on how to get your toddler to eat, PLEASE drop them in the comments below!)

Potty Training…

She is not interested at all!!! Any tips on potty training girls? Help a mama out!

I love being able to document all of these moments + milestones of our baby girl. I’m so blessed to be her mom and I can’t wait to continue sharing these moments with you all!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIAH, WE LOVE YOU!

TODDLER GIFT GUIDE:

 

Stay tuned for my new blog posts coming soon!!

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WAG Life: 10 Things I’ve Learned Over Time

Whew… where do I start, right?

Not only has this been a post I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but it’s something many people have asked me about in the past. “What’s it like being the wife of a professional athlete?” “Is it as amazing as it seems?”

The short answer: Yes… and no.

With football season just around the corner again- see how fast that was?– I decided NOW was the time to dish the details. For anyone new here… or just for those that want to learn more about what it’s ACTUALLY like be married to a professional athlete… this is the post to read!

Now, remember, everything I’m going to say is all my opinion and based on MY experience as a WAG. Others may have had other experiences- both good and bad- but I feel like a lot of us out there can relate, so I want to spread the word to help people understand this crazy life we live!

Mike got drafted back in 2014 to the Tampa Bay Bucs and we have been with them ever since. I say WE because we are a family- and the Bucs are our family, as well. He willl be going on his 5th season this year and I still can’t believe how fast time has flown by! Every time we talk about it I swear it feels like just yesterday we started this journey because every day, every season, every off-season seems to fly by! Maybe that’s just how it feels being an adult, right? HA!

Well here goes…

10 Things I’ve learned From Being a WAG:

God is EVERYTHING!

FIRST AND FOREMOST- AND WITHOUT HESITATION! To be honest, we already knew this but as the years have gone by and the more I go through life’s ups and downs, I’m continuously reminded that God is everything. Everything we’ve been so blessed to have- beautiful children, a beautiful home, our health, everything– is all thanks to HIM. And I always keep that in mind.

He brings good people into your life for a reason and brings others in as life lessons, too (which we all need if you ask me). I really do believe that having a relationship with God will get you through anything.

How to Become an Expert Packer

Being a part of the NFL you know one thing for sure: you’re never in one place for very long. Whether you’re being traded, moving away for the off-season, headed to training, hitting the road for away games or enjoying the occasional vacation, you quickly learn to master the art of packing.

So far, we’ve lived in three different places just in Tampa and thankfully, we just bought our first home in Texas during the off-season. When it comes to moving know-how, I’m your girl because I’ve got it down pretty good at this point. That’s not to say I do it stress free, of course, but I do know how to get the job done right at this point!

You Have to Be (+ Stay) Strong Because YOU Are the One Keeping Everyone- And Everything- Together!

In the “WAG” world you have to stay strong through it all- especially through training camp and the season when you start to feel lonely (and it’s extra hard if you’re a new WAG or going to a new team!)

Being strong for your family is so important because it’s a stressful time for everyone and I’ve learned that during this time I have to be the support system so Mike can focus on his job: training, putting his body on the line, and grinding it out for us each and every day(especially in the FL heat) for us to have this blessed life.  If he can do that for us, then the least I can do is make the most of it, be strong, take care of our family, and embrace the craziness that is a football life.

You Need Other WAG Friends

No one understands this life more than other ladies going through the same thing, right? It’s so nice to relate to other women that understand that there’s more to this life than meets the eye and I think it’s good to build those relationships up… especially when you don’t see your other friends and family throughout the season. No matter what you do in life, find your group of friends that “get it”… and hold on tight!

Make the Most of the Off-Season Together

Ahhhh, off season! When it’s finally time to pack up and go back home for a few months to spend time with friends and family make sure you make the most of it! Get that quality time with your man… go on vacations… eat delicious food together… enjoy a night of “doing nothing!”

And the best part if you ask me, is they get to help out with the kiddos instead of it all falling on your shoulders. This is the time to enjoy life because it’s such a short amount of time until it’s right back to work!!

You Have To Be Thinking of “What’s Next?” After Football

We all know football doesn’t last forever, right? In fact, it’s such a short amount of time in our lives… and it could be over tomorrow. It’s always best to start making plans for when football is over because you just never know when, so we’re constantly coming up with ideas and plans for the future that we can hopefully pass down to our kids one day.

But like I said, when we believe in God and HIS plans for us, we gain the strength to grow and learn like we need to.

Nothing Ever Goes As Planned

To be honest, I’m still getting used to this but I have pretty much embraced it at this point… NOTHING ever goes as planned.

I LOVE a good routine… I live for structure… and planning out my days to know exactly what I need to do is my jam BUT things come up unexpectedly alllll the time so you just learn to deal. Even when you’re doing it all with a toddler- who thrives off a routine, too- you still just have to roll with the punches and go with it. This is our reality and it’s best to make the most of all the craziness!

Take Care of Yourself

This is important for everyone but especially to all the moms out there that never get a break, it’s sooo important to take some time for yourself every now and then. Whether it’s once a month or a couple times a week, in my opinion, I know I’m at my best when I have a little time for me.

This can mean taking a hot bubble bath, using a mask, reading after putting the baby down or a day at the spa pampering yourself. It’s so important to make sure you feel good because in the end you being happy will set the tone for everyone else in the family, too.

Seriously, #SelfCare… it’s a real thing!

Make Your Relationship a Priority

Now that you’re on board for taking care of yourself, it’s time to focus on another important person: YOUR SPOUSE… or more accurately, your relationship.

Mike and I have learned how to make time for each other outside of football, kids and “life” so that we maintain our healthy relationship, love and friendship despite his schedule. Remember, you fell in love for a reason… but it absolutely takes work to keep that connection strong!

Take Injuries Seriously

Like I said earlier, you never know when a football career can be over- and nothing cuts it short quicker than a terrible injury. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always have to be an obvious break or tear for it to make a lasting impact. Strains and sprains can be serious too and ignoring them can lead to trouble down the road. That’s why Mike takes his training, strengthening, stretching and practicing so seriously so that he can ensure he’s taking every precaution to keep his body safe.

So there you have the glamorous… and not-so-glamorous… side of being a WAG. I hope this gives you a better look at our lives and that we’re all just normal people trying to make a life for our families, too!

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Memorial Day Outfit Inspo

I know everyone is looking forward to this three day weekend up ahead… me included!

And with summer right around the corner, I thought a post today rounding up some cute summer pieces- that aren’t only perfect all summer long but especially for this memorial day- would be just what we needed!

So, whether you’re spending the day with family and friends barbecuing, swimming, or maybe enjoying a little sand between your toes at the beach, here’s a little something for everyone!

Psst… These picks are also great for Fourth of July <<— So don’t forget to save this post for later!

Ready to get your Red, White, and Blue style fix? I’ve got you covered! Click the pics to shop your favorite looks!


Loving this outfit? Shop it now!

Outfits

Swimwear

Accessories

Shoes

PS: If you love the sandals above, stay tuned for some more of my *favorite summer sandal styles* later this week!

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Q + A… What You All Wanted to Know!

Hey everyone! I’ve been getting lots of great questions from you- and I’m so happy you want to know more! Today, I’m answering some of the most frequently asked questions below- but if you have others, drop them in the comments and I’ll be sure to answer!

Let’s get started…

HOW DID MIKE AND I MEET?

Mike and I met back in 2013 while we were both going to school in College Station, Texas. We met through our roommates who knew each other and soon introduced us… and we hit it off right away! You can read more about our love story —> HERE!


HOW WAS IT MOVING FROM TEXAS TO FLORIDA? DO YOU EVER MISS TX? WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT FL?

Moving from Texas to Florida has been quite an adventure, that’s for sure.

After Mike got drafted, our initial move to Tampa was quick and we didn’t really have time to look around for a place to live. I basically found the closest, most decent apartment I could find near the facility and shortly after we moved in.

I brought everything I could from my college apartment to help us get started and since then (in 2014) we have lived in three different places. And who knows, we may eventually buy a home there since we will be continuing our time in Tampa- which I’m so proud of my husband for! For those of you that don’t know, Mike has recently agreed to an extended 5-year contract, so we are very excited to be staying in Tampa!

It’s easy to love Florida! It’s so beautiful and you can go to the beach or be outside in the sun pretty much year round-and especially with kids, I love that. I also love the friends that we have made there and all the experiences we’ve had so far.

Florida will always have a place in our hearts… BUT TEXAS IS HOME.

We love Texas and try to shoot home whenever we get the chance. We live in Texas the entire off-season in our first home we recently purchased, so no matter where we play, we will always end up back here… and this will always be our home.


ANY GOOD SKINCARE TIPS?

I will say that I’ve been learning so much about skincare lately and have had fun trying different products and techniques. But, one of my best tips is to make sure you’re definitely drinking lots of water and watching what you’re putting into your body as far as your diet. It’s a bigger deal than most people think it is- plus, it helps to keep your stress levels down!

Another tip is to make sure you’re taking off your makeup before going to bed and exfoliating at least two times a week for fresh, glowing skin!

PS: I did give more of my favorite tips + tricks that you can read —> HERE!


TELL US ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU MAJORED IN?

I went to Blinn Junior College for almost two years. It was the best two years of my life and I met some amazing people that are still lifelong friends to this day.

I initially majored in psychology and wanted to be a counselor because I love giving advice and helping others!

Eventually, I decided to take a break to really figure out what it is that I wanted to do and with all the transitions going on in my life- from being a wife and now a mom (and constantly being in between states)- I’m still trying to figure it all out.

I have many interests though, such as: real estate, interior design, fashion design, etc.- so we’ll have to see where that all takes me!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MOM? HOW DO YOU BALANCE FAMILY LIFE AND NFL LIFE?

My favorite thing about being a mom is having a bundle of joy that makes me so excited to get up every day… even if it is super early and I need all the coffee I can get to function!

I love teaching her new things + watching her explore the world as she grows up right before our eyes! It’s literally the best feeling in the world!

Luckily, in the NFL we get an off-season where we get all the free time we want for a few months to spend our time with family. Mike gets to be home and enjoy that with us, which is great because during training camp and football season it gets a little harder to get that time together.

I do most things on my own on a daily basis, like chasing around a toddler all day and getting done the many things on our to-do list. When Mike comes home, he’s clearly tired after a long day, so I have to be that supportive mom and wife throughout that time! It’s all a balancing act, but I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world!

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A WIFE TO AN NFL PLAYER?

So this was the number one question I received from you guys when I asked for your questions! I would really love to do a whole separate post on what it’s like to be married to a professional athlete… and all the different things that go on that no one sees.

It’s more than just football games, cool events, big houses, and fancy cars…trust me!

I won’t lie… it definitely takes a strong-minded woman to be married to someone who puts their life on the line for our entertainment or to someone who people call “famous” all the time… it’s still a crazy thing for me!

Of course, his job and our life is a blessing, but what you see on WAGS is so far from Mike & I’s lifestyle that we’re ALWAYS laughing when we watch those shows!  Seriously, it’s such a joke… but totally not hating on anyone, that’s on them!

Anyway, I would love to save this for a more in-depth post later, so stay tuned for that!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BLOG?

I started my blog in hopes to get my voice across and talk about things that I love… like this outfit above!!  It’s a great way to document the cool things that happen in my life, plus it’s a place to watch myself grow as a wife, mama, and woman in general!

I have wanted to start one for over a year and finally decided, why not? JUST DO IT!

That was the hardest part.. getting started and putting myself out there for the world to see… because believe it or not, I AM SUCH AN INTROVERT.

BUT, now that I have… I love it and I hope it will grow into something you guys love to read as much as I love making the content for you all!

So, with that said, always leave me comments and let me know what you would love to see as well! Always ask questions… I promise I will answer 🙂

WHAT IS YOUR ETHNICITY?

I am bi-racial… my Mom is white and my Dad is black.

Crazy enough, Mike and I are actually the same ethnicities and both of our moms are white and dads are black, so of course, that was something we immediately found interesting about each other, as well!

Did I answer your Q’s? I hope so! If not, like I said earlier, please always feel free to drop a comment or question below… I’d love to hear from you! 

 

PS: Shop my black, off-the-shoulder top and skirt here:

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My Daily Vitamin Regime

A few weeks ago I posted on my IG story about my daily vitamins and I got a lot of DM’s about which ones I take (and why), so I wanted to do a full post on it today!

To me, it’s so important to take your vitamins to get the nutrients your body needs to function on a daily basis.

While I try to eat a healthy diet, I know that on some days my vitamins are the only way I’m truly getting what my body needs.

I have read many health books over the years but this one, in particular, Jumpstart to Skinny by Bob Harper, is my favorite. I’ve learned a lot from his book about health in general… and think you will too!

While I will say I am not an expert, dietician or nutritionist at all, the vitamins below are the ones I take that are right for me.

Here are the vitamins I’ve been taking daily for over a year and why (and if you’re interested in learning more you can click the links!)…

Prenatal Vitamins

I started taking prenatal vitamins when I got pregnant with Ariah- and never stopped. When you are pregnant, they are obviously a MUST for added nutrients for the baby (especially the folic acid for the brain!)

No, we are not trying to get pregnant (at the moment), BUT they still provide incredible nutrients that help to grow my hair and nails super long and healthy.

And did you know: Surprisingly, doctors suggest to start taking prenatals at least a year prior to trying to conceive, so if you’re thinking of having a baby- or currently pregnant- make sure you start them asap!

Calcium

I take Calcium because it is so important for your immune system to keep you protected from sicknesses and other diseases… especially this flu season! I am not playing any games this year when it comes to taking my Vitamin C!

Probiotic

Probiotics are very important for your gut health and overall digestive system because they provide the “good bacteria” your gut needs. They can also help with belly fat, weight loss, and for women, they are also great for your vaginal health to keep everything functioning down there.

In a nutshell, Probiotics are great for fighting and preventing any bacteria or infections!

Fish Oil

I started taking capsules of fish oil when I first read Jumpstart to Skinny. While it sounds kind of gross, fish oil is for one thing really good for your heart. It’s also really helpful for those who work out a lot to combat soreness and joint pain <<— perfect for Mike, too!

B-12

Depending on your diet, you may be B-12 deficient and don’t even know it! Many vegetarians don’t get enough B-12 because it’s naturally sourced in animal proteins such as red meat. B-12 helps to keep your iron levels steady which helps you to not feel fatigued and cloudy-headed- and as a mom, I need all the B-12 I can get!

Turmeric

Turmeric is an amazing root plant that helps to fight inflammation in our bodies. You can take it in capsule form, via an oil or get turmeric powder and mix it with hot water, lemon and honey for one heck of a wake-up shot! It’s a goldish-yellow color- that WILL stain your fingers FYI– and is actually what gives curry its color! Other ways turmeric is good for you: heals your liver, boosts brain functionality and acts as an antioxidant… seriously, it’s a miracle worker.

Collagen

I like to put a scoop of collagen peptides from Vital Proteins into water or tea for hair, skin, & nail health! Plus, this berry flavored one is delicious!

Biotin

We’re back to the B vitamins… and this time we’re talking B7! It’s super effective for healthy looking skin, hair, and nails. Not only does it strengthen brittle nails but it helps to give hair and skin that beautiful glow we all want, too!

Are these some of the vitamins you take too? Maybe you were considering one and now you’re going to give it a shot! Whatever it is- and especially if you have a favorite vitamin that I haven’t tried– I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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Our 2-Year Anniversary Trip to Paris

So if you’ve been keeping up with me, then you know we recently just went to Paris for our two year anniversary and I will say that it was absolutely the best trip I’ve ever been on in my life!

I have been so excited for this trip that I even had fun packing for it- I just couldn’t wait to get there! We left on Thursday, February 8th from Houston… but not without a minor hiccup or two. We were supposed to be on a 4 PM flight but (little did we know) the flight was actually canceled a day earlier- and we didn’t find out until we were pulling up at the airport! Thank goodness, my mom happened to be looking up the flight to try and track us!

I was DEVASTATED! I was certain that it wasn’t meant to be and, of course, this would be our luck!

Mike went to go check it out and (thankfully) it turned out they put us on a later flight that night at 10 PM and we were finally off!

We flew British Airways and WOW, the plane was amazing! It was the best first class cabin I have ever seen and the seats were perfect! They were like little pods just for you- perfect for sleeping and watching movies… which is what I did the entire way!

We finally landed in Paris and it was freezing! There was snow covering the ground and it was so pretty! Believe it or not, I’ve never in my life seen real snow before so I expected it to stay for days, but turns out the snow quickly melted within a day of us being there! But it was still freezing!

Where We Stayed

We arrived at our hotel around 5 PM the next evening. We stayed at Hotel Barriere Le Fouquet’s. It was a dream location to stay at in Paris I must say; we were in the middle of EVERYTHING: amazing food, shopping (literally right across from Louis Vuitton) and sightseeing were all within walking distance or just a 5 minute Uber ride away! We also enjoyed a couples massage at the hotel’s spa which was so relaxing after traveling for so long- safe to say, my husband definitely knows what I enjoy! All in all, everything from start to finish (including the incredible customer service) was perfect for our stay!

What We Ate

The first two meals we had were super authentic French restaurants that we thought would be a good idea to try. Turns out, not so much. I can’t even tell you the names of them because I don’t remember, but I’m a picky eater (especially when I go out of the country) and we really didn’t enjoy those meals. Thankfully, we found a Five Guys but this one was a little different. Apparently, it’s a huge tourist attraction because the lines were out the door, it was three stories tall and we had to wait for someone to get done eating to snatch a table as quickly as we could!

It tasted just like Five Guys in America though so we ate there twice! I also found a pizza spot, Pizza Vesuvio, right behind our hotel so we ate there twice and it was the best Italian food EVER! I ordered Lasagna and it was so good that we had to go again so Mike could get it the next time. We also tried another Italian restaurant, Vapiano, that Mike’s best friend (who we also visited while we were there since he’s playing basketball overseas there) told us about. This place had THE BEST PASTA I’ve ever tasted! They make it just for you, exactly how you want it, right in front of you… so that was pretty cool as well!

We also had a super romantic dinner at Le Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower which was quite an adventure in itself! We got to get all dressed up, making the whole night super fun.

The dinner was different than what we are used to: five small entrees and they bring them out every time you finish one with just a few bites each. For the most part, we had no clue what we were eating but we still ate it and it wasn’t THAT bad just very different. But the experience itself was just amazing getting to ride up the elevator to the restaurant, overlooking the whole city during dinner.

What We Did

Of course, we shopped till we dropped… well I did… after all, like I mentioned we were right in the middle of all the best shopping in Paris! With every shop within walking distance, I was bound to wind up in trouble there! We went to LV, Gucci, YSL, Chanel, Zara, H&M, and a few others. We had the most luck in LV and YSL where I purchased two bags: a LV Neverfull MM in the Damier Ebene material with the Rose Ballerine interior and the YSL Black Croc Nano Sac de Jour Tote which are super amazing investments in my collections that I will have for years to come!!


We visited The Louvre which is definitely something you have to see when in Paris! Even just the outside is so beautiful with the architecture of the buildings and the pyramids- it’s unbelievable! So gorgeous!

This is also where they hold the Mona Lisa and many other historic monuments in Paris! Plus, did you know it’s the largest museum in the world?

We rode The Big Wheel at Place de la Concorde at a sunset which was absolutely beautiful with views of The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Elysées- it was breathtaking especially at sunset!


We attached our locks on the “Love Lock Bridge” over the Seine River.


Of course, we went to the Eiffel Tower about three times during our trip because how can you not?


It’s a sight to see and it’s the one MUST that you have to experience when visiting Paris! It was truly amazing to see especially at night during the light show when it’s lit up and sparkling! WOW- It’s STUNNING!

Champs-Elysées is one of the most popular areas in Paris, which is where we stayed. SO many great places to shop, eat, great hotels, close to all the main attractions in Paris- it’s just the best location and everyone is out and about, dressed to impressed! It’s the ideal place to stay in or near when in Paris!

We even went to go see Fifty Shades FREED at the UGC Normandie Theater right across from our hotel. They showed the movie in English but with French subtitles (which was clearly fine with us being in France after all) I just couldn’t wait any longer to go see it!

My Overall Experience….

It’s one that I will never, ever forget and honestly, the only place I can say that I would LOVE to travel back to. With the fashion, scenery and romance, it was just so ME and I loved everything about it… once we found food we liked of course!  I loved the time of year that we went because the cold weather made it perfect to wear all of my super cute jackets I’ve been dying to wear. I am so happy that I got to experience it all with the love of my life because there’s no one on this planet I would have rather witnessed all that with… easily, it was one for the books for us! We will definitely… GOD willing… go back one day! 🙂

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My Daily Makeup Routine + The Products I LOVE!

Today I wanted to share my everyday quick makeup routine… which really just consists of  giving my face some color and definition, so I can look alive and fresh (hello… #momlife, right?)
I recently started using these new makeup brushes from My Makeup Brush Set and I had to come on here to talk about them because I’m actually obsessed.
It’s hard to find the right brushes for your skin and makeup combo but these brushes are so soft and give such flawless finish- I love them!
First, I start with my skincare routine (which you can find —–>> here) because this is really what helps with the texture of your skin to give you the perfect flawless finish you’re looking for you. PS: You can’t have a good makeup routine without good a skincare one too… they go hand in hand!
Next, I go in with this primer with my clean hands and apply to my whole face.
Then I go in with this foundation (Shade 240) with my new Powder Brush from My Makeup Brush and apply to my whole face and down my neck some just to make sure everything is matching. I make sure it’s all blended in smoothly and with the texture of this oval brush, it really makes it easy to blend any liquid product perfectly!
Next, I do my brows. For daytime, all I use is this Revlon brow pencil in the  Dark Brown shade and just line the bottom then fill in the ends. I like to leave the inner part natural by just brushing the hairs upward so they don’t look too drawn on.
Now its time for concealer and I’m currently using the Tarte Tape Shape/ light medium which I only apply under my eyes to cover dark circles during the day if I’m in a hurry. If I’m looking for a fuller coverage, I’ll apply a line down the middle of my nose and up to my forehead, as well as my chin, and line under my brows as I blend it all in with my Concealer Brush.
Then I go in with my cream NYX Contour Stick Deep Profound and I apply right under my cheekbones, under my jawline, and around the top of my forehead near my hairline (as well as the sides of my nose) with my Foundation Brush to really bring some color to my face. Bronzing is my favorite part because it really gives your face the definition it needs to bring out the features and structure of the face.
Now, I go in with a bronze color- which for me I usually go for the Kylie Burgandy Palette (“Penny” in the crease and a mix of “Naked” and “LA” on the lid).
Next is highlighter- and ever since it came out I’ve been using the Fenty Beauty one in shade “Hu$tla Baby”- and I love the way it applies with the Lip Brush! All you need is one swipe and blend a little and it makes for the perfect highlight. I apply this to the top of my cheekbone, down the bridge of my nose, on the tip of my nose and highlight under my brow bone.
Lastly, is my mascara and I use the Maybelline Big Shot and I swear by this mascara! I love the way my lashes look when I use this one and it really combs them out so they look super long black and spread out !
That’s pretty much it for my everyday makeup routine!
I really stick to what I know when it comes to makeup and I rarely switch it up. I just know what works for me, my face and skin- and this is what I like to do!
I highly recommend these My Makeup Brush Set brushes for a great flawless look so if you’re looking to get your own set from them I have a discount code for you all to get 10% off your order: SAVEWITHASHLI_EVANS

Let me know in the comments some of your go-to makeup tips + tricks or product recommendations. I would love to hear from you + am always on the hunt for something new!
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Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Guide For Him and Her!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching I wanted to give you guys some great last minute gift ideas that will be good for any man or woman in your life!


(Shop these pajamas —- > HERE!)

Since our anniversary is on the 13th we usually don’t give in to giving each other gifts for both occasions. Instead, we just make this holiday about our anniversary… and then do a little date night on Valentine’s Day to top it all off.

Still, here are some of my top gift picks for him or her *xoxo*

For Her:

Fashion
Jewelry

For the Home

Beauty

For Him:

Fashion

Other Gifts For Him

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Who’s Ready For My BEST Online Shopping Tips?

People have been asking me a lot lately why I decided to start my blog back in November.

One of the (many) reasons I started All About Ashli is because I absolutely LOVE TO SHOP… and I really wanted to share the things that I buy, the products I’m interested in and everything I’m loving in the moment with you all!

I’ve always loved to shop- there’s no hiding that– and after my (many) years of online shopping, I really wanted a place to share my best tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way, especially because I know there are still people out there that hate online shopping.

For those that just prefer to go out and look for things- that’s totally fine and understandable… but for those of you that hesitate at times about buying things online (but have always wanted to) here are some of the tips that I live by when shopping online… and hopefully they will help you feel better about it too!

Know Your Sizes + Measurements
Knowing your size will really help when searching online for a piece of clothing because you will be able to reference the “size guide” tool on each website. Of all the different measurements we can take, you should typically know your bust size, waist, and hips. Knowing mine makes it really easy to find my size at any place I’m shopping even though most stores have different sizing options. I know, it can get a bit confusing… the good news? If you know those sizes beforehand it makes it a lot easier to find the perfect pair of jeans or top from any store!

Subscribe to Your Favorite Store’s Email List
When you do this, you’re officially on the inside! Now you’ll get discount codes and coupons before anyone else! I quickly jump on to see what I can grab before those items sell out, but another perk is that when you are on their email list, you usually know before other shoppers do about all sales and discounts… #winning!

Know Where Your Items Are Coming From
Like I’ve said already, I have learned A LOT from online shopping… and one of those things is to really know where your items and clothes are coming from. IT’S ALL ABOUT QUALITY! You may think something looks great on Instagram so you go to the random boutique and buy it… but after you get it (many weeks later because it might be coming from overseas) it looks absolutely nothing like what the model had on! Now don’t get me wrong, there are some really great overseas stores that I DO shop at… but I know (from trial + error) that these are quality pieces. In the end, you really just have to do your research on stores + remember you almost always get what you pay for!

Know What You’re Going Online to Shop for in the First Place
If you don’t know exactly what you’re going online to shop for you’ll likely end up a little overwhelmed… or you may go crazy and end up buying things you don’t even need- and then, of course, never wear any of it! To stop this, I always have a list of things I feel that I want to add to my wardrobe and then take the time to look for that specific thing. Otherwise, I know for sure I would waste tons of time looking at everything there is online!

Consider All of Your Options
You never know if another store is going to have the same style for a better deal. Once you find something you like, take the time to compare + shop around. It may take a few extra clicks, but it’s always good to do your research before settling for something you could get a better deal on somewhere else!

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25 Things I’ve Learned By 25

As some of you know, I recently turned 25… a whole quarter into life… and it feels so great!
I feel so blessed to see another day and to be happy, healthy and loving life! 

  1. Nothing happens overnight—your dreams, your weight loss goals—everything takes time. Stick with it and with time, consistency and dedication it’s all possible. 
  2. Home Ownership Is a Full-Time Job
  3. It’s OK to Feel Like You’re Changing… It’s Called Evolving!!
  4. If you want to eat clean and stay on track, it helps to eat at home! Prepping and cooking your own meals makes all the difference. Even if life gets hectic—and I know it does—it’s worth it in the end to stay on track.
  5. Big or Small, ALWAYS Give Thanks to Those Around You
  6. Read/ watch/ listen to something that inspires you every.single.day. Take it upon yourself to surround yourself with as much positivity as possible.
  7. Live For YOU!
  8. We’re not getting any younger, so workout now! A daily sweat session will make you feel better.
  9. Listen More Than You Speak
  10. Communication Is the Key to Any Healthy Relationship
  11. Staying organized and having a calendar is a must to know exactly what you need to get done that day or week. It will help you stay on track and get things done way more efficiently. 
  12. NOW Is the Time to Travel
  13. Always be ready and willing to learn new things. I like to be open to learning different skill sets, workouts, things going on in the world, so I continue to broaden my horizons. 
  14. Sometimes You Just Have to Let Things Go
  15. Live in the moment. Put down your phone, laugh more, enjoy the people around you and simply, live for the moments right now! 
  16. Let Go of What You Can’t Control
  17. Plan For the Future
  18. Learn to Say NO—And Not Feel Bad About It
  19. In a social media focused world, it’s easy to compare yourself to others but you should be proud to be who you are. Start seeing the good in yourself, know your worth and stop comparing because there’s only one you… and that’s a GREAT thing!
  20. Believe That You Deserve The Best Out of Life
  21. Have Gratitude For Life
  22. You Can’t Please Everyone… So Prioritize Those In Your Life
  23. No One Understands the Love and the Stress of a Mother Until You Become One
  24. My Mom Was Right About EVERYTHING
  25. Trust Your Instincts EVERY Time