Happy 2014!

To another beautiful and healthy year reaching your goals and dreams!

Pre Gym Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Recipe:

Blend 

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup frozen mangoes

1tsp green tea matcha powder ( only found it at Central Market or Whole Foods)

 1 cup light and fit greek yogurt (any flavor)!

Benefits:

Green tea is natural caffeinne 

Greek Yogurt is delicious protein

Mangos are full of vitamin C and fiber

Almond milk has 18g less sugar than skim milk per serving

 Sip up an hour before heading to the gym and get glowing :)

Stay beautiful!

Sara Blaine for Willow House jewelry

(Disclaimer: This is my first non-beauty post here!) I probably have like 100 pairs of earrings and tons of long lariette necklaces and chokers (my hubby even bought me a jewelry organizer because it was all over the place!). I'm a big accessories girl because I find that I can really dress up a simple outfit with beautiful jewelry. Naturally, I was thrilled when I got invited to view some pieces from the new Sara Blaine for Willow House collection!

Sarah Shah, image expert, author and speaker, was a great host to all the bloggers at Avalon Diner (thank you to Bambi Lynn for hosting us as well! We're still savoring the cookies n' cream milkshake) that day as she explained we were up for a jewelry styling challenge. All the jewelry that was beautifully displayed was for us to choose from and style the models in different ways (I got to take my little sister as a model. What can I say? She's the gorgeous one!) Suzanne Joffrion, representative of the Sara Blaine for Willow House brand in Texas warmly welcomed us to discover the brand.

My gorgeous sister, Natalie

Their cuffs are to-die-for! I love to wear one bold statement piece of jewelry every time I go out and these cuffs fit the bill.

This classy and modern look for girls night was my favorite of the ones I created that evening (I love the detail on the cross choker necklace and the stacked bangles) and this cuff was my favorite piece of jewelry that day.

I met some fabulous bloggers that day, like 12 year-old fashion blogger Taylor McClure from Somewhere Over the Runway and Renae Virata from Wearever the Weather (she was also a contestant on The Bachelor-like TV show from NBC Ready for Love ), Sara Gerlich from Sarah to Nine, Shana Wang from Hautess and I also caught up with friend Shasie, President of Houston Fashion Bloggers and author of Live Life in Style (follow her to every single event in Houston on her instagram @livelifeinstyle) and of course, visit her blog!

Our swag bags were a beauty junkie's dream and to my luck I won a raffle prize at the end of the evening. It was a book by our own hostess, Sarah,"Dress Yourself Skinny," which is a guide to looking slimmer by dressing smarter!

Click here for a full album of the Sara Blaine for Willowhouse event.

Stay beautiful!

Our 1st Wedding Anniversary!

A year ago we got married and we wish we could go back to those beaches in The Riviera Maya or our honeymoon cooking in Crete...Our anniversary was on a Sunday and we were going to work the next day but we still celebrated in Houston and in style. We knew we wanted a couple's massage and a great dinner to celebrate.

My head band was actually a Vera Wang belt. It was so beautiful and intricate I decided to cut it and wear it on my hair the day of our wedding. Doesn't Migue look so handsome in his pink tie!? I planned on matching it with my lip color.

The bacon maple pancake anniversary cake by Petite Sweets (be sure to order 3 days in advance or they won't be able to make it!).

Goodies in the women's locker room at the Zaza Hotel spa. I tried everything on! I love discovering beauty products at a hotel.

The Zaza Hotel in the Theater District in Houston.

Where Can We get a Couple's Massage in Houston?

The day of our wedding we got the most relaxing aromatherapy couple's massage in Mexico so I decided to scour Houston in search of the classiest, most luxurious but still budget friendly package for us to enjoy. After comparing prices,massage rooms and reviews I picked the ZaSpa at the Zaza Hotel in The Theater District. To my surprise, not many spas are accomodated for a couple's massage.

The Experience

It all starts in the locker rooms with the steam room and the comfy robe. The bathroom is filled with products I've never tried and as a big beauty junkie I smell all the bottles and try a little bit of every thing.

At the ZaSpa we got an amazing Espresso Mud Scrub on our back, legs, arms (my favorite) and feet, while laying side by side in a dimly lit couples massage room. It was amaze-balls! I love coffee and it's supposed to have detoxifying properties for your skin as well as caffeine which gets rid of any puffiness and wakes you up! (Right before we went in they offered us some fruit infused water, super yummy and a great treat before any massage.)

After our scrub, you luckily get to take it off together (and very quickly might I add) inside a steamy hot shower that is inside the massage room.

The scrub was followed with a mimosa lotion massage for 30 minutes. I seriously could have fallen asleep on the massage table.

The Verdict

The hour and a half flew by and we were super sad to leave. We didn't want to get up or get dressed. After our massage, they let us hang out in our robes in an open area, rest on a bed and inhale some peppermint oxygen therapy which I have never done before but was very soothing.

We loved the ZaSpa and we definitely recommend it for any couples, friends, mother/daughters or sisters that want a few hours of relaxation and TLC. We'll definitely be coming back for more.

Our Dinner Date

It was either going to be Oxheart or Underbelly. You have to reserve at least a month in advance in either place to get a seat. We went for Underbelly and savored every bit of it. Pork belly with sweet & savory watermelon pieces and (the sometimes spicy) shishito peppers , my new veggie obsession

Moxie It Up!

I love a good lipstick. It immediately brightens up your face so never underestimate the power of lipstick!I went to a Sephora event for Moxie lipstick (made by BareMinerals) and fell in love with its smoothness and pigmented color that lasted through dinner.

Thank you Crystal for always being so much fun at these mini events!

The look Crystal created is called "The Stunner;" notice the difference between no lipstick and lipstick. Did you know their awesome Moxie lipstick has a plumping effect without the tingling? My lips look Angelinalicious! I also tried the Bare Minerals pressed powder which in the past I had not liked but this time I loved how how it just glided on my skin with a powder brush.Their mascara gets an awesome review, with a few strokes my eyes opened up and lashes didn't clump (they also have a waterproof version that I didn't try).

Having fun with my #MoxieItUp lips!

Stay Beautiful!

A Squeaky Clean Face!

Ever since the Clarisonic face brush came out I've been looking for alternatives because it was pricier. Here are the alternatives I found and the Clarisonic (yay! I finally got it!). The good, the bad and the ugly on 3 different brushes I tried.

The Sephora Manual Brush.

Rating: Great for starting a routine but not so great for lazy gals

My first choice naturally like at about $6 it definitely made a difference in my routine. But, if you get lazy you won't be doing it everyday at 6,000 revolutions (like a Clarisonic). Also, they're disposable, once the brushes get icky this brush gets tossed!

The Sirius Sonic Brush.

Rating: Not very popular but Budget Friendly

What I thought was truly going to be an alternative to buying a Clarisonic truly served its purpose for a while. The first days were puppy love and obsession with the Sirius Sonic. The problem is...I tried the Clarisonic and its smooth,soft bristles and vibrations on my skin and it left it baby-butt soft. The bristles on the Sirius Sonic get a little tough after a month or two. It uses two AA batteries and I never had to change them once I started using it.So that's a great quality.

Finally! The Clarisonic Mia 2

Rating: Pricy but a great investment in the long run

Truly worth waiting for. 2 speeds. One I use for face wash and the slower one for my bi-weekly face scrub. Never have my creams and serums melted into my skin as deliciously as they do after using the Clarisonic. I use the Clarisonic's smooth bristles all over my neck and chest as well. The ergonomic shape of the brush fits perfectly in my hand and doesn't slip in the shower. Brush replacements are a bit pricy and there's one for every type of skin. Truly an investment to make all your face products work so much better!

Stay beautiful!

Iconic Hair Care

I've been using these hair products for over a month particularly their India hair line and it's rich, amber musky scent is a spa experience in my steaming hot shower. I like to leave on their conditioner for a while to work it into my color treated hair. Their Argan hair oil is great for my split ends, and a little goes a long way on my straight,fine hair (if you have very fine hair like mine, don't apply at the roots or it will limp your hair-style!)

On the rest of my hair I'll apply their replenishing spray which is a lot lighter so it doesn't weight my hair down. Whether I decided to blow-dry it or let it air-dry my hair felt smooth and bouncy with a very light scent. I'm a heat addict (it gives me volume!)so I use their spray as a heat protectant and it makes my hair voluminous and manageable.

Tips: The India Argan oil is great as a treatment to protect your hair at the beach or pool. I like to drench my tips with some oil right before I lounge at the pool. It truly is a relaxing experience while laying in the sun and your strands will thank you. Carry the travel size replenishing spray with you and spray the rest of your hair with it where you didn't apply the oil.

Even though the products are not currently available in Texas you can visit their website , like their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @iconproducts for product updates and their behind the scenes at their Icon Salon Lab in L.A.

Interesting fact: Icon keeps it honest by being an Icon ECOTECH Concept Product: Sulfate-Free, Anti-Agers,Color Safe, Anti-Oxidants, Paraben-Free, Vegan, A, C, E Vitamins.

Pili Montilla, music and entertainment reporter in L.A. (check out her new music project: Te Para Tres ) always pays the Icon Salon Lab a visit to keep her blonde strands healthy, beautiful and camera ready! I can't wait to get to visit their salon in L.A. as well!

Photo from Pili Montilla's Facebook

For information on where to buy products directly or if it's available in your state call 800.951.ICON or e-mail ICON Director of Operations, Michelle Lepire mlepire@iconproducts.com for more information.

Stay Beautiful!

Dolce & Gabbana Make-Up Class

I love make-up and even though you might see me wearing hot pink lips or a deep plum lipstick I'm kind of scared of color on my eyes, specially if it's something I haven't used before. Let this post inspire you to wear pink and purple! This class took place at Saks and we got to pick out our make-up palette and put it on ourselves.

I highly recommend their Cleansing Oil, even for oily skin. The make-up artists told us about how this oil breaks down the oil in your skin and it really makes it feel great!
I've also been using their creamy foundation; one word: flawless and a little goes a long way.
The nail polish I got in my goody bag in "amethyst" is to die for and it stays on without chipping! Look at it here!
Have I inspired you to wear pink? I hope so!

Soft & Girly Spring Looks

Pink & Girly

Nars duo eyeshadow palette in Bouthan,NARS Eyeliner in Black Moon and NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Saint Honor

Soft and Sophisticated

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion in Sin and the classic Urban Decay eyeshadow palette in NAKED

These are two very wearable looks that can transition from day to night. I love how Crystal (the Sephora make-up artist) managed to use the NARS palette from the new summer color collection and use my favorite color so delicately, I was so scared of using pink on my eyes! It was a first! TIP: Combine your blue and black eyeliners to make your eyes pop!

The smoky shadow/natural look was also a first and using the Urban Decay NAKED palette she created this amazing brownish smoky eye! Smoky eyes don't always have to be black. Another thing: we did not apply liner of the bottom lash line. This makes it day-friendly make-up. Add some liner to the bottom lash when you grab cocktails with your friends at night. Tip: Using the Urban Decay eyelid primer in SIN makes your shadow stick, essential for a smashing smoky eye.This primer in particular is a new discovery that I love! Both looks were created by Crystal Mateos in the Meyerland SEPHORA inside JCP. Thanks Crystal!

Stay Beautiful!

My Skin Update & Meet Your Skin Specialist

Last week I visited IOMA to get my skin analyzed and found out I had some redness in my skin and some clogged pores. This week, Jessica, the skin specialist at IOMA, along with the IOMASPHERE suggested the 4 IOMA moisturizer which soothes redness and swelling. Not only did the moisturizer tone down the redness in my skin it also made my make-up wear so much longer during the day, without retouching, even in this Houston humidity.

Me inside the IOMASPHERE, getting my face analyzed!

I also got the privilege of experiencing a facial with Jessica and my face was soft and looked brighter the day after. I had also woken up that day with a rash on the side my face, probably a reaction to some other product I was using and it completely disappeared the day after. The facial is completely non invasive and 100% relaxing; it made my skin feel hydrated and soothed.

Meet Jessica

Jessica, the skin specilist at IOMA inside Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria trained at the London School of Beauty and Make Up in 2009. She's also been trained by the IOMA French specialists in Houston that ensure her techniques and knowledge are of the highest standard.

She's originally from South Africa (which you will notice from her lovely accent), the home of Bio-oil(the popular and miraculous oil that helps with scars, skin problems and dryness).Her goal at IOMA with every client is to personalize a skincare treatment and regime to the specific needs and lifestyle of each individual.

Jessica's skin really glows! She uses an IOMA skincare regimen and never sleeps with her make-up on.

Jessica's current favorites:

Lipstick- MAC lipstick

Face Cleanser- Ioma Moisturizing Cleansing Milk

Hair product- My hot rollers and anything by Fekkai

Skin lotion- Ioma Youthful Moisture Cream Day and Night

Hand lotion- Ioma Cocoon Hand Cream (I keep this in my car and my husband loves it too!)

Visit the IOMA counter at Saks Fifth Avenue for a skin analysis and complimentary 3 day trial samples. No purchase necessary.

For the purchase of an IOMA product you get a complimentary facial by Jessica at the SAKS spa room.

Stay Beautiful!