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

Organizing your medicine cabinet

There's really no medicine in my medicine cabinet. There's a mess, that's for sure. I have all sorts of beauty products that need to be visible to me so I can actually use them.

I found these cool little plastic organizers at Target for $6.99 and they work like a charm. Makes my medicine cabinet look like a beauty junkie's little haven for facial masks, toners, moisturizers and peels (did you notice three of my products say 'peel'? LOL) So, get busy and clean up that mess, your face will thank you,oh-and your husband will too if he's OCD.

Stay Beautiful!

What's Inside Carla Valencia's Beauty Bag?

Carla Valencia is the creative editor in chief at 002houston magazine, a publication that keeps Houston updated on the hip, current and cool happenings in the city. This loving wife and mother of a gorgeous toddler always manages to look fresh-faced and fashionable. With a sneak peak inside her make-up bag, I found out her minimalistic approach towards her skin care and her self-proclaimed "lip stuff obsession."

Make-Up Bag by Kate Spade, a gift from Carla's sister Bea. Are you loving the hashtag as much as I am?

1) Is there a certain beauty regimen or skin care line that you swear by?

It changes. But I am currently in my longest beauty relationship with La Prairie. I've never gotten as many compliments on my skin as I do now. My cleanser regimen hasn't changed since I discovered Japanese Yu-Be. I alternate washing my face with Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish and Derma Topix's 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Wash.

2) What is something you like to indulge in?

Massages with Kim Hamilton!

3) As the mommy of gorgeous toddler Pascual,how has your beauty routine changed?

It hasn't really! I still use all the same things and seem to have the same time I had before, except now it's more fun because usually Pascual is hanging out with me in the bathroom dancing around to Bruno Mars' 'Locked out of Heaven' while I put my face on!

4) Any beauty mishaps while growing up?

Um,yes. You've seen that Letter from the Editor picture of me from 10 years ago when my eyebrows were waxed WAY TOO THIN!

5) If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring 3 beauty essentials, what would you pick?

By Terry lip treatment, Yu-Be Foaming skin polish and LaVanilla's Vanilla/Grapefruit deodorant.

6) Is there anything beauty related that you would not try because you think it's too outrageous?

Not if I get an editorial sample! Ha! Ha!

7) Who is your beauty icon and why?

My mom, because I remember watching her get ready when I was little. She's always been so elegant and timeless. We have SUCH different tastes which is odd since I've always wanted to grow up and be just like her!Ha! Ha! We have such different skin; from our coloring, to sensitivity, etc. But she's always perfectly done. Never too much, never too little...I can't say the same for me all the time!

Carla's Beauty Choices

FACE La Prairie Extrait of Skin Caviar Firming Complex leaves my skin with the perfect texture to apply long lasting makeup.

LIPS Lip balms with super natural color - By Terry, Korres and Kiehl's

BROWS Eyelast+eyebrow brush to keep me groomed & Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil + Speed Brow to keep them in place.

COLOR Estee Lauder shimmer powder in a limited edition. I don't know what I'm going to do when it runs out! It's the perfect bronze shimmer to keep me looking sun kissed even when I'm not.

EYES Jouer eye shadow in Cappuccino

Thank you for sharing your beauty blunders and obsessions Carla!

Want to keep up with Carla and 002houston?

Follow their instagrams: @valencarla & @002houston

Beautiful Reflections

This semester in college proves to be the hardest one yet. I have an internship that I attend to in the morning and I go to school in the evening right up to 9pm at night. I am a firm believer though that when you want something you have to work hard to get it, even if it means dinner at 10pm with the hubby (he waits for me with dinner! How sweet is he?), writing papers on the weekends and falling asleep right smack at 9pm and not wanting to party.

The thing is, ambition has always taken me great places and this time it's no exception. Three years and a half ago when I moved to Houston I thought my professional and personal life had gone down the drain (I was only 24 but I can be very dramatic); no plans, no friends and no job. Three years after, I'm writing my own beauty blog, I'm learning so much including how to shoot beauty products at HCC college (with a 3.9 GPA may I brag) and loving every minute of it.

Amazing people have come into my life(you know who you are!) and amazing people have stayed(my hometown buddies who are always in my heart), I have an internship at 002houston magazine that is teaching me so much about photography, writing, beauty (because in reality, you never really stop learning) and gaining me new friends.

And did I mention I married my best friend and better half recently?

There is one common thread in all of this: I've been working really hard and incessantly to make it all happen which makes these three and a half years that I've struggled in one way or another totally worth it.I'd like to quote my hubby on something he told me when I told him I felt really happy about my life right now but was so scared to be too happy (I know, it's stupid! LOL) which is why I wrote this entry: "You have to be happy for what you have right now and enjoy it and keep working hard on what you want, and everything will be alright". I'm going to go ahead, take a deep sigh and do just that.

Sorry for the unusually long post this Sunday night! I was too inspired by the hustle and bustle of my weekdays.Hey, and what do you all think of my product shots? I'm in love with them and can't wait to shoot more!

Stay Beautiful!

#Gaga4Gaga

My younger brother and his bestie,Caroline, are seeing Lady Gaga tonight in concert and they are utterly psyched! She has to be their ultimate idol because last night they withstood 39 degree weather with their Snuggies and uncomfy folded chairs so they could score some special "Monster Pit" bracelets (aka Lady Gaga-esque mosh pit). This will grant them a front row view of all the action! So exciting! By the way, considering we are in Houston I hope Beyonce makes an appearance to sing with Queen Gaga herself. Almost makes me remember my concert hopping ways back in Honduras when I was a teen...

I got to have a little fun and do some make-up on Caroline inspired by Lady Gaga for the concert tonight.Doesn't she look amazing?

I used my favorite L'Oreal liquid liner pen for the eye art and a limited edition Victoria's Secret palette and mixed two colors for her lips.

Stay Beautiful!

Starting 2013 with a Bang!

I've had bangs in the past but since my internship at an awesome magazine in Houston is coming up I decided to renew my relationship with my bangs!

Wispy and easy to style, these bangs slim a round face like mine.

What do you think?

Cocktailing (Part I)

Cocktailing (verb) The act of mixing cosmetics to create exciting, customized beauty products.

On a recent visit to an Estee Lauder counter my eyes were tired from staying up late the night before (blame it on SANTACON!). They offer Signature Services (free mini make-overs on the spot!). One of them is a Fatigue Fighter for eyes. At the end of the service my eyes looked rested, brighter and just much better!

DD, the consultant explained everything she was doing step by step. (Apply concealer after applying foundation, you will apply less concealer if you do it in this order.)

1) Using the Cooling Eye Illuminator' s (an awesome depuffing and highlighting creation) unique ergonomic applicator, apply around both eyes. Avoid your tear ducts and the inside of your eyes. (Tip: Don't overdo it with the amount of product. The cooling applicator feels so nice and cold under eyes though, this you can overdo!)

2) Next, put two pearl size amounts of the Cooling Eye illuminator and same amounts for the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concelear on the front part of your hand and mix!

3) Using a concealer brush, dab this concoction around all your eye area. Don't be scared to extend this over your upper cheek and side of your nose. Just remember to blend it well into your skin. You don't have to use all the product mixed on your hand, use what you need.

4) Using a big powder brush, seal with mineral or translucent powder. Avoid using pressed powder because it may come on too heavy and make your eyes look wrinkly.

There! Our first lesson of cocktailing and beautiful eyes!

My Interview Makeup (and cute outfit!)

Last week I went to an interview for an internship I really, really want. Lucky for me, it was unusually chilly in Houston and I got to wear tights and my favorite boots. My hubby picked out the dress, I accessorized with a leopard-print berry purple scarf and my green vintage earrings (a birthday gift from my friend Michelle). My make-up was lots of mascara,black liquid liner and berry lips. What do you think?

"Beauty with a Purpose"

Meet Nicole, an Austin,Texas native and the successful creator of the Radiant Cosmetics line. She is sweet, bubbly and a self-proclaimed "eye shadow girl" and she's on a mission:

Nicole created an awesome fusion with the creation of this cosmetic line, her passion for make-up and her desire to help women who have suffered this misfortune. Unfortunately, 80% of the people being trafficked are women and girls.

Every time you buy one of their awesome gel liners, lipsticks, mineral make-up, blush (shown above) or eyeshadow,Radiant Cosmetics gives 20% of their profits to Redeemed Ministries who provide support and rehabilitation to victims of human traficking.

To learn more about human trafficking and how it not only affects women but kids and men of all walks of life, to check out their on-line shop or just donate to the cause visit their website.Some of their products are currently available at Myth & Symbol in Rice Village in Houston.

Photo of Nicole by Nicole Kestenbaum

Product Photography taken from Radiant Cosmetics website