Hey guys! So today was a very VERY fun day. I live in Chicago yet I've never been to Chinatown. Today was the day I got to explore more of my beautiful city!
This is a candid of me and one of my best friends, Alyssa. I went with my little sister, my mom, and her friend as well!
While we headed to lunch, we found these awesome statues of the Chinese zodiacs and we were all reading the little plaques that tells us what each sign means. I'm the rabbit!
So we headed to this restaurant on South China Place in Chinatown and it was so delicious! My friend recommended this place and it is now one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Chicago. I totally recommend it!
This restaurant had tons of choices: noodle dishes, soups, meat dishes, rice dishes, and a ton of bubble tea options on their menu! I love bubble tea so much! I feel like it's a hit or miss with some people but, I really enjoy the tapioca balls and the amazing range of flavors you can get!
We stopped in one of the small bakeries in town and I forgot the name of this one but, they had an awesome selection of Chinese pastries. I had this red bean sweet bun type thing. I have always wanted to try red bean. It kind of tasted like almonds or an almond paste in the middle. It was really good!
Another thing I bought was this really cute (fake) jade bracelet. Alyssa and I decided to get matching ones. I loved how it looked with my watch.
There were a ton of stores filled with a ton of stuff. Sometimes it was just your basic needs like dishes, kitchenware, clothes etc. There was a lot of random stuff too. It was all really cute though.
Here's my little sister being a little weirdo. Haha she loves me so much. She was like, "Nat, I want to model like you do in your blog!". Whelp, there's my sister for yuh.
There was a ton of beautiful architecture around Chinatown. It all looked so detailed and someone really knew what they were doing with this building.
You probably can tell that I am not that educated on the Chinese culture. I'd love to learn and know more about it. I loved experiencing this new part of my town that I'd never seen before. Chicago is so diverse and it made me happy that I got to explore and experience it all. Sure it's not actually China, but I met a lot of really nice people and I've seen a lot for what it's worth.
Traveling and exploring for me is only going to continue due to my love and passion for learning about different cultures and meeting new people. I had a really fun day and I hope to come back another time!
Xoxo, Nat
Hello my lovelies! I hope you all have had a great Easter weekend and are enjoying your beginning of spring break or week if you don't have off like I do (thank the lawd). So today I wanted to share a little bit of a home-ware/decor/stationary haul that I did recently. Most of this is from Target and some is from the Red Spot section or the "dollar section" at Target so unfortunately you can't find some of the cards or the notebook online. However, I thought you all would enjoy these little bits and pieces I found anyway.
I love to have random journals around and on hand. You never know when you're gonna need to write something down or just need to getaway and release your thoughts! I found this for like a dollar at Target and I have been writing in it for a while. Plus, it looks really cute on my shelf. I also managed to pick up some binder folders and dividers that are really cool and I really like the geometric prints as well! I like to use these for some of my blog posts to add a pop of contrast and color to the background.
I also really love this lipgloss...even though it has nothing to do with home-ware, I thought it would be okay to just include it anyway. I think it looks really cool! I mean, they're real flowers!! That might have been the only reason I bought it but, it does smell amazing and leaves my lips so glossy!
I have had an obsession with colored felt-tip pens lately. The Staedtler pens are amazing! I kid you not, these are the best colored pens I have ever used. Especially if you have like...hmm I don't know...an adult coloring book! Haha. They have a ton of colors and last so long.
I always love to have cute note cards and stationary around. It's going to be someone's birthday, some special event, or just a time where you need to say thanks or "hello". I found these cute cards at Target and I have like five different sets! All of their cards are like a buck and they're absolutely adorable! They're very useful and versatile!
With this day and age, writing cards is like an ancient thing to do. We have text, e-messages, and all that. I am getting into the habit of just writing cards to people (not just because I have a ton!). Sometimes I feel like you lose something when you just text a person "thank you". Like they aren't special?? NO. They deserve a thoughtful card! So for that, I always feel obligated (and happy) when I get to write a card to someone special. Plus, I think it's just nice receiving them as well.
With this day and age, writing cards is like an ancient thing to do. We have text, e-messages, and all that. I am getting into the habit of just writing cards to people (not just because I have a ton!). Sometimes I feel like you lose something when you just text a person "thank you". Like they aren't special?? NO. They deserve a thoughtful card! So for that, I always feel obligated (and happy) when I get to write a card to someone special. Plus, I think it's just nice receiving them as well.
I have seen all of the bloggers with these cool geometric terrariums and vases and I have been wanting one ever since. I found this on a shelf at Target and I was so happy that it wasn't like a hundred bucks. I love this thing so much! I have this on my shelf currently on top of a stack of books and I put some mini fairy lights inside to make it look really cool. I really want to put like some succulents inside of it when it gets warmer out. I feel like that would be so awesome to do and have my own little garden! I guess you could also put a mini candle in it or something, too.
This has also been one of my favorite candles, like EVER. The Capri Blue Volcano candle is the most amazing smelling candle I have ever owned. You can get these at Anthropologie or online on their website. They have a bunch of sizes (including a 5-wick candle that costs like $100 and is the size of my head haha) and scents. This candle smells like paradise. It's citrusy and is so fresh and sweet. It's not an overpowering scent. After you burn it for a while, your house smells amazing. Also, the packaging is so cute. It's iridescent and copper. How great is that?
I have always loved little trays and things to put my trinkets on and I really love this one that a friend got me a while back. I like to put my rings and earrings on it so I don't lose any of my precious jewelry!
I hope you guys enjoyed this little home-ware/stationary haul and I also hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and spent it with a ton of friends and family!
Xoxo, Nat
Hey guys! Today I have an easy, natural, and very pretty makeup look for you all. Since it's getting close to Easter, I wanted to give you all some Easter/church/family day makeup inspiration! Even if you don't celebrate Easter, this is a great look for any day during spring.
First thing's first (I'm the realest), concealer. Now I always love a great moisturizing concealer and this Stay All Day concealer by Stila is amazing! You can use your fingers or a concealer brush and apply this under your eyes or to cover up any imperfections you have. I love how easy this is to blend and the coverage is great too!
I think this is a classic for everybody. The L'Oreal True Match foundation is super blend-able and easy to wear during spring. This foundation has Vitamins A and C, is anti-pore clogging, and is oil-free! They have so many shades so everybody can find their "perfect match"!
If you want an awesome orangey-red lip, this Lasting Finish lipstick in #12 by Rimmel is a go-to! I love orange lips in the spring and summertime and the Rimmel lipstick range is my favorite. They're all so pigmented and creamy.
I have already done a review on the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics palette and I have to say, it is a great palette. Instead of paying like $50 on the bigger palettes, this is a great alternative. It's basically half of a full palette for half the price and these colors are awesome and neutral. This palette is also great for travel since it's so small! I actually love the second Basics palette because I feel like it has more browns for me to use than the original Basics palette by Urban Decay. These colors are great to use for pretty much anytime of the year since they are your everyday-essential colors. I love the lasting power and the easy blend-ability!
Spring is all about color, so why not add a bit to your everyday makeup and change things up a bit? I love Rimmel's ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner especially this one in "Turquoise". These eyeliners are so smooth and easy to use! I love this blue on my upper lash line to add a bit of color and pop to my hazel eyes!
I have also been really loving the Benefit They're Real Lengthening Mascara. It is one of my holy grail products and it really gives the allusion of fake lashes and I love it so much! I always ended up with a ton of samples of this and I just decided to buy the full-size because I was amazed at how nice it made my lashes look. (They look like little butterfly wings haha).
E.l.f. has so many amazing products in their range and their bronzer and blush compacts are my all-time favorite. These are so affordable and give off amazing color! This e.l.f. golden bronzer gives off an awesome glow without being too orange. I have been using this product like every single day and I always reach for it now when I do my makeup.
I hope you all have a very nice and relaxing Easter weekend and hang out with a bunch of family and friends! Or just watch a ton of Netflix because you know. Gotta keep up with Fuller House! I have been loving it so much and I can't wait for the next season to be released. Well anyway, this is a great look for Easter or just spring in general. Happy spring!
Xoxo, Nat
Happy spring everybody! Even though it hasn't quite warmed up yet, I am still so excited for all things spring! I feel like the color rose is starting to become a trend this season so here are some of the pieces and products I love to wear and use!
I have been loving Zara's basics section and I found this really cute t-shirt. Zara has a great selection of items and you never know what you''re gonna find. They always have good deals going on every now and then and the quality of their clothing is amazing! This shirt is so soft and comfortable to wear with a nice, light pair of jeans and sandals or flats. Unfortunately, I was not able to find this on their website but, I am sure you can find it in store.
I have made posts about these products in the past and I just have to emphasize how much I love them. I have had these products for a while now and I continue to use them all the time.
This MAC lipstick in Angel has been one of my favorite frost shades from their range. I have worn this in the winter but, I also think it looks great in the spring as well because it isn't very light and isn't very glossy either. I have also done a review on the Fit Me blush by Maybelline and I really like how this gives you a cute, fresh glow. I have been using this blush a lot lately and I love the color it gives off. It's very subtle but, you can really build and blend it in.
I have mentioned in previous posts that I am not the paint-my-nails-every-week type. Especially during these warmer months, I just don't like the icky-sticky feel of nail polish. However, there are some very nice polishes that I find are light and are easier to use and don't smudge or chip. I love Essie's nail range and I love how their polishes last for so long. I have heard that they chip a lot but, I have never had any problems with Essie. I have been loving the nude and pink shades on my nails. It's so simple and clean. It also looks very classy! So is this shade's name: Tuck it in my Tux...haha. Rose gold is also one of my favorite colors of all time. This L'Oreal nail polish is always showing up in my posts and I can't stress enough how much I love this color and how metallic it is.
I hope you guys have had a great day and this helped any of you looking for some spring inspiration!
Xoxo, Nat
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYBODY!! What are your guys' plans for the weekend? I think I am going to go see Allegiant at the movies tonight with my friends. Today I have a mini review on one of my favorite, new additions to my makeup collection. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude is a favorite to many and I am so glad I was able to try it out! I love tinted moisturizers and BB creams so this was a great product for me to try.
I love light coverage foundations and creams. This one is very great for feeling like you're not wearing a lot of makeup and looking like you have the most goddess-like skin. Isn't that amazing? It's great at covering up redness and imperfections while your face doesn't feel extremely cakey—which no one wants. It gives off a nice dewy glow so it isn't very matte, however; it does reduce fine lines and also hydrates your skin.
The website says that this moisturizer has vitamins C and E that act as a protection from gunk and grime. Even more ew. It also has an SPF of 20 which is great too! I also have very sensitive skin so this is a great alternative for people who react differently to certain products. I think especially during these months leading up to summer, it's important to wear SPF (even just all year round because the sun never hides!).
I have had trouble in the past trying to find a great moisturizer that didn't just fall off my face during the day or not cover up any of my imperfections and this one really worked. I know the price point for some is a bit expensive but, a little goes a very long way. May I even suggest the travel-size foundation shown above. I have been using this foundation for over a month now and there's still a ton left. The only downside of the travel-size is that there are only like two shades to choose from. The original size has about 15 shades.
I hope I can try out more of Laura Mercier in the future like her powders and other face products. Is there a specific one I need to try out? Happy Friday all!
Xoxo, Nat
“I created this product because I wanted to give skin a fresh, healthy, no-makeup look with a soft hint of color that evens and enhances without hiding the skin.”—Laura Mercier
Hey guys! I hope everyone is having a great week. The weather where I live has been very gross this week. It has been cold and rainy. Hopefully that means more flowers and really green grass! I have been wanting to do a little favorites for you all and I have picked my favorite black eyeliners that I have been loving. I think that black eyeliner is an essential in everybody's makeup collection so here are some of the best ones that I have tried.
This eyeliner is fairly new to my collection. I got this in one of Smashbox's Art. Love. Color. sets and I was so impressed by how great this eyeliner was. Despite the size, this mini eyeliner is so nice. I only noticed that it was a bit dry to put on but, after a couple strokes it's really easy to use and doesn't smear during the day. This would be a great liner for natural and simple long-lasting looks.
This would have to be my all-time favorite liquid eyeliner. The L'Oreal Infallible collection is amazing. Everything in that collection lasts so long without smearing, creasing, or flaking! This eyeliner is so easy to use especially for a liquid eyeliner. It's not very thick but, it's so pigmented and opaque. You can keep layering it on and it's great for creating winged looks because of the pointed tip. I have had this liner for so long too! It lasts a very long time and is great for people who are beginning to learn how to use liquid eyeliner.
I really love this eyeliner by Urban Decay. This is really new to my collection as well and is so smooth and creamy. It does sometimes fall onto my lower lash line during the day but, if you let it dry enough, it will last "24 hours"! It is so easy to apply and something that people don't really know is that you can actually sharpen the Urban Decay eyeliners. This eyeliner is particularly thick and isn't a liner I recommend for very natural looks.
I hope this was helpful for any of you looking for new eyeliners. Are there any other great ones I need to try?
Xoxo, Nat
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