SiO Beauty

This post contains products that were sent to me by Sio Beauty. The thoughts expressed below are all my own. 

Something I've been self-conscious about since my early twenties are the lines that have formed on my chest. I thought it was due to sun exposure, but the real culprit is that I am a consistent side-sleeper. I can't sleep on my back nor stomach, and I spend countless nights tossing and turning from side to side. The results are massive lines running down my decollete and chest (in a word, gravity is my problem). They don't go away either. I often tell Nate NOT to take close up photos of pretty necklaces I wear in my outfit posts because I'm so embarrassed of these noticeable wrinkles. I also don't use photoshop, so what you see is what you get.

When I was contacted by a representative from Sio Beauty about trying a product designed to lessen the appearance of these wrinkles, I knew I had to!

I was sent two products that promised to smooth my wrinkles overnight. The first are the cleansing pads. I used one pad per night on my chest and cleavage area to ensure that the product would adhere properly to my skin and to get rid of any oils or residue from the day. After a few quick swipes, I then applied the skinpad to my chest where the lines are most visible.


The skinpad is made from silicone and oxygen. According to the website, "these basic atoms are crosslinked with hydrogen and carbon, helping your skin to hydrate, plump, and smooth itself." The great thing about the pad is that it didn't feel constricting. I honestly didn't even know that it was there. That was my main concern with the pad - I wasn't convinced it would feel comfortable during sleep and I thought it would move every time I did. Fortunately, the pad stayed in place. They are reusable too, which is super convenient. I just run them under water for a few seconds, pat dry, and store them on the sheet that they arrived on.

Before

Wearing the pad the next morning before removing it

After

I'm incredibly impressed with the results If you've read here before, you probably know that I have dry, irritated skin. Moisture is my best friend, and these pads are perfect for providing that. Because of my eczema, I have to constantly hydrate and keep up with a good skincare routine in order to prevent any further issues. I never realized that wrinkles would be a big part of that as well. In the before and after, there is a noticeable difference in the smoothness of my skin. You can see where the pad previously had been placed, and if anything, I'd want a larger pad. I'd use them everywhere! My skin also felt much more supple in comparison to the rest of my body. There was some redness for a about 15 minutes but that disappeared. I would definitely recommend this product and will be buying some with my own money once the weather warms up and I need to break out my bathing suit. I wish I had these for my wedding day when I wore my sweetheart neckline dress. Oh well, now I know. Pricing is $99.95 for a single purchase, or there is an option for auto-delivery every 30, 60, or 90 days at $69.95. Something worth thinking about if you have a special event coming up, or if you are like me and just want a smoother appearance in that area.


What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

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Moto Style

Wearing //

whowhatwear collection jacket

Express top

Topshop jeans, love these

Steve Madden booties

Rebecca Minkoff bag 

Kendra Scott necklace & ring

In keeping with my supercross theme from last weekend, I was so electrified by the race that I decided to keep the love for the sport going on the following day. I see many of my friends wearing similar outfits, so I really have them to thank for the inspiration (in particular Gina, who wears booties, moto jackets, and jeans on the daily).

I have writer's block at the moment so here are some things that are on my radar lately:

• Listening to Lana Del Rey on full blast in my car.
• Catching up with friends (I plan on writing a post about that in the coming weeks).
• Getting cozy in my bed because when the weather is gloomy, all I want to do is lounge and sleep. 
• Working out and moving my body, although I guess this contradicts my above desire.
• I started school this week so hopefully my writer's block will disappear. I hate writing pointless posts! 

And quotes I have saved for your motivational pleasure: 

• "She is at a place in her life where peace is her priority and negativity cannot exist"
• "When I accept myself, I am freed from the burden of needing you to accept me"
• "Practice the pause. When in doubt, pause. When angry, pause. When tired, pause. When stressed, pause. And when you pause, pray"

This by Stephen Hawking is my favorite: "So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes a universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up"

Happy Friday friends <3 div="">

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Date Night at the Races

Wearing//

H&M blazer, check stores

StyleSaint via Sole Society tank & shoes

Express bralette

Old Navy jeans

Stella & dot bracelet

Gorjana rings

Nate and I went to the 2017 opening of Supercross in Orange County on Saturday. We took these pictures at my favorite spot, hopped in the car and drove for about an hour, and then went to dinner by the stadium. I probably could have worn this, but instead changed into a coat and sensible flats before heading in to watch the races. I'm so proud of Nate for the work he's done building parts for some of the bikes that these athletes depend on. I get starstruck by the riders pretty easily, while Nate simply sees it as a job. I don't know how he does it. He's such a logical and methodical thinker, while I guess I'm more creative. We sat in the industry section by the field, and it was difficult for me to keep my composure while being SO close to some of the riders and their families. None of it fazed Nate. I can understand his view in some ways, but can't in others. It would be like me styling a model for Rachel Zoe, or getting offered a job to write for an online fashion magazine. Or doing work for a big beauty brand that I've admired. Translation - I would be freaking out! I guess we balance each other in that way. Giddy schoolgirl versus Mr. cool, calm, and collected.

One quick style note about this tank; size down! This is a small but I could have gone with an extra small because of its plunging neckline. I do love the trend though, especially for a fun night out. Many actresses were showing quite a bit of cleavage on the red carpet for the Golden Globes. You can catch the pun there right? 😉

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Beauty Products With Instant Gratification

Most of the time, I take my duty very seriously in regards to testing beauty products I've either purchased myself or have been sent to by a company. I'll use them for at least a few weeks, maybe even months, before I feel comfortable giving you my opinion. New products come out at rapid speed, and it's been ages since I've had the desire to keep up with every whim. Trying out new things is fun of course, but I also enjoy having a small collection of products that I love and use frequently. I feel an obligation to be honest with you guys. If I don't like something, I write it! That's the reason behind blogging, isn't it? I'm not a beauty editor nor makeup artist, just an average consumer.

 Once in awhile, I buy on impulse and when that product happens to be amazing, it's instant gratification. I am compelled to share.

Here are two completely impulsive-I-really-didn't-need-this buys that I've been using daily since stumbling upon them.

Kai Perfume Oil

While Nate and I were in San Clemente last week, I popped into a local boutique right next to our favorite bar. The clothes were alright, the jewelry was meh, but this perfume oil caught my attention right away. I've heard of it before. If you've ever smelled plumeria, then you know this scent well. This is actually made in Hawaii, and its namesake Kai, means ocean or ocean water, in Hawaiian. Anything that reminds me of my favorite place is a winner in my world. Smelling like Hawaii will cost you though - this little oil was $48 dollars, a small price to pay for a daily reminder of the islands. Cheaper than a plane ticket, but not nearly as cool. Still, I'll take it. I can't go there as often as I'd like, so this will suffice. Talk about a memory trigger. The best part is that the scent lasts a full day. I use the roller ball on my pulse points and behind my ears.

M.A.C. Soft Frost

With flash

Without flash

What is it with me and highlighting powders? One, maybe two, should be enough but somehow shiny products that promise to make me look like a glowing newborn babe suck me in. This is part of a collection by M.A.C. but they are permanent. This is an "extra dimension skinfinish" in "soft frost" and my God is it good. Do you know the look of aurora borealis crystals in the light? That's what this reminds me of. It comes across as a golden white at first glance, but when you catch the light, the effect is more like a violet blue. I'm telling you, don't be afraid of these. I've read reviews where people spoke about them being glittery or too unnatural but I don't understand that conclusion. I've worn it in my last three outfit posts and although you can't really tell, I swear it adds the perfect amount of ethereal shine. My goal is to get a good picture of it on my cheeks soon, so stay tuned for that.

Do you ever buy beauty products on impulse? 

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Happy New Year

Wearing //

Old Express dress purchased on ebay

Macy's duster coat, similar

Rebecca Minkoff bag, gifted from Carylee

Asos pumps, similar here and here

Kendra Scott ring, I have this one too

Stella & Dot sparkle studs

Happy 2017! Did you guys have a great holiday week? I certainly did. I went to the snowy mountains one day, followed by the ocean the next. California is pretty cool in that sense. Nate had the entire week off so we tried to fit in as many activities as we could. We also spent a lot of time getting together with friends and family, which we had been neglecting for a couple months.

And, he turned 35 on December 30th so I planned a night out in San Diego where I wore this little number. Unfortunately it rained that day, but the weather didn't stop us from having a wonderful time and dancing the night away. The last time we went to a club was in Vegas so it was a treat to let loose.

I know a lot of people are writing about their goals and resolutions for this year. I've never been into resolutions in the traditional sense, but I do think they assist in keeping you accountable. It's tremendously important to have a clear focus, otherwise the same old habits continue to confine us. I need optimism now more than ever. I already mentioned some of my thoughts on Instagram, but here's the general gist:

• Be a better human being. 
• Get back into shape (I already started this yesterday but I know it's the most cliche resolution out there. I have to admit that having a blog where I've seen my weight go up over the years can sometimes make me feel extremely self-conscious and ashamed).
• Continue school and get my certificate in writing/copy editing/digital media.
• Travel a bit more. We'd like to explore the country since neither one of us really have. On the list is the Grand Canyon, Utah, Napa, D.C. and...anywhere but here really. Not that we don't love Cali but there is a lot more to see!
• I say this every year but I'd like to read more.
• Change what I can, accept what I can't. 
• Don't let what other people do, say, or think get under my skin. I am who I am, you either like it or you don't and the same goes for others. 
• Start trying for a baby this Summer.
• Above all else, be a better human being.

You can read my post at this time in 2016 here if you care to look back. I think you will find it very interesting considering what I wrote!

I do have a positive feeling about this year, something I haven't felt in a long time. It's a fresh start, a clean slate. It's up to us how we spend our time. I hope you'll continue to spend some of yours here with me 😊

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Best of Beauty 2016

This is my last post of 2016! Hard to believe that the year will be over in a blink, but so it goes like this every December. Similar to my round-up of style last week, I wanted to share my favorite beauty products that I reached for time and time again. I hope this gives you some ideas if you're wanting to try new products. I recommend these to anyone! If you have any specific questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be happy to give a detailed description.

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