Catalina Island

A BIRTHDAY GETAWAY TO CATALINA ISLAND!

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Everyone deserves a vacation where you can unplug, reset, and refuel. 

Everyone needs A BIRTHDAY GETAWAY TO CATALINA ISLAND! It’s the season of the Aries!!!! There have been a lot of birthdays this month, my own included! Our most recent celebration took us to Catalina Island for a surprise birthday getaway for our friend Brittany, and some extra celebrating for myself 😉 I can’t even describe how gorgeous it is there!

The closest thing to a personal island getaway from our home in L.A., is Catalina Island! If you’ve never been, it’s about a 40 minute drive to the dock in Long Beach from Los Angeles, then we took a 45 minute boat ride to Catalina. I’m telling you, everyone deserves a vacation where you can unplug, reset, and refuel. It was just what we all needed and it couldn’t have been any more perfect!
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The hotel was nestled right in the middle of town, surrounded by huge vibrant flowers and families of succulents. We even sat by the fire the night we arrived and went on the prowl for smores!

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DSC09673We stayed at the Pavilion, just a five minute walk from the pier and a hop and a skip away from the beach front restaurants and sand! P.S. They have the world’s best continental breakfast complete with the usual suspects from brekky and an assortment of fruit, pastries, and the best lattes!

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This point here is actually where I got scuba certified last year, I mean just look at how clear the water is, so beautiful. This view was just a short walk from the hotel to the beach where you see the casino and surrounding boats, sadly we didn’t spot any bison on this trip! Next time!

Check out the video capturing our time in this beautiful place, up on my channel now!

These pictures only show you how beautiful the island is and where we stayed, but wait until you see what we got to do while we were there! Huge thank you to my beautiful and uber talented friend Brittany who took these photos! Happy birthday Brit, we love you!

It was so nice to have spent time with friends that know us and get us and I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else! Do you have friends that just GET you and that you’d be neighbors with for life just to exchange morning chats and giggle fests with?

If you’ve never been to Catalina I hope you get to make your way there and check out the island and everything it has to offer. There’s so much to do and see there, and it inspired me to relaunch my travel series! Stay tuned and happy week to you!!!

 

3 EASY FIXES TO MOVE ON FROM THE ‘MOM’ LOOK

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I’m a mom. I live for convenience and I’ll choose comfort over cute any day because, time saver. I love my yoga pants, I love my flip-flops, and I love big over sized sweaters that make me feel cozy. Corrine however will tell you that I’ve got to RETIRE the uggs and step away from the flip-flops!

So today I’m sharing with you Corrine’s top 3 easy fixes to move on from the ‘mom’ look … and move into sassy, trendy, and fashionable! When I say ‘mom look’, I’m referring to the ‘I ran out of the door fuss free I have errands to run and no time for vanity’ look. You know, the moments when you go to the gym (or dress like you’ll be going to the gym but never really actually make it there) in your athletic gear and tennis shoes and then you live the rest of your day in the same types of clothes. Comfort and convenience!


Well here are the simple, affordable, and practical ways in which you can elevate your look and still feel like you’re ready to walk the grocery aisle and not the runway aisle.

1. Accessorize- even the smallest addition to your outfit will dress up even the most casual of ensembles. Here I have this beautiful long necklace that my good friend Stephanie gave me for my birthday and the color is a beautifully muted light purple hue. Simple and elegant.

2. Swap your flip-flops for chic slip ons -this may seem like a no brainer but for the longest time I couldn’t let go of them! Wedges or slip ons are the perfect alternative!

3. Invest in outerwear- I’m the first person to grab an oversized faded sweater, holey or not, and make a dodge for the door. But if you top your outfit with a cute cardigan, pullover, button up, or jacket, you’ll look more put together and less like you just rolled out of bed. You can still enjoy those comfortable outfits, just take them to the next level!

Try implementing these easy changes into your every day casual wardrobe options and see if they don’t make you feel any better about your basics! I promise it will!

What’s the one staple item in your closet that you just refuse to abandon? I’ll raise my glass to yoga pants. I just can’t seem to get through a week without them!

WHY TRADITIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT- EASTER EDITION

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When Corrine was little and we were really poor, no matter how much money I had or didn’t have – I always made sure she had her holidays. I made sure of that because, tradition. Not to start this post off all heavy and serious, but that was my life. It’s still a struggle being a parent sometimes but in different ways.

Holidays will always be special to us and it doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to make a day remarkable. Today I wanted to share with you our lil family’s Easter tradition!

 

” … it doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to make a day remarkable” 

I should totally put that text on a teeshirt or mug 😉 So I texted Corrine on Easter morning (because ya know, millennial mom over here) and told her, “come out to the kitchen I have a surprise for you”. I’m like so cool right?! I placed this creepy yet super yummy bunny-shaped pancake on her plate with butterscotch candies for its eyes and mouth, and a cinnamon candied nose. She also got a bowl of fruit, a glass of milk, and a chocolate bar. Happily my lil angel face came to the table and merrily ate her lil pancake because we’re all 4 years old in this house!


I usually stay up late the night before Easter to tuck fake green grass under Corrine’s door and bunny prints that lead from her door to the living room, which guide her to a huge basket full of goodies. This year we were super busy so while I was making bunny pancakes, Joe ran to the grocery store to get candy and fruit! Team work makes the dream work! We did it and our girl was a happy girl!


We dyed eggs, we ate yumminess, and then we took Corrine hiking to a spot she wanted to explore! It was full of rolling hills and poppy flowers, though we missed the poppy field part thanks to California’s drought. Then we ended the day with Taco Bell and ice cream because as grown up as my Corriney is, she’s still a kid at heart, my baby forever- and she eats pizza and ice cream about 3-4 times a week! I love it! Oh to have the metabolism of an 18 year old!

I love establishing traditions with the three of us because it used to be just Corrine and I. It’s a beautiful thing to bring Joe into our day to day and especially into our holidays. It’s really special to me, the memories that we’re creating together- as a family, and that makes me so damn happy.

What are some traditions that you have with your family or your friends? Or even your special someone that only the two of you do!

If you don’t have any traditions yet start one, and I hope this inspired you to do some team building activities with your loved ones <333

 

 

THE BEST GUILT FREE SPANISH RICE RECIPE!

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Ever since I started bootcamp last week all I’ve been craving is sweet rice, fried rice, loaves of bread, slices of bread … ya know, carbs. All the carbs!

So what better way to indulge in all of my favorite comfort foods than to make them from scratch, at home, as a healthier alternative! Today we’re making guilt free Spanish rice and to say it’s fulfilling is an understatement.

“I just want all the carbs!”

What you’ll need:

  • 2 cups brown rice
  • cumin
  • black pepper
  • chunky sugar free salsa
  • vegetable broth
  • Flavor God’s Everything Garlic
  • green onion
  • red onion
  • coconut oil
  • garlic


Method:
In a small sauce pan sauté red onion, green onion, and garlic in coconut oil. Add 3 cups water and 4 cups vegetable broth and 2 cups brown rice. We are almost doubling the usual amount of liquids it would take to make rice because, brown rice. For me it just wasn’t fluffy enough and if you’d like it fluffier than just add in more liquid.

Then toss in 1 Tbl spoon cumin, black pepper to your taste, dump in the salsa, and season to your liking. Bring all of that to a rolling boil, stir once, cover, and lower the heat. I allow the lid to sit just slightly ajar so that some steam can escape. It takes about 20-30 minutes depending on how fluffy you like your rice.

Enjoy!


I topped this with some sriracha and avocado, whipped up a mix of shrimp, garlic, grape tomatoes, green onion, lemon juice, and vegan butter and TADAAA! The world’s yummiest dinner! And it’s so satisfying and healthy! You’ve got your protein, your healthy fat, and your good carb! Do it!

My next recipe will be a pizza you won’t be able to resist, so let me know if you try this! Is there an indulgent recipe you’d like me to try and make a healthy version of? 

Let me know I love cooking!!!

 

TOP 3 THINGS TO DO WITH AVOCADO!!!

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I’m that girl! Any time anyone talks about avocado and its many uses, I go, “oh I put it on everything!” But I really do! My hair, my skin, my food, I just put it on anything I can.

I love that avocado is not only delicious but it also has beauty benefits when applied topically.  So today I’m going to share with you my top 3 favorite things to do with avocado!


Just like with most of my meals, we’ll just start with dessert first! So this is a healthy version of pudding, a cocoa avocado pudding! Now this doesn’t taste exactly like the pudding you get in the lil plastic cups at the grocery store! But it IS just as creamy and for me, when I’m craving something chocolatey and indulgent, this does the trick!

You’ll need:
– 2 large avocados
– 6-8 Tbsp agave or honey
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup cocoa powder
– coconut flakes for garnish
– 1/4 skim milk
– coarse salt to taste

Method:
Into your food processor, toss in the peeled and pitted avocados along with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth, chill for an hour and ENJOY! Garnish each bowl with coconut flakes and some salt, you’re in for a treat! Joe says he’d rather not mix chocolate with a vegetable, but I say … don’t knock it ’til you try it!


Next up, a hydrating mask that will leave you feeling moisturized, refreshed, and smooth! The natural oils in avocado mixed with a few ingredients you can find in your pantry make a wonderfully whipped up cocktail for your hair and skin!


For this you can use any variation you fancy, but I like to keep it simple, just avocado and honey! I put all of it into a bowl and smash it up! Then I apply it to my face for ten minutes and my hair for 30 minutes. Rinse and relish in the softness!

You can add in coarse sugar for a nice face scrub! Then when you rinse it off your skin, massage gently, and you’ll exfoliate and hydrate all at the same time!


Oh the yummiest thing to do ever! Take a ripe avocado, plop it onto your favorite toast, spread it around, crack some black pepper and Himalayan pink salt on top. Eat. Repeat until all the foods are gone! This is the best thing to do before a work out for me, it’s super filled and fuels me for my weight training!

Give these a try and let me know what you think! What is your favorite thing to do with avocados? I’ll try them all!

DRUNKEN LEPRECHAUN BALLS – A ST. PADDY’S DAY STORY

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Today’s the day of green pancakes, green beer, pinching, and Irish kisses! In honor of my partial heritage … I’m half Irish ya know … I decided I’d make some shortbread yumminess with a twist of holiday, and a festive mason jar that you can give away or keep for yourself!

If ever you needed a reason to drench everything in whiskey, here’s your chance.


Notice the bottle of Jameson, it’s drunk and should go home, but before I get into the debauchery of our dessert dish, I’ll share with your my St. Patrick’s day munchie filled mason jar! I got this festive jar at Target for $0.99, yes under a dollar for this cuteness and I filled it with the world’s softest and most sugary sprinkled cookies I could find because, time saver.


Keep it for yourself or take it in to work or school and give it to someone as a gift, a sort of Valentine’s Day-esque kind of exchange and it’ll be sure to make them smile … I mean, it’s a sugar cookie! 😀

Moving on to the drunken story part of it all, these are Drunken Leprechaun Balls, I got the recipe from Pinterest and it’s rich like a fudge and creamy … like a shortbread dipped in powdered sugar and drenched in whiskey would be. Side note, these cookies are not minor friendly, you don’t cook the alcohol out at all, in fact you can really taste the whiskey in them which is awesome for adult whiskey lovers, not so awesome for 21<ers.


The taste of these reminded me of Italian wedding cookies except less crunchy and more tipsy! I’m sure you can make these without the alcohol, perhaps a sugary substitute or milk would work? Turn to Google if you want to recreate these for your family or the work place and let me know how they turn out! P.S. yes that would be a light up four leaf clover necklace, because why be at a bar if you can’t glow in the dark.

To see me make these live and in action, here is the video on my YouTube channel! Please Subscribe if you haven’t, more recipes to come on our Pinterest DIY-not series 😀

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday, as a mom it’s my duty to tell you not to drink and drive and to not let your friends do it either, so I’ll step off my soap box now and give you a half Irish green hug. Green like the color not green like the clean.

What are you doing today or this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do you have a tradition like green pancakes or green beer? Let me know xx

HOW TO GIRL’S NIGHT

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When I hear ‘Netflix and chill’, my ideal scenario looks a lil something like a bottle of vino, a cheese platter, assorted chocolates, and a rom com. Yes a romance comedy y’all! Not necessarily my fiancé’s idea of the phrase but hey, today is all about how to properly Girl’s Night!

Step 1: Call up all your best girls (or text, who even calls anymore)
Step 2: Stock up on your go to beverage … I either grab for vodka or wine and one of my favorites right now is a buttery white wine, La Crema.
Step 3: Snack time. The usual suspects are an assortment of cheeses, butter crackers, and some fruit for the wine like pomegranate seeds or blue berries! Don’t forget the chocolates, pairing wine and chocolates is one of the yummiest combinations – preferably ones with almonds in them nommms!
Step 4: Eat, drink, be merry, repeat.


Girls night, date night, time by myself to read or draw, this combination is hands down my preferred method of winding down the day … I mean cheese and wine! All your missing is the bread and ice-cream!

What is your favorite snack/beverage combo for a Netflix and chill night? You can never have too many treats to choose from!

Now go enjoy that vino!

What’s In My Bag? With Corrine

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Hello all, Corrine here with a little update with what’s in my bag! I haven’t posted anything in awhile, but it is safe to say I am making  a comeback to the Jess Lizama blog.

With that said, I’d like to start off by giving you the latest peek of what I’m carrying around in my bag these days. With so much adventuring to do, I like to keep my bag simple and light.

Recently, rings and kitschy pins have found their way into my list of obsessions. I like to carry around this little white enamel compact because it’s perfect for corralling bits and bobs. It also comes in handy for storing loose change, Advil, and whatever else you want for safekeeping. I purchased it for $3 at a thrift store, along with the fun heart “Jesus” pin for just $1.

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No matter how cool I try to look without sunnies, I know I just cannot look as cool compared to when I do wear them. If you’re like me and have a solid collection of sunnies to choose from on the daily, then you probably have a few vintage pairs lying around too! They’re a must have.


I don’t know about you, but I cannot leave the house without a pocket journal. There are too many brilliant thoughts, random ideas, and little notes that pass me by everyday. Plus, journals were pretty much invented for flower pressing, and I personally think everyone should press flowers between any set of pages they can get their hands on. I also gather inspiration by talking to my friends and family, and sometimes someone will say something so perfect or inspiring that I just have to write it down and keep it forever. I would recommend everyone keep a journal, even if its as tiny as this one (that I stole from my mom.) It is a way of documenting your magic!

Not photographed here is my tiny travel-sized bottle of Chloe, which has been my favorite scent for years. Something I always carry around besides lipstick is a perfume rollerball or travel-sized one like the tiny Chloe, because smelling great is a priority.

Lastly, I just recently picked up this fabulous baby blue fringed bag by Rebecca Minkoff and would just like to take the opportunity to swoon. The leather fringes add just the right amount of edge to a simple outfit, while the small frame and baby blue color give off a perfectly tailored and effortless vibe.

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That’s all for today, and I hope you liked it! What helps you keep a documentation of inspiration? And what are your top five items that live in your bag?

xx, Corrine

THE PERFECT SMOKEY EYE WITH CIATE’S OLIVIA PALERMO PALETTE!

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This is the easiest and most beautiful ‘smokey eye’ look that can be transformed from day wear to date night! Using the Ciate London’s Olivia Palermo palette – which by the way has the most beautiful textured packaging – and a few of my favorite products you can get this look in just a few minutes!

The eye shadows in this palette are rich and highly pigmented so you can really play with the intensity of whatever look you’re going for.


Since I’m using multiple shadows I want to prime my lids so that the colors don’t crease or fade. I use my fingertips to rub that in from my lash line to my brow bone, and remember that a little goes a long way!


Using a crease brush and #1 in the palette, pack the color on from your lash line up into your crease, creating a wash of color and a nice base with this matted light purple.


Adding dimension now, load up a short dense brush with this darker burgundy/purple #2 color. Start from the middle of your lid and apply the shadow right over that base color, only working the color into the outer half of your lid- from your lash line into your crease.


Using the same brush and the #3 color, a shimmery hunter green, create a cat eye effect drawing the shadow up and out, from your outer lash line up toward your temple. Don’t drag it out to your temple, but use this as a reference of direction, drawing it up like a wing.


Continue to blend that color into your crease, stopping at the halfway point on your lid. I like to focus my darker colors in this outer half of my eye so that you really get that intense ‘cat eye’ effect without going full smokey-eye over your entire lid.



Use your concealer brush to wipe away any fall out and to emphasize that line of color we drew for a clean look.


I like to use a fluffy brush to kind of marry all of the colors together and blend away any harsh lines.

Using an angled brush I dipped it into the #5 shimmery taupe color and applied that below my brows onto my brow bone for a nice highlight.


Then using a pencil brush or liner brush alternate between #3 and #4, the hunter green and burgundy color to line your lower lashes. I used the burgundy along the lower lashes of my inner eye stopping midway, and the hunter green for the other half getting as close to my lower lash line as possible.


With one of my favorite felt liners I lined my upper lash line winging the line out at the end, kind of flicking the line out along that cat eye we drew earlier with the green.


Apply your mascara as you would and then complete your foundation routine per the usual 😀

Tada! That’s the finished look and now you’re ready for date night or girls night! This could easily be turned into a day time look also! To see this tutorial in action here’s my video below, subscribe to my channel for more how-to’s and what-to-do’s like this! <3

Besides the sleek and elegant packaging that this palette offers, the colors can be easily stacked upon one another for more dramatic wear, or used with a lighter hand for a classy day time look.

I layered two lipsticks from this collection, Truffle and Praline, for a rich yet natural looking lip. Truffle is a rich pinky/nude color and Praline compliments it so well with its deep burgundy tones.


Try this look out and TAG me when you do! Have you tried this palette out yet or any other collection from Ciate London? What does your go-to smokey eye look like?

I love that this beauty look lasted all day and all night and the colors stayed vibrant and true throughout!